After his father, the State Duke of Qing, learned of this, he thrashed this youngest son violently, almost to the point of not caring for his life or death.

  It was still his eldest brother Shi Guangfeng who took pity on this brainless third younger brother. He was afraid that their father would truly beat him to death, so he interceded. He proposed bringing his younger brother to the barracks for training so that the latter would grow up into a real man.

  From now on, he would possess indomitable spirit and never be a slave to love again, etc.

  Thus he also took the third young sir away with him.

  Of course, Qiao Mu was naturally unaware of this. However, even if she did know, she would only give it a scoff.

  Luckily, the whole of the State Duke of Qing’s Estate still had their brains. If everyone was like this third young master Shi Guangjin, then the State Duke of Qing’s Estate didn’t seem like it would be lasting much longer.

  These last two days, without regard for how much of a sorry plight the king was in, the young crown prince consort still continued to eat and drink as she should.

  It was just that…


  Her mother-in-law Her Majesty Queen Zhao had been coming over every day to invite her out to stroll here and there. It was just like she was rushing to foster affection with her in these few days.

  This mother-in-law of hers appeared to be happy and cheerful every day.

  But when Qiao Mu took out that small jade figurine Mo Lian carved and placed it in front of her mother-in-law, Queen Zhao promptly hugged this small jade figurine and bawled her eyes out.

  Qiao Mu had originally kept a straight face and left Queen Zhao to cry as she pleased. However, when she saw that the latter had already cried for 15 minutes and had even smeared her makeup, looking quite pitiful, she pattered forward.

  After some hesitation, she reached out to hook Queen Zhao’s shoulder and patted, “Don’t worry, I will bring him back soon.”


  ?Qiao Mu’s gaze turned resolute as she nodded while thinking this.

  “Mom misses him.” Queen Zhao had cried until her handkerchief had gotten wet, and she clutched that small Mo Lian jade figurine without letting go.

  Qiao Mu had originally wanted to take back the jade sculpture, but she saw that Queen Zhao was woefully clutching it without letting go.

  The little fellow raised her brow before pridefully declaring, “Fine, I’ll give this jade sculpture to you.”


  “Really, my daughter-in-law?” Queen Zhao wiped her tears before looking up at her while holding the jade sculpture.

  Qiao Mu nodded glumly. “Mhm.”


  But seeing her worrying over her son and relating that to her own mom, Qiaoqiao’s heart softened.

  Queen Zhao’s tears gave way to smiles, and she dabbed at the corners of her eyes with her sleeve. When she recalled the crown prince’s words, she couldn’t help but want to try it out.

  She suddenly grasped Xiao Qiao’s petite hands and asked her gently, “My daughter-in-law, Mom hasn’t seen you smile even after so long, but you’re about to leave. Couldn’t you smile for Mom for Mom to remember you by?”


  The little stoic solemnly maintained a straight face.

  Queen Zhao watched as the little lady blinked her eyes and finally tugged out a stiff smile with her lips after much hard work.

  At this, Queen Zhao truly giggled in laughter. She grasped the child’s hands as she sighed with emotion. “My daughter-in-law, Mom really is very remorseful that I missed out on properly spending time with you. Mom is muddle-headed and only looks at the surface of matters. I really have lived all these years for nothing. I am still so naive even when living deep inside the palace.”


  “I hope that you can forgive Mother.” Queen Zhao said softly, “And also, Mother has to thank you.”


  “No need.” The little fellow responded stiffly before explaining lightly, “There is no need to say this to family.”


  Queen Zhao laughed.