Real Fake Fiance

Chapter Two

Two handsome brothers were focused on the chest board in front of them.

Tao Fang Ao was holding a chess piece in his hand and contemplating what move to make.

'First brother, why are you free to play chess comfortably with me today?' Tao Fang Ao asked. 'Don't you need to be with first sister-in-law?'

Tao Fang Ling married Luo Bing Liang a year ago, his wife was his life. After he found out his wife was pregnant, he didn't want to be separated from her. So he forced Tao Fang Ao to take care of the Tao Household's business while she was pregnant.

Tao Fang Ao didn't dare to be angry or protest. No matter how he looked at his first sister-in-law, he couldn't believe she was pregnant. She was the same as the past, quick to anger, active and she made many people sweat worriedly. Because she was pregnant with the Tao Household's heir and Tao Fang Ao didn't dare to voice his opinion to Tao Fang Ling about overseeing the Tao Household's business on his own.

'Xiao Bing is taking an afternoon nap,' Tao Fang Ling said. 'I asked Xiao Sheng to watch over her while she's napping.'

Tao Fang Ling's eyes didn't leave the chess board.

'Having a wife is troublesome,' Tao Fang Ao said.

Tao Fang Ao put a chess piece on the board and Tao Fang Ling smiled.

'In my eyes my wife isn't troublesome,' Tao Fang Ling said. 'I'm lucky I met my wife. I'm not like you. I heard your betrothed appeared, but there are two women who claim to be your betrothed.'

'First brother, why do I feel your purpose of coming here isn't to play chess with me?' Tao Fang Ao asked. 'Did you come here to discuss my situation?'

Tao Fang Ao frowned. He picked up a cup of tea and sipped tea. He smelt the tea fragrance in four directions and was distracted from the chess game.

'What?' Tao Fang Ling asked. 'Is your first brother not allowed to ask you about your betrothed?'

Tao Fang Ao didn't underestimate Tao Fang Ling's strategy by Tao Fang Ling's carefree smile.

Tao Fang Ao knew Tao Fang Ling's carefree smile was reserved for when Tang Fang Ling had a request that even their younger siblings wouldn't dare to refuse.

'First brother, you received news fast,' Tao Fang Ao said.

Tao Fang Ao could only smile helplessly. He didn't dare hide anything from Tao Fang Ling and he confessed everything.

'What do you want to do next?' Tao Fang Ling asked. 'In your heart who you think is your betrothed?'

'I don't know yet,' Tao Fang Ao said. 'I'll take care of this situation thoroughly. First brother, you don't need to worry about it.'

Regardless of who Tang Fang Ao's real betrothed was, he was going to repay the imposter for daring to deceive him.

'Xiao Bing has a good impression of Lady Tao,' Tao Fang Ling said. 'What kind of person do you think Lady Tao is?'

Tao Fang Ling needed to be certain Tao Tu Yun wasn't a dangerous person otherwise he wouldn't be at ease to let his wife spend time with Tao Tu Yun.

'First brother, you can be at ease,' Tao Fang Ao said. 'I've asked trusted servants to carefully observe the two young ladies' movements. Besides, Lady Tao doesn't appear to be a bad person. Also, I wouldn't give them an opportunity to harm first sister-in-law.'

An image of an elegant and courteous Tao Tu Yun appeared in front of Tao Fang Ao. He shook his head to stop his heart from beating wildly.

Tao Fang Ling's eyes didn't miss Tao Fang Ao's distracted look. Tao Fang Ling thought Elder Jiang was right, they should enjoy the live performances in the Tao Manor.

In the western guest chamber, Tao Tu Yun thought about the stormy night. It rained throughout the night. Although the rain stopped, it was still cold during winter.

Tao Tu Yun stood at a window and stared at the sky. She felt like the cold surrounded her.

'Mistress,' Su Wu called.

Su Wu was scared her mistress would catch a cold. She picked up a red thick cape with a white fur collar and ran to mistress.

'Mistress how can you dress lightly like this?' Su Wu asked. 'What happens if you get pneumonia? Mistress, you know you have a weak body. Why isn't mistress taking good care of your body?'

Su Wu draped the cape around mistress' shoulders while continuously reprimanding mistress' carelessness about mistress' health.

