novelkee Chapter 68 The Chosen Mother-in-Law
Chapter 68 The Chosen Mother-in-Law
Qiao Qingshu agreed with this statement.
In her previous life, Qiao Qingshu fought fiercely with these three wives of the Xiao family, a battle that was relentless and relentless.
Shen Wenying whispered in Qiao Qingshu's ear,
"Madam Xing of the eldest branch is currently the most favored by the old lady, but she is a very cunning and calculating person. Madam Gu of the third branch has the most fiery temper and is easily provoked. Madam Yan of the fourth branch is even more formidable; her words are sharp and sarcastic and can really hurt people's hearts."
Hearing this accurate assessment, Qiao Qingshu felt a pang of emotion. If she were to fight these three women again in her second life, would it be easier?
When Madam Gu, the third wife, spotted Qiao Qingshu in the crowd, she immediately rushed over to greet her with fiery enthusiasm.
"Oh my! Look who's here. Isn't this our future granddaughter-in-law? Tsk tsk, she's as beautiful as an angel. No wonder she's so captivating to Yan-ge'er that he had to invite her to the family banquet."
Madam Gu had a loud voice, and her words drew almost everyone's attention in the courtyard.
All eyes fell on Qiao Qingshu, scrutinizing her from head to toe with varied and complex expressions.
Madam Gu stepped forward, tugged at Qiao Qingshu's sleeve, looked her up and down, and said happily,
"Oh! No wonder Yan-ge'er is the most favored. The best old master has already betrothed him to a wife. If my Ze'er could find someone like Miss Qiao, I would definitely kowtow to Buddha and burn incense."
Gu Rong is the legal wife of Xiao Zhifeng, the third master of the Xiao family.
Her family was also a family of military generals, so Gu Rong always spoke with a cheerful and generous air.
Everyone said that the Third Madam, being from a military family, was unconventional and didn't care about manners, but only Qiao Qingshu knew the darkness and sin hidden beneath this woman's warm and generous demeanor.
Master Xiao San was serving as the Commander of the Jiangzhe Military Region and was away from the capital for many years. His third wife had been having an affair with Steward Zou of the Xiao family for many years, and even their youngest daughter was the steward's child.
In her past life, Qiao Qingshu accidentally stumbled upon this scandal. She didn't want to meddle, but Madam Gu plotted to frame her, falsely accusing Qiao Qingshu of having an affair with the housekeeper.
Qiao Qingshu had only been in the Xiao family for less than two years at that time, and had never seen such underhanded tricks before. She was framed by that vile woman Gu Rong.
If the Bai family hadn't insisted on intervening in the investigation, Qiao Qingshu would probably have been labeled a harlot by Gu Rong!
Recalling the past, Qiao Qingshu couldn't hide the murderous intent in her eyes when she looked at Madam Gu.
Qiao Qingshu thought to herself, "Gu Rong, just you wait."
In this life, I will make sure you are utterly disgraced and taste the bitterness of being scorned and insulted by millions.
Shen Wenying smiled and pulled Qiao Qingshu behind her to protect her.
"The marriage hasn't been finalized yet, Madam Gu, don't just make things up. Just because your Xiao family wants to marry her doesn't mean our Shu'er has to be unable to."
Madam Gu raised an eyebrow slightly, knowing that Shen Wenying's father held a high official position, and dared not refute, only smiling and shouting.
"Good, good, Shu'er, look how protective your third aunt is of you. Anyone who didn't know better would think she was your mother."
Upon hearing this, Qiao Qingshu's face immediately darkened, and even Shen Wenying's expression turned cold.
Mrs. Gu realized she had gone too far, and in a panic covered her mouth, laughed a few times, and left.
Shen Wenying watched Gu Rong's departing figure and spit coldly.
"This kind of trash has married into the Xiao family, and she's become even more arrogant, daring to make fun of anyone. She's so ill-mannered!"
"Mrs. Shen, please don't be angry. Gu Rong has always been careless in her speech and often offends people. I apologize to you on her behalf."
His tone was gentle and warm, like a spring breeze.
