The fool has become a spirit, and she can speak

Chapter 1722 Hiring Helpers

"How could the person I've set my sights on be wrong? He's the true Son of Heaven!"

"The True Dragon Son of Heaven?"

"Yes, he is the current emperor. Once I become an imperial concubine, I don't believe anyone won't fawn over me. It's just that Cheng Feng, that ingrate, refuses to send me into the palace."

"Heh—heh—" Su Aixiu looked at He Bao as if she were an idiot. "Little sister, you keep dreaming. I'm going to figure out dinner."

"Sister-in-law, what do you mean?!"

"It's nothing, I have a ton of work to do. You and your mother can have your own jokes." Su Aixiu walked out quickly, and once in the kitchen, she laughed for a while whenever she thought about it. It was the funniest joke she had heard all year.

Someone like He Bao has no looks, no figure, no manners, and with all her bad habits, going to the palace would be suicide. Su Aixiu was certain that if she went to the palace, she wouldn't survive a single day.

What an overconfident and arrogant fellow!

When Cheng Tiezhu returned in the evening, Su Aixiu did not mention the lotus bud. She only said that she had not been able to get the money from her mother-in-law and wanted Tiezhu to try.

Chen Tiezhu thought and thought, but finally shook his head. "Wife, you should go again. If I go, not only will my mother scold me, but a whole bunch of people will get scolded too. It won't be quiet all night. She'll only scold me. I don't want to argue with her."

Su Aixiu sighed. Her husband was afraid of arguing with her mother-in-law, but wasn't she afraid too? What kind of person was her mother-in-law? She was extremely difficult to deal with, and what was worse, she was a miser who turned pale at the mention of money. Asking for money was like asking for her mother-in-law's life. But since her husband had spoken, she had to go even if it meant gritting her teeth.

She went under the guise of delivering tonics to her mother-in-law. He Bao sat there leisurely munching on an apple. She had bought a bunch of clothes and jewelry with the money she earned from exchanging herbs that day, and she was secretly delighted. However, when she saw Su Aixiu carrying a bowl of medicine, her expression changed, and she said sarcastically, "Sister-in-law, I've taken care of all the work of serving Mother, and you can't even prepare medicine for her properly?"

To claim she'd take on all the responsibility—this person really knows how to flatter herself. What could she possibly do? She was nothing more than handling spittoons and chamber pots, and all that washing and cleaning work was done by Su Aixiu herself. Su Aixiu was doing the work and enduring all the mistreatment.

But even the best temper has its limits.

“What are you saying, little sister? I’ve brewed every single one of Mother’s medicines, and I’ve cooked every single meal for this family of six. I’ve made all the clothes you’re wearing, the clothes Mother is wearing, and Mother’s bedding. Everyone in the family has their own laundry and cleaning work done by me, Su Aixiu. I was only a little late by the time it takes for an incense stick to burn today, and you’re already talking to me in such a sarcastic way. The medicine pot is sitting on the stove. Mother is in a hurry to drink her medicine, can’t you just move your legs and go to the kitchen to get it?”

“Sister-in-law, I only said one thing, and you replied with a whole bunch of things. Is this how you treat your sister-in-law?” He Bao immediately complained to Liu Dalan, who was sitting on the bed. “Mother, look at your good daughter-in-law. She’s so resentful. None of the things she’s talking about are as important as serving you. Am I idle? I’m sitting here to serve you. Mother, look at your daughter-in-law. She’s already upset about doing such a small job. She’s complaining like a wicked daughter-in-law. I serve you all day long. What have I said? I empty the chamber pot for you every day.”

He Bao's ability to tattle is getting better and better every day. Just like someone who has told too many lies, she can just spout them off without thinking. Su Aixiu has been putting up with her for a long time. Now this person doesn't even tattle in secret anymore. She's started to confront her directly.

“Little sister, which of us is more resentful? If you don’t want to clean up after Mother, then let’s switch. Look at how many sets of sheets and blankets Mother changes every day. Look at my hands, they’re cracked from being in water all day. If you switch with me, I can take care of my hands.”

“Sister-in-law, serving your parents-in-law is what you, as their daughter-in-law, should do. I’m just helping you out. You should be thanking me.”

“Little sister, don’t give me these high-sounding words. You know perfectly well how my lower body is crippled, and you know exactly how my stomach and intestines are ruined. All of this is your doing, and we’re not blaming you. You should make amends. The only reason you’re here to empty my bedpan is to please me and get more dowry. Let me be blunt: you’re doing all this for yourself. You have ulterior motives, and you’re not serving me willingly at all.”

"If you're willing, then why don't you take over all these jobs yourself!"

“He Bao, with such a large family, do you think I can manage with just my two hands? I’ve suggested for a long time that we hire two helpers. It wouldn’t cost much, but they could share half the housework. But you and Mother both disagree, afraid that I’ll be idle. You two do nothing all day, yet you need to eat, take your medicine, and expect me to be on time. How can I possibly manage that!”

“You used to be able to do it, so why can’t you do it now? You must have been gossiping with my brother just now, which is why you were late in making medicine for my mother.”

Su Aixiu marveled at He Bao's ingenious ideas. She liked to chat with Liu Dalan and assumed that everyone in the world liked to gossip. "My mouth isn't as big as you think. I was just feeling unwell, so I was delayed!"

"You can be unwell? Who are you trying to fool?" He Bao's tone and eyes made it seem as if Su Aixiu were an iron-willed servant.

"I am just a lowly servant, a slave, and I also have times when I feel unwell. You sit in the chair all day and complain about your legs and buttocks hurting, so why can't I feel uncomfortable too!"

"Being sick is just an excuse. I think you just want to hire someone to do the work for you so you can relax and have some peace and quiet."

"Without you to eat and drink, there wouldn't be so much work to do in this house."

Liu Dalan, her face dark and menacing, said, "So... you came so late really to hire a helper to do the work for you!"

"My sister-in-law just wants to get rid of housework. Mother, if we're going to hire a helper, it's better to hire a long-term servant to take care of you in your room." He Bao added fuel to the fire while also trying to benefit herself—what a brilliant move, killing two birds with one stone!

Su Aixiu was furious. "Little sister, I think you're the one who's eager to get rid of the work you're doing! What's the price for long-term workers? What's the price for short-term workers? Is Mother willing to spend the money? If Mother is willing, I'd be happy to hire two long-term workers too!"

He Bao nudged the fire: "Mother, did you see that? My sister-in-law is waiting for you here. She's adding servants to the house; she wants to be a carefree young mistress."

Young mistress? A hands-off young mistress indeed! Su Aixiu's life is worse than that of a grandson!