Chapter 516 Preparing to send people to Jiangnan
A potential crisis was averted with the arrival of Qiao Jingyi and his wife.
Qiao Qinghe instructed the maids and servants who were still kneeling on the ground, "What are you still kneeling for? Why aren't you escorting the old lady and the first wife back to their respective courtyards to rest?"
As soon as he finished speaking, the people kneeling on the ground got up one after another. Some came over to help Wei Jia up, while others went over to ask Grandma Qiao to go back and rest.
In no time, most of the people had dispersed.
After Wei Jia and Grandma Qiao's group left, only Qiao Qinghe and Qiao Jingyi, along with their children, remained.
"Are you getting ready to go out?" Qiao Qinghe asked Qiao Jingyi and his wife, looking at the children.
Qiao Jingyi said with a smile, "I want to take the children to see the academies in the capital. Since we'll be living in the capital for a long time, the children should be able to attend an academy."
Qiao Qinghe frowned almost imperceptibly.
Yesterday, Grandma Qiao said she wouldn't be leaving Beijing anytime soon. Now, Qiao Jingyi is saying he wants to stay for an extended period.
Why would someone suddenly decide to move to the capital for an extended period?
Has something happened in Jiangnan? Or do the old lady and her entourage have ulterior motives for coming to the capital?
After Qiao Jingyi finished explaining the purpose of his trip, Qiao Wangshi said with a smile, "This is our first time in the capital. I want to take Qiao Bing and Qiao Ning out for a stroll and bring back some fabric to make new clothes for everyone."
At this point, as if afraid that Qiao Qinghe would misunderstand, Madam Qiao quickly explained, "This time when we came to the capital, we only brought a few changes of clothes. We didn't bring any other clothes for all four seasons."
“We originally planned to bring them, but the old lady said that the clothes from her hometown were too old-fashioned in terms of color and style, and that they would embarrass her aunt if they came to the capital.”
Qiao Qinghe nodded, "Going out for a stroll is fine. But you don't need to buy any fabric. I'll have He Shi pick out a few bolts from the storeroom to make clothes for you later."
Qiao Wangshi glanced at Qiao Jingyi, and seeing him nod, she happily agreed, "Then thank you very much, Aunt."
After Qiao Jingyi and his group said goodbye and left, Qiao Qinghe turned around and went to Weijia's courtyard.
Wei Jia was also waiting for Qiao Qinghe.
"Mother." Wei Jia came forward and helped her up.
Qiao Qinghe took Wei Jia's hand, led her into the house, and sat down. Only then did Qiao Qinghe ask, "Were you planning to come to the main courtyard to see me?"
Wei Jia nodded: "I heard that Doctor Mu has returned from the Jiang residence. I was originally planning to come and ask about Miss Jiang's situation, and also to tell my mother about what happened in Three-Foot Lane yesterday."
"Unexpectedly, it seemed as if my grandmother was deliberately waiting for me at the main gate."
"As soon as I got there, I met my grandmother..."
Qiao Qinghe raised her hand to interrupt Wei Jia, "The old lady is definitely deliberately picking a fight against you."
"But do you think the old lady came for you, or for me?"
After thinking it over carefully, Wei Jia hesitated before saying, "I always felt that the old lady wasn't simply targeting anyone in particular."
"How should I put it? There's no doubt that the old lady deliberately tormented me, and even the baby in my womb."
"But when the old lady looked at me, her eyes were calm and undisturbed, without any disgust or resentment."
"On the contrary, when the old lady looked at you, the hatred and anger in her eyes could not be hidden."
"So, I suspect something must have happened in Jiangnan."
"Moreover, the matter is probably related to my mother as well."
Qiao Qinghe nodded in agreement, "You and I are thinking the same thing. I was also wondering if something happened back in our hometown in Jiangnan."
Wei Jia suggested, "How about we send a few people to Jiangnan to check on the situation?"
"That's exactly what I was thinking. I just haven't been able to think of a suitable candidate yet." Qiao Qinghe frowned slightly.
The best candidate should have been Qiao Jingyao, but after returning from Xixi, Qiao Jingyao was still recovering from his injuries and was not suitable for a long journey.
