Chapter 153: Xue Baochai and Xiangling swap identities
Chapter 153: Xue Baochai and Xiangling swap identities
"You want a child? I'm familiar with this business!"
After hearing what Chen Shuozhen said, Cao Rui immediately understood what she meant.
There is a ready-made beauty waiting for your favor and to bear your children, only a fool would not agree.
After letting Chen Shuozhen remove her disguise, Cao Rui held her hand and said:
"Ma'am, tell me about your plan and see how I can help you."
Chen Shuozhen was shocked and said excitedly:
"I have already opened up a channel to purchase saltpeter, sulfur, charcoal, cold weapons, muskets and other scarce materials through the Shen family, but I am unable to make large-scale purchases due to lack of financial resources."
"I wanted to use the Xue family's stores throughout the two capitals and eighteen provinces to sell the stolen goods on my behalf. That's why I kidnapped the Xue family and brought them to the mountain."
"Then you must deal with your former connections well, to avoid conflicts of interest and have them report you to the authorities."
Cao Rui reminded her and said, "There is also Xue Baochai. Don't be fooled by her appearance of being easy to control. In fact, she is ruthless and yet charming. Aunt Xue and Xue Fan can only control her for a short time. She will turn against you when they find an opportunity."
Chen Shuozhen, however, was confident and whispered her plan.
Don't say it!
Although he is a bit despicable and shameless, he really has a firm control over Xue Baochai.
Poor girl, how could such a beautiful and graceful one of the Twelve Golden Hairpins in the Red Mansion meet such a nemesis as Chen Shuozhen?
……
the next day.
Some bandits wanted to dismantle the platform and carry some wood back to make beds, door panels, chairs, etc., but they were scolded by the leader.
"What are you doing? The village chief wants to marry Mr. Cao a concubine today. You guys have to dismantle the stage and we have to rebuild it."
"What? Lord Cao wants to take another concubine? He already has two!"
"The village chief doesn't seem to be such a magnanimous person. Last time, a leader from the neighboring mountain called her a tomboy, and without saying a word, she led her brothers to rush over and hack the man away, and even occupied the other person's village!" A bandit scratched his head, full of confusion.
"The village chief is not a generous person. It must be that Mr. Cao has some special skills that force her to be generous. If we can learn a few skills from him, hehehe..."
This statement awakened the dreamer, and a clever bandit immediately ran to ask Cao Rui how he subdued the tigress and whether there was any secret.
Cao Rui was busy, and under the persuasion of Aunt Xue, he rescued Xue Fan from the coolie job and kept him by his side as an errand boy.
But hang it up first and expose it to the sun for two hours.
Last time, it was this unfilial son who cried and made a fuss, forcing Aunt Xue to become the concubine of the One-Eyed Dragon.
Fortunately, I managed to snatch Aunt Xue back at the wedding, otherwise I would have missed this beauty.
The village was once again decorated with lights and became bustling with activity.
After Xue Baochai paid her respects to her mother, she saw this scene on her way back and couldn't help feeling puzzled.
She turned to look at the little maid and asked:
"Ying'er, who is getting married again?"
Ying'er shook her head blankly. If she were in the Xue family in Jinling, she would have gone to ask the maids and servants she was familiar with long ago, but she didn't dare to do that now.
Xue Baochai didn't care too much either.
When the master and servant returned to the room, they saw Xiangling looking hesitant and extremely conflicted.
Xue Baochai frowned slightly and asked:
"Xiangling, what's wrong with you? Is there something wrong?"
Xiangling opened her mouth, not knowing how to answer.
Fortunately, two burly and strong women came in with a group of Xue family's former maids and servants, holding phoenix coronet and bridal robe, with smiles on their faces, and congratulated:
"Congratulations, young lady. Today is your big day. Come on, try on the dress and see if it fits you."
Having said that, he handed the phoenix coronet and bridal veil to Xue Baochai without further ado.
It turns out that I’m getting married today!
Xue Baochai felt like she was struck by lightning. She stood there stupidly. When she came to her senses, she was about to hit her head against the wall and die. She would rather die in glory than live in disgrace.
