Eldest Young Madam Xue glared at second young madam Xue and said, “Sister-in-law, be careful of what you say. Qiao Ruoyi is not only the Empress’s sister, she is also a second rank official in the imperial court and Second Brother’s direct superior!”
Speaking of which, this second young Madam Xue became even angrier. Back then, her husband was blessed by his ancestors and relied on the name of the High Duke’s public house to enter the Ministry of Appointments. After many years of hard work, he had become an assistant in the Ministry of appointments at such a young age.
This made second young Madam Xue the envy of all her sisters. However, two years ago, Qiao Ruoyi had descended from the Ministry of Appointments and became the Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Appointments, suppressing her husband by a head.
Her husband had also been laughed at by everyone and gradually relaxed.
By relying on the High Duke’s public house’s face, other people had given her husband some face. However, her husband was depressed and often went to Spring Breeze Street to drink. She was not willing to take in concubines, so her husband kept those girls from brothels as his concubines.
Seeing that High Duke Xue was already old, if the Old High Duke Xue went, the Xue family would be separated, and she would not even be the second young mistress of the High Duke’s public house.
This was all thanks to Qiao ruoyi.
The second young mistress of the Xue family thought of the old and new grudges, and then looked at her daughter’s appearance. She hugged her daughter tightly and said,
“Even if she is ranked as the Third High Duke, she still has to be reasonable. My daughter has been harmed by her daughter to this state. If I wanted her daughter to pay with her life, it would be a light punishment. How can my Xue family’s daughter be so easily bullied!”
Second Young Madam Xue held her daughter’s hand and went to kneel outside the palace gate. She kneeled for about four hours.
Officials rushed to the palace gate to attend the court session. Although many officials did not know the second young madam of the Xue family, they knew that she was not an ordinary woman when they saw her well-dressed. Then, they looked at the charred child beside her, whose gender could not be seen, everyone who saw her gasped.
When state Duke Xue saw his daughter-in-law, he came forward and asked, “Why are you here?”
The second young mistress of the Xue family said, “Father-in-law, you have to make a decision for Xiaoxiao. Qiao Ruoyi’s illegitimate daughter burned my daughter to this state.”
Qiao Ruoyi and Qiao Lui happened to pass by. When Qiao Ruoyi heard this, she went forward and asked, “What did you say?”
The second young mistress of the Xue family stood up, she pointed at Qiao Ruoyi’s nose and cursed, “Qiao ruoyi, that bastard child of yours, who was born unclean before marriage, ruined my daughter’s appearance in the palace yesterday. Even my daughter has become like this. I Can’t live anymore!”
“Even if I die, I will make that bastard pay with his life!”
Before Qiao Ruoyi could make a move, an orchid fragrance came. Lan Xin slapped second young Madam Xue twice.
State Duke Xue was furious. “Sir Qiao, this is the daughter-in-law of our Xue family. How can your maidservant hit her as she pleases?”
Xie Yun coughed and said without any energy, “State Duke Xue may have made a mistake. This is my maidservant. Qiao Nichang is my biological daughter. Your Xue family has disregarded the face of the Qiao family and insulted my son as a bastard. So what if you slap her twice?”
Seeing the commotion, master Qiao came over and said, “Who insulted my Qiao family’s granddaughter?”
When state Duke Xue saw Master Qiao coming over, he did not dare to stand up for his daughter-in-law, he could only explain, “Master Qiao, My Xiaoxiao has been destroyed to such a state. My daughter-in-law was also careless for a moment. I’m here to apologize to Master Qiao.”
Second Young Madam Xue frowned and said, “Father, why are you apologizing to them? Xiaoxiao has been harmed to this extent. How Can Qiao Nichang be so precious? I can’t even say it. What should I do if my daughter has been harmed to this extent?”
Qiao ruoyi said, “That won’t happen. Nichang has always been obedient and innocent. She would never intentionally harm your daughter.”
Xue Xiaoxiao cried loudly, “She did it on purpose. Yesterday, I couldn’t sleep because I was hungry, so I went to their room to play with them. When I pushed the door open and entered, I saw Qiao Nichang pushing the lantern frame onto Princess Neon.
I quickly ran over to hold the lantern frame. She was afraid that I would tell on her, so she took down another lantern and smashed it on my face, causing it to catch fire.”
Although Qiao Lui was worried about his daughter, he knew very well how close Qiao Nishang and Qiao Nihong were. How could Qiao Nishang use the lantern to burn Qiao Nihong?
The bell rang in the palace. It was time for the court session. Everyone did not delay and entered the main hall.
During the morning court session, Lady Qiao was also there. It was the first time the Empress was attending the court session. The scholars and ministers looked at each other, wondering if they should come to the main hall and ask the Empress not to come.
It was rare for Lady Qiao to wear heavy makeup today, she said, “I came to court today because I heard that the young lady of the Xue family wants to seek justice for her daughter. Last night, I was here. When I announced them to come in, I will naturally give them justice.”
When the mother and daughter kneeling on the ground outside the palace doors heard the Empress’s words, the second young lady of the Xue family was extremely happy.
Qiao ruoyi might be the Empress’s younger sister, but she was only her stepsister after all. Even if the Empress was doing it for her own reputation, she would not cover up for her stepsister’s daughter.
On the way into the main hall, the second young Madam even instructed her daughter, “Xiaoxiao, don’t be afraid. Just tell the truth later.”
This was the first time Xue Xiaoxiao had seen such a grand scene. She was terrified and sobbed as she recounted what had happened last night.
Although no one in the imperial court dared to talk about it, they were all thinking that Qiao Ruoyi’s daughter was too vicious. She had such a vicious heart at such a young age.
Not long after, Qiao Nichang and Ni Hong also arrived at the main hall, along with Lu Ang and the palace maids.
Lady Qiao asked, “Such a big thing happened in the guest hall yesterday. Where are the palace maids and palace maids guarding the door?”
The palace maids trembled and knelt down to answer, “Last night, Miss Xue was hungry. One moment she said she wanted to eat this, the next she said she wanted to eat that. We didn’t dare to neglect her.”
“Yesterday, Miss Xue said that she dropped her earring on the road. It was an extremely precious earring in the jewelry pavilion, so she asked us to look for it with lanterns. So we left.”
Qiao Jinniang softened her tone and asked little neon, “Did you hear anything yesterday?”
Qiao neon said, “Auntie, I don’t know either. I only know that Xue Xiaoxiao is lying. How could neon come to harm me!”
Xue Xiaoxiao said, “Do I need to lie? I’ve already become like this. She’s the one who harmed me!”
Qiao Nishang was so angry that she put her hands on her hips. “You’ve wronged me! You’re talking nonsense. You’re lying so you have to become an ugly monster!”
“You’re the Ugly Monster. You’re the B * Stard that your mother had an affair with before marriage. Even your own father despises you and doesn’t want you!”Xue Xiaoxiao said without thinking.
Qiao Nishang’s eyes were red as she said, “You’re talking nonsense. My father is the great hero General Luo Wei who exterminates bandits. My father is very good at leading troops to war!”
Second Young Madam Xue knelt on the ground and said, “Your Majesty, my daughter will not lie. There is no need for her to become like this just to slander Miss Qiao. I Beg Your Majesty and the empress to handle this matter impartially!”
