Chapter 85 - Chapter 85: Chapter 85: A Little Intimacy (2/2)
Su Wenyue saw Mrs. Liu come out of her mother-in-law’s room with a triumphant look and knew what she had been up to: “Sister-in-law seems quite pleased with herself.”
“It’s the fourth daughter-in-law. She has been making some delicious nourishment for our mother, so it’s no wonder Mother says you’re virtuous. Yet, you’re willing to spend your dowry silver on these things. Our family’s best food has gone to outsiders. What’s the meaning of this!”
“Mother is soft-hearted, after all, and they’re family. There are some things Mother finds hard to say, so don’t complain too much.” Su Wenyue did not like to talk about others behind their backs. The reason she brought it up previously was only because she saw Mrs. Liu and Yang Juxiang struggling and had offered a few ‘pointers’.
“You, fourth daughter-in-law, are just too soft-spoken. How does that saying go? ‘The willing horse is ridden, the kind person is bullied’…” Mrs. Liu, hearing Su Wenyue’s comment, forgot her previous admiration for Su Wenyue and began to preach at length, aiming to change Su Wenyue’s perspective.
Su Wenyue interrupted her directly: “Sister-in-law, please go ahead with your tasks. I’ve finished stewing the chicken soup for Mother; it should be taken to her while it’s still hot. I’ve left some for the children as well.”
“The fourth daughter-in-law, you’re here.” Mrs. Yang had just sent Mrs. Liu away and wasn’t in the mood for more visitors, but her expression softened upon seeing Su Wenyue. She thought that the fourth daughter-in-law wouldn’t also be there to talk about her sister and niece’s issue.
“Mother, I made some chicken soup for you. Have it before your rest.” Su Wenyue brought the chicken soup in.
“Oh, fourth daughter-in-law, why have you made chicken soup for me again? The wound on my head is nearly healed, and here you are, still going to all this trouble. I’m just an old lady; it seems a waste to use good things on me.” Mrs. Yang was about to say more, but her daughter-in-law had already placed the fragrant chicken soup before her.
“Mother, what are you talking about? It’s my husband’s and my pleasure to honor you. Just drink and get your strength back. That’s what’s most important.”
“It’s you and the fourth child who are so attentive. Who else in this household takes such good care of this old woman, showering her with delicacies? I must have built up good karma in my previous life to have a daughter-in-law as wonderful as you,” Mrs. Yang mused, and in comparison to her other daughters-in-law, the fourth daughter-in-law’s piety stood out even more.
“Mother, elder brother and sister-in-law honor you just the same, only in different ways. I just happened to be fortunate in this regard. But I am delighted by your compliments all the same,” Su Wenyue said playfully, her tone affectionate.
“Oh, you!” For once, a smile graced Mrs. Yang’s otherwise expressionless face.
“Fourth daughter-in-law, your elder sister just visited and had a long talk with me. What do you think about your aunt and cousin’s situation?” Mrs. Yang had initially been unhappy, thinking that Su Wenyue had come for that reason. But now, with Su Wenyue not broaching the subject, she herself brought it up, considering her youngest daughter-in-law to be clever and discerning enough to offer some advice.
“Mother, they are family, what’s there for me to think about? We certainly can’t let it affect your relationship with your sister. The Jiang Family lives far away, and it’s not easy for them to visit. Let’s allow Aunt and my cousin to stay a bit longer; it gives you the chance to catch up more with your sister. However, our family isn’t exactly well-off, so perhaps we should cut back on food expenses a bit. It’s not feasible to have white flour and rice at every meal; we simply can’t sustain that for long. I think Aunt and my cousin, being from a farmer’s background and accustomed to some hardship, should be able to understand that.”
Understand? Su Wenyue thought otherwise, yet her lips curved with a hint of skepticism.