An outsider wouldn't have guessed Su Wu was Tao Tu Yun's maid by the way Su Wu behaved.

'Yes, yes, yes,' Tao Tu Yun said. 'My dear Su Wu, I know I was wrong. You don't need to say anything else.'

Tao Tu Yun sighed and let Su Wu tied the cape collar around her neck until Su Wu was satisfied the cold wind couldn't affect her body. Tao Tu Yun smiled at Su Wu's upset tone, she didn't see Su Wu as her maid.

Su Wu's eyes looked suspiciously at mistress. If mistress took better care of mistress' body then she wouldn't need to be worried each day since she started working as mistress' personal maid.

Su Wu grew up with mistress who treated her like a sister. She was grateful toward mistress and felt it was a sisterly duty to take care of mistress.

Outside the door, willow leaves were rustling and Su Wu noticed a yellow dress was coming toward mistress' chamber.

'Lady Li,' Su Wu called.

Su Wu stood in front of mistress to protect mistress from Li Tai Fang.

'Why is a thief like you visiting here?' Su Wu asked. 'Thieves are not welcome here.'

'You're only a maid,' Li Tai Fang said. 'It isn't your place to speak.'

Li Tai Fang arrogantly assessed Tao Tu Yun. Tao Tu Yun was elegant and had a bright pair of mesmerizing eyes. But Tao Tu Yun had a subtle intimidating aura that made anyone who stood in front of Tao Tu Yun not dare to offend Tao Tu Yun. Also, she didn't want to admit Tao Tu Yun was an extraordinary beauty and posed a threat to her purpose.

'Su Wu don't be rude,' Tao Tu Yun said.

Tao Tu Yun didn't want to give Li Tai Fang an excuse to hurt Su Wu, she pulled Su Wu behind her and she smiled politely at Li Tai Fang.

'Lady Li, what is the purpose of your visit?' Tao Tu Yun asked.

'Mistress is here to tell you two to wake up,' Cui Yu said. 'Before second master finds out who is the imposter, you two should leave the Tao Manor.'

Su Wu was angry Cui Yu dare to falsely accuse her mistress of being an imposter. Su Wu stepped in front of her mistress and she wanted to give back justice to her mistress.

'What laughable nonsense!' Su Wu said. 'It's my mistress who should be saying those words to you two. You and your mistress are thieves. First you two stole my mistress' jade bracelet then your mistress dare to steal my mistress' identity. My whole life I've never met such despicable people like you two. Today you two have widened my eyes.'

Li Tai Fang's complexion was green from anger and she raised her hand to slap Su Wu.

'Stop!' Tao Tu Yun said.

Tao Tu Yun took steps back and she pulled Su Wu behind her again. Initially she wanted to be civil toward Li Tai Fang. But she would never let anyone bully someone close to her.

'Lady Li, no matter what someone says, you shouldn't slap another person,' Tao Tu Yun said. 'Who is real and who is fake, in all our hearts we know the truth. We should leave everything for Tao Fang Ao to investigate and decide what happens.'

'You!' Li Tai Fang said.

***

Elder Jiang coughed.

Li Tai Fang would have done more than glaring at Su Wu if Elder Jiang didn't enter the chamber.

Elder Jiang had witnessed what happened. He didn't want anyone to be injured so he interrupted the tension between the women.

'Second master invites two young mistresses to join him for an afternoon meal,' Elder Jiang said.

'I'll be troubling Elder Jiang,' Li Tai Fang said.

Li Tai Fang smiled insincerely and hid her earlier loud tantrum mannerisms.

'Mistress...' Su Wu said.

Su Wu held her mistress' hand tightly. Su Wu was worried Li Tai Fang would bully mistress while mistress was on her own.

'Su Wu don't worry,' Tao Tu Yun said. 'It's one meal.'

Tao Tu Yun smiled to comfort Su Wu's worries. Tao Tu Yun saw Elder Jiang was waiting outside and she quickly followed him.

Elder Jiang led the two mistresses past a fake mountain landscape to a beautiful villa next to a pond.

Tao Tu Yun's head finally understood why the Tao Manor was renowned for the biggest manor in Luo Yang Province. She memorised the route from her chamber to Tao Fang Ao's villa since she wouldn't be able to leave for a long period.

