Chapter 378: Chaos Ensues

Chapter 378: Chaos Ensues

The following morning after breakfast, Old Master Wu visited Lady Wu’s courtyard again and said, "I've sent an invitation to Duke Dingguo's mansion. Once we receive a reply, you will go there."

Lady Wu remained silent, her expression calm. Seeing this, Old Master Wu’s demeanor softened somewhat, "Don't worry too much, the children won't lack anything that’s due to them."

Lady Wu looked at him with a smile, "My lord, you might as well give everything that’s due to them to the second household, and we’ll see if I don’t bring us all down together."

Old Master Wu stood up abruptly at her words, "You are stubborn beyond reason."

Lady Wu sneered, "Not as adaptable as you, my lord."

Old Master Wu, recognizing the sarcasm in her voice, snorted and was about to leave when his attendant appeared at the door, his face etched with urgency. Old Master Wu, frowning, beckoned him in.

The attendant glanced at Lady Wu, then reported, "My lord, Young Master Xiao Er has posted another notice in the market district, this time alleging that the Third Master keeps a mistress."

Old Master Wu’s complexion turned an ashen hue. “Where on earth is Xiao Yuming getting his information? What else does he know?”

The attendant hesitated upon hearing his question, appearing as if he had more to say. Seeing this, Old Master Wu urged, “Speak your mind.”

Attendant: “Young Master Xiao... he claims to have more news from our residence.”

Old Master Wu felt a twinge of anxiety. “What else is he aware of?”

The attendant shook his head, “This servant does not know. Young Master Xiao did not disclose it.”

Old Master Wu paced the room with a darkened expression, while Lady Wu, seated nearby, felt a sense of vindictive satisfaction. If only Xiao Yuming would reveal the scandalous affair next. Yet, the thought of her own children being implicated brought her concern once more.

“Go to Lady Dingguo now, plead with her,” Old Master Wu commanded, standing before Lady Wu.

But Lady Wu remained seated, unyielding. “Give half of what the old lady and the old master left to my son and daughter,” she demanded.

“You…” Old Master Wu, pointing at Lady Wu and grinding his teeth, said: “Do you realize what you're asking? With so many children in the family, how can you demand half for yours?”

Lady Wu, leaning back in her chair, retorted, “Then let the second wife do it! She’s articulate and capable, perhaps she could win Lady Dingguo's favor. And even if she can’t, pleasing Duke Dingguo himself would suffice.”

“You…” Old Master Wu raised his hand to strike her, but Lady Wu, facing up and scoffing, warned, “If you dare to follow through, we all go down together. Living or dead, it makes little difference to me.”

Old Master Wu lowered his hand, took a deep breath to soften his voice, “She is a widow, how can she engage in social visits?”

“I want half of the inheritance left by the old lady and the old master,” Lady Wu persisted. “Think about it. Who knows, perhaps the scandal Young Master Xiao will reveal tomorrow is exactly that…”

What that is, needs no saying!

“And what if you fail to achieve this?” Old Master Wu posed.

Lady Wu replied sharply, “If you think I’m incapable, then send someone else!”

Old Master Wu stood in silence for a long while before conceding, “Fine, you’ll have half.”

Lady Wu sat up straight, “Give it to me now.”

Old Master Wu clenched his teeth and conceded, “Very well.”

As he walked out, Lady Wu watched his retreating figure and sneered, "Our dear second lady must be reveling in a windfall again."

Meanwhile, Old Master Wu made his way to a secluded courtyard, where soon a graceful and beautiful lady swayed in like a willow in the breeze. Upon seeing him, she sashayed forward with a coquettish curtsy and said, "Why does my cousin seek me out instead of staying with the principal wife?"

Old Master Wu, growing impatient with her sour and jealous tone, reflected on how he used to find her remarks charming when visiting the principal wife's courtyard. Now, they irked him greatly.

Still, he drew her to sit beside him and said, "You must have heard about the goings-on outside—first, the gambling scandal of the sixth, and now the affair of the third with his concubine. That Xiao brat even claims he has bigger news about our Wu family. If that news pertains to you and me..."

The second Lady Wu’s face twisted with anxiety as she clutched Old Master Wu’s hand, her eyes brimming with tears, “What shall we do, cousin?”

Old Master Wu patted her hand reassuringly, "I have asked the principal wife to plead with Lady Dingguo."

Tears streaming down her cheeks, the second lady Wu lamented, "I'm no help to you, cousin."

Patting her back, Old Master Wu said, "I know you are magnanimous, cousin. The principal wife has demanded half of the inheritance from the old lady and master before she would go to the Dingguo residence. Since you hold the account books, bring them out, and I'll hand over half to her."

Second Lady Wu stared blankly at Old Master Wu for a long while before asking, "Cousin, the possessions of the old lady and master belong to the entire family, how can we give half to the principal wife?"

Old Master Wu’s brow furrowed deeply, "As the eldest son, I'm entitled to half should we divide the inheritance."

Second Lady Wu looked at him incredulously, "And what about me, cousin? What about the sixth? You said you would treat the sixth as your own son."

"Then what do you propose we do?" Old Master Wu asked impatiently. "If our affair comes to light, what will you do?"

Second Lady Wu sobbed softly while Old Master Wu stood up in irritation, "Hurry and fetch the account books. The sooner we give her what she wants, the sooner she can go to the Dingguo residence."

With tears in her eyes and gritted teeth, the second lady Wu left to retrieve the account books from her own quarters.

Back in the study, Old Master Wu encountered the third Lady Wu scratching at the face of the third Master Wu in a fit of tears. Pushing her away, the third Master Wu approached his elder brother, "Big brother, I'm divorcing this shrew."

"Go ahead! Divorce her! Let everyone see what kind of family the Wus are. Divorcing a wife for a concubine..."

The third Lady Wu cried out loudly as the third Master Wu pointed and cursed at her, turning the Wu family home into a scene of utter chaos.

The Dingguo Residence

Tang Shuyi was busy preparing the examination necessities for Xiao Yuchen. The imperial examination of Daqian was divided into three sessions, each lasting three days, meaning the examinees had to stay in their allotted cells for that duration. Thus, she was preparing everything needed for those three days, including food and essentials.

While she was engrossed in her tasks, Steward Zhao came to report, "Lady Wu requests an audience."

Tang Shuyi dismissed the request without a second thought, "No audience."

There was no need to guess the purpose of Madam Wu's visit; some people are simply too presumptuous, believing that an apology from them should warrant forgiveness for their wrongdoings.

The steward Zhao made his obeisance and withdrew, reaching the manor's gate he relayed to the servants of the Wu residence, "My lady says she will not receive visitors."

The steward from the Wu household was at a loss for words, not even bothering to concoct an excuse, he just bluntly stated they would not meet!

Seated inside the carriage, Madam Wu heard this and simply said, "Let's go."

She had anticipated this outcome; even now, if the Empress Dowager wished to see the wife of the Duke Dingguo, it was not certain she would be granted an audience. Only Lord Wu seemed to think that their family remained as influential as it once was.