Chapter 946 - 944 All Ruined by You
"Especially the fact that she sealed off the Cao family’s courtyard and rented it out—that’s truly clever. She only found honest families to rent her property. Naturally, these tenants would feel obliged to maintain a good reputation. If anything happens, they’re sure to lend a hand."
"With these people around, those usual riffraff and hoodlums certainly wouldn’t dare to climb over walls and knock on doors at night. Even if they do plan to climb over, they have to get past these families outside, and might even be caught as thieves. Her family lives in the innermost area, and it’s not easy for anyone to reach their courtyard gate, thus preserving their reputation."
Wang Yongzhu and Song Chongjin listened and thought carefully, and it really was true.
In these times, a young widow with a child, without any support, is the prime target for idle men and hoodlums.
They would take advantage of the night to pick the lock of the widow’s door, tarnish her reputation, and persistently spread rumors, potentially seizing her inheritance.
Thinking of this, Old Madam Cao really has a clear mind.
"Moreover, she teaches her son to be stingy and petty. It’s likely seven parts true, three parts false, deliberately spreading such a ridiculous, stingy reputation to make people think of the Cao family, reminiscent of their prosperous days, and pitifully compare them now, living even worse than common folks."
"Even those who are not on good terms with the Cao family would see the mother and son’s daily struggles and gradually let go of old grievances over time. Some might even secretly pity them."
"When the Cao family’s son grows up, and the family continues living like this, it doesn’t bother others. People think of the Cao family as merely a joke, don’t they? Plus, living behind closed doors, who knows what they’re really like at home? They might be enjoying a feast daily and only putting on a humble facade outside to deceive others."
Old Granny Zhang turned and asked Song Chongjin, "That Cao family’s boy who fell into the water, does he look robust?"