'Elder Jiang, I heard second master has three brothers,' Li Tai Fang said. 'But why haven't I seen his brothers? It's proper for me to greet them since in the future I'll be part of their family.'

'Apart from first master and his wife living in another villa of the Tao Manor, third master and fourth master are not living inside the Tao Manor,' Elder Jiang said.

Elder Jiang was walking in front of Li Tai Fang, he frowned after he heard Li Tai Fang's presumptuous statement about becoming a member of the Tao Household. But he politely answered Li Tai Fang's question.

'I heard the Tao Household owns the two biggest inns in west and east of Luo Yang Province,' Li Tai Fang said. 'Is it true?'

Li Tai Fang couldn't resist satisfying her curiosity at the first opportunity Elder Jiang was free. When she first arrived in Luo Yang Province, she stayed at Long Fang Inn in the west. Inside the inn restaurant there weren't any vacant seats and it was livelier than the busy streets. She asked a waiter about the owner and found out Long Fang Inn belongs to the Tao Household as well as the big inn in the east of Luo Yang Province.

'It's true,' Elder Jiang said.

Elder Jiang turned around and he glanced coldly at Li Tai Fang's happy face. Then he continued walking to second master's villa. His impression of Li Tai Fang was lower than an abyss.

'Second master is waiting for two mistresses inside his villa,' Elder Jiang said.

Elder Jiang waited for the two mistresses to enter second master's villa and promptly left afterward.

Li Tai Fang walked fast into Tao Fang Ao's villa and immediately she saw Tao Fang Ao's handsome face in front of a table. She didn't wait for a maid to guide her to the table. Instead she walked faster to sit next to Tao Fang Ao.

Tao Tu Yun walked slowly into Tao Fang Ao's villa. She chose to sit the furthest away from Tao Fang Ao and Li Tai Fang at the table.

Tao Fang Ao glanced at Tao Tu Yun and Li Tai Fang then he gestured for the maid to bring afternoon dishes to the table.

The maid quickly left the room and returned with a tray of dishes.

Li Tai Fang stole many glances at Tao Fang Ao's handsome face.

'Second master, it's my first time visiting Luo Yang Province,' Li Tai Fang said. 'As the host shouldn't you give me a tour of Luo Yang Province?'

'I don't know who is real and who is fake between the two of you so neither of you can take one step outside the Tao Manor,' Tao Fang Ao said.

Tao Fang Ao glared coldly at Li Tai Fang who was purposely leaning close to him.

Li Tai Fang knew Tao Fang Ao's cold glare warned her to behave. She immediately sat upright and didn't dare to continue tempting him with her body.

Li Tai Fang realised Tao Fang Ao wasn't someone who could be easily manipulated in one hand and she needed to be careful while she stayed at the Tao Manor.

'Are you intending to hold us captive in your home?' Tao Tu Yun asked. 'It makes me doubt if the Tao Household is truly a charitable household in Luo Yang Province as rumored.'

Tao Tu Yun was silently eating the dishes in front of her until she heard Tao Fang Ao's threat.

Even though Tao Tu Yun words were meant to provoke Tao Fang Ao, he couldn't help but be attracted to her soothing tone.

Tao Fang Ao looked admiringly at Tao Tu Yun, her words told him she wasn't a simpleton. In front of him, Tao Tu Yun was enticingly elegant and intelligent. His impressions of Tao Tu Yun and Li Tai Fang who sat beside him and failed to seduce him were as vast as the sky. He was anticipating the results of the investigation about Tao Tu Yun and Li Tai Fang. He hoped Tao Tu Yun wouldn't disappoint his expectations after the truth was exposed.

'Lady Tao, what you said is a separate issue to what I said,' Tao Fang Ao said. 'There is no ulterior motive for the Tao Household contributing to Luo Yang Province. But between you two there is one person who is a thief and has an ulterior motive for entering my home. Lady Tao if you were in my position wouldn't you take precautions too?'

'Second master don't you think holding two maidens captive in your home is an excessive precaution?' Tao Tu Yun asked.

Tao Tu Yun had thought about the injustice of being locked in the Tao Manor for a few days so she wanted to protest for her benefit at the first appropriate opportunity.

'A person's heart is hard to see,' Tao Fang Ao said. 'Forgive me for taking precautions.'

