Chapter 205: Just remarry will do

Du Ren Mei couldn't keep his composure; right away he wanted to put on the airs of a father.

But then he suddenly realized, right, this daughter will someday be an empress or a noble consort; she's his backing, he needs to coax her.

He thick‑skinnedly reasoned, "A Man, you can't just act on impulse; you should also think of your mother. Your mother is a discarded woman; even if she's not bad‑looking, she's not young either—what good family could she find? At least I treat her sincerely; if she comes back with me, I swear I'll protect and care for her, never let her suffer a bit—believe me once."

Believe you? Only a ghost would.

Du Ruo couldn't be bothered to waste more words: "Tie Dan, see them out!"

The dog's eyes stared fixedly at Du Ren Mei.

Du Ren Mei felt creeped out, could only retreat while shouting at Zheng Clan: "Hui Niang, wait for me, I'll come back again…"

Bang, the gate was slammed shut in his face, cutting off his remaining words outside.

Du Ren Mei rubbed his nose, embarrassed, and looked back to see over a hundred pairs of eyes staring at him, wide‑eyed with curiosity and awe.

He immediately straightened his back, cleared his throat, "Everyone go back, there's nothing to see."

Having said that, he prepared to get into the carriage.

"Lord Du!" Cao Shi suddenly rushed out, knelt before Du Ren Mei, and kowtowed twice with loud bangs.

Du Ren Mei frowned: "If you have a grievance, go to the Ya Men and beat the drum; I'm here today for private matters, not to take cases."

"No, no, no, sir, you misunderstand." Cao Shi quickly gestured and called Jiang Lian'er over, smiling obsequiously and revealing a big yellow tooth: "Commoner woman isn't here to file a complaint; I want you to look at my daughter."

Du Ren Mei actually took a look.

About years old, she was skinny as a rail with no curves, her face was passable, barely qualifying as pretty.

Just her gaze was a bit off, she kept winking and making faces at him.

"Your daughter has an eye ailment; she should see a doctor—I'm not a physician, I can't cure it."

Pfft-pfft-pfft, the villagers watching the spectacle couldn't help but snicker.

Jiang Lian'er's face flushed crimson with embarrassment.

Cao Shi, thick‑skinned, hurriedly explained, "Sir, you misunderstand; commoner woman means to say, that Zheng Clan is old—if you want a concubine, our Lian'er can do it!"

Du Ren Mei: ……

"I heard you don't have a son yet? My daughter can bear you children—any number, no problem."

"Lian'er is young and healthy; don't let her skinny frame fool you—she's actually capable, eats little, easy to raise. Moreover, her children will surely be filial, unlike that Du Clan troublemaker who only knows to defy elders—just now she even slammed the door at you."

"Frankly, you shouldn't want her daughter either—what good is she? Besides annoying people, she's useless…"

"Villager, how dare you slander my daughter to my face! Someone, slap her mouth!" Du Ren Mei could bear it no longer.

Yes, A Man is rebellious, disobedient, unfilial, but she is destined to become an empress—her reputation matters immensely; how could I let this shameless woman ruin it?

Besides, what nonsense is this shameless woman spouting? Does he want a concubine?

What he wants is A Man's mother, that is Zheng Clan! It's his future and backing!

Du Ren Mei issued an order; immediately two sturdy maids stepped forward and seized Cao Shi. These maids had originally been preparing to attend to Zheng Clan on the road, but since Zheng Clan refuses to return, they can use their strength to discipline Cao Shi on behalf of their master—it's not a wasted trip.

Only then did Cao Shi realize she had misspoken—too late.

Pap-pap-pap-pap, four hard slaps landed on her face, splitting the corners of her mouth with blood.

"Next time you dare slander our young lady behind her back, I'll skin you alive!" one of the maids snarled.

Cao Shi tears streaming down her face, she covered her swollen cheeks and nodded repeatedly, "I won't dare again, I won't dare again…"

Seeing this, Jiang Lian'er feared she'd be next, and fled in fright.

The onlooking crowd cast contemptuous glances at Cao Shi.

Really, you're as stupid as can be—even if they're estranged, they're still father and daughter; you, an outsider, gossip here stirring up trouble—if we didn't beat you, there'd be something wrong.

And you still wanted to foist your good daughter onto Lord Du as a concubine—are you crazy for money?

The saying goes: better to be a poor *** than a rich man's concubine; how many concubines end up well?

After disciplining Cao Shi, Du Ren Mei glanced at the tightly shut gate, sighed inwardly, and led the party back, unwilling but resigned.

The belongings were naturally taken along as well.

Outside, the hubbub having died down, inside the courtyard Du Ruo and her mother began to analyze today's events.

Really, it's getting stranger and stranger— for seventeen years they never inquired or cared, not even when Du Mingzhu tried to kill her did they react; now they're suddenly all over her? Surely it can't be a sudden conscience?

Bah, that scum Mei doesn't have any of that.

Given his nature of never acting without profit, he must have some ulterior motive unknown to me, trying to gain something from me.

"Mother, from now on don't meet Du Ren Mei alone, lest he sweet‑talk you," Du Ruo urged.

Zheng Clan also knew she was soft‑hearted, nodding repeatedly, "All right, Mother, I'll follow your lead."

In the evening, Master Jiang brought Jiang Wan back and, by the way, brought up this matter.

"I heard the Du County Magistrate came today, intending to take your mother back?"

Du Ruo nodded, "No doubt—he'll probably keep coming back, like a fly you can't shoo away, annoying as hell."

Jiang Fuzi's eyes flickered, "What does your mother say?"

"My mother would certainly never go back—not even as a concubine, let alone as a wife; you can't fall for the same man twice, right?"

Since that's the case, Jiang Fuzi chuckled, "I actually have a plan to drain the pot from under him—it'll make him lose all hope."

He paused before continuing, "As long as your mother remarries, once she's a married woman, if the Du County Magistrate comes to harass her again, that would violate the Da Zhao Lüfa, and he could forget about keeping his office."