Chapter 319 The Visitor Before Leaving Beijing
Fortunately, the weather hadn't warmed up yet, and she was wearing very thick clothes. Otherwise, Madam Min would have suspected that she would have had a slap mark on her arm.
With such strength, it seems like his body is almost fully recovered.
"What kind of nonsense are you spouting? Do you think I'm that kind of person?"
Madam Zheng glared angrily at Madam Min, "In your heart, am I the kind of scoundrel who flatters the powerful and belittles the weak, and turns her back on people without a second thought?"
"If that's how you see me, then I, Zheng Yao, have wasted my time knowing you!"
As Madam Zheng spoke, she grew increasingly angry, and before she knew it, she was about to stand up and leave.
Madam Min panicked and quickly reached out to hug him, saying, "Don't be angry, don't be angry! It was my fault, it was my fault!"
Madam Min pulled the man back to his chair, then said apologetically, "I was just stripped of my title, so I'm feeling guilty. Sigh, I was just thinking that we should say everything upfront. If it works out, great; if not, no problem, so as to avoid..."
Seeing Madam Zheng's face darken again, Madam Min Qiao gave an awkward smile and dared not continue speaking.
"Alright, I'm the kind of person who sticks to my principles. Since I've accepted you as a friend, we're friends for life."
At this point, Madam Zheng glanced at Madam Min with a half-smile and continued, "Even if you were just stripped of your title and banished from the capital, I would still send you a sumptuous last meal before collecting your body and burying you."
"Waaah... I was wrong, okay?" Madam Min really wanted to cry this time. "How can you be a friend like this?"
"I only said two wrong things, why are you cursing me? Humph! If I really die, let's see if you're sad!"
In her past life, her relationship with Madam Zheng was far worse than it is now. When she was terminally ill, Madam Zheng would tear up in front of her bedside.
If she were to die in this life, wouldn't Madam Zheng be heartbroken and weeping her eyes out?
Min Qiaoshi was quite proud to have such a sincere old friend.
"Alright, let's stop with this nonsense." Madam Zheng sternly steered the conversation back on track. "What did you just say you wanted me to help with?"
After thinking for a moment, Madam Min Qiao said seriously, "I have quite a few properties in the capital. I'm afraid that after I leave, some people will come to cause trouble. I need your help to keep an eye on them."
Madam Zheng glared at Madam Min Qiao with annoyance, "Is that all?"
Madam Min smiled awkwardly. "Also, I'd like to ask you to help look after my second sister-in-law and niece. You don't need to worry about them normally, just help me keep them alive when necessary."
Madam Zheng asked in confusion, "Aren't they going to leave with you?"
“They’re not leaving,” Madam Min explained. “My second sister-in-law is almost sixty years old, and I don’t want her to have to work so hard with me. Besides, Yuanyao has won the favor of the Seventh Princess and often accompanies her in the palace. Even if I wanted to leave with her, I’m afraid the Seventh Princess wouldn’t let her go easily.”
Madam Zheng nodded. "Alright, don't worry, I'll take care of them."
"Then I'll have to trouble you with this," Madam Min said sincerely.
After thinking for a moment, Madam Zheng asked, "Won't you let me help look after your eldest granddaughter?"
She could tell that there was something fishy about the Third Prince's marriage to Min Yuexi. Now that Min Qiaoshi had lost power, it was uncertain whether Min Yuexi would be able to marry the Third Prince smoothly in the future.
Even if she successfully marries the Third Prince, without the support of her powerful maternal family, her life will likely not be easy.
Madam Min wanted to shake her head and say no, but after thinking about it, she sighed and finally nodded. "If you have the energy, then help me keep an eye on things. I'm leaving. Her mother is unreliable, and her father is untrustworthy. How she will live her life in the future depends on herself."
Madam Zheng smiled and said, "I don't know if it's because I've experienced so much in the past two years, but I find you, my eldest granddaughter, much more pleasing to the eye now."
"If you find her pleasing to the eye, then take a few more glances at her. Perhaps her life will be a little easier." Madam Min Qiao smiled as well.
Just as Madam Zheng said, perhaps it was because of the many experiences she had gone through, or perhaps it was because Min Yuexi had been getting closer to her for a long time, that she gradually felt less resentment and indifference towards her, and more care.
***
After seeing off Madam Zheng, Madam Min Qiao welcomed Su Rongrong the next day.
This time, Su Rongrong brought Yan Jin with her.
"The journey to the southwest will likely be fraught with peril. I have arranged for men to disguise themselves as a merchant caravan and escort the old lady on her way."
"Then I'll have to trouble you." Madam Min Qiao didn't stand on ceremony.
To be honest, she was also worried that something might happen to her after she left Beijing.
Originally, he planned to have Lao Qiao arrange for a few people to escort him to Huizhou.
However, Old Qiao's side has limited manpower. Guarding the house is manageable, but the journey is long, and many people are leaving with her. If there are fewer people to escort them, they may not be able to keep an eye on everyone.
With a meticulous escort, she did feel much more at ease.
"Grandmother, you're too kind."
Before Yan Jin could speak, Su Rongrong spoke first.
Yan Jin looked at Su Rongrong with affection before nodding in agreement, "Rongrong is right, Madam, you don't need to be so polite with me. I remember your kindness in taking Rongrong in back then. Besides, you are now Rongrong's grandmother, which is also my grandmother. Protecting you is what I should do."
Despite her cautious manner, Madam Min Qiao still thanked her politely: "Thank you."
“Grandmother, I prepared some things for your journey these past few days. I didn’t bring them with me today. When we set off, I’ll have Brother Yan’s men take them for you.”
"I've personally inspected the men Brother Yan sent to escort you. They're all highly skilled and honest. If you need anything on the road, just give them your orders. If anyone dares to disobey, I'll have Brother Yan deal with them later!"
"Also, I've prepared some money for you. It's not much, but please don't refuse. You'll have plenty of expenses when you go back to your hometown."
"Oh, Grandmother is about to leave the capital. I really want to go with you..."
Madam Min listened with a smile as Su Rongrong chattered on. She wondered when the shy, quiet, timid girl had suddenly transformed into the eloquent and imposing noblewoman she was today.
Needless to say, this confidence comes from her meticulousness.
However, we should have just talked things out properly. Why did it turn into me wanting to go with her?
"No, no, no, you mustn't even think about that! If you really come with me, wouldn't your brother Yan be heartbroken?"
Madam Min quickly called for a stop, "Look, look! Your brother Yan's face has turned black. Don't say things like that again!"
Su Rongrong glanced at Yan Jin and saw that he indeed looked unwell, so she smiled guiltily.
After talking for a while, Yan Jinjun had other matters to attend to and could not stay any longer, so he left first.
After he left, the atmosphere in the room became increasingly relaxed.
At this moment, Aqi stepped out from behind Su Rongrong, knelt down in front of Madam Min Qiao with a thud, kowtowed, and said with red eyes, "Madam, Aqi cannot stay by your side. Please take good care of yourself. Aqi and our Madam are waiting for your return in the capital!"
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