Repudiating a Good Wife Is Out of the Question

71. Worshiping Ancestors

Translator: Sissy That Walk

The little maid rushed back not long after, panting, “Young Madam, Big Fifth Madam said she wasn’t cry, she’s just got sand in the eye. She insisted she wasn’t trying to make a scene or start any drama.”

Cao Mo nodded knowingly, he thought for a few seconds and said, “Good to know, now quickly tell her that I’m sorry I cannot meet and greet her by the gate due to my shoulder injury, just say sorry for me.”

“Mo, Big Fifth Madam is not easy to deal with, you don’t want to start off on the wrong foot with her.” Xiao Yi suggested, wondering why Cao Mo was being so headstrong.

“Have you heard of beating the dog before the lion? I’m just making an example out of her.” Cao Mo comforted Xiao Yi, “This is the only way to deal with someone like Big Fifth Madam who tends to bully the weak and fear the strong. Plus, she started it, if I give the impression of weakness, she and the others who have ulterior motives will join hands.”

… …

Mammy Xia was praising Cao Mo when the little maid came back, “Big Fifth Madam, you have no idea how much the Young Madam commiserates me, I work in the Wash and Starch Department, as you can imagine, how chapped my hands are, especially in winter. The Young Madam rewarded us hand cream, look at my hands, there’s not even one crack on my hands. The Young Madam says he will ask his workshop to work even harder and share the good stuff with all the family members.”

The little maid reported to Big Fifth Madam that Cao Mo apologized that he couldn’t come greet her at the moment due to his shoulder injury.

Hearing that, the Big Fifth Madam’s face turned livid, she knew Cao Mo was trying to make a point. But soon she regained her composure and walked to the inner door, determined to let Cao Mo have the payback when she saw him.

“Look at our Young Madam, tut tut tut, such great air, ignoring the elder!” Big Fifth Madam shouted at Cao Mo when she walked in.

Cao Mo smiled as a reply, then he turned around, “Servants! Come escort Big Fifth Madam to Pear Fragrance Hall, Big Fourth Madam from Hongfeng Alley needs some company in watching Peking Opera, I’m sure Big Fifth Madam will have a great time there, putting on shows at her will!”

A group of servants escorted Big Fifth Madam out before she could talk back.

Soon all guests had arrived, Cao Mo arranged the male guests at Virtue Hall where they could play mahjong and Pai Gow, while the female guests were gathering in the Pear Fragrance Hall where they could chat and enjoy Peking Operas.

… …

Xiao Yugui came back from the Imperial Palace in the early afternoon, Lady Lu came with Xiao Yugui.

Lady Lu grabbed a maid and started to ask about as soon as she had got the chance, “Has it gone chaotic yet?”

“No, how surprising is that! Even Big Third Madam and Big Fourth Madam seem to be getting along today, they are sitting next to each other and watching the opera together.” replied the maid with shock.

“How about Big Fifth Madam? Has she turned to water works?” Lady Lu asked promptly.

“No! The Big Fifth Madam courted a rebuff, Cao Mo handled her requests diplomatically!” the maid had a thumb up speaking of Cao Mo.

Lady Lu couldn’t believe it, she asked the maid what Cao Mo had done, the maid just shook her head and said the Young Madam just gave her the cold shoulder and didn’t care to explain himself.

Lady Lu exclaimed in her heart how courageous Cao Mo was, sometimes the more you tried to explain yourself, the more you tended to give yourself away. But giving Big Fifth Madam the cold shoulder wasn’t something she, an prestige lady, could turn to.

Xiao Yugui greeted the guests and said, “Thank you all for coming, I’m very honored to hold the sacrifice this year. Now that everyone is here, shall we begin? And we need to write Cao Mo’s name on the pedigree today, he has been such a great Young Madam since he married into our family.”

… …

Cao Mo produced a whistle from his sleeve and blew the whistle on the way to the Ancestral Hall, and they heard the whistle back.

Xiao Yugui asked with curiosity, “Mo, what’s that?”

“A whistle!” Cao Mo continued to explain, “Servants in all yards and houses will know about your arrival as soon as they hear my whistle, there won’t be any disorder after we get there.”

Xiao Yugui nodded repeatedly in approval, he looked at Cao Mo with appreciation and followed Cao Mo to the hall.

The servants in the hall blew the whistle after Xiao Yugui walked in, hearing that, servants in Virtue Hall and Pear Fragrance Hall started to arrange the guests to walk in as well.

The whole procedure was so well-regulated, both Xiao Yi and Xiao Yugui felt proud of Cao Mo.

Xiao Yugui exclaimed in his heart that even the ritual in the Imperial Palace wasn’t as organized as the one taking place in his own home.

Soon all the guests arrived at the Ancestral Hall, the male guests walked in silently while all the female guests had to stand outside the gate. Xiao Yugui led all the male and kowtowed to the ancestral memorial tablets, after that, Xiao Yi and Xiao Jin burned the incense and chanted sutras.

Xiao Yugui wrote Cao Mo’s name on the pedigree in front of all the elders in Xiao Clan, tears brimmed in Xiao Yi’s eyes.

All the guests were seated in Virtue Hall and were served with tea and snacks after the ritual.

Female guests greeted Dowager Xiao who took the seat of honor, “Oh my goodness me, you smell so great, my sister-in-law, is this White Sandalwood Incense I’m smelling?

“Haha, no, this is no incense. I have been using fragrant soap bars.” Dowager Xiao couldn’t wait to show off.

“Fragrant soap bars? What are those? Bestowed by His Majesty?”

“No, they are made by my grandson-in-law, Cao Mo, such a filial kid he is!” Dowager Xiao heaped praise on Cao Mo.

“Oh my, sister-in-law, I’m definitely going to be brazed this time, I want some of your soap bars otherwise I won’t leave you alone!” a madam said laughingly.