Chapter 124 Outrageous
That evening, Tao Tao had just finished showering in her room and was drying her hair in front of the bronze mirror when she heard a knock on the door.
"Madam Tao, are you asleep?"
It was Ding Yunxiang's voice, soft and gentle.
Her room was the brightest in the entire mansion, with candles burning almost every three steps. It wasn't that she wanted to be so extravagant, but she just couldn't stand places that were too dark.
Looking at those dark corners always made me feel uneasy, but they were still not as bright as in later times.
So when blowing out candles before going to sleep, it takes a long time.
"Not yet, it's so late, is there something you need?"
She didn't get up, glanced at the door, and then focused on drying her hair.
"May I come in? I have something important to tell you."
Seeing that she didn't ask her to come in, Ding Yunxiang took the initiative to speak up.
Upon hearing this, Tao Tao stood up, walked to the door, opened it, and asked in confusion, "What's wrong? Are you having trouble adjusting to the new place?"
Ding Yunxiang hasn't done much these days, but she quite likes her quiet nature.
After closing the door, Ding Yunxiang sat at the table, looking troubled, as if she wanted to say something but hesitated.
Seeing this, she poured her a glass of water: "It's okay, just say what's on your mind, and see if there's anything I can do to help you."
Hearing that she was so easy to talk to, Ding Yunxiang's eyes flickered, and she reached out to pick up the teacup and took a sip.
“I was originally the daughter of Ding Yixu, the salt transport commissioner of Suizhou, but I was tricked by a villain, which led to the court confiscating my property and turning me into a criminal, forced to live in poverty.”
She nodded, thinking that what those people said was pretty much the same.
"A few days ago, I went to see Minister Cai, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel who promoted my father. My eldest sister was previously engaged to the eldest son of Minister Cai."
I always thought they didn't actively call off the engagement because they were upright gentlemen, kind-hearted, and righteous, and didn't want to take advantage of someone's misfortune.
"So I took the token to their door, hoping they could lend a helping hand, but I never expected that they had already sent the annulment letter to my father the night before the Ding family's incident."
"There was no other way but to tell them that my father left behind a lot of wealth before they would reluctantly agree to let me."
Tao Tao nodded thoughtfully, "So you mean you're leaving?"
Ding Yunxiang quickly stepped forward and shook her head: "No, no, Miss Tao, you saved my life, I will never forget it."
“I know you are a very kind person, warm-hearted, and exceptionally capable. You manage such a business so well that Yunxiang admires you very much.”
Upon hearing this, Tao Tao raised an eyebrow. Having lived here for so long, she had never noticed that Ding Yunxiang actually thought of her as such a good person.
Could it be that he needs something from her?
"So what do you want to do now? Go to the government office and report this case to the authorities for a thorough investigation?"
Her face was ashen, and her eyes were slightly red. "I really want to do this, but I have no choice. Besides, the Ding family is in the eye of the storm, and I am now just a lowly person."
“I can only get rid of my lowly status first, and then plan step by step. But nowadays, according to the law, the family members of criminals have not been freed for five years and cannot get rid of their free status and start a good life.”
Tao Tao sighed: "In that case, it is indeed difficult to handle."
Although she felt deep sympathy, she still couldn't figure out what Ding Yunxiang was trying to say.
Ding Yunxiang looked up at her cautiously: "Miss Tao, I... I have a favor to ask. This is very easy for you. Please, I beg you, you must help me."
She excitedly grabbed Tao Tao's arm. Having always seen her as a quiet and composed daughter of an official, Tao Tao was instantly startled by this action.
Tao Tao quickly stood up. "Just tell me what you need. There's no need for this. I'll help as much as I can."
"Miss Tao, can you give me your identity?"
She frowned, looking at Ding Yunxiang with a puzzled expression.
Seeing her expression, Ding Yunxiang quickly added, "Don't worry, it's not a free gift. I will compensate you after I overturn the Ding family's case."
"I... I can give you all the inheritance my father left me, really."
Tao Tao expressionlessly pulled her hand away from her grasp and said calmly, "Madam Ding, do you mean to take my place and become Tao Tao? And I will be Ding Yunxiang?"
"We don't look alike."
Upon hearing this, Ding Yunxiang mistakenly thought that she agreed to do so, and a happy smile appeared on her face: "You don't need to worry about that. The Cai family will help me. As long as you agree, they can find an expert to help me change my face."
"Miss Tao, thank you, thank you for helping me. Don't worry, I will definitely not let you down."
"As long as my Ding family can be exonerated, I will definitely make it up to you."
Compensation? Taking someone else's life for them, leaving that person living in their shadow, filled with anxiety and potentially harmed, what kind of compensation can make up for it?
She turned her head and gave a silent laugh.
Did she think she had saved an ungrateful person? Or did she believe she was the kind of kind-hearted person who could selflessly dedicate herself to others?
Does Ding Yunxiang think she's a fool?
"Sorry, I can't help you with this. You should ask someone else."
"Also, now that you've gotten involved with the Cai family, please move out within two days."
Ding Yunxiang was stunned. She had already promised to make it up to her, so why wouldn't Tao Tao agree?
Furthermore, her eldest sister is probably no longer alive. When the Ding family is exonerated and she regains her status as a member of the Ding family, she might even be able to take her eldest sister's place in the Cai family.
At that time, she can completely return to being Tao Tao and also make connections with the eldest daughter-in-law of the Cai family.
Tao Tao came from humble beginnings. How could she have gotten to know such important figures as the Cai family if it weren't for her?
As the wife of the Ding family and the future eldest daughter-in-law of the Cai family, it was an honor for this commoner like Tao Tao to owe someone a favor. Why didn't she cherish such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity?
She didn't understand, and even despised Tao Tao in her heart, for being so shallow and unable to imagine how much wealth and glory Ding Yunxiang could bring her as a superior person in the future.
But she couldn't say it so bluntly.
“Miss Tao, my father is the Salt Commissioner of Suizhou, and I am the wife of the Ding family. As long as the Ding family can clear their name, the marriage with the Cai family will still stand, and I can become a person of high status again.”
"Don't worry, as long as you help me, I will never forget your kindness. I will give you whatever amount of money you want in the future."
Ding Yunxiang clung tightly to her sleeve, pleading with her just like before, her tearful appearance quite pitiful.
But in Tao Tao's eyes, it all seemed so ridiculous. So ridiculous that she didn't know what to say.
"Ding Yunxiang, wake up! Don't you think this request is outrageous?"
"Stop making trouble, or you'll have to leave my house right now."
Tao Tao's face was cold, her tone seemingly icy, and she remained completely unmoved by her current state.
She had already given Ding Yunxiang some face, and hoped that she wouldn't be ungrateful.
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