Chapter 748 Aqi Has a Problem
After hearing what A Shuang said, Qiao Qinghe still had doubts in her heart, but she was finally relieved.
The next day, it was time for Qiao Ning and Amo to get married.
The bride's sedan chair departed from the Qiao residence on Changxing Street and went directly to a small courtyard two alleys away from the Qiao family mansion in the southern part of the city.
Because Amo has no parents, he doesn't get many guests.
During the wedding ceremony, Qiao Qinghe was invited to sit in the seat of honor, acting as Amo's elder.
Originally, this position should have been occupied by Madam He, but after discussing it with Amo, Madam He and her daughter unanimously decided to invite Qiao Qinghe to take the seat.
After all, when Amo registered his household, he said his surname was Qiao, and Qiao Qinghe was his savior, so Qiao Qinghe was naturally qualified to take this position.
Qiao Qinghe thought about it and didn't refuse too much.
The process of picking up the bride, the wedding ceremony, and entering the bridal chamber went smoothly.
The next morning, after the newlyweds paid their respects to Madam He and her daughter at home, the family of four went to the Qiao residence to kowtow to Qiao Qinghe.
Seeing the young couple with smiles on their faces and the mother and daughter looking even more joyful, Qiao Qinghe felt happy for them too.
Amo and Qiao Ning had both lived in the mansion for a long time and were very familiar with it.
After drinking tea, exchanging gifts, and chatting for a while, Qiao Qinghe told them to go out and explore on their own, and stay for lunch before returning home.
The two smiled and agreed. Knowing that Qiao Qinghe was going to talk to Madam He again, they took their leave and left.
After everyone left, Madam He gave He Rui a wink.
He Rui nodded and slowly said, "Madam, there's something I'm not sure if I should say."
Qiao Qinghe glanced at He Rui: "Go ahead and speak."
He Rui hesitated for a moment before saying, "Last night, my mother and I were sorting through the guests' gifts and found that the list included Princess Huaiyang, the Marquis of Yongning, the Marquis of Enping, and even the Liu family, the maternal family of the Princess of Qi, but not the Duke of Jin's family."
Qiao Qinghe frowned.
Fearing that Qiao Qinghe might misunderstand, Madam He quickly explained, "We're not concerned about the congratulatory gift from the Duke of Jin's mansion. It's just that the Duke of Jin's mansion and the old lady have always been close. Even the Liu family sent someone to deliver a congratulatory gift, but the Duke of Jin's mansion didn't. Could there be something wrong with that?"
He Rui quickly added, "I heard that Madam Zheng has been ill, and the Duke of Jin's mansion is busy seeking medical treatment for her. I didn't know that it's possible that our family is also planning a wedding."
Qiao Qinghe raised her hand to stop the mother and daughter from continuing, "I understand what you mean. You are thoughtful and it's right that you reminded me."
"You don't need to worry about this. I'll handle it myself."
The mother and daughter smiled and agreed, then changed the subject and chatted with Qiao Qinghe for a few more minutes before getting up to say they had to go and take their leave.
"Madam, Madam Zheng fell ill after returning from here, and it's been more than half a month now. Why hasn't she recovered yet?" A-Shuang asked curiously.
"Go and fetch the First Madam," Qiao Qinghe instructed.
Ah Shuang accepted the order and went to fetch people.
Wei Jia arrived very quickly.
Qiao Qinghe cut to the chase and asked, "Didn't I tell you to avoid visiting Madam Zheng a few times because of her illness? How is she? Why haven't you mentioned it?"
On the way here, A Shuang had briefly explained the matter to Wei Jia, so Wei Jia was confident and didn't hesitate. She quickly replied, "I went twice. Madam Zheng's problem is indeed psychological; there are no serious physical issues."
"I thought that Mother had already told Madam Zheng about the Empress Dowager's matter, so it's understandable that Madam Zheng was upset for a while. So I didn't pay much attention to it."
"However, I've been keeping an eye on what's happening at the Duke of Jin's residence. I haven't heard anything about anything going on there lately."
Qiao Qinghe frowned; there was no way nothing could have happened.
Otherwise, given Madam Zheng's personality, she would have surely sent someone to deliver a congratulatory gift to Amo.
Admittedly, Amo's status was too low to warrant a congratulatory gift from the Duke of Jin's mansion.
However, that's not how the accounts are calculated.
Amo's surname is Qiao, he comes from the Qiao family, and he married a young lady from the Qiao family.
It's safe to say that anyone who has a relationship with Qiao Qinghe wouldn't ignore this newlywed couple.
"Immediately send a visiting card to the Duke of Jin's residence, saying that I would like to visit Madam Zheng this afternoon."
Ah Shuang accepted the order and went to make arrangements.
Wei Jia also realized something was wrong. "Why is Mother in such a hurry? Why don't we go first thing tomorrow morning?"
Qiao Qinghe shook her head: "I can't wait any longer. I have a feeling of unease."
"Then, how about I go with my mother this afternoon?"
Qiao Qinghe declined: "No need. Some things are better discussed between the two of us."
Upon hearing this, Wei Jia didn't press the matter further.
After lunch and seeing off Amo's family, Qiao Qinghe skipped her afternoon nap and went straight to the Duke of Jin's mansion in a carriage.
It takes about 45 minutes to get from the south city to the east city.
Qiao Qinghe had always had the habit of taking a midday nap, so she became drowsy while swaying in the carriage.
In her half-awake state, she suddenly heard Ah Shuang calling her: "Madam, Madam, please wake up."
"Madam, look, isn't that Aqi?"
Qiao Qinghe came to her senses and looked out through the car curtain that Ah Shuang had lifted.
A young woman was seen wandering aimlessly down the street.
Who else could it be but Aqi?
Aqi was alone, without anyone with her or anything in her hands. She just looked around aimlessly, not buying anything.
Qiao Qinghe instructed the coachman to drive the carriage to a teahouse not far away, and sent someone to inform the Duke of Jin's mansion that she had been delayed on the road and might be able to arrive later.
Then he instructed Ah Shuang to call Ah Qi to the teahouse.
Not long after Qiao Qinghe settled into a private room on the second floor of the teahouse, A Shuang returned with A Qi.
Upon seeing Qiao Qinghe, a flicker of panic crossed Aqi's eyes, but she quickly concealed it.
"Greetings, Madam."
Aqi bowed respectfully and then said in a familiar tone, "Madam, are you here to stroll around the East City? Or are you going to the Marquis's residence to see the Madam and the young master?"
"If Madam knew you were here, she would be overjoyed."
"Should I go back and report this good news to Madam?"
Qiao Qinghe stared straight at Aqi, her face expressionless.
When Aqi realized something was wrong and awkwardly stopped, Qiao Qinghe asked in a deep voice, "What? I haven't even said anything yet, and you're already trying to run away?"
How much do you not want to see me?
Aqi's expression changed, and he hurriedly shook his head and waved his hands to deny it: "No! Absolutely not! How could I not want to see the old lady? I would be so happy to see her!"
"real?"
“Really!” Aqi nodded affirmatively.
Qiao Qinghe looked at Aqi with a half-smile, "It's good that you're not avoiding me."
Aqi chuckled sheepishly, "How could that be? I wouldn't hide from the old lady!"
Qiao Qinghe laughed and said, "You're not avoiding me? Then who are you avoiding?"
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