After returning home safe and sound, Qiao Mu first went to inform her parents before washing up and going to bed.

  Today was so eventful that even she felt spent, falling into a slumber as soon as she hit the sack.

  Just after getting up bright and early the next morning, Qiao Mu was told that Duan Yue had come to pay a visit.

  Duan Yue this guy must have come because of yesterday’s events. So after washing her small face, Qiao Mu immediately ran over to the main room as soon as she changed her clothes.

  Upon entering, she saw that guy pacing back and forth with his hands behind his back.

  “Duan Yue.” Qiao Mu called out in a soft but crisp voice.

  The young man turned around, and his peach-blossom eyes that were brimming with splendor lit up the instant he saw her.

  “Qiaoqiao, are you alright! Did you get hurt?” Duan Yue studied her anxiously and asked, “I heard that the old king also summoned you into the palace after you got back yesterday! What did he do? Reprimand you? Punish you?”


  “Of course nothing happened to me.” Qiao Mu pursed her lips in amusement when she recalled how frustrated the king was, yet simultaneously afraid to voice his fury.

  Other than being just a bit lascivious, muddled, and lazy, there wasn’t anything bad about Mo Lian’s dad. Hence, she was just playing a small prank on the old man; however, she did wonder how much trauma it would give him.

  “I just knew that Qiaoqiao would be alright,” Duan Yue exclaimed joyfully as he reached out to grasp her sleeve. “Ay, why did you barge into the Qiao main family alone? You should have at least taken me along! I would be able to join in on the fun too, isn’t that right?”


  Qiao Mu nodded her small head. “Then fine, if there’s some kind of fighting to do next time, I’ll call for you.”


  “That’s more like it!” Duan Yue promptly nodded with a grin.

  “Qiaoqiao. Do you have anything planned for the Lantern Festival? I heard that there will be a colored lantern fair, so let’s go together!”


  “Lanterns, huh.” Qiao Mu’s interest waned.

  “Yup, apparently, there is no curfew that night! We can stay out until very late!” Duan Yue blinked at her imploringly. “It’ll be very fun! There’ll be a big crowd there, making wishes and releasing lanterns, as well as all sorts of activities! Let’s go have fun together, okay?”


  “Yay!” Two cheers could suddenly be heard. “Sister, Sister, let’s go play!”


  Qiao Lin and Qiao Sen suddenly popped out from the doorframe and ran excitedly towards Qiao Mu.

  Trailing behind the two people, the little monk also gazed at Qiao Mu with shining eyes. “Benefactress, is that Lantern Festival that fun?”


  Previously when he lived in the monastery, he could only celebrate festivals together with his old master!

  He hadn’t been to a colored lantern fair before, so he had never seen what it meant for it to be so lively that the crowds were packed.

  Qiao Mu beckoned at the little monk with her hand.

  The little monk pattered over and looked up at her. “Benefactress?”


  “Kongkong, you want to go very much?”


  The little monk tilted his head in contemplation, but he still nodded vigorously in the end. “I want to go!”


  Afterwards, Qiao Mu reached out to stroke Kongkong’s small head. “Then alright, we’ll go together.”


  “Oh yeah!”


  Duan Yue twitched his mouth. He didn’t expect that they would also be dragging along three kiddos in tow.

  “Qiaoqiao, ten days after the Lantern Festival is the big competition between the disciples from the eight great patrician families that are 13 to 20 years old. Can you come and watch?”


  Qiao Mu turned to Duan Yue. “I will participate in the competition!”


  At once, Duan Yue jumped up excitedly. “Really? Then you must properly whup those Duan Family monkeys for me! Hahahahaha.”


  ——