met free Chapter 78 Disdain
Chapter 78 Disdain
Xia Zhi urged her to lower her voice, saying that the young lady had stayed up late last night looking at the account books, so what was wrong with sleeping a little longer this morning?
In the past, everyone in the old lady's house treated the young lady with utmost respect and never dared to speak loudly.
What's wrong with her today? Granny Zou's attitude has clearly lost its respect.
The sound rose several octaves.
"The old lady sent me to call for someone! Don't you know your place? Do you expect her to wait for your daughter? Do you really think you're someone important?"
Late Autumn listened inside for a long time, then, in a fit of anger, put on her padded jacket, stood under the eaves, hands on her hips, and began to curse.
"Granny Zou, you've learned about hierarchy now! Shouting like that in front of the young lady, can't you tell who's the mistress and who's the servant?"
"I already told you I'm getting ready, stop yelling like you're on your deathbed."
Granny Zou knew that Wanqiu was sharp-tongued and had long disliked her.
He immediately took a sip and replied.
"When I was working for the Qiao family, you were still in your mother's womb, and you little brat dare to talk back to me!"
He was about to step forward and tear Wanqiu's mouth apart.
Wanqiu was naturally impatient, and she lifted her jacket and started wrestling with Granny Zou.
Granny Zou was still muttering curses under her breath.
"You little slut, you have no manners. Your young lady has spoiled you so much that you've become even more unruly! You don't know your place. Today, I'll teach you a lesson on behalf of your young lady."
Just as he was about to pinch Wanqiu's cheek and get serious, his body was suddenly lifted into the air by a tremendous force.
With a leap, he pounced down the steps, landing hard in the flowerbed, his bottom splitting into several pieces.
Summer Solstice claps its hands, pulling late autumn behind it.
Qiao Qingshu slowly walked out of the house.
She held a hot water bottle in her arms, wore a silver fox-trimmed brocade cloak, and her face was meticulously painted, making her incomparably beautiful.
Looking down at Granny Zou, who had fallen to the ground, she said condescendingly,
"You think you're qualified to teach my maid?"
Rubbing her sore bottom, Granny Zou mumbled softly,
"No, I didn't mean to. I just came to deliver a message. I saw the little girl was being disrespectful, so..."
Qiao Qingshu's dignified and elegant demeanor intimidated the servants even without her saying a word.
Moreover, his current aloof and arrogant demeanor only instilled a chill in people.
Granny Zou was clearly short of breath and dared not speak loudly.
Qiao Qingshu, however, did not intend to let her off so easily. If she allowed her to bully her maid, others would surely follow suit in the future.
She coldly ordered, "The weather is gloomy and chilly today. It might rain again soon. Granny, kneel in my courtyard for five hours."
Granny Zou was so frightened that she screamed.
"Young lady, I live with the old lady, you can't..."
Qiao Qingshu shot a stern look at him, exuding immense authority.
“I’ll go talk to Grandmother myself. Today I’ll show you whether the old lady can protect you or not.”
The news of the Xiao family banquet yesterday spread throughout the entire capital that very evening.
When Qiao Jizhou returned from the morning court session, he learned that Qiao Qingshu had already remarried.
His own daughter was to marry Xiao Zhijie, the second son of the Xiao family.
Qiao Jizhou felt like the sky was falling.
He didn't even know how he got back. As soon as he got home, he went straight to the old lady's room to discuss things.
Old Mrs. Qiao was so angry that she spat out another mouthful of blood and hurriedly called for Granny Zou to fetch someone.
Granny Zou was also a snob. Seeing that Qiao Qingshu's marriage had been changed from the eldest son of the Xiao family to a son of a concubine, she naturally felt that Qiao Qingshu had fallen on hard times.
What dignity would she have left after marrying into the family? That's why she acted so arrogantly in Zhuqingxuan.
Good things don't go out, bad things pass thousands of miles.
Even Xu Biyun, who was recuperating in her room, heard the news.
She was so happy that she drank two bowls of white fungus soup in the morning and had the energy to get out of bed and walk around a couple of times.
"That second wife was born out of wedlock, and that third young master was also born out of wedlock. Wouldn't Qiao Qingshu be utterly humiliated if she married into that family? Hahaha!"
"She's really hopeless! She managed to ruin such a good marriage that her dead mother arranged for her. It's hilarious!"
Liu Wan'er was also overjoyed, and her displeasure of the past few days vanished instantly.
It also swept away the gloom of the previous dream of becoming the adopted daughter of the imperial concubine.
Qiao Qingshu and Xiao Chengyan's marriage has actually fallen through!
This is truly a godsend for me, Liu Wan'er!
She couldn't contain her excitement and really wanted to come to Fushou Hall to hear how the old lady scolded Qiao Qingshu.
Madam Xiao sat coldly on the couch, not even lifting her eyelids when Qiao Qingshu called her.
Qiao Jizhou, sitting at the lower end of the table, jumped up, pointed at Qiao Qingshu's nose, and cursed.
"Have you lost your mind?! We sent you to the Xiao family banquet to facilitate the marriage, but what have you done?! You broke off your engagement with the first wife and want to marry the second wife! Is your brain made of mush?! You can't even see the difference between what's important and what's not."
"What are the second branch of the Xiao family worth? They've fallen so low. Second Master Xiao is penniless in the Hanlin Academy, with neither money nor power. And Xiao Zhijie is just an illegitimate son, with no future prospects. Old Madam Xiao must be blind to give the title to the second branch!"
Qiao Jizhou was so agitated he felt like his heart was about to bleed. The mocking looks from his colleagues during court today made him feel utterly ashamed.
He was so angry that he rushed back on horseback as soon as he finished his morning audience.
Old Madam Qiao said dejectedly,
"What's the use of cursing? The imperial edict is about to be issued, so just accept it."
"Sister Shu is not destined for that. She is not born with that kind of wealth and status, and even if it comes into her hands, she won't be able to keep it."
Madam Qiao's expression was indifferent, and she no longer had her usual enthusiasm.
What she was thinking was that, because of this marriage with Qiao Qingshu, she had always been somewhat wary of Qiao Qingshu.
After all, once she marries into the Xiao family, they are counting on her to help the Qiao family and support her father.
Moreover, the dowry promised to them by the eldest son's family was a full 480,000 taels, which was extremely impressive even in the capital.
Now, even 80,000 might not be enough for a second wife.
Qiao Qingshu's marriage was originally a great opportunity for the Qiao family to make a fortune, and it would also pave the way for her father's future. So, Old Madam Qiao was naturally very keen on this marriage.
Now that she's being offered a place in the second wife's household, she'll have nothing left. Old Madam Qiao couldn't help but look down on Qiao Qingshu a bit.
The precious attention it once received is gone.
Qiao Qingshu saw the expressions on everyone's faces in the room and understood them perfectly.
At this moment, Granny Zou rushed in, kneeling before the old lady, her clothes soaking wet.
He cried, tears streaming down his face.
"Grandma, please do justice for me! I am your person, and your eldest daughter has punished me without my consent, making me kneel in her yard and get soaked in the rain."
"I am someone from your household. If I have made a mistake, it should be up to you to decide whether to punish or scold me. What right does the young lady have to deal with this old servant in private?"