Repudiating a Good Wife Is Out of the Question

43. Cao Mo is a Sinner

Translator: Sissy That Walk

What Imperial Censor Li said set the whole court in an uproar, all the ministers were whispering at each other, comparing notes, most of them believe what Imperial Censor Li said, if the manual really was part of Cao Mo’s dowry like Xiao Yugui had claimed, the Cao Family for sure had already presented the manual to His Majesty, no way would they be satisfied to be just a Magistrate in a small county.

Xiao Yugui used to serve the army, he had a short temper and tended to turn to violence. Faced with such an outrageous charge, he grabbed Imperial Censor Li’s collar and fumed, “I hope you know what you are talking about in front of His Majesty and our fellow officials. I’m afraid someone is blinded by greed, seeing His Majesty awarding me with such a great honor and resort to extreme measures, such as slandering and defaming. I cannot believe you are quoting story tellers in the tea shops, nonsense as two Cao brothers fighting for the opportunity to marry to my family. There’s no such thing, the truth is two Cao brothers are betrothed to my two sons.”

As an experienced politician, Xiao Yugui soon came up with his sons’ marriage to distract everyone from dwelling on the manual.

Hearing that, Xiao Jin’s uncle Lu Jianzhong, hurried to protect his nephew, chimed in, “Marquis Xiao, are you really happy to see both of your sons betrothed to men, who is going to inherit your titles? Your grandsons born by concubines? Or your brothers’ grandsons?”

Xiao Yugui narrowed his eyes in pain, “Thank you for your concern, Officer Lu, but it’s not your business to worry about.”

The emperor was so annoyed by this farce, he stood up from his throne and said, “Enough! All my officers, you all worked hard this year, Spring Festival is just around the corner, let’s take a moment to celebrate what we have gained in the year and reflect on what we could do better. Let’s solve this case after the Spring Festival holiday. Dismiss.”

Imperial Censor Li thumped his head on the floor and cried out, “Your Majesty, I venture to ask you to hear me out. Cao Mo, Marquis Xiao’s first son-in-law, a shrew indeed. He stood in the way when Marquis Xiao’s concubine was sick and seeking for medical help, Concubine Wu died due to his villainy, to make it worse, Concubine Wu was pregnant when she died. Cao Mo fabricated a charge against his husband Xiao Yi’s maid Bailu, imputing embezzling to that poor maid and beating her to death. Cao Mo ignored the authority of the Royal Family, destroying your award to Xiao Family, the precious mirror. Cao Mo raped a maid named Qiushuang, rendering Qiushuang pregnant out of wedlock. Don’t even make me remark on the Royal Jade Ruyi that he had ruined! Your Majesty, I demand justice be upheld! Please investigate this!”

Xiao Yugui was petrified, he knew none of the above charges was valid, but any charge could kill Cao Mo. But what baffled Xiao Yugui was why would Imperial Censor Li had such a clear understanding of what was going on in his own family, domestic issues!

Seeing how pale Xiao Yugui looked, Lu Jianzhong couldn’t help but curl his lips, ‘There goes your plan of naming Xiao Yi your inherit too the titles, he is no longer eligible considering what his wife Cao Mo has committed, or committed allegedly.’

The emperor looked hesitant, “Do you have anything to say about this, Marquis Xiao?”

Xiao Yugui was well aware he should put his foot down and denied all those fabricated charge, otherwise the whole Xiao Family would sink with Cao Mo together.

Xiao Yugui kowtowed to the emperor, “None of the charges is true, please investigate this and bring justice to my son-in-law!”

“Marquis Xiao, you don’t need to defend your son-in-law like this. I have plenty of evidence after all.” sneered Imperial Censor Li.

Xiao Yugui looked at Imperial Censor Li and asked, “Do I have the honor to know what the evidence are?”

“Of course, do you think I would just defame your family and your son-in-law out of thin air? Look what do I have in my hand!” with that Imperial Censor Li produced a letter from his sleeve, “A letter written by Marquis Xiao’s daughter Xiao Li, she was the late Concubine Wu’s first daughter, she resents Cao Mo for killing her mother indirectly.”

Xiao Yugui’s heart sank when he heard Xiao Li’s name, he felt like there was a huge hollow hole in his chest, his own daughter, how was this possible!

The emperor glared at Xiao Yugui, fumed, “Is there anything you’d like to say, Marquis Xiao? I just awarded you yesterday, and look at my payback, your fellow official is impeaching you and your own daughter writes a letter to support that! You have not only make yourself a laughing stock, but also you have brought shame to me!”

“Give out my order, Marquis Xiao fails to regulate his own family, Magistrate Cao fails to discipline his son, I order Dali the Highest Judiciary, Censorate, and Ministry of Punishments to investigate this issue! Now dismiss!” with that the emperor withdrew in a fury.

The news hit Xiao Yugui like a thunderbolt, this boded ill for the entire family!

…………………..

Xiao Yugui went back home in an unsettled state of mind.

“Bring me the Third Lady!” order him the second he set foot on the gate, “Go fetch her now!”

Mammy Qian answered, “The Third Lady is at Dowager Xiao’s at the moment, Dowager Xiao asked Third Lady to have tea with her.”

“Go, fetch, her, now!”

“Yonghe, you go take Cao Mo, and meet me in the Ancestral Hall.”

Xiao Yugui couldn’t even think straight at the moment, his own daughter stabbed him behind his back!

Soon the mammy brought Xiao Li to the Ancestral Hall. Dowager Xiao accompanied Xiao Li with Mammy Qin supporting her walk.

Seeing the implements of punishment stood by Xiao Yugui, Xiao Li trembled in fear.

“Grandmother, please save me! Father is going to kill me!” Xiao Li cried out.

Dowager Xiao had no idea what was going on, she was worried for Xiao Li, for if words spread out, no way would Xiao Li marry a good family.

Lady Lu arrived amid the crying and weeping, Xiao Yugui didn’t spare one look at Lady Lu.

Cao Mo and Xiao Yi arrived right after Lady Lu, a tint of tenderness flashed across Xiao Yugui’s eyes and soon it disappeared.