Chapter 335 Jiang Hongling Comes to the Door
Min Qiaoshi arrived in Huizhou safely, and it was time for the two hundred men Yan Jin had sent to escort her to return.
Madam Min wasn't stingy, so when this group returned, she gave each of them a red envelope and also brought them many local specialties from Huizhou. Of course, she also prepared plenty of food, snacks, and dry rations for the journey back.
When they arrived, there were ten carriages, but when they left, Madam Min Qiao insisted on preparing three more carriages of supplies for them.
In the end, because everyone was in a hurry to return and report, they only accepted the red envelopes and the dry food and snacks that they could carry with them, and confiscated everything else.
As for the old woodcutter and his companions, they all stayed behind.
Old Qiao originally planned to take Min Qiaoshi to Huizhou and then return to the capital with his men and the main force.
But after what happened at the city gate, the old woodcutter changed his mind.
He later investigated the matter at the city gate in detail.
They deliberately blocked the road and started hitting people before even saying anything. After they entered the city, the carriage that was supposed to leave the city turned back directly to the fourth branch of the Min family.
All signs indicate that this was a well-prepared move, intended to give Min Qiao a hard time.
The reason he finally decided to stay was that while he was gathering information, he overheard someone saying that Madam Min Qiao was arrogant and domineering, and that on her first day in Huizhou, she had killed the personal maid of the fourth wife of the Min family, which was meant to give the Min family in their hometown of Huizhou a warning.
They also said that Madam Min Qiao was disrespecting the Min family of Huizhou, and that she was trying to act like the matriarch of a marquis's family after coming to Huizhou. They were afraid that the two sides would start fighting sooner or later.
Upon hearing this news, the old woodcutter naturally knew that it was all the work of the Min family.
As for the maid who was beaten, he did it himself, how could he not know the consequences?
With his strength, that maid would certainly be seriously injured, but she would certainly not lose her life.
Of course, he didn't think the maid was faking her death either, since the Min family wouldn't be stupid enough to do such a thing.
So it's quite clear: the Min family got rid of the maid and framed him. Their purpose, of course, was to continue their previous failed attempt to intimidate him.
Therefore, Lao Qiao felt it would be best to stay in Huizhou with his people for a while longer, until Min Qiaoshi had completely established herself and settled down in Huizhou, before considering leaving.
As for the capital, he wrote a letter asking the head of the guards to take it back with him.
Min Qiao was naturally pleased that Lao Qiao and the others were willing to stay a little longer.
The security of the Qiao residence was entrusted entirely to Old Woodcutter Min Qiao Shi.
After seeing the courtyard full of old people, women and children, the old woodcutter decided to select twenty children from among them to learn martial arts from him.
Ajiu and Wenxiu, along with the others who came out in the same batch as them, were naturally the first choices.
Most of them were left in the capital and dispersed to different places.
Only about ten people actually came to Huizhou with Min Qiaoshi.
Led by Amo, the six of them secretly infiltrated the beggars' group, preparing to replicate Chen San's actions in the capital.
As it turned out, after entering the city, they discovered that the beggars in Huizhou were very xenophobic and extremely wary.
It doesn't seem like a disorganized mess; it seems like it's been under someone's control all along.
Even when Amo and his friends were about to settle things with their fists, they were beaten senseless and disoriented.
At this point, the group had to admit that the beggars' quarters in Huizhou were not so easy to huddle in.
After learning about their situation, Madam Min summoned them back.
Afterwards, Madam Min sent Lao Qiao to investigate, and only then did she learn that the beggars in Huizhou City had long been under the control of the Min family.
Amo and his companions' intention to prey on the beggars was obvious.
It was only by sheer luck that she survived; the Min family had shown her extraordinary mercy out of respect for Min Qiao Shi.
Therefore, although Amo and his companions had separated from the main group beforehand, the Min family was still fully aware of their identities. This can only mean that the Min family had noticed their arrival much earlier than they had imagined.
Besides Amo and the others, the old woodcutter also selected ten children from the ones Weijia and Ajiu had picked up.
And so, the old woodcutter and his companions began training these twenty men every day.
Fortunately, the house was large enough, and Madam Min Qiao specially set aside several courtyards for them to use.
Min Qiaoshi left the matter of guarding the bodyguards to the old woodcutter.
Min Qiaoshi continued to let Ashuang manage the daily affairs of the house.
On his first day in office, Ah Shuang mixed up the people he brought from the capital and the people he picked up from Huizhou.
Whether it was assigning tasks or allocating accommodations, they were all made to live together.
Moreover, A Shuang also adopted some of Wei Jia's novel measures, dividing the scattered people into small groups and then formulating corresponding evaluation, reward and punishment, and supervision systems.
The purpose was to completely integrate the two groups of people.
Moreover, people from the capital are more knowledgeable about etiquette, and with their guidance, people from Huizhou can learn the rules more quickly.
After a few days of tidying up and reorganizing, everything slowly began to get back on track.
Just as Madam Min was beginning to adapt to life in Huizhou, an invitation from the Min family finally arrived.
Seeing the invitation in her hand, Madam Min smiled and said, "The Min family is quite considerate; they even gave me a few days to rest."
Ah Shuang said with some worry, "Grandma, there are rumors outside that you are arrogant and domineering. You just arrived and you killed the maidservant of the fourth wife of the Min family. Do you think the Min family will make things difficult for you if they invite you over?"
“It will inevitably be difficult. However,” Madam Min paused before saying, “it shouldn’t come to the point of a complete breakdown in relations.”
"No matter what, I am still the old lady of the Marquis of Xuanping's mansion. Although I have lost my title, I still retain my status."
"As long as the name of the Marquis of Xuanping is still around, they won't dare to make things too ugly for me."
"After all, the Min family in Huizhou was able to develop entirely thanks to the achievements of the ancestors of the Xuanping Marquis's family, who risked their lives to win back the family's fortunes."
After thinking for a moment, A Shuang nodded, but still couldn't help but suggest with concern, "Then, when the old lady goes to the Min residence, she should take Zhen Huan and Wen Xiu with her. It would be best if Lao Qiao and the others also came along."
Madam Min Qiao initially wanted to say that there was no need to make such a fuss, but seeing the worry on Ah Shuang's face, she finally nodded and said, "Alright, let them go with us then."
Just as the master and servant were talking, Shiyi came in to report: "Old Madam, the two young ladies from the Prefect's family have come to visit."
"The prefect's daughter?" Madam Min Qiao looked at A Shuang. "Has Jiang Hongling come to our door?"
Ah Shuang frowned slightly. "When Miss Jiang parted ways with us, she left in anger. Now that she's come to our door, I don't know if it's a good thing or a bad thing."
"Never mind, go and invite them in."
This was said in good faith.
He readily accepted the order and soon returned with Jiang Hongling and a beautiful woman who was a year or two younger than Jiang Hongling.
The woman had beautiful features, and her light blue dress made her look fresh and gentle.
Compared to Jiang Hongling, who was dressed in fiery red, the woman looked gentle and docile. She looked like a well-behaved girl.
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