Chapter 296 The Truth Hidden in the Shadows
After listening to their stories, Madam Min Qiao couldn't help but sigh.
Just as she had guessed, it really was because of her that Yu Yin'er was killed.
Seeing that Madam Min Qiao's expression was not good, Xiao Yu quickly added, "Madam, in front of the masters of the Yongning Marquis's mansion, Miss Zhen and the servants did not mention Madam at all."
"We all say that Miss Yu San wanted to poison Miss Zhen Huan with poisoned pastries, but Miss Zhen Huan saw through her trick. Instead of harming her, she was forced to eat the poisoned pastries and eventually died."
"We insist that we only know there is something wrong with the pastries, and we don't know whether the pastries contain croton oil to play tricks or poison to kill people."
Madam Min nodded knowingly; these girls were all clever.
With the little girl who poisoned Zhen Huan's face cream and the poisoned pastries, the evidence was irrefutable. Yu Yin'er deserved to die.
No wonder things were settled so quickly.
It seems that even if Madam Yu wanted to make a scene, she wouldn't be able to.
***
The matter seemed to have been resolved without serious incident. However, after the Yongning Marquis's residence was shrouded in mourning, many speculations arose regarding Yu Yin'er's unexpected death.
Although the Yongning Marquis's explanation to the outside world was reasonable, only a small number of people believed it.
Most people still believe that Yu Yin'er's death is related to Yu Huanzhen, the fourth young lady newly recognized by the Yongning Marquis's mansion.
In particular, what Madam Yu said at the Marquis of Xuanping's residence that day further confirmed this speculation.
However, regardless of the outside world's discussions, Yu Yin'er was buried as scheduled. She continued to live peacefully in the Yongning Marquis's residence as the fourth young lady.
Madam Yu, unable to bear the blow and unable to seek justice for Yu Yin'er, fell ill in a fit of anger.
Seeing Madam Yu suffering, Marquis Yongning felt both heartache and helplessness. "Mother, the dead cannot be brought back to life. Please try to think more positively."
Madam Yu glared coldly at Marquis Yongning, "If you are still my son, then kill Huanzhen and make her pay for my Yin'er's life!"
Marquis Yongning choked, saying with difficulty, "Mother, you know this is impossible. Yin'er is already dead, and Zhen Huan's face looks like it can be healed. In the future, I will need Zhen Huan to arrange a marriage for our Marquis's family."
"There is no way I would let Zhen Huan go and pay for Yin'er's death."
Madam Yu's chest heaved with anger, and her feigned composure finally crumbled. "You really can't die, huh?"
"Then go and kill that old hag Min Qiao Shi to avenge my Yin'er!"
"If it weren't for her, my Yin'er would still be with me!"
"Waaaaah... My poor Yin'er!"
If it weren't for Madam Min bringing Zhen Huan back from Jiangnan, the Marquis's mansion wouldn't have been able to recognize Zhen Huan.
If she hadn't actually been recognized by the Marquis's mansion, Yin'er wouldn't have felt threatened or felt jealous of Zhen.
If it weren't for her unease and jealousy, Yin'er wouldn't have resented Zhen Huan and Min Qiao Shi.
If it weren't for the murderous intent towards Min Qiao Shi, I really wouldn't have been able to kill her Yin'er!
Ultimately, it was all Min Qiao's fault!
Upon hearing this, Marquis Yongning refused almost without thinking.
"Mother, haven't you realized how much power Madam Qiao wields?"
Marquis Yongning looked at Madam Yu with strong disapproval, "These days, so many people want to curry favor with Madam Qiao but can't even get a chance. Our Marquis's mansion is able to be on good terms with her because of Zhen Huan's connections. This is an opportunity that many people would kill for. It's one thing if you don't think about how to be on good terms with her, but how can you have such thoughts?"
The news of Min Qiaoshi and her son's duel had already spread throughout the capital a few days ago.
Anyone with eyes can see who the true connections of the Marquis of Xuanping's mansion are.
