“What do you all mean? I know, you’re just siding with them because they’re rich, aren’t you? Let me tell you, Shi’an is my son, even if it’s the Emperor himself. If he doesn’t acknowledge me as his mother, I’ll go to the capital and file a complaint with the Emperor. I’d like to see if he can still hold office.”
Everyone fell silent after she said those harsh words.
For a moment, I didn't know whose side to take.
Just then, Fang Qing suddenly walked out of the house, carrying a basin of water in her hand.
She pushed past Zhao and Xiaoju and splashed a basin of cold water directly onto Qiao.
“Get out! Since you left back then, don’t come back. Who do you think you are? If you go to complain to the emperor, I’ll spread the word everywhere that you’re shameless for running off with another man and that you haven’t even taken care of your son all these years. I’d like to see whether you get drowned in a pig cage or go to complain to the emperor first.”
Mrs. Qiao was splashed with vegetable washing water and awkwardly hid behind her two daughters.
"This is outrageous! I'm going to sue you! I'm going to sue you!"
She kept cursing and swearing, but no one paid any attention to her.
Mrs. Qiao had no choice but to leave with her two daughters.
"We can't let this woman ruin this wonderful celebration," Fang Daniu said briefly before continuing to greet everyone.
Zhao went back to cook in a huff.
Fang Qing was also in a bad mood. When she got home, she saw Zhao Shi'an coming out of the house.
Seeing her pouting, the gloom in Zhao Shi'an's heart suddenly dissipated.
"Why are you still unhappy?"
Zhao Shi'an couldn't help but pinch her face with both hands and pull it to the side.
"Hey, stop messing around, I'm really angry right now."
"Alright, don't bother with that kind of person. I don't acknowledge her anymore. She'll leave once she's had her fill of trouble."
Fang Qing looked at Zhao Shi'an.
What a wonderful person he was, how could he have ended up with such parents?
What kind of world is this system designed to be? Can't it give Zhao Shi'an a happy living environment? Otherwise, why did he turn evil and destroy the world in his previous life? Doesn't that mean the system deserves it?
She cursed the system.
“But brother, she is your mother after all. If she makes a scene, it will be detrimental to your academic success.”
Zhao Shi'an rubbed her head.
"Then I will not become an official."
"ah?"
Fang Qing was stunned for a moment, then quickly looked at him seriously.
"What are you talking about? It would be such a waste for someone with your talent not to become an official and benefit the people. Brother, you can't ruin your future for some nobody."
Zhao Shi'an felt a blow to the chest.
Seeing how worried Fang Qing looked, he wished he could pin her against the door and kiss her until she begged for mercy.
"I know, today is a good day. Let's not talk about this person anymore. Let's go out for dinner."
Zhao Shi'an led Fang Qing out of the house.
Everyone came for Zhao Shi'an, and when they saw him come out, they rushed to offer him a toast.
Fang Qing was pushed out, so she went to help from the side.
Aside from the initial hiccup, today was quite lively.
With Xiaoju's help, they tidied up until very late.
The chairs and benches were returned, and the remaining bowls and chopsticks were cleaned by the neighbors.
The family went to bed early.
However, things were not going well for the Qiao family.
I thought I would be able to stay at Fang Qing's house today, but I didn't even get to eat.
The three of them had no choice but to return to the house where Zhao Jingzhong used to live.
The house hadn't been repaired in years, and half of it had collapsed. They moved a bed out of a corner to rest in front of them.
I still spent money to buy some food from my neighbor for dinner.
Mrs. Qiao was already angry, and now that her two daughters were complaining about this and that, her temper flared up instantly.
“Shut up, all of you. If you don’t want to suffer here, then go back and find your father.”
The two children shrank back in fright and remained silent.
Mrs. Qiao glared at the two of them.
"There's nothing there. I knew I shouldn't have brought you two along."
The two girls were wiping away their tears.
"Mom, don't be angry. My brother is so capable now. As long as we can get along well with him, we won't have to live such a hard life in the future."
Qiao's eldest daughter is already thirteen years old. Over the years, she has lived with Qiao in the mansion and has become quite shrewd.
"Don't mention him to me. He's a complete ingrate. After enjoying a few good days, he doesn't even recognize me as his own mother anymore."
"Mother, don't be angry. I think my brother has been bewitched by that family. We can't force him, or it will only make him more resentful of us."
Mrs. Qiao realized that her eldest daughter was right.
"Tell me, what should Mother do?"
Qiao's eldest daughter thought for a moment and said, "Tomorrow, I will go to the village chief and tell him that you were sold by my brother's father back then, and after being passed around several times as a concubine, you have had a very hard life. You only managed to escape with my sister and me when you found an opportunity."
Mr. Qiao frowned unhappily.
"So what do they think of me?"
She didn't want anyone to know that she was someone's concubine.
"Otherwise what? Mother, you ran away with someone back then, didn't you? Your reputation is already ruined. Do you still care about that? Anyway, you did become my father's concubine, and you've had a hard time these past years. That's the truth. If we can get the village chief to sympathize with us, he will naturally speak up for you."
Upon hearing this, Mrs. Qiao realized it was indeed the case and had no choice but to nod.
“Alright, then I’ll go see the village chief tomorrow.”
Fang Tiezhu had no intention of getting involved in Zhao Shi'an and his mother's affairs, but since Qiao Shi had already come to his door and started crying and complaining, he really couldn't just ignore it.
Then he listened to Mrs. Qiao recount her tragic life story over the past few years.
Fang Tiezhu then realized that she had also had a difficult time all these years.
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