Chapter 124 The Second Branch of the Qiao Family
Meanwhile, Qiao Jingyao, in his capacity as Steward Li, led Qiao Yuanyao to the courtyard of Old Master Qiao and Old Madam Qiao. Qiao Qingping and Madam Li had also arrived early to wait with the two elders.
Upon meeting, Qiao Yuanyao first kowtowed to the two elders, confessing her filial impiety. Then she kowtowed to Qiao Qingping and Xiao Lishi, thanking them for their care for her and her mother over the years.
Afterwards, Grandma Qiao wiped away her tears, personally helped the person up, and then pulled the person to sit down, saying many words of concern.
After a long and heartfelt conversation, with everyone exchanging pleasantries, Qiao Yuanyao finally suggested that she go see her mother.
Originally, Old Madam Qiao wanted Xiao Li to accompany Qiao Yuanyao to see Zhou Shi, but Qiao Yuanyao refused, saying that Steward Li could take her there.
Grandma Qiao wanted to object, but Qiao Qingping helped to dissuade her, saying, "Mother, let Steward Li deliver it. He hasn't been back for many years, and he's probably still a bit unfamiliar with his family."
"Manager Li accompanied my aunt to Qiushui Nunnery to pick up Yuanyao. It seems the two of them became acquainted on the way. Since Yuanyao wants Manager Li to escort her, let Manager Li go."
"Perfect timing. Let Li go and check on Yuanyao's courtyard again, make sure there's nothing we've overlooked. We can't let Yuanyao feel slighted by the family."
Hearing Qiao Qingping's explanation, Old Madam Qiao could no longer argue. Although she felt it was a bit inappropriate to have a steward send her granddaughter to find her mother, she eventually nodded in agreement.
After leaving the Qiao family's old couple's room, Qiao Yuanyao and her brother exchanged a glance and smiled slightly.
Just now, when they were in the room, Qiao Jingyao was just "Manager Li" wearing a human skin mask, and Qiao Yuanyao was just pretending to appease the elders.
Only now did a hint of sincerity appear in their eyes.
Once outside, the two remained silent as they made their way to the courtyard where Zhou lived.
It is now the height of summer, and the days are exceptionally long. Although it is nearing dusk, the sky is still bright.
When Qiao Yuanyao and his companion arrived, Zhou Shi had finished dinner and was strolling in the courtyard to digest her food. Several maids were attending to her, and a young maid was also following beside her, telling stories vividly.
Speaking of this storytelling maid, it was Min Qiao's idea.
Since her rebirth, Madam Min Qiao has enjoyed life to the fullest. Wei Jia is also adept at organizing and arranging things. Therefore, the people serving her are experts in everything from clothing and food to housing and entertainment. Ashuang was originally bought specifically for her to read.
After learning about Zhou's situation, Min Qiao felt that she couldn't let Zhou spend her days idly thinking about the past. She had to distract her and then slowly discover her interests and hobbies.
Once a person has something they enjoy, they won't spend their days wallowing in self-pity and living in a daze.
So, this storytelling maid was transferred to serve Zhou Shi.
Besides the storytelling maid, Madam Min Qiao also specially sent someone to the opera troupe in Hangzhou to buy a singing maid for Madam Zhou.
There are also those who can play pitch-pot, shuttlecock kicking, and whip cracking...
In any case, Madam Min Qiao found someone for Zhou Shi as soon as she could think of them. She spent her days finding all sorts of ways to keep Zhou Shi occupied.
When the brother and sister arrived, Zhou was listening intently to the little maid telling a story.
At least that's how it appears to outsiders.
As soon as the two entered the room, Zhou stopped in her tracks upon seeing them, trembling all over, and tears began to fall uncontrollably.
The maids serving her were all startled when they saw this. Just as they were about to ask what had happened to Zhou Shi, they turned around and saw Qiao Yuanyao running over quickly and hugging Zhou Shi tightly.
"Mother! Your daughter is back! Mother! Mother! Your daughter missed you so much!..." Qiao Yuanyao cried without any regard for her image, her voice as clear and bright as ever.
"You finally decided to come back?" Zhou slapped Qiao Yuanyao's back hard a few times as if venting her anger, then hugged her tightly. Her tone changed from resentment to relief in an instant. "It's good that you're back! It's good that you're back!"
The mother and daughter cried for a long time, their heads throbbing.
The maids serving nearby also had tears in their eyes. In particular, the two who had been with Zhou for a long time cried along with her.
Seeing that she had cried enough, Qiao Jingyao spoke up to remind her, "Second Madam, Miss Yuanyao, it's chilly in the evening. Let's go inside and talk."
Qiao Yuanyao quickly let go of Zhou Shi, took a handkerchief to wipe her tears, and then went to wipe Zhou Shi's tears as well. "Mother, let's go inside."
Then he instructed Qiao Jingyao, "Manager Li, come too. I haven't been home for years, and I want to ask you about my mother."
"Yes." Qiao Jingyao was granted the right to enter the house openly and legitimately.
As for the other servants who were about to follow her into the room, Qiao Yuanyao turned around and said to them, "You don't need to follow. I have something I want to say to my mother alone."
As he spoke, he gave everyone a warning look.
Everyone assumed she wanted to inquire whether Steward Li and the others had been dutiful in caring for Zhou Shi over the years, or whether they had neglected or slighted her in any way. They immediately responded nervously and withdrew.
Because "Manager Li" was, after all, a man from outside the family, the mother and her two children didn't dare close the door after entering the house. They simply ordered everyone not to approach, then left the door wide open and began to talk.
Qiao Jingyao glanced towards the door and whispered, "Let's keep our voices down, the people outside won't hear us."
"That's good." Zhou nodded.
As she spoke, she looked at Qiao Jingyao with a hint of doubt, "Jingyao, do you really want your sister and me to go to the capital with your aunt?"
Qiao Jingyao hesitated for a moment, then finally nodded: "Go. The capital is safer than here."
Qiao Jingyao paused for a moment before saying, "Your aunt is more worthy of your and Yuanyao's reliance than your uncle and aunt. Entrusting you to your aunt will give me more peace of mind than letting you continue to stay in Jiangnan."
Zhou looked hesitant.
Qiao Yuanyao, who was standing nearby, also chimed in, "Mother, although I've only known my aunt for less than two days, I think she's a person who clearly distinguishes between right and wrong, has a strong personality, and is also a bit... shameless."
Upon hearing this, and facing Zhou's questioning gaze, Qiao Yuanyao quickly changed her tune, "Exactly! I feel like my aunt doesn't care about saving face at all. Like me, she can be a rich young lady and also a shrewish woman. People like that never suffer! I'm just fine!"
Zhou looked at Qiao Yuanyao with a mixture of amusement and curiosity. "Are you praising your aunt or yourself?"
Qiao Yuanyao smiled but didn't say anything.
Anyway, after personally experiencing what happened five years ago, she felt that in life, you can't afford to suffer a loss no matter what you eat! If anyone dares to tell her again that "suffering a loss is a blessing," she'll hand over that "blessing" to their face!
Seeing Qiao Yuanyao's attitude, Madam Zhou understood that her daughter was willing to go to the capital with Madam Min Qiao.
But she still had doubts.
Zhou hesitated and said, "Putting everything else aside for now, how are we going to deal with my habit of going crazy whenever I see your aunt? It's manageable now, but what if we go to the capital and I have to see your aunt every day? I can't just pretend to be crazy every day, can I? That would kill me!"
Upon hearing this, Qiao Yuanyao couldn't help but burst out laughing.
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