Chapter 33 Wang Zhangshi broke her leg
As news spread that Min Yuexi, unable to bear the rumors, attempted suicide by poisoning herself, and although she was fortunately saved, her health was damaged, the gossip in the capital quickly shifted in the direction that Min Qiaoshi had predicted.
With Emperor Xiaozhao's summons to Marquis Xuanping Min Rong, all the rumors detrimental to the Marquis Xuanping's household gradually subsided.
Ultimately, as long as Emperor Xiaozhao is still willing to give important positions to the Xuanping Marquis's family, all the rumors and gossip targeting the Xuanping Marquis's family are just paper tigers and nothing to be afraid of.
A few days later, the rumors subsided, and everything returned to calm.
Madam Min Qiao was thinking of going out for a walk and taking the opportunity to scout out the location of the Painted Corner Tower in preparation for inviting Madam Zheng to watch the play.
Of course, Wei Jia or Granny Fang could handle the small tasks like booking private rooms, reserving theater tickets, and ordering tea and snacks. But to show her sincerity, Madam Min Qiao decided to make the reservations herself, and also catch a show while she was at it.
The procession consisted of Min Qiaoshi, Wei Jia, Granny Fang, and A Jiu, as usual.
After returning from the Prince of Chang'an's residence, Wei Jia had already made up her mind not to let A Jiu go out with her anymore.
But after so many days, Ah Jiu hasn't caused any trouble.
In addition, the Grand Madam quite liked Ajiu, praising her for being clever and saying she would take her with her when going out in the future. It's likely that Ajiu's kick to Lady Wang Zhang at the gate of the Prince of Chang'an's mansion left an impression on the Grand Madam.
After she returned, the old lady instructed her to arrange for another young maid to watch the gate with A-Jiu. This was to avoid having to find someone to fill in whenever A-Jiu was away.
Therefore, Wei Jia had no choice but to put aside her prejudices and let A Jiu continue to follow.
However, before the group even left the house, Third Master Min Hui arrived.
Min Hui held the position of Dushi in the city guard. Although it was only a seventh-rank official position, it was a position with real power and a lot of affairs under his jurisdiction. He was usually so busy that he could hardly be seen.
Even if today weren't a day off, you'd hardly see anyone.
Upon seeing her approach, Madam Min Qiao asked curiously, "Aren't you on duty today? Why are you here now?"
Min Hui explained with a smile, "Yesterday, my uncle sent someone to tell me that my aunt has been sick these days and keeps saying she misses me. My uncle couldn't stand her nagging anymore, so he came to ask me to come over."
Min Hui's uncle, Wang Mian, was a fifth-rank official in the Ministry of Rites. Over the years, he hadn't achieved anything significant and had just drifted along, neither good nor bad.
Min Hui's maternal aunt was none other than Wang Zhangshi, who had caused a scene with Min Qiaoshi at the Prince of Chang'an's mansion that day.
Upon hearing Min Hui's words, Madam Min Qiao knew what was going on.
Several days had passed since the birthday banquet at the Prince of Chang'an's residence, and the news had long since spread throughout the capital. Madam Min Qiao thought that Madam Wang Zhang would have made a scene long ago, but she didn't expect her to have endured it until now.
Seemingly afraid that Madam Min Qiao might misunderstand something, Min Hui quickly explained, "Mother, please don't overthink it. My aunt isn't making excuses to get me to come over this time; she's genuinely ill."
Min Hui paused, then awkwardly changed his words, saying, "Actually, I wasn't sick, but I broke my leg."
"Broken leg?" Madam Min Qiao asked in surprise.
To be honest, she thought that Wang Zhangshi would do the same thing as before, find an excuse to call Min Hui over, and under the guise of complaining, make up all sorts of bad things about her.
Unexpectedly, this time it really happened.
"Yes. They say that when we left the Prince of Chang'an's residence and got into the carriage, the horse pulling the carriage suddenly went berserk and threw my aunt off the carriage shaft." Min Hui's tone was somewhat sighing.
His aunt is cunning and calculating, but she has always treated him well since he was a child.
Upon hearing Min Hui's explanation, Madam Min Qiao couldn't help but ask with a surprised tone, "How did you fall down like that?"
