Repudiating a Good Wife Is Out of the Question

48. Bring it on

Translator: Sissy That Walk

Imperial Censor Li straightened his collar and said to Xiao Yugui in a domineering tone, “Officer Xiao, as your fellow officer in court, I suggest you not help Cao Mo any more. He isn’t worth it. He will only bring disgrace to your reputation.”

Xiao Yugui sneered, “Thank you so much for your concern, Imperial Censor Li. Cao Mo is my son-in-law, I know his disposition very well, a good kid he is. May I ask you a question, Imperial Censor Li? How can you speak on good grounds that my son-in-law is guilty even before he appears in court to be tried?”

“Officer Xiao, mind you it’s your own daughter who has reported this.” Imperial Censor Li countered.

“Haha, you mean my daughter Xiao Li? A thirteen year old girl born by a concubine? How can you trust a little girl and use her letter as evidence? Imperial Censor Li, a suggestion, think twice before a thirteen-year-old girl’s letter constitutes your whole evidence system.” said Xiao Yugui with indifference, then he lifted a hand at the guards by the gate, “Imperial Censor Li is not welcome, he needs to mind his own business before he meddles in someone else’s issues.”

… …

In Magnolia House.

Cao Mo fell asleep after he took the medicine, and Xiao Yi was hosting Xiao Yuzhen and Liu Heng in their guest room.

Xiao Yugui walked in the room before Xiao Yuzhen could finish his first cup of tea, “Yuzhen! What have you done? You seem to forget there are over a thousand pairs of eyes are staring at us right now, but look at you, throwing a tantrum at our gate! It’s Imperial Censor Li you were dealing with, an infamous scoundrel!”

Xiao Yuzhen rolled his eyes, he refused to be rebuked, “What do you mean brother? You think I should just listen to Imperial Censor Li’s bullshix and smile at him? What I said was true, the wine aroma whiffed from him was called Breeze, it was the most pricy wine on the market, it’s only available in Bloom Tavern, and we all know it’s actually a brothel. Lu Jianzhong has an affair with the procuress there, I work with him a lot so I’m familiar with that aroma. Imperial Censor Li, no, more like Bastard Li must have had lunch with Lu Jianzhong in Bloom Tavern. And I’m sure Lu Jianzhong treated him and ordered him to see to it Mo gets arrested as possible.”

Xiao Yugui’s face reddened in anger on hearing Lu Jianzhong’s name, “Xie Yonghe! Go ‘invite’ the procuress from Bloom Tavern to our house, I have a lot of questions to ask, hmm, the first question is going to be whether Lu Jianzhong and Bastard Li have dined at her place for lunch. Bring it on, Lu Jianzhong!”

Liu Heng whispered something at Xiao Yuzhen’s ear, Xiao Yuzhen said, “Brother, we have two ladies from Lu family in our ow family now, why do you still keep them? It looks like they are just putting on shows by acting like they hate each other, they ganged up and come with this evil plan to hit us all! We should ask Auntie Lu about this, I’m sure Banyan House isn’t innocent!”

Xiao Yugui stroked his beard and asked in shock, “Are… are you saying the Second Sister-in-law is in this? Yuzhen, do you have evidence?”

“I… I…” Xiao Yuzhen stammered.

Liu Heng chimed in, “Brother, we are just guessing, but we have solid reasons. Xiao Li made a scene in Ancestral Hall, but Auntie Lu didn’t even bother to send her maid to ask about what happened, do you think that’s normal? Plus Mo just got hurt, she used to care for Mo, but this time it’s fine that she didn’t come visit, but she should at least send her maid to send her wishes.”

Xiao Yuzhen didn’t want to bring Liu Heng in this, he told Liu Heng off and continued, “Brother, Second Sister-in-law must be guilty of something, she used to stand on ceremony with everyone in the family and she values etiquette the most! She must have cooperated with her brother Lu Jianzhong!”

Xiao Yugui was about to discuss this with them further when Qing Xue dashed in, reporting, “Your Lordship, Third Master and Third Lady, Lady Lu forced Auntie Lu to go Dowager Xiao with her.”

Hearing that, Xiao Yugui sprang to his feet, “What are they doing?”

Qing Xue said in a low voice, “Lady Lu accused Auntie Lu of making use of Mammy Wang, Lady Lu insists on bringing Auntie Lu to see Dowager Xiao and look for justice.”

“Nonsense!” Xiao Yugui was furious, he made haste to Cunxi Hall.

Xiao Yuzhen sneered, “I know it! It’s been over a decade since the last time I’ve seen the two Lu sisters fighting, hmm, this is what I’m talking about! It’s getting more and more interesting, Heng, come on now, they need audience, let’s go!”

Liu Heng caught hold of Xiao Yuzhen’s sleeve, “What do you think you are doing? Our plate is full, we still need to go through the inventory for special purchases for the Spring Festival. You don’t have time to watch a show.”

Xiao Yuzhen shook his head resignedly, “All right, all right, my dear wify. I will do it now, as for you, please go rest, you still have that headache, I know it.”

Xiao Yuzhen tapped Xiao Yi on the shoulder, “Try your best to comfort Mo when he wakes up, poor boy is so wronged.”

Xiao Yi nodded and he walked Xiao Yuzhen to the door, “Third Uncle, thank yo so much. I know it’s you who has bought Mo some tome from the officers in the Ministry of Punishments.”

“It’s all right, Yi. Tell you what, it’s going to be better for us, I promise.”

… …

Xiao Yi went back to the bedside to keep an eye on Cao Mo, Cao Mo was asleep for over an hour now, he looked so serene in his sleep.

Xiao Yi couldn’t help but kiss on Cao Mo’s lips gently.

Cao Mo was waken up, he grinned, “This is my favorite way to be waken up.”

Xiao Yi blushed, “Are you feeling better now? I know the medicine you’ve taken just now is so bitter.”

“Yeah, I guess bitter medicine cures sickness, I’m feeling less painful.” Cao Mo looked around and asked, “Hmm, have they left already? Third Uncle and Third Aunt? I think I’ve heard their voices in my sleep.”

“Third Uncle is investigation on that Imperial Censor Li, Bastard Li. And he told me to let you know you don’t need to worry about this thing, he and father will both do their best to help you.” said Xiao Yi gently, “Imperial Censor Li is taking bribe from Lu Jianzhong, and the procuress Bloom Tavern is living proof.”

“Bastard!”

“Mo, I need to apologize to you on behalf of Third Sister Xiao Li.” Xiao Yi lowered his head.

“This is not your fault. It just baffles me why it’s always me!” Cao Mo looked confused.

“She is just fawning on Lady Lu, she counts on Lady Lu for a good marriage.” sighed Xiao Yi.