Chapter 7 The Insidious and Selfish Min Rong
That evening, after Marquis Min Rong returned to his residence, he learned from Madam Wu that Madam Min Qiao had not only agreed to Min Yuexi's annulment of the engagement, but had also decisively handed over the management of the Marquis's residence to Madam Wu.
Min Rong was naturally happy to see these things happen.
However, he couldn't help but worry whether this was a test from Min Qiao Shi.
So, after having dinner, he came to Songhe Hall alone.
When he arrived, Madam Min Qiao was sitting in the warm pavilion with Granny Fang, writing something.
"Mother, your son has come to see you."
Upon entering, Min Rong approached with a smile, "What are Mother and Granny Fang writing? Do you need my help?"
Granny Fang quickly stood up and bowed to Min Rong.
"Please sit down, my lord. This old servant will make you some tea." With that, he went out the door.
"Please sit down."
When she saw her own son, Madam Min felt no joy at all; instead, she was filled with disgust.
This person is her own son, whom she carried for ten months and gave birth to! He is the closest person to her in the world!
However, in her past life, the person who hurt her the most was also him!
As the Marquis of Xuanping, Min Rong is the true person in charge of the Marquis's mansion!
Without his permission, who could, who would dare, poison her?
Without his indulgence, who could, who would dare, turn her from a high-ranking first-class lady into a piece of mud under everyone's feet, subject to bullying and humiliation?
She was his biological mother!
He allowed those people to push her to her death, watching her die right before his eyes!
...
Without even looking up, Madam Min Qiao asked dryly, "What brings you here now?"
Min Rong seemed to sense the impatience in Min Qiao's tone. He was startled and quickly put away his casual attitude, saying cautiously, "I heard about what happened during the day from Madam Wu. I'm afraid Mother will be upset."
"What am I sad about?" Madam Min glanced at Min Rong and asked, puzzled, "What is there for me to be sad about?"
Min Rong hesitated for a moment before saying, "My mother has worked hard for the Marquis's mansion for decades. Now that the mansion has just started to prosper, Wu has taken power from my mother. This is truly an act of disobedience and filial impiety."
"My son was furious when he heard about it. He had already scolded her before coming. I'll make her send my mother back later."
"From now on, let Mother manage the household."
Min Qiao listened to him silently until he finished speaking, then chuckled softly and began to sarcasticly expose his true colors.
"Alright, stop testing me. And stop blaming everything on the Wu family."
"Didn't you want me to hand over the power of the Marquis's mansion to the Wu family a long time ago?"
"This time, I'm letting go, so why are you putting on airs?"
“Mother, I didn’t…” Min Rong still wanted to argue.
Madam Min Qiao, however, didn't give him a chance. "Alright, don't bother explaining anymore. Anyway, I've had enough of managing the household these past few years. Perfect, if you and Madam Wu want to take over, then you can. It'll save me some trouble!"
"Mother, I'm not..."
"Alright, that's enough. It's settled then."
Min Qiaoshi didn't give Min Rong a chance to speak at all before finalizing the matter.
“From now on, I will no longer concern myself with the affairs of the Marquis’s residence. You two are both over thirty years old; it shouldn’t be difficult for you to support the Marquis’s residence.”
Min Rong's words were repeatedly cut off by Min Qiao Shi. Although he was somewhat annoyed, he couldn't help but feel happy when he heard Min Qiao Shi's resolute words.
He knew that Madam Min had managed the Marquis's residence very well over the years, and had made great contributions.
However, Madam Min Qiao managed the Marquis's residence too well, making it difficult for him to do anything he wanted.
This time, whether it was sincere or not, since Madam Min Qiao had personally said that she would hand over the power to Madam Wu, he would not allow the power of the Marquis's mansion to return to Madam Min Qiao's hands.
Min Rong was overjoyed inside, but on the surface he wore a look of dejection mixed with determination.
"Mother, you've worked so hard. I will help Madam Wu manage the Marquis's residence from now on."
“Hmm,” Madam Min responded faintly.
"You came here just for this, right? Now that you've explained it, you can go back if there's nothing else. Granny Fang and I have things to do."
