usatvline Chapter 16 Returning the Dowry
Chapter 16 Returning the Dowry
The hatred and anger in Qiao Qingshu's eyes were no longer concealed at this moment.
He had a reckless, fearless spirit, his eyes were bloodshot, and he was full of determination!
In her previous life, her mother died unjustly, and she was kept in the dark for many years. When she learned the truth, her anger almost burned her soul to ashes.
That resentment was like a destructive force, instantly shattering Qiao Qingshu into pieces.
She hated herself for being too kind, always thinking that everyone around her was a good person, and naturally having no defenses against others.
That innocent and kind-hearted girl was completely deceived by the Xu family mother and daughter, and in the end even lost her life!
A single tear rolled down her cheek; it was a tear shed for her past life and for her mother.
What good are self-discipline, propriety, kindness, humility, and dignified household management?
It's all just letting these despicable people get away with it, benefiting others and letting those who come after them!
Her mother suffered daily and was depressed, while she was kept in the dark and exploited.
These despicable people in front of us are taking advantage of our kindness and soft hearts to enjoy the wealth and honor that do not belong to us!
She hates!
She hated it so much!
What a load of bull! ...
She wants everyone who bullied her to die by her hand, one by one!
She no longer wants to be a respectable and noble person; whoever bullies her, she will kill!
If anyone bites her, she will definitely bite them to death!
This is Qiao Qingshu's code of conduct throughout her life.
Looking at his daughter, Qiao Jizhou felt a little unfamiliar with her; he had never seen such a ruthless and resolute expression on his daughter's face before.
However, he knew he was in the wrong and that he had indeed made a mistake first. He felt it was only natural for his daughter to want to seek justice for her mother, and he even felt a sense of guilt towards Qiao Qingshu.
He had a distant relationship with the Bai family, but he had always been very fond of this daughter of his since she was a child.
He knew that his daughter was beautiful and well-mannered, and with Bai's planning, she would surely marry into a good family in the future.
Therefore, after his eldest son was abducted, Qiao Jizhou treated Qiao Qingshu even better.
Now, as he looked at Qiao Qingshu, he felt guilty, lowered his head and sighed, his heart heavy with sorrow.
Qiao Qingshu sneered, thinking to herself, "So, Father, you've finally met your match!"
In your past life, you swallowed your mother's dowry and made Xu Biyun your official wife. The two of you were very loving and lived a sweet and prosperous life.
Haha, absolutely not in this lifetime!
As long as I, Qiao Qingshu, am around, you will live a life of torment and suffering, as if you were being roasted on a fire.
Qiao Qingshu glanced at Xu Biyun again, raised an eyebrow, and picked up a gold filigree hairpin with a phoenix design that had been thrown on the ground.
That fell from Xu Biyun's head.
Qiao Qingshu picked up the hairpin and handed it to Old Madam Bai, feigning surprise as she asked,
“Grandmother, isn’t this the dowry you gave to Mother when she got married? How come it’s now being given to Aunt Xu?”
Upon hearing this, Old Madam Qiao broke out in a cold sweat. This hairpin was a gift she had casually given to Xu Biyun.
A few days ago, Xu Biyun embezzled money and was slapped hard by Qiao Qingshu. Xu Biyun came to Fushoutang that night and cried for half a day.
She found Xu Biyun's incessant crying annoying, so she randomly picked out one or two pieces of jewelry from the pile of jewels she had salvaged from the ruins of Bai's Jinxiu Hall and gave them to Xu Biyun to stop her sobbing.
She had originally planned to make Xu Biyun her official wife when Qiao Jizhou returned, and all these things were meant for her.
She's a niece from the same clan, so naturally I favor her a bit. I give her countless gifts, and a hairpin is nothing special.
But little did Madam Qiao know that this Phoenix Arrives Hairpin was actually passed down from Madam Bai to Bai Chanzi, and was part of her dowry from back then.
A cold sweat broke out on his back, and his eyes kept darting towards Old Madam Qiao. He was terribly panicked.
Old Madam Bai took the gold hairpin, trembling with anger, and pointed at Xu Biyun's nose, cursing loudly.
"You lowly, shameless whore, you dare to embezzle even the dowry belonging to the Bai family! You must have a death wish!"
Before Xu Biyun could react, Old Madam Bai immediately turned her anger towards Old Madam Qiao, rebuking her.
"Miao Er, didn't you say you didn't touch a single penny of my daughter's dowry? How dare you do this to this vile woman! Do you think I'm too old to be bullied, or do you think the Bai family has no one left? You treat people with such disrespect!"
Old Madam Bai's eyes widened in anger, displaying the demeanor of a matriarch from a prominent family, and her voice suddenly rose several octaves as she rebuked her.
"Zhi Ning! Hurry back and write a memorial! Summon all the Bai family members. I want to see how long the Yongchang Marquis's mansion can remain so smug!"
Qiao Jizhou's mind went blank for a moment. He fell to his knees with a thud, grabbed his mother-in-law's trouser leg, and wailed.
"Mother-in-law, please, spare the Qiao family's life! I beg you!"
At this moment, Old Madam Qiao also stepped forward, her head bowed and eyes meek, her arrogance almost completely vanished, and tears rolled down her cheeks.
“My dear in-law, this matter is indeed in the wrong of my Qiao family. I apologize to you. You can punish me as you please, whatever you want! But you must not submit this to the emperor. If you make a scene, our Marquis’s family’s century-old legacy will be ruined.”
Old Madam Bai raised an eyebrow and said condescendingly,
"Anything is fine?"
Madam Qiao nodded frantically in agreement.
At that moment, Madam Bai gave Qiao Qingshu a look.
"Qingshu, come here."
Qiao Qingshu slowly walked between the two old ladies, her eyes lowered, her expression one of suppressed pain.
Old Madam Bai patted her back.
“Good child, your grandmother will listen to you. You can decide how to deal with it. If you want a memorial, it can be sent to His Majesty’s desk tomorrow. Or if you want to kill or torture, just say the word and your grandmother will grant your wish. Today, I will definitely give your mother a good venting of anger.”
Seeing that the conversation had fallen to Qiao Qingshu, Old Madam Qiao immediately grasped Qiao Qingshu's hand, pleading with a sorrowful expression.
"Good child, you are surnamed Qiao. If the Qiao family is destroyed, what good will come of it for you? Qing Shu, your grandmother has always doted on you and knows that you are a sensible and reasonable child. Today's matter is your father's fault, but it is a family matter after all. We can discuss it behind closed doors. If you are unhappy, your grandmother will definitely help you teach them a lesson and let you vent your anger for your mother. But you must not joke with the future of the Marquis's mansion!"
Qiao Qingshu looked up at her father and aunt kneeling on the ground, her eyes icy cold.
“Grandmother, I certainly don’t want to see the Qiao family destroyed, but my mother’s dowry has fallen into my aunt’s hands, and my father and Aunt Xu have been having an affair for who knows how long. How can I trust the Qiao family? Will I still have a place in the Qiao family in the future?”
After saying this, he wiped away his tears, appearing all alone and helpless.
Bai Zhining stepped forward and reprimanded him.
"Since my sister's dowry register is still here, then return all the dowry from back then! If it stays in your Qiao family, who knows when it will be given to this aunt or concubine. If my niece marries penniless, wouldn't my sister be furious in the afterlife!"