Chapter 31

Left and Zuo Heying suddenly lost their voice and cried out, “Father!”

Mrs. Zuo’s legs softened slightly, and she hurriedly supported herself on the chair beside her before barely standing firm.

Her face flushed red, and she turned her head to look at Duke Yan, also filled with disbelief.

She couldn’t understand why her husband favored their daughter who had married out instead of supporting their son and daughter-in-law!

The Duke of Yan’s mansion was gradually declining, while the Qiao mansion was thriving. She had tried hard to arrange a marriage between Ning’er and their eldest son for the sake of the Duke of Yan’s mansion!

Yet the Duke Yan didn’t even look at his own son and daughter-in-law. Instead, he coldly said, “Since our daughter-in-law has made up her mind, let it be settled like this. From now on, our eldest son will pretend there is no aunt.”

“Jing’er, go back and tell our eldest son and second son, let them not be surprised why their aunt never visits. Their aunt has cut ties with them and will never go to the Qiao family in this lifetime!”

After saying this, the Duke of Yan snorted coldly and left with a flick of his sleeves.

Madam Qiao looked at the Duke Yan’s cold back, feeling guilty beyond words.

In order to change the fate of the Qiao family’s tragic deaths, she had to eliminate all potential threats, but this time she had made it difficult for her father.

With this in mind, Mrs. Qiao immediately chased after Qiao Jiaojiao.

Listening to her father’s heartless words, Mrs. Zuo’s last bit of strength was completely drained. She collapsed to the ground against the edge of the table, her eyes blank.

This shouldn’t have happened. Things shouldn’t have turned out like this.

Damn Zuo Hejing, how could she be so heartless!

Seeing her father and sister leave one after another, Left and Zuo Heying became furious.

“You shrew, are you satisfied now? How did I fall for your face back then, completely forgetting to check what kind of person you are!”

Mrs. Zuo trembled at these words, a hint of resentment rising in her eyes.

“Left and Zuo Heying, what makes you any better! If it weren’t for you back then, I…”

Mrs. Zuo stopped halfway through her sentence, instantly falling silent.

Long-lost memories flooded back. If it weren’t for the Duke Yan’s proposal back then, she would have married her childhood sweetheart long ago.

How could he, who loved and cherished her so much, bear to let her suffer like this!

Left and Zuo Heying didn’t delve into Mrs. Zuo’s hesitation. He just waved his sleeve harshly and said coldly, “If you’re sensible, go apologize to the Qiao family yourself. Otherwise, on the day of our eldest son’s wedding, I’ll go alone!”

Mrs. Zuo watched Left and Zuo Heying’s departing figure, clenched her fists tightly, her nails almost embedding into her palms.

On the other side, Mrs. Qiao caught up to Duke Yan.

In fact, Duke Yan slowed down intentionally because he couldn’t bear to see his daughter chasing after him with her granddaughter.

Mrs. Qiao lowered her eyes nervously and said, “Father, do you think I’ve been too heartless to my sister-in-law?”

Duke Yan sighed softly at her words.

“Jing’er, in fact, all of this is father’s fault.”

Mrs. Qiao’s face changed slightly at his words, “Father, this has nothing to do with you, it’s the daughter’s own…”

“No.”

Duke Yan shook his head, regret evident on his face.

“In the past, father was busy with battles, neglecting your brother’s education, which led him to become spoiled and indulgent.”

“Later, when I brought him by my side, I always felt guilty, so when he insisted on marrying your sister-in-law, I indulged him.”

“Now, looking back, one mistake led to another. After a hundred years, the Duke’s mansion will inevitably collapse.”

His words were heavy, causing Mrs. Qiao’s expression to change instantly.

“Dad, why would you say that? Things haven’t…”

Duke Yan continued shaking his head, “Jing’er, the incident we discovered last time was still a hidden danger. Your sister-in-law is unruly, and your brother is incompetent. There might be trouble in the future.”

“Jing’er, I’m getting old, I don’t know how long I’ll live. There’s something I can only entrust to you and Zhongguo.”

Upon hearing this, tears immediately welled up in Mrs. Qiao’s eyes.

Duke Yan closed his eyes briefly, then reopened them with determination.

“If your brother and sister-in-law do anything foolish in the future, you and Zhongguo handle it. Don’t worry about sibling affection.”

“But, Ning’er’s child is innocent. She is pure-hearted, not influenced by her foolish parents, and is a sensible child.”

“Jing’er, if the Duke’s mansion really becomes unsustainable in the future, then arrange a good marriage for Ning’er.”

After hearing these words, Mrs. Qiao felt a mixture of bitterness and heartache.

Father’s judgment was correct. Her brother and sister-in-law were indeed heartless!

Qiao Jiaojiao was puzzled by what she heard.

[What did Grandfather find out about Aunt last time? Did he find out about her childhood sweetheart? But in the original, this event led to the downfall of the Qiao family, and Grandfather was kept in the dark.]

Qiao Jiaojiao couldn’t understand. Seeing Duke Yan mention Zuo Anning, she couldn’t help but sigh deeply.

[Grandfather is truly well-intentioned, but Uncle and Aunt are indeed ruthless parents. They ultimately handed Ning’er over to King Jing.]

[But King Jing only loves Meng Guxue. When Meng Guxue gets jealous, King Jing immediately gives Ning’er to a guard by his side.]

[That’s the legitimate young lady of the Duke’s mansion, given to a guard as his wife, and that guard is a coarse man who doesn’t know how to cherish such a delicate flower!]

Mrs. Qiao was horrified to hear about Zuo Anning’s fate!

It’s said that a tiger doesn’t eat its cubs, yet her brother and sister-in-law actually pushed Ning’er into the fire pit themselves!

“Dad, isn’t the marriage of children supposed to be decided by their parents? I’m afraid as an aunt, I can’t interfere.”

Duke Yan snorted, “As long as I’m alive, they won’t easily decide Ning’er’s marriage!”

“Jing’er, I’ll handle this matter. You just keep an eye out for Ning’er. It’s not about high status, but about the character of the man.”

Mrs. Qiao couldn’t bear to see a good girl like Ning’er being worn down, so she nodded firmly.

“Dad, rest assured, your daughter understands.”

After leaving Duke Yan’s mansion, Mrs. Qiao felt somewhat heavy-hearted.

Qiao Jiaojiao noticed her mother’s mood and tried her best to cheer her up along the way.

When they reached the entrance of the Qiao mansion, Mrs. Qiao finally smiled.

“Mother?”

A soft call came from outside the carriage.

Mrs. Qiao lifted the curtain and saw Qiao Tianjing and Qiao Diyi walking together, followed by a young man dressed as a scholar.

Mrs. Qiao immediately lowered the curtain, but the scholar was also polite and never raised his head.

Qiao Jiaojiao glanced at him casually and was instantly shocked!

[Tan Hanchi! Am I seeing things? Is the scholar following behind my brother Tan Hanchi?]

Qiao Jiaojiao felt like her brain was about to explode.

[How could Tan Hanchi be related to our Qiao mansion? He’s supposed to be on King Jing’s side!]

Qiao Tianjing and Qiao Diyi heard Qiao Jiaojiao’s thoughts outside the sedan chair and couldn’t help but smile at each other.

For the Qiao mansion to have such a talent, it was all thanks to their little sister!