The concubine was charming and alluring, and the ruthless prince coaxed her day and night.

Chapter 143 The Eldest Daughter of the Xu Family

"On the way to the Bamboo Courtyard, many servants saw His Highness and the young lady. If we can't give a proper explanation, I'm afraid all sorts of rumors will spread throughout the manor in no time..."

Although it was late autumn, Xu Guanghe had broken out in a sweat along the way. He wiped his forehead with his sleeve and continued, "This humble official is worried that if these rumors spread, they will be detrimental to His Highness Prince Chen..."

Xu Jiaojiao nodded slightly, naturally understanding Xu Guanghe's concerns: "What does Lord Xu intend to do?"

Xu Guanghe continued, "Before Prince Chen left the residence, he discussed with me the idea of ​​including you in the Xu family genealogy, so that you could live in the Xu family as the eldest daughter of the Xu family... I wonder if Miss Xu..."

Xu Jiaojiao lowered her eyes and pondered for a moment: "I am fine, but wouldn't it be even stranger if the Xu family suddenly had an extra daughter?"

Seeing that Xu Jiaojiao remained calm and had no objection, Xu Guanghe secretly breathed a sigh of relief and a smile appeared on his face: "Miss Xu, you don't need to worry about this. His Highness Prince Chen has already made arrangements."

Before His Highness left the residence, he secretly instructed General Yingyi to spread the word that the Xu family had a daughter who was frail and sickly and had been raised away from home since childhood. Now that she was healthy, she had been brought back to the residence. In this way, the girl's identity would have a reasonable explanation, and no one would suspect anything.

Upon hearing this, Xu Jiaojiao raised an eyebrow slightly.

She knew that Prince Chen was always meticulous in his work.

She nodded slightly: "Since Your Highness has already devised a comprehensive plan, I will follow your instructions, but..."

Xu Jiaojiao hesitated, looking at Xu Guanghe with a meaningful gaze.

The latter, who was favored by Prince Chen, was naturally no ordinary person. He immediately understood Xu Jiaojiao's concerns: "Miss, please speak frankly."

Xu Jiaojiao chuckled softly, but the smile didn't reach her eyes: "Lord Xu, although I'm listed in the Xu family genealogy, I'm still an outsider..."

Xu Guanghe understood Xu Jiaojiao's meaning perfectly well.

Prince Chen will surely become the emperor of the Yan Dynasty in the future. As the woman in Prince Chen's heart, Xu Jiaojiao's rise to prominence is just around the corner.

She was afraid that he might use this relationship to seek benefits from Prince Chen.

Xu Guanghe knew perfectly well what kind of person Prince Chen was. As long as he took good care of Xu Jiaojiao, he would naturally reap the rewards. As for the rest, if he didn't behave himself, Prince Chen wouldn't let him off the hook either.

Xu Guanghe understood the stakes involved.

He immediately waved his hand and said gently, "Miss, you don't need to worry. His Highness entrusted you to the Xu family. It is a blessing that the Xu family has accumulated through good deeds. You can just stay in the Xu residence with peace of mind. You don't need to worry about anything else!"

Having received the message, Xu Jiaojiao nodded slightly: "Thank you for your understanding, Lord Xu."

Xu Guanghe hurriedly cupped his hands in greeting: "No, no, then it's settled. Once everything is arranged, I will open the ancestral hall, invite the clan elders, and formally inscribe Miss Xu's name into the family genealogy."

Xu Jiaojiao nodded slightly: "Thank you for your trouble, Lord Xu."

Xu Guanghe stood up and cupped his hands in greeting again: "You're too kind, young lady. I'll take my leave now and not disturb your rest any longer."

After saying that, Xu Guanghe turned and left. Xu Jiaojiao watched his figure disappear outside the courtyard gate, and thoughtfully rubbed her fingertips together.

Not long after Xu Guanghe left, another uninvited guest arrived outside the bamboo courtyard.

Xu Jiaojiao couldn't help but glance at the figure peeking out of the courtyard gate: "Who's outside?"

"Ah..." Xu Qingran, who was peeking out from the doorway, exclaimed softly involuntarily.

That sweet voice is so pleasant to hear, it makes your bones melt. I thought her voice was already sweet enough, but I didn't expect the woman in the bamboo courtyard to have an even sweeter voice.

Unfortunately, the light gauze hanging from the window obscured the woman's face, making it difficult for her to see clearly; otherwise, her tracks wouldn't have been discovered.

But now that we've discovered it, we can't keep hiding it any longer.

Xu Qingran walked out confidently: "I am Xu Qingran. And who are you? Why are you staying at my house?"

Xu Qingran? Surname Xu?

Xu Jiaojiao, who was inside the room, raised an eyebrow.

Judging from her tone, this girl must be Xu Guanghe's real daughter.

They found it quickly...

She reached out her hand, and with Jin Gang's help, she got up and slowly walked into the courtyard.

A girl dressed in a light pink dress was standing at the gate of the courtyard, looking at him with curiosity and inquiry.

Thinking of her conversation with Xu Guanghe, Xu Jiaojiao's eyes flashed, and she smiled kindly: "Um... I'm Xu Jiaojiao, so I'm your... older sister."

"Sister?" Xu Qingran frowned, clearly unfamiliar with this title.

She grew up in the Xu family home and had older brothers, younger sisters, and younger brothers, but she had never heard of having an older sister.

Moreover, this Xu Jiaojiao is really beautiful, and doesn't resemble the round and honest appearance of the Xu family at all.

Xu Jiaojiao noticed her confusion and patiently explained, "I grew up away from home and only recently returned to the manor, so it's normal that you don't recognize me."

Upon hearing this, Xu Qingran became even more puzzled. She had never heard her father mention that she had an older sister. Moreover, judging from Xu Jiaojiao's attire and the two imposing maids beside her, even a fool could tell that Xu Jiaojiao was no ordinary person.

"You...are you really my sister?" Xu Qingran asked, somewhat incredulous.

Xu Jiaojiao nodded, her gaze gentle: "Yes, Qingran, if you don't believe me, you can ask Father."

“Father…” Xu Qingran was silent for a moment, recalling the servants’ discussion just now.

Xu Jiaojiao was indeed brought back by her father, but if she really is his sister, then what about the other one? And why is her father so subservient to her?

Xu Qingran felt a vague unease. She had a feeling that things weren't so simple, but she couldn't quite put her finger on what was wrong.

Seeing Xu Qingran standing blankly at the courtyard gate, Xu Jiaojiao smiled and invited, "Come in and sit down. It's cold outside. If you have anything to ask, ask it inside. It wouldn't be worth it if you caught a cold."

After saying that, Xu Jiaojiao went inside first: "Cailian, go make some tea."

Xu Qingran hesitated for a moment at the gate of the courtyard, but finally nodded and stepped into the house.

As soon as she entered the room, Xu Qingran's eyes lit up.

The interior is simple yet exquisite, and the pleasant incense is refreshing, making one feel much less dry and irritated by the autumn heat.

Before long, Cailian brought up a cup of the finest Eight Treasure Tea. The delightful aroma of the tea filled the air, and Xu Qingran's gaze was immediately drawn to it.

Cailian lowered her head and served the two of them Eight Treasure Tea.

Xu Qingran held the hot tea, but her gaze kept glancing at Xu Jiaojiao, her heart filled with doubt.

The bamboo courtyard looks simple, but the objects inside, the incense used, and the tea consumed all exude wealth and extravagance.

Although Xu Qingran didn't know how much these things were actually worth, she knew that they were far beyond what the Xu family could afford.

"Hmm... why have you been away all these years?" After a moment's thought, Xu Qingran asked tentatively.