Chapter 151: The Considerate Treasure!
Still that same saying: if you want the horse to run, you have to let the horse eat its fill.
He was never a stingy person; to make others obey and follow orders, there had to be benefits.
After liberation, Xu Hancheng was still the Police Station Chief, as well as a Confidential Bureau intelligence officer, with Lieutenant Colonel rank.
This official rank was much higher than that of the Police Station Chief.
Of course, it wasn’t called the Confidential Bureau yet; it was still called the Military Statistics Bureau.
Now that the War of Resistance had not yet succeeded, he, who knew the future situation, naturally didn’t mind building a relationship with Xu Hancheng in advance.
After the victory in the War of Resistance, with Xu Hancheng as a Lieutenant Colonel, plus Xu Jin’ge, and his own Military Statistics Bureau identity, after liberation, wouldn’t he be able to strut around all of Beiping?
Gratitude flickered in Little Ear’s eyes. “Yes, I’ll go do it right away. Oh right, my younger brother and his wife have set the wedding for three days from now. You must come then.”
“Yo, congratulations, congratulations! I’ll definitely be there.” Cao Weida agreed with a beaming smile. If Little Ear hadn’t mentioned it, he really would have forgotten.
Speaking of which, he was sort of half a matchmaker.
Before long, mealtime arrived, but Cao Weida didn’t go eat. He had just eaten at the Beiping Hotel and then gone with Fifth Master to have some fried tofu. How could he have any room left in his stomach?
Shortly after mealtime, idle Cao Weida was lying on a chair smoking when he was told someone was looking for him outside the Police Station.
“Fifth Master, what wind blew you here?” Cao Weida greeted him with a cheerful smile.
“Hey, you wouldn’t believe it, but I really was blown here by the wind—and it’s a lucky wind!” Fifth Master Fan chuckled, stepped forward to hook his arm around Cao Weida’s and pulled him outside.
“Come on, you and I, let’s go have a couple drinks. I’ve got good news for you.”
“Fifth Master, have you found another treasure?”
“You got that right—for me, nothing’s more precious than this treasure!”
Hearing Fifth Master Fan say that, Cao Weida got interested. He thought Fifth Master Fan had really found another remarkable treasure so quickly.
The two found a small tavern to sit down in, and Cao Weida eagerly asked, “Fifth Master, what treasure? What thing is it? From what era?”
Collecting things he liked was addictive. Ever since he’d seen and touched the Ming Yongle porcelain vase with his own eyes, he’d developed some interest in collecting the beautiful heritage things left by the old ancestors.
If such good things were shipped out of the country or damaged, that would simply be a terrible waste.
“It’s a treasure that’s understanding and considerate.” Fifth Master Fan smiled mysteriously, but his words left Cao Weida somewhat stunned.
What did that mean? What was an understanding and considerate treasure?
Those things, no matter how priceless or exquisitely beautiful, were ultimately dead objects. How could they be understanding and considerate?
Wasn’t that nonsense?
“Fifth Master, don’t tease me. Tell me quick, don’t keep me in suspense.”
“Cao’er, what do you think of our family sister Mohe?” As he spoke, his eyes stared straight at Cao Weida.
With things so obvious, if Cao Weida still couldn’t figure it out, he’d really be an idiot.
So without another word, he started praising her: “Of course she’s great—not only is she beautiful and wise, graced with natural elegance, but she’s also kind and pure-hearted. Especially her positive attitude toward life, which I particularly admire.”
He pretended to be puzzled and asked, “But Fifth Master, why bring up your sister all of a sudden?”
“Of course, to be the matchmaker!” Hearing Cao Weida’s high praise of his sister, Fifth Master Fan was overjoyed inside. He laughed heartily and hooked his arm around Cao Weida’s shoulder.
“We’re all brothers, you and I won’t talk empty words. You’ve saved my sister twice; I’ve always kept that kindness in mind. Now that I’m down and out, I don’t have much ability and don’t know how to repay you.”
“But just right, my sister takes a liking to you too. If you’re willing, and don’t mind that my sister comes from the countryside, or having a baggage like me as her brother, then take my sister as a concubine.”
“As long as you can guarantee my sister food and clothing without worry, and not let her be wronged, then brother agrees to this. What do you say?”
Cao Weida was blooming with joy inside. How could he not be willing? He was more than willing!
He, Cao Weida, was just a guy who loved to eat, drink, and enjoy pleasures, greedy for money and lustful!
From the first moment he’d seen Mohe, he’d been scheming how to bring her into his fold.
Who would’ve thought, before he even opened his mouth, the brother-in-law had arranged it for him!
Brother-in-law, oh brother-in-law, what a splendid job!
It wasn’t in vain that I’d been so good to you!
Though he was a thousand times willing inside, on the surface he still had to act reserved. “To be honest with you, I do like Mohe quite a bit, but a girl as good as her would be wronged marrying me as a concubine.”
