Even if you hadn't come today, I would still have come to your courtyard to find you!
Zhongmou is going to marry Xu Jiao as his principal wife; this is a done deal! He is now the governor of Kuaiji, and he has inherited all of his elder brother's legacy. He is the ruler of Jiangdong.
What did Zhongmou say? Am I, a widow, supposed to argue with him?
Second sister-in-law, you value me so much, and you've spoken these heartfelt words to me.
Then let me tell you, I am now a pitiful woman who has lost her husband. Before, I was just a concubine with a low status in the family, relying entirely on my husband's favor..."
Qiao Jingjing spoke her words coldly, one sentence at a time.
Madam Xie was already trembling with fear, her cheeks were covered in sweat, and her face was deathly pale.
"You should go back quickly. Not only can I not help you with this, but I also need to advise you to clean up the house as soon as possible and properly welcome Xu Jiao. When Xu Jiao comes, don't make things difficult for her; just act like a proper family. Also, return Eleven's child to her as soon as possible."
Perhaps Zhongmou will see that you are sensible and reasonable, just like your elder brother doted on me back then, and make you his principal wife?
Qiao Jingjing's words, though not fierce or ruthless, were deadly.
Xie left in a miserable state.
Qiao Manman held her older sister's hand tightly.
"The Xie family is such a fool! How annoying! Did she come here to ask you for a favor or to cause trouble? Does she still think she's still the same high and mighty woman she used to be? She and Madam Gu bullied you together, and now she's finally getting her comeuppance."
Qiao Jingjing held Qiao Manman's hand.
She told her sister:
“Remember, it’s not about immediate retribution. Sister, in this world, whoever has the ability calls the shots, whoever has military power calls the shots, and whoever has the money calls the shots.”
Today, Qiao Jingjing has lost her husband and her beloved.
It seems that the family has lost its support.
But she still held countless riches, she still had Ling Tong and Lü Meng under her command, and she still held the reins of agricultural power in Jiangdong.
People like Xie made Qiao Jingjing hand over the power of housekeeping the other day and return to the countryside to keep vigil for her husband.
Today they came to plead for mercy, but they kept mentioning widows and that Qiao Jingjing was a concubine back then.
Do they really think that just because Qiao Jingjing lost her husband, she is nothing anymore?
Qiao Jingjing could swear to the heavens that even without her husband, she would still thrive in Jiangdong. Whether it was the monsters within Jiangdong or Cao Cao in the north, she would be able to kill them one by one, or even a whole group of them.
This Mr. Xie has been restless these past two days.
Rumors were rampant in the Sun family that Sun Quan was going to marry a new wife and be superior to her.
Xie was alone in the courtyard, completely baffled.
Speaking of which, isn't it Da Qiao, that widow, who should be on the decline now?
Although my elder brother was accomplished and powerful back then, he is now dead, and my sister-in-law has no one to rely on.
Even her own son isn't her biological child. How can she still act so arrogantly in Wu County?
Xie was unconvinced.
After much deliberation, she decided that since her plea had been met with a rebuff, she might as well strike first.
Xie secretly contacted several of her sisters-in-law and even went to see Xu, the wife of the third son, Sun Yi.
Once everyone had gathered, Xie said the following:
"As you all know, my husband has now inherited his elder brother's position and concurrently holds the post of Governor of Kuaiji and General Who Subdues the Barbarians. He has many duties to attend to."
My elder brother once said on his deathbed, "My husband consults Zhou Yu on foreign affairs and Zhang Zhao on domestic affairs."
You wouldn't believe it!
My husband has some things to discuss with my sister-in-law.
I shouldn't have said this, but my sister-in-law is a young and beautiful widow, and widows are always surrounded by gossip.
My husband is upright and honest, so naturally no one will say anything about him.
I thought my sister-in-law was still young, so she should avoid these things.
Why don't we suggest to the Dowager Madam that our sister-in-law take her nephews and nieces back to Fuchun Township? This way, the nephews and nieces can keep vigil for our elder brother, and our sister-in-law can focus on raising them. What do you think?
"There are still so many things to do at home in Wu County, how could I trouble my sister-in-law any more? She's a widow and unemployed!"
Mr. Xie finished speaking.
Then everyone understood.
This Lady Xie is really making a big show of seizing power. With Sun Ce dead, is she trying to wrest control of the household from her widowed sister-in-law, Da Qiao? But these past few days, everyone's been hearing rumors that Sun Quan intends to take another wife of even higher status.
These things are really complicated.
This Xie family member was trying to force everyone to take sides right in front of them.
After all, she is still Sun Quan's wife, the General Who Subdues Barbarians and the Governor of Kuaiji.
As long as we defeat Da Qiao.
Hmph, let's see if her unscrupulous husband Sun Quan can still look down on her?
The Xie family thought they were getting away with this underhanded scheme.
In fact, someone had already informed Qiao Jingjing.
Qiao Manman was so angry that her teeth chattered.
"Sister, they're rebelling!"
Qiao Manman remained angry.
Qiao Jingjing, on the other hand, remained calm and composed, taking stock of her wealth, clothes, jewelry chests, and having Ye Rong move the children's books onto the carriage.
Xu, from the family of the third son Sun Yi, arrived with her entourage.
After Sun Ce died, his brothers returned to Wu County to attend the funeral.
Xu stayed in Wu County to take care of her mother, Lady Wu. Afterwards, Sun Yi rushed back to Wucheng County to take up his post.
In other places, everyone was careful to prevent anyone from causing trouble.
When Xu arrived at Fu Garden, she saw that Qiao Jingjing had already packed her bags.
Ms. Xu was horrified and quickly pulled Qiao Jingjing back:
"Sister-in-law, what are you doing? Why are you packing your things for no reason? Did you hear something you shouldn't have? Don't worry about it, it's just some petty person stirring up trouble."
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