Chapter 49 Butler Ding Requests an Audience
Min Rui's face was ashen, his eyes sharp as he looked at Min Qiao Shi. "What kind of attitude is this? I'm your husband's uncle!"
"Ha, your own uncle? When the old Marquis was alive, he never called you uncle. You really think that just because you have the surname Min, you can act like an elder in front of me?"
"And you too!" Madam Min Qiao's sharp gaze swept over everyone present, and she said sarcastically, "When the Marquis's mansion was in trouble, you all hid far away. When did you ever admit your relationship with the Marquis's mansion?"
"Back then, when the old Marquis's family came begging for help, not one of you offered a single word of assistance! Oh, no, you didn't just refuse to help; you wouldn't even let the old Marquis into the door!"
"The old Marquis said back then that from now on, the Xuanping Marquis's Mansion has no clan or relatives! You people have no relation to the Marquis's Mansion either!"
Upon hearing this, everyone stared in shock.
This happened decades ago.
At that time, the old Marquis Min Ji was only a teenager, and had only recently taken over the mess that was the Xuanping Marquis's mansion.
At that time, Min Ji was not yet married. Logically speaking, apart from Min Ji and his mother, no one else should know about these things.
At this moment, Min Qiaoshi revealed the truth in one sentence, how could people not be shocked, ashamed and embarrassed?
"I advise you all to have some self-awareness and a sense of shame! Don't meddle in things that aren't your business! Be careful not to get yourself into trouble instead of gaining anything!"
Having said that, Madam Min Qiao didn't waste any more words. She turned around and ordered, "Close the door!"
"Bang!" Ah Jiu slammed the door shut with a crisp, clean motion.
The group of old men, filled with shame and indignation, turned around and left.
This is what it means to bring shame upon oneself.
This was the first time Min Hui had heard about the past. Looking at the tightly closed courtyard gate and the clan elders who were leaving in a panic, Min Hui felt his mind was in turmoil.
What should we do? Is he really going to be separated like this?
No! He was not willing to accept it!
Min Qiao didn't care what Min Hui thought; she had her own things to do.
She said the family division would take place in three days, not just to get Min Rong and Min Yao to take leave in advance, nor to give Min Hui time to cause trouble for her.
These three days were the time she reserved for herself to prepare for a complete separation of the family.
After scolding away those ignorant old men from the Min family, Madam Min Qiao began to arrange her own affairs.
When a family divides its assets, the family property must be divided.
Therefore, she needed Granny Zhou to organize the Marquis's accounts, and Yang An to sort out the Marquis's properties.
Besides the Hou family's own properties, she also needed to find the dowry lists of the ladies of each household, as each woman's dowry would be taken with her when the family divided.
She couldn't let anyone say that the Marquis of Xuanping's household was withholding women's dowries.
Of course, both Wu and Yang came from humble backgrounds and had little to no dowry.
Her main intention was to use the division of the family property as a way to completely separate her dowry from the Marquis's estate.
What belongs to her, she doesn't want to let anyone else have it!
In this lifetime, she will only spend her private wealth on herself. No one else should try to take advantage of her in the slightest.
Fortunately, all the women who married into the Marquis's mansion had a dowry list kept at the mansion.
Having been the mistress of the Marquis's mansion for decades, the dowry lists were naturally in her hands.
Just have someone find it.
Of course, to avoid someone reneging on their promise, it's best to have someone borrow the copy that's filed with the government office as well.
Since we're going to use the archived documents from the government office, why not also invite the Prefect of Jingzhou Prefecture to be a witness?
Logically, witnesses to a family division should be elders of the clan. However, Madam Min Qiao made it clear that she couldn't possibly invite those old men she had just driven away. Therefore, Madam Min Qiao set her sights on the Prefect of Jingzhou Prefecture.
It's not appropriate for her to come forward in this kind of matter.
Therefore, the best option is to have Min-young handle it.
Of course, she had to prepare some generous gifts in advance and have Min Rong personally go to invite them.
