Chapter 436 The Snatch

"You want to raise your granddaughter on your own?" Empress Dowager looked at Rui'an Great Elder Princess in surprise. It is generally believed that it was the paternal family who should raise the granddaughter and, besides, it was unreasonable to let the maternal side raise the granddaughter, especially when people of the paternal family were still alive. No matter how Empress Dowager sympathized with Rui'an Great Elder Princess, she now scowled heavily.

Duke Xing's Mansion was an aristocratic family while support from the nobility was the root of the country.

"Empress Dowager, Old Madam of Duke Xing's Mansion dislikes my granddaughter. She even expressed her aversion to Zhuozhuo in front of everyone at that time. Empress Dowager, if, if I, Zhuozhuo's grandmother is unable to back her up, how, how can she survive in Duke Xing's Mansion on her own?"

Rui'an Great Elder Princess got red-rimmed eyes as it was exactly how she felt or thought.

"She is an artless and naive girl. All of a sudden, she has to return to Duke Xing's Mansion when she is totally unfamiliar with the place and people there. How can she survive if there is no elder who loves her?"

Old Madam of Duke Xing's Mansion's heart pounded. "Empress Dowager, I didn't know she is my biological granddaughter at that time and that is why I would say those words. I was deceived and I didn't know I got the wrong person. Now since I find my biological granddaughter back, I will do my best to take real good care of her. Empress Dowager, you must support me!" As she answered, she began to wipe away her tears.

She now really regretted that she said those words out of anger because Rui'an Great Elder Princess was pushing her hard at that time. Even though she did hate Qin Wanru, she didn't dare to show her hatred towards Qin Wanru but had to save the situation.

If Empress Dowager allowed Rui'an Great Elder Princess to raise Qin Wanru, the entire Duke Xing's Mansion must be humiliated.

"Empress Dowager, my daughter had been tortured by them and now they want to do the same thing to my granddaughter. She is still very young. I am afraid that if she lived in the Duke Xing's Mansion, she would be driven away or be killed! She has suffered a lot. She has lost her parents at a very young age and been tortured by her vicious adoptive mother in her adoptive father's mansion. Now, she has to live in Duke Xing's Mansion? I don't want her to suffer anymore!"

Rui'an Great Elder Princess cried.

She had been strict with herself and had always appeared delighted in front of Empress Dowager. Even though everyone knew she was solitary and was aware of her suffering, she had always behaved in a tough and strong manner. However, now she couldn't help crying.

Old Madam of Duke Xing's Mansion trembled with rage as Rui'an Great Elder Princess indicated that their mansion was going to murder Qin Wanru. She said, "Empress Dowager, it is not our mansion who led to the accident. My son, the former heir, died in the end while he even lost his biological daughter. That is the most thing we don't want to see!"

"Had you not gone hard with my daughter and been partial towards the Second Madam of your mansion, the former Heir of Duke Xing would not have taken my daughter away from your mansion!"

"They didn't inform us when they left. We had sent people to find them. Partial? If I really were partial towards Second Madam, I would have appointed my second son as the Heir of Duke Xing at that time!" Old Madam of Duke Xing's Mansion was angry.

"Now your second son has become Duke Xing by this means, and the Second Madam has become Madam of Duke Xing! Old Madam, you have always intended to get this position and you even killed my daughter and my son-in-law just to achieve your goal!" Rui'an Great Elder Princess fought back, wiping away her tears. She showed no mercy to Old Madam of Duke Xing's Mansion in front of Empress Dowager.

Old Madam of Duke Xing's Mansion didn't expect that Rui'an Great Elder Princess would blindside her in that way and immediately her face turned pale out of anger. She pointed at Great Elder Princess with her trembling fingers and she was too angry to speak.

Even though they had always been on bad terms with each other, they had never directly attacked each other like today. Moreover, according to Rui'an Great Elder Princess's words, if Old Madam of Duke Xing's Mansion admitted, the whole Duke Xing's Mansion would not be able to bear the responsibility.

"Great Elder Princess, how dare you slander me? The injustice is intolerable! You will pay for that!" Old Madam of Duke Xing's Mansion responded quickly while she even felt the pain in her liver because of anger.

