Chapter 955 - 953: Confidant

Words : 1314 Updated : Sep 21st, 2025

Chapter 955: Chapter 953: Confidant Cao Ergou, without saying a word, knelt down on the ground and started kowtowing. Wang Yongzhu hurriedly gave a signal to Old Granny Wu to help the person up, while observing Old Madam Cao from the Cao Family and asked, "Who are you?" Old Madam Cao quickly introduced herself, her son, daughter-in-law, and grandson, and then, looking ashamed, said, "Yesterday, my son was foolish. The Scholar Master saved our family’s Ergou, he saved our entire family’s life! How could a few words of thanks suffice? I simply hate that my son, whom I raised to be dim-witted and lacking social graces, committed such heartless acts. I truly apologize to the Scholar Master!" "We planned to visit as a family last night to express our thanks, but upon hearing that the Scholar Master was attending a banquet, we dared not disturb. So, we postponed to this morning. I’ve prepared a small gift, just a token of gratitude, and I hope the Scholar Master will accept it." Normally, Old Madam Cao rarely left her home, so most people didn’t know her temperament. However, upon hearing her speak now, she came off as a very straightforward person, quickly explaining everything in just a few words. After speaking, she shakily threw down her cane, intending to kneel down as well. Wang Yongzhu was startled and quickly took two steps forward to support Old Madam Cao, repeatedly saying it was unnecessary. Song Chongjin also hurried to say it was but a trifling matter, really undeserving of such thanks. He further stated that the sentiment was appreciated, but the gift was unnecessary and should be taken back. Seeing that Song Chongjin refused the gift, Old Madam Cao estimated he hadn’t forgiven them? Her mind was a mess; no matter how she scolded her son yesterday, her heart still ached for him. If they truly offended the Scholar Master and he decided to obstruct her son and the Cao Family in any way, what would they do? She was old, and she only had this one son; the entire family relied on him. Thinking of this, Old Madam Cao became anxious yet helpless. Even if she was formidable in the Cao Family, she was still a woman who seldom went out, lacking experience in dealing with the Scholar Master. She could only lower her stance to the utmost, hoping the Song Family would overlook the previous attitudes of her son and daughter-in-law. Wang Yongzhu and Song Chongjin didn’t notice, but Old Granny Zhang saw through Old Madam Cao’s thoughts. Speaking of the Cao Family’s son and daughter-in-law, their actions were indeed looked down upon, but seeing Old Madam Cao at her advance age, still lowering her old face to plead for her useless son moved something in Old Granny Zhang. Somehow it stirred something inside her. If it weren’t for her daughter Zhuzhu, with those few blockhead sons of hers, she might have had to thick-skinnedly humble herself for others one day. Speaking honestly, Old Madam Cao did not have it easy. Her husband died early, and she painstakingly raised her son, who is still foolish. The whole family relied on one old woman to make decisions, it truly was a hard life. With this thought, Old Granny Zhang spoke up, "Sister-in-law of the Cao Family seems like a straightforward person. Rest assured, my son-in-law said it’s alright, then it’s alright. We accept your intentions and will accept this gift." Old Granny Zhang knew that if they didn’t accept the gift from the Cao Family today, the Cao Family would probably lose sleep over it. Accepting it meant they would not hold the Cao Family accountable. Sure enough, upon hearing what Old Granny Zhang said, tears welled up in Old Madam Cao’s eyes. Grateful, she looked at Old Granny Zhang but didn’t know what to say except repeatedly expressing thanks. Old Granny Zhang invited Old Madam Cao to sit down and had someone pour her tea. Seeing Old Madam Cao’s restrained manner, she waved her hand: "I think you seem like an amiable person, sister-in-law of the Cao Family. I also heard about your family’s matters yesterday. These are all trivial things. I quite admire you, bearing hardships to raise your children to adulthood, marry them off, and build a household. Even in old age, you still cannot rest assured, constantly worrying if your child might make some trouble—" These words truly hit the sweet spot of Old Madam Cao’s heart. She couldn’t help wiping the corner of her eyes: "Elder sister, aren’t you speaking the truth? Children are lifelong debts! My entire life, I only have this one seedling, still hoping on him for old age support, how could I not worry? My son is, in every way, good and dutiful, but thick-headed, unable to think flexibly. Over this, I’ve scolded and beaten him, yet he just won’t change, what can be done?" "Can you discard your own child? Besides, he means no evil, it’s my failure to educate him properly. When he was young, his father had just passed, and we had offended people, leaving us as a widow with a couple of shops and a village. If there were reliable relatives, that would be good, yet with the Cao Family having been single heirs for generations, to preserve that bit of family property, without hiding it from you, elder sister, we’ve lived days just slightly better than street beggars. Afraid to spend, even afraid to eat meat." "We endured such bitterness with great difficulty until he came of age, then it got slightly better, but his temperament still hasn’t changed. What could be done? To manage to endure and preserve Cao Family’s property, to witness the Cao Family having descendants, I’ve done right by my in-laws." Speaking to this point of sorrow, Old Madam Cao truly couldn’t help letting her tears fall. All these years, although her son and daughter-in-law were filial, her heart’s grievances and sufferings truly had no place to be told. Originally thinking this grievance was to be held in all life, held until going below, to meet her in-laws and that ghost of a husband, just then airing some grievances. But today, hearing just a simple sentence from the Old Lady of the Scholar Song’s family stirred it all up. Old Granny Zhang comforted Old Madam Cao for quite a while, saying: "You should think openly, nowadays having a grandson, and your son and daughter-in-law being filial, don’t meddle too much. We are all of advanced age, how many more years can we live? We should eat and drink, having labored all life, it’s time to enjoy a few years of happiness." "I see your son is honest and simple, as long as he doesn’t cause trouble outside, nothing bad will happen. As people get old, they understand, it’s not about fame and wealth, but living a peaceful life till old age is also a blessing. If worst comes to worst, there’s still the grandson, isn’t there? Just teach well, and it’ll be fine." Of course, Old Madam Cao immediately nodded, meanwhile praising Old Granny Zhang: "Elder sister, you indeed are blessed. Your son is so accomplished, so young yet already a scholar, attending Changqing Academy. The future of achieving the rank of Graduate or Scholar is in reach—" Old Granny Zhang chuckled lightly: "He isn’t my son; he’s my son-in-law, but also half a son to me." Old Madam Cao was taken aback, but quickly adjusted, "Even better! No wonder I see the Scholar’s Lady as someone blessed, gentle and lovable, both young couple so filial to you, indeed better than having sons. If I had a daughter like the Scholar’s Lady, why would I need a son?" These words truly hit Old Granny Zhang’s sweet spot, and immediately she treated Old Madam Cao as a confidante.

Chapter 955 - 953: Confidant

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