Chapter 161 Instead of crying yourself, look to someone else…

The main reason is that the Empress Dowager's scolding was also correct. When she moved to the Princess's residence, everyone there was a member of her own family. But because of her actions, now almost everyone in the residence is a relative of Cui Fang's family.

Only the lower-ranking maids and servants are not; the Cui family's relatives are all talk and no action, and those who are greedy and greedy have taken away all the positions with certain status.

There are hardly any capable people to be found.

She felt that her mother's lesson was completely different from the lesson her mother, Cui, had taught her.

Every time Cui's mother said she was going to discipline her, she would tremble with fear.

They were either forced to kneel under the sun as punishment or to copy Buddhist scriptures.

He would also be scolded by people sent by Cui's mother from time to time.

This is also why Xiao Qiluo was unwilling to let the mother and her two children die so easily. They had humiliated her for so long; ending their lives would be too easy.

Although the Empress Dowager reprimanded her, she was only talking to her, but every word she said was for her benefit.

"Mother."

[Stop talking nonsense. Send someone to fetch the entire Cui family, young and old. Didn't they know to pay their respects to the princess this morning? They always talk about etiquette, but when it comes to themselves, they have absolutely no manners.]

Xiao Qiluo agreed with this. Cui's mother often said that she was a person who valued rules, but now it seemed that she was just using this as an opportunity to suppress her.

If she truly respected the rules, how could she rely on her mother-in-law's presence to lecture this princess?

"Mother, what should we do about Cui Fang?" Xiao Qiluo had not forgotten that Cui Fang was keeping a mistress outside.

To be precise, that wasn't his mistress; that was his imposter benefactor.

Choi Bong had warned her before that if she got jealous again, he would move in there.

She was quite heartbroken at the time and tried her best to salvage the situation, but then her mother appeared.

She has no desire to win Cui Fang back now; let him go wherever he wants.

Xiao Qilu tried hard to recall the past with Cui Fang, and it seemed that they had also had happy times, but those times were so short that Xiao Qilu thought she was dreaming.

“Sometimes I feel like I’m the one who caused all of this, and I even feel a little guilty towards Cui Fang.”

Xiang Bei rolled her eyes. "What do you mean, 'owe something'?"

That attitude of neither accepting nor rejecting is the most disgusting.

The male lead, Cui Fang, is not only disgusting, but he also uses emotional abuse and psychological manipulation on the female lead. Combined with his mother's words, one can't help but suspect that he may have been plotting to seize the throne all along.

Stop blaming yourself and focus on hurting others. For now, don't think about that jerk while he's away. Take some time today to get rid of the servants—sell those who need to be sold, replace those who need to be replaced, and fill the gaps with your own people. There'll be plenty of time to deal with that clueless jerk.

Xiang Bei felt that they should do it one at a time.

There are just too many things happening in this mission world.

Even the mention of the word "imperial son-in-law" by Xiao Qiluo felt wrong before. What if she met him in person and felt even more wrong?

In the original text, which is hundreds of thousands of words long, the emperor was as quiet as if he were dead. In the end, when he was really dying, he passed the throne to his son-in-law.

It's understandable that the emperor favors the princess, but Xiang Bei is worried that the emperor is not discerning. If Xiao Qiluo goes to him for help, and he favors his son-in-law over his daughter, then sending Xiao Qiluo back to the princess's residence would be troublesome.

Instead of seeking help from the emperor, it would be better to seek help from her now.

If we clear out those people in the princess's residence first, then if the emperor really makes a mistake, at least we can back down.

Xiao Qiluo nodded, taking Xiang Bei's words to heart.

After her last argument with her father, she hadn't seen him for a while. Thinking about how every argument with her father was because of Cui Fang, she felt an urge to take Cui Fang's head and apologize to her father.

[And most importantly, don't cry easily. Wipe away your tears and move on. It's better to watch others cry than to cry yourself. At worst, dig a hole and bury someone you dislike, transferring your pain onto your enemies; you'll open the door to a new world.]

Xiao Qiluo quickly wiped away her tears, thought for a moment, and humbly asked, "Then, Mother, what should I do now?"

[Go and collect the debt from Cui Fang's mother. Have Xingzhi go outside the manor to find slave traders. Buy more strong, healthy women; maids who know martial arts would be even better, and those who know medicine will also be fine. If you can't find such women, hire them. Also, get more guards. By the way, you have money, right?]

