Repudiating a Good Wife Is Out of the Question

50. Officer Qin

Translator: Sissy That Walk

Little had Liu Heng expected Dowager Xiao would ask him to take over the position from Lady Lu.

Lady Lu resented this arrangement, but she had no choice but to obey what Dowager Xiao said, she threw the box filled with account books and keys to Liu Heng.

Liu Heng took the box carefully and whispered at Lady Lu’s ear, “Sister-in-law, don’t worry, this is all temporary, no way can I fill your shoes. I’m sure mother-in-law will ask you to take charge after this Spring Festival.”

“Humph! No, this is the best arrangement, I have been taking care of the domestic affairs for well over a decade now, this is a tiring job. I’m just glad I can finally relax now, don’t bother to give the box back, I will go reside in the country estate after this Spring Festival.” with that Lady Lu left in a huff.

Liu Heng just felt the box so heavy, he had no interest in taking over Lady Lu’s position and no time to attend to the messy domestic affairs in this family, especially not now when Cao Mo was in deep trouble.

… …

Xiao Yi and Cao Mo were cuddling in bed, discussing about the trip to the country estates.

And Mohua now rushed in, “Young Master, His Lordship asks you and the Young Madam to go to the guest hall, Officer Qin from Dali the Highest Judiciary is here.”

“Yi, another person who is here to arrest me, I know the trip to the country estates is not happening.”

Xiao Yi caught hold of Cao Mo’s hand and comforted him, “Officer Qin’s family and our family are friends for generations, don’t worry, okay?”

Cao Mo pouted.

Xiao Yi coaxed Cao Mo to come to guest hall with him.

Xiao Yugui and Officer Qin were having tea when they entered the hall, Xiao Yugui frowned on seeing them, “Yi, come greet your Uncle Qin.”

Xiao Yi let go of Cao Mo’s hand and bowed to Officer Qin, “Greetings to Uncle Qin.” Cao Mofollowed suit.

Officer Qin smiled, he put the teacup on the table, “What a lovely young couple, I was just talking to your father about the Young Madam’s case, me and you father are close friends, but we have to ask the Young Madam to appear in court to be tried even though it’s just for appearance’s sake, otherwise I will be doomed when His Majesty condescends to inquire me about the case.”

Xiao Yi nodded repeatedly in approval, “This is such a relief for our whole family knowing it’s Uncle Qin who is the representative from Dali the Highest Judiciary, but one of my biggest concerns is I’m afraid Mo will confess to false charges under torture.”

“Rascal!” Xiao Yugui rebuked Xiao Yi, “How dare you say such nonsense in front of your Uncle Qin!”

Cao Mo chimed in, “Father, this is a possibility, just like what that Bastard Li did to me, little did we expect such a false charge, once bitten twice shy! I’m so wronged, how dare he accused me of stealing the manual from someone else, that’s all my hard work! Bastard Li was obviously lying, if the manual was stolen, how didn’t the person who wrote the manual make a fortune out of it? It doesn’t make sense at all, I have no idea why would anyone believe that bastard!”

Officer Qin narrowed his eyes and looked at Xiao Yugui, “Why didn’t you explain this in court?”

Xiao Yugui pressed his forehead and said, “I… Mo is my son-in-law after all, people will talk if I defend him vigorously in presence of His Majesty.”

Cao Mo was stupefied, ‘What a stupid reason that is! Human life versus your face, which one is more important?’

“Uncle Qin, thank you so much for willing to listen to me. I suggest you investigate Bastard Li first, you will have a lot of discoveries!’ chimed in Cao Mo.

“Speak only when you are asked to!” Xiao Yugui told Cao Mo off, “The way you carry on, it’s just a matter of time for you to arouse a nest of hornets.”

Cao Mo lowered his head, murmuring, “Yeah yeah yeah, it’s all my fault, your Third Daughter has absolutely nothing to do with it.”

Xiao Yi cupped his hands and bowed to Officer Qin, “At the end of the day a lie is a lie. There’s an easy solution to this, Uncle Qin, you can ask the craftsman to present you the last procedure from the manual. Mo has held back a trick a two, he didn’t presented the last procedure to the craftsman. However, there’s more to research on Imperial Censor Li, why would he trump up a false charge against Mo.”

“Is that true?” Officer Qin looked intent.

“I swear it’s true. This is why the officers from Ministry of Punishments tried to arrest Mo before the Detention Warrant is issued, they want the last procedure from Mo!”

Cao Mo nodded, “That’s absolutely true, no way would the craftsman present the last procedure.”

“I need to report this to His Majesty before anyone could arrest you, Young Madam.” Officer Qin fiddled the teacup on the table, “Are you a craftsman, Young Madam? How would you have the manual?”

“I’m not, a maid once slandered me on breaking the mirror bestowed by His Majesty, I don’t want to bring any trouble to Yi and my father-in-law, so I spent some time on it, I was so blessed that I finally come up with the manual.” Cao Mo explained, trying to make it sound convincing.

Officer Qin looked Cao Mo up and down and nodded, his eyes landed on Cao Mo’s innocent face.

‘Great, it looks like he has totally bought it.’ Cao Mo exclaimed in the heart.

“You kids may leave now, I will discuss this with your Uncle Qin.” said Xiao Yugui.

Xiao Yi and Cao Mo bowed before they withdrew.

The two was in a good mood when they left, they ran into Xiao Yuzhen in the yard, Xiao Yuzhen laughed, “Look at you two holding hands like this, this is broad daylight, you are lucky Dowager Xiao isn’t around.”

Cao Mobantered back, “Aiya, Third Uncle, I’m a patient, naturally I need more care and doting.”

Xiao Yuzhen said, “Hmm, correct me if I’m wrong, isn’t it your shoulder that got hurt, your legs are working fine, so you can walk by yourself in theory.”

Xiao Yi grabbed Cao Mobefore he talked back, and he replied, “Thank you for the reminder, Third Uncle.”

Xiao Yuzhen pretended he was angry and said, “It looks like you kids are just fine, all right, I will go to interrogate the procuress of Bloom Tavern after the holiday.”

Xiao Yi walked to Xiao Yuzhen and gave him a little porcelain bottle, he whispered at Xiao Yuzhen’s ear, Xiao Yuzhen showed an ear to ear grin, “Is it really that great? Have you used it already?”