Chapter 279: Chapter 273 Fearless_1 Chapter 279: Chapter 273 Fearless_1 Zhao Lingxiang called Chunxi into the room to talk. Having heard nothing for so long about the matter she had charged Chunxi with, her face looked rather displeased.
“Auntie Zhao, it’s not that I’m unwilling to help you with the task, but as you know, the situation in our household is different. My husband and that woman he brought in from outside, that adulterous couple, are now watching me very closely. I simply have no chance to leave the house.” Chunxi, seeing Auntie Zhao’s displeasure yet unable to help, was determined not to work for nothing, benefiting Zhao Jingui and the You Family.
“Enough, I’ve heard you. Go back,” said Zhao Lingxiang, dismissing Chunxi with a wave of her hand, having grown tired of her excuses.
“Utterly useless, not the slightest bit helpful. She can’t even handle such a trivial task.” Zhao Lingxiang’s well-laid plans were upset, and her mood was very foul.
“Auntie, don’t be angry. That woman is clearly timid and incompetent, obviously not suited for achieving anything but failure. It’s simply not worth it for someone of your esteemed standing to be upset over such a person. Besides, if Chunxi hasn’t managed it, there are others who might. Didn’t the master give you two hundred taels of silver? With such a large sum, what can’t be accomplished?” Xiaocui was clearly coveting the two hundred taels of silver Master Wei had given to Zhao Lingxiang. As she spoke of the silver, a greedy look inevitably appeared on her face, which made Zhao Lingxiang feel more suffocated.
Far from being appeased by Xiaocui’s words, Zhao Lingxiang only grew angrier, though she kept it internal. How could she have forgotten that she had this informant, Xiaocui, at hand? The maid was not faithful, yet she knew of her affairs. If she wanted to embezzle the silver, she would have to share some to keep this maid’s mouth shut, otherwise, Xiaocui might well spill all of her secrets.
“It’s scorching hot, what kind of weather is this? Fan me quickly, you useless girl!” Zhao Lingxiang snapped irritably. It was already deep autumn, and the weather was quite cool, but she used this as an excuse to reprimand Xiaocui, which was indicative of her fiery temper and anxiety over the silver.
It made sense, after all. Zhao Lingxiang had everything well-calculated, yet one thing after another had gone beyond her expectations. The best way to describe her current situation would be: her dreams too perfect, reality too bleak! Not only had the weight of silver destined for her pocket diminished, but even a maid was trying to get a share of it. It was both infuriating and despairing.
Xiaocui, seeing Auntie in such a state, understood why she was angry. She had said those words because she had guessed Auntie Zhao’s intentions, aiming to get a cut of the two hundred taels of silver. Auntie Zhao had not misjudged her; it was not that she was overly greedy, but rather that Auntie Zhao, the mistress, was too stingy. The ten or twenty coppers she would usually give were hardly enough for her to buy snacks and seeds. Naturally, Xiaocui had to look out for herself—silver was the real treasure, coveted by all.
If her mistresses had been the likes of the lady or Auntie Zhou, Xiaocui wouldn’t dare to behave this way, as either could easily sell her off without any hesitation. One ruled the inner courtyard and the other was the master’s favorite. Auntie Zhao, however, didn’t have that kind of authority. Though she belonged to Auntie Zhao and could endure a little scolding and spanking from her, any serious punishment would require the lady’s approval. All the maids in the inner courtyard were under the lady’s command, and besides, Auntie Zhao had compromising information in Xiaocui’s hands. She had no need to be afraid; if Auntie Zhao really dared to do something drastic to her, the worst outcome would be mutually assured destruction, and Auntie Zhao wouldn’t be foolish enough to risk that. Hence, Xiaocui could be fearless.