Chapter 62 Just watch the show, don't get involved
In his past life, Min Rong brought the person back on the Mid-Autumn Festival, the night of family reunion, the following year.
At that moment, Madam Min Qiao immediately ordered someone to take the mother and daughter away, saying that everything would be discussed after the Mid-Autumn Festival reunion dinner.
But Min Rong wouldn't let it go, insisting that He Shi was his true love. He claimed that Wu Shi was someone he was forced to marry, not someone he wanted. He even threatened to elevate He Shi to the status of a secondary wife.
Madam Min was furious and questioned him, "Do you even know the law? Do you know what it means to favor a concubine over one's wife? If word gets out that he dared to elevate Madam Wang to the status of a secondary wife, the censor could have him dismissed from his post and stripped of his title the very next day."
In the end, Min Qiaoshi and Min Rong each compromised and granted He Shi the status of a concubine.
Afterwards, Madam Min continued to suppress Madam He, preventing her from surpassing Madam Wu. In addition, Min Yuexi had already married Lu Ming by then, and Lu Ming had become the top scholar in the imperial examination, entered the Hanlin Academy, and gained the emperor's favor.
With the combined pressure from her and Min Yuexi, the He family was never able to make any waves.
However, He Rui, the daughter of the He family, who later changed her name to Min Yue Rui, caused quite a bit of trouble for the Marquis's mansion. In the end, she dealt with her with swift and decisive action.
Later, Mrs. He fell seriously ill because of her daughter's situation. After recovering, she devoted herself to self-cultivation and lived in seclusion.
Although, Min Qiaoshi still doesn't think she did anything wrong in her past life.
But Min Rong was quite cold towards her for a while after that, and Min Qiaoshi still remembered that.
Therefore, the reason why Min Rong in her previous life would sit idly by while others plotted against her, and even secretly support those people in forcing her to her death, might also be due to her reasons for suppressing the He family.
Regardless of the truth, she's not going to care anymore; let things take their course.
In any case, it's Wu Shi and her children who will suffer, and Min Rong herself will be the one to suffer for favoring her concubine over her wife. It has little to do with her.
As expected, just like in her previous life, when Min Rong led the people in, Madam Wu was the first to be shocked and furious. With trembling hands, she pointed at Madam He and her daughter, "My lord, who are these two women? Today is the Marquis's family's New Year's Eve reunion dinner. What do you mean by bringing them back?"
In her previous life, Wu said "Mid-Autumn Festival reunion dinner," but in this life, it has changed to "New Year's Eve reunion dinner."
After thinking for a moment, based on the development of her previous life, after Wu Shi, she would have a gloomy face and coldly order: "No matter who they are, take them away first. We'll talk about everything after we finish eating."
But throughout her life, Madam Min Qiao simply watched from the sidelines in silence.
Seeing that Madam Min Qiao remained silent and her expression did not change, Min Rong breathed a sigh of relief.
He ignored Wu's questioning and led the people to Min Qiao's side, respectfully saying, "Mother, this is He Shi and her daughter, He Rui."
Madam He and her daughter quickly curtsied to Madam Min Qiao, saying, "Greetings, Madam!"
Min Qiao raised her hand slightly, gesturing for He and her daughter to rise. Her probing gaze fell unabashedly on He and her daughter.
In her past life, she had never paid any attention to this mother and daughter, so she had never really looked them over closely.
Upon closer inspection, both mother and daughter are natural beauties.
He Lu, in particular, has almond-shaped eyes, peach-blossom cheeks, rosy lips, and a slender yet voluptuous figure. She is neither too thin nor too plump, but perfectly proportioned and alluring.
Min Qiao's lips twitched as she watched. She had never seen a woman as naturally alluring as He Lu.
Even Wei Jia from her previous life, the top courtesan of Cuihong Pavilion, Qing Guanren Yimei, was slightly inferior.
Compared to He Lu, He Rui, who is still a young girl, is far inferior at this moment.
