Chapter 152 Inviting Madam Su Back to the Mansion

Qiao was filled with shame by her mother's words. Did she regret what happened back then?

Outsiders didn't know that when she was still a young lady in her boudoir, she fell in love at first sight with Yu Jingsheng, the Earl of Nanping. Unfortunately, the Earl of Nanping was in love with Su Shi and married her. She could only bury this feeling in her heart.

Later, when Su's father got into trouble, she was overjoyed and felt that her opportunity had come. So she persuaded her father to help her, making Su's father's case a foregone conclusion that could not be overturned. In the end, Su's father was sentenced to prison and exile.

Her mother then reached an agreement with Madam Zhang, taking advantage of the Earl's absence from the capital to demote Madam Su to a divorced wife, while she herself was married into the Nanping Earl's mansion.

So many years have passed in the blink of an eye. On the surface, she was the glamorous Lady of Nanping, but she never truly entered her husband's heart.

Qiao suddenly realized how similar her situation was to that of her sister-in-law.

However, she was much luckier than her sister-in-law. She had her father and mother as powerful backers to support her, while her sister-in-law's family... well, they were lucky if they didn't drag her down.

Wen said to himself, "You are too impatient. It is understandable that you want to take action against that mother and her two children, but such things must be carefully planned and executed to ensure success. Otherwise, you should not take action."

But you, you failed at the last hurdle, alerting the enemy in the first place. What can I say about you?

Mrs. Qiao raised her head in shame: "Mother, I know I was wrong. I will be more careful in the future."

Wen said, “Your current approach is correct. Set things aside for a while and wait for things to calm down before thinking of another solution. After the New Year, find an opportunity to whisper in the ear of the Earl of Nanping’s ear and persuade him to agree to bring Su back to the mansion.”

"What?"

Qiao was startled and was about to object when Wen said:

"Now everyone in the capital knows that Madam Su is the Earl's first wife. It's inevitable that the first wife will be gossiped about because she lives outside for a long time. But do you think it's just Madam Su who's being talked about? People are laughing at your entire Nanping Earl's Mansion!"

It would be better if you took the initiative to invite her back to the manor. A moment of humility is nothing; it will only make you appear virtuous and magnanimous. You must understand that even if Madam Su returns to the manor, given her past grievances with your mother-in-law, she will never allow her to use her status as the legal wife to ride roughshod over you.

Remember, you need to keep someone under your nose to find an opportunity to strike. Even if you can't kill her outright, a slow and steady approach is still a good method. Only by alienating your son-in-law from that Su woman will you have a chance to bring her down.

After hearing her mother's words, Qiao felt as if she had been enlightened.

After a long pause, she nodded and said, "I understand now. I was too anxious before. However, that Su is now living outside under the pretense of mourning and refuses to come back. If I propose to bring her back now, I think the Lord would be willing, but it will be difficult to say anything to my mother-in-law. If I am blamed by my mother-in-law because of this, it would be a loss."

Wen glared at her: "That's why I told you to find a way to persuade your husband first. As for your mother-in-law, your husband will handle that."

Madam Qiao: "Alright, I'll do my best. But what if Madam Su herself doesn't want to return to the manor?"

Madam Wen sneered, "How do you know she doesn't secretly wish to return to the manor? A woman living alone outside is easily gossiped about, and if anything happens, her reputation will be ruined. If Madam Su really doesn't know what's good for her and refuses to go back, I don't mind giving her a generous gift."

At this moment, Wen's face was devoid of any kindness, and her sinister eyes were full of calculation.

After hearing this, Qiao's frustration and misfortune of the past few days vanished. With her mother backing her up, what did she have to fear?

Thinking about it, she unconsciously clenched the handkerchief in her hand.

Madam Wen: "In matters of the inner quarters, it has always been a matter of one side prevailing over the other, depending on who is more skilled. Just do what you need to do, and I will always be there to support you. But remember to be careful not to leave any evidence against you."

Mrs. Qiao: "My daughter remembers."

After Qiao Ning took Yu Qingyun and Yu Qingyan out, Yu Qingyun became impatient with talking to her sisters and quickly made an excuse to go play somewhere else.

Qiao Ning is twelve years old this year. She is the only legitimate daughter of Minister Qiao's family. Her personality is like her mother, Ruan Shi, quiet and somewhat reserved.

At this moment, she really didn't know what to say to her two older cousins. These two cousins ​​had never liked her, and when she visited the Vice Minister's Mansion with her aunt, they rarely spoke to her.

But since she was the host, she still politely extended the invitation:

"It's too cold outside today, there's nothing fun to do. Why don't you two cousins ​​come and sit in my yard?"

Before Yu Qingyan could speak, Yu Qingying rolled her eyes at Qiao Ning and said:

"What's so fun about your yard? We've been there before, and it's just like you—bland and boring. We'd rather not go."

A quick glance revealed a jade pendant tied around Qiao Ning's waist. It was the size of a pigeon egg and paired with a dark brown ribbon, making it look exquisite and beautiful.

Yu Qingying stepped forward and picked it up to examine it closely. She saw that the jade pendant was pink all over with a warm and smooth surface, and was carved into the outline of a bee. It looked even more crystal clear in the sunlight.

"Huh, this is hibiscus jade, right? I've never seen this kind of jade before."

Qiao Ning said softly, "This was a gift from my maternal grandmother when I had my last birthday. This is the first time I'm wearing it today, so my cousin has naturally never seen it before."

Yu Qingying grew up in luxury, and Qiao Shi doted on her children, so her dressing box was full of fine jade.

She had a pair of hibiscus jade bracelets when she was a child, but this was the first time she had ever seen such crystal clear hibiscus jade; it was truly a rare treasure.

Yu Qingying liked it more and more as she looked at it, and casually said:

"It's rare to find something on you that I like. Can I borrow it to play with?"

Qiao Ning's face immediately showed a nervous expression, and her lips trembled as she didn't know what to say.

Seeing that Qiao Ning remained silent for a long time, Yu Qingying let out a soft snort.

"It's just for fun, it's not like I'm asking you for it, cousin. Are you just being stingy? Humph! You're so petty."

Qiao Ning was only a twelve-year-old girl after all. When she heard her cousin say that, she could only lower her head and start to untie the sash around her waist.

Yu Qingyan, watching from the side, found it amusing and said:

"Qingying, stop fooling around. You have all sorts of good things, yet you've set your sights on your cousin's jade? Didn't you see that your cousin is almost crying from your words?"

Yu Qingying glanced at Qiao Ning disdainfully and said, "Hmph! It's her good fortune that I want her things. Believe me, I'll ask my aunt later, and she'll definitely give them to me right away."

Qiao Ning had already taken off the jade pendant, and upon hearing this, she held it tightly in her hand without saying a word.

Yu Qingying raised her chin high, waiting for her to hand the jade to her.

Despite the other party's covetous gaze, Qiao Ning still handed it over.

Yu Qingying took it without ceremony and examined it carefully.

Yu Qingyan then stepped forward to mediate: "Alright, stop teasing your cousin. Can't you see she's so nervous? If you really take her jade, she'll cry. Just play with it for a while and then give it back to her."