Chapter 454 Reveals the Truth
When news of Emperor Xiaozhao's summons to Lady Min Qiao arrived, Lady Min Qiao was idly dealing with her unfilial grandson, Min Changli.
Although Min Changli was cursing Min Qiaoshi behind closed doors in his own courtyard, now the real housekeepers, Xiao Wushi and Aunt He, were determined to cling to Min Qiaoshi's coattails.
These two are not like Wu, who is a good-for-nothing.
With Min Yuexi's support behind them, within half a year, the Xuanping Marquis's mansion obeyed only their orders.
Therefore, while no one outwardly knew about Min Changli's violent outbursts and curses against Min Qiaoshi, the servants in Min Changli's courtyard had already secretly reported it to them.
So the two of them told Min Qiaoshi about it without hesitation.
Min Qiao didn't pay much attention at first. Taking advantage of the ample time, she slept and rested to make up for all the sleep she had missed on the way back from Da'er.
Once she had fully recovered, she began to tidy up the interior of the Marquis of Xuanping's residence.
Based on her deduction, Emperor Xiaozhao probably wouldn't spare the Xuanping Marquis's household. However, he also wouldn't kill the people from the Xuanping Marquis's household for the time being.
The most likely outcome is that she will be allowed to go out on her own.
As for who to take with them, perhaps she could say a few words about it.
Of course, this is on the premise that she is useful to Emperor Xiaozhao.
Min Chang-rye was the first person she dealt with.
Her original target was Min Changzhong, but Min Changzhong was so obedient that she couldn't find anything wrong with him.
Thus, the troublesome Min Changli was singled out and made an example of.
"You like to swear, huh?"
Madam Min smiled and gave the order: "Send someone to keep an eye on him and let him curse for three days and three nights straight. He can curse whomever he wants, but you are not allowed to stop him."
"I have only one requirement: the voice must not be quiet when cursing, words must not be repeated, and the interval between sentences must not exceed one breath."
“If he fails to meet any of the standards, you all go up there and slap him across the face.”
Upon hearing Madam Min's order, Madam Wu was the first to jump out and stop her: "Mother! Li'er is still a child. He doesn't understand, that's why he's talking nonsense. I'll make him kowtow to you and apologize. Please don't punish him like this. He won't be able to bear it for three days and three nights!"
As Ms. Wu spoke, tears began to fall.
Min Qiao was getting a little annoyed and was thinking of taking the opportunity to cure Wu's sudden ailment as well.
Then Min Changli roared defiantly, "Mother, don't beg her! I won't apologize to her! I didn't do anything wrong! She's a menace! She's the one who ruined our Marquis's mansion! She's the one who ruined Father! Why should I apologize to her?"
"Don't think I don't know. My eldest sister was confined to her quarters, and my father was dismissed from his post, all because she made a mistake in her marriage alliance, which angered the Emperor! Plus, those people she offended in the past took advantage of her misfortune, which is why our family has fallen to this state!"
"It's all her fault! It's all her fault!!"
Min Qiaoshi became interested. "Who told you all this?"
"Don't tell me you came up with this yourself. I don't believe you."
Min Changli glared fiercely at Min Qiaoshi, "I came up with it myself. It's such an obvious point, I'm not stupid, do you think I can't see it?"
Madam Min smiled. "I guess these words were told to you by your father, your elder brother, or your mother?"
Madam Wu quickly waved her hand, "Mother, I never said anything like that. I've been married into the Marquis's mansion for decades, and I know what the mansion was like back then."
“If it weren’t for Mother, the Marquis’s mansion would not have survived to this day. Even if I harbor resentment towards Mother, I would never utter it aloud.”
Min Qiao glanced at Wu, and in the end, she still harbored resentment towards her.
Little Wu pulled on Wu's arm and quickly tried to smooth things over, saying, "Grandmother, please calm down. My mother-in-law means that ever since Princess Qi gave her those instructions, she has only shown respect to you, Grandmother, and has no complaints."
