Chapter 156 Zheng Qiao Join Forces to Tearing Each Other Apart
The two hadn't left early to begin with, and considering Madam Zheng's health, they had the carriage travel slowly. Therefore, they arrived rather late.
When they were led into the hall where the flower banquet was being held, it was already full of people.
Upon seeing the two, the crowd began to whisper among themselves.
"Oh dear, what's with these two? Weren't they supposed to be at odds?"
"How long has it been since you left the house? What you're saying is all ancient history! The two of them have long since made up. Otherwise, Madam Qiao's daughter-in-law wouldn't have been able to go to Madam Zheng's house to poison her."
"Speaking of poisoning, wasn't Madam Zheng paralyzed in bed and incontinent because of poisoning? How come she seems perfectly fine now and can even go out to attend a banquet?"
"Huh, it really is! When was she cured of the poison? I haven't heard anyone mention it."
“I know that! I heard that Madam Qiao just returned to the capital a few days ago. She didn’t even go back to the Marquis of Xuanping’s residence before going to the Duke of Jin’s residence to visit Madam Zheng. It is said that she brought a doctor with her. And look, in just a few days, Madam Zheng was able to get out of bed and even go out to attend banquets. It’s clear that the doctor Madam Qiao brought was very capable.”
"Is there such a miraculous doctor in the world? She can cure a poison that even the imperial physicians of the Imperial Hospital couldn't handle?"
"That's for sure! It's said that Madam Qiao met that miracle doctor by chance on her way back to the capital and specially invited him back to treat Madam Zheng and detoxify her!"
"So, it seems that Madam Qiao treated Madam Zheng quite well!"
"That's for sure."
"Ha, it's a wonder that Madam Min is so concerned about outsiders! She's so nice to outsiders, but why isn't she nicer to her own family? As soon as she came back, she drove her own granddaughter to the point of disfigurement and injured her daughter-in-law's unborn child... Tsk tsk, she really can't distinguish between family and friends!"
As soon as the topic changed, someone immediately chimed in: "That's right! Speaking of which, the eldest daughter of the Marquis of Xuanping's family is also pitiful. Last year, she suffered an undeserved disaster and was injured because of the power struggle between her own mother and grandmother. How long has it been? And now she has been forced to have her face disfigured by her own grandmother."
"Tsk tsk, I wonder if her fiancé will break off the engagement because of this." Someone sighed, "If he breaks off the engagement, she might never be able to get married for the rest of her life."
"That's right, it's been returned twice already, how can it still be okay?"
The topic gradually veered off course.
At this moment, someone said indignantly, "Shouldn't we blame Madam Qiao for Miss Min's current predicament?"
"Yes! It's all Madam Qiao's fault! She can be so cruel to her own granddaughter; she's truly a heartless viper!"
"If you hadn't mentioned it, I would have almost forgotten. Everyone's been talking about Madam Qiao these past few days. How can she still have the nerve to go out? Isn't she afraid of being drowned in people's spittle?"
"Oh dear, what's this? Didn't you see that Madam Zheng has already gone out? She's the one who urinated in front of Old Madam Sun, losing face, and in the end, the Empress Dowager forced Old Madam Sun to kowtow to the Duke of Jin's mansion to apologize!"
"They say you become like those you associate with, but have two shameless people gotten together and become so corrupted?"
...
There were too many conflicting opinions, with all sorts of things being said.
Min Qiaoshi only heard a little bit of it before her ears started to hurt.
However, she came prepared, so she wasn't flustered at all; on the contrary, she felt excited to see a good show.
However, Madam Zheng couldn't stand hearing these nonsensical discussions.
She immediately hardened her face and retorted angrily, "You're all supposed to be respectable ladies of noble birth, so why are you all gossiping like old hags, talking about this and that? What exactly happened at the Xuanping Marquis's residence? Did you all see it with your own eyes? Or did Miss Min tell you something herself? How can you slander her like this? Are you trying to sow discord between the grandmother and granddaughter? Or are you trying to pin the blame for Miss Min's disfigurement on Madam Qiao?"
"Furthermore, those who say that Madam Qiao harmed her daughter-in-law's unborn child—that He Shi was nothing but a lowly concubine, what kind of daughter-in-law was she to Madam Qiao? Anyone who says that is either brainless, blind, or vicious!"
At this point, Madam Zheng felt her heart skip a beat. She looked at Madam Min Qiao in astonishment. This was clearly someone deliberately trying to sow discord within the Xuanping Marquis's household!
Madam Min Qiao had also thought of that. However, she thought about it a step further.
Hurting her daughter-in-law, hurting her own granddaughter... People who don't know the inside story will subconsciously assume that Madam Min is an unkind elder when they hear these words.
If elders are not kind, then it is understandable that their children and grandchildren are unfilial.
In addition, there was the bad reputation that Min Qiaoshi had left behind...
This is setting the stage for the Min family's children and grandchildren to betray her!
Min Qiao narrowed her eyes slightly. The schemes against her were not exactly the same as in her previous life; they were merely the same thing in a different guise.
Five days have passed, and it seems that the Lu family has made their choice.
Seeing the worry in Madam Zheng's eyes, Madam Min Qiao gently patted the back of her hand and gave her a reassuring look with a smile, "Don't worry, I know what I'm doing. You're not fully recovered yet, so don't overexert yourself. Find a place to sit down first."
At this point, Madam Min suddenly realized what was happening and looked at Madam Zheng with a mixture of gratitude and warmth. "I was wondering why you rushed to the banquet when you weren't even fully recovered. It was all to help me, wasn't it?"
Judging from the way she just confronted people, she clearly had a prepared speech in mind.
Madam Zheng pursed her lips somewhat awkwardly, "Stop flattering yourself. I'm here for myself. I need to show these gossipy women that I, Zheng Yao, have risen again. If anyone dares to spread rumors about me again, I'll make sure they know what I'm capable of."
Min Qiaoshi didn't argue with her. She smiled, took her arm, and led her to an empty seat not far away.
However, after walking only a few steps, they heard a loud noise behind them.
The two turned around and saw Lady Wang, the wife of the Earl of Annan, helping an old woman in. Behind them were the Earl of Annan's two daughters-in-law and his youngest daughter, Feng Yuerou, and others.
Upon seeing the old woman being escorted by the Earl of Annam, Madam Zheng's face immediately darkened.
There was no way around it; the old woman before them was none other than Madam Sun, the wife of the Minister of Works. She was the culprit who had drugged Madam Zheng, causing her to lose face in public, and then publicized the incident, driving Madam Zheng to the brink of suicide.
Feeling the trembling in Madam Zheng's hand, Madam Min Qiao squeezed her arm and spoke first to the approaching group: "So that's why we haven't seen a single member of the Feng family along the way. It turns out all the masters of the Feng family are entertaining the distinguished guests from the Minister's Mansion?"
Upon hearing this, Madam Zheng immediately followed up with a sarcastic remark: "It's one thing for Madam Qiao and me to be disliked, but all these people are just sitting here without anyone greeting us. So, all of us combined are not as important as Old Madam Sun?"
Madam Min glanced at Madam Zheng and said, “Look at what you’re saying. Who here is as noble as Madam Sun? Her son is the Minister of Works, her brother is the Minister of Revenue, and her granddaughter is the daughter-in-law of the Minister of Justice.”
"Look at her! Half of the ministers of the six ministries in the imperial court are her relatives! How can we, the impoverished masses, compare to her?"
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