Chapter 451 Emperor Xiaozhao Fishing
"Who is it? Who is it? Why won't you let me kill that old woman, or let me leave? Who are you...?"
Min Rong was going crazy inside the house, screaming, shouting, and smashing things. But there was no response.
But the moment he shows any sign of wanting to harm Min Qiao Shi again, someone in the shadows will stop him before he can do it.
It was truly extremely frustrating.
Madam Min Qiao sat on the bed, coldly watching Min Rong go mad.
Wu and Xiao Wu clung tightly to Min Qiao, looking at Min Rong with eyes full of fear.
After an unknown amount of time, Min Rong finally collapsed to the ground, exhausted, with his back against the wall and his head looking up at the ceiling, his eyes empty and blank.
Min Qiaoshi ignored Min Rong and Wu Shi and her daughter-in-law, lay down again, and closed her eyes.
She knew that the person in the shadows must have been arranged by Emperor Xiaozhao.
The man who was blocking Min Rong from leaving was probably waiting for Emperor Xiaozhao's decree.
Indeed, the facts were just as Min Qiao had guessed.
Half an hour later, the Imperial Guards stormed into the Xuanping Marquis's residence and took Min Rong away.
Both Madam Wu and Madam Xiao Wu were frightened. They originally wanted to ask Madam Min Qiao for advice, but when they thought of Min Rong's previous behavior, they could only shut their mouths and bid farewell to Songhe Hall.
Unlike the fear of Wu's mother and daughter-in-law, Min Qiao's mother breathed a sigh of relief.
After the Wu mother-in-law and daughter-in-law left, she said "thank you" to the void and then fell into a deep sleep.
In the main hall of the courtyard, the mistresses of the Xuanping Marquis's mansion, including Madam Wu, Little Madam Wu, Aunt He, and the Min brothers, gathered together to discuss the matter of Min Rong being taken away. Even Min Yuerui and Cao Yimei were present.
Some people wept with worry, some cursed Min Qiao Shi for returning, some were anxious, some watched coldly, and some wise people secretly made a decision.
In short, after a whole night of discussion, they still couldn't come to a conclusion.
However, the servants who were sent out to gather information returned and reported that after Marquis Xuanping was taken away, he was directly imprisoned in the Dali Temple prison.
That night, no one in the Xuanping Marquis's residence slept. Only Madam Min Qiao slept soundly and peacefully.
The next day, when Madam Min Qiao got up, Madam Wu and Aunt He personally led people in to help her get up and then diligently served her breakfast.
While serving her food, Madam Wu reported, "Grandmother, Steward Yang and the four accountants he brought are already waiting outside."
Last night, while everyone was arguing, she secretly sent someone to the Yang family.
A selfish father-in-law, a mother-in-law who only knows how to cry, a brother-in-law who only knows how to complain, and a husband who can't distinguish right from wrong but listens to her... Thinking about it, it's still the sister-in-law with her own opinions and the strong and capable old lady who are worth relying on.
Min Qiao nodded.
Aunt He also spoke up at the opportune moment: "Old Madam, the eldest young mistress and I have already finished checking the Marquis's mansion's accounts overnight. The existing assets have also been organized. We are just waiting for your people to take over and verify them."
Madam Min Qiao glanced at the two of them. "This isn't what Madam Wu and Min Changzhong wanted, is it?"
Aunt He and Madam Wu exchanged a glance, and finally Madam Wu spoke up: "Mother, you are wise. Princess Qi asked Aunt He and me to manage the Marquis's mansion. Now, no one knows the mansion's accounts better than us."
"Princess Qi has repeatedly told us that if anything happens to her, we should listen to the old lady in everything."
"Since the old lady says she wants to sell off the Marquis's property, then we will naturally follow her orders."
Madam Min Qiao remained noncommittal, only saying calmly, "Then you should go and hand over the reins to Yang An and the others in a little while. Within three days, assist Yang An in liquidating all of the Marquis's estate and transferring it to my name."
"Oh, by the way, when the money is transferred to my name, remember to have Yang An write a debt repayment agreement, get it stamped by the government office, and file it on file."
"Yes," Madam Wu replied quickly.
After Madam Min had finished her breakfast, Yang An and the others came in to meet her.
