Chapter 178 - Chapter 178: Chapter 178: A Ruthless Person (2/2)
Su Wenyue was rather speechless and couldn’t outright refuse without causing trouble, as doing so might lead to rumors the next day about Lieutenant Han’s wife being overly jealous. Internally, though, she was indeed annoyed.
“Hehe, I know you all mean well. However, this matter is not something I can decide on my own. It’s really up to what our family Head thinks. Lord Han is very decisive and does not put much stock in female beauty. If I were to arbitrarily arrange something, he’d be upset, which I really dare not risk,” responded Su Wenyue, donning the appearance of a submissive daughter-in-law in public.
“Madam Han is being modest. I believe Lord Han treats you very well. As our husband says, even when Lord Han is busy, he tries to spend time with Madam Han every day, which shows how much he values you. You wouldn’t be trying to push away the idea of arranging someone to serve by your husband’s side, which is why you’re giving this excuse, right? That wouldn’t do at all. The thing we women must avoid at all costs is jealousy. Madam Han, don’t fall into that trap,” the lady said, her tone patronizing, clearly with an ulterior motive. No one would normally interfere so brazenly in another’s personal affairs. Even a genuine offer of advice would be brief, but her intent was clearly to embarrass Su Wenyue and tarnish her reputation.
Those present caught on to this, and most reveled in the disaster. Envy was prevalent regarding Han Yu’s rise. Many didn’t feel Han Yu had demonstrated any remarkable talents but had merely flattered his way above them, a promotion they begrudgingly accepted yet could not stomach, masking their jealousy with forced celebration. The pleasure they took in seeing someone challenging Su Wenyue was palpable.
Su Wenyue’s expression darkened. She was not one to suffer in silence. Had this woman been the wife of one of Han Yu’s superiors, Su Wenyue might have played along for Han Yu’s sake, but sadly she was not. Su Wenyue had her own recollections of this woman, and her lips curled into a scornful smile.
“Whether I’m confused or not, it’s not the place of a lower officer’s wife to lecture me. First, put your own house in order before meddling in others’! You accuse me of jealousy, yet I have neither abused nor harmed any concubine or mistresses, nor have I made any of their children disappear.”
“That’s because Lord Han doesn’t have any mistresses or concubines. Naturally, you can afford to talk smugly,” retorted the lady, her rank being just Genuine Eighth Rank, yet showing little respect to Su Wenyue.
Su Wenyue surmised some of the underlying reasons, but no matter what, she was not going to let a lower officer’s wife trample over her. Otherwise, others would also feel emboldened to step on her in the future, not only disgracing herself but also bringing shame to Han Yu. Anyone aiming to slap her face deserved a strong slap in return—a warning to all those who took joy in her troubles that Su Wenyue was not to be trifled with.
“Yes, my husband is chaste and has no intention of keeping a concubine or mistress. As his wife, I am in the position to speak of such things, but as for you, Madam Wang, a woman who cruelly disposed of Lord Wang’s concubine and killed his illegitimate child, what face do you have to stand here accusing me? Under the gaze of everyone here, do you not feel any shame? And I wonder, does that deceased child come to haunt you for retribution at night?”
Madam Wang was no saint herself, and Su Wenyue remembered her in particular because of her ‘sins’ listed in the documents she had read, which detailed over two pages just how ruthlessly she tormented her husband’s concubines and mistresses. At that time, Su Wenyue thought her to be a truly vicious person.