Chapter 1074: The Money

Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations

They had made a pact to keep this information to themselves, never to be mentioned again.

As long as their secret remained hidden, Qiao Xuan would lack any evidence. So what if they stayed silent?

Having been away from the main house for countless years, with numerous inhabitants residing there, any whispers would undoubtedly create a stir.

Madame Qiao’s complexion grew pale, contorted with a mix of comprehension and unwillingness.

Exhausted from reiterating the same point, she was repeatedly met with harsh realities.

Auntie Ling strained to whisper, “The 4,000 liang…”

Before she could finish her sentence, Madame Qiao forcefully swept away the teacups beside her, producing a loud crash. Auntie Ling flinched in surprise.

“Give it to her!” Madame Qiao struggled to suppress the urge to vomit blood, panting with her pale face. “4,000 liang is insignificant! Do you think I cannot afford such an amount? You are truly despicable!”

“Very well, Madame Qiao!”

Auntie Ling replied, her heart filled with bitter irony.

Indeed, 4,000 liang was no trifling sum.

When the Third Old Master and Third Madame returned to the capital, they discovered that the patriarch and his eldest son residing in the main mansion held disdain for them, while Madame Lady Qiao remained indifferent.

Whenever the Third Old Master and Third Madame were absent from the capital, the First Old Master and Second Old Master would grow closer to Madame Yuezheng.

Yet, Madame Qiao could not bear the fact that Madame Lady Qiao continued to turn a blind eye, even when she sensed that the patriarch and his family had swindled them out of a substantial amount of money.

Madame meticulously sorted through their belongings, leaving very little behind.

Having obtained 4,000 liang to settle her Young Master’s debts only served to deepen her sense of despair.

After Third Madame’s recovery from illness, she eagerly prepared to immerse herself in social engagements.

They needed to tailor clothes, adorn them with ornaments, purchase rouge and cosmetics from the capital, exchange favors, bestow rewards and dowries upon Elder Miss, and acquire garments and accessories…

Every aspect required money.

Second Miss displayed such heartlessness…

How could Young Master have fallen for their deception?

Why did they even draft that contract?

Madame Qiao made a firm decision – she would reclaim Qiao Xuan, not because she couldn’t bear to part with her, but because she needed to teach her a lesson.

However, Third Old Master, Madame Lady Qiao, the patriarch, and the eldest son hesitated.

Indeed, what if the Tian Family grew infuriated over Qiao Xuan? The Qiao Family wouldn’t be able to endure the consequences. What if they found themselves embroiled in nothing but trouble?

It would be incredibly unjust.

Moreover, Qiao Xuan and Shao Yunduan had received rewards from the Emperor and the court. They couldn’t compel them to relinquish those rewards. Those two individuals possessed the audacity to do as they pleased. They were shameless, but they couldn’t refuse them.

In summary, bringing her back might not yield any benefits, but it could result in negative repercussions.

Under these circumstances, they could wait for half a year or a few months.

Shao Yunduan and Qiao Xuan were aware that her father and stepmother had returned to the capital, yet they didn’t come to visit. This was their fault, and they intended to exploit it as a pretext to hold them accountable.

Madame Qiao would feign deafness and muteness.

Third Old Master felt that something was wrong. He wanted to get her back.

He believed that Shao Yunduan would have a promising future, and if he did not admit that now, it would be too late in the future.