bestfiction Chapter 69 Apology
Chapter 69 Apology
After Xiao Zhijie died in battle, Old Madam Xiao arranged for him to marry a girl from a poor but educated family in a ghost marriage, spending a considerable sum of money.
After the family divided their property, the girl moved out of the Duke's mansion with her parents-in-law.
Many years after the second wife moved out, Qiao Qingshu heard someone mention that the second master and his wife felt indebted and raised the girl like their own daughter, loving her dearly.
Four or five years later, the girl fell in love with someone else. The second master and his wife were not angry or bothered. Instead, they gave her a large dowry and married her off as if she were their own daughter.
This matter was the subject of much gossip throughout the Xiao family. Everyone said that the second son was foolish and useless, unable to even keep an eye on his wife.
Because of this incident, Qiao Qingshu had a much higher opinion of the second branch of the Xiao family.
Where can you find such wonderful in-laws?
You couldn't find it even with a lantern!
If she could become their daughter-in-law in this life...
"Qiao Qingshu!"
A sharp, childish female voice rang out from behind.
Qiao Qingshu turned around and saw two pairs of hostile eyes.
The visitors were Xiao Chengyan's two younger sisters.
Qiao Qingshu was no stranger to Xiao Chengyan's two younger sisters; she had met them several times during the Lantern Festival and Spring Festival in previous years.
Qiao Qingshu forced a smile.
"Qianqian, Yirou, it's been a long time. How are you?"
Madam Xing gave birth to two sons and one daughter. Her eldest son, Xiao Chengting, died of illness, leaving behind her second son, Xiao Chengyan, and her third daughter, Xiao Qianqian.
The fourth daughter, Xiao Yirou, was born to a concubine, Zou Yiniang.
In her previous life, after Qiao Qingshu married into the family, these two sisters-in-law did a lot of things to deal with her; they were two troublesome sisters-in-law.
Xiao Qianqian gave Qiao Qingshu a disdainful once-over from head to toe.
"Qiao Qingshu, I heard from my mother that you actually refused to marry my brother to his face. How dare you, coming from a fallen noble family? Who gave you the guts?"
Xiao Qianqian is Madam Xing's youngest daughter and is the most favored. She has always spoken without restraint.
Shen Wenying wanted to shield Qiao Qingshu behind her, but Qiao Qingshu whispered softly in her ear,
"Third Aunt, it's alright, I can handle this little thing."
He walked straight up to Xiao Qianqian, a calm smile on his face.
"Didn't your mother tell you that your brother and my cousin had been secretly having an affair and even exchanged tokens of their love?"
A hint of panic flashed across Xiao Qianqian's eyes, but she stubbornly insisted,
"Hmph, who knows if it's true or not? Maybe you're deliberately framing my brother, or maybe you sent your cousin to seduce him. Anyway, I don't think you're a good person. I don't want a sister-in-law like you, and I'm determined to stop my brother from marrying you!"
Qiao Qingshu slightly tugged at the corners of her mouth.
"That would be wonderful! Go and talk to your brother and tell him not to marry me. If he listens to you, I will definitely give him a generous gift to thank you."
Xiao Qianqian angrily tugged at Xiao Yirou's sleeve, saying aggrievedly,
"Fourth sister, look at what she's saying! You should teach her a lesson."
Although Xiao Yirou is also Xiao Chengyan's younger sister, she has a special feeling for her brother.
This made Xiao Yirou dislike Qiao Qingshu, but she rarely showed it. Every time they met, she would pretend to be very polite, but behind the scenes, she was insanely jealous of Qiao Qingshu.
Why can Qiao Qingshu have her brother, but I can't?
She was both happy and angry to learn that Qiao Qingshu did not want to marry her brother.
I'm happy that this woman finally left, but I'm also furious that she dumped her brother.
Xiao Yirou spoke with a sarcastic smile that didn't reach her eyes.