Tao Fang Ao was surprised how amusing it was to talk with Tao Tu Yun. It made him forget that between Tao Tu Yun and Li Tai Fang there was someone masquerading as his fake betrothed. Tao Tu Yun and Li Tai Fang gave him different kind of headaches. He stared at Tao Tu Yun and fell into deep thought.

Tao Tu Yun thought Tao Fang Ao was being courteous to answer her honestly and she knew as a guest under his home that she should concede.

But Li Tai Fang glared jealously at Tao Tu Yun while Tao Fang Ao and Tao Tu Yun talked with each other and ignored her.

***

'Stop!' Li Tai Fang ordered.

After the afternoon meal, Li Tai Fang and Tao Tu Yun left Tao Fang Ao's villa. Li Tai Fang checked four directions before she confronted Tao Tu Yun.

'Lady Li, what is it that you want to say?' Tao Tu Yun asked.

Tao Tu Yun turned around and she smiled politely at Li Tai Fang.

'I'm warning you to admit your identity and you're not allowed to seduce Tao Fang Ao otherwise you can't blame me for being uncourteous!' Li Tai Fang threatened.

Li Tai Fang wasn't going to let Tao Tu Yun threaten her chance of becoming Tao Fang Ao's wife.

'Lady Li, I don't understand what identity you want me to admit.' Tao Tu Yun said.

Tao Tu Yun sighed. Until Tao Fang Ao finished investigating, she knew Li Tai Fang would continuously attempt to threaten her.

'Don't act dumb!' Li Tai Fang said. 'You're the fake. I'm encouraging you to confess to Tao Fang Ao otherwise I fear after the truth is exposed, you'll be dragged to the magistrate's court.'

Li Tai Fang's unprovoked second threat made Tao Tu Yun lose her usual politeness and evoked her anger.

'Lady Li, I've said it before, our hearts know who is real and who is fake,' Tao Tu Yun said. 'What you said to me applies to yourself. I'm advising you to resolve this situation amicably.'

Tao Tu Yun wasn't someone who wanted to compete with other people. But if she continued to retreat when dealing with Li Tai Fang then it would make Li Tai Fang more intolerable.

Initially Tao Tu Yun wasn't concerned about the misunderstanding about her betrothal, because she wanted to break her betrothal. She was relieved someone took her identity. But she didn't think she would be held captive at the Tao Manor and had to face the vicious Li Tai Fang so her initial relief disappeared. She was anticipating for day the truth was exposed then she could honorably leave the Tao Manor.

'You... if you're going to be like this then we'll see what happens!' Li Tai Fang said.

Li Tai Fang glared at Tao Tu Yun, stepped around Tao Tu Yun and she strode to her chamber.

Li Tai Fang's outburst gave Tao Tu Yun a bad feeling. Tao Tu Yun was the one who had the right to threaten Li Tai Fang, but it was Li Tai Fang who bullied her. She shook her head at the laughable situation.

'Lady Li is a vicious person,' Luo Bing Liang said.

Tao Tu Yun turned around and saw Luo Bing Liang stepped out from behind the fake mountain.

'Lady Luo,' Tao Tu Yun said.

Tao Tu Yun was surprised to see Luo Bing Liang. She wondered how long Luo Bing Liang was hiding behind the fake mountain and why no one could detect Luo Bing Liang's presence.

Earlier Luo Bing Liang was taking a stroll around the Tao Manor and she purposely hid behind the fake mountain because she wanted to eavesdrop on Tao Tu Yun and Li Tai Fang's conversation. It was a good opportunity for Luo Bing Liang to find out who was actually Tao Fang Ao's future wife, she didn't want to waste her silver taels in the wrong basket. Everyone at the Tao Manor apart from the parties involved were betting who Tao Fang Ao's real betrothed was.

Luo Bing Liang didn't think she would find out how vicious Li Tai Fang was. She hoped Li Tai Fang wasn't Tao Fang Ao's real betrothed, because she doubted Tao Fang Ao could tolerate being married to Li Tai Fang.

'Lady Tao, you're truly a good person,' Luo Bing Liang said. 'If I was in your position, I wouldn't be as polite to someone standing in front of me and yelling threats at me.'

Earlier Luo Bing Liang didn't hear who started the argument so she listened carefully to the rest of the argument. It was Li Tai Fang who was bullying Tao Tu Yan.

