Chapter 31: Madame Qiao's Cold Glance
There was no one guiding them on the path.
Qiao Xuan, even on the trip back to her own family, received ignorance and coldness.
Qiao Xuan felt calm. All those servants working for Madame Qiao were just servants, who obeyed what Madame Qiao told them to. There was no point in getting angry with them.
However, Shao Yunduan next to her noticed her calmness. But he assumed that it was because she was pretending to stay composed and trying to force out a smile whilst feeling so ashamed, humiliated and angry inwardly.
Shao Yunduan more or less had an idea of what was going on with Qiao Xuan's family, after she had told him about the situation inside the mansion. But only at this moment when he was inside the mansion did he realize that what he knew was too little for him to get a full understanding.
They were not like a family to her. They seemed to be regarding her even worse than a stranger!
Well, Madame Qiao might not show any passion, but what he had not expected was that Officer Qiao acted the same.
Shao Yunduan sneaked a look at Qiao Xuan and said in a low voice, "Don't be mad."
"What?" Qiao Xuan was surprised.
Shao Yunduan did not know how to console people, so he added awkwardly. "Just… don't be upset."
Qiao Xuan blinked and realized that he was trying to console her. She showed a smile and her eyes shone. "I am not angry or upset."
The couple came to the main hall, where only Madame Qiao and Qiao Wei were seen.
Qiao Xuan told Shao Yunduan to put down the gifts they had brought with them and greeted the pair of mother and daughter.
Madame Qiao glanced at how the couple were dressed and felt very satisfied. She nodded slightly and said, "Take a seat. Old Master is busy today so he will not be meeting you. Well, you won't mind it, will you, Mr. Shao…"
Madame Qiao just could not remember what Shao Yunduan was called. Nor did she have the willingness to call him Son-in-law, so she just addressed him by 'you' only.
She was going to humiliate Qiao Xuan as well as the Shao Family. She believed how she treated the Shao Family would make Qiao Xuan's life even more miserable.
Madame Qiao felt even better, when she thought of how Qiao Xuan would be screamed at and lectured by her husband after this, making her shed tears from day to night.
That bitch Concubine Yan dared to seduce Old Master. Hence, she decided to stab her heart so that she would not get to rest in peace even when dead.
Shao Yunduan threw a gentle look at Madame Qiao and replied with a gesture, shaking his head. "Officer Father-in-law is a busy man and I am not here to disturb him, so no, I don't mind his absence at all."
Madame Qiao was startled. Right after, coldness flashed across her eyes.
A busy man? He was just a County Magistrate who had no business at all. Shao Yunduan was being ironic, wasn't he? Did he do that on purpose or not?
She had thought that this son-in-law was a dumbass, but it seemed that he did know how to talk.
Madame Qiao did not show any weakness but smiled. "You are a scholar, aren't you? No wonder you know how to talk."
Shao Yunduan lowered his head slightly and said, "Thank you for your compliment."
Qiao Wei sneered - compliment? He did not deserve any compliment! He was speaking so highly of himself!
They were just talking, when Concubine Du and Qiao Kou arrived.
Concubine Du did not appear until Madame Qiao showed up first. She always used to compete with Concubine Yan.
Madame Qiao had signed a lifetime contract with Concubine Du, so Concubine Du obeyed whatever Madame Qiao said. She liked to flatter Madame Qiao in every possible way.
Qiao Kou, the daughter of Concubine Du was also Qiao Wei's follower. She served her as if she were her maid.
During the past few years, the mother and the daughter lived a good life at the mansion, at least they were always well fed and were given a lot of things on the side.
So when Madame Qiao held such a deep grudge against Qiao Xuan, that pair of mother and daughter would only show even deeper grudge against Qiao Xuan.
"Greetings, Madame Qiao!"
Concubine Du and Qiao Kou greeted Madame Qiao happily and then took the seats opposite Qiao Xuan and Shao Yunduan.