She Became A Downfall Noble Lady-Chapter 71 - Everyone Wants to Work in the County
Chapter 71: Chapter 71: Everyone Wants to Work in the County
Chapter 71 -71: Everyone Wants to Work in the County
Thinking back on her past with the Second Branch family, Lady Wang felt a bit uneasy. She responded to Lady Han in a casual manner, “Yes, your Second Uncle’s family has matters that require hiring someone.”
Lady Han quickly interjected, “Mother, our own family also has plenty to deal with. They’ve always taken advantage of us for trivial things that only take half a day, and now they’re even more excessive, they actually have the gall to come over and specifically talk about it. Mother, this time we can’t agree to her request no matter what.”
In the end, she even complained, “Second Uncle really… When his family needs help, he sends an outsider who’s barely related to do the talking. It’s simply too disrespectful.”
Lady Wang couldn’t listen anymore and frowned as she scolded, “Enough, hold your tongue, no one is treating you as a mute.”
Seeing her mother-in-law’s attitude differ from usual, Lady Han hurriedly asked, “Mother, you weren’t convinced by that girl to agree to her, were you?”
Lady Wang glanced at the open door of the East Wing Room and said, “Go and call your sister-in-law here, then summon your eldest and second eldest too. I have something to talk to you all about.”
When Lady Han went to the West Wing Room to call her husband, her mind was still filled with doubts. Could it be that the old woman had been truly confused by Ye Zi? But if it was just a matter of helping the Second Branch family, wouldn’t her mother-in-law and father-in-law have just decided among themselves? Why bother to consult their sons and daughters-in-law?
Lady Wang entered the room and woke up Qi Yougui, who was resting inside, “Stop pretending to lie there; how can you sleep peacefully when your brothers are in need?”
Qi Yougui sat up awkwardly and said, “What did Ye Zi say? Have you agreed already?”
Lady Wang’s expression darkened as she spoke gravely, “I’m setting this straight with you beforehand, you just need to listen to today’s matter and keep your mouth shut. Ye Zi said that this matter isn’t just about the two of you brothers, it’s also about the affairs between the main and the Second Branch families.”
Qi Yougui knew exactly what kind of person his wife was. The old woman’s ready agreement must mean that the wage offered by the Second Uncle was satisfying to her.
With a frown, Qi Yougui said, “Did Ye Zi mention anything about the wages? We are family, it’s not right to take the Second Brother’s family’s wages, right?”
Lady Wang looked at him with disdain, “This isn’t a matter of just one or two days but rather of ten or eight days of consecutive busyness. Even if I’m reluctant, I still wouldn’t stop the kids from going. But Ye Zi said that as long as their family continues their business, they will always need help. Are you suggesting that for ten or eight years, Chengzi and his wife should just labor for free at your Second Uncle’s house? Even if we’re willing, do you not know what kind of person your brother is? Would he have the decency to allow it?”
Qi Yougui was taken aback by the arguments but was left without a counterargument.
This content is taken from freeweɓnovel.cѳm.
By this time, the two sons and the daughter-in-law from the main house had come into the outer hall.
Lady Wang and Qi Yougui came out to join them in the hall, sitting in the simple chairs at the head of the room.
Lady Wang said, “All of you, take a seat as well.” Then she repeated Ye Xinyan’s purpose for coming.
Upon hearing this, Lady Han could barely contain her eagerness. She glanced quickly at Lady Xu and blurted out, “Did Ye Zi specifically ask for Chengzi and his wife to go? Actually, Dagen and I don’t have much to do, and after all, we’re older and more dependable with our work. I think, if the Second Uncle’s family needs two people, it’d be better for Dagen and me to go.”
Lady Han had a clever plan in mind. The work on the family fields was endless; being stuck in the fields all year round, it was rare for them to get a glimpse of the outside world. Working in the county town was different from sticking around in the village. Just look at the Second Branch family. They barely started a business and already had important people coming to their house. Even though there were no tangible benefits yet, being acquainted with wealthy and influential people from the town made the villagers respect them more, and they wouldn’t dare to provoke them easily.
