Madam Zhao was startled. "What are you asking this for?"
Qiao Yuanzhen usually wouldn't even mention Qiao Muniang's name, as though it would dirty his mouth to utter a word.
Qiao Yuanzhen gave Madam Zhao a cold look, obviously displeased with her prying.
Madam Zhao hurriedly said, "Right, right, right, she came back yesterday. Is there something you need? I'll go handle it for you." She couldn't afford to offend her youngest son, and would face his displeasure at even the slightest hint of negligence.
Qiao Yuanzhen said coldly, "You all just need to do as I say; don't ask anything else."
Madam Zhao quickly and awkwardly agreed.
Having just returned, Muniang had thought there would be a pile of things to take care of at Tianzhuang and the Embroidery House, yet everything was managed so well by Madam Liu and Qinghe. She now found herself with nothing to do, as if she were a hands-off shopkeeper, and simply decided to hide out and play with Xi'er for some leisure.
