Chapter 613 Another Provocation
Madam Zheng also sighed, "You're right."
After thinking for a moment, Madam Zheng gritted her teeth and said, "If all else fails, we'll have Qiao Ning stay close to us during the flower banquet. I refuse to believe that the two of us can't protect a young girl!"
Qiao Qinghe smiled and thanked her, "Thank you! I'll look around some more, and if it doesn't work, I'll do as you say. But when the time comes, I'll have to trouble you to help me protect it."
"Hey, why are you thanking me?" Madam Zheng smiled and waved her hand to shoo them away. "Aren't you leaving? Hurry up. I won't keep you."
Qiao Qinghe smiled, stood up, said "Then I'm leaving," and quickly took A Shuang out of the Duke of Jin's mansion.
With Madam Zheng's words, Qiao Qinghe felt half of the pressure lessen.
Indeed, if it is impossible to find a suitable candidate in such a short time, then we can just take them with us wherever we go.
If nothing unexpected happens, Yuanyao should also go, and then we'll have her keep a close eye on Qiao Ning.
She refused to believe that Madam Wen could find another opportunity to strike.
However, Qiao Qinghe's good mood only lasted until she left the Duke of Jin's mansion.
As soon as I stepped outside, I saw Old Madam Qian, who should have left long ago, sticking her head out of a carriage parked at the door.
"Madam Qiao, you've finally come out. I've been waiting for you."
Qiao Qinghe frowned slightly. "Why are you waiting for me?"
Madam Qian smiled and said, "Of course I have something to tell you."
Qiao Qinghe glanced at her and said disdainfully, "But I have no interest in listening to you."
He then got into the Qiao family's carriage.
Just then, Old Madam Qian spoke again: "Old Madam Qiao, you didn't come to see Madam Zheng today because of your daughter Qiao Ning, did you?"
Qiao Qinghe narrowed her eyes and looked at Old Madam Qian with a dangerous gaze.
Madam Qian remained unmoved and continued, "It's an honor for your Qiao Ning to become Young Master Wen's concubine."
"I advise you to think more positively and not make futile struggles."
"Your daughters from the Qiao family are only fit to be someone's concubine!"
"Hehe, speaking of which, didn't you start out as someone's concubine, Madam?"
Upon hearing this, Qiao Qinghe's face instantly darkened to a point where it seemed like water could drip from it.
Ah Shuang was so angry that she was about to yell back.
Before he could even speak, Qiao Qinghe stopped him.
Qiao Qinghe looked at Old Madam Qian with icy eyes, "Old Madam Qian really has a lot of free time. I just wonder if you'll still be so free after today."
After saying that, he ignored Madam Qian and quickly boarded the carriage.
But Madam Qian's voice, like a demonic whisper, came again.
"Madam Qiao, I advise you to be sensible. You already have a niece who can't get married. What? Do you want a grandniece who can't get married either?"
"Or are you saying that none of the girls in your Qiao family want to get married in the future?"
"Hey, don't go..."
As the carriage gradually drove away, Old Madam Qian's voice could no longer be heard.
But Qiao Qinghe and A Shuang's expressions were also extremely grim.
After hearing Ah Shuang's story, Wei Jia's face darkened.
"This old lady of the Qian family doesn't take our Qiao family seriously at all!"
“That’s right!” Ah Shuang chimed in, “Madam, you have no idea how awful Old Madam Qian’s words are!”
"If the old lady hadn't stopped me, I would have rushed up and given her a good scolding."
Wei Jia glanced at A Shuang, and A Shuang awkwardly shut her mouth.
"Mother, let's put everything else aside for now. Since you've already said it, wouldn't we be looked down upon if we didn't do something?"
Qiao Qinghe nodded, "Should we leave this to Zhuxi?"
Wei Jia shook her head: "Zhu Xi's identity is sensitive. Unless it's absolutely necessary, it's best not to let her do these chores."
As he spoke, he called over his personal maid, Shengxia.
"I'm entrusting the matter of the Qian family, the clerk in the Ministry of Revenue on Changxing Street, to you and Nuanchun. I want to hear good news about them tomorrow."
"Do you understand what I mean?"
Sheng Xia nodded with shining eyes, "Don't worry, Madam, I understand."
"Then go ahead." Wei Jia raised her hand. "Be careful, don't leave any evidence against you."
"I understand," Sheng Xia replied, and quickly retreated.
After everyone left, Qiao Qinghe looked at Wei Jia curiously, "What's this girl's name? She looks a little unfamiliar to me?"
Wei Jia smiled and said, "Her name is Shengxia, and there's another one named Nuanchun. They are the maids I just recruited to serve me. They are two of the children you brought back from Jiangnan."
"Mother, have you forgotten that His Majesty confiscated many mansions when the Crown Prince plotted rebellion?"
"I had people planted in several of these families back then."
"Taking advantage of the fact that they were being sold off, I secretly bought them all back."
“For the past few days, I have been keeping them in an inconspicuous house in the west of the city.”
"Once the army returned to the capital and everyone's attention was diverted, people were gradually brought into the mansion."
"There are six in total. Apart from Shengxia and Nuanchun, the remaining four are all teenagers. I arranged for two of them to stay with He Rui. Firstly, to have them protect He Rui's safety. She is often out and about, and having two martial arts-savvy servants by her side will give Steward He some peace of mind."
"Secondly, it will also allow them to learn something from He Rui. If they have talent, they can become managers in the future and be in charge of the Qiao family's businesses."
Qiao Qinghe nodded. "You've thought this through very well."
Wei Jia smiled and continued, "As for the other two, I plan to train them to be stewards. I'm currently arranging for them to take turns on duty in various parts of the mansion."
"As for Midsummer and Warm Spring, I originally wanted to arrange for them to be with my mother. But my mother already has Zhuxi by her side, and my mother often goes out."
"Although Shengxia and Nuanchun disguised their personalities, appearances, and attire when they were hiding in other people's homes before, they were still easily recognized by those with ulterior motives after seeing so many people."
“Perfect, I don’t go out often, so it’s just right to have the two of them with me. I can just tell them to go out and run errands when needed.”
Having considered all the potential problems, Qiao Qinghe naturally wouldn't object.
Not only did they not object, but they also encouraged them, saying, "If possible, let's slowly find a way to bring those children back."
"Whether you arrange for them to work in the manor, send them elsewhere, or let them go their separate ways like Amo, let them make their own choices."
Wei Jia paused for a moment, hesitated, and then said, "Let's wait a little longer. It's not the right time yet."
Qiao Qinghe sighed, thinking about Li Sanqi's situation, and nodded, saying, "Alright. Just keep this in mind. When the time is right, set them free."
"Don't worry, Mother, I will."
After finishing their casual conversation, the two returned to the topic of Qiao Ning's marriage.
"It seems that finding a suitable marriage for Qiao Ning in the capital will not be easy now."
Qiao Qinghe couldn't help but sigh.
Wei Jia nodded in agreement, but then a suitable candidate came to mind.
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