Chapter 362: You Want Her to Leave?
Chapter 362: You Want Her to Leave?
Worry clouded Madam Xie's face.
Consort Meng could read her expression clearly. Yet, understanding did not equate to offering comfort or a listening ear. In Consort Meng's opinion, someone in their forties should have the sense to discern right from wrong and make better decisions.
This single trait was enough to irritate Consort Meng.
Moreover, what had Madam Xie attempted before?
She had intended to ruin an innocent girl's reputation and facilitate a match for her nephew, hadn't she?
They were good at choosing their targets, having selected a female relative of the Grand Princess of Dachang.
Indeed, the House of Jin Yang Hou had declined, and they urgently needed a prestigious marriage to salvage their reputation and pull them out of the mire.
The Grand Princess of Dachang was, without a doubt, an excellent choice.
They probably thought that with the backing of the Xie family, even if the scheme was uncovered, the Grand Princess might be willing to swallow this bitter fruit for the sake of the Empress's face.
Consort Meng couldn't decide whether to laugh at Madam Xie's naivety or the innocence of the Xu family, who orchestrated this plan.
Would the Grand Princess, with her temperament, be able to endure this insult?
The Grand Princess had once confronted the former emperor in front of the court officials.
How much face would the Empress have in her eyes?
However, explaining these things to a clueless person would likely be met with the perception of meddling.
Consort Meng was currently more concerned about enjoying the banquet than indulging Madam Xie's melancholy.
After offering a few reassuring words with a smile, she turned to knock on the door behind her.
Although Su Ninglan had indulged in quite a few drinks, she still maintained her consciousness and alertness. Upon realizing the unusual situation, she immediately pushed Madam Xie and her entourage out.
Su Ninglan was not alone; her maid, Sister Guo, was by her side.
Even though Madam Xie had devised intricate plans to isolate Su Ninglan from her companions, her calculations were of no concern to Su Ninglan.
As soon as she noticed something amiss, she started pushing Madam Xie's group out.
By the time Xu Mingxian arrived, he didn't even get a glimpse of Su Ninglan's face.
If Su Ninglan had brought more people, she might have had them tie him up and throw him out!
If the situation escalated, the worst consequence would be a tarnished reputation.
The people of Daxia were quite open-minded and didn't place extreme importance on such matters.
The female relatives of the Grand Princess of Dachang were typically unable to endure such grievances.
If not for the insufficient number of companions and the consideration for the Qi Wang Manor's banquet, Su Ninglan would have likely taught them a lesson already.
Consort Meng gently knocked on the door and said, "Are you alright, Sister Ning? I'm Consort Meng from the Qi Wang Manor."
Before Su Ninglan could respond, the Qi King appeared, holding Sui Sui.
On their way, they naturally encountered Xu Mingxian, who was quietly dragged away with his mouth covered.
The Qi King showed no mercy as he instructed Sui Si, "Find two people and break his legs, then send him back to the House of Jin Yang Hou."
For plotting against his cousin's family member at his manor's banquet, Xu Mingxian's life was spared only because the Qi King didn't want to see bloodshed, which would cast a shadow over their peaceful gathering.
Seeing blood was never a good omen.
With these thoughts in mind, the Qi King added, "Oh, and be careful not to draw blood when breaking his legs, so as not to spoil our peaceful gathering."
Sui Si understood his intentions after hearing these words.
This required finding the right people for the job.
Sui Si's thoughts turned swiftly, and soon, he contemplated the ideal candidates.
There were definitely suitable individuals under King Qing's command.
Sui Sui, nestled in the Qi King's embrace, watched the direction in which Xu Mingxian was taken away. In a soft voice, she said, "Father King, he's a bad person."
Le Le had said that the man's gaze was untrustworthy and his intentions impure. Sui Sui should keep her distance from him.
Upon hearing this, King Qi chuckled, "Yes, yes, yes, he's a bad guy, and we're not going to play with him."
Sui Sui nodded obediently.
The father and daughter duo soon approached, spotting Consort Meng already handling the situation while Madam Xie lingered in the distance.
King Qi paid little heed to Madam Xie, instead calling out loudly, "How's Sister Ning doing?"
Consort Meng had just asked her question when Su Ninglan, still shaken from the earlier scare and not entirely lucid, heard Consort Meng's voice and hesitated, fearing that she had fallen into someone's scheme.
She deliberated for a long while before mustering the courage to respond.
Just then, she heard the voice of King Qi, her paternal uncle, and immediately opened the door a crack. Recognizing Consort Meng standing outside, Su Ninglan lost control of her emotions and burst into tears, "Consort Meng, help! They're trying to harm me!"
Although the young lady had witnessed her fair share of underhanded tactics, this blatant display of malice was a first.
Su Ninglan's mind kept replaying the scene just before she shut the door—the sight of Xu Mingxian rushing towards her with his clothes half-open.
It was like a nightmare, constantly invading her thoughts.
She even contemplated what would have happened if they had forced themselves on her.
With her mediocre martial arts skills, she might have been at a disadvantage if a fight had broken out.
Boo-hoo!
Su Ninglan had even prepared for the worst-case scenario—if they had succeeded in their despicable plan, she would have asked her grandmother to castrate that dog, Xu Mingxian!
Did he truly believe that taking her by force would make her his wife?
Pah! He should take a good look at himself!
Hearing the familiar voices, the young girl felt both relief and resentment.
King Qi's heart softened at the sound of his niece's sobs.
Noticing Madam Xie lingering indecisively, he raised an eyebrow and asked, "Why isn't Madam Xie going to the backyard to enjoy the opera?"
According to their generations, King Qi should address Madam Xie as "aunt."
However, by simply calling her "Madam Xie," he intentionally created a distance between them.
Hearing King Qi's question, Madam Xie opened her mouth as if to find a reasonable excuse for her presence.
Before she could utter a word, King Qi continued, "Go enjoy the opera. If you don't like it or feel unwell, feel free to return to your residence and rest."
This was his subtle way of asking her to leave, making it clear that he didn't want her to stay.
Madam Xie's face paled at his words.
Puckering her thin lips, she seemed poised to offer some justification for her actions.
Madam Xie was well aware that if she left now, she would undoubtedly face repercussions later.
King Qi, seeing that she still hadn't departed, furrowed his brows and said, "Has Madam Xie been so shocked that her legs won't carry her? Perhaps I should send someone to escort her back."
King Qi thought, 'I've politely asked you to leave, and you're still here?
Very well, then don't blame me for being impolite.'
Hearing this, Madam Xie's legs went weak, and she slumped to the ground, her face contorted with a mix of sorrow and entreaty as she turned to King Qi.
King Qi: ?
What does this mean?
Is she trying to evoke my sympathy?
Indeed, although Madam Xie was in her forties, she had taken good care of herself and maintained her appearance. With her delicate physique, she could have easily evoked pity in others.
If she were younger, such an action might have indeed elicited compassion.
But...
She was well over forty!
And she was his elder! ! ! !
At her age, such behavior only made her seem indecorous, lacking in dignity, and...
Disgusting.
King Qi, fearing that his eyes would be offended further, covered Sui Sui's eyes with one hand and turned away, striding forward.
Regarding Madam Xie, King Qi merely offered a few polite words. His primary concern was for Sister Ning; he couldn't bear the thought of her being traumatized. Otherwise, his aunt might come after him with a stick!
The second update will be at 7 PM.
(End of Chapter)
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