Repudiating a Good Wife Is Out of the Question

42. Imperial Censor Li

Translator: Sissy That Walk

Dowager Xiao organized a banquet to celebrate Xiao Yugui’s new title of nobility, in a a time of national peace and order, being granted a title of nobility was much harder than getting promoted. Therefore, there were a lot of high officials and noble lords who seldom shoe up at social occasions showed up at the banquet, extending congratulations to Xiao Yugui.

Lady Lu was so busy welcoming the guests all by herself at the gate, she asked her maid to bring Cao Mo to help her out.

Lady Lu was so surprised to find out Cao Mo wasn’t flogged when she saw him, she turned around and asked Mammy Wang for more details.

Mammy Wang whispered at Lady Lu’s ear… …

Lady Lu frowned, “I suppose the manual to make mirror is in Cao Mo’s dowry, but look at my husband and my step-son, I’m in the dark of the whole thing, how great is that! This whole arrangement is just so watertight, I just find out Cao Mo is the reason why Marquis Valour was conferred one more title of nobility!”

“But madam, don’t you find it strange? Young Madam’s father is an officer, how could he have a manual to make mirrors, he is no craftsman!” suggested Mammy Wang.

“Mammy… you mean this isn’t in Cao Mo’s dowry?” Lady Lu’s eyes were wide-opened.

Mammy Wang showed a crooked facial expression, “Madam, just think about it, if Magistrate Cao really has this manual in hand, no way would he give this to Young Madam as his dowry, he will use it to ask for promotions, right? Plus, if he really wants his son to have the manual, it should be Cao Le, the First Son who have it!”

Lady Lu gnashed her teeth and nodded, “Correct, Cao Mo must have stolen this manual from someone else, look at his brother Cao Le, stealing from Liu Heng. It runs in the family.”

Suddenly, Lady Lu heard something behind her back.

Lady Lu turned around only to see Xiao Li, “Li, you startled me.”

Xiao Li smiled and said, “Grandmother asks me check whether you have prepared her the gold ingots, Your Ladyship.”

Lady Lu retorted, “I asked you what are you doing stealthily behind my back? Tell Her Ladyship Dowager Xiao that I will send her the ingots tonight.”

Xiao Li said yes and turned around, ready to leave.

She sneered at Cao Mo when their eyes met, ‘You are about to be in big trouble, Lady Lu is about to set you up, big time!’ thought Xiao Li.

Mammy Wang looked at Xiao Li and asked, “Third Lady, is there something else you want to say?”

Xiao Li panicked, she shook her head and ran away.

Lady Lu said to Mammy Wang, “Mammy, no need to be careful in front of Li, she hates Cao Mo’s guts, you remember? She will only be happy to find out Cao Mo is in trouble.”

“Please forgive me, Your Ladyship.” apologized Mammy Wang, “I just want to be absolutely safe.”

… …

Lu Jianzhong, Lady Lu’s elder brother also came to the banquet.

Lady Lu greeted her brother and took him to somewhere quiet, “Brother, do you know your brother-in-law is conferred this title of nobility because of a manual of making mirrors?”

Lu Jianzhong smiled, “Yes, the Ministry of Works is inspired by the manual and working on some other manuals at the moment.”

“Cao Mo gives the manual to your brother-in-law.” said Lady Lu, “But the manual isn’t clean.”

Lu Jianzhong looked serious, “What do you mean?”

Lady Lu explained, “Brother, just think, Cao Mo is just fifteen years old, how could a young child like him come up with this manual. If it’s his father who has given this manual to him, why not his father use this manual to ask for a promotion?”

“Stop! Do you know what you are talking about? If the manual is stolen from someone else, not only Cao Mo will be sentenced, your whole family will be in deep trouble too!”

“Brother, I don’t care. Xiao Yugui has never treated me like his wife anyways, he forced Jin to marry Cao Mo’s brother, and he said Xiao Yi would inherit all his titles and fortunes! Brother, please do something, your sister and your nephew are counting on you!” Lady Lu almost cried.

Lu Jianzhong didn’t have the heart to see his sister cry, he thought for a while and made up him mind, ‘I will tell this to some Imperial Censor, I believe Xiao Yugui will take a hit.”

“A a mere verbal statement is no guarantee, I need evidence, the more the better.” replied Lu Jianzhong.

Lady Lu wiped the tears, “I had a witness who was beaten to death, but don’t worry, I will find another witness. As for material evidence, I need you to work some wonder, brother. Bottom line is, I won’t allow Cao Le to marry Jin!”

Lu Jianzhong narrowed his eyes and was lost in thought… …

The next day in court, Imperial Censor Li accused Xiao Yugui of stealing manual from others to win favors from His Majesty.

Xiao Yugui was stupefied, “Imperial Censor Li, we have always been on good terms, I don’t understand why are you slandering me!”

“Marquis Valour, as an Imperial Censor, it’s my job to report to His Majesty what I’ve heard and what I’ve seen. Marquis Valour, may I ask you where did you get the manual to make mirrors?” Imperial Censor Li put on a false smile.

His Majesty’s face darkened on hearing the accusation against Xiao Yugui, ‘Stupid Imperial Censor Li! I just conferred Xiao Yugui a title of nobility, what are you thinking, accusing him of stealing, isn’t that the same as accusing me?’

Xiao Yugui was furious, “My son-in-law gave me the manual, it’s part of his dowry.”

Imperial Censor Li sneered, “Marquis Valour, are you talking about Cao Mo, the second son of Magistrate Cao in Antai County?”

“That’s correct, just get to the point, Imperial Censor Li!” rebuked Xiao Yugui.

Imperial Censor Li replied, “Great! Cao Mo and your son Xiao Yi went to a tavern after they paid a visit to Magistrate Cao, Cao Mo forced a craftsman to give him the manual to make mirrors!”

Xiao Yugui didn’t know whether he should believe this or not, all he knew was to keep his son Xiao Yi out of this.

With that in mind, “Imperial Censor Li, this is outrageous! I’ve never heard of this! My son will never do such a thing!”

Imperial Censor Li’s lips twitched, he was well aware Xiao Yugui wouldn’t give him a good time if he implicated Xiao Yi in this. So he decided to shift all the blame on Cao Mo, and Cao Mo only. He was sure no way could anyone prove Cao Mo came up with the manual all by himself.

“Your Majesty, I impeach Magistrate Cao in Antai County lacking in disciplining his sons, his two sons fighting for the opportunity to marry into Xiao Family has raised a colossal uproar! Magistrate Cao is incompetent and should resign!” suggested Imperial Censor Li.

Imperial Censor Li didn’t mention Xiao Yugui’s name in the impeach, but everyone got the undertone, he was laughing at Xiao Yugui as well, the farce was around his son Xiao Yi.