Chapter 263: Feeling Shameful

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

Miss Mu returned to her mansion with her family, witnessing their distressed looks. The Duchess began to wail.

“It’s all my fault. I’ve made you all suffer like this.”

Miss Mu shot her a cold look. “Mother, when our founding ancestor had nothing, he served our late Emperor from the bottom, starting as a lowly soldier. One mustn’t forget their roots. Just because our family has achieved status now doesn’t mean we should look down on others. The people you disdain are the ones we can’t afford to provoke.”

“We’ve suffered an undeserved humiliation.

“Mother, can you stop talking like this? Who brought about this humiliation? If it weren’t for you trying to harm her son, would she have acted like this?” “You… I don’t have a daughter like you that sides with outsiders.”

“I didn’t want a mother who was so callous with people’s lives, but I had no choice.”

“You!”

Miss Mu’s two younger brothers felt deeply embarrassed after being throttled by Qiao Mai.

“Sis, are you dead-set on their family?”

“Madam Qiao is a good person and kind-hearted. If not for you pushing her into a corner, she wouldn’t have acted this way.”

She looked at the Duke. “Father, the medical supplies in the rear have all been provided by Madam Qiao in the war. Although your soldiers say it’s arranged by County Governor Yuan, Madam Qiao provided the money. Every year, she helps refugees from the south who have fled here, providing them with porridge and aid. She is a meritorious figure of our Great Ming Dynasty.”

“Sigh, Father understands. It’s our fault for wronging her. To kill a person of merit is unjust, which is my fault for not managing your mother properly.”

“Sis, it’s your fault. You coveted their belongings and seduced their son. If you had just stayed in your lane, we wouldn’t be in this situation.”

Miss Mu didn’t feel she was at fault. “I’m not wrong. Yunfeng is handsome, talented, and even better than you two. Why should I let him go?”

“So you’d rather see our mother humiliated?”

“Hmph, you call this humiliation? If she sent people to kill your relatives, try to see if you can forgive that.”

At that moment, her two brothers were silent. If anyone treated their family in such a way, they would do anything to seek justice.

Madam Qiao was only imitating the Duchess, but she couldn’t handle it when the tables were turned. It’s ironic that she treated others like ants and yet didn’t acknowledge her mistakes when she tried to harm them.

In essence, it’s a reflection of the feudal dynasty’s habit of exerting dominance and looking down on the weak. They didn’t expect to kick on the hornet’s nest.

If Qiao Mai were an ordinary person, their family would have been oppressed by the Duke.

When Qiao Mai returned to her courtyard, Old Master and Mistress Wang came over with Yunfeng, Fengyun, and Chuan’er.

“Have you discussed everything?”

“They returned empty-handed this time, but I also made the county princess stay in our house and do farm work.”

“What? Is there some misunderstanding in between?”

“No misunderstanding at all. That Duchess sent people to kill Feng’er. If I didn’t retaliate, do I deserve to be his mother?”

Yunfeng’s eyes welled up with tears, and he immediately knelt in front of Qiao Mai. “It’s all my fault.”

“Alright, get up. I don’t blame you. It’s Princess Mu who intentionally tried to seduce you for her gain. It has nothing to do with you.”

“If I didn’t take the bait, there wouldn’t have been so much trouble.’

“It’s our lowly status that’s the problem. She looks down on us.”

The old lady sighed and said, “The Duke’s family is known for their loyalty and noble lineage, but surprisingly, their daughter-in-law has such a high and mighty attitude.”

“I understand she wants her daughter to marry someone from an equal background, but there’s no excuse for trying to kill my son. That’s the part I can’t tolerate the most.’

“My child, I know you’re talented. The Mu family is a formidable one.”

“I’m not afraid. If she dares to send someone again, I’ll break her son’s leg. If a hair on my son’s head is harmed, I’ll make her son pay with his life.”

“Do you want to escalate this?”

“What choice do I have? If she shows even a hint of remorse, I won’t let her go like this. I wanted to get along peacefully, considering they’ll be our in-laws. But their family doesn’t show any respect. I’m not willing to accept that.” “Girl, I’m worried…”

“Believe me. In the Great Ming Dynasty, there’s nothing I can’t handle.”

Old Master and Mistress Wang exchanged glances. Perhaps only Old Master

Wang had confidence in Qiao Mai. But both of them were still quite worried.

The Mu family left Tianshui Town on the twelfth day, while the County Princess arrived at the Qiao family’s residence with a maid.

In the past, she was eager to move in and experience a new life. Now, however, the County Princess’s feelings were quite complicated.

Yunfeng didn’t seem particularly happy upon seeing her. They just nodded at each other.

It seemed that both families were strained due to the events involving them.

Qiao Mai didn’t hesitate and immediately arranged a place for the County Princess to stay. She was given chores from early morning to late at night like the servants in the house.

She also ate with the servants without any special treatment.

Since Princess Mu moved in, Yunfeng hadn’t visited her. It was as if their connection had suddenly been cut off.

After returning to the capital with his wife and children, the Duke couldn’t believe how extraordinary his experiences in Tianshui Town had been when he saw his bedridden wife.

Could a year’s rest heal her? What kind of poison was this?

He couldn’t accept it. He sent messengers to request imperial physicians, but they all said the Duchess was not ill.

How can someone who isn’t sick lie down and not get up? They invited all the doctors in the imperial city to diagnose her, but the results were still the same.

The Duke marveled at the skills of the person who had poisoned her.

The Duke was a general who led troops into battle, and he could endure more than his wife. Several more servants were assigned to take care of his wife in the backyard.

They would have to wait for a year.

The Old Duke called his son into his study. “Have you seen that woman?”

“Yes.”

“What’s your impression of her?”

“She looks ordinary, but her martial arts skills are unfathomable. Appearances can indeed be deceiving.”

“A fifth-ranked minor official is fortunate enough to marry a wife like her. In the future, you should assist them and treat them well. We need in-laws like that.”

“Father, do you agree with this marriage?”

“What’s there not to agree with? Our Mu family is already a prominent household. By letting Rong’er marry into another influential family, we’re poking the Emperor in the eye. Besides, in marriage, we should consider the character rather than his family background. As long as he treats Rong’er well and she likes him, it’s fine.

“My wife can’t understand that and insists on going against them. Now, we have a tense relationship. Rong’er has been forced to stay in their house and work in the fields.’

“She’s not being forced; she’s gaining experience. She should adapt in advance. The strong have their own ideas. How could she mistreat her daughter-in-law?”

“This trip to Tianshui Town feels so frustrating, and it’s all because of a woman.”

“Who told you to lack the talents of that woman?”

The Old Duke held high expectations for Qiao Mai. He even wanted to visit the Qiao family to see what kind of woman could make his son and daughter-in-law suffer like this.

In a month, the matter of the Duke’s family spread throughout the capital.

Many people heard that the county princess had fallen for the son of a fifth-ranked official, and they mocked the situation. The Emperor was even interested enough to summon the Duke to the palace.

“Lord Mu, I’ve heard rumors from the outside. What exactly has happened in your family?”

“It’s not something major, Your Majesty. My only daughter has taken an interest in the son of a fifth-ranked official.

“What about this young man?”

“He’s talented in both literature and martial arts. He will be taking the imperial examination this year.” “The examination for what?”

“A recommended scholar.”

“As long as he has a good character, I’ll grant them marriage,”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Whose son is he?”

“He’s the son of County She’s governor.”

The Emperor showed interest. It was an unexpected development. Yuan Jiaqi piqued the interest of his daughter, and now his son attracted the County Princess’s attention..

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