'Lady Luo, you know how to jest,' Tao Tu Yun said. 'Lady Luo, how many people do you think dare to raise their voice in front of you?'

Tao Tu Yun thought Luo Bing Liang spoke sincerely in front of her and she was happy to spend time with Luo Bing Liang. Perhaps they could become good friends.

'Lady Tao, you're right,' Luo Bing Liang said. 'Even Tao Fang Ling rarely raises his voice in front of me unless I do something too unreasonable.'

Luo Bing Liang smiled and agreed with Tao Tu Yun. She admired Tao Tu Yun's intelligence.

'If Lady Luo doesn't have anything else to say then I'll be returning to my chamber to rest,' Tao Tu Yun said.

Tao Tu Yun didn't want Su Wu to worry about her being on her own for a long time.

'There's no rush to return to your chamber,' Luo Bing Liang said. 'You'll be staying at the Tao Manor for a long period. Why don't I give you a tour?'

Luo Bing Liang had a good impression of Tao Tu Yun from the start. She didn't care if Tao Tu Yun wasn't Tao Fang Ao's real betrothed, she would still want to give Tao Tu Yun a proper tour of the Tao Manor.

'Then... I'll be troubling Lady Luo,' Tao Tu Yun conceded.

***

'Mistress, how can you be in the mood to paint?' Su Wu asked.

Su Wu returned to the west guest chamber and she couldn't believe mistress was leisurely painting.

'Did something happen?' Tao Tu Yun asked.

'Lady Li's been shadowing second master the last few days,' Su Wu said. 'Mistress why are you still painting?'

Su Wu found it strange why the last few days Li Tai Fang didn't look for mistress to cause trouble. But she didn't think Li Tai Fang used opportunities to get closer to Tao Fang Ao. What if Tao Fang Ao fall for Li Tai Fang? What would happen to mistress?

'Su Wu, take a look, what do you think of the flower I painted?' Tao Tu Yun asked.

Tao Tu Yun showed her painting to Su Wu.

'Mistress... is this me?' Su Wu asked. 'Mistress, can you give this painting to me?'

Su Wu's eyes were bright and she was smiling happily while looking closely at mistress' painting of her. In the past mistress usually painted flowers and landscapes, she didn't think mistress could paint replica portraits.

'I painted a portrait of you to give to you,' Tao Tu Yun said.

Tao Tu Yun raised her chin and compared the painting with Su Wu. She wasn't surprised the painting resembled Su Wu even if she painted from memory, because she was familiar with Su Wu's features.

'Thank you mistress,' Su Wu said.

Su Wu was temporarily distracted by the portrait of herself. Then she remembered why she was worried for mistress and put the portrait on a table.

'Mistress, did you hear what I said to you before?' Su Wu asked.

Tao Tu Yun sighed, stood and stepped to the window. The wind was swaying the grass and trees.

'Su Wu, did you forget why we came to the Tao Manor?' Tao Tu Yun asked. 'We're only staying here until Tao Fang Ao finds out the truth. Then we can honourably leave the Tao Manor. I'm not interested about how Lady Li and Tao Fang Ao's relationship is progressing.'

'Even if that is true, we can't let that thief benefit by deceiving other people,' Su Wu said. 'I'm scared Tao Fang Ao will fall for that thief over time and it wouldn't matter if he finds out the truth later.'

Su Wu didn't know what else to say, she only knew it wouldn't be fair if Li Tai Fang benefit from Li Tai Fang's lies.

'Isn't that a good outcome?' Tao Tu Yun asked. 'Regardless of who Tao Fang Ao fall for, it's irrelevant to us.'

Tao Tu Yun's eyes looked into the distance and she spoke the truth from her heart.

'But... mistress, do you truly not like him even a little?' Su Wu asked.

Su Wu could only see mistress' lost look and her heart hoped mistress would be happy even if it was for a short period.

'I don't have the right to talk about love in case I mislead another person,' Tao Tu Yun said.

Under different circumstances, Tao Tu Yun wouldn't have come to the Tao Manor to break the betrothal. She knew the right decision was to let go of Tao Fang Ao and let him find his own happiness.

'Mistress...' Su Wu said.

Su Wu felt guilty for broaching the issue mistress didn't want to be reminded of. The heavens wasn't fair. Why did the heavens give mistress such a pitiful fate?

