Chapter 322: Getting Serious

The next day, the capital exploded with activity as soon as dawn broke. On the first day of the new year, instead of the traditional New Year greetings, the city was abuzz with explosive news.

Upon hearing this news, who could still find the heart to celebrate the New Year?

Those who had gathered for New Year’s greetings discussed these events together. The empress and the princess became fools. The death of Royal Physician Liu and his wife, along with over a hundred dismembered bodies on the streets, made the people shudder with fear.

This was the capital, the heart of the country. Three shocking events occurred overnight. Who wouldn’t be afraid?

Even in the heavily guarded imperial palace, someone could enter freely; what about ordinary households? Just thinking about it made one break into a cold sweat. Due to this, every household reinforced its defenses. Even the idle young elites became much more obedient.

The Qiao family had breakfast and received New Year’s greetings from their servants, rewarding them. After that, they took a carriage to the Bichun Garden.

Old Master and Mistress Wang also learned about these events. The two didn’t engage in small talk; they exchanged a glance.

Wang Zongsheng was the same. Only Madam Wang was still foolishly asking him.

“Will Madam Qiao’s family come today? Will they look down on us now that they’ve become a Duke?”

Wang Zongsheng glared at her. “Hurry and instruct the kitchen to prepare a sumptuous feast.”

“They won’t care. They eat delicacies daily. Why would they be interested in our food?”

“Nonsense! Did you forget about the New Year’s gifts? They sent us a considerable amount—five carriages full. What are you talking about?”

“I’m not…”

“Are you going or not?”

“You!”

Wang Zongsheng glared at her. “If you don’t, go back to Wei City. Don’t come here to annoy me. You heartless woman.”

“How am I heartless? Haven’t I given her enough silver over the years?”

“Not enough. Let me remind you again. If you can’t remember, we might as well separate. Without her, your daughter would have become a laughingstock in the capital. She saved Jiaru’s marriage and turned your son from a fool into an official appointed by the court. How do you plan to repay such kindness? A bit of silver? Does she lack that? She accepted it to let us be at ease.”

“Nonsense! If it weren’t for her, my daughter might have married someone else. Instead, she is confined in the prince’s mansion because of her.”

Wang Zongsheng slapped her harshly. On the first day of the New Year, Madam Wang got a beating. He coldly looked at his wife.

“If you think so, I’ll write a separation letter for you now. Take your dowry and get out of my family.”

“In your dreams! I’ve given birth to a son and a daughter for you. If you dare to divorce me, I’ll go to my parents, and they will deal with you.”

“They’ll deal with me? Because of a Duke? Are you sure your family dares to offend them?”

“Perhaps your family members would try to curry favor with them. You and your daughter are equally ignorant.”

Madam Wang was rendered speechless by Wang Zongsheng’s words.

After a while, she retorted, “In any case, it was our family that first showed kindness to her. She owes Jiaru and Zihan.”

“Kindness? Taking care of her? Do you think she needs you? Hmph!”

Wang Zongsheng glared at her, walked to the desk, and began writing the separation letter. He didn’t want an idiot woman like her.

Seeing him taking it seriously, Madam Wang was scared and immediately knelt.

“Husband, I was wrong. Don’t write it. I’ll arrange things in the kitchen and make sure the Qiao family is satisfied.”

Just as she spoke, Qiao Mai’s voice rang out.

“No need. We won’t dine at your house. Uncle, Happy New Year.”

Wang Zongsheng awkwardly smiled. It looked worse than crying. “Happy New

Year.”

Following them were Old Master and Mistress Wang, who cast a stern glare at Madam Wang. If not for her, the Qiao family wouldn’t have witnessed this spectacle today.

Qiao Mai turned around and smiled at them. “Grandfather, grandmother, when will you return to the residence?”

“Probably on the sixth day. I’ll be going to my mother’s house on the second day, and on the third, fourth, and fifth days, I’ve made plans to meet with some old friends in the capital.”

“Alright, we’ll be waiting for you at home.”

The family paid their respects before walking away. Old Master and Mistress Wang remained seated in their chairs.

He roared, “Kneel!”

Terrified, Madam Wang knelt in front of Old Master Wang.

“Because of the Qiao family, your mother-in-law and husband have advised you countless times. Can’t you change your ways? You are like a dog who can’t stop eating shit.”

“I was wrong!”

Old Master Wang had never spoken to her in such harsh terms before. The words she said to her husband just now were heard by her in-laws and Madam Qiao.

In reality, she knew the situation, but she was just unwilling.

People tend to be like that. When they see others living better lives, they feel a twinge of envy. Conversely, if they see others facing difficulties, it can evoke a sense of kindness.

“I think you’ve been living too comfortably. If you feel that Zongsheng’s official position is too low, you can divorce him and find someone with a higher rank.” “No, no. It was merely a moment of anger.”

“It’s not that Zongsheng doesn’t want to rise in rank. Our family’s businesses are all in the north, and they need someone to look over them. The capital is not a place for us; it’s full of deceit. Sooner or later, the Wang family will face irreversible calamity. I’ve told you this countless times. We need to keep a low profile. How did you become like this now?”

“Enough. I understand you’re upset about Jiaru. But if her character doesn’t change, the prince’s mansion won’t release her. Do you think Madam Qiao has the power to alter her nature?”

Old Mistress Wang sighed and spoke gently.

Madam Wang knelt on the ground, crying. “As her mother, it’s heartbreaking to see Jiaru like this. I can’t do anything for her.”

“But if she doesn’t change, she’ll bring trouble upon herself. Do you want to see her facing assassination attempts like this morning or live out her life peacefully?”

Hearing this, Madam Wang raised her head and looked at her mother-in-law. Old Mistress Wang continued.

“The queen and Princess Heyi must have offended someone. Even the royal family can’t escape retaliation. Do you think someone like Jiaru, once released, won’t cause any trouble? Think about it.”

“Father, Mother, your words have enlightened me. I realize my mistakes now.”

“Since you have this mindset because of Jiaru, I’ll give you another chance. If you cause trouble again, we won’t allow Zongsheng to keep you.”

“Yes! I will change.”

Wang Zongsheng put down his pen and snorted. “I’ll spare you this time for the sake of Mom and Dad. If you cause trouble again, it won’t be a separation letter but a divorce letter.”

The Wang family matters were resolved like this. The Qiao family returned home. If they didn’t invite Jiamei the night before, they wouldn’t be in a hurry to go home.

They had to wander around the capital.

The streets and alleys were still the same, unaffected by the three shocking news items.

This wasn’t something human power could handle. Even the emperor was powerless. Who could solve these cases?

After the authorities cleaned up the streets, removed the remnants, and cleared the bloodstains, everything went quiet. Although the Liu family had reported the case, the emperor decided to let them take care of the deceased’s funeral.

With Royal Physician Liu gone, the Liu family no longer had anyone as influential as him, and the famous Renyi Medical Hall would gradually decline.

This would give Qiao Mai some peace for a while.

Because of these three incidents, the emperor decided to skip the New Year’s greetings in the palace and catch up on sleep on the morning of the New Year.

Jiamei also reported to her mother early and went to Lucky Garden with her personal maid and guards.

This was her first time visiting the Qiao family alone. Since the last time she came with the emperor, she had not visited again.

Her upbringing was excellent. If her fiancé’s family didn’t invite her, she wouldn’t come on her own.

This time, she didn’t come empty-handed. She brought many gifts.

Upon entering, she was also gentle with the Qiao family’s servants. Not to mention Qiao Mai, even Yuan Jiaqi was quite satisfied with her. Upon seeing her, Ling’er shouted.. “Has our sister-in-law arrived?”

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