The Aloof Lord's Mysterious Wife
Chapter 588: For Her Son, Madam Li Wavers

Chapter 588: For Her Son, Madam Li Wavers

Nanli could imagine the sour smell inside the carriage, so she sat outside with the driver and specifically reminded Zhixi, "You need to clean the carriage when we get back."

Zhixi, used to such tasks at Xuanyue Temple, readily agreed.

Lady Madam Li and her son now lived in a house on Wutong Alley. Without Elder Cao, they no longer had to live tightly and had not only arranged a marriage for Su but were also living well.

The servants were lively and motivated. With Elder Cao’s nagging gone, even though their wages were lower, they were still happy.

Who would have thought—

A young servant suddenly shouted, "He’s coming! He’s coming!"

Those working in the front yard jolted, immediately putting down their tasks and grabbing wooden sticks from the wall. They were ready to drive him away!

In the main hall, Madam Li and Li Bin were receiving guests when they heard the servants’ shouts, their expressions stiffening.

"Who’s coming? Why such a reaction from your servant?" Chu Shuo asked, putting down his cup.

Indeed, the guest was Chu Shuo. After learning that Li Bin was engaged, he came to see if he could help with anything and to discuss other matters.

Li Bin looked a bit embarrassed. "It’s... it’s my father."

He wanted to maintain some dignity in front of his brothers.

Madam Li said, "Second Young Master, let’s talk another day. Bin’er and I will see you off."

Chu Shuo, hearing this, didn’t insist on staying to watch the drama. He followed Madam Li and her son out to the front yard.

The servants stood at the door, not allowing Elder Cao to step inside.

Supported by Zhixi, Elder Cao, having eaten a bit and regained some strength, shouted loudly, "Disrespectful! I am a second-rank official! How dare you stop me? Madam Li! Are these the servants you raised? Don’t they know how to treat guests?!"

Madam Li’s expression was not good. Fearing her servants would cause trouble, she told them to step aside.

Elder Cao huffed, no longer needing Zhixi’s support, and entered the door himself.

Zhixi sensed trouble and glanced back at Nanli. "Sister, he seems a bit unreasonable."

Having supported Elder Cao, he had caught some of the smell, and Nanli stayed several steps away from him.

"Then you should see for yourself," Nanli replied as she followed inside.

"Sixth sister!" Chu Shuo spotted her first, surprised and delighted. "You’re back in the capital?!"

He hurried over to examine Nanli’s face. "You’ve lost weight after a month of hard work."

He planned to have the kitchen prepare more delicious food for the Prince Yu Mansion, hoping Sixth Sister could stay a few days.

Nanli was surprised too. "Second Brother, you’re here? I just returned this morning."

She couldn’t help but think her Second Brother was always in the know.

Chu Shuo said, "In that case, shall we head back? Grandmother just mentioned you yesterday."

"Wait," Nanli said, stepping forward to apologize to Madam Li. "Madam Li, I’m truly sorry. I ran into Elder Cao faint from hunger on the road and kindly gave him something to eat. I didn’t expect him to insist on coming to discuss things with you. My junior brother has a good heart and insisted on bringing him here. You two can talk, and if anything happens, I can help right away."

Seeing this, Chu Shuo felt justified in staying. "Auntie, Li brother, you don’t need to be afraid. I’ll stay to support you! Even a second-rank official needs to reason!"

With that, he shot a glare at Elder Cao.

Elder Cao had always been dissatisfied with Chu Shuo and immediately retorted, "Support? You haven’t even grown all your hair! This is my family matter; it’s not your place to speak!"

"How can it not be? Li brother and I are sworn brothers now!" Chu Shuo said fearlessly. "Also, this house belongs to me; if I’m unhappy, I can drive you out!"

Elder Cao yelled, "Is having money that impressive?!"

Chu Shuo replied, "Yes, it is! Look at you, your clothes are dirty, you can’t even afford a meal, and you have to rely on my Sixth Sister to treat you. How old are you? Do you have no shame? If I were you, I would jump into the river!"

"You... you..." Elder Cao clutched his chest. "I’m doing this for Mu Nation! For the court! Without me..."

"Wrong! You just speak a few words in the court! I’m the one donating money to buy grain and cotton clothes."

"I donated ninety taels!" Elder Cao shouted.

Finally, Madam Li spoke up, "You haven’t changed at all, dividing a hundred taels and immediately donating ninety. Are you here to ask for money today? How much do you want? Just say it!"

Li Bin looked at him, disappointment clear on his face.

Elder Cao, not wanting to argue with Chu Shuo, went straight to the point. "I’m not here to ask for money."

Madam Li looked at him. "Then what are you here for?"

Elder Cao coughed and straightened his back. "We divorced; it’s not good for Bin’er’s marriage and future. I’ve thought it through. We should go to the official office to retrieve the divorce papers and live well."

Madam Li glanced at Elder Cao. "Since we’ve divorced, there’s no turning back! Cao, since Bin’er is with me, you need not worry about him!"

"You ignorant woman, do you want Bin’er to be obstructed in the official circles, to be talked about as unfilial?!" Elder Cao waved his sleeve, appearing very righteous. "Madam Li, from now on, financial matters will be up to you. I’ll let you manage my salary too. Don’t let our quarrels affect Bin’er’s future."

Madam Li’s heart tightened. Although her son hadn’t said anything, he had looked weary and unhappy when he returned home recently.

After some effort, she learned that her son had been marginalized in official circles, with colleagues pushing all the work onto him.

She began to doubt her initial decision. If Elder Cao could let her manage his salary, she might consider backing down a bit.

Seeing Madam Li’s hesitation, Elder Cao felt pleased and smug. "Madam Li, why are you making things difficult for yourself? You’re just making yourself look foolish."

Having been manipulated by Elder Cao for years, Madam Li began to doubt herself upon hearing his words.

Li Bin, knowing his mother’s thoughts, stepped forward, putting himself between Elder Cao and Madam Li, and said coldly, "Mother, don’t believe him. A person’s nature is hard to change. Even if he gives you his salary today, he’ll find another excuse to take it back tomorrow!"

"Look at him, unable to afford food, with dirty clothes. He’s clearly struggling, so he’s come to bow his head. He’s not here for my future, but for himself!"

Madam Li reacted immediately to his words. However, for her son’s sake, she was willing to reconsider. "Bin’er, I know you’ve been marginalized in the Ministry of Justice. Why not..."