mtl008 Chapter 75 Bride Swap
Chapter 75 Bride Swap
Madam Su, the second wife, was usually quiet and never argued with anyone.
At this moment, however, she stood in front of Xiao Zhijie and argued,
"Sister-in-law, what are you saying! Zhijie is my legitimate son, registered under my name! If you speak disrespectfully again, don't blame me for reporting you to the men!"
Madam Xing showed no fear whatsoever. Although the Second Master's career was also going smoothly, his official position was not as high as Xiao Zhiheng's.
"Go ahead and sue! Let's see if your second master can protect you! The second branch is just a son born out of wedlock, my father is a son born out of wedlock! And my son is a son born out of wedlock too! What are you doing here, daring to steal my wife from the first branch!"
Consort Xiande's face grew darker and darker with age, so dark it was almost as if ink could drip from it.
Old Madam Xiao noticed the Imperial Concubine's unusual behavior and knew something was wrong, so she quickly scolded her.
"Xing Yu! Shut up!"
The third and fourth wives were so frightened that they took two steps back.
My sister-in-law must have lost her mind today, saying such things so casually. Does she not care about the future?
They didn't dare to step forward to dissuade them, but silently retreated to watch the battle.
Madam Xing was speaking with great enthusiasm, believing that since the Imperial Concubine was the eldest son's own sister, she would naturally protect the eldest branch of the family, and thus she became even more aggressive.
"Don't you take a good look? How can this illegitimate son compare to my Yan-ge'er? He's not even as good as one of my Yan-ge'er's fingers! He wants to marry Qiao Qingshu? Can he even afford it? Our eldest branch promised the Qiao family a dowry of 480,000 taels of silver! Your second branch can't even come up with a fraction of that! This lowly illegitimate son will be lucky to marry into a farming and scholarly family in the future!"
The imperial concubine's face completely fell, her complexion turning as black as the bottom of a pot.
His eyes flashed with icy coldness as he said in a chilling voice,
"Xing Yu, kneel down."
The sound wasn't loud, but it was enough to intimidate everyone.
Madam Xing felt as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over her head.
A chill ran down my spine, and I snapped back to reality.
He knelt down before the Imperial Concubine with a thud, daring not to utter another word.
The Imperial Concubine's gaze was practically spitting fire; how dare this lowly woman call her Jie'er a lowly illegitimate son...
The Imperial Concubine was so angry that she almost trembled. How dare they humiliate her own son like this?
She pointed at Madam Xing and angrily rebuked her.
"Who do you think you are! Talking nonsense here, do you even have the right to speak?!"
His tone was serious, carrying an unquestionable authority and imposing presence.
Since entering the Xiao residence, the Imperial Concubine had always had a kind and gentle expression on her face, and had never before spoken so coldly and sternly.
When Madam Xing saw that the Imperial Concubine was so angry, she trembled like a leaf.
He lowered his head and dared not speak again, his heart pounding in his chest.
Consort Xiande was clearly furious at what she had just heard, and it took her a while to calm herself down.
She already liked Qiao Qingshu because of Bai Chanzi, and also wanted to marry Qiao Qingshu to her son, but unfortunately she couldn't find a reason.
Today's commotion, coupled with Madam Xing's words, has caused a stir.
She didn't want to interfere in the first place, but now she's determined to!
Didn't Madam Xing say that Xiao Zhijie was unworthy?
She wanted to show everyone whether her son was good enough for her!
Consort Xiande waved to Qiao Qingshu, signaling her to come to her side.
Holding Qiao Qingshu's hand, he asked softly,
"If I were to betroth you to the second son of the third master, would you be willing?"
willing!
I'd love to!
Qiao Qingshu came here today specifically for Xiao Zhijie!
Qiao Qingshu lowered her head and nodded slightly, whispering,
"I will follow Your Highness's arrangements."
Upon hearing this, the Imperial Concubine was overjoyed and immediately beamed with a smile.
This attitude means she's willing to marry him!
He was also happy and raised his voice.
"In that case, I will betroth you to Xiao Zhijie, the second son of the emperor. I will send a letter to the palace to ask the emperor to grant us the marriage."
Consort Xiande has enjoyed the Emperor's favor for the past few years, and it would be incredibly easy for her to request an imperial decree to marry him.
The third and fourth wives were shocked to hear this.
Be nice!
The second wife not only got a daughter-in-law, but also a concubine whom the emperor himself bestowed upon her in marriage!
Seeing the eldest son's wife suffer a setback, the third and fourth sons were naturally delighted.
"Oh dear, the Imperial Concubine is truly wise!"
