Chapter 4 Fulfilling the Flying Catkins
It wasn't until that moment that she realized Feixu had never believed her and had never broken off contact with Wucheng.
From the moment she repeatedly tried to stop her from marrying Wu Cheng, Fei Xu silently harbored resentment towards her.
Feixu's hatred for her reached its peak when she slandered Wucheng with the utmost malice.
Under Wu Cheng's temptation and instigation, she resolutely poisoned him.
As memories of her past life flashed through her mind, Min Qiao's gaze toward Fei Xu grew increasingly cold.
Seemingly sensing her gaze, Feixu slowly raised her eyes to look at her.
Madam Min smiled slightly, withdrew her gaze, scanned the remaining people, and asked loudly, "Anyone else who wants to leave Songhe Hall? If you want to leave, you can take this opportunity to leave together. I will not make things difficult for you."
"After today, it may not be possible to leave so easily!"
"I'll give you three breaths to think it over. Those who want to leave, stand over there. You'll go find the Lady Hou with Granny Zhou and the others in a bit."
The remaining six maids did not react.
"one."
The two third-class maids exchanged a glance and then remained silent.
"two."
Green Wutong didn't react either.
"three."
As soon as Madam Min counted to the last number, Feixu couldn't hold back any longer and stepped forward.
"Madam, this servant wishes to marry Wu Cheng."
She said urgently, "Please, Madam, grant my request!"
At this point in her previous life, Madam Min Qiao had already rejected Fei Xu once.
Clearly, Feixu has not given up, nor could she possibly give up.
Min Qiaoshi knew this in her previous life.
Seemingly fearing that Madam Min would disagree, Feixu knelt on the ground and kowtowed to Madam Min, saying again, "Madam, Wu Cheng and I truly love each other. Please grant us your blessing."
Madam Min smiled, raised her hand, and gestured for the person to stand up.
"Fine, since you've made up your mind, I'll grant your wish."
"Thank you, Madam. Thank you, Madam!"
Feixu kowtowed twice more to Madam Min before standing up.
Seeing Fei Xu's beaming, excited expression, a hint of sarcasm flashed in Min Qiao's eyes.
Then, she said meaningfully, "Wu Cheng is the Lady of the Marquis's man. Your relationship with Wu Cheng depends on the Lady of the Marquis's approval. How about this, you will go to the Begonia Courtyard with Granny Zhou. From now on, you will be a member of the Begonia Courtyard."
"Thank you, Madam!" Feixu said again.
Lady Hou is very kind to her servants. Lady Hou will definitely agree to her marriage with Wu Cheng.
Min Qiao ignored the flying catkins and looked at the others, asking one last time, "Is there anyone else leaving?"
No one answered.
"Since no one is leaving, let's get back to what we're doing."
After waving her hand to dismiss the remaining nine people, Madam Min Qiao said to Granny Zhou, "Take them to the Begonia Courtyard. I'll have Granny Fang deliver your indentures to the Lady of the Marquis later."
"Yes. This old servant will take the people there immediately." Granny Zhou responded and bowed.
A group of people followed Granny Zhou as they left Songhe Hall in a grand procession.
Madam Min Qiao stood under the eaves watching, and not one of the more than twenty people turned around.
Clearly, she was very unpopular!
Min Qiao couldn't help but laugh self-deprecatingly.
She was just a merchant's daughter! When she married into the Marquis's household, she was only a concubine, not the Marquis's wife!
She was brought up after the original Lady Hou died.
With her background, she was already easy to be criticized. Moreover, she was promoted from a concubine to the main wife. If she didn't use ruthless methods, how could she subdue everyone?
Madam Min Qiao didn't know how long she stood under the corridor until she saw Granny Fang enter the courtyard looking travel-worn. Only then did she manage a slight smile.
"Oh dear, my goodness! Why are you standing here on the veranda in this freezing weather?"
