Chapter 554 The Lady of Annam requests a final audience
Qiao Qinghe didn't sleep all night.
Before dawn, they sent people out to gather information.
When the messenger returned, Qiao Qinghe learned that everyone in the Shun'an Prince's Mansion was dead!
There was no feigned death, no escape; everyone truly died.
Now, it seems that apart from the collateral branches of the Feng family who were left in Shang'an due to estrangement, all the most esteemed members of the Feng royal family have been wiped out.
Qiao Qinghe's heart was pounding violently.
The Earl of Enping slaughtered officials in Jiangnan, the Earl of Annam caused trouble in Xiguan, and now the royal family of Shang'an has been massacred right under the emperor's nose...
These things don't seem like mere coincidences at all.
Just three days after the Shang'an royal family was massacred, several forces rose up in rebellion within the former Shang'an Kingdom, claiming to avenge the Shang'an royal family.
Soon, these forces united again, forming a powerful force.
This force quickly colluded with the Earl of Annam and together they launched an attack on the imperial court.
In just three days, the news of the deaths of the people in the Shun'an Prince's Mansion was not enough to reach Shang'an.
However, the forces within Shang'an were able to learn of their deaths in advance and use this as an excuse to launch a rebellion.
Everything is proving to the world that the deaths of everyone in the Shun'an Prince's Mansion were a conspiracy from beginning to end.
With major events occurring frequently outside, Qiao Qinghe was also unable to find peace within the mansion.
Mrs. Qiao fell ill after learning of the trouble the Qiao family had in Jiangnan.
Qiao Jingyi and his wife took turns caring for Qiao Ning, but the old lady's condition worsened day by day.
Mu Jin also came to see her, but only said that Old Madam Qiao's illness was caused by heartache and worry, and there was nothing she could do about it.
Qiao Qinghe also felt some regret, regretting that she shouldn't have impulsively gone to confront Old Mrs. Qiao and told her about the trouble that had happened to the Qiao family.
While instructing Qiao Jingyi and the others to take good care of the old lady, she kept a close eye on the changing situation and awaited news from Jiangnan.
Just then, Qiao Qinghe received a message from the Dali Temple, saying that the Lady of Annan wanted to see her one last time before she died.
Since the Earl of Annam raised an army on the border, the Earl of Annam's mansion has been confiscated.
The Earl of Annam and all her children were arrested and escorted back to the capital.
Now that news of the Marquis of Annan's collusion with the remnants of Shang'an has reached the capital, the death of everyone in the Marquis of Annan's household is imminent.
"Mother, I heard that people from the Dali Temple have come? Has something happened?"
Upon learning that someone from the Dali Temple had arrived, Wei Jia, heavily pregnant, came over. During this sensitive period, even the slightest disturbance made everyone anxious. Wei Jia was no exception.
"It's nothing important, it's just that the Duchess of Annam wanted to see me before she died."
As Qiao Qinghe spoke, she kept her eyes fixed on Wei Jia's belly. "According to the timeline, you're due to give birth in the next few days. Why are you running around like this? Be careful with your belly!"
Wei Jia smiled and said, "Dr. Mu told me to move around more, saying that it would make childbirth easier."
"Besides, the two midwives are already staying at the mansion, and everything needed for the delivery has been prepared. Mother, you don't need to worry too much."
Qiao Qinghe nodded. Madam He was a meticulous person; she had prepared all these things well in advance. She had even personally checked them. Nothing was missing.
"What do you think Lady Annam wants to see me about?" Qiao Qinghe brought the conversation back on track.
Wei Jia thought for a moment and replied, "It's nothing more than for my third sister-in-law and the two children."
Qiao Qinghe nodded, then shook her head. "I'm afraid that's only part of the reason."
"I suspect that the Lady of Annam might mention to me the reason for Annam's sudden rebellion."
Wei Jia was taken aback. "Speaking of which, the rebellion of the Earl of Annan is indeed very strange. It happened suddenly without any reason or warning."
"But coincidentally, the timing of his rebellion was just right, coinciding with the time when the Earl of Enping was pacifying Jiangnan."
"The timing of the deaths of the people in the Shun'an Prince's Mansion also seems to be in line with the timing of An Yu's uprising."
Wei Jia said worriedly, "Dayan is facing a crisis. If Da'e really joins forces with the Annam Marquis's Mansion to attack Dayan at this time..."
Qiao Qinghe also let out a long sigh, "Dayan is in complete chaos."
"These are major events that are beyond our control. I just hope that we can all get through this storm safely."
Wei Jia hesitated for a moment before saying, "Because of the massacre at the Shun'an Prince's Mansion, it seems that my third brother, Commander Yu Rui, has been impeached by the court officials, and the situation is not good."
"Indeed, my elder brother Yu Lei was also impeached because of the remnants of Shang'an who raised an army."
"I've noticed that things aren't going too well for the Yongning Marquis's residence these days."
"Should we prepare some gifts and send someone to visit and offer our condolences?"
"So that no one will say we are heartless."
Qiao Qinghe nodded, "Leave this matter to Madam He."
"Sigh, come to think of it, how long has it really been since this future Princess Consort of Chu was chosen?"
"Everyone thought the Yongning Marquis's mansion was about to rise, but instead, so many things have happened."
"Let alone recover, if this matter is not resolved properly, I'm afraid the Yongning Marquis's Mansion will lose its original status."
Wei Jia said with some worry, "Mother, do you think all of this could be a conspiracy against the Yongning Marquis's mansion?"
Qiao Qinghe shook her head with absolute certainty, "No. The Yongning Marquis's mansion was probably just a side effect. The real purpose of the person who planned all this was either to completely destroy Dayan or to put a certain prince on the throne."
"Forget it, let's not talk about this anymore."
Qiao Qinghe changed the subject, saying, "If the Lady of Annan wants to see me, I must go. Perhaps I can learn the truth about the Earl of Annan's sudden rebellion from her."
"I think that even though Lady Annam has a thousand faults and ten thousand faults, she still has some genuine motherly affection for Yue Rou."
"So, I'm thinking, should I take Yue Rou to see her one last time?"
“Take her with you.” Wei Jia nodded in agreement. “Not for the sake of Lady Annan, but also to prevent Yue Rou from having any regrets in the future, I think it would be better to take Yue Rou with us.”
Qiao Qinghe nodded. "That's what I think too."
The two talked for a while longer before Wei Jia left.
Once everyone left, Qiao Qinghe had someone invite Feng Yuerou over.
Since the incident at the Shun'an Prince's Mansion, Feng Yuerou and her son, along with Su Rongrong, have all moved in.
The Enping Earl's Mansion and the Shun'an Prince's Mansion are separated by only one wall, and they were also affected by the fire.
Fortunately, there were no casualties, but several storerooms of the Enping Earl's Mansion next to the Shun'an Prince's Mansion were burned down.
We found craftsmen to rebuild it during this period.
Just then, news of the Earl of Enping's presence in Jiangnan spread, so Su Rongrong no longer needed to guard the Earl of Enping's residence and conceal the fact that the Earl of Enping was not in the capital.
So Su Rongrong and her entourage openly settled into the Qiao residence.
"My mother is looking for me?"
Feng Yuerou came with her twin brother, Qiao Jin.
Qiao Qinghe waved to the chubby little dumpling, "Jin-ge'er, come here to Grandma."
Upon hearing the call, Qiao Jin grinned and, with her short legs, rushed into Qiao Qinghe's arms.
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