The thief was well prepared and easily captured the delicate young lady.
Xue Baochai begged to die but failed, tears rolled down her cheeks like pearls from a broken string, she sobbed, her voice full of indignation and despair:
"Cao Rui, you are just a small servant, but you are so bold now. Not only did you get the master's wife, but you even dared to think about the master's young lady!"
"You are so greedy, and you want more after getting something. Your behavior is really shameless! I thought people still have a bottom line, but I didn't expect you to go to this extent. The law of heaven will come and retribution will come. You will be punished by heaven one day for your evil deeds and reap what you have sown!"
After scolding, Xue Baochai made up her mind to seek death if she found the chance.
The thieves had no choice but to tie her up like a dumpling and report the situation immediately.
Chen Shuozhen came quickly and sneered:
"They are all concubines. Aunt Xue can do it, so why can't you do it?"
Xue Baochai closed her eyes and remained silent, preparing to go on a hunger strike in protest.
"What a virtuous girl! It's a pity that this is a den of bandits and they won't listen to reason with you!"
Chen Shuozhen sneered and ordered:
"From today on, Xiangling is the daughter of the Xue family, and you, Xue Baochai, are just a foot-washing maid."
Upon hearing this, Xue Baochai suddenly opened her eyes, her face full of disbelief and anger.
Chen Shuozhen's voice was cold and resolute:
"When you see the Second Concubine in the future, you are not allowed to call her mother, or you will be punished by the family rules!"
……
After Chen Shuozhen's unexpected move, the Xue family's situation changed drastically, as if the spring flowers and autumn moons had changed into a completely different world overnight.
As Xiangling was carefully dressed up, her gorgeous phoenix coronet and bridal robe were slowly unfolded. The maids seemed to be drawn by an invisible force and gathered around her, with envy and awe in their eyes.
They vied with each other to serve the new fourth wife of the Cao family, holding pearls and jewelry in their hands, fearing that they would be neglected in the slightest.
However, Xiangling was like a frightened deer, her eyes full of anxiety and fear, tears welling up in her eyes.
She twisted the corners of her clothes tightly with both hands, and rejected this sudden honor with a trembling voice:
"No, no, this belongs to Miss Bao... How can this be..."
However, the maids and servants ignored her resistance and forced gorgeous clothes on her and put dazzling jewelry on her.
They used to be the trusted confidants of Aunt Xue and Xue Baochai, and they were usually full of flattery. At this moment, they surrounded Xiangling with fawning faces and kept saying flattering words.
"Oh, Miss Xiangling, this phoenix coronet and bridal robe really suits you perfectly, as if it was tailor-made for you."
"Look at this, Madam Xiangling is so beautiful."
……
After they finished dressing up, they hurriedly escorted Xiangling to the wedding hall.
As for Xue Baochai, who is she?
These days, they have been tortured and tired of it. After all, they are servants, so it doesn't matter who they serve.
Ying'er stood by, at a loss, watching the former young lady Xue Baochai become a foot-washing maid, while Xiangling, who once had the same status as herself, has transformed into the fourth lady of the Cao family. Her heart is filled with shock and confusion.
At this moment, Xue Baochai shouted:
"Ying'er, help me untie it."
"Okay lady."
Ying'er came back to her senses then and hurriedly helped untie her young lady. Uh, now she seemed like a foot-washing maid.
Among all the maids, they are the lowest in status and are often looked down upon and bullied by other slaves.
……
On the other side, in the bridal chamber.
Cao Rui lifted the red veil of the bride and saw Xiangling, who was looking anxious. He smiled and said:
"Why, have you never thought of marrying me?"
Xiangling nodded, then shook her head violently, and said anxiously:
"Brother Cao, the person you want to marry is a young lady. I am just a maid and I am not worthy of you at all."
Cao Rui couldn't help laughing, holding Xiangling's hand, and said:
"The fourth wife I want to marry has always been you, Xiangling. From the first time I saw you, I knew you were a kind and gentle woman."
"As for Miss Bao, I was just joking with her. In fact, the person she really wants to marry is the son of the Shen family in Jinling."
……
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