"Yes, there are." Xiao Qiluo nodded emphatically.

Her dowry was substantial, and even though Cui's mother and her family were spendthrifts, they never squandered it all.

She's spent so much of her money; surely she can ask them for the debt when she's in a bad mood?

After giving Xingzhi a few instructions, Xiao Qiluo went to Cui's mother's current courtyard. She thought about how inconvenient it was to go there, and how it would be very unimpressive to have her come in person if she wanted to teach someone a lesson.

The Empress Dowager's lesson was that she had squandered a great opportunity and had few capable people around her.

She should find a few strong and capable old women so that they can drag the person to her with just one command.

He realized that he should go out and call the slave trader into the mansion.

When Xiao Qiluo arrived, Cui's mother was still asleep; that old woman wasn't one to get up early. In the past, to get Xiao Qiluo to pay her respects to her mother-in-law daily, she would get up early to establish rules for her.

Xiao Qiluo was told to go an hour early, and then she slept until the appointed time.

Xiao Qiluo didn't say anything yesterday, so Granny Wen had no choice but to move over with Cui's mother. Yesterday was very chaotic, and the old woman herself had lost an ear, so she couldn't take care of Granny Wen.

Upon seeing Xiao Qiluo, Granny Wen was somewhat at a loss for words. "Greetings to the princess."

When the maid from yesterday saw Xiao Qiluo arrive, she dared not bully her anymore and hurriedly said, "This servant will go and wake the old lady up right away."

Xiao Qiluo sat down and nodded, saying, "Go ahead, and remember to remind Zheng Shi that I'm here today to set some rules for her. If she can't get up, I'll go see her myself."

The maid shuddered at the thought of the old lady's current appearance, fearing that the princess might pull out a dagger and slice off her fingers and ears at any moment.

Yesterday, I secretly invited a doctor to examine the old lady. Her ear has been bandaged up. The one who was most seriously injured was Second Master Cui Hao.

Apart from losing her hair, Miss Cui Bao'er is otherwise fine.

Upon hearing that Xiao Qiluo had arrived, Cui's mother was immediately awakened, feeling the pain in her ear wound return. "Why is that evil spirit here?"

The evil spirit had told her not to call her son back, but Cui's mother still secretly sent someone to invite him.

The story focuses on the fact that the evil spirit has gone mad at home, and apart from her son, no one can control Xiao Qiluo now.

As a result, that unfilial son said something to them, telling them not to cooperate with Xiao Qiluo's act, that he wouldn't be fooled.

He even gave her a special message, telling her not to always side with Madam Xiao, which would spoil her and give her a lot of bad habits. He said he wanted to marry Ruan Rou'er as a concubine, so that Madam Xiao could put pressure on her.

Upon hearing this, Cui's mother nearly fainted.

Upon learning that her unfilial son had found a mistress, the princess had tormented the entire family to this extent, and even asked her to speak up and offer advice. Cui's mother felt that the princess could just cut her mouth off with those scissors.

She dared not mention it.

She kept referring to the Xiao family, and thinking about how she, Hao'er, and Bao'er almost died at Xiao Qiluo's hands yesterday, Cui's mother trembled.

If an unfilial son wants to die, he should just say so himself.

She dared not mention it; Xiao Qiluo was truly capable of killing.

Madam Cui didn't want to go out, but she had no choice but to. She walked over cautiously, not believing that the princess was there to pay her respects.

Just one day later, she came to terms with reality, mainly because she had lost one ear, and she had no choice but to accept it.

"This old woman greets the princess."

Xiao Qiluo didn't look at Cui's mother. This courtyard was considered remote within the princess's residence.

"Did you send someone to fetch your good son yesterday?"

Mother Cui was startled for a moment, not understanding how Xiao Qiluo knew.

"Did the prince consort say anything?"

Cui's mother trembled and didn't dare to say a word.

"What? You won't talk?" Xiao Qiluo took out a dagger from her sleeve and tapped it on the table again and again.

Seeing this, Cui's mother was quite frightened and quickly relayed Cui Fang's message to Xiao Qiluo.

"So that's how it is. I thought the prince consort was filial, but it turns out he's just the same to you, his own mother. Nothing special."

