0p0 Chapter 40 Candied Hawthorn
Chapter 40 Candied Hawthorn
Liu Wan'er's heart sank to the ground. After today's incident, she had completely lost face in front of the Xiao family, and even if she married into the Xiao family in the future, her life would definitely not be easy.
Moreover, Xiao Chengyan's attitude towards her today chilled her heart. She thought he would take the opportunity to ask her for marriage, but he didn't.
In his heart, Liu Wan'er could only be a concubine.
This is a far cry from the wonderful future that Liu Wan'er envisioned after her rebirth.
She came to her senses and realized that if she relied on her current status to marry into the Xiao family, it was practically a pipe dream.
The only way out is to find another way.
As soon as Xiao Chengyan left, everyone in the room was stunned. Old Madam Xiao stood up angrily and scolded...
"They've rebelled! They've all rebelled!"
Madam Xing was so frightened that she hurriedly chased after him, but her son was already out of sight. She called out again and again at the door, but she couldn't call him back.
Qiao Qingshu watched Xiao Chengyan's retreating figure and thought to herself: Good dog, so obedient.
Having been married for a lifetime, Qiao Qingshu knew Xiao Chengyan's temper inside and out. When he was young, he was arrogant and could not stand being provoked. A friend once said that he was cowardly and dared not jump from the second floor of the restaurant. He could not stand it and jumped down without saying a word, breaking his leg and resting for three months.
Even in middle age, his temper remains unchanged; he is irritable and easily angered, and his emotions are easily influenced—this is his weakness.
Qiao Qingshu was worried that his personality would be manipulated by bad people and used as a tool, so she often gave him advice and assistance, which made things a little better.
Now reborn, Qiao Qingshu has lost all her previous inhibitions and manipulates Xiao Chengyan's weaknesses with ease, finding endless enjoyment in it.
Manipulating people is like playing with a dog.
He lost a bone, and when told to go east, he went east; when told to go west, he went west. It was truly delightful.
As soon as Xiao Chengyan left, Old Madam Xiao and Madam Xing could no longer sit still. They only gave a few instructions before hurriedly leaving.
Before leaving, Madam Xiao held Madam Qiao's hand and gave her some instructions.
"Good sister, please persuade Shu'er to go and talk to that wicked beast. I'll go to my family and teach his father a lesson. We can discuss the marriage another day."
The Xiao family had already gone far away, but Liu Wan'er was still kneeling in the house, stunned.
Aunt Xu Biyun also heard what happened in the front hall and rushed over in a panic.
The second and third Qiao sisters also came out of the side room.
When Aunt Chen heard that there was something to watch, she rushed over and peered out the window to see what was going on.
Old Madam Qiao pointed at Liu Wan'er's nose and scolded her.
"How come I never realized you were this kind of person before? You were living a life of luxury in my Qiao family, yet you still dared to do such a thing. If you ruin Shu'er's marriage, do you think you'll get away with it?"
At this moment, Madam Qiao felt utterly disgusted with Liu Wan'er. This vile woman had actually dared to plot against the Qiao family.
When Xu Biyun saw her daughter being scolded, she immediately rushed over to protect her.
"Grandma, please stop scolding. Wan'er is young and doesn't know any better. She was deceived by Xiao Chengyan's words and that's why she's like this."
Old Madam Qiao was so angry that she spat in Xu Biyun's face and cursed.
"Xiao Er lied to her? What kind of woman can't Xiao Er have? Even Princess Yongxian fawned over him. He can't find any woman he wants. Why would he lie to your little slut? She must have shamelessly thrown herself at him. She keeps a man's handkerchief in her bosom like a treasure. Is there anyone more shameless than her?!"
In a fit of anger, he shoved Xu Biyun aside and slapped Liu Wan'er hard across the face.
"I couldn't hit you in front of the Xiao family just now, but this slap is a lesson for you. Don't be a toad trying to eat swan meat! Go back to your room and reflect on your actions. You're not allowed to come out for a month, or I'll break your legs!"
