Repudiating a Good Wife Is Out of the Question

17. Being Mrs. Xiao (6)

Translator: Sissy That Walk

Xiao Yi’s gifts were an ink slab and several collections of ancient books while Cao Mo’s were two gold ingots in a fancy pouch.

Seeing the two gold ingots, Cao Mo’s eyes sparkled, he was glad his gifts were gold instead of those boring books. Liu Heng patted Cao Mo who was fondling the ingots, “Mo, I heard that you molested your husband’s maid and you’ve broken the mirror, Lady Lu took care of the maid for you, is that true?”

“Of course not, the villain brought suit against her victim! That maid embezzled the silver and she was accusing me of all that to protect herself!”

Liu Heng nodded and put on a serious face, “I see, but anyways, you need to be careful, your father-in-law is having a hard time due to the mirror, his political opponents are launching attacks against him.”

Cao Mo was dumbfounded, “What? Over a piece of mirror?”

Xiao Yi also looked serious, “Third Aunt, I was about to discuss this with you.”

Seeing how serious Xiao Yi was, Liu Heng asked all the maids and page to withdraw, “Yi, go ahead.”

“Hmm, Third Uncle is coming back soon yeah?” Xiao Yi put on a cheeky smile, suggesting he would like to wait for his Third Uncle Xiao Yuzhen.

“Ah~ I’m not worthy of your story?” Liu Heng showed a meaningful smile.

“You bastard, say sorry to your Third Aunt!” a loud voice rang from outside.

It was Xiao Yuzhen who had just went back from morning court duty.

“Third Uncle, you are back! I didn’t mean to disrespect my Third Aunt, I really need to discuss something with you!” with that Xiao Yi stood up and bowed to Xiao Yuzhen.

Xiao Yuzhen supported him and put him back to the seat, “It’s okay, I’m just joking. Look at you Yi, married such a good wife. I heard you were able to walk after you got married, your wife is such a lucky charm. Please visit your Third Aunt more often, he would love you and your wife’s company!”

Xiao Yi nodded with a big smile.

Xiao Yuzhen went on, “Just listen to what I said, no need to worry about that woman, she dared not mess with us.”

Cao Mo bowed to Xiao Yuzhen and made self introduction.

Xiao Yuzhen looked Cao Mo up and down, he found Xiao Yuzhen’s etiquette quite amusing, “I heard my nephew spoils you so much that he has made up lies and covered for you breaking the mirror.”

Cao Mo cursed in his heart, ‘why does everyone have this ridiculous version story about the damn mirror!’

Cao Mo felt like the saying “Good news never goes beyond the gate, while bad news spread far and wide” was timeless, it worked just fine in this time and space.

Cao Mo took a deep breath and explained, “Third Uncle, don’t listen to those nonsense, it’s no big deal, it’s just a maid trying to frame me.”

Xiao Yi took hold of Cao Mo’s hand and chimed in, “Indeed, please don’t worry Third Uncle.”

Xiao Yuzhen smiled, “I’m not the one who is worried, it’s your father who is in trouble. I’m afraid even Lady Lu, the initiator herself didn’t expect she was lifting a rock only to drop it on her own feet, she spread the story trying to frame you, but it’s her husband who is being attacked on court.”

Cao Mo stared at Xiao Yi, looking for an answer, “Is it that serious?”

Xiao Yi squeezed his hand and replied, “It’s okay, I’m here with you.”

Xiao Yuzhen poured some tea for Liu Heng, “Look at you, your lips are chapped from all the talking, here, have some tea.”

Liu Heng was pleased, “Thank you for the tea, how about you and Yi talking here, I will bring Mo to the study?”

Cao Mo was touched when Liu Heng dragged him away, he didn’t notice Liu Heng’s lips were chapped the whole time, but Xiao Yuzhen noticed that the second he came back home, that was so sweet. No wonder Liu Heng was willing to marry him against his own family’s will.

Seeing Cao Mo and Liu Heng’s retiring figures, Xiao Yi produced a piece of paper and handed it to Xiao Yuzhen, “Third Uncle, come take a look.”

“Mirror Making Manual… …” Xiao Yuzhen was surprised.

“Oh my, your wife wrote you this? This is priceless!” Xiao Yuzhen fondled the paper admiringly, “Does your father know about this?”

Xiao Yi shook his head, “Not exactly, I don’t want to brag before I can actually present him the mirror, let’s try our luck secretly before anyone knows about this, shall we? I know you have some contacts, finding the right skilled craftsmen was not difficult for you.”

Xiao Yuzhen nodded in approval, “You can keep your equanimity, my nephew! All right, thank you for the trust.”

Xiao Yi blinked, “Great, I will explain to my father after we have the mirror. Presenting His Majesty the manual will surely atone for the guilt.”

Xiao Yuzhen smacked his lips, “Hmm, on a second thought, it looks like I’m the one who is doing the work but your father ends up getting the credit!”

“Third Uncle, I know you don’t care about that. Plus, you are not doing the work for nothing, we can keep some of the mirrors once we try out the manual.” coaxed Xiao Yi.

Soon it was lunch time, Liu Heng took Cao Mo back to the guest hall. Xiao Yi and Xiao Yuzhen were playing the game of go, Cao Mo took a glimpse of the board and murmured, “You are about to win, Yi.”

Xiao Yuzhen raised his head and disagreed.

Cao Mo took over Xiao Yi’s piece and placed it at the right corner, bang, that was it.

Xiao Yuzhen restrained his anger and looked at his wife, “Heng, hmm, you need to spend some time instructing our newly weds, especially our bride, there are certain lines that could not be crossed.”

Liu Heng chuckled, “I say the bride does a good job, he was taking his husband’s side, what’s wrong with that?”

With that Liu Heng caught hold of Cao Mo’s sleeve, “Good boy, come visit me more, we can play go together, just us two.”

“No!”

“No!”

The two Xiaos rejected in unison.

Hmm, a jealousy bunch.