Chapter 292 The Wu Family Betrays Min Rong
Although they believed that Min Qiaoshi wouldn't joke about such a thing, they were still skeptical about the strange properties of the poison.
After they made a maid drink the poison, the maid initially showed no reaction. At the time, they thought the poison was fake.
But to everyone's surprise, the maid returned to the third household unharmed. The next morning, she was found dead in her own room.
The body was still alive, as if nothing had happened.
If it weren't for the maid in the same room trying to wake him up no matter what she did, and then checking his breath, she would have discovered that he was already dead.
Several doctors were called back at the time, and after examination, they all said it was a normal sudden death, with no illness, no poisoning, and no fatal external injuries.
Only then did the elderly couple from the Wu family gain some understanding of the poison that Min Qiao had sent.
Later, they secretly hid the body in the storeroom. More than half a month later, just as Madam Min Qiao had said, the body remained intact, neither decayed nor stiff, and as fresh as ever. Comparing it to the appearance of the Crown Princess after her death, it was exactly the same.
But after the antidote was applied, the girl's body quickly developed lividity. Her face was pale, her lips were black, and her blood vessels were bulging. Without even needing a doctor, they could tell at a glance that the girl had died from poisoning.
This time, they completely believed Min Qiao's words. They also believed the truth that the Crown Princess had indeed died of poisoning, at the hands of the Crown Prince.
"Rest assured, we have confirmed that what you said is true, and we will naturally act in accordance with the previous agreement."
After Mrs. Wu made a sincere promise, she then brought up the second matter.
"I've come today to explain to you about our marriage alliance with the Marquis of Xuanping's family."
Grandma Wu wiped her eyes, looking heartbroken. "You know, something bad was bound to happen to our family sooner or later, but we can save as many as we can."
"It is said that once a daughter is married, she is like water spilled from a cup. We rushed to marry our granddaughter into the Marquis's mansion so that she would have someone to rely on and would not be implicated in the Wu family's affairs in the future."
"These are just some selfish reasons of mine and my husband's, please forgive us, Madam."
Madam Min Qiao remained noncommittal, but stared intently at Old Madam Wu, voicing the doubt that had been lingering in her mind: "Based on my understanding of Min Rong, it's impossible for him to still be seeking a marriage alliance with the Wu family at this time."
"What benefits did you give him? Or what conditions did you agree to?"
Old Mrs. Wu's lips twitched, and she said with a hint of sarcasm, "No one knows a son better than his mother. Madam Qiao really understands Marquis Xuanping."
Seeing Min Qiao's cold glare sweep over her, Old Madam Wu quickly composed herself and said awkwardly, "The Marquis of Xuanping did indeed use marriage to exchange for a condition with us."
"What are the conditions?" Madam Min Qiao hurriedly asked.
This question had been bothering her for a long time. Min Yuexi had promised her to go back and investigate the true purpose of the marriage between Min Rong and the Wu family, but there was still no result.
At this moment, the old lady of the Wu family personally delivered the answer to her. It's hard to say whether to say Min Rong was unlucky or that the Wu family was cunning.
After hesitating for a moment, Old Madam Wu said, "Before I state this condition, could you please grant me a request, Madam?"
Madam Min frowned, feeling a little impatient, but she still patiently asked, "What is it?"
Grandma Wu breathed a sigh of relief. "I hope the Grand Madam can ensure my granddaughter's safety in the Xuanping Marquis's residence."
"That's it?" Madam Min thought the Wu family was going to make some unreasonable demands.
Grandma Wu nodded: "Although my granddaughter is born out of wedlock, she is an extremely filial and considerate child. We have wronged her over the years. This time, we have tried every means to marry into the Marquis's family in the hope of securing a future for her."
At this point, Old Mrs. Wu wiped her eyes and looked at Madam Min with anticipation.
Madam Min Qiao nodded: "I promise you. As long as I live, I will not let the Marquis of Xuanping divorce her, and she will always have a place in the Marquis of Xuanping's household."
Min Qiao's eyes narrowed slightly, and her tone sharpened, "Of course, that's on the premise that what you said is true."
Grandma Wu nodded repeatedly, "Don't worry, without the Crown Princess, our Wu family is not even worth as much as a cat, so how could we dare to lie to you?"
Madam Min Qiao remained noncommittal. "Now you can tell me, right? What exactly did you and Min Rong exchange?"
Old Mrs. Wu swallowed hard before saying with a strange expression, "The marriage between our two families was initially initiated by Marquis Xuanping. But after the Crown Princess died, Min Rong went back on his word."
"But we didn't want to give up on the Xuanping Marquis's family as in-laws, so we went to their door to coerce them, saying that if Min Rong dared to go back on his word, we would use the death of the Crown Princess to exchange for the Crown Prince's last favor, so that the Crown Prince would ruin Min Rong's future."
Grandma Wu recounted the entire entanglement between the Wu family and Min Rong in detail, and finally said, "Min Rong agreed to this marriage on the condition that we use the Crown Prince's favor to do him a favor."
"What is it?" Madam Min Qiao kept her eyes fixed on Old Madam Wu, not missing the slightest change in her expression.
The expression on Old Madam Wu's face grew increasingly strange. After a long while, she stammered, "The Marquis of Xuanping wants the Crown Prince to strip you of your imperial title."
Upon hearing this, Madam Min Qiao's mouth dropped open in astonishment.
Good heavens! Min Rong really dares to think this way! To strip her of her imperial title?!
Soon, the shock and astonishment turned into anger.
Min Rong, that bastard, really dares to dream!
He knelt down faster than anyone else when faced with the Wu family and the Crown Prince. In an attempt to quell their anger, they sometimes wanted to send him back to his hometown, and other times they wanted to confine him to their residence.
Despite moving out of the mansion and breaking ties with him, he still wanted to strip her of her imperial title!
A leopard can't change its spots.
He was a bad person in his past life, and he's even worse in this one.
Originally, she just wanted to give up and didn't want to hold a grudge against him for their past life. But, even when she offered him a way out, he refused!
After processing the turbulent emotions in her heart, Madam Min Qiao took a deep breath and looked coldly at Old Madam Wu, "What are your plans?"
Old Mrs. Wu gave an awkward smile. "You know perfectly well what kind of relationship the Crown Prince has with us. How could we possibly expect any favors from him? These words are just meant to deceive Marquis Xuanping."
As if afraid that Madam Min Qiao wouldn't believe her, she quickly added, "If we really wanted to help Marquis Xuanping, we wouldn't be telling you about this now."
Madam Min Qiao scoffed, "You're afraid you won't be able to explain to Min Rong, so you're trying to curry favor with me beforehand so I can protect your granddaughter, aren't you?"
When Madam Min saw through her trick, Old Mrs. Wu looked extremely embarrassed.
But then Min Qiao continued, "Actually, the reason you betrayed Min Rong so easily is not only because you couldn't keep your promise to him, but also because you wanted to curry favor with me, right?"
"After all, once the Wu family declares war on the Crown Prince, only I will step in to protect your great-grandchildren."
Grandma Wu nodded solemnly, "As expected, nothing can be hidden from you."
"My husband and I really want to do you a favor, and hope that you will treat our Wu family's great-grandchildren well in the future."
Madam Min nodded, "As long as you act according to our agreement, I will never go back on my word."
"Thank you very much," said Mrs. Wu sincerely.
Just as the two were finishing their conversation, Wenxiu quickly came over, gently knocked on the door, and announced, "Grand Madam, the Seventh Princess has arrived."
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