Min Qiaoshi began to impatiently shoo people away.
Min Rong still had things to say, so leaving was out of the question.
After hesitating for a moment, she asked again, "Mother, should we really call off the marriage between Xi'er and the Lu family?"
Min Qiao put down her pen and, for the first time, looked directly at Min Rong sitting opposite her.
Min Rong, in his early thirties, was in the prime of his life, full of vigor and ambition, and looked very similar to the deceased old Marquis.
Unfortunately, their personalities are completely different.
She was able to marry into the Marquis's mansion as a noble concubine from a merchant's daughter, and then be promoted to the position of principal wife from a concubine. Her own son was even able to surpass the son of the first wife and be invited to be named heir apparent, and finally inherit the title... All of this was thanks to the old Marquis's decisive, resolute, and swift-acting character!
The old Marquis was an upright man throughout his life; even when he was being used or had ulterior motives, he always made them public.
For example, in order to get the Marquis's family out of its predicament, he swallowed his pride and begged Grand Secretary Lu, and even used a marriage alliance to achieve his goal.
For example, the old Marquis married her, a merchant's daughter, simply because the Marquis's mansion was in crisis and needed a large sum of money to fill the gaps. So, she was carried into the mansion with a dowry of 500,000 taels of silver.
All of this is out in the open.
However, Min Rong's personality was exactly the opposite of that of the old Marquis.
They like to hide behind the scenes!
For example, he clearly wanted to take over the management of the Marquis's mansion from her, but instead he encouraged Madam Wu to take the lead.
For example, right now, he clearly wants to break off the engagement, but he doesn't want to show up and wants to leave the problem to her to solve!
He didn't want her to control the power of the Marquis's mansion, but he also hoped that she would stand up for him and solve his problems when he needed her!
For example, in her past life, she was betrayed by everyone and poisoned by a group of people. She clearly couldn't do without Min Rong's indulgence and encouragement, but even at the moment of her death, Min Rong remained uninvolved.
Therefore, selfishness and treachery are the true nature of her own son!
The best way to avoid being tricked or taken advantage of by him is to be straightforward.
No matter what he's up to or what tricks he's playing, just ignore them and refuse!
“The marriage was arranged by your father when he was alive. Now you are the mistress of the Marquis’s mansion. Whether or not to break off the engagement should be your decision.” Madam Min Qiao did not want to take the blame.
Min Rong looked troubled: "I'll listen to my mother on this matter. Let her make the decision."
Madam Min Qiao scoffed, her gaze fixed on Min Rong. She asked in a stiff tone, "Tell me, do you want to call off this marriage?"
Min Rong hesitated for a moment, but still nodded honestly, "With the current prestige and power of the Marquis's mansion, it is entirely possible to find Xi'er a better marriage."
"So, you have someone in mind?" Madam Min asked tentatively.
"Yes. Minister Sun of the Ministry of Works mentioned his grandson to me, and his words revealed his intention to form a marriage alliance with our Marquis's family."
Min Rong's tone revealed satisfaction, "I've also looked into that child privately. He's a good person and has a good appearance. He's sixteen, about the same age as Xi'er. The two families are well-matched."
Madam Min sneered, "Haven't you already made your decision? Why are you still asking me to make the decision?"
Min Rong looked embarrassed.
I have a feeling that Min Qiaoshi is being a bit unreasonable today.
Although Madam Min was strict in the past, she always kept her words and actions in check and would never be as aggressive and sarcastic as she is now, making people feel awkward.
"In the end, don't you just want me to step in and break off the engagement?" Madam Min Qiao looked at Min Rong with a half-smile.
Having his intentions exposed, Min Rong was extremely embarrassed, but he still forced himself to remain calm and said, "This marriage was ultimately arranged by my father. It wouldn't look good if word got out that I, as his son, would step in to break off the engagement."
"Pah! You're afraid of ruining your reputation, so you want me to take the blame for you?"
Madam Min's face was icy cold, and she said decisively, "I'll say it again: you can call off this marriage if you want, or not! I don't care!"
"You want me to get involved? You're dreaming!"
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