"I heard you disliked my daughter and even went hard with her. Since you found your second daughter-in-law unable to marry my son-in-law, you then showed your hatred towards my daughter and even forced my daughter and her husband to leave your mansion. Now, the one who benefits most is your favorite second daughter-in-law. My daughter and her husband both died and they only left me a grandson and a granddaughter. Why are you still unwilling to let go of them?"

Rui'an Great Elder Princess shouted as she glared at Old Madam of Duke Xing's Mansion.

"I will bring my biological granddaughter back to my mansion in any case!"

"Nonsense! Hao'er now lives in your mansion and you still want to take Wanru away from me! The fact is that Infanta Qinghua had married into my mansion but not that my son married into your mansion! You are embarrassing the entire Duke Xing's Mansion! If you want Wanru, then return me Hao'er!"

Old Madam of Duke Xing's Mansion was unwilling to compromise on this matter.

Empress Dowager put her hand on her forehead helplessly and leaned back resignedly. They had had a poor relationship with each other for years. It was useless to mediate in their quarrel since they both refused to take a step back.

"The Emperor is coming!" A eunuch's squeaky voice sounded outside.

Hearing the call, Empress Dowager felt a bit relieved. The Emperor finally came. Although it seemed that Rui'an Great Elder Princess and Old Madam of Duke Xing's Mansion were arguing about things in the inner courtyard, what they were arguing had been more than that.

Empress Dowager didn't doubt what Rui'an Great Elder Princess said, which had shown hostility toward Old Madam of Duke Xing's Mansion.

In the past, as she had not paid attention to this matter, she never considered the possibility of this matter. However, now what Rui'an Great Elder Princess said sounded true. It seemed that Second Madam of Duke Xing's Mansion did gain an extra advantage by this means and Old Madam of Duke Xing's Mansion did show bias in Second Madam of Duke Xing's Mansion. Although it sounded like that Second Madam of Duke Xing's Mansion had nothing to do with this matter, she now won the position.

The Emperor once told her that Duke Xing's Mansion presented a memorial to the throne, hoping the Emperor to allow them to appoint the current Duke Xing's First Young Master as the Heir of Duke Xing. In the memorial, Duke Xing's Mansion didn't mention Shao Yuanhao, the former Heir of Duke Xing's biological son at all. Had not the Empress Dowager told the Emperor that Rui'an Great Elder Princess had a little grandson who had a blood right to that title, the Emperor would have agreed them to confer the title of Heir of Duke Xing on another young master.

Since the former Heir of Duke Xing lost his position and his son nearly lost his title, it was obvious that who would benefit from this matter!

When the Emperor strode into the room, Rui'an Great Elder Princess and Old Madam of Duke Xing's Mansion immediately kneeled down and offered their salute. "Arise," said the Emperor, "Good to see you, mother!" After the Emperor bowed to Empress Dowager, he then took a seat beside.

Several servants also came to help Rui'an Great Elder Princess and Old Madam of Duke Xing's Mansion get up. Then they also sat down politely.

"Mother, I heard that Qinghua and Shao Jiang had a daughter who has not been with her family. What is going on?" The instant the Emperor sat down, he asked directly.

"Yes, they did have a daughter who went missing for years. Now we find out that she is Second Miss of Ningyuan Army General's Mansion." Empress Dowager answered with a smile. Actually, she was not sure whether this matter was a good sign.

Were Qin Wanru the Second Miss of Ningyuan Army General's Mansion, her status would still not match her grandson's. However, if Qin Huaiyong still tried hard to get promoted, it would be a good match. Since she was the miss of Duke Xing's Mansion and Rui'an Great Elder Princess's granddaughter now, she had no powerful protector behind even though her status now was able to match her grandson's.

"From Duke Xing's Mansion's attitude, it is obvious that they don't care about this miss. In other words, it is reasonable as Qin Wanru is just a girl but not a boy. If they find her back, they will have to prepare another dowry. Moreover, since she is the former Heir of Duke Xing's lineal descendant, her dowry must be very elaborate and large."

