Chapter 16 Rumors of Broken Engagement

A few days later.

The small kitchen at Songhetang is almost finished. Finding a cook has been put on the agenda. As for new clothes and jewelry, they are all being made.

Of course, these matters were not handled well. Madam Min Qiao simply focused on recuperating, and in her spare time, she would listen to stories and tunes, living a leisurely and carefree life.

Indeed, ever since Wei Jia arrived, Madam Min Qiao has never been bored.

Today we'll listen to the story told by the lame and blind father and daughter duo; tomorrow we'll listen to the courtesan from Cuihongxuan play the pipa and sing a little tune; and the day after tomorrow we'll invite a star performer to come in and sing an opera.

If you're hungry, there are always different pastries and fruits available every day. If you're thirsty, there's tea or sweet soup simmering on a stove just a few steps away. You can eat or drink whatever you like.

Is it boring to be alone?

Don't worry, Granny Fang will be there to keep you company and enjoy yourself every day.

If you still feel there aren't enough people, there are also young women on their days off to keep you company while you listen to opera and music.

You ask what the little girl can understand?

Oh, what does it matter if we understand or not? As long as the old lady applauds and cheers, everyone should just follow suit and cheer to liven up the atmosphere.

That afternoon, Madam Min Qiao, Granny Fang, and three or five maids were listening to Miss Liu Mei from Cui Hong Xuan playing the pipa in the warm pavilion of the west wing.

Suddenly a young maid entered and quietly called Granny Fang out.

Madam Min only glanced at the little girl briefly. She looked familiar; she seemed to be the new gatekeeper.

Min Qiaoshi didn't take it to heart and continued to listen to the music and admire the beautiful woman.

Indeed, while listening to music, Madam Min also learned to appreciate beautiful women.

The girl with willow-browed eyebrows who came today is about seventeen or eighteen years old. She has red lips and white teeth, almond-shaped eyes and peach-blossom cheeks. Her makeup is just right, and she is very pleasing to the eye. She plays the pipa quite well, and her singing is also very pleasant.

After Miss Liu Mei finished singing one song, she changed to another. When the song was coming to an end, Granny Fang returned with a gloomy face.

Seeing Fang Mama's expression, Madam Min Qiao knew something was wrong. So she raised her hand to interrupt Miss Liu Mei, "Let's call it a day."

The girl with willow-browed eyebrows rose, bowed, and left the warm pavilion carrying her pipa.

The other maids who were accompanying them also obediently withdrew.

Once only the two of them, mistress and servant, remained in the warm pavilion, Madam Min Qiao asked Granny Fang, "Why do you look like this after just one trip out? Who upset you like this?"

Granny Fang angrily poured herself a cup of tea, picked it up, and then put it down again.

Madam Min Qiao was not in a hurry and took a sip of the sweet soup.

These past few days, I don't know which chef has been making her sweet soup, it's fragrant and refreshing, sweet but not cloying, just to her liking. I'll reward her later.

After calming down for a moment, Granny Fang was still seething with anger. But seeing that Madam Min showed no curiosity at all, she suddenly felt a bit amused and exasperated.

"Madam, aren't you curious why I'm angry?"

Madam Min looked at her casually and said in a relaxed tone, "How old are you? Why do you still act like a little girl, getting anxious and upset over the smallest things?"

Granny Fang gave an awkward laugh and said sheepishly, "I was just worried about the Grand Madam."

"Speak, what is it?"

Granny Fang hesitated for a moment, then gritted her teeth and said quickly, "The matter of the eldest young lady breaking off the engagement has caused quite a stir in the city. Granny Sun just told me that when her husband went out to shop these past few days, he encountered many people who were talking about our household."

"Oh dear, those were some awful words!" Granny Fang slapped her thigh and said angrily, "They said our Marquis of Xuanping's mansion is ungrateful and betrays us after we've served our purpose."

"That's all. They also said that we bullied others by relying on our power and the weak, and forced the Lu family to break off the engagement."

"Some people even said that in order to break off the engagement, our family did not hesitate to send servants to break into a private residence, seize the marriage certificate, and even beat up that young master of the Lu family. It's truly lawless."

Min Qiao sneered silently. She had long anticipated this day.

The Marquis of Xuanping's family owed a great debt of gratitude to Grand Secretary Lu, and now that the engagement has been broken off, they are bound to face immense criticism!

There was just one thing she couldn't understand: "Are Min Rong and his wife brainless? How did they manage to make such a big fuss?"

If it were her, she would definitely offer generous gifts and promise substantial benefits. Most importantly, one must maintain a humble attitude and treat her with courtesy!

Ideally, Min Rong and his wife should personally take the stage and fully express their self-blame, guilt, and helplessness.

In this way, even if outsiders criticize the Marquis of Xuanping's family for being treacherous, they would probably have to reluctantly praise them for being somewhat kind.

Granny Fang sighed and said, "It's a coincidence that when Madam sent someone to break off the engagement, she happened to run into Young Master Lu's friend who came to visit."

"In addition, the people sent there were somewhat arrogant in their words and actions, which gave others something to talk about and spread the word."

Madam Min shook her head and scoffed, "They're just unlucky."

Granny Fang said with great sorrow, "Alas, the reputation of our Marquis's mansion has been painstakingly maintained by the Dowager for decades, and now it's all ruined!"

"Alright, reputation can't put food on the table. I don't care anymore, so why are you so concerned?"

Madam Min Qiao truly doesn't care anymore. To be honest, she'd love to see Min Rong and Madam Wu in a complete mess!

"Sigh! I just feel so sorry for the Grand Madam!" Granny Fang still felt upset. "This Marquis's mansion has only been in the hands of the Madam for a few days, and such a big mess has already happened! It's really, really... Sigh, never mind! I'm just a servant..."

Seeing that Madam Min was calm and composed, Granny Fang finally shut up.

***

In the crabapple courtyard.

Upon learning that the annulment of the engagement had become common knowledge, Madam Wu was furious. She summoned Feixu and berated her mercilessly. Still not satisfied, she threw a cup of hot tea, cup and all, at Feixu's face.

Feixu's forehead was immediately smashed open and bleeding profusely, and most of her face was instantly scalded red by the hot tea. Fortunately, the weather was cold and the tea cooled down quickly; otherwise, a cup of boiling water would have completely disfigured Feixu.

However, it's not much better now.

"Madam, please calm down. I didn't know that Young Master Lu's friend would happen to visit him at that time. Please investigate, Madam."

Feixu knelt on the ground, her lowered eyelids filled with hatred.

From the moment the Dowager Madam repeatedly refused to let her return, the Marquis's attitude towards her changed.

Until the day the Lady of the Marquis took her to visit the Marquis in the hospital, the Grand Madam publicly denied her the chance to return to Songhe Hall, and the Lady of the Marquis completely stopped pretending in front of her.

The kindness and gentleness she once knew seemed like a dream.

Instead, there was indifference, disgust, and unwarranted insults.

Wu Cheng, who had vowed to marry her, ignored her when they met. He even deliberately avoided her when she tried to approach him.

She was heartbroken, she was sad. She was confused, she was bewildered.

It wasn't until Cuixiang, who was by the Lady of the Marquis's side, said something that made her fully realize the truth.

What did Cuixiang say?

"Oh," she said, "You still think you're something special after leaving the Grand Madam? If you weren't the Grand Madam's most favored first-class maid, why would the Madam treat you so kindly? And why would Wu Cheng marry you? Ha, do you really think you're some kind of fairy? Take a good look at yourself in the mirror!"