"Sister Shu, if you really don't want to arrange a marriage with my brother, why are you dressed so elegantly and beautifully for my Xiao residence today? You keep saying you won't marry, but why do you seem more eager than anyone else? Can you honestly say that you dressed like this today not to attract my brother?"
Qiao Qingshu stared coldly at Xiao Yirou. She knew that this sister-in-law looked dignified, but was actually a crazy madwoman.
In her past life, she caught Xiao Chengyan and Xiao Yirou in bed together while they were drunk.
Xiao Yirou shouted at her obsessively.
"Yes! That's right! I'm the one who got my brother drunk, I just wanted to have him! Why can all you lowly women have my brother, but I can't! I love my brother more than any of you women!"
This incident in her past life shattered Qiao Qingshu's worldview and made her realize the truth: Xiao Yirou's perverse love for Xiao Cheng.
Qiao Qingshu directly hit Xiao Yi's soft spot.
“Your brother personally wrote an invitation to me, showing great sincerity and devotion. Why shouldn’t I come?”
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yirou narrowed her eyes and gritted her teeth, a surge of overwhelming jealousy welling up in her eyes.
Xiao Qianqian quickly put her hands on her hips and chimed in.
"You wanted to break off the engagement, didn't you? If you really wanted to break off the engagement, you shouldn't have come. I knew you weren't a good person, full of scheming, you wicked woman!"
Qiao Qingshu thought to herself, "I'm not here today for your brother, but to find another suitable husband."
Just as I was about to speak, I heard a deep male voice reprimand me from behind.
"Qianqian, Yirou, stop being so rude!"
Everyone turned their heads and saw several young men from the Xiao family walking towards them, with Xiao Chengyan leading the way.
Xiao Chengyan dressed up specially today, wearing a brand-new royal blue silk robe, a white jade belt around his waist, and a crown with nine dragons holding pearls on his head. His handsome features were exceptionally striking.
He was determined to finalize his marriage with Qiao Qingshu today.
Old Madam Xiao once spoke to him privately and told him with certainty that if his marriage to Qiao Qingshu were to fall through, then the eldest branch of the family would have no chance of inheriting the title.
Xiao Chengyan recognized the pros and cons and knew that no matter how dissatisfied he was with Qiao Qingshu, he had to marry her for the sake of the future of the main branch of the family.
Today, no matter what, we must get Qiao Qingshu's approval and finalize this marriage.
He was just figuring out how to coax Qiao Qingshu when he stumbled upon his two younger sisters bullying her.
Xiao Chengyan rebuked him sternly.
"Qianqian, Yirou, and Shu'er are my honored guests. You two should apologize to Shu'er immediately."
Xiao Qianqian and Xiao Yirou immediately lowered their heads and became meek, losing their previous arrogance, but their tone still carried dissatisfaction.
Xiao Qianqian pouted and said,
"Brother, I'm just standing up for you. She's already this arrogant before she's even married into the family. What will she do after she does?"
Xiao Yirou said with hurt in her eyes,
"Brother, she's about to break off the engagement with you, and you're still protecting her like this?"
Xiao Chengyan's voice suddenly rose three octaves, and he angrily rebuked, brows furrowed.
"Apologize! Otherwise, go kneel in the ancestral hall!"
Xiao Yirou and Xiao Qianqian trembled in fright. They had never seen their brother like this before. They immediately apologized and left looking aggrieved.
Xiao Chengyan then adopted a gentle expression as he looked at Qiao Qingshu.
"Shu'er, my two younger sisters are ignorant and said some foolish things. Please don't take it to heart. I apologize to you again."
They adopted a very humble posture and spoke with an indescribable cautiousness.
Qiao Qingshu's gaze never fell on Xiao Chengyan, but was fixed on Xiao Zhijie.
Xiao Zhijie, the only son of the second branch of the Xiao family, died in battle on the frontier not long after.
Her husband died young, but she had good in-laws. After marrying into the family, the relationship was simple, and her life was leisurely and affluent.
Is there a better husband than this?
Qiao Qingshu came here today specifically for Xiao Zhijie!
This is the perfect husband she carefully selected.