It was at this moment that everyone realized that the Xuanping Marquis's mansion had been relying not on Xuanping Marquis Min Rong all these years, but on the Grand Madam Min Qiao!
She is the one who upholds the glory of the Xuanping Marquis's Mansion, she is the one who controls the prestige of the Xuanping Marquis's Mansion, and she is also the one who silently protects the Xuanping Marquis's Mansion from behind. She is the true helmsman of the Xuanping Marquis's Mansion.
In the past two years, ever since Lady Min Qiao publicly declared that she would no longer be involved in affairs, the reputation and prestige of the Marquis of Xuanping have declined day by day, and now they are utterly disgraced. Apart from Lady Min Qiao, almost the entire Marquis of Xuanping's residence has become a laughing stock.
However, Madam Yu didn't care about any of that; all she knew was that Min Qiao had killed her beloved granddaughter, Yu Yin'er.
"Profits, profits! Is profit all you see?" Madam Yu glared angrily, pointing at Marquis Yongning and yelling, "Did my Yin'er die in vain? She lived with me in the countryside for eight years!"
"During the eight years you two sent me back to the countryside, she stayed with me day and night. She was also taking care of me and comforting me on your behalf!"
"Does her death mean that everything she did for me was worthless?"
"Yu Bin, when did you become so mercenary?"
Marquis Yongning frowned, letting Madam Yu vent her anger before saying, "Mother, no matter what, Yin'er is already dead. To the Marquis's mansion, she has no value anymore. You shouldn't keep thinking about her."
"If you really feel guilty towards her, you can just take two more of her younger siblings from her previous family and raise them as your grandchildren."
"You...you get out of here!" Madam Yu finally gave up on this son. She closed her eyes, turned her head to the side, and refused to look at Marquis Yongning anymore.
Marquis Yongning had no choice but to sigh, turn around, and leave.
Lady Yongning was waiting outside the door.
Seeing him come out, Lady Yongning asked cautiously, "Is the old lady alright?"
Yu Yin'er just died. If the old lady were to die as well, the Yongning Marquis's mansion would be drowned in the scorn of outsiders.
Marquis Yongning shook his head. "The old lady is still holding a grudge."
Lady Yongning thought for a moment, "How about we bring another little girl back from the old lady's family to raise?"
Marquis Yongning smiled and said, "We were thinking the same thing. You can take care of this."
"Alright." Lady Yongning nodded in agreement, then turned to talk about the real matter.
"Surely it's over there. Should we let her stay at the estate for a while, until the old lady calms down, before she comes back?"
Marquis Yongning thought for a moment, then shook his head and said, "No need. We'll invite a tutor from the palace to teach her manners and etiquette."
"Please also invite two teachers back. The young ladies of the Marquis's mansion cannot be illiterate. They should at least have some knowledge of the four arts, if not be proficient in them."
Lady Yongning knew what the Marquis of Yongning was thinking, so she did not object and agreed to everything.
The most important thing now is to get Marquis Yongning on his side and smooth things over with Yu Yin'er's matter before dealing with anything else.
As for the Marquis of Yongning's little scheme to use Zhen Huan for a marriage alliance, we'll have to see if she agrees.
After leaving the Yongning Marquis's residence, the Lady of Yongning Marquis instructed the old women and maids of Shou'an Hall to take good care of the women before leaving herself.
Meanwhile, in a secluded corner unknown to the two, a man dressed in black was quietly hiding, overhearing the conversation between Madam Yu, Marquis Yongning, and Marquis Yongning's wife.
Just as he was about to leave and return to his own courtyard, a little maid suddenly ran in from outside to deliver a message.
"Madam, the Lady of Annam has come to visit you. She is currently having tea in the front hall with the Eldest Young Mistress. The Eldest Young Mistress sent me to ask you if you wish to see the Lady of Annam."
Madam Yu waved her hand wearily, about to refuse, but then, remembering the hostile relationship between the Earl of Annan and Madam Min Qiao, she changed her mind.
"Go and invite them in."
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