The Evil Mother-in-law: Torment Children, Work Hard, Be Rich!

Chapter 561: Starting Work Tomorrow

"When discussing Xiao Xue’s marriage, you cannot bypass me, the old lady. During the busy farming seasons, she must come back to help with the work. Otherwise, I won’t agree."

Tears glistened at the corner of Grandma Gu’s eyes.

One by one, they were disobedient, and everything had exceeded her control. Grandma Gu could only protest weakly like this.

Mrs. Wei smiled and said, "Grandmother, you’re joking. Of course, during Xiao Xue’s marriage discussions, you’ll need to give her your elder’s eye. As we said earlier, even though Feng Nian and I have split from the family, we’re not ignoring you. Not just during the busy farming seasons, but at any time, feel free to instruct us if you and Grandpa need anything. Xiao Xue is still your granddaughter after all."

Grandma Gu treated Xiao Xue better than Mrs. Jia did.

Looking at the example of Gu Honglian, adding to her dislike for Gu Ruinian, when it comes to Xiao Xue’s marriage in the future, if it is up to Grandma Gu, she might not go against Xiao Xue’s wishes.

Moreover, Grandma Gu enjoyed making things difficult for Mrs. Jia, so anything Mrs. Jia opposed, she would support.

If she could make her daughter-in-law uncomfortable regarding Xiao Xue’s marriage, Grandma Gu wouldn’t mind supporting Xiao Xue.

Upon realizing this, Mrs. Wei promptly agreed on behalf of Gu Xiaoxue.

"Since Xiao Xue is living with you and Feng Nian, you should save up for her dowry," said Mr. Gu weakly.

This time, it was Gu Fengnian who spoke first, "I certainly intend to save up for Xiao Xue’s dowry."

After speaking, he looked at Mrs. Wei, who nodded her head.

Since Xiao Xue had already distanced herself from Gu Youtian and Mrs. Jia, and given her skillfulness, she could easily arrange with her elder aunt to work at the pastry shop or at Jufu Supermarket, earning enough on her own for a dowry.

Seeing Gu Xiaoxue holding Yao Family’s hand.

Mrs. Wei felt increasingly that accepting Gu Xiaoxue was a wise decision; with Xiao Xue cherishing her bond with the Yao Family, she’d love them even more.

Having an additional person to love within the Yao Family could only be beneficial.

After a day of commotion, the division of the old family’s property was finally settled.

Tong Huaqiong and Gu Jingzhe, with a bunch of kids, walked out of the main house; seeing sulfur and saltpeter in a corner of the yard, Tong Huaqiong frowned.

Based on her knowledge from her previous life, these items were used to make gunpowder.

Tong Huaqiong’s mind whirred, knowing that this was definitely something Gu Ruinian was up to.

With the old home’s capabilities, there was no money to buy these gunpowder materials; Gu Ruinian must have cozied up to some powerful figure again.

It wasn’t that Tong Huaqiong cared about Gu Ruinian, but as a transmigrator herself, she feared that one of Gu Ruinian’s actions, like a butterfly flapping its wings, could cause a tsunami that affected her as well.

Gu Xiaoxue and Yao Family escorted Tong Huaqiong to the door.

"Auntie, thank you," said Gu Xiaoxue, expressing her gratitude to Tong Huaqiong, "it turns out that when I stand firm, they are scared of me too."

Gu Xiaoxue regretted not resisting earlier.

Gu Xiaoxue also thanked Gu Jingzhe, "Brother Jingzhe, thank you too."

Thanking Gu Jingzhe for slapping Gu Ruinian a few times for her.

Gu Jingzhe said to Gu Xiaoxue, "There’s no need to thank me, we are family by blood, and this time, Ruinian went too far."

Gu Xiaoxue smiled; though both were scholars, her cousin considered her family, while her own brother wished to see her destroyed.

Tong Huaqiong said to Gu Xiaoxue, "Xiaoxue, you are brave. Live well with your brother and sister-in-law; good days are ahead. Starting tomorrow, come work at my place."

Gu Xiaoxue’s eyes lit up, "But isn’t the Weaving Workshop still a few days away from opening?"

Tong Huaqiong said, "Don’t we have to hire weavers early on? Even just for a trial, I need someone. You, with your skilled hands, can weave and spin; you and your sister-in-law Qiao Niang can help me judge if newcomers are suitable."

"Then I’ll start working tomorrow."

