Chapter 155 Rumors Resurface
After returning to the capital, except for the first day when she slept until noon and did not go out, Madam Min Qiao would go to the Duke of Jin's mansion every morning after breakfast to check on Madam Zheng's condition.
Three days later, under Doctor Mu's meticulous care, the poison in Madam Zheng's body was finally completely eliminated, and Madam Zheng's complexion visibly improved.
When Madam Min visited again on the fourth day, Madam Zheng was already in high spirits and was being helped to walk in the courtyard.
Although she was still very weak and would become breathless after walking only a few steps, Madam Zheng was already very happy to be able to get out of bed. A good mood makes her look more energetic.
With Madam Zheng cured of the poison, Doctor Mu was able to retire successfully and go home to see his son.
Before leaving, the Duke of Jin's mansion gave Doctor Mu three thousand taels of silver for his consultation and a shop in southern Beijing.
When she was bored in her spare time, Madam Zheng chatted with Doctor Mu and learned that she would stay in the capital to open a clinic. That's why she gave him the shop.
Doctor Mu was initially somewhat guilty and hesitant to accept the gift. After all, the poison that had afflicted Madam Zheng was one that she had concocted.
It was only after Madam Min Qiao told her to accept it that she finally did.
However, after accepting the generous gift from the Duke of Jin's mansion, Doctor Mu secretly told himself that he would have to pay even more attention to treating Madam Zheng's health in the future.
With Madam Zheng's poison cured, Madam Min Qiao was finally relieved of a worry.
As for recuperating Madam Zheng's health, it's not something that can be done overnight; it requires a gradual approach.
Therefore, what Madam Min Qiao needs to do next is prepare to attend the flower banquet at the Marquis of Annan's residence.
I still remember that the last time she attended a large banquet was at the birthday banquet of the Dowager Princess of the Chang'an Prince's Mansion.
More than half a year later, she was looking forward to giving everyone a little surprise at the flower banquet.
So, Madam Min began to make careful preparations. The attire for the banquet, the gifts to be given, the accompanying personnel... and some special things that needed to be prepared in advance by Doctor Mu.
Wei Jia now has heavy responsibilities and many things to do, and can no longer be by Min Qiao's side at all times.
Therefore, Ayi officially took over the position of personal maid and accompanied Madam Min Qiao to the flower banquet.
Ah Jiu naturally had to go out to the banquet as well. Then came Ah Shuang, Ah Si, Wen Xiu, and Huan Zhen.
Originally, Madam Min Qiao did not intend to take Wen Xiu and Zhen Huan out. After all, they were newcomers with such backgrounds, and no one could guarantee that taking them out rashly would not lead to any trouble.
But Wei Jia insisted on letting Min Qiao take them out.
Firstly, both women are quite skilled and have their own strengths, making them capable of protecting Min Qiao's safety. Taking them out to broaden their horizons will allow them to grow quickly and become Min Qiao's right-hand women.
Secondly, we can see whether the two women are usable and reliable by going out on this trip.
Anyway, Wei Jia spoke with great conviction, as if she wanted to vigorously cultivate the two of them. Madam Min Qiao couldn't refuse, so she had no choice but to bring the two along.
However, just as Madam Min was preparing for the banquet, rumors about her began to circulate throughout the capital.
Min Qiaoshi flew into a rage as soon as she returned to the capital, causing unrest in the Xuanping Marquis's residence.
In a single day, she first forced Min Yuexi, the eldest daughter of the Marquis of Xuanping's family, to kowtow to her, disfiguring her. Then she forced her son's concubine, He Shi, to kneel, causing her to miscarry.
Tsk tsk, everyone shook their heads and sighed, wondering what bad luck the Xuanping Marquis's family had to encounter such an unreasonable and troublesome old lady!
Some say that Madam Min Qiao never cared about the reputation of the Marquis's mansion before, but in the end, she was only verbally unforgiving.
Now they've gone even further, resorting to physical harm against their children and grandchildren. Tsk tsk, how ruthless!
Some people said that if they had known she would cause trouble as soon as she returned, the people of the Xuanping Marquis's mansion would have preferred that she stay in Jiangnan and never come back.
At this point, someone said, "Don't forget, even after Min Qiaoshi went to Jiangnan, she didn't stop causing trouble!"
Have you forgotten what Min Qiaoshi caused in Jiangnan before?