After giving them a few instructions, Madam Min Qiao let them leave with Madam Wu and Aunt He.
Soon, news of the incident at the Marquis of Xuanping's residence spread throughout the capital.
The incident last night, in which the Imperial Guards took Min Rong away, had already caused quite a stir. Several families around the Xuanping Marquis's residence knew about it.
Following this, the sale of properties by the Marquis of Xuanping's residence confirmed the rumors that something had happened to the Marquis of Xuanping's residence.
Everyone assumed that the Marquis of Xuanping's family was selling off their assets in an attempt to pull strings and get Min Rong out of trouble.
Even Wu and Min Changzhong, who are family members, thought so.
There was nothing they could do; that's what Madam Wu and Aunt He told them.
In three days, Yang An, accompanied by several accountants and with the assistance of Madam Wu and Aunt He, sold off all the properties of the Marquis's mansion. Even the valuable furnishings in each room were sold.
Every single item in the warehouse that had any value was taken and pawned as a death contract.
The only thing that couldn't be sold was the huge mansion of the Marquis of Xuanping and the furniture inside.
The house was a royal gift and cannot be sold.
As for furniture, we still need it. Besides, buying furniture is really too embarrassing.
Therefore, Madam Min Qiao did not set her sights on those furniture pieces.
How much money did you make in total?
Min Qiao asked Yang An, who had come to answer, with curiosity.
Yang An flipped through the account book. "A total of forty-eight thousand five hundred and seventy-two taels."
Min Qiao pursed her lips, "Only this much?"
It's not even as much as the annual income of the shops under her name.
“Yes.” Yang An’s lips twitched as he explained, “The Marquis’s family is not well-off. Most of these were brought by Consort He.”
He paused, then added, "Nearly five thousand taels of it was earned by the Second Miss in the past six months."
Madam Min looked at Yang An, "You've taken a fancy to that girl?"
Yang An smiled sheepishly, "To be honest, Madam, the Second Miss is the most business-savvy person I've ever met, second only to Miss Wei Jia!"
"I think it would be a real waste if a business talent like the Second Miss couldn't fully utilize her abilities."
"Alright, I understand." Madam Min nodded slightly, making a mental note of the matter.
***
Meanwhile, in the palace, Emperor Xiaozhao was listening to Liu Xin report the news brought up by the secret guards.
"Ever since Marquis Xuanping was imprisoned, his household has been selling off its properties. All the proceeds from the sales were officially verified and transferred legitimately to Lady Qinghe's name."
Emperor Xiaozhao chuckled, "She certainly knows how to scheme. Continue."
Liu Xin quickly continued to report: "In the past few days, the Duke of Jin's Mansion, the Earl of Enping's Mansion, and the Marquis of Yongning's Mansion have all sent invitations to the Marquis of Xuanping's Mansion, but Madam Qinghe has not met with any of them."
Emperor Xiaozhao frowned. "Besides those who are on good terms with Lady Min Qiao, are there any strangers or people who don't usually deal with the Marquis of Xuanping's residence who have been seen around?"
"No." Liu Xin shook his head, then added, "However, there's some activity from the Min family's collateral branch."
"Oh? Tell me about it."
Liu Xin said cautiously, "It all started with Min Pan'er."
"Min Pan'er?" Emperor Xiaozhao thought for a moment, "Is that the fake princess who suddenly appeared and replaced Xiao Qi?"
"Yes." Liu Xin nodded and continued, "Min Pan'er was brought back to the capital by His Highness the Prince of Chu."
"His Highness the Prince of Chu originally planned to buy a house for Min Pan'er and settle her in. But the Seventh Princess took all the money from him under some pretext."
“Houses in good locations in the capital are not cheap. His Highness the Prince of Chu is out of money and dares not easily sell the imperial gifts. So he wants to settle people in the Xuanping Marquis’s residence.”
"As a result, Madam Qinghe took a firm stance and resolutely refused to allow anyone to move in."
"Finally, having no other choice, His Highness the King of Chu took the person to a branch of the Min family."
"The collateral branch of the Min family took in Min Pan'er because she was a member of the Min family and they dared not offend His Highness the Prince of Chu."
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