Chapter 55 - You're too Stupid!
In the sunlit courtyard, the warmth enveloped everything. Zuo Shaoqing reclined on the plush sofa, savoring Nanny Liu's Cloud Piece Cake. He chuckled while listening to Luo Xiaoliu's animated account of the heated exchange between the two madams.
“Master, this servant has never seen Madam so incensed before, especially when Mrs. Cao ridiculed Eldest Miss over her worn-out shoes and abilities.”
Zuo Shaoqing wiped the tears of mirth from his eyes and remarked, “I must admit, Mrs. Cao has a gift for eloquence.”
“Not just that, her temperament is truly fiery, and her voice carries far. I can't fathom how Master Cao manages her. But in my view, her scheming isn't as shrewd as ours.”
“Oh? What do you mean?”
“I apologize for being forthright, but she openly mocked us, claiming that the Zuo Family is overestimating itself and harboring delusions of grandeur.” Luo Xiaoliu curled his lips, imagining a day when the Zuo Family would rise too high, only to come crashing down.
“So, the Cao Family is aware of Mrs. Xue and her daughter's intentions?” This level of efficiency was impressive; no time was wasted in spreading false rumors.
“It seems likely, but upon reflection, I realize that Master Cao has employed similar tactics in the Zuo Family. Initially, it was a disgraceful act that could tarnish Eldest Miss's reputation, but the Zuo Family was rather casual about it. They were hasty in pushing the third miss away from the start, clearly just toying with her. I must say, Madam, everything was rushed.”
Zuo Shaoqing sneered, “Is she not in a hurry? The Zuo Family is on the verge of official recognition. As more eyes turn to us, if I don't annul Zuo Shuhui's engagement soon, her plans will crumble when everything settles.”
Compared to the Duke Zhen Manor, what was the Cao Family?
“At present, the Cao Family still fears the possibility of Zuo Shuhui becoming the Duke Zhen's wife, so they haven't dared to take drastic action. That's a more accurate assessment!”
“Master, are you not concerned that the Cao Family might trap us in one fell swoop? If San Ye's Zuo Family were to fall, what would you gain from it?”
Zuo Shaoqing picked up a Cloud Cake, placed it in his mouth, and savored it slowly. His lips curled into a beguiling smile as he softly replied, “For that to happen, the Cao Family would need the capability to pull it off!”
Mrs. Cao departed without taking Zuo Shuyuan with her. With her reputation still untarnished within the Zuo Family, she could become a concubine without formalities.
Thus, Mrs. Cao left the betrothal gifts behind and departed with her entourage after setting a date.
In the rear garden, Zuo Shuhui held a needle and thread, engrossed in embroidering a pouch. The color of the pouch clearly indicated it was intended for a man.
Breathing a sigh of relief after learning that the Cao Family visitor had departed, she blushed with embarrassment and asked her mother, “Mother, is it premature to be making these preparations?”
Her mother reassured her, “Silly girl, it's been just a bit over a month since your elder brother entered the capital. How many items do you think you need to embroider? To establish ourselves in the capital, we must have something to present.”
Mrs. Xue scrutinized her daughter carefully. She had to possess talent, beauty, and an air of nobility. Even among the capital's young ladies, she wouldn't be an ordinary one.
Zuo Shuhui nodded, her eyes gleaming with aspiration. “Mother, what if they discover our plan with the Cao Family?”
Mrs. Xue observed the vibrant eagle emblem on the pouch and reassured her, “As long as you successfully marry into Duke Zhen Manor, they won't have the time to ally with your Zuo Family. Who would dare to harm us?”
Zuo Shuhui chuckled, realizing the truth in her mother's words. She then bent her head, continuing her needlework with ease.
Time swiftly passed, and every household busied themselves for the upcoming New Year. The Cao Family took Zuo Shuyuan away three days before the new year, and both families held a small celebration. Although their temporary arrangement seemed somewhat awkward, it sufficed.
As Zuo Shuyuan left, Aunt Su sobbed and wailed. Imagining her own daughter becoming someone's concubine was akin to a needle piercing her heart.
But what could she do? She had consented to the plan when Madam proposed it, and there was no room for dissent. Regret was futile at this point.
Zuo Shaoqing remained absent throughout, unable to tolerate such a calculated marriage. On that day, Cao Zongguan himself did not appear; instead, a Cao Family steward came to collect him.
