Repudiating a Good Wife Is Out of the Question

116. An Untimely Visit

Translator: Sissy That Walk

Cao Mo ran into Cao Le who was walking to Cunxi Hall, Cao Le was wearing an exquisite outfit this day, Cao Mo knew the outfit was a gift from Lady Lu to ask Cao Le to keep his mouth shut about Cao Mo’s abduction.

“What are you doing here?” Cao Mo asked with confusion.

“This manor is going to be my home soon, I can come any time.” Cao Le showed a haughty face, “Mo, I’m your older brother after all, how come you didn’t visit me even once while I was sick.”

Cao Mo sneered, “An older brother who refuses to help me when I got abducted? An older brother who hided the fact that I was abducted from my husband? You tell me, why do I need to visit you since you are so hostile. I should be celebrating when you were sick, right?”

Cao Le dragged Cao Mo, “Don’t be so petty, I didn’t try to hide anything, I was caught up with something else that day.”

“Enough, you don’t have to make excuses, you can do whatever you like, just keep me out of it. I was just laughed at by Xiao Yi’s Second Uncle that me and you both have strategically betrothed to their boys. There’s a family banquet in Cunxi Hall now, you will serve as a perfect laughing stock for that Second Uncle, good luck.”

“And you just ran away?”

“Do you expect me to sit there and listen to his ridicule? I’m thick-skinned, but I don’t want to tarnish my husband’s good name.” Cao Mo shoved Cao Le away.

“You can’t ditch me like this, I’m your brother, I lose face, you lose face.” Cao Le said anxiously.

“No, you lose face, you lose face. I’m the Young Madam of this manor now, I’m in charge of the whole household! People treat me with nothing but respect!” Cao Le waved at a maid who was passing by with a food tray, “You, take Childe Cao to Cunxi Hall, just say I’ve met him already.”

“Yes madam.” the maid signaled Cao Le to follow her.

Cao Le was mad jealous, ‘I should have be the Young Madam of this manor!’

Cao Le walked in the hall, there were three tables in the room and one table in the yard.

Dowager Xiao sat in the center table holding Xiao Qian in hand, with Lady Lu and Auntie Lu distributing food for her and Xiao Yuqi. Xiao Yugui and Xiao Yuzhen sat at the left table with Liu Heng served on them. Xiao Yi and Xiao Jin sat on the right table. The Concubines sat in the yard.

Cao Le bowed to Dowager Xiao.

Dowager Xiao was in a good mood, “Take you seat near Jin, your brother will be back soon, make yourself at home.”

Cao Le was so grateful that Dowager Xiao treated him with manner.

Dowager Xiao asked a few casual questions and asked why Cao Le made this visit, Cao Le replied shyly, “My father is promoted as an official in the Ministry of Rites, we will hold a small gathering, I’m here to send the invitation.”

“That’s great news, I will most definitely go send my congratulations.” Dowager Xiao replied happily.

Cao Le was counting on Dowager Xiao would say no and ask him to pass on the congratulations for his house was rather small, no way could they arrange the tables in a decent way.

Xiao Jin saw though Cao Le and laughed, “I suggest otherwise, grandmother. I heard their residence is rather small, guests struggle to find a place to sit when they visit. Haha, I don’t want us to have our meal standing up.”

Cao Le blushed crimson in embarrassment.

Xiao Yi glared at Xiao Jin, “Enough!”

Xiao Yi rose to his feet and bowed to Dowager Xiao, “Mo bought a place in East Street, we are moving out soon, it’s nowhere near as spacious as our manor, I will invite my mother-in-law to help out a little, why not attend the gathering in our new residence, one gathering, two events.”

Cao Le was so grateful that Xiao Yi helped him out, he poured a glass of wine for Xiao Yi, but Xiao Yi replied, “Brother, you know I’m in poor health, hope you don’t mind I have some tea instead of the wine, thank you for understanding.”

Xiao Jin threw his chopsticks on the table, ‘You should pour me some wine first, you moron! Xiao Yi is your brother-in-law, I’m your husband-to-be!”

Xiao Yuqi stared at Cao Le and he came up with a plan, he asked loudly, “Childe Cao, your father is promoted to be an official in the Ministry of Rites, right?”

Cao Le rose to his feet, “To reply to the Second Uncle, yes, father is in fifth rank now.”

“That’s great news indeed, do you know your father is going to receive the emissaries of the Southern Country with Prince Xing?” Xiao Yuqi asked with a faint smile on his face.

Cao Le had no idea, “Please educate me, uncle.”

“All I know is the emissaries of the Southern Country is looking for someone named Qin, but Qin’s whereabouts remains a mystery. Qin is the chief emissary’s son, I think your father’s career depends on whether Qin can be found or not.” Xiao Yuqi gulped down the wine in his glass.

“How could my father find a man whose whereabouts remains a mystery!” Cao Le asked anxiously.

Xiao Yi clenched his fists and exclaimed how scheming his Second Uncle was, he was using Cao Le, Cao Le would spare no effort to ask for information.

Xiao Yugui frowned, “Brother, don’t scare Childe Cao like this, you just met him today, the kids will fear you sooner or later.”

“Haha”, Xiao Yuqi glared at Xiao Yugui, “Did I make you fear, brother?”

“Ha, I fear nothing. A quick question though, I heard there’s some rebellion in Dingzhou, are you confident you can protect Prince Ning there?”

“I have made thorough preparation already, anyone dares to harm Prince Ning will regret!”

Xiao Yi raised his glass, “Second Uncle is finally back, let’s propose a toast and celebrate our reunion!”

Cao Le took his leave right after the banquet, ‘That was the most awkward gathering I’ve ever been to!’