Chapter 251 The Assassination of Lady Min
Noticing Li Chengrui's suspicious gaze, Li Sanqi couldn't help but roll her eyes and pout, complaining, "Third Brother, what are you thinking about now?"
"You don't actually think I had ulterior motives for praising Miss Min in front of you, do you?"
Li Chengrui touched his nose, feeling a little embarrassed that his thoughts had been exposed.
Li Sanqi said irritably, "Third Brother, can you please stop being so suspicious? I'm only saying all this because I admire Miss Min's personality. We just happened to be on the topic, so I said a few more words."
Li Chengrui smiled awkwardly and said, "Don't be angry, it was my fault. I shouldn't have overthought things and misunderstood you."
Li Sanqi finally calmed down and said arrogantly, "Hmph! Didn't Third Brother hear what Miss Min said just now?"
"Miss Min is going to marry into the Zhenguo General's Mansion!"
"Although she's marrying a dead man, as long as she marries him, Miss Min can rely on the merits of the General of the State's Mansion to be superior to others for the rest of her life."
"Isn't this better than marrying into my third brother's harem and competing for his favor?"
The Third Prince shook his head and smiled helplessly, "You're right, I was overthinking it."
But is marrying him really that bad? He's not even as good as a dead man?
***
Those who had caused trouble had all left, and those who still harbored ulterior motives also backed down after witnessing the powerful backing behind Min Qiao.
Next came flower viewing, dining, opera performances, and strolling through the garden... and there were no further disturbances at the flower banquet.
Even Yu Yin'er behaved herself and stopped causing trouble. After that, she stayed obediently by the side of Lady Yongning, as if the previous conflict with Min Yuexi had never happened.
As dusk approached, the banquet ended, the guests dispersed, and everyone left one after another.
The seventh princess and several princes had already left after lunch.
Because of her poor health, Madam Zheng could not sit for long and returned home in the late afternoon.
Min Qiaoshi, however, stayed until the very end because she was so engrossed in listening to the opera.
Lady Yongning, accompanied by several of her daughters-in-law, personally saw Min Qiao off at the door.
"I apologize for the poor hospitality today, which has caused the Madam some distress. I will definitely prepare a generous gift and personally visit her another day to express my apologies."
Lady Yongning's words were very sincere.
Firstly, Madam Yu was indeed at fault. Secondly, she felt that Madam Qiao was worth befriending. As for the third point, Madam Qiao had a lot of powerful connections, and it was best not to offend the Yongning Marquis's Mansion if possible.
"You're too kind. Let bygones be bygones. There's no need for further apologies. If you don't mind, you'd be more than welcome to come and chat with this old woman."
Madam Min patted the hand of the Lady of Yongning Marquis, which was supporting her arm, and said with a smile, "Alright, that's enough for now. I'm getting in the carriage, you can go back too."
With that, he released Lady Yongning's hand, walked up the stone steps, and headed toward the carriage of the Marquis of Xuanping's residence that was waiting at the door.
Just as Madam Min Qiao was about to reach the carriage, a gaunt figure suddenly rushed out from the side.
"Min Qiao Shi, you're going to pay with your life!"
A figure, wielding a sharp knife, disheveled and dressed in rags, resembling a beggar, charged straight toward Min Qiao's house, shouting loudly.
Everyone was taken aback by this sudden turn of events.
No sooner said than done, just as the assassin was about to approach Min Qiao Shi, the thin coachman who was sitting on the carriage shaft lightly touched the ground with his toes and landed in front of Min Qiao Shi in a few steps, reaching out to grab the assassin's wrist holding the knife.
At this moment, Madam Min Qiao realized that the person disguised as the coachman was none other than Zhen Huan.
Although Zhen is not as strong as Ajiu, he can easily subdue an ordinary assassin.
However, before anyone could react, the assassin twisted his wrist, and the dagger in his hand plunged deep into his own abdomen.
Yes, his style of doing things is as decisive as ever, giving the other party no chance to turn the tables or cause trouble.