Cui's mother wanted to argue, but after such a fright yesterday, Cui Fang still felt that she was helping the princess act out a scene, and she was truly hurt by her son.

"Don't remain silent. I've come to see you because I have something to discuss. Madam Cui, is there something you've forgotten?"

Upon hearing this, Cui's mother was stunned for a moment, but she still tried her best to recall.

I thought for a long time, but I couldn't remember what I had forgotten.

"Can't remember? Then let me remind you, this is the princess's residence. Do you still remember, and are you the current owner of this residence?"

"Of course, she's a princess."

"It's good that you know. Since ancient times, I've never heard of any princess's mother-in-law daring to set rules for the princess. Madam Cui, you are the first person in history to do so. I can't bear to waste your good intentions. Since you are so energetic, I might as well find you something to do."

Mother Cui felt uneasy upon hearing this, but for a moment she didn't know how to refute it.

Perhaps, they simply didn't dare to refute it.

When she heard that she was going to bring her son and daughter to the princess's mansion to empty chamber pots and clean toilets, Cui's mother's eyes widened in astonishment.

"I don't know how."

"If you don't know how, then learn! I'll make sure someone teaches you diligently because you're my mother-in-law."

Cui's mother agreed, her voice trembling.

When Cui Bao'er heard that she had been assigned to wash the maids' clothes, she pouted and threw a tantrum, refusing to come out. All her hair was gone and cut like this; how could she face anyone?

He cursed Xiao Qiluo a few times, mainly hoping Cui Fang would come back and deal with her. Cui's mother quickly covered his mouth and forcibly pulled him out.

Cui Hao was the most seriously injured, and Cui's mother still felt sorry for her youngest son.

"Princess, Hao'er is badly injured. Can we please not let him do anything?"

"He's just injured, not dead. What, do you have a problem with me, the princess?"

Feeling guilty, Cui's mother dared not reply. These words sounded familiar; she had said something similar when the princess caught a cold before.

Xiao Qiluo took a look and saw that Cui Hao was lying motionless on the bed. She didn't know if he was dead, but his wounds had been bandaged.

After watching for a while, Xiao Qiluo suddenly reached out and pressed on Cui Hao's wound. Cui Hao immediately opened his eyes and jumped up from the bed.

"So you were lying to me?"

Mother Cui hadn't expected her youngest son to be faking it. She quickly waved her hand, her heart sinking. She couldn't count on her eldest son, and now her youngest was even pretending to be dead.

"No, I don't know, it has nothing to do with me."

"Cui Hao is not allowed to eat today and will be forced to kneel for a day."

"But if we do that, Hao'er will die."

"Then let him die. Who allowed him to do bad things outside in my name? Should I send him to the Dali Temple right now? Bullying men and women, doesn't he deserve to die? Or you, his own mother, can die in his place. I just don't know if he will be grateful to you after you die?"

Mother Cui immediately swallowed her words and took her two children to the backyard to wash clothes and clean the chamber pot. Just then, she realized that she had just returned with the slave trader.

A large group of people rushed in, leaving the mother and her two children stunned.

The slave trader glanced at the three men, who were all covered in dirt and wearing clothes typically worn by servants in the manor. He didn't look at them much, assuming it was just the princess's manor punishing some ignorant servants.

Xiao Qiluo instructed Xingzhi to summon everyone in the princess's residence in the name of Cui's mother.

The slave trader was a normal person and wouldn't yell at Xiao Qiluo. She originally thought he was a high-ranking official, but it turned out that the princess's mansion wanted to buy someone.

After walking over, he immediately led his men to bow, saying, "This humble servant greets Your Highness the Princess."

"Get up, then I can explain my demands to you clearly."

“I told you, these old women are strong, and these young maids are all clever. Some of them have some martial arts skills, but they were forced to sell themselves because their families fell on hard times. They all meet the princess’s requirements.”

Although the slave trader didn't understand why the princess was handling such a matter personally, as wealthy families usually had their stewards in charge, he never expected that even a small matter like buying a servant would require the princess to personally intervene in the princess's residence.

Xiao Qiluo glanced at them and saw eight burly old women, who were quite strong, and two of them were said to be quite skilled in martial arts.

"How many can you handle?" Xiao Qiluo asked, looking at the two skilled old women.

“Your Highness, I could take on ten of these old servants,” one of the old women said, pointing at Granny Wen.

