Chapter 393 Invitation from the Marquis of Pingyan's Residence
Hearing this, Wei Jia's disappointment vanished instantly.
It turned out that the old lady didn't distrust her. She simply didn't believe that Qiao Jingyuan would abandon his family and betray his country.
Although Min Qiao's words make sense, nothing is absolute.
Wei Jia thought for a moment and said seriously, "Madam, the old Marquis was able to abandon you, his wife, his own son and grandson, and even the ancestral foundation of the Xuanping Marquis's family. He even abandoned his own surname."
"Do you really think there's no possibility that Qiao Jingyuan could have committed treason?"
"Madam, everyone is selfish!"
Upon hearing this, Madam Min Qiao was completely stunned.
Wei Jia's words made sense, but how could she believe them?
Madam Min steadied herself and asked with difficulty, "You mean you've discovered something, haven't you?"
Wei Jia nodded: "The old lady has already visited Wangyue Tower these past few days. What do you think of Wangyue Tower?"
Min Qiaoshi knew that Wei Jia wouldn't speak without reason; there must be a reason why she suddenly asked about Wangyue Tower.
After thinking about it carefully, he replied, "Magnificent and elegant, a gathering place for the powerful and wealthy."
Wei Jia smiled and said, "You've missed something: unique."
"The Moon-Viewing Tower is unique in Xijing."
Min Qiao nodded in agreement.
She visited many places in the past two days, and indeed, no other shop could compare to Wangyuelou.
"I believe I have some ability, but I've only been in Da'an for less than a year, and I'm completely unfamiliar with the place. How could I possibly manage to run Wangyue Tower to such a scale?"
"What ability do I have to protect Wangyue Tower, this golden goose, in this vast city of Xijing?"
Madam Min frowned. "Is the Marquis of Pingyan's mansion supporting this from behind?"
“That’s right. Qiao Jingyuan once told me personally that this Wangyue Tower was compensation given to him by the old Marquis.”
“But that doesn’t prove anything, does it?” Madam Min shook her head, still questioning.
Wei Jia continued, "Qiao Jingyuan also mentioned to me, intentionally or unintentionally, that he wanted to bring his aunt and cousin to Da'an."
“Not only that, he also asked me if it was possible for us to become a real couple and settle down in Xijing.”
Wei Jia paused for a moment before continuing, "I told him that I would follow the old lady for the rest of my life. Wherever the old lady is, I will be there."
"Not long after I said that, I received news that the two countries were going to have a marriage alliance. Then Qiao Jingyuan told me that you were going to come to Da'e with the marriage alliance procession."
"Madam, there are far too many signs that indicate that Qiao Jingyuan may really want to stay in Da'an and Xijing."
After listening to Wei Jia's words, Madam Min Qiao still shook her head, "Even though all the signs indicate that he has such intentions, I still don't believe that Jing Yuan would betray the country with Min Ji."
Others may not know, but Qiao Jingyuan certainly does: it was Min Ji who orchestrated and destroyed the Qiao family. He and his brothers were the biggest victims!
If it weren't for Min Ji, the brothers wouldn't have had to hide their identities and become assassins.
Although as the second wife, they were destined to do some shady things for the Qiao family, they could still live in the open, marry and have children, and live a glamorous life as the young masters of the Qiao family, just like their father.
It was precisely because of Min Ji's scheming, coupled with the ambition of the Qiao family's eldest branch, that they were placed in such a predicament.
Qiao Jingyuan is nearly forty years old, yet he remains single and childless. Of course, Wei Jia doesn't count.
Qiao Jingyao still doesn't dare to show his true face to this day, and he doesn't dare to acknowledge his wife and children.
Qiao Yuanyao is even more tragic. Despite being a highly talented painter, she is over twenty years old and still has no romantic prospects. She may even end up alone.
It's a good thing that Qiao Jingyuan doesn't hate Min Ji, so how could he agree with his actions or even collude with him?
Just as Madam Min Qiao was pondering this, Wei Jia spoke again, but this time her tone was full of caution.
"Madam, if Qiao Jingyuan were to betray the country like the old Marquis, what would you do?"
Madam Min sighed and said firmly, "Find a way to make him and Min Ji die together in Da'e!"
Hearing this answer, Wei Jia finally felt relieved.
Seeing Wei Jia's relaxed expression, with a hint of joy in her eyes, Min Qiao was speechless.
"I'm an old woman, I understand the importance of national and familial matters, why are you so worried?"
Wei Jia smiled awkwardly, "I'm afraid the old lady will still have feelings for the old Marquis and won't be able to let go of him... so she'll stay in Da'er with him."
"After all, it seems there's no one in Dayan that the old lady particularly cares about."
"The old lady has been disliking the Marquis and his wife for quite some time now. Even though the young lady tries so hard to please the old lady, she rarely gives her a kind look."
"What if the old lady..."
Min Qiao raised her hand to stop Wei Jia from continuing, and said with an angry and helpless expression, "I'm already halfway to the ground, how could I abandon my family and business and betray my country for some old geezer?"
"Besides, who said I don't have anyone I care about in Dayan?"
"Isn't Madam Zheng a human being? Aren't Su Rongrong and Min Yuexi human beings? Aren't A Shuang, A Qi, and A Si human beings?"
"Furthermore, all my vast businesses are in Dayan! With the foundation you laid before, those shops in the capital are making a fortune every day. If I don't go back, who knows who will benefit from those businesses!"
"Moreover, in Dayan I am a Lady of the Second Rank."
"What am I if I stay in Daqi?"
"A lowly merchant? Or his old, shameless concubine, the Marquis of Pingyan?"
"I must be stupid to stay in Dawei!"
Before Madam Min could finish speaking, Wei Jia stepped forward and hugged her tightly.
"Madam! I knew you wouldn't abandon Dayan, you wouldn't abandon us!"
Min Qiao's lips twitched, and she slapped Wei Jia hard on the back twice in annoyance. "Then why are you still stammering and refusing to tell me the truth?"
"I was wrong! I will definitely tell the old lady as soon as possible if anything happens in the future." Wei Jia obediently admitted defeat.
But Madam Min Qiao had no intention of letting her off the hook. "You said the same thing back in the capital of Dayan."
"Madam..." Wei Jia hugged Min Qiao Shi and gently shook her. She called her "Madam" with a few twists and turns, but managed to make it sound incredibly sweet.
Perhaps feeling reassured, Wei Jia surprisingly started to act coquettishly.
However, she had only called out "Madam" when she heard a noise on the roof.
The next moment, they heard a real voice coming from the doorway.
"Stop! What do you want to say to me?"
They were speaking very loudly, clearly trying to warn them that someone was coming.
Wei Jia released Min Qiao's hand and went to open the door to find out what was going on. She saw that Zhen Huan had already sent the person away.
"What happened?"
They actually handed over a gold-embossed invitation card: "An invitation from the Marquis of Pingyan's residence."
Wei Jia took the invitation and handed it to Min Qiaoshi.
Madam Min Qiao opened the package, glanced at it, and then chuckled, "The Lady of Pingyan Marquis invited me to her residence. It seems that Madam Wang has conveyed my message."
"The old lady said that the Marquis of Pingyan wants to see you?"
It's not surprising that they knew that Madam Min Qiao had asked Madam Wang to pass on a message to Madam Min Ji.
Wei Jia couldn't help but ask with some concern, "Madam, are you going?"
“Go, why wouldn’t I go?” Madam Min tossed the invitation aside. “If I don’t go, who will I ask to confirm my doubts?”
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