Chapter 36 Fleeing in Disarray
Madam Min had long known that the Painted Corner Tower was no ordinary place, but now it seemed that Steward Wu was even more extraordinary. He was unassuming and knew how to bend and stretch.
Since Steward Wu had spoken up, Madam Min Qiao didn't want to cause any more trouble at the Painting Corner Tower and was preparing to call it quits.
Upon hearing the identity of Madam Qiao, Zhao Zhiheng, sitting opposite him, scrambled to his feet and roared aggressively, "Who do we have here? It's the Xuanping Marquis's mansion, the one that used its power to break off the engagement and is now fighting with its mother-in-law!"
"Bah! It's nothing but a pathetic, laughable marquis's mansion! My aunt is an empress! My grandfather is a Grand Secretary! Why would I be afraid of you?"
Madam Min looked at Steward Wu, who sighed helplessly and stepped aside.
Madam Min raised her hand towards Ajiu, "Go and teach him what it means to respect elders, what rules and etiquette are, and what it means to be a good person."
Ajiu glanced at Steward Wu, and seeing that he didn't intend to stop him, she rushed forward, jumped up, and punched Zhao Zhiheng in the face. Perhaps feeling dissatisfied, she followed up with a kick, sending the man sprawling face-first into the dirt.
It was this kick that sent Zhao Zhiheng flying several steps toward the door.
Ah Jiu originally wanted to kick the man to the ground, then ride on Zhao Zhiheng's back, so it would be easier to slap him in the face.
Unexpectedly, when Zhao Zhiheng turned around, he saw Ajiu about to pounce on him fiercely again, and he was so frightened that he scrambled out of the corner tower.
"You just wait! You all just wait! The Painted Corner Tower, the Marquis of Xuanping's residence, I'll remember you!"
Zhao Zhiheng made some harsh remarks at the entrance of the painting tower, but when he saw Ajiu chasing after him, he turned around and ran away in fright.
As Zhao Zhiheng left, the crowd gradually dispersed.
However, the reputation of Madam Qiao of the Xuanping Marquis's Mansion spread again in a small circle due to this incident.
***
At the same time, Min Hui also arrived at the Wang family's residence.
With the year-end approaching, the Ministry of Rites was at its busiest. Therefore, Wang Mian, who served as a secretary in the Ministry of Rites, was not at home.
The family consists only of the aunt, several cousins, and a few nieces.
The person who came to greet him at the door was his eldest cousin's wife. She warmly welcomed Min Hui into the house and then led him to his aunt Wang Zhangshi's courtyard.
Along the way, his cousin's wife kept asking him about his marriage, and she also talked about how virtuous and kind-hearted her cousin was.
Min Hui just smiled and didn't say anything more.
He's already twenty. Logically speaking, he should have gotten married a few years ago.
But to this day, he still hasn't settled on a marriage.
People outside say that Min Qiaoshi, his stepmother, is mean-spirited for not arranging his marriage.
In fact, Min Qiaoshi had been concerned about his marriage since he was fifteen years old.
He dragged his feet and wouldn't make a decision for a long time.
Firstly, the wife he wanted had to be from a prominent family, and her family had to be able to help him when he needed it.
Secondly, he felt a secret pleasure whenever he heard others sympathize with him or scold Min Qiaoshi.
He knew from a very young age that Min Qiaoshi had stolen his mother's position and his title!
No matter how good Min Qiaoshi was to him, he always felt that she owed him something. The better she treated him, the more he loathed and hated her!
The better Min Qiaoshi treated him, the more guilty she was!
Therefore, from childhood to adulthood, he would feel extremely happy whenever he heard someone say even the slightest bad thing about Min Qiao Shi.
Upon entering Wang Zhangshi's courtyard, the head maid called out loudly from afar, "Young Master Wang has arrived!"
Soon, Wang Zhangshi's voice came from inside the house: "Hurry up and invite the young master in!" Her tone was urgent, as if they hadn't seen each other for many years.
Min Hui smiled helplessly and quickly went into the house.
Wang Zhangshi leaned against the headboard, her eyes fixed intently on Min Hui as he entered the room.
Before Min Hui could bow in greeting, she excitedly waved and said, "Good boy, come and sit down."
Min Rong smiled and stepped forward, sitting down on the stool that had been prepared by the bedside.
"I heard your aunt injured her leg, is she feeling better?"
“What’s so good about it? Your uncle has a low-ranking official position and a pitifully small salary. Your cousins are all spendthrifts. It’s a pity that I’m sick and can’t even afford a ginseng root. After all this time, my leg hasn’t improved at all.”
As Wang Zhangshi spoke, she began to wipe away tears. While wiping them away, she kept glancing at Min Hui's reaction.
The meaning couldn't be clearer.
Look, I made it clear that my family is poor and we have no ginseng to eat, and you didn't even bring me a few roots?
Min Hui was extremely embarrassed. He had originally planned to ask Min Qiao for some nice things to bring over, but Min Qiao's words were too harsh, and he couldn't even open his mouth to ask.
Seeing that Min Hui was sitting there without saying a word, Wang Zhangshi's face turned cold. "Alas, I suppose I, as your aunt, am not worthy to eat a single ginseng from your Xuanping Marquis's mansion."
Min Hui quickly reassured her, "Aunt, what are you saying? It's just a ginseng root. I'll bring it for you next time. I was really worried about your injury this time and rushed out, so I forgot to bring anything. In the past, when have I ever gone empty-handed?"
In the past, Min Hui never came empty-handed; he always brought generous gifts. It seems he must have forgotten this time because he left in such a hurry.
Wang Zhangshi pursed her lips, finally managing to stop her tears.
But she couldn't help complaining, "You said you forgot, but I bet that bitch Min Qiao didn't want you to bring it for me, did you?"
Min Hui was taken aback. He had been half right.
Upon seeing this, Madam Wang immediately flew into a rage. "That damned Min Qiao! Not only did she make me lose face, but she also caused me to break my leg, and now she won't even give me a single ginseng root!"
"That damned Min Qiao Shi, doesn't she ever think about how she even got into the Marquis's mansion? If it weren't for your mother, my poor sister-in-law, would she have had the chance to marry into the Marquis's mansion?"
"Pah! You heartless, despicable wretch!"
"That bitch seized your mother's power as head of the household as soon as she entered the manor, then murdered her, usurped her position, and even supported her own son to become the heir!"
"How could Heaven be so blind as to let that vile woman succeed? You are clearly the legitimate son of the Marquis's mansion, and the mansion should rightfully be inherited by you!"
Wang Zhangshi cried and cursed.
The daughters-in-law standing nearby all rolled their eyes silently. Every time Min Hui came back, their mother-in-law would grumble about this.
In their opinion, since things are beyond repair anyway, it's better for Min Hui to appease Min Qiao Shi than to make her hate him, so that he can get more good things from her.
Moreover, Min Hui is not married yet, and Min Qiao's wife is helping to arrange the marriage. Their mother-in-law keeps urging Min Hui and Min Qiao's wife to make trouble, and no one knows why.
Min Hui was naturally unaware of his cousins' thoughts.
His eyes were red at that moment, and he shared Wang Zhangshi's hatred for the enemy.
Although he had heard these words since he was a child, he always felt they made sense, no matter how many times he heard them.
It was indeed Min Qiao Shi who owed his mother and him!
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