Wei Jia thought for a moment and suggested, "Amo is good. Let Chen San pick two clever ones from among the beggars to follow along."
After a pause, Wei Jia still said, "It would be even better if my second brother could come along."
After all, Qiao Jingyao is familiar with Jiangnan and is a member of the Qiao family, making it easier for him to investigate secretly or return openly.
Amo and the others could only serve as support, providing assistance from the sidelines.
Qiao Qinghe hesitated for a moment, then said, "I'll ask Jing Yao for his opinion later. If it doesn't work, I'll ask the Earl of Enping to borrow two more people."
"Alright then." Wei Jia nodded helplessly.
When the topic of borrowing people from the Earl of Enping came up, Qiao Qinghe suddenly thought of something.
"When I was at the border, I gave the Earl of Enping 100,000 taels of silver to buy an arm or a leg of the Marquis of Pingyan's heir."
“After the Earl of Enping returned to the capital, he told me that when the Crown Prince of Pingyan was attacking Shang’an, he unfortunately had one hand cut off, and after accidentally falling off his horse, he had his leg broken by the horse’s hoof. Now he is a complete cripple.”
"Do you think the old lady and the others' sudden trip to Beijing might be related to this matter?"
Wei Jia frowned and pondered, "Mother, are you referring to the report from the Marquis of Pingyan's residence?"
Qiao Qinghe said seriously, "No, I mean, could this be Min Ji's retaliation?"
Back then, she had only inadvertently sown discord between him and the Crown Prince Xi'an, and then conveniently stabbed him in the back. But as soon as she returned, Min Ji instigated Min Rong to commit matricide.
Now, the Min family's property has been confiscated, Ji Huailang has been deposed, and she has led the Min family descendants to change their surname... Every single thing is challenging the bottom line of Min and Ji.
She didn't believe that Min Ji would have no reaction at all.
Both of them fell silent.
If the matter is indeed related to Min Ji, then the scheming behind it must be quite elaborate.
Seemingly not wanting to discuss this heavy topic, which would only worsen Qiao Qinghe's mood, Wei Jia changed the subject, saying, "Mother's eyes are red; has she been crying?"
Qiao Qinghe paused for a moment, then recounted Jiang Hongling's death and what had happened at the Jiang residence the day before.
After listening, Wei Jia couldn't help but sigh, "Miss Jiang is a pure and kind girl, it's just a pity that she has a bad fate."
"Well, who can argue with that?"
The two talked for a while longer, and when they heard that A Shuang had returned, Qiao Qinghe went back to the main courtyard.
"How are things going with the Jiang family?"
Ah Shuang reported what she had seen at the Jiang family home: "Don't worry, Madam, Miss Jiang's funeral was very well arranged. Old Master Jiang even arranged for the two sons of Miss Jiang's eldest brother to carry the funeral banner and break the basin for Miss Jiang, acting as filial sons."
Qiao Qinghe nodded. "That's good."
Ah Shuang added, "You can rest assured, the Jiang family would never dare to neglect Miss Jiang's funeral."
"When I arrived, the fourth young lady of the Yongning Marquis's mansion and the first lady-in-waiting of the Seventh Princess were also there."
"Even if the Jiang family doesn't care about your feelings, Madam, they should still consider the Yongning Marquis's Mansion and the Seventh Princess."
Qiao Qinghe sighed, "Speaking of which, it seems like only yesterday that Miss Jiang was chasing after Zhen Huan and Wen Xiu, insisting on becoming their masters. And now... sigh!"
"Madam..."
"I'm fine." Qiao Qinghe composed herself and asked, "Is there any news from Min Pan'er?"
Ah Shuang shook her head: "No. I didn't see Min Pan'er when I went there."
"That's true. Min Pan'er was humiliated at the Jiang residence yesterday and was personally kicked out by Miss Jiang. She probably hates her too much to even think about mourning her."
Thinking of this, Qiao Qinghe felt a little sorry for Jiang Hongling.
However, the truth is quite the opposite.
At this moment, Min Pan'er was crying her heart out.
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