novelaction Chapter 172 The Sky Has Collapsed
Chapter 172 The Sky Has Collapsed
At this moment, Old Madam Qiao began to miss Granny Zou. Granny Zou was simple-minded but bold, and had a fiery personality. If she were still alive, Granny Zou would have volunteered to help with this matter without her even having to bring it up.
It's a pity that Zou Mama, her capable helper, has now been betrayed by Qiao Qingshu, which makes her hate Qiao Qingshu even more.
If it weren't for Qiao Qingshu, she wouldn't be having such a hard time finding people to employ!
Li's mother has always been timid and afraid of trouble, and she was also afraid that something might really happen to her.
Old Madam Qiao frowned irritably and raised her voice,
"Wait until nightfall, then you carry me on your back, and I'll open the door myself!"
"Remember to call a few more servants to keep watch! Leave the back gate ajar in the middle of the night, don't close it completely, understand?"
Li's mother nodded repeatedly as she listened, shrinking her neck in agreement.
It was well past midnight.
Li's mother carried Old Madam Qiao to the storeroom.
The temperature at night is still strangely cold; even wrapped in two thick tiger-skin blankets, Old Madam Qiao still feels cold.
But now is not the time to be sentimental; she has to quickly pry the betrothal money belonging to the Qiao family out of Qiao Qingshu's mouth!
She knew perfectly well that if these things really went to the Xiao family with Qiao Qingshu, then their Qiao family would definitely not get a single penny.
She didn't believe the empty promises Qiao Qingshu made to her father.
Only her foolish son, Qiao Jizhou, would believe such a lie!
Since ancient times, only what you truly hold in your own hands is real! Everything else is just an illusion!
The cold wind was howling outside, and it felt like knives cutting into your face.
Li's mother carried Old Madam Qiao on her back, her steps unsteady and slow.
Old Madam Qiao complained that she was walking too slowly and even scolded her a couple of times.
The two walked for a long time in the dark before finally reaching the warehouse entrance.
After handing over the reins of the household to Qiao Qingshu, the key to the storeroom was also given to her.
With Madam Qiao paralyzed again, she no longer had the chance to visit the storeroom.
However, because everyone had to get a pass from Li Mama to withdraw money, Old Madam Qiao still knew all the household's accounts clearly.
She patted Li's mother, signaling her to come closer to the warehouse door so she could open it.
Li's mother took a few steps to the door, and by the moonlight, Old Madam Qiao put the key in and locked the door.
But they couldn't open it by turning it left or right, and despite the freezing weather, both old women were sweating profusely with anxiety.
Old Madam Qiao cursed under her breath in anger.
"Did you take the wrong key? It won't open!"
Carrying the heavy load, Li's mother raised her trembling hand to take the keys, examined them, and said with a bitter face,
"This is the one! How could this old servant make a mistake?"
She's carried this key with her for almost ten years; how could she possibly mistake it?
Her gaze shifted from the key to the lock, and she cried out in alarm.
"Ah! Madam! The lock has been changed!"
Madam Qiao was startled, her brows furrowed deeply, and after examining the lock carefully, she realized that the lock had indeed been changed!
Although this lock looks almost exactly the same as the old one, the old lock was already rusty and full of the marks of time.
But the lock in front of us is brand new...
Old Mrs. Qiao was so angry that she threw down the keys and cursed.
"That Qiao Qingshu! She actually had this trick up her sleeve! She thought this broken lock could stop me!"
He patted Li's mother on the shoulder and gave her instructions.
"Go, call two servants and have them break the lock!"
Mrs. Li's face was filled with worry and her expression became even more frightened. If she broke the lock and made a loud noise, the night watchman in the front yard might find out and come to catch the thief with a weapon.
After all, only a few people in their courtyard knew that Old Madam Qiao had come to steal the betrothal money today.
Seeing Li's mother hesitate, Old Madam Qiao became even angrier, slapping her on the back and scolding her.
"Stop dawdling! Go and call for help!"
Because she was carrying Madam Qiao on her back, which was quite heavy, Li Mama wanted to put Madam Qiao down and let her sit for a while before going to call someone.
But Old Madam Qiao refused to be put down.
"You've left me here all alone. What will happen if someone walks by?!"
Li's mother reached out and wiped the sweat from her face, which looked like a bitter gourd, but in the end, she didn't put the old lady down.
He carried it on his back and ran back and forth to call someone to pick the lock.
As the two servants, under the dim moonlight, struck the hard copper lock with hammers, one strike after another.
Everyone's hearts were pounding with the sound of the hammer, filled with intense anxiety.
"Crack!"
Finally, after several hard knocks, the warehouse door lock broke and fell to the ground.
A smug smile appeared on Madam Qiao's lips. "Qiao Qingshu, do you think you can stop me?"
Stop dreaming!
Li Mama carried Old Madam Qiao through the door, followed by several servants carrying tinderboxes.
When the light shone on it, all the dowry boxes in the room came into view.
During the day, Madam Qiao hadn't seen these things, but now that she had opened a box, her eyes immediately lit up with excitement.
This is a whole box full of gold and silver jewelry!
Although the number of boxes in the warehouse is not much compared to the ones that fill the yard during the day.
But even with just what's right in front of us, it's enough for the three Qiao families to make a comeback.
A sly smile crept across Madam Qiao's lips. She planned to take advantage of the darkness to move all these things out tonight.
Tomorrow morning, lie and say your house has been burgled. Then Qiao Qingshu can report it to the authorities or do whatever she wants.
She had already made all the necessary preparations, and she was certain that the dowry would ultimately be paid to Qiao.
With a gentle wave of his hand, the servants rushed in, two at a time, carrying all the boxes to the carriage in the backyard.
In no time, the boxes were emptied.
During this time, Li's mother watched from the side, breaking out in a cold sweat, fearing that someone might suddenly appear and expose them.
She carried Old Madam Qiao on her back, trembling, and Old Madam Qiao was also shaking all over.
She patted Li's mother, signaling her to stop shaking.
Li's mother, however, was out of control and weakly said,
"I didn't want to either, Madam, I really couldn't control myself."
Even after all the dozen or so boxes had been moved, Li's mother was still shaking.
Old Madam Qiao rolled her eyes and tugged at her neck, saying...
"That's all done, stop shaking, it's making me dizzy, go back to sleep!"
Early the next morning.
Qiao Qingshu was awakened by screams.
Three maids surrounded her and screamed.
"Young lady! All the betrothal money in the storeroom is gone!"
"It must have been stolen! Young lady, get up and report it to the authorities!"
"Yes yes yes!"
Qiao Qingshu slowly sat up, rubbed her head, and sighed softly.
"Oh, what's the big deal?"
The maids, seeing her nonchalant attitude, assumed she was still asleep.
Late Autumn stepped forward, lifted her blanket, and shook her arm, saying...
"Young lady! Wake up! The sky has fallen!"