Chapter 79 - Chapter 79: Chapter 79: Covered in Cuts and Bruises (2/2)
Because of Yang Juxiang and her daughter, the Han Family had a rather unsatisfying feast that they had originally looked forward to. However, it seemed this mother and daughter pair were either too carefree or deliberate in their actions, as they seemed completely unaffected and ate heartily.
After dinner, Mrs. Yang kept Mrs. Liu and Su Wenyue back, looking somewhat displeased. Su Wenyue wondered to herself if she had offended her mother-in-law, curious about the reason for her mother-in-law’s displeasure.
“Mother, have you called for us because there’s something you need?” Su Wenyue wasn’t guilty of anything and felt no fear. She didn’t understand why her mother-in-law was acting this way, but thought it best to ask directly.
Mrs. Yang, however, did not respond to Su Wenyue’s question but instead turned to Mrs. Liu: “Eldest Daughter-in-law, I hear you sought out Fourth Daughter-in-law over a matter concerning your eldest sister-in-law at your mother’s family. Is this true?”
Mrs. Yang’s tone carried a clear discontent, and Mrs. Liu, even if not adept at picking up on cues, knew that her mother-in-law was displeased and carefully explained, “Mother, it’s true, it’s about my eldest sister-in-law’s nephew. He couldn’t endure the abuse by his stepmother anymore and sought help from me, so I hoped to implore Fourth Daughter-in-law to see if he could work as a servant at the Su Family, to offer the child a way out.”
“Normally, I wouldn’t meddle in affairs among sister-in-laws, but Fourth Daughter-in-law has only recently been married into our family. She’s youthful and amiable, and I’m sure there are things she cannot say outright. As her mother-in-law, it seems I need to be the annoying one to interject. In the future, weigh your actions more carefully. Just because Fourth
Daughter-in-law is easy to talk to, it doesn’t mean you can come to her with anything. This is an exceedingly distant relative, not even directly related to your mother’s family, yet something concerning your eldest sister-in-law at your mother’s family. Aren’t you embarrassed to trouble Fourth
Daughter-in-law with this? If others knew, what would they think of the Han Family?”
Su Wenyue heard that Mrs. Yang’s concern was about this matter, and with the mother-in-law’s attitude clearly on her side, speaking up for her, Su Wenyue felt a measure of warmth in her heart.
“Yes, Mother, your daughter-in-law understands. I won’t do it again in the future, but for this matter, I still need to trouble my younger sister-in-law.” Mrs. Liu also knew she was somewhat in the wrong. If it weren’t for relying on her status as a daughter-in-law of the Han Family, Su Wenyue might not have been willing to help her, so she responded with a good attitude.
Mrs. Liu’s family must have been truly desperate, for she sent word in the morning, and her eldest sister-in-law at her mother’s family brought the child over that very afternoon.
Although Su Wenyue had heard the child was eleven years old, upon actually seeing her, how could this look like an eleven-year-old girl? She was skin and bones, even smaller than a seven or eight-year-old child, with clothes more tattered than those of a beggar on the street, and her body was covered in wounds. Although Su Wenyue felt her heart had hardened after two lifetimes, she couldn’t help but be moved upon seeing the child. What kind of cruel stepmother could treat a child like this? And thinking about that child she had abandoned, she wondered if he too was being abused by his stepmother.
“Is this the child you spoke of, looking like she’s been beaten to this state?” Su Wenyue felt pain just looking at the child’s wounds. Although Mrs. Yang had been upset with Mrs. Liu for meddling, upon seeing the child, she held back her words. This child was truly pitiable, and she even took out some sweets to give to the child.
“Isn’t it all because of a wicked stepmother? My big brother usually has to work odd jobs in the County Town to support the family and is not at home to protect the child. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have brought her here. The child was nearly killed by that stepmother. I couldn’t just stand by and watch her get hurt, so I sought out Miss Su. I hope Miss Su doesn’t find it inappropriate,” Mrs. Liu’s eldest sister-in-law at her mother’s family said helplessly, her words laced with deep resentment towards the cruel woman..