Chapter 447 Returning to the Capital
Half a month later, the delegation finally arrived in the capital.
More than half a year later, Madam Min returned to the capital, her heart filled with indescribable feelings.
However, before she could fully appreciate it, she was captivated by the group of people waiting at the city gate.
Madam Zheng of the Duke of Jin's Mansion, Madam Su Rongrong of the Earl of Enping, Feng Yuerou, the third wife of the Duke of Yongning...
Even Madam Wu from the Xuanping Marquis's residence, Consort He, and the eldest granddaughter-in-law, Madam Xiao Wu, came.
However, Madam Min Qiao's gaze swept through the crowd twice, but she still couldn't spot Min Yuexi.
She frowned slightly, still wondering to herself.
Madam Wu, along with Consort He and Madam Wu, rushed over first.
Wu's cry of "Mother" was sincere and full of emotion.
Before Min Qiaoshi could react, Wu Shi, overcome with emotion, threw herself into her arms, crying, and wrapped her arms around her waist.
Min Qiao was startled.
It's been more than half a year since we last met. Has Ms. Wu lost her mind?
Judging from her excited appearance, anyone who didn't know better would think that the relationship between her and her mother-in-law was very deep.
Min Qiao frowned, about to push Wu away.
However, before she could make a move, Aunt He and Madam Wu had already come up laughing and tore Madam Wu off her.
"Don't be angry, Madam. Madam is just too happy to see you after so long," Aunt He explained with a smile.
Madam Wu chimed in, trying to smooth things over: "Aunt He is right. Ever since Grandmother left the capital, Mother has been thinking about her every day and hoping that she will return to the capital soon."
Min Qiao glanced at the two of them, then at Wu, who seemed hesitant and excited, and then, thinking of Min Yuexi who hadn't come to greet her, she began to make a guess.
"But what happened to Yuexi?"
Upon hearing this, Madam Wu could no longer hold back. She broke free from Aunt He and Madam Wu, rushed forward again, knelt down at Madam Min's feet with a thud, reached out and hugged her legs, and burst into tears.
"Mother, please help Xi'er! Xi'er finally managed to marry Prince Qi and become his princess. If she's really divorced, how will she live the rest of her life!"
Is King Qi going to divorce Min Yuexi?
Madam Min frowned slightly. "Don't talk nonsense! The marriage between Prince Qi and Princess Qi was bestowed by His Majesty. Without His Majesty's decree, how could Prince Qi easily divorce his wife?"
"But, but everyone says so!" Madam Wu said anxiously, "Besides, the Princess Consort of Qi has been confined by the Prince of Qi for a month. Doesn't that prove anything?"
Madam Min looked at Aunt He and Madam Wu.
Both of them nodded slightly.
Aunt He and Madam Wu helped Madam Wu up again.
Xiao Wu whispered words of comfort to Wu.
Aunt He first gave a curtsy to Madam Min, then lowered her voice and whispered, "Madam, Princess Consort Qi has indeed been confined to her quarters by Prince Qi."
"For the past month, not only has Princess Qi been unable to leave, but even those around her have been unable to leave."
“I accompanied the lady to the Qi Prince’s residence several times, but we couldn’t even get through the gate, let alone see the Qi Princess herself.”
"Right now, we don't even know what the situation is with Princess Qi. This is truly worrying."
Madam Min frowned deeply; it seemed that Min Yuexi's condition was indeed not good.
However, it was obvious to Min Qiao that the reason for the King of Qi's drastic change in attitude was that she didn't need to think about it.
It seems that after news of Min Ji's betrayal reached the emperor, Emperor Xiaozhao harbored murderous intentions towards the Xuanping Marquis's household. Perhaps Emperor Xiaozhao did not explicitly state anything, but in his daily life, he would inadvertently reveal some of his murderous intent towards the Xuanping Marquis's household.
Therefore, this affected King Qi's attitude towards Min Yuexi.
Although she knew the truth in her heart, Madam Min Qiao could not say these things out loud.
Just as he was trying to figure out how to get out of this, the other people who had been waiting nearby slowly walked over.
They had originally intended to come forward and catch up with Madam Min earlier, but Madam Wu moved too quickly, so everyone stopped in their tracks.
