PFC Chapter 256 Returning to My Hometown
Chapter 256 Returning to My Hometown
Gu Rong cried uncontrollably, saying that Xiao Qiaoen was still young and didn't know any better, and that she had been drunk by her friends, which was why she did such a foolish thing.
She knelt at Old Madam Xiao's feet, begging her to intercede on her behalf, as the Chang family dared not disrespect Old Madam Xiao.
Madam Xiao remained silent throughout, leaving Gu Rong feeling anxious and uncertain.
Suddenly, Old Madam Xiao turned to look at Qiao Qingshu and said,
"Shu'er, what do you think about this?"
Qiao Qingshu's expression had always been indifferent. Seeing Old Madam Xiao ask her a question, she only pursed her lips and pondered for a moment before replying.
“This is a difficult matter. I heard that the eldest daughter of the Chang family has already informed her father that General Chang is on his way back.”
After a pause, Qiao Qingshu glanced at Madam Gu and said calmly,
"Who in the capital doesn't know General Chang Wei's temper? Who would dare to provoke him?"
Chang Wei was just a commoner, but he was rewarded with high rank and generous salary and was named a heroic general because he risked his life to protect the emperor on the battlefield and fought his way out of the enemy camp.
Back in the royal hunting grounds, he killed a wolf king with just two or three punches. General Chang's reputation for being mighty and fierce spread far and wide, and no one dared to provoke him.
Gu Rong's body trembled uncontrollably. She knew how powerful Chang Wei was. If Chang Wei returned, her son would surely die.
She collapsed to the ground, sobbing uncontrollably. Her voice was hoarse, and she could no longer cry; she could only wail.
She only has one legitimate son; is she going to lose him too?
Suddenly, she thought of something and, as if grasping at a straw, grabbed Qiao Qingshu's sleeve.
"Shu'er, why don't we have Jie'er plead with the Emperor? If Jie'er does, the Emperor will surely show mercy!"
Qiao Qingshu, however, spoke slowly and deliberately.
“Third Aunt, our family is in the wrong in this matter. It was En’er who went too far. So many people can see it clearly. If we go to the Emperor to plead for mercy, wouldn’t that be deliberately condoning and protecting our Xiao family? Would the powerful families around us be willing to show such favoritism? Would General Chang Wei be willing?”
Madam Xiao also sighed and spoke up.
"Chang Wei is currently guarding the border and is an extremely important figure. If Chang Wei becomes disloyal to the royal family, it won't be as simple as just one or two people dying. The border will likely fall, and when the war breaks in, our country will suffer."
After glancing at Gu Rong, Old Madam Xiao continued,
"Even if Zhijie pleads for leniency, it might not work. The emperor can't possibly be unaware of the stakes involved."
Yes, even if it were his own son asking for a marriage proposal, the emperor would not risk the fall of the country to help him.
Gu Rong felt as if the sky had fallen and the earth had collapsed. She felt dizzy and was about to fall to the ground.
Qiao Qingshu stepped forward and helped Gu Rong up, a smile appearing on her face.
"Third Aunt, there's no need to worry too much. My uncle and General Chang Wei are longtime friends. When General Chang Wei returns, I'll have my uncle put in a good word for him. He'll definitely have to suffer punishment, but it would be good if he could save his life."
Upon hearing this, Gu Rong felt as if she had seen a glimmer of hope. She immediately straightened up, grabbed Qiao Qingshu's hand, and said with tears in her eyes,
"Alright, alright! As long as Jon's life is spared, anything is fine!"
After saying this, Madam Gu knelt down and kowtowed to Qiao Qingshu, as if she had placed all her hopes on her.
Private room in the teahouse.
A smile finally appeared on Chang An'er's face as she looked at Qiao Qingshu and said...
"Shu'er, thank you. If it weren't for your help, I would never have been able to escape this dead end in my next life."
Qiao Qingshu nodded with a smile. She was also very saddened when she learned of Chang An'er's death in her previous life. Many years later, when she recalled it in the cold palace, she felt even more desolate.
The fates of her mother, Bai Chanzi, and Chang An'er's mother, Cao Shi, were almost identical. Both were kind-hearted but were repaid with ingratitude. Chang An'er died early and suffered less torment, while she herself was harmed by a vile woman and spent her days in the cold palace, enduring endless torment.
Having escaped death in this life, she naturally wanted to help Chang An'er escape the fire pit as well.
Qiao Qingshu said slowly,
Has your father returned yet?
Chang An'er nodded and said,
“Father came back last night. He didn’t even have time to sit down before heading straight to the yamen and strangled Zhang to death.”
When Chang An'er said this, there was a sense of satisfaction on her face as if she had finally gotten her revenge. She had always dreamed of killing Zhang Shi, but she had neither the scheme nor the wisdom to do so. Although she knew that Zhang Shi was involved in the death of her mother Cao Shi, she could not find a way to deal with Zhang Shi.
Now that her great revenge has been achieved, she is naturally happy.
"But the man who harassed Zhang, for some reason, was spared."
Qiao Qingshu lowered her head and straightened her sleeves, saying,
“I protected that man. He was just a tool and didn’t deserve to die. I have other plans for him.”
Chang An'er didn't ask any more questions. She was already very satisfied with this ending, and simply nodded with a smile.
Qiao Qingshu looked at her and gave her some instructions.
“An’er, your father’s temperament suggests he will remarry in the future. One Zhang woman has left, and another Zhang woman may come. Fortunately, you are of marriageable age. Take advantage of these two years to be more careful and marry a good man if you meet one.”
An'er blushed immediately, and Qiao Qingshu immediately guessed that she must have someone in her heart.
She asked curiously.
"who is it?"
Chang An'er was still a little embarrassed, and after a long while she twisted her body and said,
"Wang Xizhi, the young master of the Earl's family."
Qiao Qingshu pondered for a moment. This young master of the Wang family was outstanding in both character and appearance. In her previous life, he only got married three years after Chang An'er died.
After marriage, he treated his wife with the utmost respect and they were a very loving couple, often talked about in Beijing.
This is a good match; the two families have very similar backgrounds and are well-suited to each other.
If Chang An'er could marry him, her life probably wouldn't be too difficult.
Qiao Qingshu simply smiled and nodded.
"Then I'll wait to attend your wedding, An'er."
After exchanging a few more pleasantries, they left the teahouse.
When they returned to the Xiao residence, they saw servants and young men carrying things inside and out.
They bumped right into Gu Rong, who was carrying a jewelry box. Qiao Qingshu stopped her and asked, knowing the answer already.
"Third Aunt, where are we going?"
Gu Rong smiled wryly.
"Shu'er, I should thank you first. If you hadn't asked your uncle to plead for him, how could Qiao En have returned unscathed? General Chang only made one request: he didn't want to see him again in the capital. So the old lady asked me to accompany Qiao En back to the old house in Suzhou."
Qiao Qingshu nodded thoughtfully. She had actually known all along, and it was even she who had proposed this condition.
The third branch of the family went back to the old house, and the third master also moved out to find another house to live in. The third branch of the family has completely withdrawn from the stage of the Xiao family.
At that moment, a person covered in bandages walked out with a limp, being supported by two servants.