Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
Bang! A loud noise resonated through the room as Ms. Fang slammed her hand on the table, causing the tea cup to wobble and creating a startle for Madame Qiao and her daughter.
“Elder Miss Qiao, you are truly despicable!”
“Why not? Hmph! You should address me as your sister-in-law’s mother! How dare you insult someone by calling them a low-class maid? I will inform my son and have him confront your father about this matter! You cannot bully people !”
Qiao Xuan felt a warm surge of reassurance flowing through her heart. She gently held onto Ms. Fangs arm and whispered, “Mother, please calm down.”
Ms. Fang was genuinely furious. She sneered, “They believe they are superior to us. Well then, let’s inform Yunduan and have him defend us!”
“Mrs. In-law, we are family, and we can resolve this through discussion!” Madame Qiao interjected, feeling a mix of anger and anxiety. She couldn’t allow Ms. Fang to leave . If Shao Yunduan were to learn about the situation and inform the Old Master, Qiao Wei would undoubtedly face severe consequences. “Wei, apologize!’ “Mom!”
Madame Qiao’s voice snapped with authority.
Qiao Wei clenched her lips tightly, unwilling to comply.
Qiao Xuan let out a disdainful snort and spoke calmly, “Mother, don’t force your sister to do something against her will. 1 am accustomed to receiving apologies. But I am curious, when will you be returning the 50,000 liang to me?”
Ms. Fang sneered in agreement. “Not a single penny less. Otherwise, I will have my son inquire about this with Officer Qiao!”
Madame Qiao’s face contorted in frustration. “Qiao Xuan, are you really going this far? Your father is returning to the capital soon, and Shao Yunduan will be taking the examination there. He is a stranger in that city, and aren’t you considering the assistance your father could provide?”
Qiao Xuan sneered back. “These are separate matters. Are you attempting to threaten me, Mother? Besides, as far as I know, my husband’s examination will take place before Father can even secure a transfer back to the capital.
How would this so-called help work?”
“You will be going back to the capital with your husband, won’t you? And because of your interference, I wonder if you will bring trouble or aid to my husband!”
“Yes!” Ms. Fang interjected sharply. “Stop with the sweet talk, and pay us what is owed!”
Ms. Fang hesitated for a moment upon hearing Madame Qiao’s words, but as she listened further, she realized that Qiao Xuan was correct in her assessment of Madame Qiao. Madame Qiao was not concerned about her son’s well-being; she was instead causing him trouble.
Madame Qiao grew increasingly annoyed and responded bluntly, “We don’t have 50,000 liang at home, If you want it, go ask your father yourself!”
“In that case, I will do just that,” Qiao Xuan sneered. “And I will also ask Elder Aunt to document today’s events so I can present it to my father. He shouldn’t assume I am lying and let others distort the truth!”
Madame Qiao trembled with fury, her eyes filled with icy anger.
“Ms. Qiao, don’t worry. Duan will help you! My daughter-in-law will never be bullied, not even by her own mother’s family! Bah! Don’t underestimate us!” Ms. Fang reassured Qiao Xuan while pulling her away. “Let’s stop wasting our time with them. They are nothing but irritants to me!”
After Qiao Xuan departed with her mother-in-law, Madame Qiao, in a fit of anger, grabbed the tea cups and hurled them at Qiao Kou, cursing, “Useless thing! Your sister is honest and straightforward, and I entrusted her to your care! Why do you always fail at everything?!”