"The same goes for the old man."
"Please, Grandmother, understand."
While Xiao Wu was speaking, Min Changzhong nodded frantically and gave Min Qiao a fawning smile.
Min Qiao couldn't help but glance at Xiao Wu again.
Putting everything else aside, Min Rong has a pretty good eye for choosing a daughter-in-law.
"So, Min Rong taught you all these things, huh?" Min Qiao said to Min Changli with certainty.
Min Changli glared fiercely at Xiao Wushi and Min Changzhong, then glared fiercely at Min Qiaoshi, without saying a word.
Madam Min Qiao didn't mind. She took a sip of tea and said softly, "There are some things I didn't want to say. But now that the Xuanping Marquis's mansion is about to be destroyed, it's no harm in telling you."
Upon hearing this, everyone stared in shock.
What do you mean, the Marquis of Xuanping's mansion is going to be gone?
Madam Min Qiao didn't mince words and said directly, "The ancestors of the Marquis of Xuanping were meritorious officials who followed Emperor Taizu in conquering the country and were ennobled for their merits. You all know this."
"However, what you don't know is that starting from the third generation of Marquis Xuanping, who is your great-grandfather, he has been corrupt, selling official positions, colluding with merchants, and embezzling salt taxes... It would not be an exaggeration to say that his crimes are too numerous to count."
“Your grandfather, who is also my husband Min Ji, also committed many heinous crimes in order to cover up his crimes and save the Xuanping Marquis’s mansion from danger.”
"For example, patricide!"
"For example, defecting to the enemy and betraying one's country!"
"Therefore, the Marquis of Xuanping's mansion should have been gone long ago!"
"The Xuanping Marquis's mansion has been sustained by Min Ji's lies all along!"
"Now that the Emperor has seen through the lie, the Marquis of Xuanping's mansion should naturally perish as well."
"Therefore, it's not because I made a mistake in the marriage alliance, nor because I offended the Crown Prince. It's purely because the sins committed by the ancestors of the Marquis of Xuanping are too grave! His Majesty has reached his limit and is preparing to dredge up old grievances!"
"It's that simple!"
After these words were spoken, the room fell silent.
Ms. Wu nearly slipped off the chair because she wasn't sitting properly.
Min Changzhong lost his balance, his legs buckled, and he knelt straight down on the ground.
Both Madam Wu and Aunt He's faces changed, and their bodies began to tremble uncontrollably.
Even the naive Min Changli turned pale, staring at Min Qiaoshi in disbelief.
"No! Impossible!" Min Changli retorted instinctively, "I don't believe it! If things were really as you say, how could you remain so calm?"
"You should have stayed far away, why did you come back?"
"Aren't you afraid of dying?"
"I don't believe you! You must be exaggerating! You're deliberately making up these lies to deceive me!"
Looking at the stubborn Min Changli, Madam Min Qiao had a hint of surprise in her eyes.
This kid may be a bit slow, but his logical thinking is pretty good.
The crux of the problem was immediately apparent.
Min Qiao smiled and said mockingly, "I came back because I'm sure I won't die!"
"Although there were mistakes in the marriage alliance, I also deserve credit."
"Most importantly, I am still useful to His Majesty! Therefore, His Majesty will not kill me!"
"But you people are a different story!"
"Mother!" "Grandmother!" "Old lady!" "Grandmother!"...
Almost everyone looked at Madam Min with hopeful eyes.
Min Changli finally plopped down on the ground, his eyes still full of doubt and disbelief.
As if to confirm that what Lady Min Qiao said was true, at this moment, the commander of the Imperial Guards personally came to convey the Emperor's decree, summoning Lady Min Qiao to the palace to meet the Emperor.
Everyone looked at Madam Min Qiao.
But Min Qiaoshi accepted the imperial decree and left with the commander of the Imperial Guards without looking back.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com