Chapter 22 Going Out to Attend a Birthday Banquet
Two days later, it was the birthday of the old princess of the Chang'an Prince's Mansion.
Madam Min Qiao went out with Granny Fang, Wei Jia, and A Jiu.
That's right, it's Ah Jiu, the one who's in charge of guarding the gate.
When Madam Min first entrusted Songhetang to Weijia's management, Weijia didn't know everyone well, so she asked each person what they were good at before assigning them tasks based on their abilities. Rooms were also allocated according to the nature of their tasks.
There's an exception here, and that's Ajiu. She's young, and besides being a big eater, her only real advantage is her strength.
So Wei Jia assigned her all sorts of physically demanding tasks, like sweeping the yard and carrying water to water the garden.
The room arranged for her was also shared with several maids who did menial tasks.
As a result, that night, the several maids who shared a room with her were scared half to death by Ajiu.
Several people were sleeping peacefully when suddenly someone was choked, someone was kicked off the bed, someone was thrown outside, and someone was almost suffocated...
At that time, the rear room of Songhetang was in complete chaos.
Wei Jia rushed over to ask, only to find out that A Jiu was a light sleeper and was easily awakened by the slightest noise.
Of the roommates she shared a room with, some ground their teeth, some snored, some talked in their sleep, and some tossed and turned in bed...
Anyway, as long as there's even the slightest disturbance, Ah Jiu will take care of the person, showing signs of a violent maniac.
Wei Jia didn't think anything of it. She quickly calmed everyone down and moved A Jiu to a private room in the gatehouse so that she could work full-time as a gatekeeper.
Such a vigilant person is perfect for guarding the door.
That's how Ajiu became the gatekeeper's maid.
Then, Wei Jia slowly realized that having A Jiu guard the door was a waste of his talents.
Ah Jiu said she was strong, and she wasn't exaggerating.
Once, she took Ah Jiu out and they encountered a lecher on the street. The three men were kicked several meters away by Ah Jiu, one by one.
Before anyone could react, Ajiu pulled her into the crowd. It was incredibly slippery.
From then on, Wei Jia would take A Jiu with her whenever she went out.
When Madam Min went out, she naturally had to take Ajiu with her.
The group had just stepped out when the Begonia Courtyard received the news.
"Madam, is the Grand Madam really going to attend the birthday banquet at the Prince of Chang'an's residence?" Cuixiang couldn't help but whisper to Madam Wu. "Look at all the rumors going around! How dare the Grand Madam go out?"
Madam Wu was also puzzled. A few days ago, she received news that Songhetang had instructed the stables to prepare carriages and horses for the trip.
Because she felt guilty, she didn't dare to visit Songhetang during this time. Naturally, she didn't verify anything.
However, she thought that with rumors circulating outside, she wouldn't dare go out. She assumed the old lady was just making preparations and might not actually go out. Who knew that the old lady would actually go to the banquet today?
It's worth noting that after these two days of development, the rumors about the old lady have completely overshadowed the rumors about breaking off the engagement.
"They are people who have weathered many storms; we can't compare to them," Wu couldn't help but sigh.
Cui Xiang nodded in agreement.
***
Two quarters of an hour later, the Marquis's carriage stopped at the entrance of the Chang'an Prince's Mansion in Yongping Lane.
When they arrived, there were already quite a few people ahead of them.
Wei Jia and A Jiu helped Madam Min Qiao and Granny Fang out of the carriage. The group headed towards the reception area at the entrance. The coachman drove the carriage away, following the other carriages from various mansions.
"Oh, who do we have here? It's the Dowager Lady of the Marquis of Xuanping's residence!"
The group had only taken a few steps when they heard a shrill voice behind them.
When Madam Min turned around and saw the person who had come, she couldn't help but frown.
The visitor was the old lady of the Wang family, Madam Zhang.
This Wang family is the same Wang family that the Qiao family previously relied on. They are also Min Hui's maternal uncle's family.
The person in front of him was none other than Min Hui's maternal aunt, Wang Zhangshi.
The Wang family is a century-old family with its roots in Jiangnan.
