Chapter 101 The Qiao Family Past
The siblings, who hadn't seen each other for many years, embraced and wept bitterly after confirming each other's identities.
It wasn't until Aqi brought in the tea that the two of them stopped crying, composed themselves, and began to recount the events that had happened to the Qiao family over the years.
The Qiao family used to be dependent on the Wang family. Later, through the Wang family's connections, Qiao Qinghe was married into the Xuanping Marquis's mansion, and the Qiao family broke away from the Wang family and became dependent on the Xuanping Marquis's mansion.
At first, the Qiao family did indeed rise in status and enjoyed a period of glory, even surpassing the Zheng, Wu, and Qian families, who were also among the four great families, to become the leading merchant family in Hangzhou.
However, later, as Min Qiaoshi and the Qiao family completely severed ties, the Qiao family found themselves in dire straits.
The three families joined forces to suppress the Qiao family, gradually eroding their assets.
In just over a decade, the Qiao family completely declined.
A few years ago, the Qiao family sold off their last few properties in Hangzhou and returned to their hometown in Xincheng County.
The Qiao family also split up around that time. Their branch of the family separated from the Qiao family at that time.
Because his two sons both work in Hangzhou, and his wife's family and the families of his two daughters-in-law are also from Hangzhou, the whole family is unwilling to return to their ancestral home in Xincheng with their main family.
Fortunately, when the family divided their property, he was allocated a small courtyard in Hangzhou, which was just enough for his family to live in.
So they continued to live in Hangzhou.
However, life is not as good as before. Now, the whole family, young and old, is struggling to make a living every day.
Today is Qiao Qingchen's aunt's birthday. When he went out this morning, he heard his aunt mention that she wanted to eat braised duck from Hongsheng Restaurant. So he rushed to Hongsheng Restaurant to buy braised duck after work.
Who knew that they would run into Cui Hao from the Cui family.
"And what's the deal with the Cui family?"
Madam Min Qiao grasped the key point: "Isn't the Cui family related to our family by marriage? I remember that before I got married, the Cui family and our family were quite close."
Speaking of this, Qiao Qingchen's slightly hunched back bent even more.
He said with a dejected expression, "Circumstances are beyond our control. Ever since the Cui family climbed up to the Sun family in the capital, and the eldest patriarch of the Cui family was fortunate enough to obtain an official position, their lives have become increasingly prosperous."
"And our family..."
"Alas! In the past, the Cui family often fawned over and flattered our Qiao family, sometimes even groveling before them. Now that the tables have turned, the Cui family is in trouble..."
Qiao Qingchen's tone was filled with unspeakable sorrow.
However, Madam Min felt that, judging from the situation at the restaurant today, things were probably not as simple as Qiao Qingchen had said.
However, thinking about it too much is useless. We still need to send someone to inquire to find out the truth.
"To be honest, it's all my fault!"
Madam Min blamed herself, saying, "If I hadn't acted without considering the consequences, the Qiao family wouldn't have ended up in this state."
Qiao Qingchen wiped her face. "Big sister, don't say that. When Grandfather passed away, he said it wasn't your fault! Blame it on the Qiao family for being too ambitious and outsmarting others, which is why we've ended up in this state!"
"He never blamed you while he was alive, and on his deathbed he instructed us not to resent you!"
"His only regret was not being able to see you one last time before he died. He kept calling your name until his death."
He said, "I don't know if you'll still acknowledge the Qiao family in this lifetime, or if you'll ever be able to come back and visit the Qiao family again..."
At the end, Qiao Qingchen covered her face and wept again.
Min Qiaoshi couldn't help but shed tears again.
She's unfilial!
After marrying into the Xuanping Marquis's household, she devoted herself entirely to it. After giving birth to Min Rong, she placed the Xuanping Marquis's household first and foremost.
Min Ji said that the Qiao family was bullying good people by relying on the power of the Marquis of Xuanping's mansion. She was dissatisfied and wrote a letter warning the Qiao family to behave themselves.
Min Ji said that the Qiao family was using any means necessary to suppress other merchants in order to expand their family's power. She felt resentful and wrote a letter angrily scolding the Qiao family for their nonsense.
Min Ji said...
Min Ji said...
Min Ji concluded by saying: "The Qiao family is ambitious, arrogant, and disregards human life. Their crimes are heinous and they may drag the Xuanping Marquis's mansion into utter ruin."
Therefore, she took a desperate gamble, severing all ties with the Qiao family and joining forces with Min Ji to suppress them.
Looking back now, how naive and ridiculous she was!
Although she had her doubts, had asked around, and even wrote letters back to the Qiao family… no matter how she tried to justify herself, she ultimately betrayed the Qiao family who gave her life and raised her. This also caused her grandfather, who doted on her, to die with regret.
Ah Jiu listened at the door, her brows furrowing in confusion.
They've only been talking for a short while, and the old lady has already cried twice! If she keeps crying like this, won't she ruin her eyes?
So she came over and interrupted, saying, "Madam, please don't cry. I just remembered something important and I need to tell you urgently."
Min Qiao was heartbroken when she heard A Jiu's abrupt and unexpected remark. She choked and glared at her, annoyed. Why did she have to say it now?
“You’d better have something really important to do,” Min Qiao warned.
Ajiu chuckled awkwardly before speaking seriously, "Madam, that young master from the Cui family was clearly a martial arts expert, deliberately trying to appear weak in front of you. If he hadn't gone easy on me, I'm afraid I wouldn't have been able to defeat him in a short time."
Especially after those three old men came downstairs, Cui Hao easily broke free from her grasp!
Ah Jiu felt a chill run down her spine just thinking about it. After all, she was still just a child, her height and build incomparable to a grown man. Moreover, her opponent was a true martial arts expert.
If it were an assassination, she was confident she could easily take Cui Hao's life.
If they confront each other head-on, and neither side holds back, it will be difficult for her to gain any advantage over Cui Hao.
"Madam, I feel that there are many hidden talents in Hangzhou, and I am afraid that I alone cannot protect you."
Madam Min frowned slightly. The waters of Hangzhou are indeed very deep!
The Qiao family fell into decline, while the Cui family rose to prominence. The纨绔 (playboy) was actually a skilled martial artist, and the three major merchants held ambiguous attitudes. She was tested for her abilities as soon as she arrived...
She originally just wanted to visit her parents, but now it seems this trip might not go smoothly.
"Madam, tomorrow we should have Steward Yang check if those bodyguards are still in Hangzhou. If they haven't left, Madam, please keep them here. They can all go back together when we return to the capital."
Before Madam Min could speak, Qiao Qingchen said with a worried expression, "Eldest sister, there is no place for the Qiao family in Hangzhou now. You even clashed with the Cui family for my sake today, and the other three families didn't give you a friendly look either... I'm afraid things are going to get bad."
Madam Min raised her hand, "Don't worry, I have my own plans."
Then he instructed Ajiu, "Go and see if Steward Yang and the others have returned. If they have, have him come to see me. I have something to tell him to do."
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