Chapter 313 All Parties Appear (Part 2)
Lady Annan's gaze deepened as she looked at Su Rongrong. "I never expected that Lady Enping, at such a young age, would possess such a sharp tongue that could twist the truth."
As he spoke, his gaze shifted to Madam Min Qiao, and he said sarcastically, "Madam Qiao really knows how to raise her granddaughter!"
As soon as Lady Annam finished speaking, Min Yuexi chimed in, "My grandmother would naturally teach her granddaughter. Otherwise, His Majesty wouldn't have bestowed marriages upon my sister and me one after another, would he?"
Upon hearing this, everyone remembered that Su Rongrong's marriage to the Earl of Enping was bestowed by Emperor Xiaozhao. Similarly, Min Yuexi's marriage to the Third Prince was also granted by imperial decree.
You mocked them for being good at raising their granddaughter, but isn't that exactly what they're doing? One is a aunt, and the other is the future wife of the third prince!
Seeing that Min Yuexi had brought up Emperor Xiaozhao, Lady Annan dared not continue the conversation. She could only force a smile and reply, "Miss Min is right."
Looking around the room, one could see that Madam Min Qiao, Madam Zheng, Su Rongrong, and Min Yuexi were all people of extraordinary status.
Looking at his own side, besides himself, there was only Sun Shiming. Sun Shiming was still observing mourning for his parents and held no official position. Besides, he was a man. He was utterly useless in an argument.
Having grasped the situation, Lady Annam immediately fell silent.
Seeing that Lady Annam had calmed down, and Madam Min Qiao's side had no intention of stirring up trouble, they began to chat quietly.
Madam Zheng leaned close to Madam Min and said in a low voice, "The people coming today are not friendly. Even the Sun family, who are in mourning, have come. I'm afraid things won't end well."
Then he glanced at the men with slings behind Lady Annan and asked, "What's the situation with those from the Feng family? Why are their left arms all severed?" It looked rather eerie.
"Could it be related to you?" Madam Zheng wondered. How did these people offend Madam Min?
Madam Min Qiao didn't intend to hide anything. She snorted coldly and said, "It was indeed me who hired someone to do it. But they deserved it!"
Then, he quietly recounted Feng Yuerou's story, emphasizing that these people, out of jealousy and hatred towards Feng Yuerou, took advantage of her imprisonment to inflict various forms of torture on her, nearly causing a tragic accident that resulted in the deaths of three people, including her unborn child.
After hearing Min Qiao's account, Madam Zheng was so angry that her teeth itched. She glared at them resentfully and said indignantly, "They really got off too easy!"
Madam Min sighed, "There's nothing I can do about it. After all, they are Yue Rou's older brother and sister, and also the young masters and ladies of the An'nan Marquis's mansion. I can't really kill them all."
The two were talking quietly in front, while Min Yuexi and Su Rongrong were also whispering to each other behind them.
"You arrived later than me today, which is a bit unexpected." Min Yuexi cautiously guessed, "Could it be that Uncle Enping stopped you from coming?"
"How could that be?" Su Rongrong blurted out. She quickly stopped herself, her eyes unconsciously glancing at Min Qiaoshi sitting in front of her.
She was late because she had to help her grandmother with some things.
Meanwhile, five carriages departed from the Qiao residence in the southern city, taking either detours or going straight, and gradually left the capital.
The five carriages carried various items: some maids, some servants, some food, some cloth and goods. Some were going out of town to offer incense, some were going to the estate to run errands, and some were visiting relatives and friends. The reasons for leaving the city were varied.
After waiting for about fifteen minutes, the fourth group of people arrived.
Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw the Marquis of Yongning and his wife entering the courtroom.
The Lady of Annam stared intently at the newcomer.
When Madam Zheng saw the newcomer, she turned to look at Madam Min with a smile. She had intended to jokingly remark that another ally had arrived.