One witness is not enough; it would be best to invite two more.
Madam Zheng of the Duke of Jin's mansion can be considered one.
As for the other one...
After much deliberation, Madam Min Qiao was unable to find a suitable candidate.
She used to be polite to everyone and seemed to be able to chat with anyone, but now that she thinks about it, she didn't even have a single person she could truly confide in.
In her past life, when she was dying, only her "mortal enemy," Madam Zheng, came to visit her.
Thinking about it makes me realize how pathetic I was in my past life.
Never mind, we'll see when the time comes. If it really doesn't work out, two witnesses will suffice.
Madam Min Qiao sorted out the tasks that needed to be done and assigned them one by one.
Half a day passed in the blink of an eye.
After lunch, I took a short nap.
When Madam Min got up, she heard from Granny Fang that Yang An had brought Steward Ding to see her.
"Who did you say came?"
Madam Min looked at Granny Fang in surprise, "It wouldn't be the one I'm thinking of, would it?"
Granny Fang smiled and said, "It's that one. I don't know what happened, but he suddenly came to Yang An at noon and said he had something urgent to discuss with you."
"Why didn't you wake me up sooner?" Madam Min Qiao glared reproachfully at Granny Fang.
Granny Fang said dismissively, "I originally came to wake you up, but Steward Ding insisted on stopping me and wouldn't allow anyone to disturb your afternoon nap."
"Alright, alright, hurry up and invite them in." Madam Min Qiao was already impatient with what Granny Fang had said, and hurriedly sent someone to invite Steward Ding in.
Before long, Granny Fang led Yang An and Steward Ding in.
Old Steward Ding was the old steward of the Marquis of Xuanping's mansion. Twenty years ago, after personally training Yang An to take over his position, he voluntarily resigned and retired to enjoy his old age.
His son now works as a steward on the Marquis's estate in the suburbs of the capital. His grandson manages several shops owned by the Marquis in the capital. His great-grandson is a minor steward in the mansion. This entire family has been loyal servants of the Marquis of Xuanping's mansion for generations.
Old Ding, the housekeeper, is almost eighty years old now; calling him a centenarian wouldn't be an exaggeration. However, he doesn't seem to be in good health; he walks with a shaky gait.
Upon arriving before Madam Min, Steward Ding staggered and was about to kneel and kowtow when Madam Min, before he could even kneel, quickly had Yang An help him up.
"Steward Ding, if you really kneel down before me, I'll have no face to see the old Marquis. Don't be so polite, sit down and let's talk!"
Madam Min gestured for Yang An to help the person to a chair to sit down, and then had a maid bring hot tea before exchanging pleasantries with Steward Ding.
"Speaking of which, the last time I saw Steward Ding was when the old Marquis passed away. In the blink of an eye, so many years have passed."
Butler Ding nodded silently with a nostalgic look on his face, "It has been many years since I last saw the Madam."
"I wonder if Steward Ding has come suddenly on some important matter?" Madam Min wondered.
Steward Ding was originally the old Marquis's father's page, and later rose to the position of steward of the Marquis's mansion. He then helped the old Marquis secure his title and accompanied him through the most difficult period of the Marquis's mansion.
Therefore, when the old Marquis was alive, he always regarded Steward Ding as half a father.
Min Qiaoshi naturally held him in high esteem.
Since retiring to enjoy his retirement, Steward Ding has never interfered in the affairs of the Marquis's mansion again.
Even when the Marquis's mansion was embroiled in a dispute over annulment of a marriage proposal, Steward Ding did not show up.
But now they've suddenly come looking for us...
To be honest, Madam Min was a little unsure.
I wonder if Old Ding's sudden arrival is a good thing or a bad thing.
Butler Ding didn't beat around the bush and went straight to the point: "I heard that the Grand Madam is going to divide the family property among the three young masters?"
Sigh! Just as I expected!
With mixed feelings, Madam Min looked at Steward Ding and said, "I didn't expect you to come here for this matter as well."
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