Chapter 65 Emergency Call for Help
After paying homage at the palace on the first day of the lunar new year, Lady Min Qiao took some time to visit the Duke of Jin's residence; otherwise, she had nothing to do.
So she had Yang An prepare for the trip while she listened to the maid's daily reports on the gossip in the mansion.
After she left on New Year's Eve, no one knows how Min Rong persuaded He Rui and Wu Shi. In any case, He Lu moved into the Plum Garden as a concubine.
He Rui was also registered under Wu's name and entered the Marquis's family genealogy as the legitimate daughter. Her name was changed to Min Yue Rui. Ranked second, she is now the second young lady of the Xuanping Marquis's family.
These were things that Min Qiaoshi knew in her previous life, so they were not surprising.
But to Min Qiao's surprise, without her control, He Lu actually obtained the power to manage the household in the Marquis's mansion as a concubine.
Surprisingly, Wu did not object; on the contrary, she seemed quite pleased that He was able to take over the mess.
On the contrary, Min Yuexi caused several troubles over the right to manage the household, but ultimately failed each time.
"I don't know what Lady Hou was thinking, why did she hand over the power of managing the household?"
When Fang Mama heard that Madam Wu had obediently handed over the management of the Marquis's mansion to Madam He, she was very puzzled.
Granny Fang returned on the third day of the Lunar New Year.
When they returned, they also brought two pairs of shoes for Min Qiao Shi.
Granny Fang's daughter-in-law, Liao, was exceptionally skilled at needlework. The shoes she made were the perfect size, comfortable to walk in, and exquisitely crafted, with every stitch perfectly concealed, as if made by nature itself.
Unfortunately, before her marriage, Liao had damaged her eyes from doing too much needlework. Therefore, she did less needlework after marriage, only occasionally making small things for her family.
For such a demanding item as shoes, Liao had only made a few pairs for Granny Fang and Granny Min over the years.
When Min Qiao received the shoes made by Liao, she immediately put them on and didn't want to take them off. She also had the other pair carefully put away.
Hearing what Granny Fang said, Madam Min Qiao sneered, "Madam Wu always thought the Marquis's mansion was very rich. Her desire for the power to manage the household was nothing more than a scheme to line her own pockets."
"Now that they've got the power to manage the household, they've discovered that not only is there no profit to be made, but they also have to put money into it. Of course they're unhappy about that!"
In her past life, Wu had longed for the power to manage the household, but in this life, after obtaining it, she immediately gave it away.
How ironic!
"So it is said that when choosing a wife, one should choose a virtuous one. The old saying is truly true."
Granny Fang shook her head and sighed, "The Lady of the Marquis is a good-for-nothing, short-sighted. She'll regret it someday. It's a pity that the young lady has put in so much effort."
Madam Min Qiao laughed and said, "Let them make a fuss, as long as they don't come to me."
"Oh, by the way, how far has the marriage between Min Hui and the Marquis of Annan's family progressed? If I remember correctly, the wedding should be held after the first month of the lunar calendar, right?"
Granny Fang nodded. "Yes, the actual date is the sixth day of the second month. I've been keeping an eye on news from Third Master's side. It's said that Uncle Wang sent his eldest son and daughter-in-law to help with the wedding preparations. Everything is ready. We're just waiting for the wedding to take place."
When Lady Annan revealed Min Hui's true identity, Madam Min Qiao initially thought it was an attempt to annul the engagement. However, after all her elaborate commotion, she ultimately accomplished nothing.
Madam Min didn't want to delve into the matter further, and continued Fang Mama's words, "Remember to remind me when the time comes. Although Min Hui has separated from his family, he is still nominally the Third Master of the Marquis's Mansion, and it wouldn't be appropriate for me, as his stepmother, not to show up."
"yes."
"I'll also take a look at the fifth young lady of the Annan Marquis's mansion." Madam Min was really curious about what kind of sparks would fly when the fifth young lady, who had angered her mother-in-law to death in her previous life, and Min Hui, who had abused and killed his wife in his previous life, came together.
