Chapter 52: Everyone's here, the show begins.
[Note before the chapter: The previous chapter regarding the relationship between Min Ji and Min Qiao Shi has been revised. I've thought about it and feel that it's a bit far-fetched and superficial to say that a man who could tolerate his wife cheating on him for the sake of the Marquis's mansion and who could use his newborn granddaughter for a marriage alliance truly loved Min Qiao Shi.]
Therefore, in order to make the character more three-dimensional and full, I made changes to the purpose of Min Ji leaving Wang's handwritten letter and the letter of divorce.
In her past life, Min Qiao steadfastly protected the Marquis's mansion, so the things left behind by Min Ji did not appear. But in this life, Min Qiao is unrestrained and capricious, no longer protecting the Marquis's mansion, and the old steward arrives with Min Ji's "deep affection".
[He claimed it was to protect Min Qiao Shi, but in reality, he just wanted to use his "sincere feelings" to bind Min Qiao Shi and make her continue to protect the Marquis's mansion for him!]
[It was only after understanding all this that Madam Min inquired about the whereabouts of the bodyguard. The bodyguard's death, and the subsequent revelation to Madam Wang that he was dead, demonstrate that Min Ji was far from a simply kind person.]
[Because I made significant revisions to the previous chapter, making it too long, I've moved some of it to this chapter. Please skip any familiar content. Thank you for reading through my rambling!]
So, in the freezing cold, the Empress Dowager, having nothing better to do, suddenly had the idea to have some sweet potatoes roasted so she could smell their sweet aroma.
The sweet potatoes had just been roasted when Princess Jiaoyang arrived.
The grandmother and grandson were roasting sweet potatoes with the palace servants when a letter from Madam Zheng arrived.
The Empress Dowager handed the letter from Lady Zheng to Princess Jiaoyang.
Princess Jiaoyang didn't stand on ceremony and opened it to take a look.
After reading it, she pouted and said, "I don't like Madam Qiao from the Xuanping Marquis's residence."
The Empress Dowager looked at her strangely, "You only met him once at the Prince of Chang'an's residence, so why don't you like him anymore?"
"I just don't like it." Princess Jiaoyang snorted. "I don't know why Madam Zheng would help her."
"People are all about first impressions. You may not find Madam Qiao appealing, but Madam Zheng might. If you don't like her, you can simply avoid contact with her."
The Empress Dowager patiently advised, "As a royal princess, even if you dislike someone, you must keep your feelings to yourself. Otherwise, others will suffer because of you."
Princess Jiaoyang pouted in dissatisfaction, "I just don't like it, why do you have to hide it? I'm not doing anything to her, can't I even give her the cold shoulder?"
The Empress Dowager smiled and shook her head. "You don't understand. Sometimes, you just give people the cold shoulder and don't intend to do anything to them. But your subordinates will try to figure out what you're thinking and will use scheming and plotting against people you dislike to curry favor with you."
"But when things fall apart, those people will only say that everything they did was to help you vent your anger."
"When that time comes, even if you didn't do it, it will be attributed to you, and you'll be left with no way to defend yourself."
"Think about it, doesn't that make sense?"
Princess Jiaoyang thought for a moment, then nodded helplessly, as if that made sense.
"But isn't this just too frustrating?"
"Who can live a life without feeling frustrated? Even your father, the emperor, had to compromise at times."
The Empress Dowager earnestly instructed, "You are a royal princess, so you must have the magnanimity and composure of a royal princess. As long as it doesn't cross your bottom line, you should be tolerant."
Princess Jiaoyang nodded dejectedly, but then her eyes widened and she exclaimed in surprise, "Grandmother, you are so biased!"
The Empress Dowager was taken aback.
Princess Jiaoyang said angrily, "You always help and protect Madam Zheng no matter what she does. When the matter of the Duke of Jin's mansion caused such a stir in the city, you covered for her. You even asked Father Emperor to make things easy for Madam Zheng several times."
"Why is it that when it comes to me, you tell me to endure it and hold it in, talking about magnanimity and composure!"
"Hmph! Grandmother is so biased! I want to be Madam Zheng's granddaughter!"
Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager pondered it carefully and realized it was indeed true, which made her smile.
He reached out and hugged Princess Jiaoyang, comforting her, "Alright, alright, it was Grandmother's fault. Grandmother shouldn't have shown favoritism. We Jiaoyang should always be smiling and carefree. From now on, Grandmother will never lecture you with grand principles again."
Princess Jiaoyang put her arm around the Empress Dowager's neck and bargained with a smile in her eyes, saying, "Then when Aunt Hong goes to the Marquis of Xuanping's residence tomorrow, if Grandmother allows me to go with her, I will forgive Grandmother."
The Empress Dowager was taken aback, then chuckled and poked Princess Jiaoyang's forehead. "You little rascal! This is your real purpose, isn't it?"