Min Hui's lips twitched at the sound of Min Qiao's gloating tone.
He had always known that his aunt and Min Qiaoshi did not get along, but Min Qiaoshi had always been very tolerant of his aunt.
Ever since that day at the gate of the Prince of Chang'an's mansion, when the two of them completely broke off relations, he knew that Madam Min Qiao had changed and would probably no longer tolerate his aunt.
I just didn't expect the change to come so quickly. It seems that the old lady has stopped pretending altogether.
Min Hui's feelings were complicated, but he still forced a smile and said, "It was just a coincidence. Afterwards, my uncle also sent people to investigate. From the horse to the carriage, from the coachman to the horse groom, from my aunt's maid to the old woman, they checked everyone and confirmed that it was not done by someone."
It can only be said that things happened by chance, and his aunt was destined to suffer this calamity.
Madam Min Qiao nodded, saying with a look of relief, "It's good that it wasn't someone's doing it. I was just worried that your aunt has a sharp tongue and might offend someone without even realizing it, and then be attacked in a sneaky way. That would be really bad!"
How could he possibly respond to what the old lady had said?
Min Hui was so embarrassed he was at his wits' end, completely at a loss for words.
Should he thank the old lady for speaking kindly, saying "too mean-spirited" instead of "too mean-spirited"?
Before he could come up with an explanation, Madam Min Qiao continued to press, "You said you broke your leg?"
"Yes," Min Hui replied dryly.
Min Qiao stared at him with shining eyes, "Is it the kind that cuts off completely? Or the kind that can be healed with time?"
Min Hui couldn't even keep up his fake smile anymore. His lips twitched as he said, "The doctor said it will be fine after half a year of rest."
“Oh, so that’s the latter?” Min Qiao’s tone was full of regret.
Despite the cold winter months, fine beads of sweat appeared on Min Hui's forehead.
It's really too difficult to keep your composure when talking to Madam Min!
Seeing that Min Hui remained silent for a long time, Min Qiao gave him a strange look. "Aren't you going to your uncle's house? What are you still doing sitting here? Hurry up and go."
"Yes, yes. I'll go right away." Min Hui felt as if he had been granted a pardon and quickly stood up.
"Buy more pork leg bones when you go. People say that you can replenish what you have by looking at it, so you should make more bone broth for your aunt."
Min Qiao reminded her.
"Thank you for the reminder, Mother. I'll be off now."
"Go."
Min Hui fled from Songhe Hall as if he were escaping.
Watching Min Hui's hurried departure, Fang Mama, who had just entered, asked Min Qiaoshi curiously, "Madam, what happened to Third Master? Why did he leave so quickly, as if his pants were on fire?"
Madam Min smiled. "Who knows?"
Wei Jia kindly explained, "Third Master is in a hurry to go back to his uncle's house. He said his aunt broke her leg, so he's anxious to go and see her."
"Oh, I see."
Granny Fang suddenly realized, and her face immediately darkened. "Third Master came to see the Grand Madam, not to ask her to pay for gifts for him again, is that it?"
"It's always the same! He's using the Grand Madam's private savings to subsidize his uncle's family! What did Third Master ask the Grand Madam for this time? Ginseng? Deer antler? Or some other precious medicinal herb?"
"If you ask me, Madam, you've been too good to Third Master! You give him whatever he wants! No wonder the Marquis complains that you're biased."
Granny Fang went on and on, but Wei Jia and Madam Min didn't say anything, just smiled and let her talk.
After she finished speaking, Wei Jia told her, "This time, the Grand Madam didn't give Third Master a chance to speak at all. Before Third Master could even open his mouth, the Grand Madam's few words made him run away as if he were escaping."
Granny Fang was still a little incredulous until Madam Min nodded to her in confirmation, and only then did she dare to believe it.
After dealing with Min Hui, the master and servants tidied up and prepared to leave.
"Granny Fang, you are so meticulous. Could you please check with the Grand Madam again to see if anything is still missing? I'll go see how the carriage preparations are going."
"Alright, go ahead. I'll take care of things here with the Grand Madam," Granny Fang replied with a smile.
Wei Jia bowed to Madam Min Qiao, went out the door, and headed straight for A Jiu's small room at the gatehouse.
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