latelenovela Chapter 42 A Chance to Turn Things Around
Chapter 42 A Chance to Turn Things Around
I'm constantly feeling dizzy, weak all over, and have a persistent cough; I'm in very poor spirits.
Madam Qiao originally planned to reclaim the power to manage the household after Qiao Qingshu cleaned up the mess of Bai's funeral.
She had meticulously planned everything, but she never expected that her health would deteriorate so quickly.
I ate some porridge tonight but had no appetite. I wanted to turn on the lamp and look at the account book for a while, but I got dizzy and had a headache after reading only two lines. I had no choice but to rest.
She had just reached the bedside when she collapsed. If it weren't for the nanny nearby, she would have definitely broken her head and bled.
She sighed, and though reluctantly, she finally spoke.
"Shu'er, your grandmother has been feeling unwell these days, so I'll temporarily hand over the reins of the household to you, is that alright?"
In the past, Old Madam Qiao would never have handed over the power to manage the household to Qiao Qingshu.
But recent events have completely changed Mrs. Qiao's opinion.
Qiao Qingshu did almost everything that pleased Old Madam Qiao.
First, she tolerated Xu Biyun and her unborn child, then she asked Mr. Ouyang to help her with her medical treatment, and she even left so many servants for the Qiao family. All of these actions show that Qiao Qingshu was wholeheartedly devoted to the Qiao family.
Old Madam Qiao felt very reassured handing over the reins of the family to Qiao Qingshu.
Qiao Qingshu, however, feigned hesitation.
"Oh? Grandmother, I'm too young, I'm afraid I won't do it well."
Old Madam Qiao had completely let down her guard against Qiao Qingshu, and holding Qiao Qingshu's hand, she spoke from the bottom of her heart.
"Shu'er, now there is no one in the manor who makes me more at ease than you. You handled your mother's funeral very well. The inner quarters are just about these things, so just go ahead and manage them. If you don't understand anything, just come and ask me. Your grandmother will support you."
Qiao Qingshu politely pushed and pulled again.
Old Madam Qiao took the storeroom key directly from her bosom and handed it to her, saying...
"Take this. You'll be a mistress of the house when you get married, so you should learn how to manage a household. Use these days as practice."
Qiao Qingshu gripped the key tightly, a wave of joy washing over her.
He thought to himself, "That's wonderful! With this power over the household, I can work even harder!"
He nodded with a sorrowful expression.
“Grandmother, then I will listen to you. Once you recover, I will return the power to manage the household to you.”
Qiao Qingshu's obedient demeanor pleased Old Madam Qiao immensely.
She thought to herself that Shu'er was the kindest and most benevolent child, and that she was loyal to the Qiao family. Although she was now in charge of the household and could show her face, she was only serving the Qiao family.
As long as one's efforts are for the Qiao family and one's heart is with the Qiao family, then Old Madam Qiao doesn't care whether she is in charge of the household or not.
Qiao Qingshu knew exactly what the old woman was up to. Expecting her to be a slave to the Qiao family and exhaust herself was just wishful thinking.
If I don't bring down your Qiao family, I, Qiao Qingshu, will have lived this second life in vain.
It was already past midnight when I came out of Madam Qiao's room.
The next day, after lunch, Qiao Qingshu woke up from a nap to find that Aunt Gui had been waiting for her in the east wing for a long time.
Qiao Qingshu sat slumped in the armchair, looking somewhat languid.
After dismissing everyone else, Gui Mama whispered in Qiao Qingshu's ear,
"Don't worry, young lady. I keep an eye on the old lady's medicine every day, and it won't be missing for even a day."
Qiao Qingshu nodded, then asked,
Is it safe?
Gui's mother nodded solemnly.
"Of course. The girl who brews medicine in the old lady's room is my goddaughter. I often go to their small kitchen to sit and chat. No one is on guard against me. I've tampered with those medicine packets. I'll go again after this period is over, and the old lady will definitely get a good dose of medicine."
The poison that Xu Biyun used on her mother, Bai Shi, in her previous life was something that was found somewhere, and it was very exquisite and rare.
Those herbs were things that ordinary people had never seen before, and they were all colorless and odorless. They were mixed in with the medicine packet and boiled into a medicinal soup. Unless someone was determined to investigate, they would not be able to find them at all.
Qiao Qingshu kept all the poison that Xu Biyun had given to her mother, Bai Shi, and now she had put it all into her grandmother's bowl.
This medicine doesn't cause any noticeable symptoms or major illnesses, but it gradually weakens a person's spirit, causing them to wither and die.
Ever since Bai passed away, Old Lady Qiao started giving her this medicine when she began to feign illness. Before, she put it in her tea, but now she puts it directly in her medicine.
In less than a month, the effect was so remarkable. Thinking of the haggard face of Old Mrs. Qiao that she saw last night, Qiao Qingshu felt a little relieved and felt much better.
The grogginess from my midday nap was completely dispelled, and I felt refreshed and excited.
With power in her hands, Qiao Qingshu is now officially planning the cleanup of the Qiao family.
Lanxiang Pavilion
Liu Wan'er sat there, her face ashen, looking utterly dejected.
Xu Biyun advised from the side,
"Good girl, it's just that we caught you having an affair with Xiao Er. It's not a big deal. After this period of time, maybe Xiao Er will soften his heart and take you into his mansion as a concubine. It's a good way out, isn't it?"
Liu Wan'er glared at her mother, unusually agitated, and said...
"Mother, I will not be a concubine, I will not be a mistress! I will never live like that in this lifetime!"
Xu Biyun was somewhat confused by her loud shout.
"You don't want to be a concubine or a mistress? You really want to listen to that old woman from the Xiao family and go to a temple to become a nun?"
Liu Wan'er couldn't speak to this stupid mother without using any roundabout methods; she wouldn't understand a word she said.
Liu Wan'er said through gritted teeth in a low voice,
"I want to be Xiao Chengyan's legal wife!"
Xu Biyun chuckled, stepped forward, patted her daughter's head, and whispered,
“You silly child, have you forgotten your own identity? The daughter of a disgraced official! We two escaped from Ganzhou by stealth, and our household registrations are all illegal. You still dream of becoming the legitimate wife of the Duke’s grandson? Even your mother wouldn’t dare to dream such a beautiful dream. You really dare to dream.”
Liu Wan'er glared at Xu Biyun with red-rimmed eyes and said...
"Mother, how will we know it won't work if we don't try!"
Xu Biyun's face froze; she stared at her daughter as if she were a fool.
"Wan'er, you've always been so clever, how could you be so confused about this? If Xiao Er really wanted to marry you, then the day before yesterday would have been the best opportunity, but he only offered you the position of concubine! Even if he doesn't marry Qiao Qingshu, he won't marry you as his principal wife. If your identity is thoroughly investigated, both my daughter and I will be in grave danger! How can you not see this clearly, child?"
Liu Wan'er suddenly raised her head, her expression one of stubbornness.
"No, Mother, I still have a chance! I still have a chance to turn things around!"