Chapter 89 - Chapter 89: Chapter 89: Ignore Everything (2/2)
Unable to contain her dissatisfaction, Jiang Chunlan let out her sour feelings: “Exactly, Fourth Cousin-in-law, you should rest right away. Your health is so precious, not at all like us with our tough skin and flesh, lest aunt becomes distressed. It’s different for people with good lives, isn’t it? Fourth Cousin-in-law, with a good family background and strong support from her mother’s family, is cherished even after marriage. Unlike us, I should really pray to the Bodhisattva at the temple to be reborn into a better life next time—that would be superior in every way!”
After Jiang Chunlan finished speaking, Yang Juxiang’s face darkened, and she slapped her daughter’s head: “You thoughtless girl, you haven’t figured out this life yet, and you’re already thinking about the next one. My doting on you all this time is wasted; you don’t remember any good!”
The sisters-in-law of the Han Family watched Yang Juxiang and her daughter share a laugh. With Mrs. Wang absent and Mrs. Liu now charmed by Su Wenyue, the sisters-in-law united as one, forming an exceptionally harmonious relationship.
Seeing her niece and the daughters-in-law getting along so well, Mrs. Yang’s heart felt much lighter. Even though she had initially taken her niece’s words to heart, the genuine familial atmosphere that now prevailed made her inadvertently break into a smile.
“Fourth Daughter-in-law, your mother-in-law is right. You’re not used to this kind of work; don’t exert yourself too suddenly, as it may tire you out. Tomorrow, we still have to go to their home, and those people you haven’t met, you don’t know—they all like to look down on others, and they enjoy humiliating us. We are bound to encounter a battle of wits and bravery. As someone smart and formidable, Fourth Daughter-in-law, our Second House has always been suppressed by them, unable to turn the tables. But this year, with you, it’s different. So you must not tire yourself out; I’m counting on you to stand up for our Second House. Your task now is to fully rejuvenate for tomorrow—don’t continue working!”
Mrs. Liu, unlike Mrs. Wang who was more scheming, had already favored Su Wenyue, having received many advantages from her, and hadn’t thought much further. In her view, fate was predetermined at birth, so why ponder more? Now that she relied on Su Wenyue to deal with the people from the Main House, she was even more diligent, practically treating her like royalty, revealing the resentment Mrs. Liu held against the Old lady of the Han Family and the Main House. Although they didn’t meet more than twice a year, the grudge persisted. Mrs. Liu wasn’t as revengeful as Mrs. Wang—she’d only been treated badly by the Main House people.
“Yes, Fourth Daughter-in-law, don’t bother yourself with this. You were never adept at these things. It’s enough for you to just guide us with your knowledge and smart ideas on how to do it better,” added Mrs. Li, and not that she was concerned about the Main House’s business but rather admired how clever the Fourth Daughter-in-law was. Her slight direction earlier had improved the birthday packages significantly, making them puff up softer and more fragrant, not turning yellow with a pudgy white bun that was pleasant to look at and would also save a lot of flour. Before, the amount of flour that could only make one birthday package could now almost make two.
However, did Mrs. Li have no complaints against the Old lady of the Han Family and the Main House? Not really. Being straightforward, she worked hard and didn’t confront others like Mrs. Liu with her explosive temper. At most, she suffered a few scorns and some harsh sarcasm from the old lady and Main House folks, but Mrs. Li wouldn’t retort. Seeing how honest she was, even they didn’t feel accomplished bullying her, eventually stopping their mistreatment. Thus, conflicts between Mrs. Li and the Main House were the least, and after all, she wasn’t the type to harbor grudges.
As for the improvement of the birthday packages, Su Wenyue wasn’t so benevolent to consider the Old lady of the Han Family and Main House’s well-being but because these packages came from their Second House, and the presentation reflected on them. Better appearance would credit their House, and the saving of flour was practical—older packages were tough and wasteful due to poor fermentation, so this was killing two birds with one stone.
Once the birthday packages were ready, they were packed one layer upon another into the clean big baskets prepared in advance. The afternoon passed this way, and everything was ready, just waiting to be delivered to the County Town early the next day. In the past, they had to rise before dawn for the trip to the city, as it was a yearly ritual since the ox cart lumbered slowly along, taking a lot of time on the road. But the good news was that Xiao Xi had returned just as twilight fell.
It was a welcome surprise. Having a horse carriage meant they didn’t need to trudge along with an ox cart anymore. The horse carriage was much faster, saving a lot of time on the road, and there was no need to wake up as early, which made Mrs. Yang and Mrs. Liu view it as a symbol of respectability, for in the County Town, only powerful and influential families could afford horse carriages.