"If we're going to play dirty tricks, we don't need to be open about it. Let's just send someone to settle this privately and be done with it." Pei Shijiu's expression was gloomy.
“Young man, this is too lenient on her. Killing someone is only as good as destroying their spirit. I think it would be better to confront the Liu family and let them make a statement,” Pei Zhujin said.
Qiao Lian'er said, "I agree with the eldest young master's approach. This way, we can see whether the Liu family was unaware or also involved."
"Then I'll take care of it right away." Pei Shijiu immediately stood up and ordered his men, "Go to the dungeon and bring the person out."
“I’m going too,” Qiao Lian’er said. “Qiao Xinhua is trying to harm me, so I have to go and confront her.”
“In that case, let’s all go take a trip,” Pei Zhujin said.
Night has fallen, and the darkness deepens with each layer of ink.
However, the economy of Daze Kingdom was booming, and night markets appeared. Many teahouses and taverns were even brightly lit all night long. Therefore, the curfew system was abolished ten years ago, but the imperial city army strengthened patrols of the market areas.
As you walk along the street, the lanterns on both sides are bright red, like translucent persimmons. The bustling restaurants emit large patches of light, which shine on the road, making the scenery as clear as daytime.
There were still quite a few pedestrians enjoying the night stroll on the street. They had all eaten their fill and looked relaxed. Children were licking sugar figurines and jumping around. There were also a few people releasing river lanterns along the riverbank.
Pei Zhujin: "The night market in the capital is famous throughout the world and is known as the city that never sleeps. I was planning to take you out for some fresh air again tomorrow night, but one street isn't enough to see much. There are better places to go then."
The Liu family lived in a remote place, several streets away, and it took half an hour to get there, having to go around several neighborhoods.
"Madam, the food sent to the eldest young mistress's room has hardly been touched," a maid reported to Madam Liu.
“If she doesn’t want to eat, there’s no need to force her. After all, she’s the daughter of the Vice Magistrate of the Capital, which is a fourth-rank official. She’s a cut above a seventh-rank compiler, someone our Liu family can’t possibly befriend.” Madam Liu’s tone was harsh and full of resentment.
And they even increased the volume, as if afraid people wouldn't hear them.
Yes, she harbored resentment.
Originally, the Qiao family absolutely opposed this marriage, but later, for some unknown reason, they resigned from their official posts and left the capital, leaving Qiao Xinhua to stay at home. After some time, Qiao Xinhua came to the Liu family, saying that she was willing to marry the eldest son, and also hinted that her family would be returning soon and would receive better official positions than before.
Master Liu and Madam Liu were cautious and planned to wait until Master Qiao's family returned to the capital before making any decisions. If that were the case, and they still took a liking to the Liu family, that would be ideal.
However, Qiao Xinhua told Young Master Liu that if she did not take this opportunity to express her feelings, she would probably have to find another good family to marry once Third Master Qiao got a good position. The reason she made this choice was because she was moved by Young Master Liu and would marry no one but him in this life.
Liu's parents still couldn't quite believe it. Who could predict the future? They had originally proposed marriage to Qiao Xinhua because they thought that Third Master Qiao had a good position and that First Master Qiao and Second Master Qiao were powerful backers. If they could get married, Young Master Liu would have plenty of opportunities to climb the social ladder.
Qiao Xinhua's sudden urgency made them worry that there was some hidden story or unforeseen event behind it.
But Young Master Liu, for some unknown reason, insisted on marrying Qiao Xinhua immediately, even going on a hunger strike to force him. Since Liu's parents only had this one legitimate son, and he was the most likely to pass the imperial examination, they naturally dared not be negligent and went along with it, arranging the marriage for the two of them.
This would save a large sum of money on betrothal gifts, and if everything went as planned, Madam Liu would be quite happy.
Otherwise, if the betrothal ceremony were to take place at that time, even if the Qiao family agreed, it would take at least thirty-odd loads of betrothal gifts to complete the process.
As it turned out, Master Qiao did return home, but he was brought back under escort.
It is said that he intended to impersonate a girl named Qiao Lian'er to claim military merits, and even went so far as to name his youngest daughter "Qiao Lian'er" in an attempt to confuse the situation. However, Qiao Lian'er was no pushover. She made multiple preparations and caught the Third Master Qiao's family off guard. All their efforts were in vain, and they were even brought back to be questioned.
Upon hearing this news, Madam Liu fainted on the spot.
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