Chapter 441 Trivial Matters of the Border Town
Previously, she considered herself the most favored legitimate princess, believing that Emperor Xiaozhao, her mother, and her grandmother would all pamper and indulge her, fulfilling all her requests.
She was successful in everything except matters concerning the Crown Prince.
However, after the marriage alliance took place, she realized that she had always overestimated her importance in their hearts.
In particular, it was learned from Min Pan'er that the original plan for this marriage alliance did not include the idea of a fake princess taking someone's place.
From beginning to end, Emperor Xiaozhao was prepared to sacrifice her!
She refused to believe that her mother and grandmother would be completely unaware of Emperor Xiaozhao's decision to send her to her death!
To put it another way, even if Min Pan'er was lying to her, Emperor Xiaozhao never really intended for her to go and die.
So, Min Pan'er married into Da'er in her place, and then what? How should she, who was nominally married into the Da'er clan, conduct herself?
Should she change her name and continue being a princess? Or should she hide her identity, become a commoner, and never see the light of day again?
No matter what, she can no longer be the Seventh Princess Li Sanqi!
Thinking of all this, Li Sanqi lost his mood for conversation, so he got up to say goodbye and said, "Madam, you must be tired from your journey, so I won't disturb your rest any longer."
"We can talk about it tomorrow."
Madam Min Qiao quickly rose to see her off, saying, "Seventh Princess, please take care."
After seeing Li Sanqi off, Aqi led people in to bring hot water and a change of clothes to Madam Min Qiao.
"This servant has not served the old lady for a long time. Let this servant serve you today."
Ah Qi put down the change of clothes, then directed the people to prepare hot water, tested the water temperature, and then dismissed the people who brought the water before coming over to help Min Qiao Shi take off her clothes.
When Min Qiaoshi saw that the person who came in to serve her was Aqi, she was not surprised at all.
Wenxiu went to help Weijia deal with Qiao Jingyuan's affairs and actually stayed to look after the old woodcutter. The only person left who could be used was Aqi.
This town is poor, with more men than women, making it very difficult to find a few capable maids or servants.
It's likely that even the King of Chu, the Earl of Annan, and the Earl of Enping, who were in charge, couldn't have imagined so many things.
Therefore, the people who could serve them personally were the people they always carried with them.
Thinking of this, Madam Min Qiao instructed, "Remember to tell Wen Xiu later that once she has finished dealing with Wei Jia's affairs, she can stay and serve the Seventh Princess for the time being, and there is no need for her to rush back."
"Let's wait for the imperial decree from the capital before we talk about it."
"Yes," Aqi replied with a smile, keeping the matter in mind.
"Madam, would you like to test the water temperature? Is it suitable?"
Madam Min touched it and nodded: "It's hot now, so the water temperature is just right."
Sitting in the bathtub, soaking in the warm water, Aqi silently washed her hair, rubbed her back, and massaged her... Min Qiao couldn't help but sigh comfortably and closed her eyes.
"Why did you come to the border?" Madam Min Qiao asked casually. "Shouldn't you be in the capital guarding the Lady of Enping?"
Aqi's hands kept moving, but he replied, "Our lady heard that something happened to the marriage procession and was worried about the old lady, but she couldn't leave, so she sent me to wait at the border."
"The marriage alliance incident happened in Da'an. What use is it for your wife to send you here?"
Ah Qi smiled and lowered his voice mysteriously, saying, "Our lady asked me to keep watch. If there is any news of the old lady in Da'an, we should have our lord secretly send someone to sneak in and rescue her."
"Before I came here, my lady gave me a secret letter, saying that if the Lord did not agree to save the people, I should give the secret letter to the Lord."
Hearing this, Madam Min Qiao couldn't help but smile. "Your wife is so thoughtful."
It would be a lie to say I wasn't moved.
But Madam Min knew in her heart that she hadn't actually given Su Rongrong much help, yet Su Rongrong always treated her like her own grandmother.
She knew that Aqi had played a significant role in this. She suspected that Aqi had whispered in Su Rongrong's ear quite a bit.
Thinking of this, Madam Min Qiao reached out and patted Aqi's hand, saying gratefully, "I've remembered all your contributions. When you get married in the future, I'll prepare a generous dowry for you."
"Madam, I do not wish to marry or receive a dowry. My greatest wish is to work together with Sister Weijia and the others to ensure your peace, happiness, and longevity."
Ah-Chi's words were sincere, and Min-Chiu felt very warm-hearted upon hearing them.
However, she still smiled and teased, "You're still young, and you're not old enough to get married yet. It's normal for you to say you don't want to get married."
"However, in a few years, once you understand love and affection, you might have to beg your wife to let you get married."
"Madam! What are you saying?" Aqi blushed and said coquettishly, "I don't want to get married. If the man I marry dies, won't I become a widow?"
Upon hearing this, Aqi's expression changed drastically. She knelt on the ground with a thud and said in a panic, "Madam, I... I forgot myself and misspoke. Please punish me, Madam!"
Madam Min sighed, stepped out of the bathtub, personally helped Aqi up, and gently comforted her, "I know you didn't mean it. But you should be more careful with your words in the future."
She, the old widow, didn't care about anything, but Wei Jia, the new widow, might not.
"This servant knows she was wrong." Aqi, with red eyes, admitted her mistake and quickly helped Madam Min Qiao change her clothes and wring out her hair.
After everything was settled, Aqi ordered someone to bring the meals that he had instructed the kitchen to prepare in advance, and served them to Madam Min Qiao.
After finishing her meal, Madam Min went to check on the situation of Lao Qiao and Wei Jia.
As for Old Qiao, a doctor who had been invited had already come to examine him.
The doctors in the border town were almost all military medics. On the battlefield, swords and spears have no eyes, so military medics all had one thing in common: they were very good at treating external injuries.
The military doctor who came to treat the old woodcutter was no exception.
When Min Qiao arrived, the military doctor had already left, but the old woodcutter's wounds had clearly been treated again.
He even had a hint of joy on his face.
"What did the doctor say?" Madam Min Qiao asked, looking at the still unconscious old woodcutter.
He actually smiled and replied, "The army doctor said that if I give him two bowls of medicine today, he will wake up first thing tomorrow morning."
Hearing this, Madam Min's worries eased somewhat.
"You've had a hard time these past few days. Go take a bath, have something to eat, and get a good night's sleep. I'll have the people left behind by the Earl of Enping look after things here. Don't worry about it."
Seeing the dark circles under his eyes, Madam Min felt both heartache and guilt.
A perfectly respectable young lady from a noble family, but when it came to her, she turned into a workaholic!
If Lady Yongning knew, she would be heartbroken!
"yes."
I was indeed tired, but I didn't refuse and readily agreed.
The inn has been booked by the garrison headquarters these days, so there are plenty of empty rooms.
Madam Min then instructed her servants to reserve the room next to hers for Zhen Huan.
After Zhen Huan returned to her room, Madam Min Qiao called the people left behind by the Earl of Enping to take care of the old woodcutter before she went to Wei Jia's place.
Because of a taboo at the inn, Qiao Jingyuan's coffin was ultimately not allowed to enter the inn.
Wei Jia then had a carriage driven to take Qiao Jingyuan to a private inn not far from the main inn.
Wei Jia gave them enough money, and the family didn't hesitate at all, readily allowing Wei Jia to carry the coffin into the house.
When Min Qiaoshi arrived, Wei Jia was directing people to put ice into the coffin.
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