Granny Wen's face turned pale, and she swayed, almost falling to the ground.

The other replied, "This old servant is stronger; he can take on seventeen or eighteen of them."

Granny Wen's legs went weak with fright, and she collapsed to the ground.

The others in the mansion looked at each other, all with a very bad feeling.

Xiao Qiluo nodded with great satisfaction; this was exactly the kind of person she needed.

"You two stay here."

As for the other six old women, Xiao Qiluo inquired and found that it was not a problem to subdue one of them.

“These old women should all stay.”

The slave trader immediately burst into laughter.

These women are all very strong, especially the two who know kung fu, so their prices are naturally not cheap.

“Your Highness, these young girls used to be in an opera troupe, so they have some skills.”

While they were talking, the slave trader even had those people demonstrate their martial arts skills.

Xiao Qiluo leaned forward slightly to take a look, "Not bad, stay."

Of the people the slave trader brought, only two or three were not kept; the rest were all bought by Xiao Qiluo.

"I also have a few people here who want to sell, but their character isn't very good. If you buy them, they might not be able to resell them, so I won't charge you. Please help me dispose of them."

"Thank you very much, Princess," the slave trader said hurriedly.

If you get a few people for free and don't charge them money, even if it's hard to sell them, as long as you sell them, you'll make a profit.

The slave trader assumed Xiao Qiluo was referring to Cui's mother and the other two, and said, "Then I'll take them back right away."

Seeing the slave trader looking at her, Cui's mother gritted her teeth and said, "I am the princess's mother-in-law."

That woman has absolutely no sense of propriety. When her son comes back, she'll gouge his eyes out. How dare she mistake her for a servant!

"How dare you!" Xingzhi shouted, and Cui's mother immediately fell silent.

The slave trader realized he had made a mistake and was somewhat embarrassed. He thought the person kneeling was the one the princess was going to sell, but he didn't expect it to be the princess's mother-in-law.

I initially thought it was a bit strange that the princess's mother-in-law was kneeling, but then I thought, she is a princess, what's so strange about kneeling before a princess?

"I wonder who the princess is selling to?"

Xiao Qiluo pointed casually.

There was the little maid in her yard who didn't do any work and often slacked off, as well as the people around her mother-in-law.

This alone affected most of the servants in the princess's residence.

Among them was the maid A-Luo.

These people all have indentures.

Since the Cui family's relatives did not have indentures, Xiao Qiluo planned to deal with these people first, and then deal with the Cui family members who acted recklessly in her name.

The slave trader frowned as he looked at A Luo. With her face so swollen, most families probably wouldn't want her.

The old woman with half her face swollen looked fierce and didn't seem like a good seller.

No wonder the princess was willing to sell even if it meant losing money; the princess's residence is full of ugly and unfit servants.

Granny Wen never expected that the princess would even sell herself.

She entered the household early, and to deceive the princess, she signed a contract of servitude. Granny Wen never imagined that this very contract would become the princess's tool for controlling her.

She immediately knelt down, "Princess, this old servant has served the old lady for many years..."

Seeing the princess staring at her, Granny Wen choked on her words. At this moment, it would be unwise to plead with Cui's mother, especially since she had already betrayed Cui's mother.

The princess has spoken, which means there is no room for repentance.

Granny Wen still tried to struggle, pleading, "Madam, Madam, please help me."

Cui's mother was barely able to take care of herself, so how could she possibly help her?

"You lot, tie these people up for me, gag them, and if you do a good job, you'll be richly rewarded," Xiao Qiluo said to the old women she had just bought.

The old women, naturally wanting to show their loyalty to their new master, immediately sprang into action, quickly tying up the person to be sold and even gagging him tightly.

One of the old women even suggested, "Her Highness is no ordinary person. These people serve in the palace, so they must know more. If they are bought by someone else, it might tarnish the princess's reputation. Why don't we give them a drug to make them mute before selling them off?"

Xiao Qiluo looked at the old woman, "What's your name?"

"This old servant's surname is Huang, and he has no given name."

"From today onwards, you will serve me, along with the other two." The princess then pointed to the two old women who knew some martial arts.

With the matter almost resolved, Xiao Qiluo heard a faint cracking sound again.

It was coming from her chest.

She didn't know what the problem was, but since her mother hadn't said anything, it shouldn't be anything serious.