Chapter 672 As if facing a formidable enemy
"Second Madam, a visiting card has been sent by someone from your aunt's residence."
The steward respectfully presented the invitation from the Qiao family to Jinglian's wife.
Jinglian's wife took the invitation and looked at it. It said that the eldest wife of the Qiao family in Nancheng would be visiting tomorrow.
The eldest wife of the Qiao family, also known as Cao Weijia.
Jinglian's wife naturally knew Weijia and knew how Weijia had risen from a lowly servant to become the mistress of the Qiao family.
Therefore, although she felt some disdain for Wei Jia's background, she would never dare to underestimate her.
Seeing that the butler hadn't left yet, Jinglian's wife gave him a strange look and asked, "Is there anything else?"
The steward hesitated for a moment, then said, "Given the relationship between our household and the Qiao family in Nancheng, we never need invitations to exchange visits."
The butler solemnly reminded them, "We've never used this before. We just send someone to inform them when something happens. But this time, the eldest madam from the Qiao family sent a visiting card..."
Jinglian's wife also realized something. "You mean, she came here for something important? Or, she doesn't have good intentions?"
The housekeeper gave an awkward twitch of his lips. "These days, rumors are flying that the old lady herself said that my great-aunt kicked her out of the house on the day of her first birthday celebration, and that the old lady personally accused my great-aunt of being unfilial..."
"The eldest wife over there came here, probably for this very reason."
Jinglian's wife had clearly thought of this as well. "I understand. You may leave."
Seeing that the housekeeper's grandmother was taking it seriously, the housekeeper nervously withdrew.
As soon as the housekeeper left, Jinglian's wife took the invitation to her mother-in-law, Xiao Li.
She relayed the housekeeper's words to her, then said with difficulty, "If they really came over about this, I, as their granddaughter-in-law, have no right to speak. At this point, I'm afraid Mother will have to step in."
Ms. Li's lips twitched. "Me? Me? I'm afraid I can't solve the problem even if I do."
Seeing her second daughter-in-law looking uneasy, Xiao Li sighed and said, "I will talk to your father-in-law about this."
"The old lady did something like this, it would be unreasonable not to give an explanation."
"As for the old lady, only your father-in-law can keep her in check."
When Jinglian's wife heard her mother-in-law say that she would hand the matter over to her father-in-law, she immediately felt relieved.
The next day, when Wei Jia arrived as promised, Jing Lian's wife solemnly waited for her at the gate.
"Why did my cousin and his wife personally greet me at the door? It made me feel quite embarrassed."
Wei Jia got out of the car, smiled, and walked up to greet Jing Lian's wife.
Jinglian's wife also stepped forward with a smile and took Weijia's hand, "I'm just killing time anyway, and it's rare for you to condescend to come here, so of course I have to give you a warm welcome."
The two exchanged pleasantries as they left the mansion.
Jinglian's wife planned to take Weijia to see Old Madam Qiao first, as she had discussed with Xiao Li beforehand, to see Weijia's attitude.
Then take Weijia to see Xiao Li or Qiao Qingping.
They had already discussed it. If Wei Jia was polite to Old Madam Qiao, it would mean that although the Qiao family was angry, it was still within a controllable range.
Then it's enough for Madam Li to step in and appease them.
If Wei Jia doesn't even give face to Old Madam Qiao, it means the Qiao family is no longer willing to tolerate Old Madam Qiao. In that case, Qiao Qingping will need to step in and give the Qiao family an explanation.
Jinglian's wife took the initiative to speak, saying, "Let me take my cousin-in-law to pay her respects to the old lady first. After we've met the old lady, I'll go see my mother-in-law. After we've met the elders, I'll take you to my room for a while."
Wei Jia politely waited for Jing Lian's wife to finish speaking before smiling and declining, "No need. I think my cousin-in-law has already guessed why I came."
"Let me be frank. Either take me to see my eldest uncle directly, or summon everyone in the mansion to the old lady's place so I can speak my mind in public."
Jinglian's wife's expression changed.
Wei Jia meant that she should either speak to the old master who was in charge of the household privately, or make a scene in front of everyone.
Anyone who isn't an idiot knows which option to choose.
Jinglian's wife made her choice immediately, saying with a stiff smile, "Sister-in-law, you must be tired from your journey. Why don't you come to my room and have a cup of tea?"
Wei Jia smiled and nodded, "Sure. I was just thinking of trying my cousin and sister-in-law's tea."
The two went directly to Jinglian's wife's room.
After the tea was served, Jinglian's wife called over Jingyi's wife, Qiao Wangshi, to keep Weijia company while she herself hurried out to the main house to find Xiao Lishi and Qiao Qingping.
The main household already knew about Wei Jia's arrival at the mansion, and also that Jing Lian's wife had not taken Wei Jia to pay respects to Old Madam Qiao.
Just as the couple were wondering what was going on, Jinglian's wife arrived.
After Jinglian's wife recounted Weijia's attitude and words since she entered the mansion, Madam Li frowned: "What does she mean by this? Does she not even want to perform the normal etiquette of paying respects to her elders?"
Old Mrs. Qiao did something to wrong Qiao Qinghe, so Cao Weijia was angry and didn't go to pay her respects.
She hadn't done anything wrong, so why was Cao Weijia taking her anger out on her as well?
She's just a servant girl who climbed up the ranks because of Qiao Qinghe's favor! How dare she put on airs in front of her?
Seeing that Little Li couldn't grasp the key point, Qiao Qingping immediately shouted coldly, "Enough! You're utterly foolish!"
Qiao Qingping has always been a strategist, a man of great wisdom, and a calm and composed demeanor.
Little Li rarely saw him lose his temper like this, and she had never seen him so disrespectful to her in front of a junior.
She felt wronged and shocked, but she also realized the seriousness of the situation and dared not cry or make a fuss.
"What, what's wrong? Why are you so angry?" Little Li asked awkwardly.
Qiao Qingping ignored her and instead looked at his second daughter-in-law, "What are you thinking?"
Jinglian's wife pondered for a moment before hesitatingly saying, "I'm afraid this time, my aunt won't let things go so easily!"
"Now that my cousin-in-law has come, if she doesn't get a satisfactory answer, I'm afraid next time it will be my aunt coming to visit in person."
Qiao Qingping was not entirely satisfied with the answer, but it was acceptable.
"You're right, things won't end well for the Qiao family this time."
"But there's one thing you're wrong about."
Jinglian's wife waited earnestly for Qiao Qingping's answer, and Xiao Li also perked up her ears.
Qiao Qingping sighed, "This is our last chance. There won't be a next time! If we don't handle this well, Qinghe may never come back again."
Ms. Li's expression changed drastically. "No, it can't be that bad, can it?"
Little Li naturally understood what Qiao Qingping meant. But she could hardly believe it.
Does Qiao Qinghe really intend to sever ties with them and never see them again?
Is it really necessary?
Isn't she afraid of being pointed at and gossiped about?
No! Qiao Qinghe has experienced far more than just the pointing fingers and whispers of outsiders along her journey.
If she cared, she wouldn't have abandoned the Min family to survive and even changed the surname of the Min family's descendants.
So, she really is capable of severing ties with them!
But they can't sever ties with her!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com