Period drama: Old Cao's carefree life

Chapter 145: They're all mine, all mine!
"Alright, that's enough. What's this talk about living to a hundred? I know my own body best. I don't have much time left."

When talking about his impending death, Mr. Rui seemed quite relaxed, showing no fear or apprehension whatsoever.

"Everyone has to live to see that day. I've enjoyed what I was meant to enjoy in this life. I can't say I have a house full of children and grandchildren, but I've certainly had a proper lineage. When I meet my ancestors in the afterlife, I'll have something to say."

"Right now, my biggest worry is you, Qiulan. Once I marry you off, I won't have any more worries~~"

"Qiu Lan, you wouldn't want me to leave with regrets, would you?"

Hearing these words, Ru Qiulan was deeply moved. Her eyes filled with tears, and she choked out, "Father-in-law, please don't say anymore. I'll do whatever you say."

Seeing that the emotions had been built up to this point, a glint flashed in Old Master Rui's eyes, and he smiled kindly:
"That's good, Qiulan. Your father-in-law would never harm you."

"You met Cao Wei Da just now, right? What did you think of him?"

Ru Qiulan's expression froze, and the tears welling in her eyes stopped. "Father-in-law, you...you mean he's the man you found?"

"What, you're not satisfied?"

"No, how could that be? It's just too sudden and unexpected."

Cao Weida's face appeared in her mind. Although he could not be considered a peerless beauty, he was quite handsome and tall. In particular, the look and movement in his eyes just now were indeed quite pleasing.

Women mature earlier than most, and being confined to this secluded mansion from a young age, she too experiences moments of emptiness, loneliness, and coldness, and her mind is always filled with fantasies.
If it were him, it wouldn't be bad.
Grandpa Rui pulled her to sit down and introduced her, saying, "Let me tell you, he's no ordinary person."

After a rapid-fire introduction, Master Fan had basically told him all about Cao Weida, and Cao Weida had indirectly verified that, as Master Fan had said, he was now able to introduce him with ease.

Finally, he added, "Of course, these aren't the most important things. The most important thing is that he has impeccable character, and he's exceptionally good to his women."

"Qiu Lan, your father-in-law will never harm you. If you marry him, you can expect to enjoy a life of happiness."

Ru Qiulan blushed slightly. After all, she was the daughter-in-law of the Rui family. Although she was touched that her father-in-law was so straightforward in finding her a man, she was still a little shy.

Thinking about all the aspects my father-in-law just described, it seems like it would be a really good idea to marry him.

Moreover, her father-in-law was right. She knew her elder brother and sister-in-law's character all too well. If her father-in-law really left, how could she possibly have a good life?
Finding someone to rely on as soon as possible seems like a good option.

Moreover, she is a woman; she also wants someone to rely on, someone strong to protect her, and she wants a child to continue the family line.

So, she said shyly, "I'll listen to whatever you say, Father-in-law, it's just... it's just that Qiulan will miss you, Father-in-law."

"Hey, what's there to be reluctant about? I can stay with you for the rest of my life." Grandpa Rui patted her hand with a smile, trying to comfort her. "Then it's settled. You can start preparing in the next couple of days."

"Huh? So rushed?" Ru Qiulan was clearly caught off guard. This was way too hasty!
"It's a bit rushed, but I just want to get things done as soon as possible so I can have peace of mind." Old Master Rui shook his head, his face filled with sorrow as he wept, "I don't know how much longer my health will hold out."

"Actually, I should have died as soon as the Qing Dynasty was overthrown."

"Father-in-law, what are you saying?"

"From the moment you entered my house, you haven't enjoyed a single day of happiness!"

Upon hearing this, Ru Qiulan's tears also fell. Years ago, she was sent to the Prince's mansion by her father, who was trying to curry favor with the powerful, to become the second prince's child bride. However, not long after the marriage, the second prince died.

She lived a life of widowhood in this secluded mansion for over ten years, enduring scorn from all sides. Only she knew how unbearable the suffering was.

It was fortunate that her father-in-law was a kind-hearted man who protected her in every way, which gave her a place to stay in this family.

Without her father-in-law's protection, she wouldn't have been able to stay in this courtyard for even a day.

Without the support of her maternal family, and if she were kicked out of the mansion, she would have nowhere to live.

Therefore, deep down, she both respected and was grateful to her father-in-law.

But now, her father-in-law's health is deteriorating day by day, and he is about to collapse, yet he is still thinking about her future. How could she not be moved?
"Father-in-law, please stop talking. Your daughter-in-law doesn't feel bitter."

"No matter how bitter it is, I, as your father-in-law, am not blind or deaf. I can see and hear everything." Old Master Rui wiped away his tears. This was not just an act; it was a genuine expression of his feelings. He felt from the bottom of his heart that the Rui family owed Ru Qiulan too much.

Now that things have come to this, and he still has to scheme against Ru Qiulan, he feels even more guilty and doesn't dare to look her in the eye.

