Chapter Fifty-Nine: In Truth, I Like People Like You the Most

“Yes, we're going home now. As the new bride, these chores should fall to you. What, did you really think you could make us do your work?” Madam Liu, with her two sons standing behind her like pillars of support, placed her hands on her hips and glared fiercely at Gu Xiaoyao.

“If you don’t want to do these chores, then hurry back down the mountain to your family. The Chu household doesn’t want a lazy woman like you.” They were all hoping that Chu Chengjin would divorce Gu Xiaoyao; if he did, their lives could return to how they used to be. As for the two taels of silver spent on her, they could just consider it lost in the mountains or fed to dogs.

“I’m willing to do these chores,” Gu Xiaoyao replied, “but you all have to help. I said yesterday: if you eat my food, you follow my orders. If you didn’t eat the meat I gave you yesterday, and you don’t want to work today, that’s fine—so long as you can find your own food.”

Gu Xiaoyao never let herself suffer a loss in matters of fair exchange. Wild boar meat wasn’t easy to come by, and since they’d eaten it, they must work.

“Nonsense! I’m your mother-in-law, and we haven’t split the family. Do I need your permission to eat what’s in the house?” Madam Liu’s voice was shrill. “I’m still in charge of the Chu household. Do you really think a new bride can take over the housekeeper’s authority? Look at your own face—too bold! Since my eldest doesn’t want to manage things, I’ll do it myself.”

She rolled up her sleeves and gripped her hoe, ready for anything, saliva flying as she hovered on the edge of violence.

Chu Qingsong and Chu Qingbai, the two brothers, grew braver, picking up their hoes and following closely behind Madam Liu, full of bluster.

Gu Xiaoshu saw the three approaching and quickly put down what he was holding, running to his sister’s side. “Sis, they want to hit you! Let’s run!”

“No need,” Gu Xiaoyao replied calmly. “They can’t beat me.”

She watched them draw near, the corner of her mouth twitching slightly. She’d expected they wouldn’t be willing to work. Since they were ready to use force, she would have to respond in kind.

“If you’re willing to kneel and apologize to me now, and kowtow three times, today’s matter will be settled. If not, I’ll make sure your face is swollen before the day is over.”

Madam Liu’s hands were itching. She’d longed to slap Gu Xiaoyao dozens of times. Seeing the family about to break into a fight again, the village chief hurried over, hoping to stop them.

“What are you doing? You’re family! Talk it out—work is what matters now. Madam Chengjin, your family’s land is shrinking; keep this up and you’ll be left with nothing next year.”

Madam Liu ignored the chief, her face red with fury. She shoved him aside, and the three surrounded Gu Xiaoyao, gripping their weapons, emboldened by the hoes in their hands.

“I’ll say it one more time: are you really refusing to work?” Gu Xiaoyao decided to give them one last chance, though she knew well they wouldn’t accept it.

“Enough nonsense! I spent two taels of silver to buy you into the Chu family. You’re here to work. If you won’t, what point was there in spending that silver?” Madam Liu’s finger was nearly at Gu Xiaoyao’s forehead, while the brothers quietly edged closer.

“Mother, don’t waste words. Let’s tie her up and throw her back to her family.”

The brothers moved quickly, swinging their hoe handles. Gu Xiaoyao dodged and landed two punches on their noses.