Chapter 88 of Volume 1: Ma's Scheme

  "Don't worry about living expenses, I'll arrange everything in advance. Can't wait until someone comes knocking on the door and then look for a way out. Consider this as if you've agreed, I'm only telling you this, don't tell anyone else for now, got it?"

  Mr. Yao remained calm and continued to instruct himself, without putting Yao Cunhui's words in his heart.

  "I'll listen to Father." Yao Cunhui thought for a moment, nodded and said: "Father, let's think of a way together, there must be a way."

  "Uh-huh." Old Master Yao's face broke into a faint smile, and after some thought, he said: "Tomorrow, after arranging for Zan'er, you go help out at the shop on Kaiyuan Road. You're a young lady of the Yao family, and if you were to be suddenly put in charge of the main store, there might be people who wouldn't accept it. First, go to one of the branch stores to get some training, and learn from Lin, the shopkeeper - he's got a lot of experience."

  "Yes, Father." Yao Cunhui nodded in response. Participating in the Yao family business had always been her goal, but now that she had achieved it, she didn't feel as excited and thrilled as she had imagined. Instead, she felt a tinge of sadness and a sense of weightiness.

  Starting from the next day, Yao Cunhui went to help out at the shop on Kaiyuan Road, taking Xiao Xing and Xiao Li with him whenever he came and went.

  Among the five people around him, Hongzhi was a traitor and was naturally excluded. Rongmu and Honglian were good at managing the household but not necessarily good at business. On the other hand, Xiaoxing and Xiaoli were lively and intelligent, with quick thinking and good interpersonal skills, so Yao Cunhui didn't mind cultivating them.

  Ma knew that in her heart, she was indignant and secretly scolded the old master for being muddled. He actually let this little girl get involved in business. This way, wouldn't she have the opportunity to thoroughly understand the financial situation of the Yao family? If she were to secretly do something or hide some private money, wouldn't she be greatly disadvantaged?

  A pregnant fourth aunt who was treated as a treasure had already made her sleep and eat poorly, and she didn't want to add another Yao Cunhui!

  No matter how hard I think about it, it's all because my own body isn't cooperating, and I couldn't get pregnant with a son. In the future, our family business will all go to that little brat Yao Shizan, so what's the point of struggling anymore?

  Ma was annoyed for a while, then turned sorrow and anger into strength, and accelerated the pace of nourishing his body.

  Qiao's mother saw Ma Shi's worries, and she was also worried about public and private matters. She and Ma Shi were in the same boat, if Ma Shi didn't have a good life, then she wouldn't be able to either! For everyone's future, she racked her brains thinking of ways.

  Qiao's mother made two major decisions for the Ma family: Firstly, she quickly sought out Old Master Yao's consent to allow him to take in and raise the child born to Fourth Aunt, thus cutting off her path; Secondly, she asked Old Master Yao to agree to let someone from the Ma family go into the Yao family's rice shop to help out, thereby gaining control over the Yao family's business.

  Ma was moved in her heart but did not immediately agree.

  When the fourth aunt was diagnosed by the doctor, she had been pregnant for two months. In other words, she should have known it herself, otherwise she wouldn't have fainted at that time! This little villain actually plotted against her, and she still felt uncomfortable with her child in her arms! Raising children for her? No way! The best outcome would be to prevent her from giving birth to this child, not just this one, but also no need to give birth again in the future!

  Although she has a steady nanny by her side, there will always be times when something slips through the cracks. Time is still on her side, and with patience, she'll wait for the opportunity to arise! She needs to remain calm and composed!

  "Fourth Aunt's child, she can raise her own, I don't care!" Ma Shi snorted with disdain, already having made up her mind. She raised her hand to stop Old Mother Qiao from continuing to persuade her: "This matter is settled, no need to say more! As for my mother's family members helping out at the rice shop,"

  Ma couldn't help but slightly furrow her brow. Actually, she had this idea many years ago, but her father and older brother were both government officials, and her three nephews were also studying to take the imperial examination to become officials in the future. How could they possibly come to the Yao family's rice shop to help out? It wasn't as if they could send a steward or loyal servant from the Ma family to the Yao family's rice shop, was it? Not to mention that Old Man Yao would definitely not agree, even if they did go, it wouldn't be of much use!

  Mrs. Ma's thoughts were clear as day to Old Lady Guo, who stepped forward and whispered with a smile: "Madam has forgotten, hasn't she got a second brother?"

  Second brother? Ma Shi's face was slightly unnatural. Second Brother Ma Hei is the father of Ma Qun Fang, a illegitimate child of the Ma family, and has no status in the Ma family. Ma Shi had never considered him as her own brother, not even giving him a proper look.

  Ma thought that she needed her second brother's help with her own affairs, which made her feel uncomfortable and unacceptable for a while.

  "Madam, a stroke of the pen can't produce two 'horse' characters. Master Ma Er is after all a member of the Ma family. If you're willing to help him out, he'll definitely be grateful and obedient to you. What's wrong with that?" Seeing that Madam Ma seemed to be persuaded, Old Mother Qiao added more fuel to the fire.

