In ten days to half a month.
It was on nights like these that Madam Gu developed her extraordinary patience.
She had to torture herself and become increasingly thin as a result.
Yet she always played the role of a virtuous wife to Sun Ce, the man in charge of the Marquis's mansion. She never complained in front of others, and she refrained from being harsh to any servant. Even towards Qiao Jingjing, she always treated her with courtesy, without any inappropriate glances or jealousy.
Because of her family background and social standing, she was forced to do that.
Madam Wu saw all of this.
Madam Wu finally realized that she had underestimated the extent of the matter.
She always thought her eldest son could distinguish between what was important and what was not, and knew how to advance and retreat.
However, he greatly disappointed her in his attitude towards his wives and concubines.
She turned a blind eye because her eldest son was about to go to war against Huang Zu and she didn't want to bother him with such a trivial matter.
She was waiting for her son to go to war so that she could find an opportunity to warn Da Qiao and have her properly advise Sun Ce.
How can a man be so obsessed with a woman?
However, Sun Ce actually decided to take Da Qiao with him on the expedition!
The reason was that Sun Ce himself told everyone, "I have recently taken Da Qiao as my concubine, and I cannot be without her for even a day."
This was met with fierce opposition from Zhang Zhao and his advisors.
In the past, Sun Ce had not adopted Zhang Zhao's different suggestions, but his attitude was still relatively mild.
This time, Zhang Zhao had just expressed his disagreement with Da Qiao going on the expedition when Sun Ce flew into a rage, drew his sword, and chopped the low table in front of him in two with a whoosh.
Zhang Zhao was so frightened that he swallowed hard several times.
Zhang Zhao saw that Sun Ce was determined to go his own way.
None of Sun Ce's generals, from Zhou Yu to Lu Su, Sun Quan, and Sun Yi, objected. It was as if bringing Da Qiao along was as effortless as bringing a beautiful feather.
Zhang Zhao was so angry that he led a group of scholars and stormed into the inner courtyard to beg Madam Wu to uphold justice.
Madam Wu heard the whole story.
She never imagined that her eldest son would be so blinded by greed, and that would be the end of it.
She quickly sent someone to call Sun Ce in and ask if that was the case.
For the first time, Sun Ce refused his mother's summons and did not come.
This gave Madam Wu a terrible headache.
Fortunately, she had three daughters-in-law whom she had personally chosen by her side: the eldest daughter-in-law, Hou Gu; the second daughter-in-law, Xie; and the third daughter-in-law, Xu. They came and went like a revolving lantern, advising her to take care of her health and not to get angry.
Madam Wu was so angry that she couldn't calm down for a long time.
"You! You!"
Madam Wu gave instructions to her eldest daughter-in-law, who had come from a previous relationship.
"Go and stop her! Go and stop Da Qiao! You must stop her! Men are fighting, how can a woman like her go with them? This will cause trouble!"
Lady Wu had a poor memory. Her sister-in-law, Lady Sun, Sun Ce's aunt, had fought alongside her husband Xu Zhen in the past. She had even given Sun Ce a brilliant idea in his early years: to cut reeds to make a raft and help the army cross the river.
Who says women in the military have to do bad things?
Sun Ce's mind was made up.
You absolutely must bring Da Qiao along.
The news spread throughout the Qu'e and Kuaiji areas of Wu County.
It is said that Sun Ce really liked Da Qiao and couldn't bear to be apart from her for even a moment.
Men fighting in wars, it's definitely tough.
"In the past, every soldier was recruited, and they were hard-won. Now that the territory is larger and they've all been enfeoffed as Marquises of Wu, personally leading troops into battle, they still have to maintain appearances. In reality, they've already started to enjoy life. Just wait and see! Even heroes can't resist the charms of a beautiful woman!"
Qiao Jingjing listened to the rumors circulating outside.
Looking at the luggage that Yu Mei had packed for her.
And then there were Qiao Er and Qiao San, whom her elderly mother insisted on placing by her side. No one could possibly understand the turmoil in her heart.
Mrs. Joe issued an ultimatum.
"No matter what, you must bring your two younger brothers with you, even if they have to start from the bottom. Once we get to Jiangxia, find the right opportunity and find a chance for them..."
then.
Qiao Er and Qiao San, one holding the Red Peak Sword and the other carrying the Jiao Tong Bow, stood spiritedly behind Qiao Jingjing.
They completely ignored Qiao Jingjing's current predicament.
She had previously been criticized by Zhang Zhao as a femme fatale.
Now, Sun Ce wants to take her to Jiangxia to fight Huang Zu. If they fail, wouldn't that further solidify her reputation as a femme fatale?
"Have you two thought this through? Are you really going?"
Qiao Jingjing took out the jewelry that Sun Ce had given her.
Countless pearls and jade ornaments of all sizes filled a whole box.
"You both know that I listen to some of what I say, and I don't listen to others. Going to the battlefield to fight is no joke! Swords have no eyes, have you both thought this through? If you don't go, I'll give you both this chest of treasures, half for each of you, and each of you can use it to buy a piece of land in the city. You can hire someone or do it yourselves, raise chickens, fish, or ducks, whatever you want. You've seen these days that Wu County is safe and secure, and it's not difficult for a small family to make a living..."
But Qiao Er and Qiao San were very determined.
Very determined.
“Sister, don’t say these things. We know you’re saying these things because you’re worried about us.”
“But Mother doesn’t understand. If Mother hears these words, she will resent you.”
Besides, it's because my mother has a lot of tricks up her sleeve.
Also, because Qiao Er and Qiao San were genuinely worried about their older sister.
"If you're going with Lord Wu to fight Huang Zu, Jiangxia is so far away, so Qiao San and I have to go with you. Like father, like son; speak from the heart, since birth, when have we ever truly been apart? Even if you don't trust Qiao San and my abilities, that's fine. We trust ourselves!"
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