A Good Country Wife

Not achieving her goal, Zhao Lingxiang came out of Zhao Erhu’s house with a gloomy face, too lazy even to pretend. In Zhao Lingxiang’s eyes, Zhao Erhu and his wife were still lower in status than Zhao Xinglin and his wife. She didn’t believe at all that the Magistrate would view Zhao Erhu differently as the master had said. She had come here only for the master’s orders and those recipes for making food.

"Nothing but ungrateful wretches, each more detestable than the last," Zhao Lingxiang murmured. Though she didn’t name names, everyone knew to whom she referred.

"Auntie Zhao, you didn’t complete the task the master assigned. If you go back like this, the master will fault you," Xiaocui, originally sent by the mistress to watch over Zhao Lingxiang, received further orders from Old Master Wei to serve and, more importantly, to keep an eye on Zhao Lingxiang, fearing she wouldn’t take matters seriously. Therefore, as soon as Zhao Lingxiang appeared, regardless of her demeanor, Xiaocui spoke up to remind her.

Zhao Lingxiang wasn’t too foolish, she knew Xiaocui, the maid with grand schemes in her mind, wasn’t truly on her side, having been sent over by the mistress. So she warned with a cold face, "You’re but a maid who takes orders; just do your duty. Since when do you have a say in these matters? Don’t think I’m not aware of your little schemes. Best keep yourself in check, for if I catch you out, I’ll make you pay. I may be just an aunt, but I have more than enough means to deal with a little maid like you."

"Auntie Zhao, please forgive me; I won’t dare do it again," Xiaocui was not convinced in her heart, but Zhao Lingxiang was right—she was but a maid. Even if she was following the orders of the mistress and master, she didn’t dare step out of line too much in front of Zhao Lingxiang. Otherwise, should a real conflict arise, while Zhao Lingxiang may not come out on top, there were rules in the back of the house. For a servant to disrespect her master was an act most inappropriate, and Xiaocui would likely be demoted to a menial maid or even sold off. Her end would not be good, and after all, she was not so favored by the master and mistress that they’d protect her out of bias.

Seeing Xiaocui subdued, Zhao Lingxiang wiped the corner of her mouth with a handkerchief, somewhat pleased with herself. "Good that you know fear; as long as you are loyal to me, I naturally won’t treat you poorly."

"Yes, thank you, Auntie Zhao," Xiaocui cursed inwardly, but her expression was increasingly respectful. Surviving in the Wei Residence was not easy, whether you were an aunt or a maid. Everyone had to learn to observe and act accordingly; even if the skills weren’t perfected, they should deceive to a degree. Otherwise, she’d have been sold off during the Wei Residence’s cost-cutting layoffs.

"But Auntie, the master did specifically instruct us before we left. When we return, he will surely ask, and we’ll have to find a way to deal with it. Otherwise, if the master places blame, not just you, Auntie, even I, a lowly maid, won’t escape responsibility," Xiaocu said as though worried for Zhao Lingxiang, but in truth, she feared falling into trouble because of Zhao Lingxiang.