Repudiating a Good Wife Is Out of the Question

85. Bamboo Lodge

Translator: Sissy That Walk

Cao Mo took Xiao Yi and Moshi to the house he had just bought.

The three arrived at the street near Four Oceans Tavern only to find the neighbourhood was awful, the environment was shabby and the neighbors all made a living out of hard labor.

The further Xiao Yi walked into the neighborhood the more he frowned. He stamped his foot in anger when they arrived at the ‘new’ house, it looked like it was on the verge of collapse, and half of the walls had disappeared, that was how bad the condition was.

“No way I will let you live in a place like this, come home with me.” Xiao Yi looked displeased.

Cao Mo felt so embarrassed that he spent one hundred and sixty taels on this shambles, he sighed, “I bought this house mainly for Moshi, she needs a stable place for herself and the baby. I can’t go home with you for now, Lady Lu and her people abducted me, what they want from me is to learn silver plating on mirrors. I’m not ready to confront her yet, I need to stay somewhere else.”

Xiao Yi nodded, he thought for a little while and hugged Cao Mo, “How about Yao Manor? Our Gran Big Madam Yao adores you, I’m sure she would love to have your company.”

Cao Mo agreed with alacrity for he was thinking about how he could settle scores with Yao Wenyuan.

Xiao Yi didn’t allow Moshi to go to Yao Manor with Cao Mo, he hired a few laborers to build the walls and renovate the doors, then he asked Mammy Xia and two young maids from Xiao Manor to come wait on Moshi.

The couple didn’t leave Moshi until everything looked decent.

All sorts of feelings well up in Moshi’s mind, she was filled with painful recollection thinking about her past, but she was determined she would repay Cao Mo and Xiao Yi with the rest of her life.

… …

Xiao Yi and Cao Mo decided to walk the back door in order to not cause any unnecessary attention.

Xiao Yi didn’t mention his true intention to any servants in Yao Manor until he met Big Madam Yao, “Gran, please have mercy, take him in for a few days, me and father will come up with a plan soon.”

Big Madam Yao cursed Lady Lu for her cruelty, then she stroked Cao Mo’s head, “Mo, good kid, don’t worry, gran will take care of you, no one can hurt you in my place. Just stay in Bamboo Lodge in the west yard.”

Cao Mo made a bow with hands folded in front, “Thank you so much, gran!”

“No way!”

Yao Wenyuan stormed in, panting, “Humph! I don’t want to stay under the same roof with this immature boy! You have no idea how much effort I’ve put into getting that search warrant, but look at him, he just ran away from us, acting on impulse without any consideration. Hmm, why not just keep running! You are not welcome here!”

Xiao Yi put on a smile and was about to apologize, but Cao Mo sprang to his feet and said, “Why don’t you ask me why did I run away? I saw you and Yi hugging and laughing when I was technically being abducted! This is not all my fault!”

“Nonsense! You were just being petty!”

“Petty? Me? Why are you so hostile towards me, I don’t get it!”

The two glared at each other, neither one was willing to compromise.

“All right, you little monkey! Such strong smell of vinegar! Wenyuan hasn’t wronged you by saying you are petty, haha.” Big Madam Yao laughed, “Let me tell you what this is all about, Wenyuan and Yi were born on the same day, Wenyuan was probably one hour older than Yi, but Yi refused to refer Wenyuan as elder cousin.”

“Exactly! Of course an hour counts, even a minute, a second counts!” said Yao Wenyuan indignantly.

Cao Mo was stupefied, ‘Is that why Yao Wenyuan has acted funny since the first time we met him? It’s not because he is jealous of me and Yi?’

Cao Mo felt so narrow-minded, ‘Wake up, Cao Mo! Not everything is about love affairs!’

Xiao Yi stared at Cao Mo with a big smile, he knew what Cao Mo had in mind, he found Cao Mo’s facial expressions particularly amusing.

Big Madam Yao said, “Wenyuan, my good boy, Yi and Mo are our guests, don’t make a fuss over such a small matter.”

“Gran, let’s settle this once and for all, I will call my cousin Wenyuan older cousin from now on.” Xiao Yi replied, he didn’t forget that he had promised Prince Xing.

Yao Wenyuan stared at Xiao Yi with disbelief, “What’s wrong with you today?”

“Wenyuan, where are your manners?” Big Madam Yao rebuked.

“But gran, have you heard that? Yi says he will call me older cousin! Wait, what are you up to? Is this a prank?” Yao Wenyuan was so confused, “Ah, I see, you are doing this as a payback for the search warrant! You know what, don’t! I’m not expecting any payback!”

“No, cousin, I’ve promised Prince Xing I will do this, and I will be working for him from now on.” Xiao Yi explained.

Hearing that, Yao Wenyuan turned to Xiao Yi, his eyes ablaze with anger. He pointed at Xiao Yi, but he stamped his foot and left, without saying anything.

Big Madam Yao shook her head, “Yi, please tell me you are joking.”

“Gran,, you know Prince Xing very well, Cousin Wenyuan bears a striking resemblance to Imperial Concubine Virtue… …”, Xiao Yi didn’t finish his sentence.

… …

In Bamboo Lodge.

Big Madam Yao had ordered her maids to decorate the place for Cao Mo, Bamboo Lodge used to be a home school for Yao clan, Big Madam Yao hoped Cao Mo would grow interest in reading by residing in this place.

“Cousin Yi, it seems like you’ve forgotten to inform me the good news.” Prince Xing walked into the yard, with Eunuch Liu following him.

The couple soon greeted Prince Xing with respect, Xiao Yi explained, “I’ve sent my people to your manor already.”

Prince Xing looked Cao Mo up and down, then he said, “Cousin Yi was worried sick for you.”

Cao Mo lowered his head in silence.

Xiao Yi chimed in, “I’m so glad you are here, cousin. Mo was abducted by the Lus, please help us.”

Prince Xing sneered, “The Lus are going to become the victim of their own evil deeds.”

“I beg your pardon?”

“The emperor ordered the Ministry of Works to make a mirror within three days, tomorrow is due date, haha, the Lus will suffer.”

Cao Mo almost jumped for joy, “Serves them right!”

Prince Xing stared at Cao Mo and asked, “Can you make a mirror by tomorrow?”

“Your Highness, you mean you are going to help the Lus?” Cao Mo was confused.

“Do you know there are two madams whoes surname are Lu, helping them is helping yourself.” Prince Xing put on a serious face, “I’m sure this is what Yi wants as well.”