Period drama: Old Cao's carefree life

Chapter 144 An Unintentional Act Leads to a Success?
"If it's just about making a good connection, then I'll really agree to it. But don't regret it later."

They're giving away daughters-in-law, money, and houses—all just to establish a good relationship?

Cao Wei Da wasn't stupid; how could he possibly believe such nonsense?

He put his words down and waited to see what the old man would say.

Grandpa Rui gave an awkward smile, knowing that his little tricks wouldn't fool anyone.

It didn't matter anyway. He hadn't planned to use any schemes. No matter how sophisticated a scheme was, it would always have flaws. And once it was exposed, the more he gained, the stronger the backlash would be.

Only a well-intentioned, overt strategy can prevent future troubles and is the most foolproof plan.

He slowly said, "I won't lie to you. Of course, I dote on my second daughter-in-law. After all, she has taken care of me for so many years. Even if my heart is made of stone, it should be warmed up by now."

"However, the eldest son is my own flesh and blood, and I can't just abandon them. After all, the Rui family will still need him to carry on the family line in the future."

"But I know my eldest son's character best. Once I pass away, I don't know how many more years this vast Rui mansion will last before it is squandered."

He glanced outside, and through the glass in the door, his gaze fell on Fifth Master Fan:
"You know what kind of people we Manchu nobles are. If I don't leave a backup plan for the Rui family, things will be tough later."

"So, I want to make a good connection with you by marrying my second daughter-in-law to you, along with two boxes of antiques and paintings and a courtyard house as dowry."

"The only promise you can make is that I will bring two-thirds of my belongings to your residence with Ru'er. In the future, when my good-for-nothing son is desperate, you can take some out to help my descendants make a living."

He turned his gaze to Cao Weida, his eyes revealing sincerity: "Master Cao, these are my terms of exchange. What do you think?"

Hearing these words, Cao Weida couldn't help but give Old Master Rui a thumbs up in his heart. Such courage is not something that everyone can possess.

Although we don't know exactly how much wealth was in Prince Rui's mansion, the price of a single piece of Ming Yongle Jingdezhen imperial blue and white porcelain gives us a glimpse into its immense value; the treasures in Prince Rui's mansion were absolutely priceless.

Admittedly, not every antique can have the value of Ming Yongle Jingdezhen imperial kiln blue and white porcelain, but the total quantity is still considerable.

Just for a promise, a way to survive for his descendants when they have nowhere else to turn, Old Master Rui was willing to pay such a high price.
In any case, Cao Wei Da believed that if their positions were reversed, he would not have had the courage to do so.

This also made him realize more directly just how important a wise descendant is.

If all the descendants are like those remnants of the Manchu nobility, no matter how much wealth they have, it won't be enough to squander.

However, Cao Weida had to admit that Old Master Rui was farsighted. He estimated that Old Master Rui's days were numbered. After he passed away, not to mention whether the Rui family would decline in the following years, just considering the ten years after the reform and opening up, the Rui family would definitely wither away.

Cao Wei Da himself wasn't very confident about his future. Although he had shown countless acts of goodwill, no one could guarantee what would ultimately happen.

But having the leader's calligraphy at least gave him the confidence to get through this period peacefully.

As long as he gets through that period safely, with his current and future resources, making a comeback will be a piece of cake.

If he keeps his promise and lends a hand before the Rui family suffers a calamity, he does have the ability to do so.

So, this can be considered an unexpected but positive outcome for Mr. Rui.

After some consideration, Cao Wei Da felt that this deal might not be a bad one.

Having received so many treasures for free, it wouldn't hurt to lend a hand in times of trouble, so he nodded in agreement.
"Old Master Rui has an extraordinary demeanor and profound foresight. His meticulous consideration for future generations is something I cannot match in terms of both demeanor and courage."

"Alright! I promise you. As long as I still have the ability then, I will definitely help the Rui family whenever they need it in the future!"

Old Master Rui smiled with satisfaction, as if a heavy burden had been lifted from his shoulders, and a relaxed expression appeared on his face: "In that case, this old man will thank you here. In the future, the Rui family will rely on Master Cao's guidance."

He pulled a piece of paper from his pocket and handed it over: "My eldest son's character... well, let's not talk about it. Here's a list for you to look at."

Cao Weida took it and looked at it, then looked up at Old Master Rui in surprise. Well, this guy has done his homework thoroughly and gone to great lengths.

“Old Master Rui, there’s really no need to go to such trouble. I’m confident I can handle a spoiled brat.”

"You've so blatantly left me with such a huge handle, aren't you afraid I'll settle scores with you later?"

"Trust those you employ, and don't employ those you don't trust. I, an old man, still have that kind of courage." Old Master Rui smiled kindly. It is said that old people become shrewd and ghosts become wise. He grew up in the world of power struggles and has lived for so many years, which has given him a discerning eye.