Unexpectedly, there was no joy on Min Qiao's face.
Just as Madam Zheng was wondering what was going on, she saw Marquis Yongning bow to them and then turn around and sit down next to Sun Shiming.
Lady Yongning looked troubled, but she still curtsied and followed the Marquis of Yongning to sit down at the Annam Earl's residence.
Min Qiaoshi had anticipated this situation long ago.
When he actually sneaked back to warn her, she knew that Marquis Yongning was probably going to stand against her.
Just as expected!
Madam Zheng was momentarily confused about what was going on. Just as she was about to ask, several people walked in through the door.
Leading the way was Grand Secretary Zhao.
His eldest and fourth sons followed behind him. Mrs. Zhao followed closely behind.
Upon entering, Grand Secretary Zhao nodded to the people sitting on either side of him, who were clearly separated.
Just as Madam Zheng frowned for Min Qiao Shi and the Earl of An Nan showed a confident expression, Grand Secretary Zhao walked to the seat next to the Duke of Jin and sat down without making a sound.
Everyone stared in disbelief at the scene.
As everyone knows, Grand Secretary Zhao is the father of Consort Zhao in the palace, and Consort Zhao has a very close personal relationship with the Lady of the Marquis of Annan. Logically speaking, the Zhao family should undoubtedly side with the Marquis of Annan.
However, Grand Secretary Zhao clearly expressed his support for Lady Min. Zhao's two sons and daughter-in-law also obediently stood behind Grand Secretary Zhao.
Yes, the quick-witted constable trotted over and placed the third stool behind the head of the Zhao family.
There was no other way. The eldest patriarch of the Zhao family held an official position and was the next head of the family. Most importantly, he was old! Several years older than Madam Min. If he had to stand from beginning to end, wouldn't his legs break?
Shortly after Grand Secretary Zhao sat down, several loud announcements came from outside the door: "The Crown Prince has arrived! The Third Prince has arrived! The Seventh Princess has arrived!"
Upon hearing the sound, everyone quickly rose to greet him.
Soon, the three princes and princesses entered the courtroom. After everyone had paid their respects according to protocol, and were about to sit down again, they discovered that there was another person who had entered with the princes and princesses.
Marquis Min Rong of Xuanping.
Min Qiao looked at Min Rong with deep, unfathomable eyes.
It seems like too little time has passed. Min Rong hasn't been affected by the poison yet. He's still dignified, still energetic, and still capable of causing her trouble!
The Crown Prince pointed to the seat next to Lady Yongning and said to Min Rong, "You can sit next to the Marquis of Yongning and the others."
"Yes." Min Rong responded respectfully and stood in front of the position designated by the Crown Prince. Only then did he cast a complex look of guilt and determination at Min Qiao Shi.
Min Yuexi clenched the handkerchief in her hand, lowered her head, and concealed the hatred and murderous intent in her eyes.
Su Rongrong gently patted the back of Min Yuexi's hand, offering her silent comfort.
Min Rong's choice clearly shocked everyone present.
Compared to his betrayal of his own mother, Zhao Ge Lao's previous choices seem quite normal.
"Please sit down. My siblings and I are just here to listen in. Don't mind us."
The crown prince spoke, but still no one took their seat.
Just kidding, the three princes haven't even taken their seats yet.
Soon, the quick-witted constable came out again and swiftly brought out three large chairs.
However, once the chairs were brought out, the yamen runners realized they were in a dilemma.
Where should this chair be placed? And how should it be arranged?
The crown prince casually pointed to the left side of the judge's table, "Just put it there."
The constables quickly moved chairs over to place them there.
Just then, Li Sanqi spoke up, "I think it's too crowded to put three chairs together. Let's move my and Third Brother's chairs over here. I can catch up with Madam Qiao and Madam Zheng."
"It will also be convenient for Third Brother to talk to his future Third Sister-in-law."
"Brother, what do you think?"
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