In ancient times, I just wanted to be a salted fish

Chapter 127 Backlash

Qiao Zhenbang walked out of Qiao Zirui's room like a fool, beating his soul. He beat his chest and stamped his feet, looking up to the sky and crying, "Oh God, what sin has our Qiao family committed! How could a good child... How could... My Rui'er, wuwuwu..."

Qiao Zirui is the most outstanding one among Qiao Zhenbang's more than ten children (except Qiao Zien), and the one who is most carefully cultivated. He loves this child very much and gives all the resources of the Marquis' Mansion to him.

Before Qiao Zien came back, he had planned to ask the emperor to appoint Qiao Zirui as the crown prince after the fifteenth day of the first lunar month. Unexpectedly, the eldest son Qiao Zien returned at the right time, and his comprehensive qualities far surpassed Qiao Zirui in all aspects.

This forced him to reconsider the matter of appointing a crown prince. Although he had never loved this son and had never given him fatherly love, this child was after all born to his first wife. He was the genuine eldest son and so outstanding. If the position of crown prince was to be chosen based on merit, it would have to be Zi'en!

Therefore, when talking with Qiao Zien in the afternoon, he found that this boy's speech and behavior were extraordinary, and he had the bearing of a great man. He knew everything about astronomy and geography, was knowledgeable, and had unique insights. This should be the heir of the Qiao family!

Qiao Zhenbang was overjoyed and made up his mind to make Qiao Zien the prince of the Marquisate.

Unexpectedly, after a happy afternoon, such a family scandal happened in the evening. How could he accept it? Having an excellent son meant ruining a beloved son? What did he do wrong?

Qiao Zhenbang hurried to the servants' room. He wanted to know the truth.

Qiao Huzi and his assistant were beating Wushuang and the other man with sticks. After just two hits, Qiao Zhenbang came in angrily.

Wushuang saw the opportunity and cried out loudly, "Master, I am innocent. Please listen to Wushuang's detailed explanation..."

Qiao Zhenbang sat on the chair, his eyes red as he shouted, "Tell the truth. If you tell even a single lie, your head and body will be cut off."

Wushuang burst into tears, "Master, it was the Madam who gave each of us a stick of incense, which we lit in advance in the rooms of Master En and Master Chen. Then we had to bathe the two masters and have physical contact with them. Otherwise, the Madam would sell us to a brothel, and we dared not disobey her arrangement.

Later, I went to bathe Master Chen. He didn't like to be served, so I waited outside for a while. I thought Master Chen had fallen asleep, so I went into the inner room, but I didn't see him. I didn't know why I ended up on Master Rui's bed. Woo woo woo..."

Another servant also confessed truthfully how he bathed Qiao Zien and seduced her, and he didn't know why he ended up in Qiao Zirui's bed.

After hearing this, Qiao Zhenbang's heart burned with rage, his teeth chattered, and he wished he could tear the two people in front of him into pieces.

He stared at the two men with eyes wide open, full of hatred and murderous intent. At this moment, Tian's hateful face appeared in his mind, making him even more furious.

This vicious woman, as a stepmother, couldn't tolerate her own stepson! Not only that, she also tried to harm Qiao Zien, but in the end, Rui'er suffered misfortune.

Thinking of this, Qiao Zhenbang felt even more distressed. Those two incense sticks must be aphrodisiacs. Rui'er's life was ruined because of these incense sticks and these two little servants.

Qiao Zhenbang calmed himself down, turned around, said only two words "beat him to death", and left in a hurry. He was going to Qiao Zirui's room to check where the incense was.

When Qiao Zhenbang entered Qiao Zirui's room again, Doctor Zhao had already finished writing the prescription and left the room. Tian was sitting in front of the bed, taking care of Qiao Zirui.

Qiao Zhenbang ignored Tian. He walked around Qiao Zirui's room for a few times but didn't find any incense. He came to the window and carefully observed the window paper below. He found two small burning holes and incense ash. He knew that someone was deliberately trying to harm his son.

Could it be Qiao Zien? No, that kid just came back, he's a decent man, he wouldn't do such a thing. Then it was the concubines who had a grudge against Tian, ​​who intercepted and saved Qiao Zien, but harmed Qiao Zirui instead?

Qiao Zirui had woken up. He stared blankly at the beams of the house. Tian spoke to him, but he did not respond. He seemed to have lost his soul, and tears flowed from the corners of his eyes.

He knew that his life was over. What fame, wealth, or status did he need? He was no longer a man, just a walking corpse. What was the meaning of living? He was extremely desperate and had lost hope of living.

Qiao Zhenbang called Tian outside with a dark face. He didn't even want to say a word to Tian, ​​nor did he want to see her vicious face again.

Qiao Zhenbang called two strong maids and said, "From today on, you two maids will guard Wutong Courtyard. No one is allowed to let Madam out without my order." Qiao Zhenbang said to the two maids, "Madam is under house arrest for half a year. She is not allowed to step out of Wutong Courtyard for half a year!"

"Master..." Tian widened her eyes and looked at Qiao Zhenbang in disbelief.

"Also, I have taken back Madam's power to manage the household." Qiao Zhenbang said coldly, "Hand over all the keys to the warehouse. From now on, Aunt Yao will be in charge of the household."

After saying that, Qiao Zhenbang left without looking back, his heart full of disappointment and anger, leaving Tian and the two maids there. Tian was so angry that she was shaking all over, but she couldn't resist.

She knew that her plan had failed and that her son had been harmed, and the master was completely furious.

She was only confined to her house without any other punishment, which was a concession given to her because of their past friendship. If the master investigated further, her intention to harm Qiao Zien might be exposed, and her situation would be even more difficult. Therefore, she did not dare to plead for herself, let alone quibble.

Tian knew that she had completely fallen out of favor and had also lost her power to manage the household. Her status in the mansion would plummet in the future.

At this moment, Qiao Zhenbang was shocked and had a terrible thought: If it was a deliberate murder, would it also harm Zi En? Would Zi En also suffer the same fate?

He quickened his pace and walked towards Zizhu Garden. He was eager to know what Qiao Zien and Chen Guchuan were doing. Were they also affected by the love incense and something unspeakable happened to them?

He gently pushed open the door. The candlelight in the room was dim and a little dark. Qiao Zien was lying on the bed, breathing steadily and deeply, and she had obviously fallen into a sweet dream.

Thank God, Zi En is safe and sound! Qiao Zhenbang let out a breath of foul air.

Qiao Zien's quilt was kicked aside, revealing her fair skin. Qiao Zhenbang walked carefully to the bedside, bent down, and gently covered Qiao Zien with the quilt again.

Looking at his eldest son sleeping soundly in front of him, Qiao Zhenbang felt an indescribable emotion in his heart.

Although Qiao Zhenbang still looks young and handsome, his heart is full of vicissitudes and fatigue.

However, when he saw Qiao Zien's peaceful sleeping face, the anger in his heart subsided a little. Qiao Zhenbang gently stroked Qiao Zien's face, feeling his warm breath, and couldn't help feeling a little comforted.

Qiao Zhenbang walked out of Qiao Zien's room and returned to his own courtyard, exhausted both physically and mentally.

After Qiao Zhenbang left, Qiao Zien opened his eyes and smiled evilly: Qiao Zhenbang, Tian, ​​how does it feel to be retaliated? The days of unrest in the Marquis's mansion are still to come, just wait and see! Hehe...