Repudiating a Good Wife Is Out of the Question

78. The True Monkey King

Translator: Sissy That Walk

In Magnolia House.

Cao Mo fondled the presents admiringly, he would occasionally raise his head and exclaim, “Yi, look, how generous your Gran is, so many exquisite presents!”

Xiao Yi looked at Cao Mo with tenderness in his eyes, “This is merely a drop in the ocean, and you are on cloud nine already. All jokes aside, tomorrow it’s our turn to hold the banquet, how is everything going?”

Cao Mo giggled, “I’m glad you asked. You know what, me, you wife will be the talk of the capital city for a long time after tomorrow, I have prepared something no one has seen!”

“I’m so glad to see how confident you are, madam, but modesty is a virtue.” Xiao Yi chuckled, he always knew Cao Mo was full of unusual but wonderful tricks, but this was his first time to hold such a big event, he was subconsciously worried for Cao Mo.

… …

The Marquis Valour Manor was holding a banquet on the third day of the first lunar month, they had invited all the relatives to come, the Fifth Branch just sent a couple of guests because of Big Fifth Madam’s funeral. The madams from other branches were escorted to Pear Fragrance Hall to watch Peking Operas.

Big Second Madam was amazed when she saw the play list for she hadn’t even heard of the plays on the list, she had always boasting how much she knew about Peking Operas and she had watched all plays in every manor in the capital city.

“Are these plays all new? How come I’ve never even heard of them? What’s The True Monkey King? What’s The Magic Paintbrush? What’s Romance of Mistakes? Oh my my, look at the list!” Big Second Madam exclaimed.

Cao Mo smiled and said, “Aiya, they are all produced by me, please give me your suggestions after watching them.”

“I think you are truly the monkey king, haha, full of tricks! All right then, I will watch your shows, but tell you what, I’m one tough spectator and one harsh critic.” Big Second Madam made a face at Cao Mo.

Hearing that, Cao Mo and the other guests all burst into laughter.

Dowager Xiao was siting on the seat of honour, Mammy Shao took Lu Pan’er to greet her.

Dowager Xiao smiled and asked Lu Pan’er to take the seat next to Lady Lu, she didn’t ask Lu Pan’er to meet madams from any branch of the family, with that Dowager Xiao said to Cao Mo, “Mo, shall we begin?”

Seeing that, Cao Mo beamed with smiles, he shouted at the backstage, “Kids, come on now, make me proud!”

Three drum rolls rang, and a mountain made of hard paper emerged after the heavy smoke faded, wait, you could even see an ocean if you were taking the front seat row. Everything looked so real, the audience couldn’t help but hold their breath, totally absorbed in the performance.

This was the played called The True Monkey King, ‘While on their journey to the west, Master Tang San Zang and The Monkey King Sun Wu Kong were ambushed by a band of robbers! Sun Wu Kong defended his master and successfully defeated the robbers. But Master Tang was displeased at Sun Wu Kong’s reckless actions and decided to send Sun Wu Kong away. At Sun Wu Kong’s departure, an impostor with the same appearance and abilities as Sun Wu Kong appeared! Sun Wu Kong returned and a fierce battle ensued, with no clear victor in sight. Who is the one true Monkey King who will protect Master Tang in his journey to the west?’

It was adapted from the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West, but what set Cao Mo’s play apart from other plays was the stage art design, there were mountains and oceans, and performers flying around the stage.

Big Second Madam nodded repeatedly in approval, “What a show! This is marvelous, even better than the shows I’ve watched in the Imperial Palace. Mo, I want to borrow the performers from you for one day, how about tomorrow?”

“Any day, you are giving me honor by speaking highly of the performance, Big Second Madam! All these stage art designs are there for a sole purpose, haha, to ask for some rewards from you, haha!” Cao Mo put on a cheeky smile.

“How sharp-tongued are you, Young Madam? Don’t worry, I will reward a good show!” with that Big Second Madam clapped her hands twice, her maids got the signal and threw money to the stage.

A lot of young performers were still dressed in monkey outfits, they swarmed on the stage for money, it was such an amusing scene.

Everyone was laughing, including Dowager Xiao.

“Good job Mo, I know you have rehearsed a show like this to amuse us elders, good job indeed!” Big Second Madam grew more fondness for Cao Mo.

Mammy Shao on the other hand was more anxious than ever, she hoped to use this day as an opportunity to introduce Lu Pan’er to the family relatives, but now everyone’s attention was drawn to the stage, no one had spared any attention on Lu Pan’er.

Mammy Shao narrowed her eyes and determined she should carry out her plan in advance.

… …

Time for lunch.

Cao Mo snapped his finger as a signal, soon a hot pot appeared on each table.

Cao Mo introduced how to use hot pot to everyone, Cao Mo had prepared meat and vegetables for every madam, he even had prepared sliced lamb for elders.

Big Second Madam heaped praises, “Dowager Xiao, my good-sister-in-law, look at your grandson-in-law, such a good kid, I’m so jealous of you!”

Dowager Xiao enjoyed the praise, but she said, “Don’t praise a young kid like this, he still has so much to learn.”

Mammy Shao asked Lu Pan’er to propose a toast to the madams on the table.

All the madams had seen enough in their own manor to know what Mammy Shao was up to, they looked at Cao Mo with a meaningful smile, wondering how Cao Mo was going to deal with this annoying mammy.

Mohua pushed a cart in and Cao Mo rose to his feet, “Distinguished guests, madams, this is my first time to host such a grand event, please forgive me if there’s anything unsatisfying. I’ve prepared a magic trick for you, don’t blink.”

Lu Pan’er stood by the table in embarrassment, she had no idea she should proceed or not.

With that Cao Mo nodded at Mohua, “Show time!”

Mohua covered a piece of red fabric on the cart, Cao Mo walked to the cart, then he blew some air in his hands and he put his hands on the fabric, Mohua lifted the fabric promptly, aha! There was a big bowl revealing on the cart with a goldfish swimming in it.

With that Cao Mo held the bowl and walked to Dowager Xiao, “Happy New Year, grandmother! There will be gold in our hands just like there is a goldfish in this bowl.”

“Aiya, look at Dowager Xiao, having her granddaughter-in-law wishing her happiness and fortune, I’d be lying if I say I’m not jealous.” sighed Big Second Madam.