5142

Chapter 5142: All Scared!

"Madam, please don't say that; it's my duty," the coachman said, still in his straw cape, before hurrying off again to inquire further.

Wei Ziqin turned to look at Qiao Mu and gently reassured her, "Qiao Qiao, Huainan Marquis Manor will likely send people out to help maintain order. Let's just wait calmly for a bit."

Qiao Mu uttered an "Oh," her face betraying no emotion, but Wei Ziqin knew in her heart that her daughter was getting a little impatient.

"I heard that Huainan Marquis's wife is often bedridden," Qiao Mu suddenly spoke up. "So, this banquet is...?" She wondered if a concubine from the manor was hosting it.

"The Madam herself organized it," Wei Ziqin quickly clarified. "How could such a grand banquet be hosted by a concubine? That would be too disrespectful to outsiders."

"However, it is true that the Madam's health isn't good," Wei Ziqin nodded.

"I've heard that the Marquis of Huainan seems to favor a second concubine in his household? They say that... she manages all the household affairs?"

Wei Ziqin couldn't help but smile at that. She glanced at her daughter and nodded. "My dear, I didn't realize you had such a penchant for gossip."

Her daughter looked at her mother expressionlessly, saying flatly, "Not at all."

It wasn't that she was keen on gossip; it was just that the young maids around her would chatter endlessly, casually telling her things. From one family's troubles to another's upcoming wedding, she was pretty much aware of all the goings-on.

Wei Ziqin chuckled, taking her daughter's hand and patting it twice. "The second concubine's surname is Bao, and she also has a daughter. The mother and daughter are indeed very favored in Huainan Marquis Manor."

At this point, Wei Ziqin couldn't help but sigh. Which family doesn't have its own difficult scripture to read behind closed doors? How many times have they seen instances of favoring concubines over wives? Especially in those noble and influential families with many wives and concubines, it's hard to treat everyone equally.

Qiao Mu simply "oh'd." As the two mother and daughter chatted, they suddenly heard a gentle "knock-knock" from outside the carriage.

Wei Ziqin lifted the curtain and saw a steward-like figure bowing to their carriage. "Is this the Crown Princess and Lady Qiao from the Qiao Estate? This is Madam Fang, from the Ministry of Justice, who has specifically come to greet the Crown Princess and Lady Qiao."

Wei Ziqin looked out from the carriage and saw a middle-aged lady, holding the hand of a graceful and elegant young lady, both getting out of their carriage and approaching in the rain to pay their respects.

Wei Ziqin quickly said, "Madam Fang, please don't bother with such formalities. It's raining heavily out here; please don't let yourself or the young lady catch a cold. Steward, quickly help them into their carriage. The road ahead is blocked now, and we don't know how long it will be before it clears."

The middle-aged lady smiled and bowed towards Wei Ziqin and Qiao Mu. "Thank you for your consideration, Crown Princess, Lady Qiao."

"There's no need to be so polite," Wei Ziqin felt a little embarrassed.

Seeing that other ladies and young ladies from nearby carriages were also about to get out to pay their respects, she quickly called out, "Everyone, there's no need to rush. It's raining heavily right now. Please don't get out of your carriages just yet. It's not too late to meet once we arrive at Huainan Marquis Manor."

All the ladies and young ladies thanked the Crown Princess and Lady Qiao and settled back down.

Wei Ziqin let out a small chuckle, patting her expressionless daughter and whispering, "It seems they were all scared by you."

Qiao Mu snorted. "When have I ever scared them?"