I wouldn't say I could see right through a person, but I could tell that Cao Wei Da wasn't someone who repaid kindness with enmity.

Since he had already placed his bets on Cao Wei Da, he naturally didn't mind placing even more.

He believes in one principle: either don't do it, or do it absolutely!
The worst thing you can do in anything is to waver and be indecisive, wanting everything but ultimately losing everything. "My eldest son is a reckless brat; without this, it will definitely have some impact on you."

"Moreover, with this, my unfilial son will be more cautious in his actions in the future. Perhaps with the remaining family fortune, he can manage to keep the Rui family afloat."

Wow, this old man has quite the presence; I underestimated him before.

Cao Wei Da was inwardly amazed. Since the other party had already placed the knife in his hand willingly, why should he refuse their kind offer?

He stood up and said, "Alright, Mr. Rui, please prepare everything you need. I'll go out and find a car to take everything away in one go."

Upon seeing Cao Wei Da emerge, Fifth Master Fan greeted him with a smile, "Master Cao, you're out. How did the talks go?"

He glanced at Cao Wei Da's empty hands and felt a little worried. Had things not been agreed upon?

"Fifth Master, please come with me to take care of something, and I'll be right back." He turned to Ru Qiulan and said, "Second Madam Rui, Old Master Rui wants you to come in."

Ru Qiulan paused for a moment, then nodded with a light laugh and walked in with cat-like steps.

The eldest daughter-in-law behind her looked disgusted and muttered, "Vixen, cursed to bring misfortune to her husband! Always so flirtatious, ugh! Shameless!"

Cao Wei Da, with his keen ears and sharp eyes, twitched his ears. After hearing these words, he rolled his eyes. There are jealous women everywhere. With your looks and figure, you don't even have the fate to be a vixen.

I looked away in disgust; that arrogance was an eyesore, and he dared not speak of my future woman.

If it weren't for Grandpa Rui's sake, I'd be doing you a favor by not kicking you when you're down on your luck!

"Fifth Master Fan, let's go."

"Okay, okay." Master Fan followed, still a bit dazed. Once outside the courtyard, he hurriedly grabbed Master Cao's arm. "Master Cao, what happened? Did the talks fall apart?"

"No, quite the opposite, the conversation went very well." Cao Weida smiled, his eyes narrowed. "Don't worry, I won't forget your share of the benefits. Let's go find a car first; I need it."

Upon seeing Ru Qiulan enter the room, Grandpa Rui looked kindly at her and said, "Qiulan, close the door. I want to say a few words to you."

"Yes." Ru Qiulan responded, and walked up to Old Master Rui with a belly full of questions. "Father-in-law, please tell me."

Grandpa Rui placed his wrinkled hand on Ru Qiulan's delicate hand and sighed, "In the blink of an eye, ten years have passed, and Qiulan, you have grown up."

“Ever since you married into our family, life has never been peaceful, but you have never complained all these years and have always been filial and served me well. Thank you for your hard work.”

“Father-in-law, what are you saying? I am your daughter-in-law, isn’t it my duty to serve you?”

"Haha~~ It's such a blessing for the Rui family to have such a filial and sensible daughter-in-law like you." Old Master Rui laughed heartily, then his expression darkened, and he sighed:
"It's also my second son's fault for being unlucky. He passed away early, leaving you all alone and unwell. You've already grown into a young woman. My second son is just not blessed."

Unlike later generations, during the Republic of China era, it was not uncommon for people to be unmarried at the age of 21; in fact, it was common to see people as unmarried as 31.

During this period, women generally got married and had children in their teens. If a woman was over twenty and still unmarried, she was considered a grown woman.

Of course, in educated intellectual families or coastal trading ports, where views were relatively open, there were many women who had received modern education and who were still unmarried at the age of twenty due to reasons such as delayed studies or work, and this was even seen as a sign of independence.

However, this is not the mainstream approach.

Ru Qiulan: "Father-in-law, please don't say that. I feel very honored to have married into the Rui family and to have a father-in-law who loves me so much. I am very content."

"Good child." Grandpa Rui patted her hand and said with a wry smile, "But I'm already a grandpa, I can't stay with you forever."

"I can still protect you now, but what will you do if I'm gone someday?"

He reached out and interrupted Ru Qiulan, who was about to speak, saying, "Listen to me."

What could Ru Qiulan do but obediently listen?

Grandpa Rui said with a loving expression, "Qiu Lan, you are a woman after all. You need someone to rely on, and you need to have a child in the future."

"People's minds are more open now, times have changed, it's not like before. I'm not an old-fashioned person anymore, so I thought I'd find you a good family to marry into while I'm still here, which would put my mind at ease."

"Father-in-law, you will surely live to be a hundred years old, I will not marry."

(End of this chapter)