"Okay, I'm old and useless now!"
With her cane in hand and supported by a young maid, Grandma Qiao walked back to her room to rest.
Qiao Er is still guarding Qiao Jingjing and making a fuss about releasing He Miaomiao.
Qiao Jingjing said that this matter is not urgent and can be resolved in a day or two.
“You and Qiao San have already become centurions.”
Even though he got his position through connections, he can't let others point fingers and criticize him for relying on nepotism.
Since you've taken on a minor official position, you must bear the responsibilities of one.
"What the higher-ups say must be done in no time. Delaying military intelligence is a capital offense. You must be careful. At this critical juncture, knowing that Mother is emotionally unstable, releasing He Miaomiao would be easy—just crossing a threshold!"
When you went to work in the army, He Miaomiao and her mother stared at each other in disbelief.
"Are you saying Mother's illness was caused by anger, or that He Miaomiao was beaten and scolded every day? Is this the first time you've heard about Mother's abilities?"
Qiao Er lowered his head after being scolded by Qiao Jingjing.
But he really missed He Miaomiao, and he didn't want his mother to remarry for him.
In particular, his mother ordered his older sister to go and find a suitable girl to marry into.
"Just listen to what your mother says, don't overreact. You and Qiao San need to be careful lately. Those who come to befriend you with empty promises and offer you drinks and meat are easy targets, so be wary."
Several of Liu's sworn brothers lost their fathers at a young age. You and Qiao San and his wife Zhang should take extra care of them.
My father is getting old and can't manage anymore.
Furthermore, I have already informed Lord Wu and invited Yu Fan, a great scholar of classical studies, to come to our home to tutor the Liu family's sworn brothers. Yu Fan is a man of both literary and martial talents, courageous and resourceful. You and Qiao San should learn from him."
Qiao Er stopped causing trouble.
Qiao Manman pulled Qiao Jingjing into the courtyard.
The courtyard isn't big, but it's quite exquisite.
It was about the same size as the Qiao family in Lujiang City back then, but the connected mulberry gardens and fish ponds were gone.
“Sister, I’ve noticed that Mother hasn’t changed at all over the years. You’re already the wife of the Marquis of Wu, and she still talks about you like that.”
Qiao Manman always spoke up for Qiao Jingjing.
Qiao Jingjing asked Qiao Manman how she was doing at the Zhou family.
"Zhou Gongjin has been ordered to guard Baqiu, which is an important military position. It will be difficult for you and your husband to meet for the time being."
Manman, tell me, did Lu Qiuqiu give you any trouble?
My only worry is that she's saying one thing but meaning another, that she'll say nice things but then plot against you behind your back.
Qiao Manman forced a smile in response to Qiao Jingjing's concern.
“Sister, you can rest assured. Madam Lu has been very good to me; she has never skimped on food or clothing, and the servants in the house treat me with utmost courtesy. I am only worried about Zhou Lang all day long…”
Qiao Manman was being sarcastic.
She was about to smile, but her eyes turned red.
However, she had an excuse, because she was worried about Zhou Lang.
Qiao Jingjing quickly comforted her younger sister.
"If you really miss him, why don't you go to Baqiu?"
Qiao Jingjing had already made up her mind.
Qiao Manman probably didn't tell her the truth.
Whether it was Yuan Shiyi, Sun Quan's concubine, or Liu Ajiao, Sun Yi's concubine, they were all once the pride of heaven, with powerful families. Now that they were someone else's concubines, they all had to live with their tails between their legs. They were constantly being scolded by the principal wife, and on top of that, they had a wicked mother-in-law, and a whole extended family of sisters-in-law, uncles, aunts, and sisters-in-law. It was truly unbearable.
When she returned, she told Sun Ce that, to prevent Zhou Yu from being lonely, she should send his wives and concubines to Baqiu.
This was to put Zhou Yu at ease.
That's what it says on the surface.
In reality, Lu Qiuqiu was the legal wife, and she was bound to stay in the household as the head of the household. There was absolutely no way that she would quietly run off to accompany Zhou Yu with two maids, leaving the entire backyard to Qiao Manman to manage.
Lu Qiuqiu, a girl from a large family, wouldn't be that foolish.
If Lu Qiuqiu didn't have some skills in palace intrigue and a strong sense of family, she wouldn't have married Zhou Yu, who had once attacked Lujiang City and brought down the Lu family from their position as governors, thus earning a share of the credit.
"Don't trouble Lord Wu with my affairs! Lord Wu has already been troubled with the matters of my second and third brothers. You also asked Yu Fan for help regarding the affairs of my sworn brothers from the Liu family, and our entire family, including my parents, has been staying at Lord Wu's residence for two months!"
Sister, you can't fool me.
You taught me all about social skills and interpersonal relationships.
There are no free lunches, and there are no easy bargains. What we got was a windfall, and we'll have to pay it back sooner or later.
My only worry is how you'll manage every day in such a huge place.
Qiao Manman's face has really become thinner.
Besides worrying about her husband Zhou Lang, she was also worried about Qiao Jingjing. In addition, she was unfamiliar with the place and had Lu Qiuqiu keeping her in check at the Zhou residence.
Qiao Manman said it lightly:
"The Lu family is a prominent clan in Wu County. Although they suffered heavy losses in Lujiang City that year, their foundation remains intact. The grudges of those years have gradually dissipated and been resolved. Xu, the cousin of the Marquis of Wu and the daughter of the military commander Xu Kun, married Madam Lu's brother."
You know that person, sister.
Lu Shang!
Madam Lu's brother and sister-in-law came and stayed at the Zhou family's house.
Madam Lu's sister-in-law, Madam Xu, was a relative of the Marquis of Wu's family, yet she only visited the Marquis of Wu to pay her respects to the Dowager Madam.
From Qiao Manman's words, Qiao Jingjing received a message.
It's not that the grudge between Sun Ce and Lu Jiang City, who massacred dozens of men of the Lu clan, has simply been forgotten.
However, Sun Ce now holds power.
The Lu family is a powerful clan in Jiangdong, but compared to Sun Ce, they are like a stone and an egg. Since they cannot be challenged, they should not be challenged.
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