Repudiating a Good Wife Is Out of the Question

134. Under Attack

Translator: Sissy That Walk

“Bastard! It’s him who has been speaking ill of Shizi Madam! He will pay for it!” Xiao Cheng said in a serious manner, “Niu, don’t listen to his bullshit, Shizi Madam is the most kind and benevolent, he will try his best to help people.”

Niu narrowed his eyes, “You work for that Shizi Madam?”

“Aiya! Our country estate is just fifty kilometers from yours, you go ask around how Shizi Madam treats us, one of our fellows died accidentally, Shizi Madam sent silver and food to his family, and he promised to support his children.” Xiao Cheng said with a proud look, “Have you seen such a kind madam before?”

The short man exclaimed, “I’ve heard of it, you are from that country estate?”

“Yes I am.” Xiao Cheng held his chest up high, “I believe in Shizi Madam’s ability! I will plead for mercy for you guys, he won’t give you a hard time!”

Niu was rather dubious of what Xiao Cheng said, they went to the second depot together only to find the craftsmen from the Ministry of Works were arranged to go with the villagers and help them to dig wells and combat drought together.

Niu was seized with remorse, ‘I should have listened to Shizi Madam!’

Cao Mo heard Xiao Cheng was back with two rebel villagers and he asked to see them.

Niu and the short man walked into Cao Mo’s tent and knelt down immediately.

“I understand you both were duped and misled in, but I still need to punish you, you need to pay for the damaged goods and materials in our depot.”

Niu’s face turned livid, ‘But I am now penniless.’

Cao Mo continued, “I know you two are in straitened circumstances, but you can work extra hard for our undertaking, take your fellow-villagers to Xiashan Village and help them to settle down. As for the old Lizheng, I will settle scores with him, for now on you are the new Lizheng of Xiashan Village. If you do well, no more mention of paying back, but otherwise… I will send you to the frontier.”

Niu bowed promptly, “Shizi Madam, please rest assured that we will make sure the old and new villagers will be on good terms!”

Cao Mo nodded, “Good, I have faith in you. I’ve already reported this to the government, your villagers and Xiashan villagers both enjoy tax exemption in the following year.”

Niu and the short man kept kowtowing to Cao Mo, “Thank you for your kindness, Shizi Madam.”

Cao Mo smiled, “You need to thank the government, not me. If you are really grateful, just help the craftsmen to dig more wells, don’t forget to take the allocated grains when you go back.”

Niu’s eyes brimmed with tears, “I won’t let you down!”

Cao Mo then asked Xiao Cheng to bring him the old Lizheng of Xiashan Village.

“Why did you make those rumors and incite violence?” Cao Mo hurled the question.

“I… I haven’t, they have misunderstood me, I was just stating the truth.” the Lizheng dared not to look at Cao Mo in the eye.

Cao Mo sneered, “You are still denying, huh? Your family name is Lu, right? You are a concubine’s child in Lu family, right?”

The Lizheng raised his head abruptly, but he gnashed his teeth and replied, “No!”

Cao Mo was about to ask him one more question when he found the Lizheng broke his nail and put it into his mouth.

“You poisoned yourself?” Cao Mo asked in shock.

The Lizheng laughed ferociously, “Go to hell… all… all of you!”

… …

Xiao Yi looked at the dark cloud and thought, ‘It’s about to rain finally, I wonder how Mo is doing.’

The secret guard reported, “Message from Pinglin Town, a concubine’s son in Lu Family incited violence and poisoned himself.”

“Lu again?” Xiao Yi sprang to his feet.

“Shizi, the thing is you are not the only manor who has maintained private troops.” the secret guard reminded Xiao Yi.

Xiao Yi frowned, “Mo is in danger now! Of course the Lus have maintained private troops for Prince Ning!”

“The tricky part is, Prince Xing has warned Marquis Valour about your Second Uncle Xiao Yuqi before, but Marquis Valour didn’t have the heart to slice through a knot with a sharp knife when it comes to his brother.” the secret guard sighed.

Xiao Yi nodded, ‘Father just warned Second Uncle instead of causing a fatal injury on him, no way will Second Uncle stays out of this now that he knows about Lu Jianzhong’s case.’

“Send a message to father, ask him to keep an eye on uncle.” Xiao Yi told the secret guard and he walked to the window, “A heavy rain is long overdue!”

… …

The victims were so thrilled about this big rain, their hope was rekindled, they looked at the crops in the field and looked forward to harvesting.

“Xiao Cheng, prepare enough ginger decoction for the victims in the depots, it’s still cold.” said Cao Mo.

Xiao Cheng advised Cao Mo in earnest, “Shizi Madam, please take some rest, you haven’t slept for days. We won’t disappoint you.”

Cao Mo looked outside and thought no one would come in such heavy rain, “All right, you keep an eye on the depot for me, wake me up if something comes up.”

“Please take some rest.”

Cao Mo lied down on a piece of board and closed his eyes, he heard people shouting, “Bandits! Bandits are here!”

Cao Mo jumped from the board only to see Xiao Cheng came rushing in, “Shizi Madam, you go first, run towards the town, bandits are here!”

“Where are the bandits now?” Cao Mo asked with a frown, “How many bandits are there?”

“They are marching towards us from the east, there are at least three thousand of them from the clatter of horses hoofs.” Xiao Cheng said nervously.

“We won’t make it, they are riding on horseback, we only have two feet, no way can we outrun them. Running is not the way out. Time to carry out the third emergency plan — waiting for relief troops!” said Cao Mo, “Xiao Cheng, go spread some compressed biscuits on the road, now!”

“Why… …”

“They must have travelled a long way, hopefully the horses are starving, let’s stall them as long as possible!” Cao Mo walked out of the tent, he looked at the bandits and and horses engulfing them in fear.

‘They are only half an hour away from us, but it takes at least an hour for our relief troops from Pinglin Town to get here! No wonder that bastard Lu said go to hell before he died! This is an ambush!’