Just as Madam Min was sizing up He Lu and her daughter, He Lu also secretly lifted her eyelids to secretly sizing up Madam Min.
But the moment she looked up, Min Qiaoshi met her gaze.
He Lu was so frightened that she immediately lowered her head and looked down, not daring to look again.
But in the instant their eyes met, Madam Min suddenly realized that He Lu's eyes looked somewhat familiar.
Those were a pair of beautiful, shimmering eyes, full of affection, looking at everyone with a tender and loving gaze.
Min Qiao felt that she had seen such eyes somewhere before.
But no matter how hard I tried, I still couldn't remember.
Just as Madam Min Qiao was deep in thought, Min Rong continued, "Mother, Madam He was originally from an official family, but her family fell into decline and she had no choice but to become a merchant."
"A few years ago, the merchant died, leaving behind a mother and daughter who suffered greatly from humiliation."
Three years ago, my son met Ms. He by chance and fell in love with her at first sight. He has been keeping her at the South City Villa ever since.
"Today, my son specially brought Madam He back to the mansion, because he wanted to give her a proper status."
Madam Min Qiao snapped out of her thoughts and looked calmly at Min Rong. "I've already said I won't interfere in the affairs of the Marquis's mansion. Since you want to give her a title, then do so. There's no need to ask me."
Min Rong frowned almost imperceptibly, then relaxed and said with a smile, "Thank you for your kindness, Mother."
Madam Min waved her hand, "Why thank me? I already said I won't interfere in your affairs, just be happy."
Min Rong's smile froze.
Then Wu rushed up to Min Rong, her eyes red, and roared, "Min Rong! How could you do this to me! I bore you children and managed the Marquis's mansion, and you actually kept a woman behind my back? And now you even brazenly brought her back! Today is New Year's Eve! How dare you bring someone back today?"
As she spoke, Madam Wu knelt down at Madam Min Qiao's feet with a thud. "Mother! Please do justice for me! I've been married into the Marquis's mansion for seventeen years. Even if I haven't done anything meritorious, I've certainly worked hard, haven't I? How can Min Rong treat me like this? Please do justice for me!"
Wu cried with aggrieved expression, her eyes filled with hope as she looked at Min Qiao.
However, Madam Min remained unmoved.
In her past life, Wu didn't ask her for anything, yet she took the initiative to help her suppress He.
However, this did not earn Wu's gratitude.
Instead, this resulted in Wu and Min Rong colluding with each other.
She realized it anyway: in her past life, she was everyone's common enemy.
Even after what happened with He, Wu was able to quickly reconcile with Min Rong and stand firmly with her to fight against her.
Therefore, throughout her life, Madam Min Qiao resolutely adhered to her policy of "eating melons and watching plays, but resolutely not interfering or getting involved" without wavering.
So, without changing his expression, he declined, saying, "I'll say it again, I won't interfere in the affairs of the Marquis's mansion. You two should resolve your own matters."
Seeing Min Qiao's resolute attitude, Wu panicked for a moment, "Old Madam..."
Wasn't Madam Min Qiao the one who cared most about the reputation of the Marquis's mansion? Why could she tolerate Min Rong doing such an absurd thing? Bringing a woman into the house on New Year's Eve—if word got out, wouldn't everyone laugh at their mansion?
Just then, Min Yuexi walked to Wu's side, bowed to Min Qiao, and said apologetically, "Grandmother, please forgive me. My mother acted rashly in a moment of panic. Please forgive her."
Madam Min Qiao gave Min Yuexi a deep look and nodded slightly.
This eldest granddaughter had a serious illness, and she has changed so much!
Two months ago, she was clinging to my leg, acting cute and trying to please me, and then she impulsively broke off the engagement. She was just like a child who hadn't grown up.
But now, look at these rules, look at this calm and composed demeanor, this unflappable spirit.
Wow, that's truly impressive!
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