Chapter 262 People from the Vice Minister's Residence

A few months ago, Qiao Chengfeng, the eldest son of the Wen family, was transferred back to the capital from another place. Now, Qiao Chengfeng is a sixth-rank official in the Dali Temple.

Qiao Chengfeng previously held a fifth-rank official position in another region. After being transferred back to the capital, Vice Minister Qiao originally intended for his son to continue to hold a fifth-rank official position, which would have been a lateral transfer.

According to the laws of this dynasty, local officials transferred to the capital can only maintain their original rank if they achieve outstanding political achievements in their localities; otherwise, they can only be demoted by one rank.

Although Vice Minister Qiao tried his best to get a better position for his son, Qiao Chengfeng's political achievements during his years as an official were mediocre, and he had nothing to be praised for. So in the end, he only got a sixth-rank official position.

Today, someone from the Earl's residence suddenly came to inform them that the couple wanted to come over for a chat. Even if they didn't say anything, the Vice Minister Qiao and his wife knew that something serious must have happened. Otherwise, the Earl of Nanping, as a junior, would have come to see them in person. Since that's the case, it would be appropriate to bring their son and daughter-in-law along as well.

However, her son had already gone out to work, and as for her daughter-in-law, Ruan, Wen really didn't think much of her—no, she had never even considered her.

Leaving aside the past, ever since her son returned with her niece Yuexiu and several children, Ruan Shi has become increasingly dull and incompetent, remaining silent like an invisible person all day long. Even if you scold her to her face, she won't budge. Even if you take her out, she certainly won't be of any help.

Wen had no choice but to bring Yuexiu out, and at this point she no longer cared that Yuexiu was only a concubine.

Just as the group was getting impatient, Nanping Bo, Lu Yunqi, and Yu Qingci walked in from outside.

When Vice Minister Qiao saw the group enter, he snorted coldly and didn't intend to pay them any attention. He had been inexplicably invited here early in the morning, only to be left sitting on the sidelines for half a day, which had already made him very angry. Naturally, he wouldn't give the Earl of Nanping a friendly look.

Madam Wen glanced at the group, and seeing that her daughter, Madam Qiao, was not among them, she became even more flustered. She smiled and stood up to ask:

"The son-in-law is here? Oh, what are the Third Miss and Third Son-in-law doing here so early in the morning?"

Seeing that the group had not bowed to Minister Qiao and Madam Wen upon entering, Wen Yuexiu corrected them with displeasure:

"What Third Miss? Aunt, you are an elder, there is no need to be so polite to a junior."

After saying that, he turned his gaze to Yu Qingci and snorted coldly:

"They really have no manners. They don't even know how to greet their elders. No wonder they grew up in the countryside."

Madam Wen frowned, signaling her to shut up; today was not the time to argue about such things. Wen Yuexiu rolled her eyes at Yu Qingci again, unconvinced.

Yu Qingci smiled slightly and said, "The Vice Minister's residence has quite the rules. To actually bring a concubine along when visiting guests is truly an eye-opener."

"you!"

Wen Yuexiu had been away from home with her husband for many years, always presenting herself as the principal wife in public. Now that she had returned to the capital, she had never paid any attention to Ruan Shi. In addition, with her aunt Wen Shi doting on her, everyone in the Vice Minister's mansion fawned over her.

At this moment, Yu Qingci pointed out her status as a concubine without any mercy, and Wen Yuexiu's expression immediately changed and she was about to lash out.

Wen Shi reacted quickly and stopped her. In this situation, only Wen Yuexiu couldn't grasp the gravity of the situation.

Yu Qingci didn't want to argue with a concubine, so she pulled Lu Yunqi to find a seat.

Wen wanted to say something more, but seeing this, his expression also darkened.

The Earl of Nanping casually cupped his hands to Minister Qiao and Madam Wen and said, "Greetings, father-in-law and mother-in-law."

After everyone was seated, Vice Minister Qiao asked with a stern face:

"Son-in-law, what do you mean by this? Why did you rush over here so early in the morning? By the way, where is Ru'er?"

Ru'er was Qiao's nickname.

With an anxious expression, Madam Wen also spoke:

"Son-in-law, has something happened to Ru'er? Why haven't we seen her come out to greet us after all this time?"

Uncle Nanping: "Father-in-law and mother-in-law, don't be anxious. The reason I suddenly invited you here is because I have important matters to discuss."

Since everyone was already there, the Earl of Nanping didn't keep them in suspense any longer and directly ordered someone to bring out all the confessions from yesterday and present them to Vice Minister Qiao and his wife.

The two were immediately taken aback after reading it.

Vice Minister Qiao: "This is impossible! Where did this confession come from? It's utterly absurd! How could my daughter do such a heinous thing?"

Madam Wen also said with disbelief, "Yes, my daughter has always been virtuous and kind-hearted. She can't even bear to see a chicken being killed in the kitchen. How could she do such a thing? Son-in-law, my dear son-in-law, there must be some misunderstanding. You must find out the truth and not wrong my daughter."

Where is my daughter? I need to see her.

He hurriedly headed towards the inner courtyard.

Nanping Earl: "No rush. I know you don't believe me. I'll have someone bring them all over right now. If you have any questions, you can ask them directly."

He immediately ordered his men to bring over Qiao Shi, Granny Wu, Wangcai, Shengwang, and Tian Niangzi, along with all the others.

Qiao was confined to the Begonia Courtyard for a night. Although her food and clothing were still served as usual, the psychological torment was unbearable. She was so anxious that she couldn't sleep at all. Her eyes were sunken and her skin was dull and lifeless. She weakly held the hand of her maid, Zhishu, and appeared to everyone as if she were terminally ill. She was completely different from the radiant and confident mistress of the house she had been before.

When Qiao saw her father and mother, her heart ached and tears streamed down her face.

"Father, Mother, you've finally arrived."

Madam Wen rushed forward and hugged her daughter, looking her over with heartache: "What happened to you? How did you get like this?"

Vice Minister Qiao and Wen Yuexiu were also taken aback and quickly stepped forward to ask them questions.

After the group had finished asking their questions, Yu Qingci coughed to interrupt them, and then calmly and meticulously recounted the events, pausing to confirm with the parties involved at each crucial point.

"Is that right, Madam Tian?"

"Bringing wealth and prosperity, you two admitted it yourselves, didn't you?"

"Granny Wu, is this what you did back then?"

After yesterday's ordeal and being locked up all night without food or water, the group was on the verge of a mental breakdown. They were so desperate that they readily confessed everything, nodding and admitting everything, even kowtowing and begging for mercy.

After Yu Qingci finished speaking, the Earl of Nanping looked coldly at Minister Qiao and his wife:

"Father-in-law and Mother-in-law, is there anything else you don't understand? Please feel free to ask!"

Vice Minister Qiao was the first to stand up: "Impossible! To conclude that my daughter has offended someone based solely on the words of a few lackeys is utterly absurd! I know my daughter well; she has always been soft-hearted and would never do such a rebellious thing!"

Madam Wen: "Yes, my daughter has always been gentle and kind. She could never have done such a harmful thing. These servants must have framed her. Son-in-law, you can't believe their one-sided story. My daughter is innocent!"