Chapter 105 Ajiu's Abnormality
Madam Min took a deep breath to calm herself down before grabbing A-Jiu's shoulders and saying in a low voice, "Calm down!"
Ajiu gripped Min Qiao's hand tightly, her expression anxious. "Grandma, what if I can't protect you? No, we have to leave quickly! Grandma, let's go back to the capital! Yes, back to the capital! I can't let them recognize me, otherwise, they'll arrest me and take me back! I don't want to go back! I don't want to be an assassin!..."
Ah Jiu was somewhat incoherent, her tone filled with unease and fear.
Madam Min frowned, feeling that A-Jiu's reaction was a bit too extreme. How could someone who wasn't even afraid of death be so frightened by a mere Steward Li?
Back in the capital, she was chased all over the streets by assassins, but she was never this panicked and helpless.
Seeing that she couldn't get anything out of Ajiu, and not wanting to torture herself by guessing what was wrong with Ajiu, Min Qiaoshi decided to stop.
He immediately shouted out of the car, "Stop the car."
After a short while, the carriage slowly came to a stop.
Upon seeing this, Steward Li, who was riding at the front, rode over and asked, "Madam, what has happened?"
Madam Min lifted the carriage curtain, pointed at A-Jiu, and asked Steward Li, "Do you know this little girl? She glanced at you and was terrified. Can you explain why?"
Steward Li glanced at Ajiu expressionlessly, his eyes indifferent. "Madam, you should ask the old master yourself after you see him."
Then he added, "Madam, it's getting late. Let's go into the city and settle in as soon as possible."
After saying that, he rode away without looking back.
Clearly, Steward Li didn't want to say much more to Madam Min.
Ayi and the others were all annoyed by Steward Li's attitude. He was just a steward, yet he ignored Min Qiaoshi, knew nothing about her, and was extremely perfunctory.
Since they started following Madam Min, they have never seen anyone dare to disrespect Madam Min like this!
Since Madam Min herself didn't say anything, they didn't feel comfortable saying much either.
In another carriage, Granny Fang was also talking to Yang An.
"Alas! The Grand Madam has returned, and not a single member of the Qiao family, not even a proper master, has come to greet her! The Grand Madam must be heartbroken!"
Granny Fang felt a little uneasy.
Let's not even talk about the old master and old lady being elders; the eldest master is also quite old. It's one thing if he doesn't come himself, but why doesn't he send a son or grandson to greet the old lady?
Yang An shook his head. "This is a matter between the Grand Madam and the Qiao family. We are just servants of our masters. Don't overstep your bounds and say anything in the Grand Madam's ear. Otherwise, you'll offend both sides!"
He only wanted to complete this journey smoothly and then safely escort the Dowager back to the capital. He also wanted to see his children and grandchildren live extraordinary lives.
Granny Fang wanted to say something more, but in the end she just sighed and said nothing.
Seeing that the atmosphere was a bit somber, Hongbao looked around before saying, "The old lady is a very kind person. I'm sure all her wishes will come true and everything will go smoothly for her."
Hearing this, Yang An smiled and affectionately patted Hongbao's head. "Hongbao is right! Grandma will definitely have everything go smoothly."
Granny Fang couldn't help but smile, put her arm around Hongbao's shoulder, and praised, "When you see the Grand Madam later, just tell her that. She'll definitely be happy."
The carriage entered the city a quarter of an hour later, and then traveled for another quarter of an hour before stopping.
"We've arrived. Madam, please alight from the carriage," Steward Li announced from outside.
The coachman stopped the carriage, opened the door from the outside, and then placed the stirrups in place.
Ayi and Ashuang got out of the car and stood under it, reaching out to help Min Qiaoshi.
Min Qiaoshi just wanted to see the Qiao family elders as soon as possible, so she quickly got out of the car.
However, when she got out of the car and looked up, she only saw an empty mansion gate.
The plaque above the gate clearly reads "Qiao Residence." But there wasn't a single person in front of the gate.
There wasn't a single person in front of the main gate, or even at the gatehouse.
No matter how you look at it, this house doesn't look like anyone lives there.
Madam Min looked at Steward Li with suspicion, "Why is there not a single servant here besides you? Where are the old master and old lady? And where are my elder brother and sister-in-law?"
Steward Li maintained his rigid, businesslike demeanor, saying in a calm, even tone, "This is a place that the old master specially arranged for the old lady to stay in. The old master and the old lady do not live here."
Madam Min paused, "They don't live here?"
"Yes," Steward Li said expressionlessly, "The old master said that we should go to the old house to see them after the old lady has settled in."
Madam Min felt a bitter taste in her mouth. "I understand. Then I'll trouble Steward Li to go back and tell the old master and old lady that I will visit them again tomorrow."
Steward Li handed a large bunch of keys to Ayi, bowed to Madam Min Qiao, turned around, mounted his horse, and quickly left.
"How could this person be like this?" A Shuang was quite angry.
Seeing that Min Qiao was in a bad mood, Ayi quickly shook her head at A Shuang, took the key and went to open the door.
Fortunately, the house was quite large and looked clean, so someone must have cleaned it beforehand.
Granny Fang arrived at Madam Min's side at this moment. Seeing this, she finally couldn't hold back her tears, her eyes reddening as she choked out, "Madam, please don't be sad. The Old Master and the Old Madam still care about you. They know you have a lot of people with you, so they've arranged accommodations for you. And this house looks like it's been cleaned. It's clear that the Old Master and the Old Madam still care about you."
Madam Min gave a wry smile and patted the back of Granny Fang's hand. "Alright, don't try to comfort me anymore. I should bear the consequences of my own actions now."
"My parents didn't scold me for being an ungrateful child, they didn't stop me from entering the city, and they even sent someone to pick me up. I'm already very grateful. Not to mention, they've even prepared a place for me to stay."
"Don't worry, I'm fine."
The more indifferent Madam Min seemed, the more distressed Granny Fang became, and she was on the verge of tears.
Min Qiao shook her head helplessly and waved to Hong Bao, who was not far away.
When the person arrived, she smiled and said to Hongbao, "Little Hongbao, your grandma is a crybaby, you'd better comfort her yourself."
Little Hongbao nodded earnestly and said, "Don't worry, Madam, I'll make sure you're happy."
After thinking for a moment, he added, "If the Grand Madam cries too, I will comfort her."
Madam Min smiled and shook her head, then took Ah Shuang's hand and led her inside.
She didn't want to cry right now, and she didn't have time to be sad. She just wanted to settle down quickly, have a meal, take a shower, and get a good night's sleep. Once she was fully rested, she would go back to the old house to investigate.
Looking at Ajiu, who was being led by Aqi and seemed somewhat dazed, and then thinking about Steward Li's identity and the massacre of the Li family... Madam Min felt that the Qiao family seemed to be hiding many secrets she didn't know.
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