“Psh, what wronged or not.” Fifth Master Fan waved it off. “Ever since the family fell into downfall, I’ve seen it clearly. In this world, main wife, concubine, titles and such are all bullshit!”
“As long as life is comfortable, that’s better than anything!”
“I won’t hide it from you—I’ve asked around about your character, and I know you have two concubines, and that you’re pretty good to those two.”
“If not for that foundation, would I let my sister marry you? Would I dare let my sister be a concubine?”
“With your character, once she enters your door, she won’t suffer losses or be mistreated. I trust you!”
“Don’t worry about this or that—just tell me one thing: do you want to marry my sister or not!”
Cao Weida nodded eagerly. “I do, how could I not? I want it more than anything! For a girl as good as Mohe, if I didn’t feel a thing, would I even be a normal man?”
“Since you want to, then it’s settled!” Fifth Master Fan didn’t bother listening to the rest, grinning from ear to ear.
“Since you want to marry my sister, let’s settle it soon. I see the day after tomorrow is a good day—let’s set it then. Put the sedan chair in front of my courtyard then, lift her out, and that’s it!”
“.？？？?” Cao Weida was dumbfounded. “Wait, Fifth Master—”
“Hm?! Still calling me Fifth Master?!” Fifth Master Fan’s face fell.
“Fifth Brother!” Cao Weida switched immediately, smooth as could be.
Fifth Master Fan smiled again. “That’s more like it. We’re about to be family—’Master’ makes us strangers! ‘Fifth Brother’ sounds so much better.”
“.Heh, yes, you call the shots. But Fifth Brother, getting married the day after tomorrow—isn’t that too rushed?” Seeing Fifth Master Fan’s face about to darken again, he quickly explained:
“I don’t want to back out; I just think the time’s too short. I’m afraid I won’t prepare enough and slight Mohe.”
“A girl as good as Mohe is willing to be my concubine—I’ve hit the jackpot. I can’t skimp on the formalities either; I should prepare properly at least.”
Fifth Master Fan was quite pleased with Cao Weida’s words.
He did want to latch onto Cao Weida, but that didn’t mean he was really willing to wrong Mohe.
In the original story, he pressured Mohe, saying he’d find her a rich man—old or disabled, as long as they gave betrothal gifts he’d marry her off. That was all for Tong Fengquan’s benefit, to force Tong Fengquan to forge for him.
Deep down, he still wanted Mohe to be valued and live a good life without being bullied.
“In principle, you’re right, but we don’t have time. Better to handle this soon.”
“Besides, you saying this means you absolutely won’t wrong Mohe after she marries over. We won’t fuss over these minor details.”
Cao Weida listened in confusion. “Fifth Brother, what do you mean? What do you mean no time?”
“What else? The Rui family matter.” Fifth Master Fan took a sip from the small wine cup, then picked up some peanuts with a satisfied sigh.
“You forgot? Rui family’s second daughter-in-law became Old Ru Beile’s concubine for you. If she enters first, then Mohe coming in would be old fourth.”
“Though the Rui family and mine are friends, when it comes to my sister, I definitely have to compete—get ahead of their family at least.”
“.” Cao Weida laughed wryly. So that’s what it was?
But he could understand Fifth Master Fan’s concerns. Though his rear residence was peaceful now, with both concubines being honest and dutiful, never causing trouble.
But who knew if they’d always stay separate in the future?
If he later decided to bring all these women to live together, the order of entry would be extremely important.
Don’t think palace intrigue only happens in the Imperial Palace—vying for favor in courtyard houses is always commonplace.
Old third naturally outranked old fourth—that was an indisputable fact.
So, getting Mohe so smoothly and so early—not only did he have to thank the brother-in-law’s assist, but also the Rui family’s help?
Having figured it out, Cao Weida couldn’t help chuckling to himself. Talk about a lucky fluke.
After thinking for a moment, Cao Weida nodded. “Alright, since Mohe has no objections, I certainly don’t either. Here’s the deal: I’ll go prepare the betrothal gifts right away to show Mohe my sincerity.”
“And I guarantee you, in my back yard, absolute equal status, and no bullying allowed. In the Cao Family, I, Cao Weida, still call the shots!”
In these times, there were still distinctions in marrying women.
Marrying a main wife meant giving bride gifts; taking a concubine meant betrothal gifts—the meanings were different.
Take the Bai family of the great manor: Yang Jiuhong as an outer residence—if Huang Chun hadn’t died, she wouldn’t dare act up no matter how bold.
Huaihua entered after Yang Jiuhong but was bullied mercilessly by her, ending in tragedy.
Though Huaihua’s timid nature played a part, it also showed the importance of entry order.
But why didn’t Yang Jiuhong dare act up after Li Xiangxiu entered?
Because Li Xiangxiu entered as the main wife!
If Yang Jiuhong dared make trouble, Li Xiangxiu could crush her!
This was also why Mohe initially refused to be a concubine, and after being persuaded, wanted to compete with Ru Qiulan for precedence.
