Chapter 160 The Wind Rises
Madam Min didn't care what others thought. After Old Madam Sun was carried away by the people from the Marquis of An'nan's mansion, Madam Min also said to Madam Zheng, "Since the host family doesn't welcome us, let's go too."
"Yes, yes, let's go! I can smell urine all around me!" Madam Zheng said, fanning her nose in disgust, and took Min Qiao's hand as they walked out.
With this incident today, it's clear that the flower banquet at the Annan Marquis's residence can no longer proceed.
Seeing Madam Min and Madam Zheng leave, the others also became restless.
Soon, several noble ladies of similar status took the lead in bidding farewell to the Lady of Annam. The others followed suit and left. In no time, the large flower hall was completely empty.
Madam Min Qiao came out with Madam Zheng, but before they could even get into the carriage, they saw someone chasing after them.
It's Feng Yuerou.
“Mother, Madam Zheng.”
Upon approaching, Feng Yuerou bowed to the two women and asked, "Mother, may I leave with your carriage?"
As she spoke, she leaned closer to Madam Min and whispered, "I don't want to travel in my family's carriage. After the carriage from our household brought me here yesterday, I told them to go back."
Madam Min gave Feng Yuerou a strange look and said meaningfully, "Your family is in a mess right now. Is it really okay for you to leave now?"
Feng Yuerou pouted, "If I don't leave now, they'll start dealing with me once they're done with their work!"
Madam Min looked at her with a mixture of amusement and curiosity. "Your family sent me that invitation by your own initiative, didn't you? It doesn't seem like your family genuinely wanted to invite me."
When Feng Yuerou sent her the invitation, she made it seem as if the Marquis of Annan was sincerely inviting her to the banquet.
In the end, it turned out that everything was just Feng Yuerou's own doing.
Madam Min was very curious as to why Feng Yuerou would do such a thing. It was just like her marriage to Min Hui; she didn't give face to anyone else, but she specifically chose Madam Min as her "mother-in-law."
However, before that, she and Min Hui had already fallen out.
It is said that a woman should obey her husband after marriage. Logically speaking, Feng Yuerou should treat her with the same disdain as Min Hui.
But Feng Yuerou did the opposite, acting as if she really wanted to get close to her.
The reasons behind this are hard not to ponder.
When Feng Yuerou's secret about the invitation was exposed, she smiled apologetically, "I saw the invitation for my mother when I went back to my parents' home before, so I took it myself."
"I delivered it to my mother in person because I wanted to spend more time with her."
As she spoke, Feng Yuerou glanced at Madam Zheng and hesitated before asking, "When will Mother have some free time so I can have a heart-to-heart talk with her?"
Min Qiaoshi understood that Feng Yuerou wanted to talk to her alone.
So, she smiled and nodded, "Then come over tomorrow morning. I'm too busy today."
He then instructed the carriage from the Marquis of Xuanping's residence to send Feng Yuerou back, while he himself boarded the carriage from the Duke of Jin's residence.
"Your third daughter-in-law is quite interesting."
As she sat in the carriage, Madam Zheng said meaningfully.
Madam Min Qiao wholeheartedly agreed: "That's right. I still haven't figured this person out. Never mind, let's not talk about this anymore."
Madam Min changed the subject, smiling as she looked at Madam Zheng, "How was it? Did you feel better just now?"
"This is more than just satisfying!" Madam Zheng couldn't help but smile broadly. "Just thinking about how Hu Qiuyue was humiliated in public and left speechless by your repeated questioning makes me feel so good!"
Hu Qiuyue is the real name of Madam Sun. She is more than ten years older than Madam Zheng and Madam Min Qiao, so they can basically be considered two generations apart.
However, when Madam Sun was still in charge of the household a few years ago, she treated Madam Zheng, Madam Min, and others as equals. Therefore, when Madam Zheng addressed Madam Sun by her full name, no one thought she was being disrespectful to her elders.
The two looked at each other and smiled.
But soon, Madam Zheng couldn't help but worry about her again.
"Is everything you're saying true? Won't saying it in public get you into trouble?"
"Lu Ming, the Marquis of An'nan's residence, the Minister of Works' residence, Consort Zhao... You've offended far too many people in one fell swoop!"