The late patriarch of the Wang family, who was also the grandfather of Lady Min, once held the official position of Councilor of the Secretariat, a high-ranking official of the second rank.
Min Wangshi's father only reached the rank of prefect, a fourth-rank official, and retired to his hometown before even stepping into the capital.
However, Lady Min's eldest brother remained in the capital. But he only managed to get a position as a fifth-rank official in the Ministry of Rites.
Nevertheless, no one dared to underestimate the Wang family.
Although the main branch of the Wang family is not doing well, the connections left by the old patriarch of the Wang family are still there, and there are still many family members in the collateral branches of the Wang family who are officials. In addition, with the noble marriage of the Marquis of Xuanping, the Wang family should not be underestimated.
Perhaps because Min Qiaoshi owed her current status to Min Wangshi, Wang Zhangshi never really took Min Qiaoshi seriously.
Because of her gratitude to Lady Min Wang in her previous life, Lady Min Qiao had always been very tolerant of Lady Wang Zhang.
Unfortunately, Min Qiaoshi no longer wanted to tolerate anyone in this lifetime.
"So it was Zhang Yiren."
Min Qiaoshi immediately went straight to Wang Zhangshi's sore spot.
If it weren't for the Wang family's connections and relationship with the Marquis of Xuanping's residence, Wang Zhangshi, a fifth-rank official, would never have had the opportunity to appear at such a high-level banquet.
Sure enough, when the words "pleasant" reached Wang Zhangshi's ears, her face instantly darkened.
"You're just a lowly merchant's daughter, and a concubine who was promoted to the position of principal wife. What's there to be proud of? If it weren't for my sister-in-law, you wouldn't be where you are today. Don't be so arrogant!"
Wang Zhangshi immediately started by pointing out shortcomings.
She was used to being arrogant towards Madam Min and didn't think she was wrong at all.
Wang Zhangshi had said similar things before. However, in the past, they were always sarcastic and cynical, never as sharp, biting, and merciless as they were now.
A little later, Madam Zheng from the Duke of Jin's mansion arrived as well. She stood not far away, watching the two of them having a good time.
This is standard practice.
In the past, whenever someone made things difficult for Madam Min, Madam Zheng would happily gather around and watch the spectacle.
After the excitement is over, I'll go up and stomp on Min Qiao's feet a couple of times.
This time, however, Madam Zheng was truly enraged.
Is Madam Min Qiao without a temper? How could she tolerate this?
Seeing that her expression was strange, Granny Guan quickly grabbed her tightly, "Madam, what do you want to do?"
Now, Madam Qiao is like a pile of oil and kindling, ready to ignite at any moment. Anyone who goes up will get burned.
Before the turmoil at the Marquis of Xuanping's residence subsides, she'd better keep a close eye on their matriarch.
Madam Zheng glanced at Granny Guan with some displeasure, "Didn't you have a good impression of Madam Min Qiao? Why are you pulling me away from helping?"
Granny Guan smiled awkwardly, "Times have changed. I do think Madam Qiao is a good person, but I don't want her to disrupt the peaceful life you've finally achieved."
Madam Zheng couldn't help but frown. Although she knew that Granny Guan was right, she simply couldn't bear to watch any longer!
How dare a mere fifth-rank lady openly provoke a first-rank noblewoman?
She was determined to teach her a lesson about hierarchy and social status!
Madam Zheng broke free from Guan Mama's grasp and stepped forward.
However, before she could help, Madam Min Qiao raised her chin and ordered Granny Fang, "Go up and tell her what true arrogance is."
Granny Fang was stunned and didn't react.
Wei Jia reacted quickly and gave A Jiu a wink.
Ajiu walked up and kicked Wang Zhangshi in the back of the knee.
Although Ajiu looked small, she was quite strong, kicking Wang Zhangshi so hard that she knelt on the ground.
Granny Fang was startled. She had never seen her mistress so assertive in front of Madam Wang.
Seeing that she was standing there motionless, Wei Jia stepped forward and slapped Wang Zhangshi twice across the face.
In an instant, gasps of breath filled the air.
This, this, this... After enduring for decades, Madam Qiao has finally reached her breaking point and is about to unleash her fury!
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