When Tao Ma saw Wu Zhenhai arrive, he hurriedly went out to greet him, saying repeatedly, "Sir, what brings you here? If you have something to say, just let someone know and I'll go."
After saying this, he repeatedly told Manniang to bring her son out to pay her respects, and instructed the maid to make tea.
Manniang came out to pay her respects, carrying her one-year-old son, and then took some silver to prepare a banquet.
Manniang was also clever and very perceptive.
She was Tao Ma's neighbor, but her family moved away a long time ago.
Later, due to family difficulties, he had no choice but to become an apprentice and make a living by singing for people in restaurants with his grandmother. It was called performing for money, but in reality, he couldn't escape the local bullies.
But one time, when she was being harassed by a bully, Wu Zhenhai appeared.
Wu Zhenhai took her to a private residence outside, and then Governor-General Zhou summoned her and sent her away for several months.
Wu Zhenhai hadn't even eaten yet, so he naturally worried about it and sent Tao Ma to take care of it.
However, the two people unexpectedly discovered that they were old neighbors.
When Wu Zhenhai returned, Tao Ma begged him for Manniang.
Wu Zhenhai: "..."
Never mind, she's just a woman.
If he loses Tao Ma, his other prized horses won't be properly cared for, and the loss will be too great.
And so, Manniang married Tao Ma.
However, many people saw Wu Zhenhai take Manniang away, and the rumors that followed were quite unpleasant.
It's likely that Wu Zhenhai got tired of them and casually gave the women to his subordinates...
Wu Zhenhai was too lazy to argue about such things.
If you say he slept with someone, just say so. Anyway, it's not like he can't afford to sleep with a woman or two.
Explaining to someone of a much lower status is a complete waste of breath.
Wu Zhenhai has never been obsessed with women; sleeping with whomever he wants is just a matter of novelty.
Until he met Zhou Xu...
Strictly speaking, he was the benefactor of the Tao Ma couple, so Tao Ma was genuinely excited to see him.
The prepared banquet was set up on the kang (a heated brick bed). At Wu Zhenhai's request, Tao Ma sat opposite him, feeling trembling with fear and daring not to move or speak.
Manniang knew what kind of man she was, so she stood by the kang (a heated brick bed) pouring wine and serving dishes, and also said a few words in support of Tao Ma.
When it's time to fight for something, you must fight for it.
If a man is too honest, she has to give him a push.
Wu Zhenhai asked about the couple's son, then took a jade pendant from his waist and handed it to Manniang: "For the eldest son."
Tao Ma was filled with trepidation, but Manniang accepted it with grace and composure.
People don't visit Sanbao without a reason; if you come in and immediately offer a gift, you're bound to start talking about your troubles.
Sure enough, Wu Zhenhai said, "My affair with the eighth daughter of the Zhou Family has caused quite a stir; you must have heard about it too."
Tao Ma was somewhat embarrassed and said, "I didn't hear much..."
Wu Zhenhai said, "I can't say it, don't laugh at me, but right now I'm thinking, let her go."
Tao Ma was so frightened he could barely speak, "My lord, no, that absolutely won't do..."
Manniang silently poured Wu Zhenhai a glass of wine.
Wu Zhenhai picked up his glass and drank it all in one gulp. The spicy liquor released some of his pent-up emotions, followed by a profound emptiness and heartache.
"You two should live well," Wu Zhenhai said. "I haven't done many good deeds in my life, but bringing you two together is one of them."
"That's right, that's right, we, your wife and I, will never forget your kindness," Tao Ma hurriedly replied.
"No need for all that," Wu Zhenhai said. "If I die, just bury me with Eighth Miss Zhou, burn some paper money for me sometimes, and look after Wu Yu. That would be enough to repay me."
Manniang was startled and suddenly looked up at Wu Zhenhai.
Wu Zhenhai smiled at her.
Manniang's bad feeling intensified.
But she didn't dare interrupt when the man was speaking.
Tao Ma, being slow-witted, chuckled and said, "Sir, you'll surely live to be a hundred."
"Perhaps, I was just mentioning it casually," Wu Zhenhai said. "I'm feeling down right now, and have nowhere to go, so I came over for a drink. Come on, Tao Ma, let's have a drink."
Manniang stood beside them, pouring wine for the two of them.
After a few rounds of drinks, Wu Zhenhai looked around the room and said, "You're an honest man, but after following me for so many years, you haven't even saved up a penny..."
The room was tidy, yet simple.
Tao Ma, already drunk and unable to hold his liquor, held up two fingers and chuckled, "Sir, you're mistaken. I have this much wealth now..."
Manniang glared at him anxiously, but he was already drunk and didn't see her.
"Twenty taels of silver?" Wu Zhenhai asked calmly.
"Not just two hundred taels, it's two hundred taels!" Tao Ma exclaimed, beaming.
Manniang said helplessly, "Please forgive him, sir, he's had too much to drink."
"You're quite thrifty, saving up a good amount," Wu Zhenhai said. "But even though we only have one son now, we'll definitely have several more in the future, so this little bit of money won't be enough."
Manniang was worried that he would use the money to tempt Tao Ma into doing something dangerous, so she said, "It's nothing in the eyes of an adult, but for us poor people, if we use it sparingly, it's enough."
Wu Zhenhai took out a silver note from his sleeve and handed it to her. "Take this, consider it my gift."
Tao Ma was already slumped over the table, fast asleep.
Manniang dared not accept it.
"You're smart. I've stated my requirements, that's all," Wu Zhenhai said calmly. "It's not difficult, I just don't know who to entrust this to. Your man is stubborn, reliable, and we'll have a good future together."
After saying that, he put down his chopsticks and got off the kang (a heated brick bed).
Manniang squatted down to help him put on his boots, then suddenly said, "Why are you doing this, sir? The dead cannot be brought back to life. Even if you go with her, will you be able to find her?"
Wu Zhenhai, having drunk some wine, couldn't bear to hear such words. His expression changed drastically, and he stormed off.
Looking at the silver notes on the table, Manniang sighed and said softly, "To drive someone to self-immolation and then to this, if only they had known this would happen, why did they do it in the first place?"
She quietly put the banknotes away.
Wu Zhenhai returned home and wept bitterly again while embracing Zhou Xu's tombstone.
The next day, he had Wu Shao brought up.
When Wu Chanjuan heard that her younger brother had an accident, she secretly went back to her parents' home and asked someone to treat Wu Shao's injuries.
Wu Zhenhai pretended to be ignorant, choosing to ignore it rather than worry about it.
When father and son met again, they still acted like enemies.
Wu Shao didn't ask his brother a single question, nor did he offer any apology.
Wu Zhenhai, too lazy to say anything more to him, said, "I'll have someone send you to Liaodong to join the army. If you really have that ambition, then earn your own merit and come back to marry Zhou Fu. You should know better than me what Zhou Fu likes."
Zhou Fu wouldn't even glance at a worthless piece of trash.
Wu Shao cried out in alarm, "No, I won't go! I don't know martial arts; I'll be killed!"
Wu Zhenhai coldly replied, "Life and death are predestined, wealth and honor are determined by fate. From now on, even if you bring glory to your ancestors, I will not benefit from it in the slightest; even if you die in the street, I will not collect your body."
"You and I, father and son, are now completely estranged."