Henceforth, the once-friendly relationship between the two families completely deteriorated.
Zuo Shaoqing tasked Luo Xiaoliu with monitoring the Cao Family's activities, and soon enough, he gleaned various tidbits of information. For instance, Cao Zongguan had never visited Zuo Shuyuan's chamber. There was a time when he had discreetly sent a letter to Zuo Shuhui.
The contents of the letter remained unknown, but Zuo Shaoqing observed that the day Zuo Shuhui received it, she appeared listless with swollen, reddened eyes.
It became evident that Zuo Shuhui harbored certain intentions towards Cao Zongguan. Otherwise, she would not have agreed to this union, captivated by the unattainable allure of the Wu Steel Manor's status.
Nevertheless, regardless of whether she had Cao Zongguan by her side, she had chosen a path diametrically opposed to his. The question remained whether this path would be a smooth journey or one filled with thorns.
Zuo Shaoqing couldn't help but think with satisfaction: As long as he's around, Zuo Shuhui can forget about marrying into a prominent family.
Inside the Cao family's mansion, Mrs. Cao observed as the servant brought the food for the third time. Frustration welled up within her, and she accidentally knocked over her teacup. Turning to the burly man beside her, she exclaimed, “Master, must we endure this indignity?”
Cao Dedeng glanced at her and responded deliberately, “Why the rush? Revenge is a dish best served cold. Since the situation is still unclear, it's prudent to let the Zuo Family make their move first.”
“But what if… that girl truly manages to secure a place in Duke Zhen Manor?” Would the Cao Family dare to harm them in any way?
Cao Dedeng scoffed, instructing all the servants to leave the room before addressing his wife, “Do you truly believe that? Consider the identity and status of that elderly gentleman. However, it is true that Master Lu spent a few days at the Zuo Family, and their relationship remains a mystery, so it's wise not to act recklessly.”
Mrs. Cao's face was flushed with anger. “How could that elderly gentleman be ensnared by their family's tricks? I've seen through their deceitful ways long ago.”
“Calm down, my dear. If not for this incident, if the two families were to join forces, we'd be in an even more disadvantageous position in the future.”
Dissatisfied, Mrs. Cao retorted, “I've endured enough! Have you heard what people outside are saying about our family's humiliation? Many have even slandered us. He hasn't dared to step out of the house these days.”
Mentioning his son, Master Cao's temper flared as well. He slammed the table and roared, “Hmph! Tell him that if he possesses such little potential, he should leave the Cao Family immediately! We don't tolerate such useless descendants!”
Mrs. Cao bit her lip, her eyes welling up with tears. She stood up and rushed into her son's room, where she saw him wasting away in just a few days. “You've spent over a decade burying your nose in books, and what have you achieved? It's one thing to be deceived, but to let it lead to depression and despair—how can you endure that?”
“Mother…” Cao Zongguan looked at her with a complex expression. He was lost, angry, and despondent, not only because he had been deceived but also because his once-cherished marriage prospects had crumbled, and the girl he had held in his heart no longer belonged to him.
“If you continue like this, don't expect me to care about you in the future,” Mrs. Cao warned sternly. “Your father believes that the Cao Family has no use for such a timid and inept descendant.”
Cao Zongguan's body trembled, his face turning crimson. He took a deep breath and said, “Mom, I understand.”
Mrs. Cao's heart sank as she heard her son continue, “Mother, next spring, I plan to attempt the Conference Test. I've heard that Zuo's Mansion has the qualifications to participate. Perhaps it's because of this that the Zuo Family reneged on their word and disregarded our longstanding relationship, plotting against me.”
He was determined not to let them succeed!
Mrs. Cao's tone grew more serious as she expressed her concern, “Didn't Mr. Chen advise you to concentrate on your studies for another three years without any distractions?”
“Mom, even if I don't succeed this time, I'm willing to keep taking the exam for another three years.”
Mrs. Cao disapproved as she responded, “But that's not the same, Enke. Mr. Chen believes you have a 90% chance of making it into the top three next time. If you rush into taking the exam now, your results won't be as promising.”
Enke was resolute, saying, “A person's ambitions reach for the heavens, Mom. I don't want to fall behind the Zuo Family, even if it means giving my all for it.”
Mrs. Cao understood that her son had made up his mind, and she believed that having an impulsive but determined son was better than having an unhappy one. With a nod of agreement, she left to assist Master Cao with his matters.
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