Chapter 471: An Outsider Woman

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

Gu Zi expressed her gratitude to Aunt Zhang, “Thank you for sharing all this with me, and for your hard work today. Aunt Zhang, you’re well-acquainted with the people of Chen Village. After today, please keep an eye on their activities and let me know if anything unusual happens. Also, please accept this token of my appreciation for your help today. Everyone who helped out will receive one.”

From a small bag she carried with her, Gu Zi pulled out a red envelope and handed it to Aunt Zhang. Aunt Zhang initially wanted to refuse. She hadn’t offered her assistance to Gu Zi for the sake of money, but simply because she enjoyed Gu Zi’s company. It was rare to find someone like Gu Zi in the village.

However, after hearing Gu Zi’s subsequent words, Aunt Zhang found it difficult to refuse and accepted the envelope gracefully.

The sacrificial ceremony was a lively affair, lasting until well past three in the afternoon. Exhausted, Gu Zi returned home, took a bath, and went straight to bed for a nap. She was at ease knowing that her daughter, Su Le, was in the care of the two older brothers.

Meanwhile, at the ancestral hall, Su Jing and Aunt Zhang were still busy with the cleanup. Su Jing was tidying up the tables in the courtyard, alone. Seizing the opportunity, a few women from Chen Village approached her for a chat.

The gossipy woman started, “Su Jing, when did you come back? We didn’t expect you to still have a place in the Su family. We apologize for what happened today. We don’t really have any issues with the Su family. We just can’t stand that city woman’s attitude. Besides, she’s not even a real heiress, just a mistaken one!”

Su Jing continued her work, not saying anything or interrupting. The other women chimed in, echoing the gossipy woman, “Exactly, you’re a member of the Su family. It’s only right that you should be in charge. But Gu Zi isn’t. The one leading the incense offering should have been you, an unmarried sister of the family, not her. We feel indignant on your behalf!

“Right, and we heard that Gu Zi doesn’t do anything at home except cook. She even makes your brother do a lot of the chores, including laundry! Your brother is a man who earns a good living. Since when do men do women’s laundry?

“Doing chores like cooking and laundry will bring bad luck to a man if he does them too often. You’ve lived in the city too, have you ever seen a man doing laundry for a woman? What’s the point of marrying her?”

Finally, after listening to their endless chatter, Su Jing straightened up and looked at the gossipy woman, asking, “I’m not quite sure what you’re getting at. What exactly are you trying to say?”

Seeing an opportunity for drama, the gossipy woman continued to stir the pot, “Oh, Su Jing, can’t you see it? Your sister-in-law is deliberately suppressing you. We’ve all noticed it. She left early, leaving you to finish the cleanup. Isn’t that her deliberately making things difficult for you, suppressing you?”

“You’re the young lady of the Su family. You should be enjoying your visit home, being served by her, your sister-in-law, not the other way around. If it continues like this, you’ll always be under her thumb. We’re all experienced in these matters, and we’re saying this for your own good. We don’t want to see the Su family being lorded over by an outsider woman.”

The icy veneer on Su Jing’s face deepened as she curled her lips in disdain. “So, you’ve come to sow discord between my sister-in-law and me? I think you’re mistaken. I chose to stay and work here of my own accord. If you have nothing else to do, you may leave. Or, you could lend a hand. Here, help me wipe the table.”

As she spoke, Su Jing thrust the tablecloth she held into the hands of the wide-mouthed woman, who stood there dumbfounded. This was not going as she had envisioned.

Su Jing then turned her gaze to the other women, saying, “Since you’re so concerned about me, I presume you’d be willing to help me with some chores? You can sweep the floor. Oh, and you, take out the trash. There are several bins out back that need emptying.”

These tasks were usually handled by the men from the pig farm, but with these willing helpers at her disposal, why not take advantage?

During her previous disagreements with her sister-in-law, Su Jing had learned a thing or two. If someone loved to gossip, she would drag these gossipmongers down with her. It was a tactic she had picked up from her sister-in-law, and these women were the perfect practice targets. n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Seeing the women’s stunned expressions, Su Jing remained silent, her face revealing a hint of regret. “So, you’re all talk, huh? You won’t even help me with these minor tasks. Fine, I’ll tell my brother. We won’t allow anyone from Chen Village to buy pork from our pig farm anymore. You’re not good neighbors after all.”

The wide-mouthed woman shot a glance at the other women, hurriedly saying to Su Jing, “We came here to help you work. What are you talking about? Let’s get to work.”

Despite everything, the wide-mouthed woman still clung to her own judgment. Perhaps Su Jing was merely testing them. There was no way Su Jing would truly submit to Gu Zi.