Chapter 411 Madam Cao and Steward Cao
Of the Cao family lineage, Cao Defu was the most successful, and his ancestral hall was located in the backyard of the Cao residence.
Cao Defu had already prepared incense, candles, and offerings. Many candles were lit in the ancestral hall, so it did not appear gloomy or cold.
“Wan Niang, our Yingying has grown up and gotten married.” He sighed. “She has found a good husband and will live a good life from now on. Don’t worry about her over there.”
Cao Yingying and Zhao Ergou knelt down on the prayer mat together, each holding three sticks of incense.
"Mother-in-law, I cannot guarantee that Yingying will become rich and powerful with me, but I will ensure that she lives a carefree and happy life." Zhao Ergou kowtowed three times and respectfully placed the incense sticks into the incense burner.
Cao Yingying, her eyes red, didn't speak. She closed her eyes, silently reciting something in her mind, before kowtowing and getting up.
As she left the ancestral hall, she was still somewhat downcast. She said softly, "Father, may I go for a walk in the courtyard where Mother used to live?"
Cao Defu patted Zhao Ergou on the shoulder: "Jingcheng, you go with Yingying. Don't let her cry, okay?"
Zhao Ergou immediately nodded in agreement.
Cao Yingying's mother used to live in a courtyard on the southeast side of the ancestral hall. In recent years, it has been used as a greenhouse. The courtyard is full of crabapple blossoms and other flowers, and bees and butterflies fly around, making it very lively.
“My mother and I planted this crabapple tree together,” Cao Yingying said with a smile. “Over the years, it has blossomed beautifully, but the person who planted it back then is no longer here.”
Zhao Ergou touched the tree trunk: "If you like crabapple trees, why don't you plant a row of them in your yard when you get back? We can enjoy the flowers together every spring, how about that?"
“My father won’t let me admire the crabapple blossoms, afraid they’ll make me sad. But you, you actually want to plant crabapple trees in the yard.” Cao Yingying turned to look at him. “Aren’t you afraid I’ll be moved to tears by the sight of them?”
“I always felt that my mother-in-law was like this crabapple blossom, coming back to see you every spring.” Zhao Ergou put his arm around her shoulder. “We have crabapple trees in our yard, isn’t that just like my mother-in-law always being there for you? You can confide in the crabapple blossoms if you have any worries, isn’t that wonderful…”
This was the first time Cao Yingying had heard someone say that. When she looked at the crabapple trees again, she felt a strange sense of warmth, and the sadness in her heart was washed away.
She nodded: "Okay, we'll plant crabapple trees when we get back, right outside our window."
She wanted her mother to stay by her side day and night.
The two walked around the yard before coming out. As they passed the yard wall, Zhao Ergou laughed and said, "That dog hole is still there."
Cao Yingying also laughed.
She still remembered last year when she secretly brought Zhao Ergou back to the mansion, crawling in and out through this dog hole. It was on that day that she developed subtle feelings for this man.
The two walked over without thinking, feeling a sense of nostalgia for the past.
As soon as they got close, Zhao Ergou made a shushing gesture: "There are people talking outside the courtyard wall. Judging from their voices, it seems to be your stepmother."
"This is the back door. Why would the mistress of the house be talking to someone here?" Cao Yingying frowned slightly. "Could it be that she's plotting something against Concubine Meng?"
Zhao Ergou lifted his robe and whispered, "I'll crawl over and see what's going on."
Cao Yingying was a little nervous: "Let me go with you..."
"Just wait here. Call me when someone comes."
Without a word, Zhao Ergou crawled through the hole. The other side of the dog hole was covered in weeds, which were knee-high in spring. He crouched down, perfectly concealing himself in the grass, and then slowly approached the hole.
There were two people standing there: one was Madam Qi, the wife of Cao, and the other was the Cao family's former steward.
"I'm warning you, don't you dare come looking for me at the Cao residence again!" Madam Qi said with a sinister look. "Here's a thousand taels of silver, enough for you to buy a shop and start a new life. Now get out of here!"
Cao Ping took the silver note and sneered, "A thousand taels of silver and you think you can live a peaceful life? You're being too naive."
"Cao Ping, don't force me!" Madam Qi gritted her teeth. "Cao Defu doesn't trust me at all now, and I'm in a difficult position too. This thousand taels of silver is all the money I have left!"
"Ha, do you think I'm some country bumpkin who doesn't know anything?" Cao Ping laughed angrily. "I used to be the steward of the Cao family, and I know exactly how much the Cao family earns every month. If you hadn't made me take the blame, I would still be the head steward of the Cao family, living a life of luxury, and seeing Hong'er every day..."
"Don't mention Hong'er!" Madam Qi's eyes blazed with fury, but she still tried her best to suppress her anger. "I'm begging you, please stop bothering me, okay? I'll have someone send you two thousand taels of silver tomorrow. Just shut up for a while, please?"
"Hmph, we'll talk after you bring the money!"
Cao Ping snorted coldly and strode away.
Qi Shi leaned weakly against the wall of the backyard until her maid came to find her. Only then did she compose herself, change her clothes, and head to the main courtyard.
The main courtyard was bustling with activity. Zhao Ergou and Cao Defu chatted idly, while Cao Yingying and her younger sisters maintained a superficially polite and warm relationship.
"Master, why haven't you arranged lunch yet?" Madam Qi walked in with a smile. "Things get chaotic when I'm not around. If we neglect our new son-in-law, won't we be the subject of gossip?"
Cao Defu slapped his forehead and glared angrily at Steward Sun behind him: "Why didn't you remind me?"
Manager Sun felt wronged, as he had reminded them twice already, but the master and son-in-law were so engrossed in their conversation that they wouldn't listen to him at all.
He turned around and went downstairs to arrange for the dishes to be served. These were dishes that had been prepared since yesterday, and each one was quite exquisite.
The large octagonal table was laden with food, and the Cao family members sat down around it.
Whether it's genuine or feigned, the family is currently in a relatively harmonious state.
Cao Yingying suddenly sighed, "If only Uncle Cao were here too. He watched me grow up, but he couldn't see me get married..."
“I heard from Yingying that her father-in-law used to be busy, and it was Butler Cao who took care of taking Yingying out to play. It’s a pity—” Zhao Ergou put down his chopsticks, “Butler Cao also received his due punishment for what happened last year. He should be out of prison by now, right? Why don’t we invite him over for a meal…”
Last year, when Luo Sha was ruined, Steward Cao took the blame all by himself and was imprisoned for several months.
Cao Defu was still furious when he brought it up, but fortunately, not only did the incident not cause any losses, but with the guidance of Lady Sui, he actually made more than 10,000 taels of silver. Cao Ping did indeed get his comeuppance, and it wouldn't be a bad idea to bring him back for a meal...
"no!"
Qi put down her bowl and chopsticks heavily.
She was usually so grateful that Cao Defu was magnanimous and didn't hold grudges, but now she hated this trait of his.
"Mother, why?" Cao Yingying asked with her clear eyes. "Uncle Cao's surname is Cao, and he is also a member of my Cao family. It shouldn't be a problem to let Uncle Cao come back for a meal, right?"
The young master of the Cao family also chimed in, "I want Uncle Cao too..."
"You Cao family members are too kind-hearted. It's only been half a year, and you've already forgotten what he did?" Madam Qi said in a deep voice. "We finally managed to kick him out, so don't bring him back. Otherwise, even ten Cao families wouldn't be able to withstand his rampage!"
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