Repudiating a Good Wife Is Out of the Question

72. A Toast from Big Fifth Madam

Translator: Sissy That Walk

Dowager Xiao liked to be fawned upon, she beamed with smiles hearing what the guest said, “Haha, I know you will like it, my grandson-in-law says the fragrant soap bars are not easy to produce, especially during this festive season, he’s very short-staffed. But he gave me a few boxes of soap as new year present, you know what, come to my room with me before you leave, pick one or two, just promise me one thing, don’t tell anyone else you get it from me.” with that Dowager Xiao and the guest madam chuckled together.

Lady Lu was sitting quite close by, she had heard everything Dowager Xiao just said, an indignant look flashed across her face, ‘What a bunch of bumpkins! They call themselves ladies, but look at them, fawning upon Dowager Xiao for some soap and hand cream! Disgusting!’

But all the other ladies only looked at Dowager Xiao with jealousy, soap bars and hand cream were two hottest products in the capital city now, the tricky thing about them was you couldn’t purchase them no matter how much money you were willing to pay, you needed to have the right network to even have a look at the soap bars.

Big Fifth Madam didn’t like to hear how everyone spoke highly of Cao Mo, she had been waiting for a chance to tell on Cao Mo since she set foot on the Xiao Manor, “I miss my dead husband the most on days like this, people wouldn’t bully me if he were still alive, just now at the gate, I was totally ignored by the Young Madam!”

Big Madam Qi, also known as Big Second Madam frowned on hearing that, “Sister-in-law, you have completely misunderstood Mo! Imagine how busy he is today, do you have any idea how many guests have shown up today, there is no way he can meet and greet every single guest at the gate. We are the elders in the family now, we should be more considerate and understanding, isn’t that right?”

Big Fourth Madam chimed in as well, “That’s so right! Just look at Mo, he has organized this event in such a great manner, it’s not an easy job to entertain all the guests, but he did it! Come on now, let’s focus on having a good time together rather than trying to start sow disorders.”

Big Fifth Madam glared at them, and produced her hankerchief from her sleeve, ready to turn to what she did best — water works. As luck would have it, Cao Mo came to this table to make a toast.

“Thank you so much for coming today, this is my first time to organize such a great event, please forgive me if there’s anything I need to improve. I’m young and inexperienced, please give me more time, I promise you ladies I will work harder. Anyways, Happy New Year!” with that Cao Mo gulped down the wine in his cup.

Big Fifth Madam wasn’t happy that her show got interrupted by Cao Mo, she darted Cao Mo a glare and cursed him in a low voice, “What a disrespectful snob!”

Seeing Cao Mo pouring every guest at this table a cup of wine, Big Fifth Madam narrowed her eyes and put on a smile, “Yes, you are right, Mo, today is such an auspicious day, let’s play some wager game to add more fun, shall we?”

Hearing that, all the guests on this table looked at each other with great curiosity, ‘How come Big Fifth Madam is suggesting to have some fun instead of actually making a scene and embarrass everyone?’

Lady Lu hated Big Fifth Madam the most out of all the relatives, she sneered right away, “Aunt Five, this is rather peculiar, you suggesting us having some fun, haha, isn’t that the first time? You know what, let’s select some quick-witted players to play with you, I’m so worried for myself, for sure I will be defeated by you.”

Big Fifth Madam smiled, “Haha, don’t you worry about a thing today, I know Mo is managing the household nowadays, I will show my support.”

Cao Mo frowned, he didn’t believe Big Fifth Madam would be that kind… …

Big Fifth Madam asked Cao Mo whether he had prepared some antialcoholic syrup after the drinking and wager game had gone through three rounds.

“I’m glad you asked, Big Fifth Madam. I’ve prepared something even better, kudzu vine soup.” Cao Mo replied with a smile.

Hearing that, Big Fifth Madam withdrew the hand that had been fishing for something suspicious in her sleeve.

And none of Big Fifth Madam’s suspicious action had escaped Lady Lu, but she would like to sit back and watch what Big Fifth Madam had got up her sleeve rather than pointing it out and helping Cao Mo out indirectly.

Big Fifth Madam rose to her feet and proposed a toast, everyone gasped for Big Fifth Madam had never proposed a toast to anyone.

She poured a cup of wine for Dowager Xiao first, Dowager Xiao felt obliged to drink it even though she didn’t feel like it, but Cao Mo had noticed an interesting action Dowager Xiao did, she wiped her mouth for a long time after she drank the wine.

Then Big Fifth Madam poured a cup for Big Second Madam, Big Second Madam said, “Thank you so much for proposing the toast, but you know me, I don’t drink wine, I only drink yellow rice wine. Can I have some yellow rice wine instead?”

Big Fifth Madam nodded, “Of course.”

Mammy Qin handed the yellow rice wine pot to Big Fifth Madam after hearing that, Big Fifth Madam poured Big Second Madam a cup and she found a little bug floating in the cup, she picked it out using her nail.

Seeing that, Cao Mo pretended he had lost balance and fell over, and the next thing was the wine cup in Big Fifth Madam’s hand fell on the ground.

Cao Mo kept apologizing to Big Fifth Madam and he turned around, “Mohua, go get some warm yellow rice wine, the wine in this pot is so cold!”

“Big Fifth Madam, look how clumsy I am, I guess I’m already tipsy. Mohua will be back with warm wine soon, please wait for just a moment. Cold wine is bad for elder people.”

Big Fifth Madam sneered, “But you are young, you drink the cold wine in the pot if you really mean to apologize.”

Cao Mo wanted to mollify Big Fifth Madam, so he nodded with a big smile, “As long as it will make you happy.” with that Cao Mo gulped down the wine in the pot.

However, Cao Mo’s face turned crooked as soon as he put down the pot, he put his hand on his rumbling belly and excused himself.

Everyone glared at Big Fifth Madam.

Big Fifth Madam felt so wronged, indeed she meant to poison Cao Mo but she didn’t have the chance yet.

“It’s not me!” Big Fifth Madam defended herself.

Lady Lu demanded, “Fifth Aunt, the only way to prove your innocence at this point is to show us what do you have in your sleeve!”

Big Fifth Madam turned livid, “What… what do you mean?”

“Can we have a look?” Lady Lu sneered, “Let’s see what good stuff you have been hiding in your sleeve.”

“Humph, it’s not me! It’s just a coincidence, he couldn’t handle the cold wine, that’s all.” Big Fifth Madam shouted.

Hardly had Big Fifth Madam’s voice faded away, Moqi came rushing in, “The Young Madam has passed out, Imperial Physician Zhang says he is poisoned!”