Futile Devices Scans

Although Tao Mo was eager to go inside, he had no choice but to stop and turn back.

A man from the Liang family pushed past Cui Jiong, who was trying to stop him, and cupped his hands from afar. “Your Excellency, I beg you to mediate this matter fairly!”

Tao Mo replied solemnly, “As an official of the court, I will certainly do my utmost.”

The Liang family man looked as if he wanted to say more, but Cui Jiong and several yamen runners escorted him away.

Feeling that this was inappropriate, Tao Mo was about to step forward when Mu Chun, intentionally or otherwise, blocked his path and said, “Your Excellency, this way, please.”

Seeing that Cui Jiong was taking the man away in a reasonably civil manner, Tao Mo relaxed and turned to enter the residence.

Hao Guozi remained outside watching the carriage. As he watched Mu Chun leisurely following behind Tao Mo, he could not help feeling a little jealous. Although Mu Chun had been introduced by Old Tao, his bearing and manner of speech did not resemble someone accustomed to serving under others. Hao Guozi could not help wondering about his true background.

Naturally, Tao Mo knew nothing of these thoughts. At that moment, his entire attention was focused on listening to the conversation between Gu She and Old Master Tong.

Since Gu She was always sparing with words, it was Old Master Tong who did most of the talking.

After Gu Xiaojia had directed the Tong household servants to carry the tiger whips and bull whips into the residence, he dutifully took up his place behind Gu She.

Once Old Master Tong had finished expressing his thanks and inquiring after Master and Madam One-Hammer’s well-being, he found himself running out of things to say.

Gu She sat there calmly, showing no intention either of starting a new topic to ease the awkwardness or of taking his leave.

Helpless, Old Master Tong steered the conversation toward Tao Mo.

“Magistrate Tao, regarding Second Miss Qiu’s marriage, I hope Your Excellency will help smooth things over.”

This was the second time Tao Mo had heard the phrase “smooth things over” that day. He said, “Although it is often said that marriage depends upon parental approval and a matchmaker’s arrangements, there should still be some regard for who came first…”

The moment Old Master Tong realized that Tao Mo’s words were unfavorable to his own position, he quickly interrupted. “The agreement between the Qiu and Liang families was for two years. When those two years expired and the Liang family failed to come, surely the Qiu family cannot be blamed for arranging another marriage for their daughter.”

Tao Mo stammered, “Actually, by rights, there is nothing wrong with arranging another marriage, it’s just that…”

Old Master Tong’s eyes lit up. “So Your Excellency also supports the Qiu family?” Deliberately, he referred only to the Qiu family and not himself, unwilling to implicate himself too early.

“But Old Master Tong already has Madam Tong…” Tao Mo said.

The mention of Madam Tong immediately reminded Old Master Tong of the ill-fated Tong Yinghong. His face tightened and darkened. “I will not treat her unfairly.”

Tao Mo could not tell whether the “her” referred to Madam Tong or Second Miss Qiu.

Suddenly, Gu She said, “If I remember correctly, Second Miss Qiu is several years younger than Miss Tong.”

No matter how thick-skinned Old Master Tong might be, discussing such matters before three young men was embarrassing. “She is nineteen. At her age, she ought to be married. Having learned from Yinghong’s tragedy, how can I allow her to repeat the same mistake?”

Tao Mo said quietly, “Wouldn’t it be better to find someone closer to her own age?”

Old Master Tong’s expression darkened. “I’m afraid that is not for Magistrate Tao to decide.”

Gu She said, “I heard that the Qiu family intends to send their daughter in through the main gate.”

Old Master Tong was about to agree when something suddenly occurred to him. His expression changed.

Tao Mo looked at Gu She in confusion. He had the vague feeling that Gu She had seized upon something important, but he could not figure out what it was.

“Dismissing one’s lawful wife and taking another is prohibited under the laws of our dynasty, is it not?” Mu Chun finally spoke.

Old Master Tong’s face grew even uglier.

His desire to remarry had originally met with Madam Tong’s opposition. Yet after what happened with Tong Yinghong, he had hardened his resolve and bluntly declared that if she continued making trouble, he would simply divorce her outright. Faced with such a threat, Madam Tong had swallowed her grievances and remained silent, asking only to retain her position as the principal wife.

As for the Qiu family, were it not for their urgent need to pay off their son’s gambling debts, they would never have considered marrying their daughter as a secondary wife. They were a respectable family, and it was already a great humiliation to marry her to a man old enough to be her father. To make matters worse, she would not even be the principal wife. After much negotiation, however, the two families had finally agreed that all the formal marriage rites would be observed and that she would enter through the main gate.

Old Master Tong had originally thought that taking a concubine would be a simple matter. Who could have imagined that first the Liang family would become involved, and now there was the issue of unlawfully replacing a wife? Such an offense was no small matter. If things were mishandled, it could result in legal prosecution.

The more he thought about it, the more cold sweat gathered on his forehead.