  Ma thought so too, with benefits at hand, everything else can be temporarily set aside, why bother entangling past events?

  "What you said is also true, after all, we are a family! Mrs. Ma nodded and smiled: "Anyway, he has nothing to do at home, it's better to let him experience it!"

  Ma Hei is nominally in charge of the Ma family's estate, managing several farms and some trivial matters at home. In reality, he is just a handyman and errand boy.

  "Remind me to remind you, I'll talk to my dad and big brother first, then mention it to Old Master Yao." Madam Ma thought that no matter what, Old Master Yao should give her this face, but she wasn't sure if her father and big brother would agree.

  "Yes, ma'am." Old Mrs. Chiao felt relieved that Mrs. Ma had accepted her proposal and, thinking better of it, plucked up courage to smile and say: "And what about the Fourth Lady's side..."

  Ma's face suddenly turned cold, and he said in a chilly tone: "Don't mention her again!"

  Qiao's mother was so frightened that she didn't dare make a sound.

  The next day, while Old Master Yao was sitting in the main hall, Madam Ma brought up a matter with him, smiling.

  "Master works so hard every day, it's not right that there's no one to serve him! In the past, when Fourth Mistress was here, things were a bit better. Now that Fourth Mistress is pregnant again, although it's a happy event, Master will be lonely once more!" Madam Ma said with a smile all over her face, and let out a gentle sigh, looking like she was worried about her husband.

  "Madam, why did you suddenly bring this up?" Mr. Yao's hand holding the tea bowl paused slightly, and he asked Mrs. Ma with some surprise.

  Ma was also favored for a period of time when she was young, with a bold and beautiful appearance. Old Master Yao was once deeply infatuated with her. However, Old Master Yao's thoughts on women were ultimately limited, and after the novelty wore off, he became disenchanted. He still treated Ma well, but it was no longer as it was before.

  He knew that Ma was a vinegar lover, and over the years, he had not taken in any concubines. On the one hand, his energy was all invested in business, with ambitious plans to expand it further; on the other hand, he also expected that Ma would be jealous, causing discord between wife and concubine, and household unrest, which would only bring trouble. This was also the reason why he had been testing Fourth Auntie in every way after they got together.

  So Mr. Ma suddenly said such a thing, and it was impossible for Old Master Yao not to feel surprised and unexpected.

  "This is the right thing to do, why can't I mention it!" Madam Ma smiled awkwardly and glared at Old Master Yao, calmly sighing: "I've also figured it out, I'm the legitimate wife of the old master, he's not an unfeeling or heartless person, no one can shake my position. What do I have to worry about or care about? As long as the old master is well, as long as he lives comfortably and happily, that's more important than anything! Only if the old master is well will our whole family be well!"

  Moved by Ma's words, thinking of the crisis that the Yao family was about to face, Old Master Yao's eyes dimmed slightly, and he fiddled with the tea cup in his hand, somewhat distracted.

  Madam Ma saw that Old Master Yao had taken her words to heart, so she coughed lightly and smiled as she said: "I was thinking that since we already have Fourth Concubine, having a Fifth Concubine wouldn't make much of a difference! Why don't I find another beautiful concubine to serve you, Old Master? What do you think?"

  "You want me to take a concubine?" Old Master Yao's eyes flashed and he suddenly looked up at Madam Ma.

  Suddenly, unexpectedly, not only was Old Master Yao present, but also Cai Xia, Qiu Fang and many other maidservants of all sizes who were serving beside them. The crowd exchanged glances quietly, secretly astonished that the sun had risen in the west.

  "Yes! If the master agrees, I'll have someone make inquiries and find a virtuous and understanding concubine with a good family background to serve the master properly."

  Ma smiled with a gentle and magnanimous expression, thinking that Old Master Yao would certainly not refuse.

  Dealing with the fourth aunt, it's not necessarily about taking action yourself, but rather borrowing a sword to kill her. Once this borrowed sword has killed the fourth aunt, you can then break the sword, isn't that perfect and flawless? With just one crime of plotting against the old master's heir, it's enough to make the new aunt suffer for eternity! And she, remains the virtuous and dignified first wife.

  "It's not necessary," Yao Lao Ye's voice turned cold, his face slightly sinking as he gazed at Ma Shi with a hint of disdain: "I'm not a lustful person, why would I take in so many concubines?"

  Mr. Yao didn't see through Madam Ma's intentions, but he really didn't have such thoughts in his heart. In his mind, a virtuous and considerate woman like Fourth Aunt was hard to come by, and having one was already lucky, so how could he want another?

  His fourth aunt was so gentle and caring, especially towards him, with a deep affection and concern. Now that she was pregnant with his child, although she didn't say it out loud, her words and actions often inadvertently revealed her fear that he would neglect her because of the pregnancy. These days, he had been comforting her with kind words, how could he do something to hurt himself? As a man, he had to maintain a good image in front of the woman he loved, how could he be contradictory and make her look down on him?

  What's more important is that the Yao family's future is uncertain, and they are in a precarious situation, caught up in an invisible storm. How could he possibly have the mind to take on a concubine? What if something unexpected happens and he ends up bringing home a troublemaker, wouldn't that be a loss?