mtl008 Chapter 203: Lost Weight
Chapter 203: Lost Weight
Just then, they ran into Madam Xing from the main branch of the family, who was seeing off a guest. Seeing Qiao Qingshu alight from her sedan chair, she couldn't help but say...
"Oh dear, look who this is! Isn't this Qing Shu, the new bride of the second wife? She's only been married a few days and she's already disappeared. The old lady went to your room to call you for lunch but there was no sign of you. Now it's almost dinnertime and she's only just come back. Is this how the Qiao family teaches you manners?"
After saying that, he pretended to be surprised, covered his mouth, and slapped it twice.
"Pah, pah, pah, look at my mouth. Shu'er, today seems to be the day your father is to be executed. No wonder you're not here. It's no wonder you're not here. Your family was raided, your father was executed, and your grandmother and sister were exiled. Anyone would be unhappy in your situation."
When Madam Xing said this, her face was full of provocation and smugness. She stared at Qiao Qingshu, trying to see some embarrassment and awkwardness in her eyes.
However, Qiao Qingshu's expression remained cold and unreadable, revealing no emotion whatsoever.
Madam Xing frowned and looked at her probingly, then couldn't help but ask again,
"Your own father is dead, why do you still have such a cold and indifferent expression?"
Qiao Qingshu turned and met Madam Xing's eyes, a slight smile curving her lips.
"Otherwise, what kind of expression does Madam think I should have?"
What expression is that?
Even if they weren't crying their hearts out, they should at least be stammering and hesitant, not acting so indifferently as if it's none of their business.
He snorted coldly, glanced at Qiao Qingshu, and said...
"What an ingrate."
She spoke softly, but Xiao Zhijie behind her heard her clearly.
Xiao Zhijie noticed that Qiao Qingshu hadn't returned after a day out, and was about to go out to check on her. If she hadn't returned, he was going to go out and meet her.
As he approached the gate, he overheard Madam Xing and Qiao Qingshu talking, and one of their sentences caught his ear.
He couldn't help but say coldly,
"Madam."
Madam Xing trembled in fright and turned around to see Xiao Zhijie's cold face, which made her tremble even more.
Upon seeing Xiao Zhijie emerge, he immediately beamed with a smile, waving the handkerchief in his hand.
"Hey Jie, what are you doing out here? Have you eaten yet?"
She changed the subject, trying to gloss over what had just happened.
Xiao Zhijie walked to Qiao Qingshu's side and said,
"I've come to take Madam home. Oh, Madam, I just overheard you calling my wife an ingrate?"
Madam Xing scratched her face and touched her head, looking quite embarrassed, and quickly laughed it off,
"No, Jie-ge'er must have misheard. I meant that Shu'er lost her mother early... uh... and now her father is gone too. She's such a pitiful child. Jie-ge'er, you must treat her well in the future, or I won't allow it."
After saying that, she raised her handkerchief and wiped the corner of her eyes, feigning sadness.
Qiao Qingshu watched Madam Xing put on an act, originally wanting to see how she would cover it up, but now seeing her turn black into white, she just found it amusing.
He burst out laughing.
"The First Madam is a truly excellent actress."
After saying that, she ignored Madam Xing's reaction and pulled Xiao Zhijie towards her own courtyard.
On the way, Xiao Zhijie looked at her with worry on his face. He had planned to go out with Qiao Qingshu today, but Qiao Qingshu refused, saying that she wanted to be alone.
The two argued for a long time, and he finally gave in, letting Qiao Qingshu go alone to see her father off on his final journey.
Seeing Qiao Qingshu's calm expression, and recalling what had happened before, he finally couldn't help but ask out of curiosity.
"You seem to really hate the Qiao family..."
Qiao Qingshu stopped and turned to look at him. She didn't want to tell him much, but some things couldn't be hidden.
She felt nothing about Qiao Jizhou's death; on the contrary, she was happy.
She looked up at Xiao Zhijie and said...
"In front of outsiders, the Qiao family appears harmonious, but inside, there are countless filthy things. I hate the Qiao family, and I even rejoice at their demise. With such a cold-blooded wife, are you afraid?"
Qiao Qingshu's clear, bright eyes gazed straight into Xiao Zhijie's heart.
In her past life, when she helped Xiao Chengyan eliminate dissidents in the court, her methods were swift and decisive. However, Xiao Chengyan later complained that she was too ruthless and inhumane.
However, the higher you climb, the colder it gets. If those in high positions want to protect something, they will inevitably have their hands stained with blood.
She used a knife to help Xiao Chengyan kill all the enemies in front of him. The blood splattered on her body, but Xiao Chengyan, the king, actually thought she was dirty.
A mocking smile crept onto her lips as she thought to herself that Xiao Zhijie was probably scared too.
His heart skipped a beat; was he afraid?
No, he just thought she was exceptionally brave.
He had never seen a woman like this before. Qiao Qingshu's cold gaze was so captivating in his eyes.
He shook his head and said,
"No, I'm not afraid. I believe you must have your reasons for doing this. I just want to tell you not to be influenced by the First Madam's words. As your husband, I will always stand firmly behind you."
Qiao Qingshu was taken aback; she hadn't expected Xiao Zhijie to say something like that.
Her eyes welled up with tears. People are often moved by soft things, but become harder through trials by hard things.
She realized the change in her emotions, quickly turned around, and hurried forward.
Back in the second courtyard, they saw Su Yunzhen standing at the door waiting for someone.
She intended to ignore Su Yunzhen, offering only a brief greeting.
"Mother-in-law, I'm back."
As he was about to head towards the inner courtyard, Su Yunzhen grabbed his hand, her face filled with tender affection.
"Shu'er, come back for dinner, the food is still warm."
It was past dinner time. Su Yunzhen and her husband did not usually eat with Qiao Qingshu and Xiao Zhijie, and their courtyards were separate.
Moreover, Su Yunzhen exempted Qiao Qingshu from the morning greetings, giving the young couple great freedom.
Qiao Qingshu could tell that Su Yunzhen was showing concern and care for her because she had just lost her father.
The harsh face of Madam Xing, whom I had just seen at the door, resurfaced in my mind. One was my mother-in-law in my past life, and the other was my mother-in-law in this life.
In comparison, Su Yunzhen appears so kind and easy to get along with.
Qiao Qingshu was pulled into the house by her. The table was full of dishes, which showed that a lot of thought had been put into them.
Su Yunzhen was very thoughtful and prepared light and refreshing dishes. She was afraid that Qiao Qingshu would not have an appetite if she was in a bad mood, so she also prepared a few dishes of appetizers and porridge.
Looking at the dishes on the table, Qiao Qingshu was still somewhat moved. She had been running around every day for the past few days, without paying her respects to her mother-in-law or saying a word to them. An ordinary person would probably be angry, but Su Yunzhen was still considerate of her feelings, which was truly touching.
Su Yunzhen pulled Qiao Qingshu down to sit, touched her little face, and felt very sorry for her.
"She's lost weight in just a few days."