activa-t Chapter 74 Unrestrained Speech
Chapter 74 Unrestrained Speech
Xiao Chengyan felt extremely ashamed and embarrassed.
And because he was naked, wrapped in a blanket, he kept kowtowing.
"Your Highness, please forgive me! Yan'er..."
Xiao Chengyan wanted to defend himself, but at this moment he really couldn't think of anything to say to clear his name, as if no matter what he said, it would be wrong.
Spring Equinox also jumped out of bed and kowtowed, feeling this was an excellent opportunity for her.
"I beg Your Highness to grant me this favor and marry me to Young Master Xiao."
That's really rude and impolite of you to say it.
Consort Xiande looked away with disdain, really not wanting to talk to a lowly maid.
Madam Xing's face was burning with embarrassment.
Seeing the maidservant so shamelessly demanding a title without regard for the occasion, he was so angry that he stepped forward and slapped her.
"Shut up! Who gave you the right to speak here!"
At this moment, Old Madam Xiao looked at Madam Xing coldly, her eyes full of disdain.
"You, as a mother, is this how you raise your son! What kind of day is this, daring to act so recklessly! Let's see how you handle this!"
Madam Xing opened her mouth, but she had no words to express her bitterness.
How could things have turned out so differently from what she expected?! What exactly happened?!
Just as he was frowning in distress, he heard the maids and servants outside shouting.
"Oh dear! Miss Qiao has fallen into the water!"
"Oh no! Young Master San has fallen into the water too!"
Everyone inside was startled by the sound and hurriedly rushed outside.
When the Imperial Concubine heard that Xiao Zhijie had also fallen into the water, her heart skipped a beat, and she quickly came out as well.
The group rushed to the lakeside and saw Xiao Zhijie, who was soaking wet, carrying Qiao Qingshu, who was also soaking wet, ashore.
Third Madam Gu Rong clicked her tongue and whispered.
"Good heavens! These two are actually hugging each other. It seems the eldest son's wife is going to be snatched away by the second son's wife!"
The fourth wife pouted.
"These two have actually gotten into physical contact! My sister-in-law's hopes are truly dashed. Man proposes, God disposes!"
Second Madam Su Yunzhen was extremely worried when she saw her son fall into the water and just get ashore. She quickly rushed forward.
He quickly took off his cloak and used it to shield the two people from their embarrassing fall into the water.
Su Yunzhen, who was usually soft-spoken, was unusually serious and decisive at this moment as she gave her orders.
"Quickly, a few people, bring blankets to cover Jie'er and Qing Shu! Quickly take them to the side room to change their clothes."
Seeing this, Old Madam Xiao also said,
"Quick! Get a few people here!"
The Imperial Concubine looked at her son's disheveled figure and felt sorry for him. She wanted to go forward and comfort him, but Old Madam Xiao grabbed her hand.
"Your Highness, please have some self-respect."
Only when her voice was extremely low did the Imperial Concubine stop herself from taking a step forward.
It's incredibly painful to have your own son right in front of you but not be able to go and care for him.
Madam Xing stared at the scene before her, completely stunned, frozen in place.
She felt like the sky had fallen!
He had been scheming for a long time, wanting Qiao Qingshu to sleep with Xiao Chengyan so that he could control Qiao Qingshu.
Now, Xiao Zhijie and Qiao Qingshu are actually hugging each other...
When Xiao Zhijie and Qiao Qingshu came out after changing their clothes, everyone in the room was waiting for them.
Old Master Xiao hurriedly stepped forward, took Qiao Qingshu's hand, and asked,
"Shu'er, are you alright? Were you frightened? What happened? How did you fall into the water?"
Qiao Qingshu lowered her head and sobbed as she spoke slowly.
"I was furious when I saw Second Brother Xiao and Chunfen sleeping together. I ran out, but my mind was in such a mess that I couldn't see where I was going. I accidentally bumped into Third Young Master Xiao who was by the lake, and that's how we both fell into the water."
Qiao Qingshu sobbed twice, then looked up at Xiao Zhijie from behind her handkerchief.
"If it weren't for Young Master Xiao San's familiarity with the water and his ability to drag me ashore, Qing Shu would probably have drowned in the lake today, sob sob sob."
The truth is, Qiao Qingshu went straight for Xiao Zhijie as soon as she left the house.
Seeing him sitting on a large rock by the lake, lost in thought, I knew this was a perfect opportunity.
With a running start, he rammed into Xiao Zhijie, knocking him into the lake before jumping in himself.
Qiao Qingshu was determined. Male slaves should not touch each other. Now, it was Xiao Zhijie who carried me ashore, and so many people were watching. This marriage must be arranged!
Madam Gu, the third wife, laughed, seemingly enjoying the spectacle.
"Oh dear, Miss Qiao was about to break off her engagement with Brother Yan, and then she fell into Brother Jie's arms. Now that they've had physical intimacy, she might as well marry Brother Jie. In any case, she's going to be the daughter-in-law of our Xiao family."
These words infuriated Madam Xing to the point of bursting with rage. She cursed inwardly how the second branch of the family had gotten such a great deal!
The eldest branch of the family worked so hard to plan this marriage, but the second branch didn't have to do anything and just got a wife for free!
There's no such thing as a free lunch!
Madam Xing spoke with displeasure.
"Third sister-in-law, watch your words! The marriage between Qing Shu and Yan'er was arranged by the old master! It's been so many years, how can it be changed so easily! The marriage must proceed as planned!"
How could Qiao Qingshu possibly let the marriage proceed as planned? Everything she did today was to arrange a change of engagement.
With a thud, Qiao Qingshu knelt before the Imperial Concubine and Old Madam Xiao, her eyes resolute.
"I caught Xiao Chengyan cheating twice, and I, Qiao Qingshu, swear today that I will never marry this philandering scoundrel! Today I also had intimate relations with Xiao Zhijie. If Young Master Xiao refuses to marry me, Qingshu will have no choice but to die!"
These words were spoken with such determination that Qiao Qingshu stood up and rammed her head against the pillar beside her.
Everyone in the room was so frightened that they rushed to stop her.
If this leads to someone's death, no family will have a good time!
Xiao Zhijie, kneeling to the side, looked at Qiao Qingshu with a slight frown.
After lunch, he took a pot of wine and sat alone on a rock by the lake, drinking alone until he was three-tenths drunk.
Hearing hurried footsteps behind him, he was about to turn around when a body lunged at him and plunged him into the lake.
Although his vigilance had been somewhat relaxed due to intoxication, he could still tell whether the person who came was doing it intentionally or unintentionally.
Qiao Qingshu deliberately pounced on him like water.
Old Madam Xiao held the weeping Qiao Qingshu in her arms and comforted her.
"Good child, don't worry, as long as I'm here, I will never let you suffer any injustice!"
Madam Xing, however, continued to shout and argue relentlessly.
"Qiao Qingshu is our eldest son's wife, that's a done deal! It can't be changed!"
"Our Yan-ge'er is determined to marry Qiao Qingshu!"
He reached out to pull Qiao Qingshu out of Madam Xiao's arms.
Madam Xiao angrily rebuked,
"Xing Yu, let go!"
Madam Xing acted impulsively, disregarding everything else.
"This marriage is rightfully our eldest son's, why should it be given to the second son's! Why! Does Xiao Zhijie, a mere illegitimate son, even deserve it!"
Consort Xiande's brows furrowed instantly, and a hint of anger appeared in her eyes.
Madam Xing continued to speak without restraint.
"He's just a concubine's son, raised under Su Yunzhen's wing, and he thinks he's the legitimate son? Trying to steal my Yan-ge's marriage, who does he think he is!"