Qiao Qingshu and Shen Wenying turned their heads and saw a pretty lady standing in front of them with a shy smile on her face.
Shen Wenying hurriedly stepped forward to greet them.
"It's Madam Su the Second. It's been a while since I've seen you. How are you feeling?"
Su Yunzhen, daughter of the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, is the legal wife of Xiao Zhinuo, the second master of the Xiao family.
Qiao Qingshu also stepped forward and politely bowed, her gaze lingering on Su Yunzhen's face for a long time.
The second branch of the Xiao family is the most special.
The eldest, third, and fourth wives were all born of Madam Xiao's legitimate children, while the second wife was born of a concubine.
A son born out of wedlock has no right to participate in the power struggle within the Xiao family, but this Second Master Xiao is favored by Old Madam Xiao.
Not only did Old Madam Xiao personally arrange a marriage for him, marrying the only daughter of the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review to this illegitimate son, but she also declared that if the illegitimate son were to succeed, it would not be impossible for him to inherit the title.
These words were like a thunderbolt, causing unrest within the Xiao family for three to five years, with constant internal strife.
However, Master Xiao Er has now risen to the rank of Academician of the Hanlin Academy and serves as an examiner for the imperial examinations. He is highly favored by the emperor and his career is going very smoothly.
Looking back now, his status in the Xiao family is almost equivalent to that of a legitimate son, and he might actually have a chance to inherit the title.
Su Yunzhen coughed twice and gave a shy smile.
"My health is still the same as before, not quite better, but today the Imperial Concubine is home to visit her family, and the whole family is happy, so I am also happy and should come out to help."
Qiao Qingshu looked at Su Yunzhen with delight; she was simply the chosen mother-in-law.
Su Yunzhen had no children due to health reasons, so Master Xiao Er had no choice but to take a concubine who gave birth to Xiao Zhijie. However, this concubine was also unlucky and died of postpartum hemorrhage on the day of delivery.
Su Yunzhen took Xiao Zhijie under her name and raised him as her own son, treating him as her own child.
After Xiao Zhijie's death in battle, the second branch of the family was disheartened and proposed to separate from the family and move out to live separately, voluntarily giving up everything in the Xiao family.
This action surprised and delighted the first, third, and fourth wives for quite some time.
The second branch of the family left voluntarily, and although their lives were poor, they were peaceful and uneventful.
This kind of life is perfect for Qiao Qingshu's current state of mind.
Qiao Qingshu looked at Su Yunzhen's tired face and asked with genuine concern,
"Madam Su, although you are weak, you can still recover. You must rest well and avoid getting upset."
Qiao Qingshu's concern for Su Yunzhen was genuine. In her previous life, she had walked on thin ice in the Xiao family, always cautious and careful, but she could only relax in front of this second madam.
Su Yunzhen was a quiet and elegant person. Whenever Qiao Qingshu was upset, she would go to Su Yunzhen's room to drink tea. These were some of the few happy times she had in the Xiao family.
Later, after the second branch of the family moved out, Qiao Qingshu was the most reluctant to part with them and shed tears several times because of it.
Su Yunzhen smiled and nodded, looking at Qiao Qingshu.
"At today's family banquet, everyone inevitably focuses on the matter of the Imperial Concubine. Miss Qiao is a guest, but I am afraid there may be some oversights or neglects. Please forgive me."
Shen Wenying also liked Su Yunzhen's gentle and sensible nature, and smiled.
"It's alright, Second Madam. Shu'er naturally understands this principle."
Qiao Qingshu nodded obediently, and Su Yunzhen chatted for a few more minutes before going to entertain the other guests.
Shen Wenying sighed and said,
"What a wonderful person she was, but unfortunately she was destined to be childless and could not give birth to a legitimate son, so she could only raise someone else's son. Fortunately, she and her husband were loving and harmonious, which can be considered a beautiful story."
Qiao Qingshu thought to herself, what a wonderful mother-in-law! It's a pity I didn't get to be her daughter-in-law in my past life. I'll do anything to be her daughter-in-law in this life.