Repudiating a Good Wife Is Out of the Question

60. Time Wasting is no Difference than Committing a Suicide

Translator: Sissy That Walk

Lady Lu panicked when she heard Cao Mo were taking people to make an inventory of Communal Treasury, little did she expect Cao Mo would act so fast that she could not think in time of a way to defend oneself, she was confident that Cao Mo would ask people to chase Mingzhu first.

Livid with anger Lady Lu threw her teacup on the ground.

Her other maid Dongzhi comforted her, “Madam, no need to flare up. It’s getting dark, that makes it almost impossible to make an inventory at the Curio and Treasure Department. No one can be sure of the fineness and condition of the curios under din candlelight, right?”

“Dongzhi, hopefully what you said is true.” Lady Lu grabbed Dongzhi’s hand, “It’s a shame that I am deprived of my power in this manor, otherwise I can redeem the curios that I have pawned or sold once I’ve got the silver back. Too make it worse, Bailu and Qiushuang are no longer with me, I can not even ask them to take care of this issue for me, they had helped me a lot in the past and they knew the ropes! I dread to think what will become of me once His Lordship finds out! He will repudiate me!”

With that Lady Lu slumped with a thud to the chair, “Dongzhi, you go out and listen to what others are talking about, and report everything to me.”

… …

In Lotus House.

Liu Heng was lying in bed when his other servant Moshu came reporting, “Madam, the Young Madam has offended every department except Wash and Starch Department. Now Young Master and Young Madam are taking Butler Xie to make an inventory in Communal Treasury.”

“Where is Moqin? Has he come reporting anything?”

“Moqin was here just now, he invited Master to give him a hand in the Communal Treasury. He said Young Madam meant to have some rotation working system in the Treasuries, there are a lot of vacancies in steward positions, it’s a good opportunity fro our people to make a rise.”

Liu Heng was utterly shocked, “Is… is that true? How dare he?”

“Young Madam says he loathes people who hold an office and enjoy all the privileges without doing a stroke of work, they better leave this manor and be their own master somewhere else.”

Liu Heng chuckled, “What a courageous boy! He dares to speak out what has been preying on everyone’s mind! What else did he say?”

“Wasting your own time is like committing a suicide and wasting someone else’s time is no difference than murdering for money!” Moshu murmured, “Madam, I think I’m committing a suicide on a daily basis.”

Liu Heng couldn’t help but laugh, “Moshu, you are not the only one who is feeling that way, I’m committing a suicide too.”

With that Liu Heng threw his blanket aside and hurried out of bed, “Moshu, I’ll go see Mo’s undertaking in person!”

… …

Communal Treasury located in the eastern wing of the manor, Cao Mo opened the door and led everyone in.

This was the first time that Cao Mo visited the Communal Treasury, somehow he was super pumped, he felt like an emperor who was meeting his ministers.

The servants had to make a body search before anyone entered and exit the door to make sure no one was carrying items in and out.

Liu Heng’s voice rang when the body search was almost done, “Wait, I’m coming too.”

People turned around, and they cast meaningful looks at Cao Mo when they saw it was Liu Heng.

“Third Aunt, it’s so great you are coming too. You managed the manor before me, I need to let you know about this.” Cao Mo winked at Liu Heng.

“Great, let’s get started then, I will take care it if anything should happen!” Liu Heng smiled.

Xiao Yuzhen pushed Liu Heng aside and whispered, “Are you out of your mind? You are going to take care of it? This is Curio and Treasure Department we are talking about, how are you able to take care of it?”

“I know what I’m doing, plus we are Mo’s elder, how can I shift responsibility or run away like a turtle retracting its head into its shell?” Liu Heng looked determined.

“Let’s get it started then.” Xiao Yuzhen couldn’t convince Liu Heng.

Moqin went through the account books, there were no loopholes on the books, he signed and sealed.

Then it was Lvzhu’s turn to check the authenticity of the items, however, people found several boxes of gold wares were replaced by overgild vessels.

Xiao Yuzhen’s face darkened, someone had embezzled more than ten thousand taels of silver!

Luckily no one found any problem with the curio on the shelves.

“Wait!” Liu Heng shouted, “Calligraphy and paintings are all counterfeit!”

Liu Heng was known for appreciating calligraphy and paintings, he was second to none when it came to distinguishing the authenticity of calligraphy and paintings in the capital city.

Liu Heng pointed at one painting as a demonstration, “Look, no way would an ancient painting be painted on such a bright colored paper, look at the ink, too, it’s too dense. This is artificially created old paper!”

“This is outrageous! Damn those thieves!” Xiao Yuzhen glared at the paintings, “I need to see my elder brother!”

Cao Mo took a look at Xiao Yi, he was surprised that Xiao Yi didn’t stop Xiao Yuzhen from storming out.

Xiao Yi knew this needed some proper handling, for no one in present could take such huge responsibility.

Imagine no one knew about this and gave one painting as a present to others, what a laughing stock would their entire family be reduced to!

Xiao Yi looked back, “Mo, don’t interfere! Amida Buddha, it’s a blessing that we find this out today before it’s too late.”

… …

Xiao Yuzhen rushed to Osmanthus House, “Brother? Where are you? How can you fool me like this?”

Xiao Yugui was still tipsy from a gathering, he was furious when he heard Xiao Yuzhen making a scene in the yard, “Yuzhen, shut up already! I’m right here.”

Concubine Fang who was serving Xiao Yugui found this abnormal, she asked her maid to report this to Dowager Xiao.

Xiao Yuzhen was punching Xiao Yugui when Dowager Xiao rushed here, “Brother, how can you treat me and Heng like fools? I know what you and sister-in-law have done! Using the Communal Treasury like your own wallet? How can you replace all the gold wares and paintings in the Curio and Treasure Department and ask Heng and Mo to manage the house? Are you looking for scapegoats? I don’t want to have anything to do with you! Let’s divide up family property and live apart!”

Dowager Xiao shouted, “You unworthy son! Do you have your mother in your heart still? Look at you two, punching each other, how old are you?”

The servants hurried to pick Xiao Yugui up from the ground.

“Mother, you don’t know what happened… …” Xiao Yuzhen didn’t speak out the truth for he was worried for his mother’s health.

“Mother, I need to make a declaration while you are here, here are two options, one is to ask my brother and sister-in-law to patch things up; the other is to divide up family property and live apart!” demanded Xiao Yuzhen.