Chapter 498 The Zhong Family Enters the Scene?
Time passed quietly, and the banquet at the Jiang residence officially began.
Nothing special, just eating, drinking and having fun.
However, just as everyone moved to the attic to watch the opera, Madam Qian, the wife of the Earl of Annan, and another old lady of similar age to Qiao Qinghe arrived with Jiang Hongling and Min Pan'er.
Both sides exchanged greetings according to custom, and then the old lady introduced herself: "My surname is Wang, and our branch is the third branch of the Zhong family. My husband is currently the Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince's Palace."
"So it's Lady Wang. I haven't seen you at banquets before. My apologies," Qiao Qinghe explained politely, explaining why she hadn't recognized Lady Zhong earlier.
To Qiao Qinghe and the others, these words were the truth. But to Zhong Wangshi, they sounded like sarcasm.
A hint of displeasure flashed in her eyes, but she still smiled. "It's no wonder the old lady doesn't recognize me. She used to be one of Jianjian's people, always the center of attention at banquets, and she only ever saw those above her. She had no respect for people like us who weren't even worthy of being seen."
Qiao Qinghe frowned. Why did Zhong Wangshi's words sound so sarcastic?
"Is Lady Wang here to cause trouble?"
Su Rongrong gave her a forced smile, then looked at Madam Qian and the Lady of Annan, "Could it be that Lady Wang is an accomplice found by Madam Jiang and the Lady of Annan?"
Both of them had suffered losses at Qiao Qinghe's hands before, and the new old lady who had brought them didn't seem like a kind person either. It was hard not to suspect their motives.
Madam Zhong glanced at Su Rongrong and said unhappily, "What right do you, a junior, have to interrupt when your elders are speaking? That's rude!"
Su Rongrong scoffed, "What? Just because you're old doesn't mean you can be someone's elder? Does that mean I'd have elders all over the world? Don't you even know if you're worthy!"
"You...don't you have any manners at all?" Zhong Wangshi was so embarrassed that she could barely speak.
"Speaking of etiquette, I am a second-rank lady-in-waiting, while Lady Wang is merely a fourth-rank lady-in-waiting. What, does Lady Wang not even understand the proper distinction between superiors and inferiors?"
Su Rongrong curled her lips. With that kind of mouth and that kind of fighting power, she dared to get close to her grandmother? She could easily shut her up.
"You, you...you're going too far!" Lady Zhong was so angry that her head was practically steaming.
She is the matriarch of the third branch of the Zhong family! Her grandniece is the Crown Princess! Her husband is the young Grand Tutor of the Imperial Household Department!
How dare this Su woman speak to her like that!?
"Ha, Lady Wang can't take it anymore?" Su Rongrong mocked. "With this level of mental fortitude, I don't know how you dared to provoke my grandmother?"
She glanced meaningfully at Madam Qian and Lady Annam, "Could it be that they sent you?"
Are these two using Zhong Wangshi as a pawn?
The Earl of Annam, who was standing to the side, had already frowned. Little Qian was also extremely embarrassed.
They came with two maids, not to cause trouble.
They originally thought that Lady Zhong, given her age, seniority, and status as an elder of the Crown Princess's family, could mediate and perhaps achieve their desired outcome.
But as soon as Zhong Wangshi uttered those sarcastic words, the two realized something was wrong. They both reached out and tugged at Zhong Wangshi's sleeve. But Zhong Wangshi, already enraged by Su Rongrong's provocation, wouldn't listen to them at all.
At this point, Lady Annam was already somewhat regretting approaching Lady Zhong.
This old lady, despite her advanced age, used her connection with the Crown Princess to secure an official position for her husband, displaying an air of power she had never shown in her entire life in front of Qiao Qinghe.
I really don't know what to say.
Just then, Jiang Hongling quickly spoke up, "Madam, you misunderstand. Madam Annan and my stepmother brought us here not to cause trouble for the old lady, but because we have a favor to ask."
As she spoke, she looked at the Lady of Annan with an embarrassed expression, then at Madam Qian, before carefully explaining, "Because the Lady of Annan, my stepmother, and the old lady had some misunderstandings, we invited Lady Wang to come and mediate."
"No one expected things to get so complicated..."
Before Qiao Qinghe could even speak, Zhong Wangshi objected.
She flipped over and slapped Jiang Hongling across the face. "You brat, what do you mean by that? Are you saying that I messed things up and offended someone you didn't want to offend?"
Jiang Hongling's health had deteriorated significantly since her injury, and caught off guard, she was slapped to the ground by Zhong Wangshi.
But Lady Zhong was relentless and uttered vile words.
The Lady of Annam frowned so deeply she could have trapped a fly, and a wave of regret washed over her.
Little Qian, on the other hand, looked completely unconcerned, and even seemed to be gloating.
In the end, the person who cared about Jiang Hongling the most was actually Min Pan'er.
"What are you doing?!" Min Pan'er was both shocked and angry. She struggled to support herself with her cane and bent down to help Jiang Hongling. "Sister Jiang, are you alright?"
Jiang Hongling was now clutching her chest, gasping for breath; her condition clearly indicated something was wrong.
Qiao Qinghe also noticed this and sternly reprimanded Xiao Qianshi, "What are you all standing there for? Hurry up and call a doctor!"
Madam Qian was startled and dared not delay, so she quickly instructed the maid.
Madam Zhong, who had been babbling on, suddenly realized something was wrong and looked suspiciously at Jiang Hongling lying on the ground. She then saw Min Pan'er tilting her head and shooting her a venomous glance.
Was she mistaken? Why did she find the lame girl's eyes somewhat frightening? Like she was about to kill someone.
It's an illusion, it must be an illusion.
Zhong Wangshi complained sarcastically, "It's all because this girl was disrespectful to me that I slapped her. What's the big deal? Why are you trying to extort me?"
Hearing Zhong Wangshi still making sarcastic remarks, even Li Jingyue, who was standing to the side, couldn't stand it anymore and said, "Shut up!"
"Why should I..." Before Zhong Wangshi could finish her subconscious rebuttal, she realized that it was Li Jingyue who had told her to shut up, and she immediately shut her mouth awkwardly.
But she still pouted defiantly, feeling utterly disdainful of Li Jingyue.
She's just a sickly princess who's out of favor with the emperor. What's so great about her? If it weren't for her favored mother, who would even notice her?
I don't know what he was so arrogant about in front of her.
She was determined to go to the Crown Princess and have a serious talk with her.
Soon, Jiang Hongling was carried to a side room, and the doctor was also called back.
Qiao Qinghe was a little worried and wanted to go over and see, but she didn't want to see Min Pan'er and the Lady of An'nan.
Just as she was hesitating, Su Rongrong stood up and said with a smile, "Grandmother, I'll go take a look. This Miss Jiang seems like a good person; I hope nothing bad has really happened to her."
Qiao Qinghe nodded and said gratefully, "Okay, go and take a look for me. If there's anything wrong, send someone to let me know."
"Yes," Su Rongrong replied, and led the people to the side room.
After everyone left, Qiao Qinghe gave Zhong Wangshi a cold look and asked, "Isn't Lady Wang leaving yet?"
Zhong Wangshi was originally about to leave, but after Qiao Qinghe said that, she was no longer in a hurry to leave.
"This is the Jiang residence, and everyone here is a guest. What right do you have to kick me out?"
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