Granny Fang twitched her lips, wanting to say, "You really went to see the young lady of the Earl's Mansion, but attending Min Hui's wedding was just a side thing, right?"
"After Min Hui gets married, we will set off back to Jiangnan."
"Really?" Granny Fang asked in surprise, then hesitated, "Shouldn't we wait until the weather gets warmer before we leave?"
Madam Min shook her head. "Let's not wait any longer. We'll walk slowly, and it will warm up along the way. When we reach Jiangnan, it will be the perfect time of year with flowers in full bloom."
It was also her mother's 70th birthday. She wanted to go back before that day.
"Alright! I'll arrange for someone to rent carriages and hire a security escort agency. I'll also inquire if any large merchant guilds are going to Jiangnan. We can go with them. It'll be safer on the road."
"No need, I've already left these matters to Yang An. There's no need for you."
Granny Fang slapped her forehead and said self-deprecatingly, "Look at me, I'm so happy I've gone mad. My husband mentioned this to me before. But I didn't expect the Grand Madam to leave so hastily. I thought she would at least wait until March when the weather warmed up before setting off."
The master and servant were chatting happily about returning to Jiangnan when Wei Jia suddenly rushed in.
"Madam, please save Rongrong." Wei Jia knelt down in front of Madam Min Qiao with a thud, pleading anxiously.
While gesturing for Granny Fang to help her up, Madam Min Qiao asked with a puzzled look, "Who is Rongrong?"
Wei Jia did not get up, but insisted on kneeling on the ground and replied, "Rongrong is the blind girl I invited back to tell stories to the Grand Madam."
Madam Min was somewhat surprised, "You two knew each other before?"
Wei Jia said guiltily, "I dare not hide it from the Grand Madam. I met Rongrong and Uncle Zhang on the way to the capital with the servants."
"Originally, I was thinking that if things got really bad, I would have Rongrong and Uncle Zhang find someone to buy me. But before Rongrong and Uncle Zhang could earn enough money to buy me, I was bought back by the Grand Madam."
"Later, we invited Rongrong and Uncle Zhang to tell stories for the old lady, also hoping to earn some money for Rongrong and Uncle Zhang to make a living. After all, we shouldn't let the good stuff go to outsiders."
Min Qiao suddenly realized.
No wonder that among the people Wei Jia invited to help her pass the time during her convalescence, only the lame and blind father and daughter duo came three times. The others only came once each.
Later, Wei Jia led her to the teahouse where the father and daughter told stories twice more.
She added that the father and daughter always had a new story, each one refreshing and surprising. Are relationships always unpredictable?
After a moment's thought, Min Qiaoshi understood Wei Jia's intentions. Initially, Wei Jia had hoped that the father and daughter would rescue her from her misery. But after she successfully reached shore and found a good employer, she wanted to help the father and daughter in return.
"What happened to Miss Rongrong?"
Min Qiaoshi didn't care about Wei Jia's little bit of concealment and got back to the main topic.
"Rongrong was taken away by Young Master Zhao's men."
"Which Young Master Zhao?" Madam Min Qiao was taken aback. "You're not talking about that Young Master Zhao who has a Grand Secretary grandfather and a Consort Xian aunt, are you?"
Wei Jia nodded awkwardly, "Exactly."
Madam Min Qiao exclaimed in surprise, "Has this Young Master Zhao been beaten for a month? He's already able to go out so soon? Tsk tsk, it seems that Grand Secretary Zhao's family discipline is a bit of a sham."
...
PS: Min An has officially changed his name to Min Ji. The first "Ji" signifies scheming and calculating. The second "Ji" signifies remembering the past glory of the Marquis's mansion. The third "Ji" signifies the hope to achieve merit and revitalize the Marquis's mansion. I will gradually revise the names mentioned earlier when I have time.
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