Chapter 420 - 420 Qiao An’s Plan

420 Qiao An’s Plan

Qiao An smiled. “Yes, yes, yes. Go change into mourning clothes first.”

The First Madam and Second Madam got Qiao An’s permission before getting up to leave.

However, the new wife refused. “Qiao An, why can’t I attend Madam’s funeral? I’m Madam’s legal daughter-in-law. If I don’t attend Madam’s funeral, I’ll be criticized.”

Qiao An said, “I didn’t say I wouldn’t let you participate. Hurry up and change into mourning clothes.”

The new madam was slightly stunned.

The First Madam and Second Madam hadn’t gone far when they heard Qiao An’s words. They turned back angrily. “Qiao An, are you lying to us?”

Qiao An said, “Sister-in-law, Second Sister-in-law, quickly change into mourning clothes. I remember that Madam gave you a set of jewelry when each of you entered the family. Now that you’re sending Madam off, put on that jewelry.”

The First Madam and Second Madam glanced at Huang Yushu’s bracelet and smiled.

They happily changed into mourning clothes and put on bracelets that were identical to Huang Yushu’s. That was a greeting gift that Madam had specially made for her daughters-in-law when they entered.

When the First Madam and Second Madam came out, they stood in front of Huang Yushu. The jade bracelets on the three of them were dazzlingly white. The new Madam changed into mourning clothes and came out. When she saw the jade bracelets on their hands, she was instantly angry.

No matter how hard she fought, she had to admit that Madam had never approved of her.

Originally, she had hidden this in her heart, and not many people knew about it. However, at today’s funeral, they were all wearing the same jade bracelet. Wasn’t that announcing to everyone that she had not received the old lady’s approval?

Her heart was already filled with frustration, but Qiao An touched a sore spot. “Third Sister-in-law, the other sisters-in-law brought bracelets given by Madam. Why aren’t you wearing yours?”

The new lady looked mortified. “I don’t have one.”

Qiao An comforted her. “Sigh, that’s fine. It’s just a trinket anyway. No one will notice it there.”

The mistress relaxed this time.

After the funeral ceremony began, Li Tingye, Li Tinglei, Li Tingfeng, and Huo Xiaoran walk in front. Behind them were Li Zecheng and the other male grandchildren in order of seniority.

Then, there were the women of the Li family. They were arranged by the eldest sister-in-law, the second sister-in-law, the mistress, Qiao An, and Huang Yushu. Behind them were Ze’en and the other granddaughters. They were still arranged according to seniority.

Many people watched the funeral. The lineup of four sons and five wives immediately attracted many comments.

“What’s going on? Why would the Li family have another wife out of four sons?”

“Sigh. Don’t you know? The first wife and new lover are inside. The third in line is the new wife. The first wife is standing at the back. But look, the first wife has the bracelet given by Madam. The first and second wives have it, but the new wife doesn’t. In my opinion, Madam might not like this new wife.”

“Madam is also a woman. Women understand women the best. She must hate those women who are mistresses.”

The new lady listened to these comments and wanted to bury her face in the ground.

In order to participate in this funeral and declare her sovereignty, she had really tried her best. She did not expect that she would not receive the respect she deserved.

Instead, she was mocked. At that moment, she actually began to wonder if the status she had chased after desperately all these years was really that important.

When Madam’s urn was placed in the yellow soil, all her relatives and friends cried in unison.

Qiao An knew that this was the custom of mourning, but she couldn’t squeeze out tears.

She just stared blankly at Madam’s coffin, her mind in a mess.

Thinking of her beloved Brother Xiaoran, she remembered how helpless and miserable he was when he was young. His helplessness in resisting illness alone and his unfortunate childhood were all thanks to Madam. Now, this person was dead.

Qiao An didn’t understand how she felt about Madam. She blamed Madam for being so cruel and heartless to a child because her heart ached for Xiaoran. There was also pity. Although Madam was hateful, her hatred was also triggered by Xiaoran’s mother’s willful actions.

Qiao An closed her eyes and mourned.

She said to Madam in her heart, “All living beings are suffering. Go to paradise. From now on, you don’t have to worry about this world.”

After the funeral ceremony ended, the guests bade farewell.

Only Huo Xiaoran and Li Zecheng lived outside, but the children of the main family were still staying with the Li family to settle some funeral matters.

Madam had left behind those precious pieces of jewelry. Because Madam had not designated an heir when she was alive, the daughters-in-law of the Li family sat together and discussed the distribution of jewelry.

Huo Xiaoran reminded Qiao An quietly, “An’an, don’t fight with them over the Li family’s assets. If you like anything, I’ll buy it for you.”

Qiao An smiled. “I won’t fight, but I’ll take what belongs to me. I can give it to my eldest niece to comfort Huang Yushu.”

Huo Xiaoran said dotingly, “You’re the most scheming.”

When distributing the jewelry, Qiao An said to First Madam and Second Madam, “Eldest Sister, Second Sister, you’re the leader. You can split the bulk and send a little my way.”

Although that was the case, First Madam and Second Madam still split it equally. First Madam and Second Madam took one each, Qiao An took one, and the remaining third branch did not move.

Huang Yushu did not move. She probably felt that she was not qualified to take this jewelry.

But strangely, the new madam also looked at the gift dryly and was indifferent.

Even Li Tingfeng felt that her reaction was a little strange. He asked her, “Why didn’t you take it?”

The new wife actually said bitterly, “So what if I take it? So what if I don’t?”

Her words shocked everyone.

Li Tingfeng said, “Go get it. That belongs to you.”

The new madam was still indifferent. “Even if Madam is alive, she might not give it to me.”

This sudden realization surprised everyone again.

Li Tingfeng said impatiently, “Just take it. Are you going to let outsiders take it?”

The new madam glanced at Huang Yushu and said calmly, “Take it if you want.” After saying that, she actually left in dejection.

“Eh, what’s wrong with this person? Yesterday, she was competing with our Yushu for the position of the main wife. Today, she has seen through the mortal world?” The Second Madam teased.

First Madam said, “She’s in a bad mood today. It’s not like you didn’t hear the discussions during the funeral. Those words were extremely unpleasant and I think she suffered a blow.”