Bullying others with her power, seizing property by force, wiping out entire families... Tsk tsk, she's living a carefree life in Jiangnan, while poor Marquis Xuanping is being summoned to the palace by the Emperor every day to be scolded.
On one occasion, he was even forced to kneel for two hours as punishment. The guards at the palace gate said that when the Marquis of Xuanping left the palace, his legs were always lame.
Oh! How pitiful!
This time, almost everyone sympathized with Min Rong and condemned Min Qiao Shi.
The rumors seem to be spreading as if they won't stop until they force the mother and son to break ties.
These past few days, Wei Jia has been busy with the matter of removing Yang An's family from the official register, and has been constantly moving around outside the mansion. As a result, news about Min Qiao's cruelty towards He and Min Yuexi naturally reached Wei Jia's ears.
Wei Jia even went back to the mansion specifically to tell Madam Min about this.
To this, Madam Min Qiao merely scoffed dismissively and said nothing more, quietly waiting for the flower banquet at the Marquis of Annan's residence to begin.
Before we knew it, the day arrived for the flower banquet held at the Marquis of Annan's residence.
Min Qiaoshi led Ayi, Ajiu and others out to a banquet.
However, before she could even step out the door, the gatekeeper announced that Madam Zheng from the Duke of Jin's mansion was waiting for her outside to go out to a banquet together.
Upon hearing this, Madam Min was immediately shocked.
He quickly took Ayi's hand and hurried out the door.
When she arrived at the gate and saw Madam Zheng leaning out of the carriage of the Duke of Jin's mansion to greet her, Madam Min Qiao could hardly believe her eyes.
She released Ayi's hand, strode forward, stood under the carriage, glared at Madam Zheng inside, and scolded, "You've only just recovered from the poison, and your body hasn't fully healed yet. How can you be so eager to go to the banquet?"
When Madam Zheng saw Min Qiao's fierce attitude, she was not angry, but felt warm inside.
She said with a smile, "I have to go and show my face so that people know I'm not a useless person, right?"
Min Qiao knew that she still couldn't let go of the painful time when she was paralyzed in bed and unable to move after being poisoned, and she was eager to announce to everyone that she had recovered, and also to let those who wanted her dead down their hopes.
"Sigh, what can I say to you?" Although Madam Min Qiao did not support it, she could not forcibly stop it.
After all, if she wasn't allowed to vent her anger while she was sick, she would always hold a grudge.
Madam Zheng smiled and waved, "If you don't know what to say, then don't say anything. Hurry up and get in the carriage, let's go to the banquet together at the Marquis of Annan's residence."
Madam Min Qiao glared helplessly at Madam Zheng before boarding the carriage of the Duke of Jin's mansion.
Besides Madam Zheng, there was also an unfamiliar old woman in the carriage.
Granny Guan, who used to be by Madam Zheng's side every step of the way, was not there.
Seeing that Madam Min Qiao glanced at the old woman a few more times, Madam Zheng quickly introduced her with a smile: "Does she look unfamiliar? This is the palace maid who serves the Empress Dowager. She knows some medicine. The Empress Dowager just assigned her to serve me yesterday."
“So it’s Granny Gong.” Madam Min Qiao nodded to Granny Gong. “From now on, I’ll be relying on Granny Gong to take care of Madam Zheng.”
Granny Gong quickly curtsied in return, "Madam Hou, you're too kind. Taking care of Madam Zheng is my duty, how could I possibly thank you?"
"I was cured of the poison a couple of days ago and was able to get out of bed, right? I was so happy that I sent a letter to the Empress Dowager in the palace. When the Empress Dowager heard about this, she sent a palace maid to take care of me. She also said that she would personally summon the divine physician Mu who cured me in a few days!"
It was clear that the poison had been neutralized, and Madam Zheng was in a better mood; she even became more talkative.
“In that case, it must be good fortune for Doctor Mu,” Madam Min Qiao replied with a smile.
"But Doctor Mu would have to have the ability to get an audience with the Empress Dowager, wouldn't he?"
Madam Zheng smiled and said, "Perfect timing! Isn't Doctor Mu planning to open a clinic? With the help of detoxifying me and the Empress Dowager's summons, her clinic's reputation will surely spread!"
"It really is true!"
As the two were talking, the carriage swayed and bumped its way to the Marquis of Annan's residence.
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