Chapter 446 Treating an Illegitimate Son as His Lifeline
No matter how much the wives in the Cao family objected, Cao Defu was determined.
The Cao family was not a family of scholars and gentlemen, so elevating a concubine to the status of the main wife did not violate any of the Cao family's rules.
Shi Tou was his only son. If he did well in his studies, he could pursue an official career. Even if he didn't do well in his studies, he would still inherit the family business. In terms of social status, he couldn't give others any reason to criticize him.
By the time the stone grew up, more than a decade had passed. Who would still remember that Aunt Meng was once a maid?
After all the guests were seated, Cao Defu came out from the inner room, stood on the steps, coughed, and said, "Thank you all for taking time out of your busy schedules to attend my son's third-day celebration. As you are all close to the Cao family, you must have heard that my former wife, Qi, colluded with the steward in an attempt to seize the family property inherited from my ancestors. I divorced her a month ago with a letter of divorce."
"With such a large family business as the Cao family, it is impossible for it to be without a lady of the house for even a day. I am now approaching the age of forty and it is impossible for me to marry another young lady. After much consideration, I have decided to elevate Consort Meng to the position of head lady of the household. From now on, Consort Meng will be my legal wife, Cao Defu's wife. After she finishes her confinement period, all the welcoming and sending-off ceremonies of the Cao family will be handled by Consort Meng."
These words caused an uproar among all the guests.
"It's said that this Aunt Meng was once Qi's personal maid. To make a maid the mistress, has Cao the eldest lost his mind?"
"Since Aunt Meng gave birth to a son, she has gained status because of her son. To prevent gossip about her son and to elevate his status, what Cao Laoda did was not wrong."
"Cao Laoda's eldest son was incorrigible and was sent to the estate by Cao Laoda. From now on, he will probably focus all his attention on this youngest son."
"The eldest son of the Cao family treats his illegitimate son as his lifeblood, which is in stark contrast to the Cao family."
The lady who said this winked and made a face, and the people around her immediately understood. All eyes turned to Madam Zheng, who was sitting not far away.
"It is said that the Zheng family used a lot of tricks in secret to arrange a marriage with the Lin family, and they even plotted under Lady Sui's nose. Tsk tsk."
"With so many maids and concubines in the Zheng family's harem, one of whom is pregnant, which family would dare to marry their daughter to him?"
"Don't you know? After the marriage between the Zheng family and the Lin family fell through, Madam Zheng took all her anger out on that pregnant concubine, who was then kicked out of the Zheng family."
"Wasn't she carrying the Zheng family's bloodline? And they just kicked her out like that?"
"They rushed to Zheng Family Village. If the child is born, it will probably be registered under someone else's name in the clan, otherwise Young Master Zheng wouldn't be able to marry into such a high-class family."
"..."
Sitting not far away, Cheng Wanwan curled the corners of her lips.
The story about the Zheng and Lin families must have originated from Dahe Village. Sun Shi's gossipy mouth is truly number one.
It wasn't that she felt ashamed for the Zheng family, but rather for the Zheng family's concubine. She remembered that she was Zhang Po Niang's niece, named Li Xiuhong. At the beginning of the year, when Cheng Zhao and the others went to Huzhou to take the imperial examination, she had met Li Xiuhong on the road. At that time, Li Xiuhong was dressed in fine silks and satins, and it was clear that she was living a very good life. She was living a good life because of the child in her womb, and now she was forced to give birth on the estate because of this child.
Life is a series of choices, and you have to walk the path you choose, even if you have to crawl on your knees.
After sighing for a while, Cheng Wanwan turned to chat and laugh with Madam Shen. The other ladies at the table respected Cheng Wanwan and Madam Shen, and the meal was very harmonious.
“Madam Sui.” After finishing her meal, Madam Zheng walked to Cheng Wanwan’s side with a smile. “After admiring the lotus flowers last time, all I could think about were those half-open lotus buds. I wonder how long it will take for the lotus flowers to bloom. I want to go admire the lotus flowers again.”