If she and Dagen became familiar with the ways of the county town, they could also start their own business and earn money. That way, she could escape the hard toil of scratching a living from the soil.
With these thoughts in mind, Lady Han nudged Dagen, hoping that Qi Dagen would also help strive for this opportunity.
Lady Wang glanced at her emotionlessly, holding Lady Han in low esteem for her lack of self-awareness. Was she really unaware of the relationship she had with the Second Branch family, with Ye Zi, so much so that someone else should inform her?
Without the cause of past days, where would the effects of today come from? In the past, Lady Han indiscreetly clashed with the Second Branch family and now that the Second Branch family had an opportunity, of course, they wouldn’t consider her. Did this still need to be pointed out?
When the old man initially assigned Chengzi to work for the Second Branch family, Lady Han didn’t spare any harsh words. Now she wanted to work for the Second Branch family? That would only be possible if Ye Zi, that girl, agreed.
Lady Wang slowly said, “Ye Zi has specifically asked for Chengzi and his wife to come over. She said that since they’re young and often help out at her home, they’re familiar with each other, which naturally leads to more efficient work together.”
With livelihood on the line, Lady Han couldn’t be bothered with the mistakes of the past or the consequences that followed. People often say it’s better to make a move and risk than miss an opportunity. If she didn’t fight for it, would the chance come to her on its own?
Ignoring the thoughts of Qi Dazhu and his wife, she blurted out, “My Sanshun spends all his time at Second Uncle’s house; he’s even more familiar with them than Chengzi is.”
Lady Wang lowered her eyelids, and spoke indifferently, “Second Uncle is looking for someone to work, not to play. I’m puzzled, why are you so eager if you know that the wages earned from working for the Second Branch family must be turned in in full? Besides, they specifically wanted Chengzi to go. Why else wouldn’t they find someone else, or turn to your third uncle’s family?”
Although Lady Wang was not harsh to her daughter-in-law, at this time she couldn’t present a pleasant face to Lady Han. Knowing full well that they didn’t get along, yet rushing forward whenever there was an advantage to be gained, wasn’t she afraid of losing face?
Lady Han fell silent, sullen, yet her heart was far from at ease. Thinking back to Ye Xinyan’s joyful smile as she left just before amplified the resentment in her heart.
That despicable woman must have done it on purpose, resenting her for not having shown her a friendly face several times, thus taking her revenge in this matter. Could she be blamed? Who would have thought that a seemingly insignificant small-farm food business would become so prosperous as to need to hire workers?
Even if she hadn’t treated the Second Branch family and that despicable Ye Zi well in the past, there wasn’t enough enmity to justify such pettiness, was there? And there was the Second Branch family’s patriarch, who actually let an adopted granddaughter take the helm of the household matters – it was just preposterous, lacking any sense of hierarchy or rules!
Lady Wang didn’t respond to Lady Han’s indignation, but instead asked Qi Dazhu, “Second Uncle’s family will be using your Chengzi. You don’t have any objections, do you?”
Qi Dazhu had been eager to voice his opinion. Hearing Lady Wang ask, he quickly replied, “Why would I object? It’s a good thing for Chengzi to go out and work with Second Uncle. Not only can he make money, but he can also broaden his horizons.”
Lady Xu nodded in agreement beside him, but felt quite comforted. It seemed that it was better to be generous in one’s conduct. Her sister-in-law hadn’t spared her from petty talk in the past, claiming that Chengzi was at a loss working for Second Uncle’s family. With that time, even making a willow basket could sell for a few coins, which was better than doing unpaid labor. Fortunately, she hadn’t listened to her sister-in-law’s nagging.
Lady Wang nodded and looked at Lady Han again, her expression solemn as she warned, “Whether it’s you and your husband or Chengzi and his wife, you are all people of our Qi Da family, and the wages you earn also belong in this yard. Don’t go around speaking ill because things aren’t to your liking. If you mess up this arrangement… I won’t let it slide.”
Lady Wang didn’t complete her threat. Living together, even if she spoke out of turn, the worst penalty would just be to give her more work and less food – there were no other ways to punish her. It was better left unsaid, letting her weigh the consequences herself.
