Futile Devices Scans

Old Tao had been with Tao Mo for many years, and the two had never been separated before. This parting was naturally difficult for both of them. They spent the better part of an incense stick’s time exchanging reminders and advice before Old Tao finally set out on his journey with great reluctance.

Seeing Tao Mo’s reddened eyes, Mu Chun comforted him. “The journey may be long, but Old Tao is going back to reunite with old friends. It is a happy occasion. There is no need to worry yourself excessively.”

Tao Mo said, “Ever since Old Tao came to my household, this is the first time we’ve been apart. Without him, perhaps there would be no me as I am today.”

Mu Chun replied, “It is a good thing for people to care deeply for one another. But if one relies entirely on another person, it may ultimately do more harm than good.”

Tao Mo said gloomily, “I know. I’ll work hard to become a good official. I won’t disappoint Old Tao’s expectations of me.”

Mu Chun merely smiled without speaking.

Just then, Adviser Jin came hurrying over.

“Adviser Jin, have you come to see Old Tao off as well?” Tao Mo asked.

Adviser Jin was caught off guard. “See Old Tao off?”

Before Tao Mo could explain, Mu Chun smoothly took over the conversation. “This must be Adviser Jin, the Criminal Affairs Adviser?”

Adviser Jin blinked again. “And this gentleman is…?”

“My name is Mu Chun.” Mu Chun cupped his hands in greeting. “May I ask what urgent matter has brought Adviser Jin here in such haste?”

Coming back to himself, Adviser Jin hurriedly replied, “Members of the Qiu family and the Liang family have gotten into a fight. They’re currently causing a scene outside the Tong residence.”

Tao Mo looked puzzled. “Who are the Qiu family? And who are the Liang family?”

Adviser Jin waved his hand. “I’ll explain on the way.”

Since there were so many people traveling together, Hao Guozi specially brought out the carriage that Old Tao had stubbornly insisted on leaving behind.

Tao Mo, Mu Chun, and Adviser Jin climbed aboard one after another.

After catching his breath, Adviser Jin began explaining. “Two years ago, Second Miss Qiu of the Qiu family and Liang Wenwu of the Liang family entered into a marriage agreement, with formal betrothal documents as proof. Later, the Liang family moved away, but promised that they would marry Second Miss Qiu within two years. Unexpectedly, once the two years had passed, the Liang family’s bridal sedan never arrived. Around the same time, the Qiu family’s eldest son accumulated a mountain of gambling debts, leaving the family in dire straits. After discussing the matter, Old Master and Madam Qiu decided to give Second Miss Qiu in marriage as a concubine to Old Master Tong, who was seeking to take another wife into the household.”

“Old Master Tong?” Tao Mo exclaimed.

Adviser Jin nodded. “The very same—the father of Tong Yinghong.”

“But doesn’t he already have Madam Tong?” Tao Mo asked.

“This is really a private matter of the Tong household, and not something I should discuss,” Adviser Jin said, pausing briefly. “However, since you’ve asked, Employer, I’ll tell you what I know. Ever since Miss Tong passed away, both Old Master Tong and Madam Tong have been deeply unhappy. Madam Tong has been married for decades without bearing any children, and the Tong family’s only descendant took her own life. Because of that, Old Master Tong has developed the intention of marrying again. Though it would technically be taking a concubine, I’ve heard that every formality—from the betrothal gifts to the wedding rites—will be observed, and that she is even to be carried in through the main gate.”

Mu Chun said, “But the Liang family heard about this and objected?”

Adviser Jin nodded. “Exactly. No one knows how the Liang family got wind of the matter, but they intercepted the Qiu family outside the Tong residence while the two families were discussing the arrangement. The result was that all three families ended up losing face.”

“Where is Clerk Cui?” Tao Mo asked.

“The moment he received the news, he took the yamen runners and hurried over.”

Only then did Tao Mo feel somewhat reassured.

By the time they arrived at the Tong residence, the Qiu family had already left. After all, they were the bride’s family. If the disturbance grew too large, the men might suffer little consequence, but the young woman’s reputation would be severely damaged.

The Liang family, however, remained outside the Tong residence. Judging from their expressions, they were still unwilling to accept the situation.

When Cui Jiong saw Tao Mo stepping out of the carriage, he hurried over. “Your Excellency.”

Tao Mo had the vague feeling that Cui Jiong’s gaze toward him was somehow different today, though he could not identify exactly how. In the end, he attributed it to his own imagination. “What does the Liang family have to say?”

Cui Jiong replied, “The Liang family wants the Qiu family to keep their daughter at home for another year.”

“Another year?” Thinking of Tong Yinghong, Tao Mo asked, “How old is Second Miss Qiu?”

“Nineteen.”

Tao Mo frowned. “That is indeed not young.”

“Which is precisely why the Qiu family refuses to agree,” Cui Jiong said. “They say that unless the Liang family marries her within three days, the marriage agreement will be considered void according to the original terms.”

Mu Chun asked, “Do they say why the Liang family wants to delay things for another year?”

After giving him a brief look and noting his distinguished bearing and the fact that he had arrived together with Tao Mo, Cui Jiong answered, “The Liang family says Liang Wenwu is offending Tai Sui this year and cannot marry.”

