Chapter 158 - Chapter 158: Chapter 157: Direct Superior (2/2)

“Exactly. Otherwise, let alone getting in, even if we did, we’d be treated like Madam Fang Chen, sitting there with a stiff face as if someone owed her something, without considering her own status. Others aren’t eager to pay her any attention. If it weren’t for her mother’s family having some reputation and the county magistrate’s wife issuing a post, she wouldn’t even be able to step foot in here,” Mrs. Yao Qin had long disliked Madam Fang Chen’s snobbish attitude.

Madam Fang Chen saw Mrs. Yao Qin and Mrs. Wei Li looking towards her with expressions clearly tinged with sarcasm. The struggle to maintain her composure was palpable, as she knew this was not the occasion to cause a scene.

Su Wenyue also noticed the undercurrent among the three women and felt somewhat amused. She thought Madam Fang Chen really suffered a blow this time, losing face almost completely, and today’s events would likely be remembered by her for a lifetime.

“Mrs. Han, your hairpin is exquisite. I wonder where it was made? I will have to go and get one made for myself,” Su Wenyue said, following the county magistrate’s wife. Given the special way she was treated by the county magistrate’s wife, naturally, some had motivations, and seated there, many people came over to flatter and converse with her.

Su Wenyue could only respond patiently, and even though she felt impatient inside, she couldn’t let it show on her face. She still had to maintain a smiling demeanor, appearing very interested – truly more exhausting than working in the field.

An Family knew her daughter well. Seeing Su Wenyue, who was pregnant, still dealing with these exhausting formalities, she felt very distressed and thought about helping to deflect them, but ultimately refrained from doing so. She clearly understood that her daughter could avoid these situations if she chose, but the effort and care she took to interact with these madams and misses was for the sake of her son-in-law, seeking to establish connections for him. A woman, after getting married, wholeheartedly devotes herself to serving her husband’s family.

“It looks like the General’s Lady is here. Let’s go greet her as well,” someone whispered, and Su Wenyue realized why the crowd around her had suddenly dwindled. The General’s Lady had arrived, and everyone was busy trying to curry favor with her. She, on the other hand, breathed a sigh of relief.

The General and the county magistrate both held seventh-rank official positions, one a civil official and the other a military official with different responsibilities. Although to those higher up, they were mere petty officials, in Xinye, they were both powerful figures, the largest in the county. The General’s Lady and the county magistrate’s wife were both equally revered and sought after by the others. However, due to various reasons related to duties and other matters, the county magistrate’s wife still held slightly more esteem than the General’s Lady.

Hearing that the General’s Lady had arrived, Madam Wei, as the hostess, rarely rose from her seat to greet the guest at the door, showing her appreciation for the General’s Lady’s presence.

“It troubles the birthday star to come and receive me personally; it’s embarrassing. I came specifically today to ask the birthday star for a cup of birthday wine; I hope you won’t despise my forwardness,” the General’s Lady said with a smile on seeing Madam Wei coming to greet her. Everyone wished to be respected, and with her status similar to the county magistrate’s wife, the county magistrate’s wife was willing to give her face, and she was happy to return the favor and maintain good relations.

“Look at what you’re saying! I couldn’t be happier that the General’s Lady could come; how could I possibly despise you? Under the plum tree at home, I have buried a jar of plum wine aged for decades, which I have never had the heart to drink. Now that the General’s Lady is here, it’s the perfect occasion to open this good jar of wine. It would be a shame to let such fine wine go to waste by letting someone as common as me spoil it.”

At that moment, Su Wenyue was brought by Madam Wei to greet the General’s Lady as a sign of recognition, and also as Madam Wei’s intention to give Su Wenyue a helping hand. The General was a military official, directly above Han Yu, and if the General’s Lady was kept happy, Han Yu would surely benefit. However, Su Wenyue wasn’t so optimistic, as there was another person accompanying the General’s Lady.