Gu Xiaoxue was choked with excitement.

Tong Huaqiong said, "The first month will be 500 wen, and once everything’s running, the more work, the more pay. I’ve heard that a weaver in Hua Ting can earn two or three taels of silver a month; they can support their families and therefore stand firm, whether at home or with in-laws, no one dares bully them."

Listening to this, Gu Xiaoxue’s eyes shone brightly.

Two to three taels of silver a month.

More than the wages of clerks in some of Pingchuan’s shops.

At that moment, Tong Huaqiong noticed someone standing on the village road watching them; she looked up and saw it was Liu Qingsong.

Liu Qingsong appeared despondent, his eyes full of Gu Xiaoxue.

"Auntie, I’ll head back now."

Gu Xiaoxue noticed Liu Qingsong’s unnatural demeanor, bid farewell to Tong Huaqiong, and left quickly.

Passing by Liu Qingsong, Tong Huaqiong sighed.

The look in Gu Xiaoxue’s eyes revealed her concern for Liu Qingsong.

Nevertheless, she refused Liu Qingsong; she did not want to cause trouble for him, especially knowing that his mother disliked her, she didn’t want to marry into a family only to be disliked by her mother-in-law.

It had to be said that Gu Xiaoxue was clear-headed, but she must have been in pain.

Regarding this, Tong Huaqiong had nothing to say, nothing to comfort.

...

After Gu Xiaoxue walked Tong Huaqiong back, she headed towards the house.

Thinking of starting a new life soon brought a smile to her face.

That smile was glaring to Mrs. Jia.

"You ungrateful thing, trying to curry favor with the main house without knowing your place. What good will it do to follow them? Look at Taohua, such an age and still no proposal; I say you’re bound to become a nun." Mrs. Jia cursed venomously.

Previously, Gu Xiaoxue would have remained silent under the cursing, but not now. She said, "Becoming a nun is still better than being used to pay off debts. You wish you could learn from Auntie to earn money, but your son isn’t capable."

If anyone understood Mrs. Jia well, it was naturally her daughter, Gu Xiaoxue, who knew exactly where to stab to cause pain.

Sure enough, Mrs. Jia was so angry that she wanted to hit Gu Xiaoxue.

"Even if you live with your brother and sister-in-law, I’m still your mother."

Gu Xiaoxue wouldn’t just stand there and take it; she dodged and went into Mrs. Wei’s room, leaving Mrs. Jia hitting her leg and crying angrily.

Mrs. Wei and Gu Fengnian were packing, planning to move their things to the west room.

Gu Xiaoxue naturally had to move with them.

"Xiao Xue, we apologize for putting you out. Once your brother and I earn enough money, in a couple of years, we’ll ask the village head to buy a plot and build a new house to move into," Mrs. Wei said.

By then, perhaps Xiao Xue would be married off.

Thinking of needing to save for Gu Xiaoxue’s dowry and to support Yao Family’s studies, Mrs. Wei felt a bit pressured.

Gu Xiaoxue said, "Sister-in-law, brother, Auntie has already agreed for me to work in her Weaving Workshop starting tomorrow."

Mrs. Wei was surprised, "Auntie’s opening a Weaving Workshop?"

Since Tong Huaqiong’s workshop hadn’t been announced, no one in Qinghe Bay knew except the village head.

Gu Xiaoxue nodded, "Yes, we’re starting to hire tomorrow. I’m helping Auntie judge who’s suitable to work as a weaver. It’s 500 wen a month now, but once work starts in earnest, the more you do, the more you earn—up to three or four taels a month."

Mrs. Wei was stunned. Even a strong worker like Gu Fengnian couldn’t earn that much.

Gu Fengnian grew excited; having caught Auntie’s attention seemed to open a path to wealth.

Gu Xiaoxue smiled and said, "Sister-in-law, brother, since I’m living with you, I should contribute too. The money I earn will get brushes and ink for Yao Family."

Mrs. Wei and Gu Fengnian looked moved.

Gu Fengnian said, "As his father, how could I let you buy them? Save your money for your dowry."

Mrs. Wei agreed, "Yes, save what you earn for yourself in the future."

Gu Xiaoxue smiled and said nothing.

A dowry, finding a good man isn’t that easy. Since she wasn’t marrying Liu Qingsong, marrying anyone else was meaningless.

Thinking of how Liu Qingsong had risked his life for her and his forlorn look today, Gu Xiaoxue’s heart grew tighter.