As time went by, Aunt Yang grew old and her beauty faded. As her beauty faded, so did Master Tao's affections. In his heart, there was only Madam Fang, his legal wife.
Although Mrs. Fang is also getting old.
But after all, she was someone Master Tao had truly loved. Moreover, Master Tao always felt guilty towards his first wife, as he had broken his promise to be with her for life.
If it weren't for his third daughter's poor health, his second daughter's reckless behavior, and the fact that the daughters born to his other two concubines were too young, he wouldn't have hired a concubine to manage the household.
Xiao Fubao narrowed his eyes slightly. Although they usually ate the same white rice or red glutinous rice that servants in official families ate, it didn't mean that they were only entitled to eat that kind of rice.
Because she had her only son to back her up, Aunt Yang secretly looked down on Madam Fang, the legal wife.
When Shen Yu heard Master Tao say that this was food for the servants in the mansion, her face couldn't help but look a little unpleasant. Although she was gentle, she was not someone that everyone could bully.
Moreover, the one who wanted to humiliate her family was a concubine.
Thus, Aunt Yang's management of the household was stripped away. Master Tao, still seething with anger, said, "She's been spoiled rotten, she doesn't know her place!" "I'm so sorry for the poor hospitality, I'm truly so sorry."
Chen Yu said:
“Master Tao, you don’t need to blame yourself. It is indeed a bit inappropriate that this concubine comes from such a background. But I’ve heard that there are several young ladies in the household. Why not pick out a couple?”
"My second and third daughters, one is mischievous by nature, acting like a boy all day long, and the other is frail and sickly, always bedridden during spring and winter, unable to get out of bed for three out of six months. I can't bear to let her suffer! I'm not afraid you'll laugh at me, but now that my wife is ill, the house is in complete chaos."
"That's what Master Tao said."
Xiao Fubao thought to himself, "That Miss Tao, although she is a bit mischievous, is decisive and clever. How can she be like a boy?"
Xiao Heng rest
Tao's illegitimate son, though young, was quite ambitious. Despite being from an official family, he often engaged in business and trade behind the scenes.
Seeing that the Niu family's braised food shop was doing well, they followed suit. The Tao family was originally an official family with considerable savings, so in May they bought two braised food shops.
Buying a shop is not a big deal.
But this shop was originally a prime location, even larger than the Niu family's braised food shop. The original owner didn't want to sell it, especially since Tao Huan was planning to buy it at a low price.
After a while, Tao Huan seized the shop, forced fifty taels of silver into the shop owner's hand, and kicked the owner and his entire family out.
Those two shops are worth at least five hundred taels of silver.
This matter dragged on until August, lasting for three whole months. Half a month ago, the family claimed they were going to file a complaint with the county magistrate.
Who knew that the county magistrate was just a new official making a show of things, and as time went on, he gradually revealed his true nature.
The original boss not only failed to win the lawsuit, but was also beaten up and thrown out, so he threatened to sue in the state government.
Master Tao knows about this.
But he only had this one son. Although he did not agree with his actions, he did not punish him too much. He only scolded him, saying, "Don't you know the rule that officials and merchants cannot exchange goods for money?"
Although the Great Zhou Dynasty did not discriminate against merchants, it still strictly prohibited officials and their children from engaging in commerce in order to prevent rampant bribery.
Those who violate this rule will have their property confiscated.
Chen Yu said, "Master Tao, now that we've finished discussing our business, we won't bother you any longer."
Niu Da chimed in, "Yes, Master Tao, it's getting dark, and the road will be difficult to travel if we sit any longer."
Master Tao quickly stood up and said:
"Alright then, I won't insist you stay. I'll escort you a little further."
Niu Yongdao said, "Master Tao, you're too kind."
"It must be given, it must be given!" said Master Tao.
The group walked to the main gate of the courtyard.
"Dad!" Someone bumped into me. "Ah, sorry!"
Niu Yong grunted.
It was Miss Tao who bumped into us.
As luck would have it, I bumped into someone.
Niu Yong flicked off his slightly wrinkled clothes and smiled gently, "It's alright."
Master Tao scolded:
"You're a girl, always making a fuss, what kind of behavior is that? Look at you, you're already a nineteen-year-old spinster, if you keep acting like this, who would want you?"
Miss Tao Er pouted and said:
"Dad, in front of so many people, can't you give me some face? You always talk about being an old maid, as if I'm desperate to get married." "So what if I never marry a man in my life?"
"Such arrogant words should not be uttered in front of others. Go and have some fun in the inner hall; I'm here to see my guest off."
Although Miss Tao was a bit mischievous, she wasn't really that unruly. Upon hearing this, she left, but after taking only two steps, she turned back to look at Xiao Fubao.
This little girl looks so familiar!
After walking a few more steps, she turned back to look at Xiao Fubao again. Coincidentally, Xiao Fubao was also looking at her this time. Xiao Fubao made a face at her, which amused Miss Tao.
This child is so cute!
Oh right, she seems to be the little girl from the shop where I often buy spices!
After getting into the carriage.
Niu Cuihua asked Chen Yu:
"Mom, why is Miss Tao still unmarried at nineteen?"
Little Fu Bao listened intently, as if his ears had grown long.
In the Great Zhou Dynasty, it's not uncommon for someone to be unmarried at nineteen, as there are indeed women who are nineteen. However, it is unusual for someone to be nineteen and still not have a marriage proposal, especially since Miss Tao is quite beautiful.
Although he's a bit mischievous, he's not so mischievous that everyone dislikes him.
Chen Yu said, "I heard from people in the county that Miss Tao was engaged when she was thirteen. By the time she turned fifteen, her dowry was already prepared, and she was just waiting to marry him after her coming-of-age ceremony."
"Who knew that the young master would die of illness before Miss Tao even reached the age of fifteen! Afterwards, some people started saying that Miss Tao's destiny was so strong that no one could control it."
"Miss Tao observed three years of mourning for her fiancé. When she turned seventeen, some people, not believing in superstition, said that the previous young master had always been ill, so it was no wonder Miss Tao was ill. They came to propose marriage, and another engagement was arranged." "Who knew that the young master, who was perfectly healthy, would suddenly die?"
"This one died again," that's a very insightful point.
"After that, the rumors that Miss Tao was a jinx to her husbands were confirmed. Miss Tao also had to observe three years of mourning, so no one dares to propose marriage to her now," Chen Yu said.
Is this just bad luck or a coincidence?
"Is it because Miss Tao didn't want to marry them, so she..." Niu Baozhu suddenly said, making a throat-slitting gesture.
Little Fu Bao was speechless.
"I don't know about that. But, Sanya, you can eat poorly, but you can't say whatever you want. Sometimes, your few words can ruin a person's whole life," Chenyu said.
Niu Baozhu nodded.
Chen Yu added, "The same goes for you guys."
Xiao Fubao and Xiao Heng, sitting on the pony's back, replied, "Yes."
The other sisters responded in unison.
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