Chapter One Hundred and Thirty-Four
"Madam, everyone knows that the Li family's young lady was originally married off to the capital. For her to return so quickly now, there must be some defect, and she was likely sent back after being rejected. Yet, the moment she returns, she comes looking for the Master. This concubine believes she must have ulterior motives." Concubine Liu voiced her baseless suspicions to Mrs. Tang.
"Your concern is not entirely unfounded," Mrs. Tang looked at Concubine Liu. Although she thought the woman foolish, she had to admit there was some logic to her words.
Otherwise, if it were a normal marriage to the capital, how could she just return on a whim?
"Moreover, this concubine saw that the Li family's young lady brought a man with her. Perhaps she wants the Master to arrange some official post for him? The Master owes his current position entirely to the support of your maiden family, Madam. Yet, some people only think about taking advantage." Having said this, Concubine Liu sighed again, as if feeling indignant on Mrs. Tang's behalf.
"Hmph, such a shameless woman is unworthy of entering my Cao family." Upon hearing this, Mrs. Tang angrily tapped the table.
Her mind began to scheme.
After Concubine Liu left, Mrs. Tang gazed in the direction she had departed, her eyes filled with jealousy.
Her own youthful beauty had long faded, and numerous little vixens had appeared around, trying to seduce the Master.
Some she had dealt with directly; others she had allowed to stay.
After all, it was necessary to keep a few wildflowers at home to prevent the Master from only longing for those outside.
"Madam, regarding that Li family young lady... should this servant go and 'handle' her?" The matron beside Mrs. Tang, Zhu Liu, stepped forward, making a throat-slitting gesture as she asked.
"I shall first seek the Master's opinion on this matter." Mrs. Tang would have liked to deal with it directly, but Li Zhiwei was different from those other women. The Li family had only this one daughter. If anything happened to Li Zhiwei, the Li family would certainly not let it rest.
"Does Madam think what Concubine Liu said is false?" Zhu Liu asked, somewhat surprised.
"The Li family's young lady is not the same as those brothel women," Mrs. Tang shook her head and said.
She did indeed want to deal with Li Zhiwei, but she couldn't cause trouble for the Master either.
She understood the principle of shared glory and shared downfall.
If it were an ordinary family's daughter, dealing with her wouldn't make the Master angry with her.
"When will the Master return?" Mrs. Tang thought for a moment and asked.
"The Master has returned!" No sooner had Mrs. Tang's words fallen than a maid's voice sounded outside the room.
"Madam, the Master has returned!" Zhu Liu promptly said.
"Mmm, you may withdraw for now." Mrs. Tang wanted to clarify matters with County Magistrate Cao, but there were some things she didn't want Zhu Liu to hear.
"Master, you've returned quite late today." Seeing County Magistrate Cao's somewhat poor complexion, Mrs. Tang hurried forward to ask.
"Mmm, there were some matters at the yamen." After saying this, County Magistrate Cao looked at Mrs. Tang.
He was pondering how to tell her that Concubine Liu's brother had committed a crime and he had sentenced him to death.
He was afraid Concubine Liu would later go to Mrs. Tang and gossip wildly.
"The Master has worked hard. Please sit down and have your meal." Mrs. Tang naturally noticed County Magistrate Cao's hesitation. Could it be, she wondered, that County Magistrate Cao wanted to discuss marrying Li Zhiwei?
That little vixen certainly knows how to seduce men.
To make the Master so impatient that he wants to discuss this with me immediately.
"Madam, there is something I wish to discuss with you." County Magistrate Cao thought it over and decided it was best to clarify matters with Mrs. Tang first.
He feared Concubine Liu would later make a scene in front of him or even at the yamen.
That would bring shame upon him.
"What a coincidence, this concubine also has a very important matter to discuss with the Master!" Mrs. Tang's face darkened for an instant, but she quickly replaced it with a gentle smile as she looked at County Magistrate Cao.
"Madam, please speak freely of your matter!" County Magistrate Cao was also very surprised, not understanding what important matter Mrs. Tang could have to discuss with him.
"Indeed, with age, I wish to find a like-minded younger sister to help this concubine take care of the Master." As she said this, Mrs. Tang stole a glance at County Magistrate Cao. Seeing he didn't speak, she continued.
"This concubine has heard that the Li family's young lady was originally to be married into the capital, but for some reason was sent back by her husband's family. We have watched the Li family's young lady grow up, so we know her background well. This concubine wishes to propose, on the Master's behalf, to have the Li family's young lady become your equal wife. I wonder what the Master thinks?"
After speaking, Mrs. Tang looked at County Magistrate Cao with an expectant expression.
County Magistrate Cao was first taken aback.
Have him marry Li Zhiwei?
This was something he had never considered before.
After all, everyone in Li'an County knew that Li Tianyou treasured Li Zhiwei like the apple of his eye.
How could he possibly agree to marry Li Zhiwei off to him as a concubine?
But now things were different.
Li Zhiwei had been sent back from the capital.
If he were to propose marriage now, it would be like sending charcoal in snowy weather.
Moreover, he was offering the position of an equal wife.
But now Li Tianyou was no ordinary merchant. Would he agree to this?
Thinking of this, County Magistrate Cao felt conflicted.
If he could marry Li Zhiwei, Li Tianyou would certainly promote him.
He might not have to wait those three to five years to climb higher.
"Who did you hear this from?" County Magistrate Cao thought again of the child accompanying Li Zhiwei, said to be Prince An's Heir from the capital.
And the imperial guards traveling with them.
If this matter wasn't handled properly, it could leave a stain.
Although County Magistrate Cao wanted to climb higher, he was unwilling to take risks.
"Master, this concubine naturally has her own methods. This concubine only asks the Master, are you willing to marry the Li family's young lady?" Mrs. Tang adopted a tone unwilling to say more.
"If I can marry the Li family's young lady, my official career will undoubtedly advance further!" County Magistrate Cao said without hesitation.
After all, this deal was not a loss.
Then he would have both the Tang family's support and the Li family's assistance.
It would be hard for his career not to go far.
Hearing this, Mrs. Tang's face sank. She knew this County Magistrate Cao had long harbored this idea.
With so many wives and concubines in the residence still not enough, he still wanted to marry Li Zhiwei.
"Master, rest assured. This concubine will definitely handle this matter properly for the Master. The Master only needs to wait to marry Younger Sister Li into the residence!" Mrs. Tang guaranteed.
"Mmm, think of a way to go to her family and discuss this matter properly." County Magistrate Cao said with a chuckle.
"Master, this concubine plans to host a flower-viewing banquet three days from now. We will invite Younger Sister Li as well and ask her personally." Mrs. Tang smiled as she revealed her plan.
"I have full confidence in Madam's handling of affairs!" County Magistrate Cao said with satisfaction.
Thinking of Li Zhiwei's delicate and tender appearance.
His heart itched with anticipation.
He only hoped to marry Li Zhiwei into his residence as soon as possible.
"However, the Li family is now prosperous. Li Tianyou, I don't know what luck he's had, has become a third-rank official. Send someone clever, don't offend those who shouldn't be offended." County Magistrate Cao thought of Prince An's Heir and the imperial guards.
He didn't know if they were also staying at the Li residence.
Unclear of their relationship, but it was never wrong to avoid giving offense.
