Chapter 286: Chapter 286 Ashamed Chapter 286: Chapter 286 Ashamed The Mo family
Early in the morning, Auntie Sun was covered in dust and dirt as she finally prepared breakfast for the whole family, and even took care of all the livestock. Only then did the people of the second wife’s household stretch lazily and yawn as they got out of bed, making her eyes blaze with jealousy. Unfortunately for her, they had a son by their side, and Madam Ruan was the legal wife. As a concubine not favored by her husband, and having not borne any children, she could only swallow her anger and silently continue with the household chores, crouched to the side.
“Husband, last night when I got up to go to the outhouse, I don’t know if I saw a ghost or not.” Madam Ruan spoke mysteriously as she sat at the dining table.
“What happened?”
“I actually saw a stark-naked man dash past our front door—oh my! It frightened me terribly,” Madam Ruan said, while patting her chest with her hand, her face full of lingering fear.
“You silly woman, were you muddle-headed from sleep and had a night full of erotic dreams, dreaming about your husband here without a stitch on?” Mo Daoyan teased.
“Get lost, I’m not joking with you, I’m telling the truth.”
“Really? My dear, are you sure you didn’t see wrong?”
“At first, I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me, so I went to check the front door specially. In the dim moonlight, I could see very clearly—it was a grown man without any clothes.”
Madam Ruan’s story was terrifying, and the Mo family listened in astonishment, half-believing, half-doubting, unsure whether to believe her or not.
Especially Auntie Sun, who was scared half to death. She was the first to get up every day to do the household chores in their house. If there really was a ghost, wouldn’t she be most likely to encounter it?
“This is pretty eerie,” said Mo Daoyan, seeing that Madam Ruan wasn’t joking. He stopped smiling and turned to Old Lady Mo, speaking earnestly, “Mother, about our compound’s main gate—since Big Bull that fool knocked it down, it hasn’t been able to close properly, and anyone can enter. It’s not safe, right? How about, mother, you have someone come and repair it, so our whole family can feel safe?”
Old Lady Mo pursed her lips dismissively, “If what your wife says is true, even a fixed door wouldn’t stop a ghost, would it? That thing comes and goes without a trace.”
“We could buy some pictures of door gods to put up.”
“Oh my, Yaner! Everything costs silver! Our family can’t afford this kind of trouble—we need to leave some silver for Hengjian to attend the Academy. He’s going to take the Child Student examination this year,” Old Lady Mo said with a pained expression at the mention of spending silver.
Mo Daoyan, too, realized that his son’s future was more important and thus held his peace.
Madam Ruan tugged gently at Mo Daoyan’s sleeve, her teeth clenched as she whispered, “Husband, I’m afraid.”
Mo Daoyan glanced up at Old Lady Mo, his eyes flickered for a moment, “Mother, Hengjian will be back in a few days.”
“Really?” Old Lady Mo was delighted upon hearing this. Hengjian was the only male offspring in the Mo family, cherished by her and expected to bring honor to the family by becoming a Scholar in the future.
“Yes, he sent word back with someone,” Mo Daoyan confirmed.
“Is that so? That’s great, has he mentioned which day he’ll arrive?”
“In seven days.”
“That’s wonderful! It’s been so long since this old woman has seen my precious grandson,” Old Lady Mo said cheerfully.
Old Master Mo was also excited, “Wife, since Hengjian is rarely coming home, why don’t you have someone come fix the front gate? This way, when our dear grandson returns and sees our home in good condition, it won’t affect his mood. What do you think?”
“Alright! I’ll find someone to fix the gate later today.” Just moments ago, Old Lady Mo had been adamantly against spending any silver on fixing the gate, but the news of her grandson’s imminent return made her change her tune immediately.