Chapter 42 Arranging the wedding? Go find your older brother and sister-in-law!
When Min Hui came to find Min Qiao Shi, it was already past 8 PM. Min Qiao Shi had already washed up and was getting ready for bed to listen to A Shuang read to her.
Upon hearing Ajiu come in to deliver a message that Min Hui had arrived and wanted to see her, Madam Min Qiao, without hesitation, had Ajiu relay the message, telling Min Hui to go back and come another day.
Unexpectedly, Min Hui knelt outside Songhe Hall and shouted loudly that he would kneel there until Min Qiaoshi saw him.
Despite her impatience, Madam Min put on a coat and let the person in.
"What do you want to see me so late at night?" Madam Min Qiao took the hand warmer handed to her by Wei Jia, and asked without even inviting her to sit down.
Without wasting words, Min Hui knelt directly in front of Madam Min Qiao, pleading with an expectant look, "Mother, my aunt has arranged a marriage for me, and I think it's a good match. I've come to ask you to grant my request."
Madam Min had a vague guess in her heart, but she still pretended to be curious and asked, "I wonder which family your aunt was talking about?"
Min Hui smiled, and his tone was filled with joy, "It's the fifth young lady from the Marquis of An'nan's mansion."
Min Qiao almost dropped the hand warmer. Although she had already guessed this outcome, hearing Min Hui say it himself, and in such a jubilant tone, felt incredibly ironic.
In her past life, she found Min Hui a gentle and virtuous wife, but he discarded her like trash. Now, however, Min Hui is deeply in love with a woman of questionable character.
After thinking for a moment, Madam Min Qiao understood the key to it.
What Min Hui values may not be the girl herself, but rather the family power she represents.
How could the daughter of a lowly seventh-rank official compare to the daughter of an earl?
Having figured all this out, Madam Min suddenly felt utterly bored.
"If you're happy with it, you don't need to tell me."
Min Hui's smile froze. "Is Mother unhappy about my marriage alliance with the Marquis of An'nan?"
Upon hearing this, Madam Min Qiao's lips curled into a mocking smile.
Could it be that in his past life she found him a wife from a humble background, and he sees it as her deliberately suppressing him?
He immediately sneered, "Why would I be unhappy? She's not going to live with me. You can do whatever makes you happy."
Min Hui then said happily, "Mother, I knew you loved me the most. Please arrange my wedding."
That was his main purpose in coming today.
Min Qiao secretly pursed her lips, but said helplessly, "Third son, you know I don't manage the household anymore."
“When your eldest brother came to me before, I personally promised him that I would not interfere in any matters of the manor from now on! Whether it’s your eldest brother’s branch, your second brother’s branch, or yours, I will not care about any of the affairs of the three of you brothers!”
With that, Madam Min sighed deeply and said meaningfully, "I'm just a useless old woman now. If you have any problems, you should go to your brothers and sisters-in-law."
Upon hearing this, Min Hui's expression changed drastically. He initially thought that Min Qiao was making excuses, but upon closer examination, he instantly understood the underlying meaning in her words.
It seems that Min Qiaoshi has been ousted from power by Min Rong and his wife!
He had heard those rumors before, but he didn't take them seriously.
After all, Lady Min Qiao had managed the Marquis's residence for decades and wielded considerable power within it. How could she possibly be easily stripped of her power?
But now it seems that those rumors may not be entirely unfounded.
Look at Min Qiao's helpless expression and dejected tone; no one would believe she relinquished power voluntarily.
"Mother, how could my elder brother and sister-in-law treat you like this?" Min Hui asked indignantly, looking indignant on behalf of Min Qiao Shi.
Madam Min Qiao quickly waved her hand at him, "Alright, stop saying such things. From now on, you'll still be relying on your elder brother and sister-in-law for a living!"
Hmm, sowing discord, feigning helplessness, claiming it's for your own good... if she wanted to, Madam Min Qiao could do it all!
Min Hui clenched his fists, suppressing his anger, and said, "What about Mother? Is Mother willing to lose her power over the household? Is she willing to be bullied like this?"
"What's the big deal? I'm already an old woman with half my body buried in the ground, what's the point of arguing? As for you, you should listen to your older brother more often and stop arguing with him."
Madam Min wiped her eyes and said earnestly, "Before, when I was in charge of the household, I could take better care of you, but I'm afraid I won't be able to anymore."
Min Hui's eyes also reddened, and he bent down to throw himself onto Min Qiao's knees.
Madam Min quickly reached out to stop her, "How old are you? Why are you still trying to act like a child with me?"
Seeing this, Wei Jia quickly stepped forward and helped Min Hui up, saying, "Third Master, please sit down. The ground is cold, don't get cold."
Min Hui got up and sat down on a chair next to him.
Seeing Min Hui's state, Madam Min knew that if the matter wasn't resolved, it would inevitably come back to her sooner or later.
So he instructed Wei Jia, "Send a nimble maid to the main courtyard to see if the Marquis and his wife have rested. If they haven't, have them come to Songhe Hall."
"yes."
Wei Jia responded and left.
“Mother!” Min Hui looked at Min Qiao Shi with gratitude.
Madam Min also looked on with a kind expression, "That's all I can do. From now on, you'll have to rely on yourself."
Before long, Min Rong arrived with Wu Shi.
Since Madam Min Qiao fell seriously ill, she has stopped allowing people from other branches of the family to come and pay their respects to her, and she especially dislikes having people visit her pine and crane pavilion unless absolutely necessary.
Hall.
Upon suddenly hearing that Madam Min Qiao was looking for them, Min Rong and Madam Wu thought something serious had happened and rushed over in a panic.
When they saw Min Hui sitting to the side, both Min Rong and Madam Wu frowned instinctively.
It wasn't that the couple disliked Min Hui; it was just that Madam Min Qiao had been far too biased in the past, treating Min Hui better than her own son, Min Rong! By a significant margin! So much so that Min Rong was filled with envy, jealousy, and resentment!
Influenced by Min Rong, Wu Shi also disliked Min Hui from the moment she entered the family.
Min Qiaoshi noticed the changes in the couple's expressions. Their disdain and disgust for Min Hui were written all over their faces.
But why is it that people who are so incompatible could unite in their past lives to cruelly harm this old woman?
Min Qiaoshi was completely baffled.
However, that doesn't matter now. In this lifetime, she will never give them the chance to unite against her.
"I called you here because I have something to tell you. The third son's aunt has arranged a marriage for him."
Madam Min Qiao said bluntly, "I'm not going to manage the household anymore. You two can handle the marriage of our third son."
Ms. Wu remained silent.
Min Rong then asked, "I wonder, which family did the Wang family mention to my third brother?"
Madam Min looked at Min Hui.
Min Hui quickly stood up, clasped his hands in a salute, and replied, "My aunt told me that she is the fifth young lady of the Annam Marquis's mansion."
Upon hearing the name of the Marquis of Annan, Min Rong merely frowned almost imperceptibly before remaining silent.
It's good that the families are well-matched.
On the contrary, when Madam Wu heard the name of the fifth young lady of the Annam Marquis's Mansion, she exclaimed in surprise and then covered her mouth.
She looked at Min Hui with a strange expression, but Min Hui assumed that Wu was shocked by the other party's family background, and was quite pleased with himself.
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