Read Novel Full Chapter 2329: Meeting
Chapter 2329: Meeting
They may not have known much, but they certainly knew how to praise Madam Shao!
Soon, they were all enthusiastically singing Qiao Xuan’s praises. One person started, and others nodded in agreement. More joined in, praising her with enthusiasm, completely ignoring Madame Qiao’s inquiry.
With so many people present, who would be foolish enough to broach such a sensitive topic? No one would dare ask Madame Qiao about Madam Shao’s past.
After all, Madame Qiao was merely the father’s wife, not Qiao Xuan’s biological mother.
Before long, more guests arrived. Everyone exchanged greetings, chatted, and laughed, making the atmosphere much more lively.
They no longer had to deal with Madame Qiao and her daughter alone.
Despite their best efforts, Madame Qiao and Qiao Wei couldn’t stop the gossip about Madam Shao from circulating.
Mrs. Jia, who was well-acquainted with Qiao Xuan, sneered inwardly at their boldness. She thought, ‘Just wait and see…’
Soon, more than half of the invited guests had arrived.
Yang Hexi’s mother, Madame Tang, was also present.
Few knew that Qiao Xuan had once been her son’s fiancée and nearly became her daughter-in-law.
As Madame Tang arrived in Hangzhou with Yang Hexi, she couldn’t help but feel a twinge of shame. It wasn’t just jealousy or resentment; she was struck by the sheer scale of Shao Yunduan’s accomplishments.
The prosperity of Hangzhou exceeded her expectations. She had heard that Jiangning, Yangzhou, and Suzhou were equally prosperous, with many towns in Jiangnan enjoying their own successes. All of this fell under Shao Yunduan’s control.
Madame Tang was both shocked and deeply intimidated.
While jealousy remained, it was overshadowed by fear. She buried her envy deeper, choosing not to display it.
This jealousy, now tinged with fear, left her feeling powerless and despondent.
Back in Changlin County, Madame Tang had been indignant, believing her son far superior to Shao Yunduan and attributing Shao’s success to mere luck. However, confronted with Shao Yunduan’s accomplishments, she grudgingly admitted that her son paled in comparison.
Her disheartenment was so profound that she even considered retreating to Changlin County and isolating herself from any further news about Qiao Xuan and Shao Yunduan.
It would spare her further distress.
She resolved that upon her return, she would focus on nurturing her grandson, determined to see him surpass all expectations. She would reclaim her pride through his success.
If she could guide her son to greatness, surely her grandson could achieve even more.
Madame Tang lingered at the banquet for quite some time.
She was already present, and she felt that not observing the event would only fuel her indignation further.
As the last woman to arrive, Madame Tang entered to find Qiao Xuan already there.
The ladies, eager to honor Qiao Xuan, stood up and moved to greet her with warm smiles.
Madame Tang, having been escorted to Bisi Pavilion by the servants and not yet formally introduced, felt a pang of embarrassment. She had no choice but to follow the others.
Qiao Xuan arrived with her attendants, including Lixia, Liqiu, Caiyue, and a dozen other maids. The ladies warmly greeted her as Madam Shao, but Madame Qiao and Madame Tang remained seated, unresponsive.