Repudiating a Good Wife Is Out of the Question

86. Cao Le Pays a Visit to Lady Lu

Translator: Sissy That Walk

Cao Mo was intimated by Prince Xing’s look, he felt like Prince Xing could see him through when he was being stared, it was an awful feeling.

Seeing Prince Xing and Eunuch Liu’s retiring figures, Cao Mo pouted, “Yi, I always find you cold-hearted, oh my, you are a ball of sunshine compared to your cousin, His Highness the Prince Xing.”

Xiao Yi turned around, “Mo, shhhhh, they are still here.”

Cao Mo covered his mouth, “Oops, I’m sorry, I mean His Highness the Prince Xing is wise and brave!”

Xiao Yi laughed, “You can never be serious for over five minutes, yeah?”

The two chuckled.

Prince Xing was still in the yard, hearing Cao Mo’s laughter, he asked Eunuch Liu, “Why Cao Mo isn’t afraid of me? Everyone else is in humble reverence in my presence, but he isn’t.”

Eunuch Liu smiled, “The one who knows nothing fears nothing, plus your cousin dotes on him so much, that’s why he is so carefree and has a pure heart like a child.”

Prince Xing nodded, “You are right, he does have the innocent heart of a child. But he is very capable, even my cousin Yi is no match, it’s just he always behaves lik a child… …”

“People need trials, if Your Highness sees something in Cao Mo, why not help him grow?” Eunuch Liu showed a meaningful smile.

… …

On the fourth day of the lunar year.

Lady Lu’s page reported in the early morning, “Childe Cao is here to pay you a New Year call.”

“Ewwww! Go tell him I’m busy at the moment.” Lady Lu said with disgust in her tone.

The page soon came back reporting, “Childe Cao says he wants to see the First Young Madam before he leaves.”

“Go tell him Cao Mo is missing.” Lady Lu said impatiently, but then she added, “Wait, invite him in.”

Lady Lu had no idea what Cao Le was up to this time and she didn’t want Cao Le to make a scene about this, so she decided to sound Cao Le out first.

Cao Le greeted Lady Lu respectfully as soon as he walked into the room.

“Le, good boy. You are marrying into our manor soon, no need to stand on ceremony like this. I’ve been caught up with domestic matters recently, so I asked your brother to bring you some presents on my behalf, have you got the presents?” Lady Lu put on a fake smile.

Cao Le’s smile was even more fake, “Lady Lu, Mo indeed has brought home a lot of presents, but he didn’t mention about your presents.”

“That’s not surprising, the Young Madam is turning a deaf ear to what I say, don’t worry, select some more later on.” Lady Lu took a sip of the tea and took a quick peek at Cao Le, but she couldn’t see through this person, unlike Cao Mo, Cao Le didn’t wear his heart on his sleeve.

Cao Le looked around and asked, “Madam, is the Second Young Master around?”

“Oh, Jin, he has gone to his friend’s manor, hmm, he won’t be back till dinner time. Do you want to take a walk in the yard and wait for him?” Lady Lu didn’t want Cao Le to see her son.

“That’s all right, I probably won’t be able to wait that long today, still have some errands to run. How about Mo? I need to talk to him before I go.” Cao Le flashed a meaningful smile.

“Oh, it just occurs to me, I’ve mixed up the dates, Jin is going to his friend’s place tomorrow. I’m asking my maid to bring him now.” Lady Lu didn’t want to ruffle Cao Le’s features now.

Cao Le was gambling with his disreputable gang when Lady Lu’s maid interrupted him, Cao Le was not happy that his game was ruined due to Cao Le.

He stormed in Osmanthus House and threw a tantrum, “You want to see me? Who do you think you are? Do you deserve to see me?”

Cao Le turned red and white by turns in an agony of embarrassment, he came here today to ingratiate with Cao Le for he found a book called ‘Easy Way to Imperial Examinations’.

Lady Lu wished she could join her son in scolding Cao Le, but she had to pretend she was appeasing the situation, “Jin, is this how you treat your future wife? Is this how I’ve raised you! Where are your manners! Go ponder over one’s mistakes in solitude!”

Cao Le spat on the ground and said, “I’ve done nothing wrong, I don’t like to see him or talk to him.”

Cao Le took a deep breath and rose to his feet, “I’m here to pay a New Year call, and I bought you this book, but it looks like you really dislike me.”

With that he pretended to wipe the tears on his face, “To be honest, I hate Cao Mo as much as you do, I fancy the idea of us combining against a common enemy, but it looks like you don’t need me as an ally. I need to remind you though, your brother has turned to Prince Xing, I’m sure they will find Cao Mo soon.”

Lady Lu was startled, she didn’t even ask how come Cao Le knew about this, all she had in mind was she needed to stop that!

“Wait, Le! Come back, let’s talk this over some good tea and dessert! Don’t worry I will discipline Jin for being rude to you!” Lady Lu grabbed Cao Le’s sleeve.

With that Cao Le took a seat in pride.

As luck would have it, Mammy Liu from Qingzhi Alley came inviting Lady Lu to attend the banquet held by her madam, Mammy Liu looked Cao Le up and down, “I don’t think I’ve met this young childe before, may I ask how do I address you?”

Lady Lu answered reluctantly, “He is Cao Le, Cao Mo’s elder brother.”

“Mammy, I’m engaged to the Second Master.” Cao Le chimed in.

Lady Lu’s face darkened, no way could she hide that fact from the relatives now!

Mammy Liu noticed how awkward the atmosphere was in the room, she withdrew the room on some lousy excuse, she couldn’t help but exclaiming, ‘Lady Lu and her sister are both married into Xiao Manor, haha, Cao Mo and his brother are married into this family too, how interesting!’

Mammy Shao entered the room after Mammy Liu had left, she shot Lady Lu a few warning glances, meaning she had something to say to Lady Lu in private.

Cao Le excused himself, saying he needed to go to the restroom, but actually he was eavesdropping by the door.

Seeing Cao Le’s retiring figure, Mammy Shao whispered to Lady Lu, “Cao Mo has run away!”

“How come!” Lady Lu shrieked.

Hearing that, Cao Le’s heart sank. But he had a way out, he figured he better go pay a visit to Xiao Yi thus no one would knew he had been concealing what he knew.