It wasn't that they were afraid to come over, but everyone knew what Madam Wu was going to say, so they deliberately avoided her, wanting to save face for Madam Wu, the wife of the Marquis of Xuanping.
However, Wu was too emotional and spoke in a loud voice, so the people around her had mixed feelings.
However, now that the matter had been discussed, it was no longer appropriate for everyone to avoid the conversation. So, led by Madam Zheng, everyone came over together.
"We've all heard about Princess Qi's affair. I even went to the palace to inquire about it, but I couldn't get any information from the Empress Dowager."
Madam Zheng spoke first, her expression somewhat worried, "Later, I went to the Prince Qi's residence myself and got some ambiguous words from the Prince Qi."
Madam Min raised her hand to interrupt Madam Zheng, "Let's talk about these things later. I've only just returned, and I haven't even entered the city gates yet. Are you sure you want to discuss such unpleasant topics with me here?"
"Shouldn't you be holding me, laughing and crying, welcoming me back?"
The group paused for a moment, then quickly dismissed the difficult question posed by the Xuanping Marquis's family, and welcomed Min Qiao's return with smiles.
Just as Madam Min Qiao had said, Madam Zheng smiled and came over to hug her. But as soon as she hugged her, Madam Zheng exclaimed in surprise, "How come you've lost so much weight?"
Then, she said with concern, "It seems you really suffered a lot on this trip to Daxi."
"However, it's good that you're back safe and sound." Madam Zheng became happy again. "Once you're settled, I'll send you some good cooks. I guarantee that within a month, you'll have regained all the richness you lost."
Min Qiao pinched her waist. "If you hadn't said anything, I wouldn't have noticed that the clothes were too big."
"But it's good this way. As people get older, they need to be thinner to look more energetic."
After saying that, before Madam Zheng could object, he looked her up and down carefully, and then said with delight, "You've gained quite a bit of weight, and you look much better."
"Are you completely recovered?"
Hearing this, Madam Zheng smiled brightly, "Isn't it great! This is all thanks to Doctor Mu's excellent medical skills. In the past six months, her medicinal diet combined with the effects of the hot springs in the suburbs of Beijing has helped to restore my health."
"The hot springs in the suburbs of Beijing, are you referring to the hot springs at my old estate? Are they open to the public now?"
Madam Zheng nodded repeatedly, "It was put into use a month after you left the capital. Now it is the most sought-after entertainment venue among the ladies of the powerful and wealthy in the capital. Even the Painted Corner Tower is slightly inferior."
The two hadn't seen each other for a long time and had so much to say that they couldn't finish in a short time.
Madam Zheng didn't want to monopolize Min Qiao's attention, so she chatted for a few more minutes before stopping, preparing to let Min Qiao talk with the Lady of Yongning Marquis, Su Rongrong, and Feng Yuerou.
Unexpectedly, just as Madam Min Qiao was speaking with the Lady of Yongning Marquis, someone came to report: "Madam, word has come from the front that we can enter the city."
"In addition, someone from the palace has arrived. Please summon the old lady to the palace to meet the emperor immediately. We request that the old lady enter the city as soon as possible."
After everyone left, Madam Min Qiao spread her hands helplessly and said in a relaxed tone, "His Majesty has summoned me, so I must prepare to enter the palace. You may all go back for now, and we can catch up later after I have rested."
Seeing that Madam Min Qiao's expression was normal, everyone was secretly worried.
Emperor Xiaozhao berated the Xuanping Marquis's residence in his study, Princess Qi was confined to her quarters, and the Xuanping Marquis was dismissed from his post...
All these incidents and events indicate that things are likely going badly for the Marquis of Xuanping's household.
Whether Min Qiao's return this time is a good thing or a bad thing is unknown.
But everyone knew in their hearts that if something happened to the Xuanping Marquis's mansion, Min Qiaoshi would definitely not be able to escape responsibility!
Just before Madam Min Qiao was about to board the carriage, Madam Zheng finally couldn't help but pull her back and whisper a reminder: "Be careful. The Emperor's urgent summons may not be a good thing."
As he spoke, he glanced meaningfully at the group from the Marquis of Xuanping's residence.
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