jdhmnovel Chapter 139 Power
Chapter 139 Power
But she also knew that her current opposition was ineffective and that no one would listen to her.
Old Madam Qiao sighed inwardly, realizing that her status was indeed declining, and all of this was thanks to her eldest granddaughter.
She raised her eyes and glared fiercely at Qiao Qingshu.
Qiao Qingshu sensed the powerful anger and malice, but she remained calm and composed.
"Grandmother, it's the New Year. I'll have a tailor come tomorrow to take your measurements and make you a new dress."
Old Madam Qiao squinted, her eyes filled with disdain.
“No need. I’m bedridden now and need to be carried to the toilet. Why would I wear new clothes in this state?”
"You should make yourself a few more new clothes. You're getting married this spring. I've heard about the reputation of the second branch of the Xiao family. The second master, who was born out of wedlock, is very frugal. You should make yourself a few more clothes, otherwise you won't be able to make new clothes for three to five years after you get married."
There was sarcasm and mockery in those words.
These days, Old Madam Qiao is bedridden and unable to do anything. She can only rely on her mind to think about things so that she doesn't have to endure it too much.
These days, she has calculated Qiao Qingshu's future very clearly.
No matter how arrogant and powerful Qiao Qingshu is in the Qiao family now, it's only temporary. Once she gets married in the spring, let's see how she can still manage the Qiao family!
When Qiao Qingshu gets married, the power to manage the Qiao family will naturally return to my hands.
Although he is paralyzed, it does not affect his ability to hold power and he can still live a comfortable life.
Qiao Jizhou is her own son. No matter how dissatisfied she is, the bond of blood cannot be broken.
I can coax my son back then, and the family finances will be back in my hands.
Then look at Qiao Qingshu, who married into the Xiao family as an illegitimate daughter. Although she was granted the title of Imperial Concubine's adopted daughter, so what?
The Xiao family was a large family, and the four branches were already fiercely fighting each other. Qiao Qingshu married into the family and, being of lowly status, naturally did not have a good time.
Especially the eldest branch of the Qiao family, whose engagement was so shamelessly broken off by Qiao Qingshu, would definitely not let Qiao Qingshu off the hook by such a petty person as Madam Xing.
She'll get what's coming to her later!
Thinking about these things made Madam Qiao feel even more at ease.
Now she doesn't have to do anything, she just has to wait for Qiao Qingshu to get married.
However, if Qiao Qingshu goes too far during this period, she is not without ways to deal with her.
Looking into her grandmother's shrewd triangular eyes, Qiao Qingshu had long since guessed her grandmother's wishful thinking.
She was neither angry nor annoyed, but simply sat by Old Madam Qiao's bedside and spoke softly.
"Grandmother really cares about Shu'er. Shu'er will listen to Grandmother and make two more sets of clothes."
Qiao Qingshu tucked the blankets in for Old Madam Qiao and smiled.
"By the way, Grandmother, I know what you're thinking. Are you hoping that you can regain power after I get married?"
Old Madam Qiao's back stiffened as she coughed lightly; she hadn't expected Qiao Qingshu to say such a thing to her face.
She felt a little flustered and didn't know what to say for a moment.
Qiao Qingshu smiled and continued calmly.
"I think your dream is too beautiful. After I get married, it won't make any difference whether I keep power in the Qiao family or not."
Old Madam Qiao frowned deeply, her heart skipped a beat, and she asked urgently,
"What do you mean by that? What do you mean by saying that it makes no difference whether you have power or not?"
Old Madam Qiao even grabbed Qiao Qingshu's hand, wanting her to give an answer.
But Qiao Qingshu slowly stood up, shook off the hand that Old Madam Qiao was tightly holding, and turned to leave with a meaningful smile.
The elderly Mrs. Qiao was left bewildered and flustered.
After Qiao Qingshu left, Li Mama and Zou Mama, who had been waiting under the eaves, returned to the house to serve her.
With a pale face, Old Madam Qiao told the two of them what Qiao Qingshu had just said.
Li's mother comforted her.
"Madam, I think this young lady might just be saying that to scare you."
"How capable could she be? Does she expect to wipe out our Marquis's mansion while she's married?"
Granny Zou chimed in from the side,
“That’s right, that’s right. Once she gets married, you, Madam, will naturally regain control.”
“The young lady is saying this to make you uneasy. If you believe her and your health doesn’t recover, you won’t have a comfortable life once you gain power.”
Seeing the two old servants say this, Old Madam Qiao's anxiety eased slightly.
Qiao Qingshu came out of Old Madam Qiao's courtyard, intending to go to Qiao Jizhou's study to discuss matters.
Just as they turned the corner of the waterside pavilion, they heard playful noises coming from Qiao Antai's courtyard.
Qiao Qingshu listened for a while and heard both male and female voices, which aroused her curiosity.
Her half-brother, who was born out of wedlock, usually cried more often than he laughed so happily.
What could have made this silly older brother so happy?
Curious, she stepped into Qiao Antai's courtyard.
As soon as he stepped into the courtyard, he saw a maidservant under the eaves wiping Qiao Antai's hands and face with a warm towel.
Qiao Antai was playing somewhere again and was covered in dirt, his clothes filthy and muddy.
Qiao Qingshu frowned and muttered to herself.
"Who is this girl? She looks unfamiliar."
Late Autumn behind him immediately responded.
“Miss, you don’t know this, but this girl is called An Ge. She was just bought a few months ago. She was originally assigned to serve in Aunt Xu’s room, but after Aunt Xu died, she was assigned to the young master’s courtyard.”
Qiao Qingshu was somewhat puzzled. There were not many servants in Qiao Antai's courtyard, only four in total: a young servant and three old women.
They were all stupid and unpopular servants from other courtyards, people the masters didn't like, so they were stuffed into Qiao Antai's room to make up the numbers.
Qiao Antai was simple-minded, and Aunt Chen didn't care. Although the second young lady had tried to reason with Qiao Jizhou and her grandmother several times, it was all in vain.
But Madam Qiao and Qiao Jizhou were too lazy to care about this fool, and didn't take him seriously, ignoring and neglecting him.
She looked at the pretty girl with some doubt. In terms of appearance, this maid, An Ge, was even more beautiful than the one beside her.
She had fair skin and a delicate face. Although she wore coarse linen clothes, they were clean and tidy, with flowers embroidered on the cuffs.
She looks like a decent, honest, and capable girl.
A maid like that would be highly sought after, so how did she end up in Qiao Antai's courtyard?
Late Autumn noticed the eldest daughter's confusion and promptly whispered a reminder from the side.
"Young lady, look at her legs."
At this moment, An Ge was wringing out a towel, preparing to splash the dirty water into the yard. As she walked, Qiao Qingshu couldn't help but widen her eyes.
He was lame.
I didn't see her legs because they were blocked by the railing.
Now, seeing her move, Qiao Qingshu could clearly see that one of her feet was turned inward, and she walked with a limp. The water in the basin also spilled out as she walked, following her unsteady steps.