As regards Rui'an Great Elder Princess, she had no real power actually even though she had this title.

Anyway, Empress Dowager now was unable to tell whether this matter was good or not. Thus, she had to ask about her grandson's opinion when this thing was over.

"Great! Since you find Shao Jiang's daughter, then just take her back!" Although the Emperor felt familiar with the name of this Second Miss of Ningyuan Army General's Mansion, he now didn't want to dwell on it. He smiled and asked, "It is a happy thing, but why do you have a quarrel with each other?"

"Emperor, please allow me to raise my own biological granddaughter because I don't believe Duke Xing's Mansion," Rui'an Great Elder Princess said directly.

"Emperor, if Qin Wanru lives in her mansion, then we will be humiliated!" Old Madam of Duke Xing's Mansion also hurried to say.

"Well, just stop quarreling with each other. I now basically understand your issue. Nobody wants to see that tragedy so it is improper to blame each other. Anyway, fortunately, since you now find her back, there is no need for you to fight about it. In my opinion, Qin Wanru can live in Duke Xing's Mansion for a while and if Princess you miss her, you can let her come to your mansion and stay with you."

Seeing they were going to fight about this matter again, Empress Dowager could do nothing but say.

"I sure appreciate, Empress Dowager!" Old Madam of Duke Xing's Mansion felt exalted and hurried to bow and express her thanks to Empress Dowager.

"Empress Dowager, my granddaughter is weak and she has fainted. I still feel worried about her when she has to stay in Duke Xing's Mansion!" Rui'an Great Elder Princess choked with sobs while tears were sliding down her cheeks. She sounded pretty sincere and she even intended to kowtow to Empress Dowager and Emperor by holding her servants besides.

Empress Dowager hurriedly asked a servant to hold her and she said in a much softer way, "Great Elder Princess, Qin Wanru is a daughter of Shao Family after all. It is a bit inappropriate for her to live in your mansion. Don't you think so?"

"Great Elder Princess, you now have Hao'er! If you insist on taking Qin Wanru to your mansion, then what about us?" Old Madam of Duke Xing's Mansion said to Rui'an Great Elder Princess in an imploring manner. "Great Elder Princess, if you insist on blaming us for the tragedy, I can't stop you. However, since, since Qin Wanru is Jiang'er's biological daughter, Jiang'er would not rest in peace if she were unable to return to her paternal family."

Thinking of her son's look, Old Madam cried bitterly. She had always been proud of her eldest son. He was capable! Had he inherited the title of Duke Xing, the entire mansion must have a bright future! However, he died somewhere because of a woman and even lost his biological daughter!

Seeing Rui'an Great Elder Princess and Old Madam of Duke Xing's Mansion crying again, Empress Dowager took a deep sigh and turned to the Emperor. That was why she particularly sent her servant to bring the Emperor here.

Although Rui'an Great Elder Princess was pitiful, it was still inappropriate for Qin Wanru to live in her mansion. However, it was reasonable for Qin Wanru to stay with her for a time. Otherwise, Duke Xing's Mansion would be embarrassed.

"Great Elder Princess and Old Madam of Duke Xing's Mansion, you don't have to feel sad. I will investigate what happened to Shao Jiang that year. If it turns out to be an accident, then just let it go. But if not, I will not let go of the wire-puller! Before I figure out this matter, I think Shao Jiang's daughter had better live in Duke Xing's Mansion and you have to record her as your family member under Shao Jiang's name."

Thinking for a while, the Emperor said. He had to send someone to investigate the death of the former Heir of Duke Xing, Shao Jiang while Duke Xing's Mansion also had to write Shao Jiang's daughter's name down in their genealogy.

Hearing the Emperor's words, Rui'an Great Elder Princess and Old Madam of Duke Xing's Mansion immediately stopped quarreling with each other as these two things were very important.

They just heard about Shao Jiang's death from Qin Huaiyong. It was necessary for someone to get to the bottom of Shao Jiang's death.

"I will listen to you!" They answered together. It seemed that they finally reached a consensus on Emperor's arrangement for now.

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