Chapter 90 - Chapter 90: Chapter Ninety: Acceptance of the Inevitable (1/2)
Chapter 90: Chapter Ninety: Acceptance of the Inevitable
Translator: 549690339
Not only was Su Wenyue delighted to see Xiao Xi, but the other Han family members were equally so. The only discordant note was Mrs. Wang who, during this period, had been keeping a low profile and staying in her room whenever possible, which is why the atmosphere was exceptionally harmonious, except for the disdainful glances from Yang Juxiang and her daughter. In their eyes, Xiao Xi was nothing more than a servant.
“Xiao Xi, you’re back, that’s wonderful!” Mrs. Liu looked at Xiao Xi with joy, which confused Xiao Xi a bit. Even though the Miss had bestowed some small favors upon Mrs. Liu, Mrs. Liu had never been very nice to her; she was just a bit better than Mrs. Wang. Having suddenly become so enthusiastic, Xiao Xi found it somewhat hard to accept.
Su Wenyue caught the surprised expression on Xiao Xi’s face and naturally knew why Mrs. Liu was behaving this way. She found it somewhat amusing. Mrs. Liu could be endearingly straightforward at times, though, of course, some people found it detestable.
“Xiao Xi, your room is currently occupied by Aunt and cousin, and there are no other rooms available at home. I will arrange a room for you with a village neighbor later. You can stay there for the time being,” Su Wenyue said. She hadn’t expected Xiao Xi to return at this time and could only make temporary living arrangements for her; it hadn’t crossed her mind to make Xiao Xi share a room with Yang Juxiang and her daughter.
Su Wenyue knew Xiao Xi’s nature well. Although she could seem very feisty on the surface, that was only when she was upholding her principles. As long as Yang Juxiang and her daughter didn’t provoke her directly, she would endure any bullying from them in silence, given that Xiao Xi’s status in the Han family was no more than an outsider, and she didn’t want to cause any trouble for Su Wenyue. She was indeed a loyal and pitiable servant girl.
Xiao Xi had noticed the addition of the mother and daughter to the home and, judging by their behavior, was well aware they weren’t benevolent characters. Thus, she wasn’t surprised by her Miss’s words and, after responding, she began to move her things from the horse carriage into Su Wenyue’s room.
“Fourth Daughter-in-law, she’s just a servant; why are you so concerned about her? You wasted the effort to arrange a room for her in the neighbor’s home. Let her sleep on a mat in our room; we shouldn’t spoil the servants!” Yang Juxiang had not interacted much with Xiao Xi, but she disliked her just by observing her demeanor — dressed so brightly, like some Miss from a wealthy family. And knowing that Xiao Xi was Su Wenyue’s servant girl made her like her even less.
When Su Wenyue heard Yang Juxiang’s words, her face grew visibly upset. She could tolerate Yang Juxiang and her daughter targeting her, shrugging off their scorn and mockery, but she would not allow them to mistreat Xiao Xi. Her voice turned colder than it ever had before.
“Aunt, you are mistaken; Xiao Xi is not a servant of our family. She has redeemed herself. She stays with the Han family now only out of the years of affection between us. Moreover, all her living expenses while in the Han family are covered by me and not a single penny comes from the Han family resources. Even my mother-in-law has no objections; are you trying to provoke me now?”
Seeing Su Wenyue standing up to her over a servant girl and taking such an unprecedentedly firm stance made Yang Juxiang angry, but the severe look in her eyes made her feel somewhat insecure, especially the icy look from Han Yu that sent chills down her spine. Bolstered by Mrs. Yang’s presence, however, she felt somewhat braver.