"Grandmother, please promise me! I miss the Dowager Madam so much. I'm sure you miss her too! I'll go check on her tomorrow to see if she's doing well these days, and I'll report back to you! Please promise me!"
Princess Jiaoyang playfully clung to the Empress Dowager, shaking her gently.
The Empress Dowager was so dizzy from being shaken that she said helplessly, "Alright, alright, I agree."
"Very good!"
Princess Jiaoyang cheered and released the Empress Dowager, jumping three feet high. However, she didn't notice that the hem of her skirt touched the charcoal fire for roasting sweet potatoes, instantly igniting sparks.
The huge palace was instantly thrown into chaos.
***
The day for the family to separate arrived as scheduled.
To make it a grand occasion, Madam Min Qiao arranged for the division of the family property to take place in the Minghui Hall of the main courtyard.
The place is spacious, grand, and bright.
The agreed time was 9:00 AM.
At the beginning of Chen Shi (7-9 AM), Wu Shi and Yang Shi were waiting in Huiming Hall.
The two sisters-in-law collaborated seamlessly for the first time, overseeing all preparations for Minghui Hall.
Are there enough chairs? Are there any spare stools prepared? Where will the Prefect sit? Where will the Dowager Lady of the Duke of Jin's mansion sit?
It is said that female officials will be coming to the palace. How should their positions be arranged?
Is the water boiling? What kind of tea are you using? Is everything prepared? ...
The two people, who were eager to separate their households, were busy at Minghui Hall.
Songhetang welcomed her distinguished guest well in advance.
Madam Zheng.
"What did you say?" Madam Min Qiao looked at Madam Zheng in disbelief. "Who are you saying is coming today?"
Madam Zheng smiled awkwardly, "Don't be so alarmed. I just received the news myself."
Madam Min Qiao's lips twitched. "Princess Jiaoyang is coming soon, and you're only telling me now? Didn't you say you were asking the Empress Dowager to send a female official? How come it's Princess Jiaoyang who's coming?"
She hadn't forgotten Princess Jiaoyang's unfriendly attitude towards her. Would she cause trouble when they divided the family property later?
"I didn't expect this either. The letter I sent to the palace yesterday only received a reply this morning. I was quite shocked when I heard the news. That's why I rushed here to inform you," said Madam Zheng helplessly.
Princess Jiaoyang was someone who loved to join in the fun.
No, Princess Jiaoyang was clearly a lively and mischievous person, yet she actually quite enjoyed the Empress Dowager's retirement life.
You might say she's calm and composed, but she just happens to love being in the thick of things.
What a contradictory person!
It was a done deal that Princess Jiaoyang was coming, and the two old ladies couldn't change it; they could only serve her carefully when the time came.
Soon, only a quarter of an hour remained until 9:00 AM.
A messenger from Minghui Hall came to say that almost everyone who was supposed to arrive had arrived, and invited Madam Min Qiao and Madam Zheng to come over.
So, Madam Min and Madam Zheng left Songhe Hall together and slowly walked to Minghui Hall.
When the two entered, Minghui Hall was already full of people.
Upon seeing the two enter, everyone stood up, except for Wang Zhangshi, who was unable to stand due to a broken leg.
The layout of Minghui Hall is quite conventional, with two seats in the main position and four seats in two rows on each side.
In case there were too many people, two extra chairs were added on each side in advance.
At this moment, both chairs in the main seat are empty.
Minghui Hall was unaware that Princess Jiaoyang was coming. Therefore, the main seat was clearly reserved for Madam Min Qiao and Madam Zheng.
Min Rong, accompanied by Madam Wu, sat in the head seat on the left. Min Yao, accompanied by Madam Yang, sat close behind them. Behind them was Min Rong, whose face was gloomy.
The seat of honor on the right belonged to Lord Wang, the Prefect of Jingzhou Prefecture.
Sitting next to him was Min Rong's uncle, Wang Mian, and right next to him was Wang Zhangshi. At the very back sat Min Yao's aunt, Linshi.
Min Qiao glanced at everyone, her gaze lingering on Wang Zhangshi for a moment longer.
The fact that someone came to join in the fun before their leg had even fully recovered suggests they have ill intentions.
"Mother, everyone is here. Please take your seats, Madam Zheng. We can begin the process of dividing the family property."
As the head of the family, Min-young greeted him with a smile.
Madam Min gently shook her head, "Please wait a moment, there are still distinguished guests who haven't arrived yet."
Everyone was stunned by these words.
Isn't Madam Zheng our distinguished guest today?
Is there anyone more noble than Madam Zheng?
Just as everyone was wondering, a servant came from outside to report that Princess Jiaoyang had arrived.
Thus, a group of people welcomed Princess Jiaoyang amidst shock and astonishment.
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