Chapter 197 The Robbers Came to the Door
Chen San and Zhang Wang both lowered their heads in shame.
Soon, Chen San raised his head again, looking firmly at Madam Min Qiao. "Madam, we are not here today to beg for your forgiveness or to ask you to let us go back."
"We want to discuss cooperation with the Dowager."
Upon hearing this, Madam Min Qiao immediately became interested.
"Cooperate? What can you two kids possibly cooperate with me on?"
Chen San: "The old lady provides us with certain financial support, and we provide the old lady with comprehensive information."
Min Qiaoshi narrowed her eyes slightly, "Tell me in detail."
Chen San confidently raised his chin, "When we were on the run, we hid among beggars for a long time."
"I've discovered that cats have their ways, dogs have their ways, and even beggars have their ways."
"Don't be fooled by the fact that beggars are weak and helpless. In fact, beggars are everywhere in the capital. In any inconspicuous corner, there may be a beggar squatting there."
"They can't do much else, but while begging around, they can conveniently gather gossip along the way."
"Our ability to evade capture multiple times was also inseparable from the rumors spread by the little beggars."
“Zhang Wang and I are skilled enough to subdue those little beggars by force. If the Grand Madam can provide us with some more money or food, I am confident that I can win over all the beggars in the capital and put them to her service.”
Min Qiao's eyes lit up. "That's a good idea. I just don't know if you have the ability."
"And what good will it do you to do this?"
"How can I believe what you're saying is true? How do I know you didn't have ulterior motives for subduing those beggars?"
Chen San said with unwavering determination, "I will find the person who killed my brother, and I will find the person behind him. I cannot let my brothers who followed me die in vain. I will avenge them!"
After saying this, Chen San turned to look at A Jiu.
At this moment, Ajiu stepped out from behind Madam Min and bowed to her: "Madam, I am willing to vouch for Chen San."
Just then, Wen Xiu walked in from outside, knelt on the ground, and kowtowed, saying, "Please, Madam, give Chen San a chance."
Min Qiao was taken aback, not expecting that both Ajiu and Wenxiu were willing to believe Chen San.
After hesitating for a moment, Madam Min Qiao still exclaimed, "It really is!"
She actually stepped out from behind the screen. "Grandma?"
"You heard what I just said, right? Do you think Chen San is trustworthy?"
He said without hesitation, "Whether he's trustworthy or not doesn't matter, as long as he's obedient. If he's obedient, we'll keep him. If he's disobedient, I'll kill him for the Grand Madam."
Min Qiaoshi had a toothache. She waved her hand, and it disappeared in the blink of an eye.
Looking at Chen San, Madam Min finally nodded. "You only get one chance. Don't let me down."
"Yes." Chen San and Zhang Wang quickly bowed.
Madam Min waved her hand and instructed Ajiu: "Take them to see Ayi. Get the money from Ayi. From now on, you will be in charge of liaison with them. Just let me know if you have any news."
"Yes," Ajiu replied, leading Chen San and the other man out the door.
***
As the days went by, Chen San and Zhang Wang infiltrated the beggars as planned and continued to subdue beggars from various places.
Some messages also gradually came back.
For example, the Dowager Lady of the Yongning Marquis's residence returned to the capital. For example, the Crown Princess's family acted arrogantly, causing a conflict with the Empress's family. For example, the young master of the Minister of Justice's family got into a fight over the top courtesan at Cuihong Pavilion, resulting in a bloody head injury…
There was a lot of information, and it was all mixed up, but none of it was of any use to Min Qiaoshi.
Min Qiao usually treated them as gossip for amusement, listening to them every day for a bit of fun.
Until, Madam Zheng arrived with a middle-aged woman.
"Oh my, this must be Madam Qiao? I've heard so much about you, and seeing you today, I can confirm that your reputation is well-deserved."
The middle-aged woman greeted Min Qiaoshi with a smile as soon as she came up.
