Repudiating a Good Wife Is Out of the Question

154. I Have Nothing to Do with those Questionable Candles

Translator: Sissy That Walk

Cao Le was dumbstruck, “Me? Why?”

The officer replied, “The candle guy from the compound said he bought the questionable candles from one of your shops.”

Cao Le fumed, “What questionable candles? I’m the second young madam in this manor, why would I sell questionable candles in my shops. How dare you make unfounded charges like his? Who sent you?”

The officer showed the summon issued by the minister of Ministry of Punishments, “Madam, I’m not lying. I’m just doing my job here, please follow me.”

The officer felt rather upset t this moment, he was hoping he could get some bribes from the Xiao Manor, however, no one cared Cao Le in this manor, Cao Le was nowhere near valued as Cao Mo. None of the masters or madams showed up to talk to him, and Cao Le had been nothing but mean to the servants so none of the servants helped him either.

… …

Cao Mo now was done, the officer from the Ministry of Rites supported him up while Cao Le was still rattling away. ‘The candles are not from my shops… ….’

The officer from the Ministry of Rites dared not to stay to comfort Cao Mo even though he knew Cao Mo wasn’t happy about this, because no one could see through the perplexing situation in court, the officer didn’t want to be on the wrong team and draw the fire upon himself, so he took the bribe and left.

Cao Mo didn’t say anything, he cast a glimpse at Cao Le and turned away. Cao Mo didn’t believe what Cao Le said, he knew Cao Le wouldn’t admit his fault even when he was faced with evidence.

Cao Le dragged Cao Mo, “You tell that officer that he can’t take me!”

Cao Mo raised his eyebrow, “Weren’t you just having so much fun seeing me being reprimanded? That officer just said I ignore the law, how can I provide my critics with a handle right after I was being reprimanded?”

“I’m wronged, really!” Cao Le’s voice was choking with vexation, “I’m also a student who has persevered in my studies, how would I sell seconds at best quality prices or sell questionable candles to other students in the compound! That’s courting death!”

Cao Mo was dumbstruck for a second, then he grabbed Cao Le by his collar, “Where have you sold your questionable candles then?”

“I mean… I mean I didn’t sell those candle sin my shops, I only sell writing materials, no such thing as candles… …” Cao Le avoided Cao Mo’s question, he kept rattling away like that would prove him innocent.

“Answer my question!” Cao Mo roared.

The officer who was waiting chimed in, “The candles are found in the examination compound, human testimony and material evidence are both present. Shizi Madam, I suggest you pay the right people to help the Second Young Madam out, otherwise severe punishment will await the young madam.”

Cao Mo glared at Cao Le, he thought chances were Cao Le had no idea his candles would be sold in the examination compound. But this scandal concerned the whole family’s reputation, including Xiao Yi’s, Cao Mo had to do something.

Cao Mo presented a bank note worth one hundred taels to the officer, “Please look after my brother for me, and feel free to let me know if you need more, I will thank you properly after this thing is over.”

The officer looked at Cao Mo in the eye and pushed Cao Mo’s hand away, he signaled to his assistant to take Cao Le away and he whispered to Cao Mo, “Shizi Madam, I’m sorry I can’t take your money, my seniors say this is an ironclad case! Madam, I’m telling you this only because I’m from Dingzhou and I’ve heard the good deeds you have done for my people. This case is tricky, I suggest you come up with a way to stay out of this.”

Cao Mo permitted himself a wry smile, “Thank you for your reminder, the thing is he is my brother, we are blood, I only hope he is going to suffer less.”

“There’s a way out, you can stay out of this as long as the Second Young Master repudiates him, plus no one will know their brother-in-law’s business.” the officer noe took the bank note with a big smile.

Cao Mo didn’t say anything, he wouldn’t suggest that, Lady Lu would be happy to see that but he was going to suffer in the long run if Lady Lu married a scheming one to his son.

“Thank you for your reminder, I will see what I can do. Please look after him for me and send your assistant to me if you need anything.” with that Cao Mo walked the officer to the gate.

The officer felt so flattered, he had never seen Cao Mo walk the minister of the Ministry of Rites before.

“It’s not me, I have nothing to do with those candles, Cao Mo, you gotta help me!” Cao Le was still yelling before he was taken away.

… …

In Magnolia House.

Cao Mo went to his own room and summoned his shadow guard, “You go find out whether my brother is framed or not.”

The shadow guard came back two hours later and reported that one of Cao Le’s shops sold candles, but they were stealthily substituted by one of the employees.

“So he is wronged?” Cao Mo asked with a frown.

“Yes.” replied the shadow guard, “But the employee went missing, chances are he is already dead.”

Mohua came rushing in with sweats on his forehead, “Shizi Madam, bad news!”

The shadow guard leaped on the roof and disappeared before Mohua saw him.

“What’s the fuss?” Cao Mo asked.

“Second Young Madam says the shop that sells candle is actually yours, an officer just came to remind you to come up with a way!”

“That bastard! I have been trying my best to help him, this is how he repays me!” Cao Mo turned livid with rage.

Cao Mo paced back and forth in his room, worrying Cao Le might come up with other slanders.

The Chief Steward now came to report that an officer from the Ministry of Punishments was here to see Cao Mo.

Cao Mo bit his lips and decided to give Cao Le some of his own medicine!

… …

Cao Mo was taken to the court of the Ministry of Punishments, this was the first time that he had seen how the yamen (government office in feudal China) and the yamen runners worked in ancient China, they were an awful lot like what he had watched on TV. Seeing that, Cao Mo trembled with fear.

A middle-aged officer was sitting behind the table and he watched Cao Mo with a solemn face. That was Officer Fang.

Cao Mo shivered and made a bow with hands folded in front, “Officer, how can I help you?”