Chapter 161 The Great Changes in the Marquis's Mansion
After leaving the Annam Earl's residence, Madam Min Qiao rode in the carriage of the Duke of Jin's residence directly to the Duke of Jin's residence.
The news of the Annam Earl's affair hadn't yet reached the Jin State Duke's residence. The Duke and Duchess of Jin were also unaware that Lady Min Qiao had avenged Lady Zheng. However, because the doctor Lady Min Qiao had brought had cured Lady Zheng's poison, the couple were genuinely grateful to her. Upon hearing of Lady Min Qiao's arrival, they both warmly came to greet her.
Min Qiaoshi could sense that their enthusiasm was genuine, and their feelings were heartfelt and sincere.
After the two left, Madam Min Qiao said to Madam Zheng with emotion, "How envious I am! These two aren't my biological children, yet they're better than biological children!"
Madam Zheng knew about her family's situation and couldn't help but advise, "I thought your household was doing just fine before. How come it's been in such a mess since last year?"
"Your son was fine before, so how did he become so heartbroken for you?"
"Do you need me to mediate between you and your son?"
What was originally said in a joking manner has now become completely serious.
Madam Zheng's expression also became somewhat solemn. "Now that today's incident has brought the hostile relationship between your Xuanping Marquis's Mansion and those other families into the open. If there are any misunderstandings between you and your son, it would be best to talk them out and unite as one to face the outside world together."
Madam Min Qiao knew that Madam Zheng was concerned about her, but after experiencing the betrayals in her previous life, she would rather die than forgive Min Rong and the others in this life.
Of course, she couldn't directly tell Madam Zheng that she was reborn, much less reveal what she had experienced in her previous life. After all, she didn't want her only friend to think of her as crazy.
So, she explained with a wry smile, "To be honest, when Min Ji plotted against the Lu family, he also plotted against my family, causing them to be destroyed and to fall apart. If I hadn't returned to Jiangnan this time, I would still be in the dark."
Madam Zheng gaped in astonishment. "You mean, the decline of your family was also orchestrated by the Marquis of Xuanping's household?"
Madam Min Qiao nodded: "That's right. When Min Ji took me into his household, he not only let me take away a large sum of the Qiao family's wealth as my dowry, but he also ruined the entire Qiao family. My second brother died tragically, my second sister-in-law went mad, my second brother's two sons died young, and my second brother's only daughter was also disgraced and forced to live in a nunnery on the mountain."
“My third brother’s family was also forced to separate from the Qiao family and lived a life of poverty and hunger.”
“My parents and my eldest brother’s family were also sent back to their old home in the countryside, where they were treated with contempt and disdain…”
Madam Min sighed deeply. She had only intended to find an excuse to appease Madam Zheng, but as she spoke, she ended up making herself feel depressed.
Thinking about how Min Ji had ruined the Qiao family, she felt a surge of anger.
Seeing this, Madam Zheng quickly patted Min Qiao's hand and comforted her, "No wonder you were so unruly in Jiangnan before, threatening and making a scene, not caring at all about the reputation of the Marquis of Xuanping's mansion. It turns out you were just venting your anger."
“Isn’t it just venting your anger?” Madam Min Qiao nodded indignantly, then quickly changed her tone somewhat embarrassed: “It’s because of you that you’ve suffered this undeserved misfortune.”
Madam Zheng waved her hand, "Why say such things? It's all in the past. Didn't you also find someone to help me detoxify? We're close friends, so let's not waste time with formalities."
Madam Min shook her head and said, "This isn't just politeness; it's something I owe you. If there's anything I can do to help in the future, just let me know, and I'll do my best without hesitation."
This can be considered a promise made by Madam Min to Madam Zheng.
Madam Zheng also sensed the seriousness in Madam Min's words, and immediately responded with a smile in a joking tone: "Alright, alright, I'll remember that. If I ever need your help in the future, I won't hesitate to ask for your help."
Then, changing the subject, she said, "Speaking of which, you caused a ruckus in Jiangnan, and the memorials impeaching your son filled a whole basket. Your son was even punished by the Emperor and made to kneel outside the Imperial Study, losing all face. Something similar happened to me. As for the Earl of Enping, I haven't heard anything about him."
"However, I think you'd better remind him. Don't let him be tricked without even realizing it."
Min Qiao was taken aback, and then felt guilty.
When she was using her connections in Jiangnan, she didn't think that much about it.
Looking back now, I realize how arrogant I was back then.
It was agreed that there would be little contact with the Enping Earl's Mansion, but in the end, they used their name to do things outside.
She's been back for several days now, and the Enping Marquis's family even sent someone to visit and offer their condolences, but she's completely forgotten about it. She didn't even ask if they've been implicated because of her.
I'm truly ashamed!
“You’re right.” Madam Min Qiao smiled awkwardly. “I’ll tell the Earl of Enping when I get back.”
After having lunch at the Duke of Jin's residence, Madam Min Qiao accompanied Madam Zheng on a walk to aid digestion. After Madam Zheng went for her afternoon nap, she boarded the carriage that had come to fetch her from the Marquis's residence and returned to the Marquis of Xuanping's residence.
However, when she returned to the Marquis of Xuanping's residence, she found that the atmosphere inside was somewhat strange.
The main gate of the Marquis's mansion was tightly closed, as were the side gates, corner gates, and back gate.
After Ah Jiu knocked on the door for a long time, the side door was finally opened.
Upon entering the mansion and proceeding to Songhe Hall, Madam Min Qiao discovered that the number of servants she encountered along the way was less than a handful.
Not to mention the few she encountered, the two or three people she did meet all had solemn expressions and flustered eyes. They hurriedly bowed to her and left, giving her no chance to stop them and ask them a few questions.
Back at Songhe Hall, the atmosphere was serene and quiet, without the usual hustle and bustle.
After knocking on the door, it took a long time for someone to open it.
The one that opened the door was the smallest of the Songhetang restaurants.
Upon seeing Madam Min and her entourage return, Shi Yi's eyes immediately reddened, and she knelt on the ground with a thud, crying out in a trembling voice, "Grand Madam, you've finally returned!" Shi Yi's words were filled with deep fear and grievance.
Madam Min glanced around Songhe Hall and saw no one except Shiyi.
She immediately frowned and asked in a cold voice, "What happened? Where did everyone else go?"
When Madam Min returned, it was as if she had found her pillar of support. Upon hearing Madam Min's question, she quickly replied, "Around noon, a large group of nurses suddenly broke into Songhetang and took everyone from Songhetang away."
"It is said that the Marquis has ordered a major overhaul of the Marquis's mansion, and everyone must go to Minghui Hall in the main courtyard to await inspection."
“Even Sister Weijia and the four outside cooks in the small kitchen were taken away.”
"Now, I'm the only one left in Songhetang responsible for guarding the courtyard."
She said cautiously, "Judging by the time, almost two hours have passed, and they still haven't returned. Madam, could something have happened to Sister Weijia and the others?"
A sense of foreboding arose in Madam Min's heart. She turned around, lifted her foot, and strode quickly toward Minghui Hall.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com