Madam Min smiled politely, then looked at Madam Zheng with curiosity, "And this lady is...?"
Before Madam Zheng could speak, the middle-aged woman took the initiative to say, "Oh dear, Madam, you are a very important person and are too busy to recognize me. I am Liu from the household of the Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. My husband is the third son of the Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices."
After thinking for a moment, Madam Min Qiao realized that the Wu family, the Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, was the Crown Princess's family.
The Court of Imperial Sacrifices was in charge of rites, music, and sacrifices; it was essentially a peripheral department.
Emperor Xiaozhao went to great lengths to choose such a family for his crown prince.
However, who could have imagined that after the Crown Princess entered the household, she would be favored by the Crown Prince and give birth to two sons in three years, making her position as secure as a rock?
From then on, the Wu family, which had always been low-key, gradually became arrogant.
Just a few days ago, they had a dispute with the Yongchang Earl's Mansion, the maternal family of the Empress.
In the end, the matter reached the Empress, who forced her to make her niece-in-law apologize to the old lady of the Wu family.
Even the Empress had to show deference to them, and the Wu family's arrogance grew ever stronger.
It's just unclear what brought the third wife of the Wu family to our door.
Thinking of the Wu family's arrogance and domineering attitude, Madam Min Qiao was also in a dilemma.
However, she still wore a smile and asked politely, "I wonder if Mrs. Liu has come to see me for something?"
Madam Liu didn't stand on ceremony and said with a smile, "I should have sent a visiting card before coming. But things can't wait, so I had to ask Madam Zheng to bring me here. Please don't take offense, Madam Qiao."
Seeing Liu's relaxed tone, Min Qiao also joked, "What's the big deal? You've come all this way, do you think I'd kick you out?"
Liu choked for a moment, then smiled and said, "To be honest, I came to see Madam Qiao because I have something to discuss."
"Oh? Tell me about it."
Liu smiled and said, "A few years ago, my eldest niece, oh, I mean the Crown Princess, had a series of births that left her with a health problem and some lingering ailments."
"The imperial physician said that the Crown Princess's health needs to be properly recuperated. He also said that soaking in hot springs more often would be beneficial to her recovery."
"Just the other day I heard that Madam Qiao discovered a hot spring at her estate in the suburbs of Beijing."
"In a way, it's also a stroke of good fortune for the Dowager. This is a perfect opportunity to show loyalty to the Crown Princess."
"What does Madam think?"
Min Qiao silently rolled her eyes in her heart.
Pah! What is that?!
If they want to take her hot spring resort, they should just say so. Using the pretense of helping the Crown Princess recuperate, they expect her to give up the hot spring for free? They're dreaming!
At this moment, Madam Zheng's face was ashen.
She brought the person there, but she truly didn't know that this was Liu's plan.
When Liu came to her door, she only said that she wanted to be introduced to Min Qiaoshi.
She was initially reluctant. But since Lady Liu had brought up the Crown Princess, she had no choice but to make the trip.
Who knew that this Liu woman had come to steal people's belongings!
"What do we have in mind? It turns out that Mrs. Liu has come for the hot springs?"
Min Qiao smiled on the surface, but in her heart she had already cursed the shameless Liu and the Wu family to the bone.
Seeing Min Qiao's smiling face, Liu assumed she had agreed and immediately laughed, "Of course! Madam Qiao's discovery of this hot spring is perfectly timed."
"Autumn is just around the corner, and winter is fast approaching. If we repair the hot springs now, it will be perfect for the Crown Princess to enjoy a soak during the winter."
Madam Min Qiao nodded, "Mrs. Liu is absolutely right, the timing is just right."
Her hot spring resort was completed just as winter was beginning.
Upon hearing this, Madam Liu's face lit up with joy. "When will Madam Qiao give me the land deeds for the estate and the mountain with the hot spring?"
Madam Min Qiao laughed and said, "I don't understand what you mean, Madam Liu. Why would I give you the land deed to my estate and my hot springs?"
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