Chapter 111 A reckless madman
"Do you want to try killing me?" Madam Min Qiao looked at the crowd with a smile.
The expressions on everyone's faces changed repeatedly, until finally, only helplessness remained.
So what if it's the Marquis of Xuanping's mansion? So what if it's the Duke of Jin's mansion?
These two families are now powerless and idle nobles, and the people from Jiangnan are not afraid of them at all.
Even if Lady Min Qiao and Lady Zheng have a good relationship, and Lady Zheng has a good relationship with the Empress Dowager, so what?
Go ahead and sue if you want.
Even if the Empress Dowager found out, she would only reprimand them a few times; it wouldn't bother them at all.
Even if we take a step back and assume that the Empress Dowager has brought the matter to the Emperor's attention, what can be done about it?
The Jiangnan region concerns one-third of the national treasury's revenue. The matter is complex and far-reaching, and cannot be swayed by a few words from the Empress Dowager.
but!
What if Lady Min Qiao died in Jiangnan?
Just as she said, Marquis Enping could use the pretext of avenging her to come to Jiangnan and earn merit.
His Majesty could use this as an excuse to turn Jiangnan upside down and redistribute power there.
Even after death, a noble lady of the highest rank should still make the most of her position, shouldn't she?
So, did they want to kill Min Qiao Shi? Yes!
But they can't!
Not only could they not kill Min Qiao Shi, but they also had to protect her!
At the very least, we can't let her die in this Jiangnan region!
Madam Dalin was the first to recover, and she chuckled as she changed the subject, saying, "Oh dear, on such a joyous day, why does the Dowager Madam keep saying such unlucky things? Please stop talking about these things. You're spoiling the birthday celebrant's mood."
Madam Kobayashi quickly chimed in, "That's right. Madam, let's not talk about such trivial things. Wouldn't it be better if everyone just happily celebrated the old man's birthday?"
As she spoke, she looked at Old Madam Qiao with a smile, "Old Madam, you should also talk to the Dowager Madam. Who talks about death at their own mother's birthday banquet? Doesn't she care about your feelings at all? Aren't you going to say something to her?"
Everyone agreed, urging Old Madam Qiao to persuade Madam Min.
However, Old Mrs. Qiao knew perfectly well what was going on.
Although this daughter was raised by her grandparents from birth and was not close to her mother, she harbored resentment towards her daughter over the years due to the decline of the Qiao family.
But no matter what, she was still Min Qiao's biological mother.
It's fine for her to complain about her daughter in private, and it's also fine for Xiao Li, as the eldest sister-in-law, to mutter a few words about Min Qiao.
But these outsiders are thinking too much if they want to interfere with Min Qiao's affairs!
"What did you say?"
Grandma Qiao looked at Xiao Lin, then at the others, and said, "What are you saying? Oh dear, there are too many people, and it's so noisy that my ears are failing me."
Grandma Qiao chuckled sheepishly and patted her ear. "Oh dear, people become useless as they get old. Oh, by the way, what were you just saying?"
Faced with Old Mrs. Qiao's feigned deafness and confusion, everyone was speechless.
Having no other choice, everyone turned their attention back to Madam Min Qiao.
"Madam, please just tell me what you need. Why joke about matters of life and death?"
"That's right, stop talking about dying all the time!"
"Yes, yes, Madam, just tell us what you want. We'll deliver the message."
...
Everyone started talking at once.
Min Qiao watched the charade with a half-smirk. Once she'd had her fill of the performance, she said bluntly, "I stated my purpose from the beginning."
“Whatever you’ve taken from the Qiao family over the years, and how much you’ve taken, you should all return it to me.”
"That's one point."
"Secondly, within three days, I need to know who the real culprit in the Li family massacre is! This smear has been thrown at me. Finding out the mastermind behind it and clearing my name isn't too much to ask, is it?"
What could anyone say? They could only force a smile and say, "It's not excessive, it's not excessive."
"Thirdly, whoever took my dowry house, must return it to me!"
"Heh, don't tell me the Li family is all dead, and don't try to fool me with that dilapidated house where people have died. The Li family has no power, no influence, no reputation, and no hope. Who was backing them when they dared to forcibly seize my house? I don't need to name names, do I?"
As she spoke, Madam Min Qiao's gaze fell on an ordinary-looking middle-aged woman in the corner.
Yes, this woman's surname is Wang, but her husband's surname is Cui. They are a branch of the Cui family in Hangzhou.
There was no other way; the birthday banquet was held too hastily, and the closest Cui family member they could find within the new city was this collateral branch.
The woman met Min Qiao's gaze and nodded with a gentle smile. Her meaning was clear: she would definitely relay the message back to the Cui family.
After finishing her speech, Madam Min Qiao scanned the entire room and asked, "Do you have anything to say?"
Everyone fell silent.
Madam Min smiled and said, "That's right, these are not things you can decide. Then I'll wait for your replies."
After a pause and a moment's thought, Madam Min Qiao gave a final deadline.
"I think three days should be enough. If we ride at full speed, a day and a night should be enough to travel from Xincheng County to Hangzhou."
"I need responses from all parties within three days!"
"Of course, it's not impossible that I might suddenly pass away in less than three days."
"You all agree, right?"
"You have three days. If you want to kill me, come and try. I'm not going anywhere. I'll be waiting in Xincheng County!"
Everyone stared at Madam Min as if she were a madwoman. Was this a threat? No! This was a provocation! This was blatant provocation!
Seeing that no one spoke, Madam Min Qiao imitated how they had mocked her earlier, covering her mouth with a handkerchief and chuckling, "Let me remind you again, you only have three days! Either kill me, or obediently deliver what I want!"
"Otherwise, after three days, you can expect the Earl of Enping to lead his army south!"
"Of course, you can give it a try. Maybe I'm too afraid to die? What do you think?"
Upon hearing this, everyone became restless.
Good heavens! They've figured it out: Min Qiao Shi is not only shameless, but also a reckless madwoman!
If they neither kill her nor return the Qiao family's assets after three days of this relationship, she'll kill herself!
No one could remain seated any longer. They all rose to take their leave and departed.
They only have three days, so they have to hurry back and deliver the message.
Xincheng County is not close to Hangzhou!
Moreover, this isn't something that can be decided by just one person's opinion. Shouldn't everyone sit down and discuss it?
Doesn't that take time?
Looking at the flower hall that had been completely emptied in the blink of an eye, Madam Min Qiao turned to Old Madam Qiao with a wry smile and said apologetically, "Mother, your birthday banquet hasn't even started yet, and I've already ruined it."
Old Mrs. Qiao's emotions surged, and she looked at Min Qiao's wife with moist eyes, "Good riddance! Good riddance! I was afraid I wouldn't be able to eat if I sat down to eat with these enemies!"
With that, he waved his hand and said, "Invite all the clansmen here, and have the servants from the manor, as well as the people who came with you, all sit down and eat! Don't waste today's birthday banquet!"
Madam Min Qiao smiled and replied, "Alright! Let's all eat together and not waste a single bite!"
She hired more than a dozen chefs and prepared a feast for dozens of tables!
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