My Princess Holds Superpowers

Chapter 139: 139 Things aren’t always what you want them to be (modified)

Furthermore, Ye Jiu did not hide his dealings with Ye Gaolin to make the wooden boxes from anyone, so many people knew that the Ye Family was now doing business with the townsfolk.

In the last few days, people from the first and second branches of the family came to help as well. After about ten days of hard work, a thousand bars of soap were finally out of the molds.

By the time everything was packaged and placed into wooden boxes, it was already near midnight.

When everyone was stretching lazily, preparing to retire for the night, Zhao Family’s lady chose this moment to speak up, “Fourth brother, look, after bustling about together for so many days, we don’t even know how much money these soaps could be sold for. Why don’t you give your sister-in-law a little insider information?”

He Family’s lady immediately frowned, “Zhao Family’s lady, the division of property has already gone your way. Now, this business belongs to the fourth branch solely. No matter how much money it makes, that’s for us, as well as Lao Si and Jiujiu. What has it got to do with you? You’re needlessly worrying about things that don’t concern you!”

“Mother, that’s not the right way to look at it,” Zhao Family’s lady said with a placating smile. “This soap was made by my sister-in-law, and she doesn’t have just one brother. Even if she wants to offer support, she can’t just support Lao Si alone!”

“So, what do you propose, second sister-in-law?” Ye Jiu asked.

“I’m not asking for much, just looking to take back what belongs to my own family,” Zhao Family’s lady said.

“Oh?” Ye Jiu’s gaze fixed on Zhao Family’s lady. “And what do you think you deserve?”

“I don’t want to take advantage of anyone. Let’s just be fair, and divide it evenly like the family division,” Zhao Family’s lady suggested.

“Does Second Brother share the same view as the second sister-in-law?” Ye Jiu asked calmly, looking at Ye Gaoshui.

Ye Gaoshui’s face immediately showed a flush of shame, “Younger sister, father, mother, don’t listen to Zhao Family’s nonsense. The family has already been divided, and whether our days are good or bad, that’s all down to our own abilities. If younger sister and Lao Si are capable, that’s their business. As their older siblings, we can’t help, but that doesn’t mean we should shamelessly take advantage of them.”

Ye Gaoshui’s words made Zhao Family’s lady instantly upset, “Ye Gaoshui, you’re speaking too lightly. What do you mean by ‘taking advantage’? The soap was already being made before the division of the family, and rightfully, we have a share. We’re simply claiming what is ours. How does that translate to taking advantage?

“Good or bad days are based on our own abilities; do you even know how capable you are? Can you really bear to watch us all eat porridge and vegetables? Wenyu is already thirteen and doesn’t even have a room of his own. In two more years, on what basis will you provide for him to take a wife?”

Ye Gaoshui turned pale with shades of anger and embarrassment, “I may not be capable and I apologize to you and the children, but that’s no excuse to scheme against our parents’ and brothers’ things. Furthermore, during the division, the younger sister already suffered a loss. She gave up the silver that belonged to her, a whole twenty taels. That should be enough for us to get by on for several years.”

Although it was Ye Gaoshui who had instigated the division of the family, Ye Jiu still caught a glimpse of his steadfastness on this matter.

“You… regardless, I don’t care. Since the soap was made before we divided the family, it is only right that our second branch has a share!” Zhao Family’s lady insisted.

The soap business was something Ye Jiu had originally thought of for the family’s sake, and he already had plans for his own future. He wouldn’t bet everything on such a small venture.

But due to the impatience of the people from the first and second branches, who couldn’t even wait a few short months, they insisted on dividing the family.

Now that they wanted a share, unfortunately for them, Ye Jiu wasn’t prepared to give them any.

Since they did not consider brotherly affection when they clamored for division, why should he care for them now?

Watching Zhao Family’s persistent nuisance, Ye Jiu grew angry too and scoffed coldly, “Second sister-in-law, asking Fourth Brother about the soap business is useless, because it was my idea, so naturally, I’m in charge. Suppose I refuse to give you anything today, what can you do about it?”

This was the first time Ye Jiu showed them his cold demeanor, which not only made Zhao Family’s lady’s heart tremble but also embarrassed the couple from the first branch.

More embarrassingly, Ye Gaoshui was involved too, since he and Zhao Family’s lady were family after all.

“Zhao Family’s lady, I’ve said it, the business belongs to my younger sister and Fourth Brother. If you insist on causing a scene, then roll back to your Zhao Family. We, the Ye Family, can’t afford to have you,” Ye Gaoshui roared, his face ashen.

“Husband, after so many years, having given you sons and daughters, is this how you treat me?” Zhao Family’s lady was dumbfounded.

“Yes, send her back to the Zhao Family! The Ye Family can’t afford such a daughter-in-law,” He Family’s lady interjected sharply.

Suddenly, Zhao Family’s lady was thrown into panic; she knew He Family’s temper well and that her words were not just an empty threat. “I won’t cause any more fuss, is that not okay? Don’t send me back to the Zhao Family.”

Having been married for so many years, this was the first time Ye Gaoshui had threatened to send her away, and together with He Family’s lady, naturally, Zhao Family’s lady was afraid.

In the Zhao Family, sons are highly valued over daughters, and several daughters are treated as if they just showed up out of nowhere. Compared to the better days to come after the Ye Family division, clinging to her natal family didn’t mean she was willing to return there.

Seeing Zhao Family’s lady looking pitiful, Ye Gaoshui’s heart softened a bit, “What are you waiting for? Apologize to father, mother, and younger sister this instant!”

Zhao Family’s lady was terrified by Ye Gaoshui’s threat of sending her back; she immediately turned and knelt on the ground, “Father, mother, it’s all my fault, I apologize to you. Mother, please don’t send me back!”

Ye Gaoshui immediately knelt down too, followed by the children from the second branch.