"And the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Justice, why did you drag them into this? Aren't you afraid they'll unite against your Marquis of Xuanping's residence?"
"Oh my, just thinking about it makes my heart tremble for you!"
It would be a lie to say that Madam Min wasn't afraid at all. But since things had come to that point, she was just going to risk it all.
What's this called? Putting yourself in a do-or-die situation to find a way out!
In any case, the Lu family is determined to kill her!
Rather than letting them hide in the shadows and plot against her from time to time.
She might as well expose the Lu family and have everyone keep an eye on them for her!
Although doing so would expose the Xuanping Marquis's mansion to everyone's attention, and might even lead to malicious individuals digging up its past history, thus bringing about its destruction.
But that's not something she should care about.
She didn't believe that Min Ji wouldn't have a backup plan to protect the Xuanping Marquis's mansion!
Besides, so what if the Marquis of Xuanping's mansion suffers?
At worst, she'll just die!
But to remain silent and endure the Lu gang like venomous snakes lurking in the shadows, ready to pounce and bite her at any moment—would she rather perish with them?
Now that it's been exposed, those people won't dare to easily lay a hand on her anymore. If anything happens to her, everyone will subconsciously assume it's the Lu gang's doing.
Therefore, the outside world may be in turmoil. But she will be able to enjoy a brief period of peace.
Yes, that's a good thing. At least for her, it's a good thing.
Madam Min patted Madam Zheng's hand and comforted her, "Don't worry, I'm fine."
What I just said, in a way, is serious. But in a way, it's not a big deal.
"To put it bluntly, I've publicly accused those families of forming cliques for personal gain, which might make His Majesty suspicious of them. Those families will certainly hold a grudge against me and wish they could kill me as soon as possible. They will also launch increasingly intense retaliatory actions against the Marquis of Xuanping's residence! Perhaps, the Marquis of Xuanping's residence will soon be in trouble."
"This is a lose-lose situation."
"To put it mildly, my words had no substantial evidence. It was just two old ladies arguing and spouting nonsense in the heat of the moment."
Whether or not the matter will be taken too seriously depends on His Majesty's opinion.
***
The confrontation between Lady Min Qiao and Lady Sun at the Annam Earl's residence was quickly relayed to Emperor Xiaozhao's ears without missing a single word.
Emperor Xiaozhao picked up his brush and wrote: the Lu family, the Feng family, the Sun family, the Zhao family...
Finally, he circled the two characters "Zhao Family".
The Zhao family and Consort Zhao should not be equated.
The chief eunuch Liu Xin cautiously said, "Your Majesty, the matter of the Marquis of Annam's residence has now spread throughout the capital, and some censors are already eager to take action. What do you think? Should we guide public opinion in advance?"
Emperor Xiaozhao glanced at Liu Xin and coldly ordered, "No need. Just sit back and observe."
Emperor Xiaozhao took out a piece of paper that he had written some time ago.
Between them, the names of the forces associated with the Min Qiao family were clearly written: the Marquis of Xuanping's Mansion, the Duke of Jin's Mansion, the Earl of Enping's Mansion, the Earl of Annan's Mansion, the Wang family, and Tang Yunxiu, a junior scholar in the Hanlin Academy.
Hmm, the Annam Earl's Mansion is out. After thinking for a moment, I also crossed out Tang Yunxiu. A mere junior official like him isn't enough to change anything.
Compare the remaining items with the contents of the paper you just wrote down in front of you.
On the surface, they appear evenly matched. But in reality, the Lu family clearly holds an overwhelming advantage!
Lu Ming is the newly appointed top scholar in the imperial examination and is betrothed to the Seventh Princess. His future is limitless.
The Feng family has always held military power and occupies an important position among military generals.
The Sun family holds the position of Minister of Works. Although the Ministry of Works is the lowest-ranking of the six ministries, its official rank is genuine.
Moreover, the Sun family has two marriage alliances with the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Justice! It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that they wield immense power!
Add to that the favored Consort Zhao, who in turn controls Grand Secretary Zhao…
On the other hand, what about the Min family? Tsk tsk, only the Enping Earl's Mansion is somewhat capable. The rest are toothless paper tigers, with impressive titles but no real power.
Looking at the two sheets of paper laid out in front of him, Emperor Xiaozhao's gaze was deep and thoughtful.
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