Repudiating a Good Wife Is Out of the Question

159. I Demand Justice for My Wife

 

Translator: Sissy That Walk

 

Cao Le just stayed in Magnolia House, he didn’t go anywhere else.

Mohua asked the doorman to report to Cao Mo on Xiao Yugui’s arrival.

Xiao Yi slept until the evening when candles were lit in the house, Cao Mo had already asked the servants to heat up the lunch for a few times.

“It’s this late already, why didn’t you wake me up?” Xiao Yi pressed his forehead, he was still waking up slowly, “Have you eaten, Mo?”

Cao Mo flashed a sweet smile, “I’m waiting for you.”

“Brother! Just wash up and let’s have dinner, I’m famished.” Cao Le chimed in cautiously.

It wasn’t until now did Xiao Yi realize there was someone else in their room.

Xiao Yi blinked at Cao Mo, Cao Mo scratched his head and explained, “Lady Lu is going to repudiate him, he’s got nowhere to go and he refuses to leave the manor, he’s been here since the afternoon.”

Xiao Yi was taken aback, “Why?”

“He asked for it.” Cao Mo chuckled.

“I’m wronged, my shop has never sold those questionable candles, the shopkeeper is arranged by Lady Lu even, they just blame me for everything.” Cao Le defended himself.

Mohua was too pent-up by Cao Le to keep silent, he just asked blatantly for Cao Mo, “But why didn’t you mention the shopkeeper and keep slandering our madam?”

“What are you blabbering on? Get out!” Cao Le rebuked Mohua.

Xiao Yi looked so grave, he looked at Cao Mo with a touch of grievance in the eye, “Why haven’t you told me anything?”

“The second exam is tomorrow, how can I bother you with this, plus I’m fine. Come on over, let’s eat!” Cao Mo draped a clock on Xiao Yi’s shoulders and together they sat down.

Cao Le was jealousy and frustrated at the same time, but Xiao Yi didn’t even spare him a look.

“What’s with the questionable case?” Xiao Yi asked casually while he took the bowl that Cao Mo handed him.

Xiao Yi’s question caused a release of soreness Cao Le had for the past few days, he wept, “I have no idea who I have offended, officers from the Ministry of Punishments arrested me all of a sudden while an officer from the the Ministry of Rites came to reprimand sister-in-law the other day.”

Xiao Yi pounded on the table and rose on his feet, “An officer from the the Ministry of Rites was here to reprimand you? Why?”

Cao Mo stared at Xiao Yi blankly, ‘Gee, I would have thought they were here to reprimand you if I didn’t know better.’

Cao Mo smiled and replied, “He was just here pointing out some facts, like I’m unruly and disrespectful, and I’ve incited Prince Xing to force open the examination compound using the aerial ladder. They were all facts, so I didn’t defend myself.”

“It’s not just that, isn’t it? There must be something else, why are you hiding things from me?” Xiao Yi looked livid.

“That’s all, he just gave me a good scolding, that’s it.”

“That’s not it, how about your title?” Cao Le chimed in.

“Shut up!”

“Shut up!”

Cao Mo and Xiao Yi both shushed Cao Le. Xiao Yi took hold of Cao Mo’s hand, he felt so guilty, “You were treated unfairly because of useless me, I will get your title back.”

“No worries! It’s just a title, I’m fine with or without it, it’s not like I was blessed with anything when I had that title.” Cao Mo didn’t care about the title.

But Xiao Yi did, Xiao Yi thought Cao Mo was so wronged, depriving a male wife of his title was the most humiliating experience. And Xiao Yi knew Cao Mo underwent that humiliation because of him.

Xiao Yi was beside himself with rage, he meant to see Xiao Yugui and demand justice for Cao Mo.

As luck would have it, Mohua now rushed in to report that Xiao Yugui was back.

Cao Le dragged Cao Mo immediately, “Don’t forget too talk me up!”

… …

In Osmanthus House.

Xiao Yugui sat in his study with a grim face, he glared at Cao Mo and Xiao Yi who was kneeling on the ground, “Aren’t you two the bold ones, I wished Yi hadn’t attended the exam if I knew you would make such scenes.”

The flame of the candle made Xiao Yi’s shadow look disproportionately long.

“Prince Ning wouldn’t let me go even though I remain silent! Father! They meant to burn me in my cubicle! How could I just await my doom!”

“But rumor has it that you set your cubicle on fire to slander Prince Ning.”

“Do you believe that?”

“I have to, what do you expect His Majesty to think when your wife has incited Prince Xing to force open the gate using the aerial ladder from the military camp?” Xiao Yugui threw a teacup on the ground, Cao Mo was splashed with water all over.

Xiao Yi was so disappointed, Marquis Valour now was just worried about his own safety after he found out his son almost died in the examination compound. What Xiao Yi found the most disturbing was how Xiao Yugui blamed everything on Cao Mo without asking for the whole picture.

“Father, Prince Ning would have destroyed all the evidence if not for Prince Xing who had made it to the examination compound in time. Prince Ning would blame everything on me, your son, what’s to become of our family by then?”

Xiao Yi wiped the water stains on Cao Mo and continued, “Prince Xing now is still in the palace, His Majesty still favors him. As long as there’s a way to convince His Majesty to register Prince Xing under the Empress’s name, I’m sure His Majesty will have to deal with this case impartially. Father, don’t you want to climb even higher?”

Xiao Yi observed Xiao Yugui’s facial expression carefully, he knew Xiao Yugui’s attitude was everything now.

“Father, do you know it’s Auntie Lu who has bribed the employee in Cao Le’s shop and mixed the questionable candles into the good ones?” Cao Le chimed in.

Xiao Yi was glad that his wife knew what exactly he was thinking and joined him in convincing his father immediately, so he continued, “Father, you don’t need me to point out where Auntie Lu has got the answers. She is driving me to the wall, how can I just sit back and watch any more?”

Xiao Yugui still pulled a long face, he now knew what was going on, and he knew his son was disappointed in him, but he replied, “Your reputation is tarnished even though you are innocent, the best way is to quit the exam because your political career is directly connect to your reputation.”

“No! Don’t even bother, father. Prince Xing wouldn’t let it go even though I’m willing to be silent. I wasn’t the only one in the examination compound, talents from across the country were present, I don’t think Prince Ning can laugh the last laugh! Selling answers through candles right under our eyes, that’s ridiculous! I will hold on straight to the end and demand justice for all the talents!” Xiao Yi said firmly.

Xiao Yugui looked so torn, “It’s not so peaceful in the west border, His Majesty now is relying on Imperial Tutor Lu’s disciples to raise army provisions, needless to say, Imperial Tutor Lu is in his grandson Prince Ning’s camp. Prince Xing on the other hand, only has the Yaos, that’s not enough, he is no match for Prince Ning.”

Xiao Yi took a few steps back in shock, ‘No wonder Prince Ning is the Deputy Examiner, and no wonder Prince Ning has been so bold, the emperor is counting on him and his people!”