Chapter 232 Clues Revealed
"Oh, I think that's what happened. Wei Jia seems to have mentioned it to me, but I'd forgotten about it."
Hearing Ajiu say this, Madam Min Qiao remembered this matter.
Wei Jia had told her before that until the poisoning was investigated, A Jiu should stay at the estate and teach the children manners.
Madam Min changed the subject, smiling as she reassured everyone, "You don't need to feel wronged for me. After all, I was the one who abandoned the Marquis's mansion first."
“Now, Min Rong is acting without regard for my feelings, but I can’t entirely blame him.”
“But…” The group wanted to say something more, but Madam Min raised her hand to stop them.
“Actually, this isn’t such a bad thing,” Madam Min Qiao said with a smile. “At least I can move out of the Marquis’s mansion openly and honestly, and no one can say a bad word about me.”
Knowing full well that she and the Annam Marquis's family were at odds, Min Rong still asked the Annam Marquis's wife to act as matchmaker.
Knowing full well that she had a grudge against the Wu family, Min Rong still insisted on marrying into the Wu family.
Knowing that she was risking public condemnation by revealing the feud between the Min and Lu families, Min Rong still dared to associate with people from the Lu family faction, taking her good intentions for granted.
In her anger, she moved out of the Marquis's mansion and completely abandoned it. Isn't that reasonable?
After thinking about it, everyone agreed that it was indeed the case, so they didn't say anything more. However, they still felt sorry for Min Qiao Shi.
However, the good news is that it seems the matter of moving out of the Marquis's mansion won't have to wait until after the New Year.
***
The next day, Qiao Yuanyao returned from the palace with a message.
"You mean His Majesty intends to have the Earl of Annan replace the General of the State, take command of the army, guard the west, and counter the Great Fen?"
Madam Min looked at Qiao Yuanyao in astonishment, "Did the Seventh Princess tell you this news?"
Qiao Yuanyao nodded, "Yes, it was the Third Prince who revealed it to the Seventh Princess. Currently, besides the Crown Prince, the only other prince involved in politics is the Third Prince."
The second prince died young. Apart from the crown prince, the third prince was the only prince who came of age and participated in politics.
This was one of the reasons why Wei Jia chose to have the Seventh Princess support the Third Prince.
Madam Min Qiao suddenly realized, "No wonder Min Rong ignored the relationship between the Marquis of Annan's mansion and the Lu family, and went to great lengths to curry favor with the Marquis of Annan's mansion."
To put it bluntly, it all boils down to profit.
The Annam Marquis's Mansion already holds military power; if it were to also seize control of the western army, it would truly become the sole power.
"Should we do something?" Qiao Yuanyao asked, a little worried.
"What are we supposed to do?" Madam Min looked at Qiao Yuanyao with a strange expression. "What can we, the women of the inner quarters, do about such a crucial military and political matter concerning the foundation of the nation?"
Madam Min knew that Qiao Yuanyao's entry into the palace was not a simple matter, but because she was willing, the Seventh Princess repeatedly came to ask for her, and Wei Jia persuaded her, she did not stop her.
But ever since Qiao Yuanyao entered the palace, she always felt that something about Qiao Yuanyao had changed.
Qiao Yuanyao rarely appeared in front of her before, unless there was something wrong.
Now, every time he leaves the palace, he always comes to talk to her.
She was talking about top-secret information that she had brought from the palace.
Moreover, she now seems to enjoy talking about important national affairs such as court politics, current events, military and political affairs, and people's livelihood.
These are things that a young lady from a secluded family would not be interested in at all.
Qiao Yuanyao smiled and said, "If the Earl of Annam can lead an army, why can't others? As long as the imperial edict hasn't been issued, anything is possible."
Madam Min frowned slightly and asked calmly, "In your opinion, besides the Earl of Annam, who else can lead the army?"
Qiao Yuanyao replied without hesitation, "Marquis of Yongchang."
“Indeed, he is more suitable than the Earl of Annam,” Min Qiaoshi said subconsciously.
After she finished speaking, she looked at Qiao Yuanyao in astonishment. What did Yuanyao mean by that?
The Marquis of Yongchang was the Empress's elder brother, and he did indeed lead troops in the field in his earlier years. However, since the Emperor ascended the throne, the military power of the Marquis of Yongchang's household has been gradually taken back.
But what does it mean that Yuanyao mentioned the Yongchang Marquis's residence at this time?
Could it be that Her Majesty the Empress wants to advocate for her family?
Thinking back to how the Marquis of Yongchang suffered a loss and the Seventh Princess was wronged because of the Crown Princess's family...
I'm afraid Her Majesty the Empress really does have the idea of revitalizing her family.
But what help could a woman like her possibly offer in such a situation?
Thinking of this, Madam Min was suddenly startled. Why was she thinking about these things? What did these matters have to do with her?
What she should do is eat, drink, have fun, and live a carefree life, not get involved in these life-threatening matters.
Madam Min shook her head, dismissing these inexplicable thoughts, and changed the subject, saying, "How many days will you stay outside the palace this time? Or will you return tomorrow, like before?"
Seeing that Madam Min was unwilling to talk about military matters, Qiao Yuanyao did not press the matter. He simply glanced at Wei Jia beside him without making a sound before smiling and replying to Madam Min: "This time you can stay for two more days. The day after tomorrow, I will go with my aunt to attend the flower banquet at the Yongning Marquis's residence. After the flower banquet, I will return to the palace with the Seventh Princess."
"Oh? The Seventh Princess is also attending the flower banquet at the Yongning Marquis's residence?" Madam Min Qiao asked with some surprise.
It's common knowledge that the Seventh Princess likes to go out of the palace. It's also true that she enjoys joining in the fun at banquets.
But the Seventh Princess always only visited the homes of those she was close to, such as the Chang'an Prince's Mansion and the Jin State Duke's Mansion. Well, because of her relationship with Madam Zheng, the Xuanping Marquis's Mansion could also be considered one.
I wonder what brings her to the banquet at the Yongning Marquis's residence.
Qiao Yuanyao didn't hide anything and said with a smile, "The Seventh Princess is currently helping the Third Prince choose a consort."
"The young ladies are all going to attend the flower banquet at the Yongning Marquis's residence. The Seventh Princess is going to check on the Third Prince."
"I see." Madam Min smiled, then her smile froze on her face. "When did the Seventh Princess become so close to the Third Prince?"
Isn't the Seventh Princess a sibling of the Crown Prince and the Fifth Prince?
Why are you suddenly getting so close to the Third Prince?
If I remember correctly, the news that the Earl of Annan was going to lead troops to guard the west was also revealed to the Seventh Princess by the Third Prince.
Qiao Yuanyao smiled awkwardly and said guiltily, "We're all siblings, isn't it natural for us to be close? The Seventh Princess is so adorable, and the Third Prince doesn't have a sister. It's only natural for him to dote on the Seventh Princess."
Min Qiaoshi did not speak, but stared sharply at Qiao Yuanyao.
Even the legitimate and illegitimate children of ordinary families cannot live together peacefully, let alone royal siblings.
Qiao Yuanyao spoke softer and softer until she couldn't continue.
She looked pleadingly at Wei Jia beside her.
Following her gaze, Madam Min Qiao also looked at Wei Jia.
Wei Jia sighed inwardly, smiled, and curtsied. "Madam, all of this was my plan. Please allow me to explain in detail."
Min Qiao's face darkened, but her heart was in her throat.
What exactly was Wei Jia plotting behind the scenes, unbeknownst to her?
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