Liu Wan'er remained calm and composed, neither crying nor making a fuss, but simply accepting the situation with her head bowed and eyes lowered.
A moment later, she looked up and searched through the crowd, meeting Qiao Qingshu's gaze.
Qiao Qingshu looked down at her, a mocking smile in her eyes.
At this moment, Liu Wan'er felt like a clown, having been outmaneuvered by Qiao Qingshu once again.
The second and third Miss Qiao were also glaring at her. Liu Wan'er knew that all the goodwill she had painstakingly cultivated in the Qiao family had been ruined today.
Liu Wan'er, her face ashen, was dragged back to Lanxiang Pavilion by several maids. Her mother was also implicated and placed under house arrest.
On the sedan chair back to the Xiao residence, Madam Xing's mouth never stopped.
He kept cursing, cursing Liu Wan'er, then his own son, and then Qiao Qingshu.
Old Madam Xiao had been resting with her eyes closed, and having listened to her rambling on and on all the way, she grew impatient. It was a long time before she finally spoke.
"What's the use of cursing the heavens until they burst open? The right thing to do is to figure out how to deal with it."
Madam Xing then tentatively asked,
"Grandma, if Yan-ge'er doesn't want to marry, then the Qiao family girl doesn't want to marry either. Why don't we just call it off? We have plenty of suitable men for Yan-ge'er. Princess Yongxian came to my residence a few days ago to speak with me, and she kept mentioning our Yan-ge'er. I think..."
Old Mrs. Xiao suddenly opened her tightly closed eyes, coldly glanced at Madam Xing, and said in an unquestionable tone,
"You short-sighted fool! Have you forgotten what the old master said? Qiao Qingshu's destiny is one in a hundred years, and she is a perfect match for our Xiao family. It's fine that her mother, Bai Chanzi, didn't end up in our family, but we must marry this daughter no matter what! If Qiao Qingshu can't enter our Xiao family, don't expect the old master's title to be given to your eldest son's branch!"
Upon hearing this, Madam Xing's heart trembled, and she dared not say anything more.
In his heart, he secretly retorted, "It's just the words of a bald-headed monk, yet the old master has treated it like an imperial edict for decades. If marrying a woman could guarantee the family's eternal prosperity, then what's the point of the men in the front courtyard fighting for power in the court?"
Madam Xiao opened her eyes again and gave a stern order.
"Quickly send someone to find Yan-ge'er for me. He's going to get a good beating today. Go back and prepare the medicine first."
Madam Xing frowned, knowing that she couldn't avoid this beating. She felt sorry for her son, so her face immediately scrunched up, and she began to curse Liu Wan'er in her heart again.
Qiao Qingshu originally wanted to return to Qingzhuxuan to rest as soon as possible.
However, she was entangled by her two younger sisters. Qiao Er and Qiao San thought that Qiao Qingshu must be unhappy and sad after this incident.
Naturally, they wanted to comfort and reassure Qiao Qingshu.
Qiao Qingshu sat on the edge of the kang (heated brick bed) on the daybed, holding a sandalwood box inlaid with mother-of-pearl and eating fresh candied hawthorns inside.
Qiao Qingqiao looked at her with concern.
“Dear sister, if you are unhappy, just say it. Don’t keep it to yourself.”
Qiao Qingle also stamped her foot from the lower end and said urgently,
"I never expected that my cousin Wan'er really had such intentions. She's not a good person. I'm not going to play with her anymore, and I won't eat anything she gives me. From now on, I'll only be friends with my older sister and second sister, and I'll ignore her completely."
Qiao Qingshu nodded. The hawthorn was sweet and sour, and very appetizing.
She casually grabbed one and stuffed it into Qiao Qingqiao's mouth, then handed the food box to Qing Le.
"Try it, this hawthorn is really good."
The two younger sisters looked at their older sister, who seemed calm and unperturbed, showing no displeasure at the matter. Qiao Qingqiao frowned and said...
"Sister, you're not angry?"
Qiao Qingshu shook her head, calmly took out a handkerchief to wipe her hands.
"What are you angry about?"