Repudiating a Good Wife Is Out of the Question

97. To Pour Oil on Troubled Waters

Translator: Sissy That Walk

Cao Mo didn’t have the heart to see an old lady weeping like this, he tapped Xiao Yi on the shoulder, “Can we just butt in and back up this old lady?”

Xiao Yi frowned, “Yi, don’t be so soft-hearted. We are not government officials, we are in no position to just butt in, if the concubine wants the piece of land and she believes that land belongs to her, fine, go file a lawsuit, the government will uphold justice. Fourth Grandfather was the most dissolute, I’m sure this is not the only concubine of his who is scheming against the legitimate wife, the best way out is to show support instead of taking over. I don’t know exactly what’s going on within the Fourth Branch, but I know it’s a mess, they have some undone business with the Third Branch as well, so don’t take anyone’s side.”

What happened in the Fourth Branch was indeed a little bit complicated. Big Fourth Madam only had two daughters, so she adopted Big Fourth Lordship’s concubine Hong Luan’s son Xiao Ze, and she married her niece (Madam Qi) to Xiao Ze.

However, Xiao Ze found out the truth about his birth and he felt sorry for his biological mother Hong Luan, so he had been showing filial piety to her to make up the lost times. Hong Luan ganged up with Big Third Madam and married Big Third Madam’s niece Li Qin as a concubine of Xiao Ze’s. And this Concubine Li Qin had a son.

This mean-looking lady was Xiao Ze’s biological mother, she was so arrogant, because she knew her son was the only inheritor in this manor.

Technically speaking, Hong Luan was not entirely in the wrong. Xiao Ze was the one who had divided the property, Big Fourth Madam wanted more for her niece Madam Qi, and Hong Luan wanted more for Concubine Li Qin because Li Qin was Big Third Madam’s niece and she had ganged up with Big Third Madam.

Even an upright official found it hard to settle a family quarrel, let alone soft-hearted Cao Mo and Xiao Yi.

Cao Mo knew how tricky this could be, he put on a smile and nodded at Hong Luan, “Aunt, nice to meet you, I’m in no position to make indiscreet remarks considering I don’t know the whole story. But we are all Xiaos here, people will laugh at us if we make a scene here. Why not have some patience and talk this over at home?”

Hong Luan replied, “I know how people like you talk the big talks, I know you all look down upon people like me, and you people even look down upon my son Xiao Ze! Four pieces of land was all the lord had left, I want a share! Plus, Madam Qi has four daughters, she has no son, all of her daughters need dowry, you know what, no way, not on my watch! I need to claim what belongs to me!”

Cao Mo frowned.

Xiao Yi pulled him aside, “Are you having a headache? Let’s go back home.”

Madam Qi stopped them, “Mo, Yi, sorry about the chaos, we’ve prepared food and wine for you two, at least spend some time with us before you leave.”

It was such a sunny day, Cao Mo said, “Why not arrange the feast in the yard? We can enjoy some winter sunshine, why not? Plus, this is my first visit, I’d like to meet my four sister.”

Madam Qi was so happy to hear that.

“I always like boys and girls equally. You know what, Aunt, I happen to know how to make soaps, I will give the manual to my sisters, I’m their brother-in-law after all, I should dote on them.” Cao Mo said it loud and clear.

Everyone was dumbfounded.

Madam Qi stammered, “Mo… Mo, are you being serious?”

“Of course! I want my sisters to know they don’t need to lower themselves to fight with some nasty people, as a family, what we need to do is support each other and that’s the only way out. Come on now, introduce me to my sisters.” with that Cao Mo chuckled, he grabbed Xiao Yi’s hand and walked into the yard.

Hong Luan stood transfixed to the ground, ‘The matchmakers in the capital city will swarm into this manor soon, manual to make soaps! That’s the best dowry and soon they will all make a fortune!’

Big Fourth Madam grinned from ear to ear, “Mo, I know it! I know you are the only one who can settle this peacefully.”

“Haha, Fourth Gran, I’m so flattered, I’m just reckless, thanks to my husband who loves me the same.”

Xiao Yi whispered at Cao Mo’s ear, “Don’t you go all sweet talk about me, why did you give away something you have worked hard for?”

“Haha, hubby, have you heard of industrial segmentation? I’ve been thinking about making some high-end product like flavors and fragrances, so the sisters can do the low-end products like soaps and stuff. We need to learn to share, we make benefits together thus we can take risks together, got it? Plus Big Third Madam won’t meddle in about the land lawsuit any more, haha, one bird, two stones.”

Xiao Yi looked at Cao Mo with a smile, ‘Reckless? You? I beg to differ!’

The four girls were so thrilled to hear the great news, they showered Cao Mo with their little presents — perfume satchels, shoes, hanker chiefs, fans, etc.

Madam Qi prepared all the food they had in the manor, Cao Mo said to her, “Aunt, if you want to see me in the future, just ask Mammy Qian to take you to me.”

Madam Qi nodded with a big smile.

Hong Luan withdrew the yard and ran to Big Third Madam in Zizhu Alley.

Seeing that, Madam Qi whispered at Cao Mo’s ear, “Ha, she has gone, seeking for help!”

“Haha, I’m not guilty of anything.” Cao Mo replied with difference, “Aunt, I need to say goodbye now, tell my sisters, they need to make perfume satchels for me every year, haha.”