Chapter 388 Meeting the Lady of Pingyan
He thought about it seriously for a moment, then said uncertainly, "Either it's for show, or it's to tell the old lady something."
Am I right?
Madam Min smiled and nodded, very pleased. "You're right. In my opinion, that Diancui probably has someone backing her."
"And the person behind her must be someone Wei Jia can't afford to offend."
She hesitated for a moment, but still asked hesitantly, "Why doesn't Sister Weijia just tell the old lady directly?"
“We were all alone last night in Song County.”
Madam Min Qiao also fell silent for a long while before saying, "That's exactly what I can't understand."
"Should I secretly ask Sister Weijia if she has any unspeakable difficulties?"
He even suggested, "I'm good at hiding. I can sneak out at night and not let anyone find me."
"In this way, Sister Weijia won't have to worry about anyone finding out that she said something she shouldn't have."
Madam Min shook her head. "No need. I think Wei Jia isn't saying it because someone is watching her, or because she can't find an opportunity. It's because she has her own concerns and doesn't want to talk about it. Let's not force her."
“I believe that when the time is right, she will naturally take the initiative to tell me.”
"What the old lady says is true." Zhen Huan stopped dwelling on the topic and went out to call someone in to serve Madam Min Qiao with washing, bathing, meals, and bedtime.
When Min Qiao arrived in Xijing, she did nothing but eat and sleep for the first two days. Her only exercise was taking a walk in the courtyard after meals.
After resting for two days, Madam Min Qiao finally recovered from the fatigue of the past few days.
On the third day, she finally took Zhen Huan and Diancui out in a carriage.
She had originally planned to bring Lao Qiao along, but to her surprise, Lao Qiao was even busier than her after arriving in Xijing. He went out early in the morning.
According to Diancui, as the matriarch of the Wangyue Tower, how could Madam Min Qiao not visit her own Wangyue Tower after finally coming to Xijing?
So, after the three of them went out, their first stop was Wangyue Tower.
After Diancui's introduction, Madam Min Qiao learned that Wangyue Tower was the most famous entertainment venue in Xijing City.
It offered a variety of entertainment activities, including theater performances, storytelling, tea tasting, painting competitions, treasure auctions, gourmet food, and hot spring baths. It attracted countless dignitaries and nobles from Xijing City.
The reputation of Wangyue Tower in Xijing was comparable to that of Huajiao Tower in Dayanjing.
However, Wangyue Tower seems to be more successful than Huajiao Tower because of its richer content.
Madam Min Qiao spent the entire day at Wangyue Tower, enjoying the delicious food there. She listened to storytelling for half the morning, and opera for half the afternoon. In the evening, she had dinner at the tower and even soaked in the hot springs there before finally returning home around 9 PM.
For three consecutive days, Madam Min Qiao stayed at Wangyue Tower, living a very carefree life.
On the fourth day, as Madam Min was still preparing to go to Wangyue Tower, Diancui finally spoke up to persuade her: "Old Madam of the house, you have finally come to Xijing. You can't just stay in your own shop and not go anywhere, can you?"
"Madam, there are still plenty of delicious food and fun things to do in Xijing. How about I take you to explore other places today?"
Madam Min glanced at Diancui without showing any emotion, then smiled and nodded, "Alright, lead the way."
He actually frowned almost imperceptibly, his gaze towards Diancui filled with wariness.
I was genuinely worried that Diancui might take Min Qiaoshi to some dangerous place, or that she might have prepared some kind of trap to scheme against her.
Unexpectedly, Diancui was really just taking Min Qiaoshi for a stroll around Xijing City.
Ronghuitang's precious prescriptions, Zhenbaoge's headdresses and jewelry, Qiqiaoge's novelties, Baizhenfang's fabrics and ready-made garments...
She took Min Qiaoshi to visit all the famous shops in Xijing City.
Just as Madam Min Qiao was gradually putting her mind at ease, she found a tea stall on the street, ordered a pot of tea, and sat down to rest. Suddenly, she saw an old woman dressed in fine clothes get out of a carriage across the street and enter a restaurant across the street, surrounded by a group of maids.
Just as she was shocked by the old woman's familiar appearance and wondering where she had seen that person before, the old woman quickly came out of the shop again, got into her carriage, and left.
"Madam, what are you looking at?" Zhen Huan followed Min Qiao's gaze and saw only a luxurious carriage being escorted away by seven or eight servants.
"Who are those people?" he asked instinctively. "Why are there so many servants following his carriage when he just goes out?"
Min Qiaoshi turned to kingfisher feather inlay.
Diancui quickly explained to the two, "That is the wife of the Marquis of Pingyan. She is a first-rank imperial consort, with a very noble status. Among the top nobles in our Da'an, she is one of the most prominent."
"The Marquis of Pingyan enjoys the deep trust of the current emperor and the reliance of the current crown prince. Even the heir of the Marquis of Pingyan's mansion is now a fifth-rank Wuyi General, working by the crown prince's side."
"Tsk tsk, in this Xijing City, no family can surpass the favor bestowed upon the Pingyan Marquis's residence."
Madam Min Qiao gave Diancui a deep look and echoed, "This Marquis of Pingyan is indeed exceptionally capable."
"Of course! Speaking of which, Marquis Pingyan is a legendary figure in our Da'an..."
Diancui began to launch into a long-winded account of the Marquis of Pingyan's great achievements, but Lady Min Qiao did not want to listen to a single word.
She already knew why the Lady of Pingyan looked familiar.
Because, if that person wasn't Wang, who had been dead for many years, then who was it?
In her memory, Wang was only in her thirties when she died. Although she was very thin, she was still young and beautiful.
Now, twenty years later, Ms. Wang has gained weight and aged.
She didn't recognize her at first glance.
So, her guess came true!
Wang really faked her death and escaped. She had even set up a trap beforehand, bringing her own son with her to Da'e!
Hahaha! What a generous Wang!
From the moment she entered the manor, they treated her with utmost kindness, handing over the power of the manor to her, giving her their husband, and even faking their own death to give her the position of Lady of Xuanping Marquis!
She even gave up the position of heir apparent, which should have belonged to her son, to her son!
Hahaha! What a dutiful wife Wang is!
To cooperate with Min Ji's plan, she treated her like a sister, endured the disgust of sharing her husband with her, and finally faked her death to give up her position!
He even went so far as to destroy himself for Min Ji's plan, writing a confession of having an affair!
At this moment, Madam Min felt utterly ironic!
Compared to Wang's sacrifices and contributions, she was indeed far behind!
"Madam, are you alright?"
Seemingly noticing Min Qiao's unusual behavior, he genuinely worried and held Min Qiao's hand under the table.
Min Qiaoshi came to her senses and shook her head at Zhen Huan, "I'm fine."
Then he said to Diancui, "I'm tired, let's go back."
"Yes." Diancui quickly got up and went to call the coachman to bring the carriage over.
The group got into the car and returned to the Qiao residence.
By the time she got home, Madam Min had completely calmed down.
As she got off the carriage, Madam Min Qiao smiled and said to Diancui, "You must be tired after a long day. Go home and rest early. And think about where to take me tomorrow."
"Thank you very much, Madam. I will make arrangements for tomorrow's itinerary as soon as I get back."
Diancui left happily.
Zhen Huan gazed intently at Diancui's retreating figure and asked Madam Min Qiao in a low voice, "Madam, was it pre-arranged by the Marquis of Pingyan when we met today?"
"If nothing unexpected happens, yes."
As she spoke, a sarcastic smile appeared on Min Qiao's lips.
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