She actually let go, and the assassin collapsed softly to the ground. The pain contorted her face, but it also deepened the hatred and resentment in her eyes.
Only then did Madam Min realize that the assassin was actually Madam Tang Yun.
Tang Yunxiu's mother, who was once engaged to Min Yuexi but later had an affair with Min Yuerui, was eventually sent to prison by the Min sisters, completely ruining her future.
"You, you have such a cruel heart! You killed my son, I, I will haunt you even in death!"
Tang Yunshi clutched her bleeding abdomen, her face contorted as she glared at Min Qiaoshi. "I curse you, I curse everyone in your Xuanping Marquis's mansion, may you all die a horrible death! I, I'll be waiting for you in the underworld!"
Tang Yunshi forced herself to finish the last word before passing away.
Min Qiao patted her pounding heart, looked at the thin coachman, Zhen Huan, who was still blocking her way, and said gratefully, "Thanks to you!"
He nodded expressionlessly, looked around to make sure there was no danger, then turned and helped Min Qiaoshi into the car, saying, "Let's go back."
Min Qiao nodded and said to the Lady of Yongning Marquis who was walking over quickly, "I'll leave this to you, Madam."
"Yes. I'm sorry to have frightened the old lady." Lady Yongning was also quite frightened. She immediately ordered someone to report to the authorities and called for people to carry the body away.
If something like this happens at the gates of their own residence, and something really happens to Madam Min Qiao, then the two households will become enemies.
After thinking for a moment, Madam Min Qiao realized that the officials would definitely ask what had happened when they came, so she left Granny Fang and A Shuang to assist Lady Yongning in handling the aftermath.
He then led Ayi and the others onto the carriage of the Marquis of Xuanping's residence.
After Madam Min Qiao got into the carriage, she turned around and sat on the carriage shaft. With a flick of her wrist, the reins gave the command, and the carriage slowly drove away.
Just as the carriage was about to leave Yongning Marquis's residence, he seemed to sense something and subconsciously turned around, only to see a pair of tearful eyes filled with mixed emotions.
Surprise, astonishment, doubt, sadness, joy, disbelief... a thousand emotions mixed together, brewing into a scorching red sun, stinging my eyes and making my heart ache.
Who is this woman?
Why does she feel heartache?
Hmm, this swollen, dull feeling that makes you want to cry is heartache, right?
As the carriage drove away, she actually looked away, and the emotions that suddenly welled up in her heart were quickly suppressed.
Everything returned to normal, as if the brief moment of abnormality had never occurred.
Meanwhile, as she watched the carriage disappear into the distance, Lady Yongning could no longer contain her emotions and burst into tears, covering her mouth.
This scene terrified her three daughters-in-law.
"Mother? Mother, what's wrong?"
"Mother, don't worry, Madam Qiao didn't mean to blame you!"
"Yes, Madam Qiao is fine. The matter is not that serious. Mother, you don't need to worry too much."
No matter how her three daughters-in-law tried to comfort her, Lady Yongning remained unmoved. She wept bitterly, then wiped away her tears, summoned the steward, and instructed him to deal with the officials who had come. She also gave her three daughters-in-law instructions on how to handle the aftermath of the flower banquet.
After everything was arranged, Lady Yongning turned around and returned to the main courtyard.
She was going to the Marquis of Xuanping's residence to confirm something... no, she was going to apologize to the Marquis of Xuanping's residence.
Yes, go apologize! For the old lady's disrespect towards Madam Qiao, and for the assassination attempt at the gate, she must apologize as soon as possible!
Okay, I'll go tomorrow!
Is it too rushed to go tomorrow? Or should we send the visiting card tomorrow and go the day after?
But she didn't want to wait even a day longer!
No! She didn't want to wait a moment longer!
She needs to confirm now whether the child with Madam Qiao is her long-lost daughter!
Thinking of that child's appearance, and then of the hideous scar that stretched across half of his face...
Lady Yongning, unable to contain herself any longer, burst into tears again.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com