Repudiating a Good Wife Is Out of the Question

144. To Rake up the Past

Translator: Sissy That Walk

Officer Cao exclaimed when he saw the peonies, “Each peony must be worth several taels of silver, why throw money away like that?”

Cao Le said maliciously, “Rare peonies like these are high maintenance, you will regret for your whim.”

Cao Mo chuckled, “Don’t you worry about a thing, my husband has thought about that too, he has bought the floriculturist for me as well, one thousand and six hundred taels of silver in total, such a good deal, right? I will send you a branch next year, and father too.”

Cao Le was choked then he excused himself saying he needed to use the bathroom. He caught his mother stuffing a curio in Cao Mo’s hand saying she’d like to add something to Cao Mo’s dowry now and hopefully it was not too late.

Cao Le fumed, he was infuriated that his parents were more considerate to Cao Mo now.

Cao Mo came back to the table after Cao Le was seated, Cao Le noticed there was a bulge in Cao Mo’s sleeve and he sneered at Cao Mo in the heart, ‘what a hypocrite, saying you don’t need the material stuff but look at your sleeve!’

Cao Mo asked Cao Le who kept staring at him, “Do I have something on my face?”

“I’m not looking at you, I’m just looking at the stage.” with that Cao Le turned around and asked Officer Cao, “Father, why do you invite the Harmony Troupe, what a poor substitute for Spring Joy Troupe.”

Officer Cao replied in embarrassment, “Spring Joy Troupe is dissolved, Harmony Troupe is just as good.”

Cao Mo’s face darkened, he gave Cao Le an icy glare and lowered his head, wishing he were somewhere else.

Xiao Yi patted Cao Mo’s hand gently with concern.”

Cao Mo took one more piece of fish and replied calmly, “I’m fine.”

Cao Le noticed Cao Mo’s facial expression and he was more convinced that Cao Mo knew about the inside information of Qin’s death, “Why are you upset, Shizi Madam? Did I say something wrong?”

Cao Mo glared at Cao Le, he felt sorry for Officer Cao for having a son like Cao Le.

“Interesting, why do you think I’m upset? Plus, I don’t care what you say, let alone being bothered by it.”

Xiao Yi served Cao Mo one more piece of fish, but Cao Mo lost his appitite thinking about poor Qin.

“The food is amazing, I’m pretty full now, please enjoy your food.” Cao Mo rose to his feet, he wanted to get some air.

Cao Le chimed in abruptly, “You are thinking about Qin, right? Shizi Madam?”

Cao Mo turned around and rebuked Cao Le, “Don’t court death!”

Cao Le’s eyes were transfixed with terror, this was the first time he had seen Cao Mo being this infuriated. Cao Le could feel his heart thumping with fear.

Xiao Yi also rose too his feet, he knew Cao Mo kept blaming himself for Qin’s death even thought it wasn’t his fault.

“Father-in-law, please excuse us, we will visit soon.”

“Shizi, please join me in my study, I saved some good tea for you.” Officer Cao pulled Cao Mo’s sleeve gently, signaling Cao Mo that he needed to talk to Xiao Yi about something.

… …

Cao Mo took the hint and walked to the study with Xiao Yi.

“Why are you so riled up? You barely touched your food.” asked Xiao Yi with concern.

“I’m not riled up, I’m just annoyed, having a brother like Cao Le who is always picking on me. I wish I didn’t know him!”

“Don’t mind him, just a regular annoying relative, all we need to do is to stay away from him.” replied Xiao Yi with indifference, “Sons of Marquis is blessed with an official rank, I will report to the emperor and send him somewhere else.”

“Hold on that thought, those Imperial Censors will accuse you of being jealous of your brother, why ask for trouble? It’s just a matter of time before that couple offends your father, let’s just wait and see, we have already shown extremely forbearance to them.” Cao Mo finally looked mollified now.

Officer Cao now walked in, he rebuked the servants who were waiting at the door, “You useless lazybones, why haven’t you served Shizi and Shizi Madam tea?”

Cao Mo replied, “It’s not their fault, father, it’s ma who has asked them to wait outside, I was just talking with Xiao Yi.”

Officer Cao nodded, he then took his seat, “As a matter of fact, I have something to consult Shizi.”

Xiao Yi put on a serious face, “I’m at your service, father-in-law.”

“I’m in charge of receiving emissaries of the Southern Country, and they command me to find their leader’s son! How should I know who his son is and where his son is!” Officer Cao sighed, “That leader says his son was born with two pupils in each eye, that’s auspicious and rare. But I’ve looked everywhere and I got nothing. I heard there was an actor called Qin in Spring Joy Troupe had two pupils in each eye, and he had something to do with Prince Ning, but Spring Joy Troupe is dissolved already, even the troupe leader is nowhere to be found!”

“I heard Mo and Le mentioned Qin just now, can you please tell me where he is now, I should at least have something to tell that emissaries leader even though Qin is dead now.” Cao Mo begged, but soon he regretted when he saw how livid Cao Mo looked.

“But forget about it if you have no idea either.”

Cao Mo cast a glimpse at Xiao Yi, ‘You answer this for me.’

Xiao Yi shook his head resignedly, “Just keep looking, father-in-law, no one can find fault with you even though Qin is nowhere to be found. I’m sure you are doing your best.”

Officer Cao got the overtone in Xiao Yi’s reply, “But the Ministry of Rites… …”

“I will report this to Prince Xing, just keep this in mind, accidents happen everyday, sometimes it’s better if a case stays unsolved.”

Officer Cao nodded, he understood what Xiao Yi said perfectly, ‘Qin is dead now, and it was an ugly death, it’s no difference than inciting hatred if they hand over Qin’s body. Therefore it’s better this case stays unsolved.”

“Thank you so much, Shizi.”

Officer Cao felt so sorry for himself, ‘It takes me years before I get this promotion, Xiao Yi is implying me that I won’t win any merit no matter how hard I work for this case!’

“Father, it’s getting late, please say goodbye to mother for us, she insists on giving me so much stuff, I better leave now before she sees me again.” with that Cao Mo withdrew the study with Xiao Yi, and what met his eyes at the door was Cao Le’s inquiring eyes.