Repudiating a Good Wife Is Out of the Question

56. Madam Cao Mo

Translator: Sissy That Walk

Cao Mo had no idea of the chaos happened in Cunxi Hall. He took a glimpse at the account books on the table and asked Xiao Yi, “Why are they still at our table? I thought our job was done.”

Moqin now came to report that Liu Heng suffered an acute migraine and he asked Cao Mo to take over home affairs for a few days, and he would try his best to assist.

Xiao Yi sneered as a reply.

Cao Mo asked with concern, “Is Third Aunt all right? He was getting all better yesterday, why did he take a turn for the worse all of a sudden?” with that he asked Mohua to find the ginseng in their Treasury and gave it to Moqin.

“Yi, I’m going to pay a visit to Third Aunt, are you coming with me?”

“No need. Third Aunt is fine I’m sure. He is just suffering waves of guilt, it’s Third Uncle’s fault after all.” Xiao Yi pouted, and he told Moqin to leave.

Cao Mo took hold of Xiao Yi’s hand and asked, “Yi, I understand that you are still mad, but you have blown it out of proportion, nothing has happened.”

Xiao Yi averted his eyes from Cao Mo.

“I mean… I mean you don’t need to get all riled up because of Third Uncle, this is his fault, it’s not worth it, you know, bad for your own health.” Cao Mo tired to sound plausible.

Xiao Yi grabbed Cao Mo’s hand and cuddled him tightly, “Do you have any idea how worried I was? I saw him holding you so tightly in his arms, it drove me crazy, I wish I could throw a few punches at him!”

Cao Mo and Xiao Yi were standing so close to each other and he could feel Xiao Yi’s heartbeat, “Aww, Yi, don’t worry about me, I can protect myself. Plus, Third Uncle and Third Aunt could only see each other in the eye… aha! I know it! They must have finished the lube, that was why he was so desperate. Haha, and no wonder Third Aunt needs more rest.”

Hearing Cao Mo’s analysis, Xiao Yi grinned, he was very glad.

“Mo, you know being the madam of this big mansion is no easy job.” Xiao Yi put his hands on Cao Mo’s shoulders and looked at him in the eye, “You are in charge of Spring Festival matters now, I’m talking about a constant stream kinsmen and officials coming and go every day, a huge trial to your ability. All eyes are on you, are you ready?”

Cao Mo raised his head, “It’s official now? I’m Madam Cao Mo now?”

“You bet. I’m worried about you, you are young and green, I’m worried people will find fault with you.” Xiao Yi said in earnest.

“Hmm, I’m not worried about it in general, I just hope the mammies will work with me, they are hard to deal with indeed.” Cao Mo mumbled.

As luck would have it, Moqi came to report Mammy Qin’s arrival.

“See? This is exactly what I’m talking about, mammies and the masters backing them up in this house.” Cao Mo pouted.

With that being said, Cao Mo put on a big smile and greeted Mammy Qin, “Mammy, to what honor do I owe this visit, it’s cold outside, you should have sent a servant instead.”

Mammy Qin was an experienced mammy who had served Dowager Xiao her whole life, of course she knew Cao Mo was throwing out innuendoes, so she put on a big smile and replied, “Young Madam, I’m here on behalf of Dowager Xiao, she has high hopes on you. She said you are still young, don’t be so hard on yourself, just treat this as a learning experience and it’s okay to make mistakes.”

Cao Mo chuckled, “That’s so considerate of Dowager Xiao. I will try my best to make sure all the guests and the hosts thoroughly enjoying themselves.”

“That’s so great! Dowager Xiao also asked me to stay in Magnolia House for a few days to better assist you.” Mammy Qin showed a triumphant smile.

Cao Mo turned back to look at Xiao Yi and he narrowed his eyes, the message it conveyed was, ‘She stays, I leave.’

Xiao Yi replied back, ‘Trust me, you need her help, she is here to help you establish authority.’

‘But we all know one nation can’t have two queens. Is she going to be the Madam or me?’ Cao Mo rejected the idea of Mammy Qin staying at Magnolia House.

… …

Cao Mo asked people to organize a meeting room in Spring Hall, he asked Moqi to inform all the stewards and the General Mammies or Maids to meet him two hours later.

“I will go with you.” Xiao Yi suggested.

“It’s fine, I’m just meeting them today and learn their names, you know, just let them know they are going to report to me from today on, I’m not going to make a scene on our first meeting.” Cao Mo didn’t find Xiao Yi’s company necessary.

He arrived Spring Hall on time and waited for a few minutes, “All right, I’m glad to see you all, shall we begin now?”

Mammy Qin replied with sarcasm dripping in the tome, “Mingzhu isn’t here yet, shall we wait for her?”

“Mammy Qin, time is life, time is money! How many minutes do I have in my life? And you are asking me to waste my precious time on a maid who fails to be punctual?” Cao Mo rolled with the punches and punched back.

“Young Madam, I have been serving Dowager Xiao my whole life and she hasn’t rebuked me like this, not even once.” Mammy Qin countered.

“Mammy, don’t get me wrong. Wasting your own time is like committing a slow suicide, wasting someone ellse’s time is like murdering, so no more time wasting! not your own or someone else’s! Not on my watch!” Cao Mo flashed a grin.

“Who is in charge of the Communal Treasury besides Mingzhu?” Cao Mo asked.

Moqin raised his head and replied, “Mingzhu from Osmanthus House takes care of gold and silver ware, curios and paintings. Lvzhu from Banyan House takes care of expensive clothing and rare medicinal herbs. I take care of sundries. And every house has its own Treasury, and they take care of it themselves.”

Cao Mo nodded, “You and Lvzhu take care of curios and paintings together, keep your account books separate, apply this rule to all the Treasuries, two people record the account books.”

“Young Madam, it looks like you are doing fine without my help, I’ll excuse myself.” with that Mammy Qin stormed out.

Cao Mo wasn’t bothered. He said, “People, now I need to get to know you, I will say a name, and the person needs to tell me name, age, family condition, understand?”

Mammy Qian was the first, “My name is Qian Daxiu, I used to serve Dowager Xiao, but I’m too clumsy to do the job, so I was asked to take care of the Communal Treasury for a while.”