Chapter 74: Losing Face
Rebirth of a Farming Wife
Translator: 549690339
Upon hearing this, both Yang Juxiang and her daughter revealed a smug expression on their faces. In their view, once the Mother-in-law had spoken, how could a Daughter-in-law not obey? When Yang Juxiang was at the Jiang Family, she also never took a no from a Daughter-in-law.
However, Su Wenyue didnât comply with their expectations, âNo, thatâs impossible. I wonât let her stay in my room!â
Su Wenyue refused without hesitation, leaving no room for discussion. Not only were Yang Juxiang and her daughter taken aback, but even Mrs. Yangâs face turned sour. Her Daughter-in-law didnât leave her any dignity in front of her Younger Sister and Niece, a complete loss of the Mother-in-lawâs authority and face.
âAunt, look at how Cousin-in-law is talking. She wonât even agree to such a small request, and it was you who instructed; she clearly doesnât take you seriously,â Jiang Chunlan said indignantly, pointing at Su Wenyue.
Yang Juxiang was also shocked by Su Wenyueâs behavior, âEldest Sister, Iâm not criticizing you, but your Mother-in-law is too lenient. Where is there a
Daughter-in-law so unruly as to defy her Mother-in-lawâs words? Itâs utterly outrageous! You cannot indulge her like this; otherwise, sheâll end up walking all over you!â
âWhy do you have to incite things in front of my Mother-in-law? Mother, after living together these days, donât you know what kind of person your
Daughter-in-law is? Surely I am not that petty.â
With that casual remark from Su Wenyue, much of the dissatisfaction in Mrs.
Yangâs heart dissipated. Initially, Mrs. Yang didnât blame Su Wenyue much. Given the Fourth Daughter-in-lawâs wealthy background, having some particularities was normal. The real issue was losing face in front of her Sister and Niece.
âFourth Daughter-in-law, you must have a reason for not letting Chunlan stay in your room, right?â
âMother-in-law understands best. Daughter-in-law indeed had Chunlanâs best interests in mind, which is why I cannot let her rest in my room. It was out of good intentions originally; I never expected Aunt and Cousin Chunlan to misunderstand and even upset you, Mother. I am truly wronged.â
Of all the people there, Su Wenyue only really cared about Mrs. Yangâs opinion. After all, Han Yu still felt some affection for his birth mother, and she didnât want to strain their relationship and make things difficult for Han Yu.
As a Mother-in-law, Mrs. Yang wasnât all that terrible. She wasnât malicious or the kind of Mother-in-law who delighted in tormenting her Daughter-in-law. It was just that she suffered from the common failing of putting too much trust in those she believed in, becoming less astute and more biased when something concerned her. Su Wenyue understood this and sometimes could even take advantage of it.
If the Mother-in-law hadnât been like that in her previous life, how could she have lived so comfortably in the Han Family? So even though sometimes Mrs. Yangâs actions exasperated Su Wenyue, she didnât really blame her.
âWhat do you mean? Fourth Daughter-in-law, explain yourself clearly. Your Aunt and Cousin are reasonable people; if there truly is a good reason, they will listen.â
âMother, it was I who was too impatient. I shouldnât have talked back to Aunt. I didnât let Chunlan rest in my room truly for her own good. Chunlan is only a
year younger than me, an almost fully grown girl. How can she sleep where a man lives? Never mind that Husband and Chunlan are cousins, such relationships have always been prone to gossip, and even true siblings need to avoid each other after reaching a certain age. If this gets out, there will inevitably be slanders, which would tarnish both Husbandâs and Cousinâs reputations. â
Mrs. Yang, who placed great importance on her youngest sonâs reputation, quickly nodded in agreement, âFourth Daughter-in-law makes a good point. A daughterâs reputation is of utmost importance.â
What Mrs. Yang actually wanted to say was that her sonâs reputation was most important. However, considering her Niece was also involved, and Mrs. Yang did have a soft spot for Chunlan, she still took Chunlanâs feelings into account while speaking.
âIf one does nothing wrong, why be afraid of a crooked shadow? I have done nothing to fear; besides, this is our own family weâre talking about. Who would gossip so much?â Jiang Chunlan muttered, unconcerned.
After hearing these words, Mrs. Yang could not reprimand her due to her Sisterâs presence, but her expression soured. She had thought her Niece was respectable, but it turned out she was like this, a girl unconcerned with staying in a manâs room and unashamed. Mrs. Yang thought to herself that it was fortunate Father-in-law interfered with Yuerâs marriage and that he married the Fourth Daughter-in-law instead. If such a woman entered their family, it could have led her son astray. In this regard, Mrs. Yang even more appreciated Su Wenyue and firmly sided with her daughter-in-law over Jiang Chunlan.
âCousin Chunlan might not be afraid, but I am. Husband clearly isnât fickle, but such rumors would damage his reputation. I canât control you, Cousin. You may do as you wish elsewhere, just donât implicate my Husband. So Cousin n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
Chunlan, you should rest somewhere else. If you donât mind, you can stay in Xiao Xiâs room,â Su Wenyue said.
This aligned perfectly with Mrs. Yangâs reasoning; it didnât matter what the Jiang Familyâs daughter did, as long as she didnât affect her son.
âYes, Chunlan, although what the Fourth Daughter-in-law says is harsh, itâs for your own good. Xiao Xi is a neat and generous person, and she wouldnât mind you staying in her room. Besides, you are both women; itâs convenient and wonât cause any unseemly rumors,â Mrs. Yang added.
âEldest Sister, who is this Xiao Xi?â Yang Juxiang asked, puzzled by the name, unaware of such a person at the Han Family.
Seeing her Sister inquire, Mrs. Yang explained Xiao Xiâs background again.
Both Yang Juxiang and her daughter, learning that Xiao Xi was merely Su Wenyueâs Servant girl, felt disdain and contempt.
âAunt, how can you let me stay in a Servant girlâs room? Thatâs too degrading,â Jiang Chunlan protested, leveraging her youth and naivety to speak without concern, voicing things that Yang Juxiang wanted to say but couldnât.
Yang Juxiang, hearing her daughter, didnât object, evidently sharing the same view. Her Eldest Sister offering her a Servantâs room was downright disrespectful.
You silly girl, what are you saying? Xiao Xi is no longer a Servant girl; sheâs redeemed herself. Sheâs staying with Our family because she values her loyalty and wishes to follow her master. Besides, not just anyone can become a servant at the Su Family. Many people plead for such a position and are turned away. You didnât see the clothes Xiao Xi wore when she first arrived at the Han Family; she was dressed far better than us by many times, in the finest materials, like a pampered Daughter In The City. I couldnât believe Xiao Xi was just a Servant girl. She can cook and do all sorts of household chores, and sheâs literate, too. Our average farmerâs daughters canât compare..â