Period drama: Old Cao's carefree life

After Chapter 63, I'll definitely find a chance to kill you!

Du Shiniang's appearance was not quite as good as Xinghong's, but she was still a rare beauty. In later generations, she would definitely be considered a school beauty.

In particular, his demeanor greatly pleased Cao Wei.

Xinghong is the demure and charming type, while Du Shiniang is aloof and otherworldly, like pure white snow, untouched by any dust, inspiring a desire to conquer her.

He couldn't help but imagine the scene of Du Shiniang obsequiously in his arms, it was simply too wonderful!
His appetite was whetted, and he was just about to investigate when he heard his third sister-in-law knocking on the door.

"Cao'er, come out quickly. It's broad daylight, and it's not time to go into the room yet. Wait a little later, and you two will have plenty of time to be affectionate."

The slightly teasing words made Du Shiniang blush deeply. She withdrew her hand as if she had been electrocuted and buried her face in the quilt, clearly too embarrassed to be seen.

Cao Weida turned around helplessly, looked at his third sister-in-law leaning against the door, and said with a wry smile, "Third sister-in-law, what are you saying? I was just trying to get to know Shi Niang a little better."

"Yes, yes, yes, this is how you two cultivate your relationship." Third Sister-in-law covered her mouth and laughed, gracefully walking over and shoving him out with both hands.

"There's plenty of time tonight to cultivate the relationship. You should hurry up and greet the guests. Staying any longer would be against the rules. You're the main character; if you don't step forward, how can the guests continue?"

"Hurry up, leave this to me."

Alright, go out.

"I'll have someone bring some food later. You've worked hard, so please have some with Shi Niang."

"Alright, I know you care about women, go on your way." Third Sister-in-law chuckled.

After making arrangements for Du Shiniang, Cao Weida reluctantly left, the faint fragrance of Du Shiniang still lingering in his nostrils.

After he left, Third Sister-in-law teased Du Shiniang, "See? Your sister-in-law didn't lie to you. Cao'er is a kind-hearted guy with impeccable character. He can also make money. You can just wait to enjoy the good life from now on."

Du Shiniang, her face buried in the quilt, responded in a soft voice. Third Sister-in-law sighed and said again:
"These days, being good-looking isn't necessarily a good thing. With all this war and chaos, if you marry an ordinary person, who knows what kind of trouble might happen one day."

"Although we are not destined to be the first wife, it is a blessing to be able to follow a family like Cao'er's."

Du Shiniang slowly raised her head, her eyes flashing with sorrow, yet also with relief.

Which woman would want to be someone's concubine?

But reality is often like this: in prosperous times, being beautiful is an advantage, but in chaotic times, a woman without power or influence, if she is beautiful, is not an advantage, but rather a source of trouble.

Why would a traditional opera troupe buy her?

It wasn't because they saw that she was pretty and could tell she would be a beauty in the future after shaving her bones that they signed her.

Those who run theaters and brothels are all experts at reading people's hearts and minds.

For her, being favored by Master Cao was already an immense stroke of luck.

outside.

"Oh, Master Sang, good luck! What brings you here today?" Duomen cupped his hands in greeting, but his eyes were fixed on the gift box that Sang Liuji was carrying.

Sang Liuji handed over the gift box with a smile, "Master Duo, this is not very kind of you. We've worked together for so many years, we're practically brothers."

"Your apprentice Cao'er is hiring today, you should at least have let me know. I just heard about it from someone else and rushed over here. I hope I didn't miss the appointed time?"

Domon paused for a moment, then smiled and accepted the invitation, saying, "Look at what you're saying. It's just that you've been so busy these past few days, with official duties to attend to. We didn't dare to disrupt the Imperial Army's mission, so please forgive us. Please, please go ahead."

Normally, he would have just given a perfunctory reply and moved on, but today was Cao'er's big day, so Duomen naturally couldn't just brush him off.

After all, they were being polite.

"Don't be so formal, we're like brothers!" Sang Liuji didn't stand on ceremony at all, laughing and putting his arm around Duomen's shoulder as they walked inside.

Duomen's lips twitched, feeling utterly disgusted. Who the hell calls you a brother? We're not on the same wavelength as you!

You shamelessly sidled up to me, do you really think I don't know you only came here because you saw Cao'er was familiar with Ono Oda and the others?

"Haha, yes, yes, please come in and make your own way. The feast will begin soon. Eat and drink well, Master Lian, please treat us to a meal."

"I'm sorry, I still have to stand guard here. I'll have a drink with you later!"

"That's a deal! I'll be waiting for you!" Sang Liuji waved to each other with a big smile, but as soon as they turned around, they both secretly spat out a mouthful of disgust. What a load of rubbish!
"Cao'er, when did you get involved with Xiaguangyuan?"

As soon as Cao Wei Da came out, Duo Men pulled him aside, handed him a list, and clicked his tongue, saying:

"Look at this, what a generous gift!"

