Chapter 159

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Protagonist:

Yan Qianqian

Before long, the carriage arrived at the front gate of Shangshu Fu. Qianqian stepped down from the carriage lightly, and following the servants who had come to greet her, she went first to Elder Sister's courtyard.

At this moment, Yan Xiner and Zhouzhou were sitting side by side in the courtyard basking in the warm sun. When they caught sight of Qianqian appearing at the gate from afar, Yan Xiner was overjoyed; she immediately stood up holding Zhouzhou and walked toward Qianqian with a face full of delight.

"Oh my, Qianqian, why have you come so suddenly!" Upon seeing Qianqian, Yan Xiner asked with a face full of pleasant surprise. Qianqian instantly bloomed into a brilliant, flower-like smile and replied softly, "Elder Sister, I missed you and Zhouzhou, so I hurried over to see you!"

Hearing this, Yan Xiner's heart swelled with happiness; she hurriedly lowered her head to look at the adorable little one in her arms — Zhouzhou, who was already two years old.

The current Zhouzhou had grown a bit taller; her round little face still carried some baby fat, her chubby appearance simply making one unable to resist pinching her. Looking more closely, Zhouzhou's delicate features resembled Ai Chun even more.

At this time, Zhouzhou also noticed Qianqian before her, and called out in a babbling voice, "Little Aunt~" That soft, sweet voice seemed capable of melting a person's heart. Seeing this, Qianqian immediately responded with a heart full of joy, "Zhouzhou darling, did you miss Little Aunt?"

Zhouzhou blinked her big, watery eyes and nodded obediently, "I did!" Immediately after, Yan Xiner carefully set Zhouzhou gently down on the ground.

Don't look at how young this little one is — she has already learned to walk! She toddled toward Qianqian, wobbling, while stretching out her chubby little hands and crying in a milky voice, "Hug~ Hug~"

Qianqian naturally would not refuse Zhouzhou's request; she hurriedly bent down and scooped her into her arms.

However, before long, Qianqian felt her arms begin to ache; after all, the current Zhouzhou was quite a bit heavier than before. Yan Xiner beside her, seeing Qianqian's slightly strained appearance, couldn't help but smile and say, "If you're tired, just put Zhouzhou down and rest for a bit."

Who knew that as soon as these words left her mouth, Zhouzhou, who had been staying obediently in Qianqian's arms, instantly became unhappy; her little mouth pouted, and she looked about to cry.

Fortunately, Yan Xiner was quick-eyed and quick-handed; before Zhouzhou could truly cry out, she hurriedly coaxed, "Little Aunt has held you this long, she must be exhausted. How about we let Little Aunt rest properly for a bit, okay?"

Although there was a trace of reluctance in her heart, Zhouzhou was ultimately obediently set down gently by Qianqian. At this moment, Qianqian slightly pursed her lips and then spoke softly, "Elder Sister, actually, my visit today is not merely to pay a call on the two of you. In fact, I have another important matter to attend to."

Hearing this, Yan Xiner couldn't help but feel curious, and hurriedly asked, "What matter exactly is it?"

Qianqian hesitated slightly, as if organizing her words; a moment later she continued, "This matter concerns Ai Jiao. So I must trouble Elder Sister to send someone to summon him first; once he arrives, I will explain in detail."

Hearing this, Yan Xiner nodded without hesitation, "Alright!" She then turned and instructed Linglong beside her to go summon Ai Jiao.

Before long, Linglong's lithe figure appeared at the doorway, and behind her followed a puzzled-looking Ai Jiao. The moment Ai Jiao stepped through the door, he greeted Yan Xiner very respectfully, "Sister-in-law, peace be with you!"

Yan Xiner smiled in reply, "Jiao'er has come, quickly please sit. Qianqian has something to discuss with you."

Hearing this, Ai Jiao hurriedly turned his gaze toward Qianqian sitting to the side and asked eagerly, "Qianqian younger sister, what exactly is the matter?"

Qianqian took a deep breath and spoke unhurriedly, "It is like this: I have already mentioned your matter to my Father. Father said that if your father permits you to go, then he can arrange for you to enter."

Hearing this, Ai Jiao instantly grew excited, his excitement spilling over, and he shouted loudly, "Agreed! My dad will definitely agree!"

Yan Xiner nodded, expressing agreement, "Indeed. Jiao'er has mentioned many times before wanting to enter the military camp; even Eunuch agreed to think of a way to help, but Eunuch said he could only arrange entry into a military camp — Jiao'er wants to enter the Yan Family Army, and that requires Father."

Qianqian at the side, hearing this, said thoughtfully, "Hmm... looking at it this way, should we ask Uncle Ai to step forward and speak with Father King? Otherwise, if Father King arranges him into the military camp without obtaining his father's permission, it wouldn't be quite proper."

Hearing this, Yan Xiner also expressed deep agreement, "Mm-hmm, I also think what you say makes a lot of sense! Jiao'er, why don't you go tell Eunuch right now, and have Eunuch ask Father King to send you into the military camp."

Hearing the two of them suggest this, Ai Jiao's eyes lit up instantly, and he shouted excitedly, "Alright! I'll go find Dad right now!" Before his words had even fallen, he spun around and bolted out, running straight for the courtyard where Guo Lanxin lived.

When Ai Jiao hurriedly arrived at Guo Lanxin's courtyard, from far away he could hear a clamor coming from inside. He walked quickly into the courtyard, only to see a spectacularly lively scene before his eyes!

He saw his own mother Guo Lanxin holding a feather duster, her face full of fury, shouting loudly, "Don't you run! Today this old lady will beat you to death!"

And to the side, Ai Sheng was hugging his head and fleeing in all directions, still yelling, "Oh come on, I didn't do it on purpose! With so many people watching, at least leave me some face!" At this moment Guo Lanxin was already panting from exhaustion, but still refused to give up, continuing to chase Ai Sheng relentlessly.

"How many times have you promised me you'd never hide private money again! Just how many times!" Guo Lanxin shouted in a frantic rage. Seeing this, Ai Sheng hurriedly quibbled, "Madam, the money in that vase might not have been hidden by me; maybe some servant accidentally put it in there."

Hearing this, Guo Lanxin grew even more furious, cursing loudly, "Don't you spout nonsense here! What servant would be stupid enough to hide gold ingots in a vase!"

Just then, Ai Jiao rushed forward and grabbed Guo Lanxin, persuading her, "Mother, calm down first, stop hitting Father! Even if Father hid private money, he didn't use it for anything bad; let's talk things out properly." Hearing her youngest son's persuasion, Guo Lanxin finally stopped her hand.

Ai Jiao asked with great curiosity, "Mother, how did you discover Father hiding private money?" Guo Lanxin pulled Ai Jiao toward the house while pouring herself a cup of water, then sat down and slowly recounted the course of events.