"That's exactly how it should be!"
Madam Xiao pursed her lips and looked at Qiao Qingshu. Although she felt a little strange, she didn't say anything.
Given how things have escalated, this is perhaps the best solution.
Madam Xing, however, was displeased and immediately knelt down, shouting indignantly,
"Your Highness, this is absolutely forbidden! The marriage between Qiao Qingshu and Yan'er was arranged by the Old Master. How can it be changed so easily? The Ancestor will be furious if we do this!"
If the second wife really gets this advantage, wouldn't the first wife's dream of inheriting the title be ruined?
Xiao Chengyan, dressed in his clothes, was brought in along with Chunfen.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Chengyan turned deathly pale. Was his marriage to Qiao Qingshu really off like this?!
He also knelt down with a thud and pleaded,
"Your Majesty, you mustn't! Our wedding preparations have already begun. I've even prepared the betrothal gifts for Qingshu. How can we..."
How could we let Xiao Zhijie, that illegitimate son, get off so easily!
Chunfen, however, secretly rejoiced. If Qiao Qingshu was engaged to Xiao Xiaosanye, then perhaps she also had a chance.
When the time comes, Xiao Chengyan will take her into his room first. Whether he marries her as his principal wife or not, it won't prevent her from enjoying wealth and luxury.
Thinking of this, Chunfen was secretly pleased that she had entered the Xiao family mansion before her cousin Liu Wan'er and eldest daughter Qiao Qingshu.
It seems I'm really about to rise to the top and become a phoenix!
Consort Xiande stared coldly at Xiao Chengyan and reprimanded him in a stern tone.
"If you had kept to your proper place and acted according to the rules, you wouldn't be in this mess today! Yan-ge'er, you were the one who wronged Qing-shu first, and our Xiao family is in the wrong. Today, Qing-shu is willing to marry Zhi-jie, and the Xiao family should be grateful. Otherwise, do you think the Xiao family's reputation can be preserved? Do you think it will be easy for you to arrange a marriage again in the future?!"
"This matter is settled, and there is no need for further discussion. Once the imperial decree of marriage is issued, both families can begin preparations for the wedding."
The Imperial Concubine is second only to the Emperor, and even Old Madam Xiao has to kowtow to her.
Who would dare to disagree with a decision she made?
Xiao Chengyan was speechless and collapsed to the ground in a daze.
He looked at Qiao Qingshu with resentment, knowing that his plan had ultimately failed.
Consort Xiande felt annoyed just looking at these people and simply waved her hand, saying...
"You may all leave, except for Qing Shu and Zhi Jie."
Everyone left the room, and Old Madam Xiao looked at the Imperial Concubine with some nervousness.
She wanted to remind her daughter to be careful with her words, lest she lose face in front of the younger generation and give herself away.
Consort Xiande nodded to the old lady.
She had been struggling to find an opportunity to speak with Xiao Zhijie, and now that she had this chance, she was not about to let it go.
She looked at Xiao Zhijie with a kind expression.
"Jie-ge'er, are you satisfied with this marriage?"
Xiao Zhijie looked up and met the eyes of the Imperial Concubine.
The imperial concubine's eyes always gave him a strange sense of closeness.
But as a son of a concubine, his close relationship with the Imperial Concubine would surely be seen by others as an attempt to curry favor.
He simply replied politely.
"It's entirely up to the Imperial Concubine."
But he couldn't help but glance at Qiao Qingshu, his eyes filled with complicated questions.
This look, when seen by the Imperial Concubine, was interpreted as a sign that he also had feelings for Qiao Qingshu, and she felt even more pleased that this marriage had been arranged.
What books are you reading now? What are your plans for the future?
Xiao Zhijie lowered his head and answered.
"I have thoroughly studied the Four Books and Five Classics. However, I want to join the army in the future, so I will leave next year."
Consort Xiande turned her head in surprise to look at Old Madam Xiao, who nodded slightly.
After exchanging many pleasantries, they reluctantly let Xiao Zhijie and Qiao Qingshu out.
Qiao Qingshu's doubts grew stronger.
Why is Consort Xiande looking at Xiao Zhijie with such a loving expression and tears in her eyes?
However, he was cold and serious towards Xiao Chengyan, which was quite frightening.
Which one is actually Consort Xiande's son?
Qiao Qingshu and Xiao Zhijie left the main hall and stood together under the eaves, each with their own thoughts.
Qiao Qingshu frowned and looked at Xiao Zhijie.
Xiao Zhijie frowned and looked at her, questioning her.
"you do this delibrately?"