Elio’s Notes: Tai Sui is a Chinese astrological deity associated with yearly fortunes; offending Tai Sui is believed to bring bad luck.

“That’s their only reason?” Tao Mo asked.

Seeing his skepticism, Cui Jiong explained, “Many people in Tanyang County place great faith in such things.”

Mu Chun smiled and came to the Liang family’s defense. “I believe it too.”

“Oh?” Cui Jiong seized the opportunity. “May I ask where you are from, sir?”

“I’m a fellow townsman of Magistrate Tao,” Mu Chun replied.

Tao Mo looked surprised. “Really?”

“Of course.” Without changing expression, Mu Chun added, “Hm? Isn’t that Old Master Tong?”

Tao Mo and Cui Jiong turned around at the same time and indeed saw Old Master Tong emerging from the residence.

After everything that had happened with Tong Yinghong, Old Master Tong had become deeply resentful of yamen runners and county officials alike. Moreover, this disturbance was taking place directly outside his own residence, causing him considerable embarrassment. Thus, although he came out, his face was dark with displeasure.

Knowing of the Tong family’s connection to Master One-Hammer, Cui Jiong immediately put on a smile and said, “Old Master Tong, I never expected this matter would trouble you as well.”

“Not at all,” Old Master Tong replied. “Rather, it is my insignificant affair that has troubled all of you.”

“How could that be?” Cui Jiong said quickly. “What does this matter have to do with you? It merely happened by coincidence outside your residence.”

That was exactly what Old Master Tong wanted to hear. The corners of his mouth finally lifted slightly. “Then I must trouble Clerk Cui to look after things.”

“Certainly, certainly,” Cui Jiong agreed at once.

When Old Master Tong spotted Tao Mo, he hesitated briefly before walking over. “Magistrate Tao.”

“Old Master Tong.” Tao Mo got straight to the point. “Do you truly intend to marry Second Miss Qiu?”

The improvement in Old Master Tong’s expression vanished instantly. His face darkened once more as he said heavily, “May I ask what Your Excellency means by that?”

Having previously heard many stories about Tao Mo, Mu Chun had assumed the rumors were exaggerated. Now that he had witnessed Tao Mo in person, however, he could only marvel. Among all the people he knew, perhaps only the Sect Master of the Illustrious Sect could rival Tao Mo in the power of a single sentence. The remarkable thing was that Tao Mo himself seemed entirely unaware of it.

Tao Mo said, “There is only one Second Miss Qiu. She cannot be promised to two families at once. I wish to understand both sides of the matter before making a decision.”

“There is no need to trouble Your Excellency,” Old Master Tong replied stiffly. “We will resolve this matter ourselves.”

“Who says it wouldn’t trouble Your Excellency?” A man from the Liang family stepped forward. “I insist on taking this matter to court and having the County Magistrate decide it!”

Old Master Tong frowned. The Tong family had only recently become the subject of widespread gossip because of Tong Yinghong’s affair, and at a time like this he had no desire to stir up more trouble. Yet when he thought of Second Miss Qiu’s beauty as depicted in her portrait, he found himself reluctant to let her go, and his heart wavered back and forth.

From the far end of the lane came the rumbling sound of carriage wheels.

In the midst of arguing with the Liang family, Cui Jiong suddenly hurried over and tugged at Tao Mo’s sleeve. Lowering his voice, he said, “It’s the Yang residence’s carriage.”

“The Yang residence?” Tao Mo did not immediately understand.

“Master One-Hammer,” Cui Jiong whispered.

Only then did Tao Mo realize. Master One-Hammer’s daughter bore the surname Yang, so naturally Master One-Hammer himself was surnamed Yang as well.

The carriage came to a stop, but the person who stepped down was Gu She.

Though they had been apart for only a single day, Tao Mo felt as though three autumns had passed since he had last seen him.

Gu She saw him as well. His gaze swept quickly over Mu Chun before finally settling on Old Master Tong.

Nowadays, seeing Gu She gave Old Master Tong quite a headache. Yet because he dared not offend him, he could only force a smile and go forward to greet him.

“Young Master Gu.”

Gu She said, “My master’s wife heard that you intend to take a concubine, so she specially sent me to deliver a few gifts.”

Knowing full well that his younger sister was a straightforward, impetuous person who never thought twice before acting, Old Master Tong feared she might have sent something that would make the situation even more embarrassing for him. He immediately said, “This… perhaps we should discuss it inside.”

Gu She nodded. “Very well.”

“Young Master, wait for me!” Gu Xiaojia jumped down from the carriage, wearing a miserable expression. “What should we do with this entire cartload of tiger whips and bull whips?”

Gu She replied, “Follow Old Master Tong’s wishes. We’ll discuss it inside.”

Old Master Tong’s face instantly turned crimson. Did this really need to be discussed inside? Gu Xiaojia’s shout had already made everything perfectly clear.

Seeing Tao Mo’s eyes follow Gu She and Old Master Tong as they entered the residence, Mu Chun suggested, “Why don’t we go in as well and hear what they have to say?”

“But entering without an invitation…”

“We’re investigating a case,” Mu Chun promptly supplied an excuse for him.

Tao Mo immediately nodded. “Quite right, quite right.”

Just as he lifted a foot to follow them inside, a man from the Liang family called out to him.

“Your Excellency!”

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