'Su Wu, let's not talk about this anymore,' Tao Tu Yun said. 'Put the portrait somewhere else then take a stroll with me.'

Tao Tu Yun smiled and walked outside.

A while later Su Wu followed mistress and she didn't dare to say anything else about Li Tai Fang and Tao Fang Ao, she knew mistress was forcing a smile.

Li Tai Fang and Cui Yu have been standing outside of Tao Fang Ao's calligraphy room for a few afternoons. They knew Tao Fang Ao forbid anyone to enter the calligraphy room so they didn't dare anger him by disturbing him.

'Mistress, how much longer do we need to wait?' Cui Yu asked. 'If we wait any longer than the chicken soup will be cold.'

Cui Yu was carefully holding a bowl of chicken soup that mistress asked the cooks to make. Inside the chicken soup were many nutritious herbs to nourish Tao Fang Ao.

'Don't be noisy,' Li Tai Fang said. 'Even people of the Tao Household don't dare to disturb Tao Fang Ao while he's in the calligraphy room. How am I supposed to dare to knock on the door?'

Li Tai Fang had spent the last few days thinking of ways to get closer to Tao Fang Ao and her thick face had turned into a fearful face. She ignored his cold face to be closer to him because she hoped he would fall for her. She didn't care what schemes she needed to use as long as she possessed his heart.

'But mistress, my hands can't hold the bowl any longer,' Cui Yu said.

Cui Yu had held the bowl for almost half a shichen hour. She didn't dare to put the bowl on the ground and her two hands were trembling.

'Close your mouth!' Li Tai Fang said. 'Even if you can't hold it any longer, you need to endure.'

Li Tai Fang was bothered by Cui Yu's complaints. If Cui Yu ruined her chance of getting Tao Fang Ao's heart then she wouldn't hesitate to punish Cui Yu.

In that moment the tall Tao Fang Ao walked out of the calligraphy room.

'What are you two doing here?' Tang Fang Ao asked.

Tao Fang Ao wrinkled his handsome face and he glared at Li Tai Fang and Cui Yu.

Tao Fang Ao hated the middle days of each month. The last few days he had to check the Tao Household's business account books. He hated checking balances the most. Tao Fang Ling had pushed checking duties to him since Luo Bing Liang was pregnant. Even if he struggled to finish checking balances, he couldn't refuse to perform checking duties.

Li Tai Fang and Cui Yu added to Tao Fang Ao's troubles. The last few days they were outside the calligraphy room during the days he struggled the most. If they didn't conduct themselves properly then he wouldn't allow them to take a step outside the east guest chamber.

'Second master, I asked the cooks to make you chicken soup to nourish your body,' Li Tai Fang said.

Li Tai Fang smiled brightly, stepped in front of Tao Fang Ao and was about to lean into his body but he avoided her.

'Thank you for your good intentions, my heart can't accept,' Tao Fang Ao said.

Tao Fang Ao glanced at Li Tai Fang, she looked troublesome as the account balances.

'But...' Li Tai Fang said.

Li Tai Fang refused to be rejected. She quickly picked up the bowl from Cui Yu's hands and held it in front of Tao Fang Ao.

Tao Fang Ao looked coldly at Li Tai Fang. 'Don't say I didn't warn you. In the future you're not allowed to take one step into my villa otherwise I won't be merciful. And don't follow me anymore unless you two want to immediately leave the Tao Manor.'

Tao Fang Ao didn't bother to take another glance at Li Tai Fang and Cui Yu. He disappeared from his villa, only his warning stayed at his villa.

'Mistress, what are we going to do?' Cui Yu asked softly. 'Did we make a move too soon?'

Cui Yu was scared of mistress' rage.

Li Tai Fang glared at Cui Yu. Cui Yu grabbed the bowl from Li Tai Fang and lowered her head fearfully.

'Why are you still standing here?' Li Tai Fang asked. 'Hurry and leave!'

Li Tai Fang refused to let go of her desire to be Tao Fang Ao's wife, she was forced into the situation.

Cui Yu obediently followed behind mistress. She didn't understand what mistress was thinking. Although the Tao Household was rich, but Tao Fang Ao had a dangerous cold aura. He wasn't a man they should offend. She hoped mistress would soon see common sense.

***

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