"Years ago, I bought a small two-courtyard house outside and left two large wooden chests. Those two chests were for you; they're full of trinkets, gifts from the Emperor when he was in a good mood. Whether they're valuable or not, I don't know. The deed and keys are right here."

He pulled a property deed and a key from his pocket and handed them over, saying, "Keep these safe. They're your personal belongings from now on, so please take good care of them."

Ru Qiulan accepted the gift with tears in her eyes. It was her father-in-law's kind gesture, and she had to accept it. Seeing that she had accepted it, Old Master Rui apologized in his heart, "It's a pity that the second son died so young; I'm sorry for that!"

Ru Qiulan felt even more grief-stricken; she understood that her father-in-law was talking about his funeral arrangements.
Shortly after Old Master Rui made arrangements for Ru Qiulan inside the room, Cao Weida returned to the gate of Prince Rui's residence with several rickshaws.

After leading the people inside, the eldest daughter-in-law stepped forward in surprise to stop him: "No, Master Cao, what do you mean by this?"

"You'll see what that means in a moment." Cao Weida chuckled, walked to the door of the guest hall, and cupped his hands in a respectful gesture.
"Grandpa Rui, is everything ready?"

Old Master Rui stood up shakily. "Everything is ready. The things are next door. I thank you in advance."

"It's all right, then I'll have to offend you." He waved to the rickshaw pullers, "Go inside and move it!"

The rickshaw pullers obediently rushed into the house. Master Cao had said that they had to help carry things, but with three times the fare, what was carrying a little stuff? They were all incredibly eager.

As the boxes were being loaded onto the rickshaws, although there were many servants standing around, none of them dared to step forward to stop them.

Didn't you see they were wearing official robes?

But the eldest son and daughter-in-law were anxious, pacing back and forth with the drivers like ants on a hot pan, "Uncle Cao, Uncle Cao, what are you doing!"

Rui's family blocked the driver's way and shouted at Cao Weida, "Hey Cao, what do you mean by this? Why are you taking our things?"

Cao Weida glanced at him indifferently, too lazy to even acknowledge him, and said to the drivers, "Ignore him, keep moving! Be careful, don't bump or knock anything over, these things are all fragile!"

Well, since the employer has said so, the drivers naturally obey, after all, it is Cao Weida who is paying them!

Seeing that he couldn't stop him, Rui's father became anxious and yelled at his father, Old Master Rui:
"Father, why aren't you making them stop? These are all mine, all mine!"

Grandpa Rui pretended not to hear and turned his head to the side.

Seeing this, Rui's family became even more anxious. They ran to the door and blocked it with their hands.
"Don't move them! Put them all down, put them down!"

Seeing that the door was blocked, the coachmen had no choice but to look to Cao Weida for help.

Cao Weida smiled, walked over and patted him on the shoulder, "Young Master Rui, are you sure you want to stop my people from moving things?"

"What do you mean by obstructing? What do you mean by obstructing? These things all belong to our family. You started moving them without my permission, that's outright robbery! Do you believe I'll sue you?"

Rui's wife immediately chimed in, "That's right, that's right! You're supposed to be a patrol officer, do you know that you're knowingly breaking the law?!"

Cao Weida's face hardened. "Get out of the way! Do you, a woman, have the right to interrupt when we men are talking? Or is this how the Rui family raises its children?!"

"you!!"

"What do you mean, 'you'?" Cao Weida's face darkened, and he glared at her with hostility. "You still know I'm a patrol officer? How dare you point your finger at me? What do you want?"

Rui's wife was intimidated by Cao Weida's gaze. She quickly lowered her hand, avoiding eye contact, and said weakly, "I...I didn't, don't wrong me."

"Hmph, that's for the best." Cao Weida, too lazy to argue with a woman, didn't waste any words. He pulled a piece of paper from his pocket, unfolded it, and stuck it in front of Rui Dajia's eyes, coldly saying:

"Open your dog eyes and see clearly, don't say I didn't give you a chance!"

"If you dare to obstruct me again, I don't want any of these things anymore. I'll arrest you all and interrogate you severely!"

Rui was so startled by his actions that everyone took a few steps back before they had a chance to read the contents of the paper.

But after only two glances, cold sweat poured down his forehead. He was terrified, his legs went weak, and he said:
"No, that's impossible! This is fake! How come I've never known that my family had any connection with the Kuomintang!"

"You...you're slandering me! Yes, it's slander!"

As he spoke, he grabbed the paper, trying to snatch it away.

Cao Wei Da was not about to give in to him. He stepped back and said coldly, "What do you want to do? Trying to destroy the evidence? How dare you!"

"Don't talk nonsense, I didn't! Your evidence is obviously fake!"

Ruijia clearly wants to deny it to the death, but what's the use? What a joke!

In fact, he himself did not know whether the evidence was true or false, but with Mr. Rui's personal signature and Cao Weida's testimony, even if it was false, it had to be true!
(End of this chapter)