"Two ginseng roots aged fifty years, a whole bunch of deer antler, bird's nest, and sea cucumber, plus five large yellow croakers as a bonus!"

"Wow, so generous?" Cao Weida raised an eyebrow. That woman Han Lu really went all out. "Who says otherwise? Cao'er, could it be that she wants you to do them some favor?" Duomen asked with concern in his eyes.

“Cao’er, we can’t do things like having a son who’s born without an anus.”

"Master Duo, what are you thinking? Do you think I, Cao Weida, am that kind of person?" Cao Weida was both amused and exasperated, and whispered the whole story in his ear: "It's like this..."

"Oh, so that's how it is." Domon gave him a strange look. "You're something else, kid. You've quietly won the title of the next courtesan."

"I've heard of Xinghong's reputation for a long time. Many high-ranking officials and nobles have their eyes on her, but I never expected you to take her down in one fell swoop."

"So, you weren't back again last night? You went out having some fun, huh?" At this point, Duomen chuckled and scolded indignantly.
"You're having a good time and leaving me, your grandpa, with all this work. So, who's recruiting new talent, you or me?"

Cao Wei Da remained silent, only chuckling, which made Duo Men roll their eyes.

"Oh right, a group of kids just came by. They said you sent them to help out?"

"Well, the orphans on the street, they're pitiful. We have some resources too, so let's just consider it as accumulating some good karma for ourselves."

"At least you have a conscience." Duomen smiled with relief; this was the Cao'er he knew.

People should always have some sense of humanity.

If everyone were like that bastard Sang Liuji, then China would truly be doomed.

"What about the younger ones?"

"Look, they're helping Master He. You know what, these guys may not be very big, but they're incredibly efficient when they get to work."

Cao Wei looked in the direction Duo Men pointed, and sure enough, there were several young boys washing dishes, carrying water, and a boy of about fifteen or sixteen following Tian Zao around, fawning over him.
Ok? !

He Yuzhu?
Cao Wei Da was speechless. This child was precocious, not only in appearance but also in thought.

Unfortunately, the flowers were willing, but the water was indifferent. Tian Zao was not pleased by the advances of someone, but instead looked impatient.

Given her temper, if this weren't Cao Weida's home and today wasn't a good day for welcoming new members, she would have given He Yuzhu a big eye.

He Daqing, who was busy cooking, seemed to sense the gaze, turned his head to look, and then followed Cao Weida's gaze.
Pa~~
He Daqing's face turned ashen, and he slapped He Yuzhu on the head. "You little brat, I asked you to come and help me, and you're trying to mess with me, huh!"

"Get the swill out of here right now! If you dare to slack off again, I'll beat you to death!"

Before he evolved into the war god of the courtyard houses of later generations, He Yuzhu pouted in grievance. He had been working the whole time, hadn't he?
But when faced with her father's murderous glare, she didn't dare to talk back and immediately ran off to empty the swill.

Cao Weida chuckled. He realized that He Daqing wasn't angry that He Yuzhu hadn't done any work, but rather that he had embarrassed himself at his benefactor's house.

He shook his head and stopped paying attention. "Master Duo, you can entertain them outside. I'll go and keep those little devils, Ono Oda, company."

"Shh! Are you crazy?!" Domen jumped in fright and quickly looked around. "If they hear you, what will happen?!"

"Hehe, I just said it offhand." Cao Weida chuckled dryly, scratched his head, and ran into the house.

It must be said that He Daqing's culinary skills are truly exceptional; the reputation of Fengzeyuan's head chef is well-deserved.

Most of the guests were low-ranking patrol officers, and the vast majority of them had never been to a large restaurant before. They ate with great abandon.

Ono Oda and his group were naturally not allowed to sit at the same table as the lower-level patrol officers. They were placed in a separate room, with a total of seven people including Cao Weida.

"Come, Ono-kun, let me toast you to thank you for taking care of me! Without your care, there would be no Cao Weida today. I won't say any more. Just wait and see!"

Damn it, wait another year or so, when you're no longer useful, I'll definitely find a chance to kill you!

"Hey, Cao-san, we're friends. Friends should help each other. You're too kind." Ono Oda, whose face was flushed from drinking, spoke modestly, but his face was full of pride.

The food was delicious; he ate it with great appetite, finding it far superior to the sushi served at the Empire.

It's a pity there weren't any women to keep me company, otherwise it would have been perfect.

"That's because you're so magnanimous. We can't be ungrateful, can we? Come on, Fujita-kun, let me toast you too."

You can't escape either!

Damn it, don't think I didn't know you guys wanted to kill me back then and get a white glove!

"Director Xu, let's have a drink. Without your discerning eye, I'd still be just a lowly patrolman. I won't say more, it's all in the drink!"

That son of a bitch is someone you should be on good terms with; he's not a bad person, and you can befriend him.

After the Japanese devils left, this guy apparently joined the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics, but he survived until after liberation.

(End of this chapter)