Granny Fang called out from a great distance.
When she hurried forward and saw that Min Qiaoshi had no hand warmer and no cloak, she was terrified.
"Oh dear, how long have you been standing here? Why don't you put on a cloak? Where are your servants? Are they all dead?"
Granny Fang called out and was about to come up and help the person into the house.
But when she got closer, she realized she had just come back from outside and was covered in cold air. She quickly took two steps back and urged, "Madam, come inside and warm up."
Madam Min smiled and stepped forward, taking Fang Mama's arm and pulling her into the main hall.
The main hall was warm and cozy, instantly dispelling the chill that had enveloped them.
Granny Fang pulled Madam Min to sit down by the brazier, poured her a cup of hot tea, and then asked curiously, "Where are the servants? I haven't seen a single one."
Madam Min took a sip of hot tea, then poured herself another cup and handed it to Granny Fang.
Upon seeing this, Granny Fang was startled and exclaimed, "Oh dear, this is unacceptable! How can you let the Grand Madam pour tea for this old servant?"
"Alright, sit down and have a drink too."
Madam Min smiled and said, "From now on, I won't be involved in anything, so you don't need to pretend to be serious and domineering anymore."
“Back when I was at home, I never treated you like a servant. From now on, let’s treat each other like old sisters. Less formality, and we’ll both be more comfortable.”
It's unclear what words touched Granny Fang, but after Min Qiaoshi finished speaking, Granny Fang's eyes also reddened.
Madam Min patted Granny Fang's hand and recounted the staff reduction at Songhetang.
Then he said, "Now, there are only a few people left, which is definitely not enough. My idea is to buy a few directly from the official servants. We won't have to choose people from within the manor."
"That's fine too."
Granny Fang nodded, "The Dowager Madam has managed the household for decades and has accumulated considerable authority. Everyone in the mansion is afraid of her. The ones we pick from elsewhere are probably lifeless. It would be better to go outside and buy a few lively ones. That would add some life to our Songhe Hall."
"I just poured you a cup of tea, and you cried and complained that it wasn't appropriate. How come you dare to make fun of me now?"
Madam Min Qiao pretended to be angry and glared at Granny Fang.
Granny Fang wasn't afraid at all, and said with a smile, "Oh? Didn't the Grand Madam tell me to be more carefree and relaxed? Besides, I'm just telling the truth! If you don't believe me, go ask around the whole mansion and see if anyone isn't afraid of you?"
Madam Min Qiao glared at Granny Fang, both amused and annoyed. After thinking for a while, she could only think of one person.
Flying catkins.
Whether it was real or fake, at least, Feixu never showed any fear in front of her.
Thinking of the flying catkins, Min Qiao couldn't help but reveal a mocking smile.
This time, she granted her wish. But will she really get what she wants?
Meanwhile, in the Begonia Courtyard.
Wu had only been back for half an hour, and before she could calm down from the joy of Min Qiao's agreement to break off the engagement with her daughter and the joy of taking over the household, she saw Zhou Mama arrive with a group of people from Songhe Hall.
When she first saw so many people, Ms. Wu was quite startled.
After learning the purpose of Zhou Mama and the others' visit, Madam Wu was overjoyed.
The old lady even sent her maids and servants to assist in managing the household, which shows that she really wanted to give her more power!
Of course, in the future, we will replace them with our own people.
Before the affairs of the government are sorted out, these people can still be used to make do.
So, Wu happily had people taken away to settle these people.
As for the maids who had been kicked out by Madam Min, Madam Wu handed them over to the head maid of the miscellaneous affairs office to take away. They would see where there was a shortage of people and then relocate them there.
Finally, only one catkin remained.
Ms. Wu naturally recognized the flying catkins.
To be honest, she was quite surprised when she first saw the flying catkins in the crowd.
Feixu was Madam Min's favorite maid!
Why is Feixu here instead of serving at Songhe Hall?
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