Cheng Wanwan smiled in response: "Dahe Village will begin welcoming visitors to admire the lotus flowers in June, but advance reservations are required. Madam Zheng can send someone to the village to make the arrangements."
Madam Zheng nodded: "Alright, then let's go to Dahe Village in June to enjoy the scenery of the lake."
She said something else before turning to chat with other people. The moment she turned around, the smile on her face disappeared, and her eyes became somewhat gloomy.
The whole city is now talking about how the Zheng family used underhanded tactics to harm the eldest daughter of the Lin family. This news came from Dahe Village, and it must be that Madam Sui deliberately spread rumors in an attempt to ruin her son's reputation.
Ha, does she really think that Cheng Zhao can rise to prominence after her son's reputation is ruined? That's not necessarily true.
After the banquet ended, the Cao family's guests gradually dispersed.
Zhao Ergou was left behind to help with the accounts, while Cao Yingying had some things to discuss with Manager Sun. Coincidentally, Cheng Wanwan also wanted to go to the Daheyan Restaurant, so she said goodbye and left.
She had never been to Daheyan since it opened, so she treated it as a store visit.
It was just past the midday rush hour, and the store was relatively quiet, with everyone busy with their own things.
Wu Huiniang was sitting at a table in the main hall, writing something.
It was the first time Cheng Wanwan had seen her eldest daughter-in-law write, so she curiously leaned over and asked, "What are you writing?"
"Why are you here, Mother?" Wu Huiniang was startled, then said embarrassedly, "Isn't Er Gou recruiting franchisees for his restaurant? I wanted to write down all the recipes first, so I could have a plan in mind."
Her handwriting wasn't good; each stroke was awkward. But she dared to write and was willing to write, which Cheng Wanwan greatly admired.
Cheng Wanwan offered a few words of praise, then casually asked, "How well are the customers responding to the new dishes?"
"Spicy and sour lotus root is more popular than stir-fried lotus root." When talking about the dishes, Wu Huiniang spoke enthusiastically. "Among the restaurant's signature dishes, the most famous is roast duck. Many people from other places come here specifically to try the roast duck. Some people even order whole roast lamb. I wonder when you plan to launch that dish?"
Cheng Wanwan thought for a moment and said, "When the first branch opened, we promoted this dish as the main dish."
Franchise stores also need to generate buzz; whole roasted lamb can attract customers and is a great signboard.
As the two were talking, Afu suddenly walked in from the shop entrance: "Oh, Auntie's here! Auntie looks so beautiful today!"
"Afu, when did you become so sweet-talking?" Cheng Wanwan chuckled. "Your young master is studying in Huzhou, why didn't you go with him?"
“Young Master said that I was in Cao Cao’s camp but my heart was in Han’s in Huzhou, so he let me stay in Ping’an County to learn carpentry. Young Master Cheng doesn’t have a page, does he?” Afu said with a grin. “The county magistrate specially spent money to send me to find a master. After I learn it, I will write it down and then give it to Dawang to take back to Grandpa Zhao. Grandpa Zhao likes to study carpentry.”
Cheng Wanwan was quite embarrassed: "You're passing on your master's techniques to outsiders, aren't you afraid of being expelled from the sect?"
“I paid the fee and I’m an anonymous apprentice. I’m learning some common skills, though they’re not common in Dahe Village.” Afu waved the paper in his hand. “My master taught me some good things early this morning, and I have to tell Dawang about them right away.”
Wu Huiniang pointed to the back courtyard: "Dawang and Xiaolei are organizing the storeroom in the back. You can just go there."
"Okay!"
Ah Fu walked briskly to the back. He had been coming here every day for the past few days and was already very familiar with the layout of the store.
Cheng Wanwan's expression changed slightly: "Xiao Lei is here too?"
Wu Huiniang nodded: "He came right after noon. Chunhua gave him a hard time, but he pretended not to see it and kept his head down and working..."
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