Qiao Mu had seen her mother standing at the main entrance with a glance. There were some fine wrinkles on her forehead and at the corners of her eyes now.

  All at once, the thoughts of yearning in the depths of Qiao Mu’s heart overflowed, and she strode towards her mother’s direction. She walked faster and faster, breaking into a gallop in the end.

  Wei Ziqin also hastily descended the steps. She flung away a maidservant’s proffered hand to support her, and she opened up her arms as she ran towards her daughter.

  “Mom!” Qiao Mu pounced over and got wrapped up in Wei Ziqin’s embrace immediately.

  Wei Ziqin patted her back twice without too much force and scolded while weeping, “You rascal! Do you remember what you said to Mom when you left? You said that you would be able to come back in three years if you were quick! How about now? How many years has it been? How many years has it been since you’ve come back! There hasn’t been a letter in two to three years, either! You’re really set on worrying Mom to death. This child!”


  “I’m sorry, Mom!” Qiao Mu raised her head with reddened eyes. She acted like a spoiled child in her mother’s embrace and whimpered pitifully, “Something happened, so Daughter wasn’t able to come back in time.”


  “Look at you, you’re a young lady, about to have your coming-of-age hairpin ceremony, yet you’re still acting spoiled in Mom’s embrace.” Wei Ziqin turned her tears into laughter, and she poked the little lady’s forehead. When she raised her eyes and saw Mo Lian striding over, she was instantly a bit embarrassed.

  “Xiao Mo, I let you see a spectacle.”


  “How could that be? Auntie, let’s go in before chatting.”


  “Okay, okay. Qiaoqiao’s Dad and Second Uncle still don’t know that Qiaoqiao has come back. Come, come, let’s first enter the house.” Wei Ziqin tugged her daughter’s hand and looked at Crown Prince Mo with slight regret.

  Crown Prince Mo felt utterly frazzled by his mother-in-law’s regretful gaze.

  Wei Ziqin sighed in her heart. She didn’t know if this Mo Kingdom Monarch had suddenly gone nuts to abruptly decree a marriage for her daughter. Otherwise, she was extremely optimistic about Xiao Mo, this child.

  This child, Xiao Mo, was mature and steady, and he had a good temper and personality. But most importantly, he was also filial!

  Such a good boy was hard to come by even if you held a lantern to look for one. Granted, there was quite an age difference between them, but an older boy could dote on her daughter dearly. Besides, they were an ideal match and could be considered childhood sweethearts. She and her husband had also known Xiao Mo for such a long time, so they could be at ease if they were to entrust their daughter to him.

  They were supposed to be a match made in heaven.

  But now, sigh!

  Even though her daughter was about to have her hairpin ceremony, Wei Ziqin still thought that she was still too young. The palace was a place where trouble and gossip ran rampant. How could she bear to harm her own daughter?

  Yet, she could not disobey the king’s orders. Ever since that baffling royal edict was issued, Wei Ziqin didn’t eat much for lunch, her mood extremely melancholic.

  Qiao Mu cast a covert glance at the crown prince before turning to beckon towards Qiao Sen, who had alighted from the carriage.

  Qiao Sen hopped over with small steps, but his head had shrunk back slightly.

  Upon glimpsing this naughty youngest son, Wei Ziqin’s expression turned fierce. “Xiao Sen, what did you do in front of the entrance just earlier? How did you anger your Eldest Sis just as she returned?”


  Qiao Sen instantly went up to latch onto his mom’s thigh. “Mom, Sister has already forgiven Xiao Sen.”


  “Oh my, Youngest Young Master, what happened to your hand?” A tall maidservant, whose face was as fine as jade, slowly articulated in a soft voice while bending over to hold up Qiao Sen’s small hand.

  Wei Ziqin’s gaze then landed on her youngest son’s hand.

  Although the swelling on Xiao Sen’s small hand had gone down by more than half, it was still slightly red after all. It just didn’t look as scary as before, when it looked like a mantou.