Gu She cast several glances toward Mu Chun, apparently wondering where this man had suddenly appeared from.

Old Master Tong voiced the very same question.

Mu Chun cupped his hands and said, “My name is Mu Chun. I am the County Magistrate’s newly appointed Adviser.”

Tao Mo was startled but did not deny it.

Originally, he had intended for Mu Chun to succeed Old Tao as the household steward. Looking at him now, however, that would have been a waste. Mu Chun was not only handsome and talented, but also appeared highly knowledgeable about the law. He truly seemed suited to serving as an adviser.

“Oh, so you are an Adviser.” By now Old Master Tong had regained his composure. “I do not know where Nephew Gu heard the rumor that I intend to dismiss my wife and remarry. At the very least, I am Master One-Hammer’s brother-in-law. How could I knowingly break the law? Most likely some idle townsfolk have been wagging their tongues again, unjustly slandering me.”

His form of address had shifted from “Young Master Gu” to “Nephew Gu.” One reason was to draw Gu She closer; the other was to remind him of their respective generations.

Gu She raised an eyebrow. “I heard it came from the Qiu residence.”

Old Master Tong’s smile froze.

Ever since Tong Yinghong’s suicide, he had vaguely sensed that Gu She was targeting him. At the time, however, the feeling had been faint. Now the veil had been completely lifted, leaving the matter unmistakably clear.

“There must be some misunderstanding,” he said weakly.

“Oh?” Gu She responded indifferently.

The single cup of tea’s worth of time that followed felt like sitting on a bed of nails for Old Master Tong. Before long, he found an excuse to send his guests away.

Apparently having accomplished the purpose of his visit, Gu She did not linger and departed readily.

Tao Mo had wanted to strike up a conversation, but by the time Gu She’s carriage disappeared at the end of the alley, he still had not thought of a suitable excuse.

Seeing his dejected expression, Mu Chun took the initiative. “It’s getting late. How about I play host and treat Your Excellency to a meal at a nearby restaurant?”

The moment Hao Guozi heard mention of a restaurant, he perked up. “The most famous restaurant nearby is Xianwei Tower.”

“Then I’ll trouble you to lead the way.” Mu Chun lifted the carriage curtain and climbed aboard.

As Tao Mo followed him inside, he could not help feeling that Mu Chun seemed more like the County Magistrate than he did. Recalling Mu Chun’s earlier words at the Tong residence, he asked, “Do you really intend to become an Adviser?”

Mu Chun smiled. “Does Your Excellency dislike the idea?”

“Of course not,” Tao Mo hurriedly denied. “I just feel that… someone like you doesn’t seem like an Adviser.”

“What do I seem like, then?” Mu Chun asked with interest.

After thinking for a moment, Tao Mo answered, “A young master from a distinguished family.”

Mu Chun was briefly taken aback before giving a dry laugh. “Your Excellency flatters me.”

“I’m not flattering you,” Tao Mo insisted. “You really do look the part. In fact, you seem like the sort of young master who would stand out even among the most prestigious families.”

The moment he finished speaking, he realized his wording sounded somewhat frivolous and hurriedly added, “I’m merely making an observation. I mean nothing else by it.”

Mu Chun smiled. “That much, I can certainly believe.”

His smile was as gentle as a clear breeze beneath a bright moon. Tao Mo found himself staring slightly blankly.

Mu Chun let him look as much as he liked, neither pleased nor displeased.

Before long, the carriage arrived outside Xianwei Tower.

No sooner had Tao Mo stepped down than he unexpectedly encountered another familiar face.

“Oh? Magistrate Tao.” The man was equally surprised to see him and quickly offered a greeting.

“Young Master Lu.”

The newcomer was none other than Lu Zhenxue.

Ever since Tao Mo had openly admitted in Lu Zhenxue’s residence that he was illiterate, Lu Zhenxue still felt somewhat awkward whenever he saw him.

“It’s rare to find Your Excellency visiting Xianwei Tower. If you don’t find me presumptuous, perhaps I could play host today?” Lu Zhenxue said.

In truth, there was guilt in the invitation, though even he himself did not fully realize it. Although Tao Mo had never brought up that incident again, they had not met since, and Lu Zhenxue had never forgotten it. He felt that he had gone a bit too far that day and wished to make amends by treating him to a meal.

Before coming here, Mu Chun had naturally already investigated Lu Zhenxue’s background. In his eyes, aside from Gu She, no one else was truly worth paying attention to. Thus, before Tao Mo could answer, he declined on his behalf.

“What unfortunate timing. Magistrate Tao has already accepted my invitation today.”

“What a pity,” Lu Zhenxue replied coolly.

The aroma of food drifting from Xianwei Tower had long since eroded Hao Guozi’s patience.

“Why don’t we go inside first and talk there?”

“Very well,” Lu Zhenxue agreed.

However, the moment they entered, they discovered that even if they wanted to take their time talking, circumstances would force them to do so—

Xianwei Tower was completely full. Only a single table remained.

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