Chapter 3 - 3 Chapter 3: Strangeness of Yin and Yang (2/2)

Han Yu was reflective, wondering when his daughter-in-law had learned to cook. Could it be that the Mother-in-law had taught her specially before she married? It must be so, Han Yu speculated, not knowing that Mrs. Su had indeed intended for her daughter to learn the ways of a wife before the marriage, including teaching her cooking. However, Su Wenyue, being pampered and marrying into a family like the Han Family, didn’t need to please anyone and thought even less of it.

Just as Han Yu was about to say something, he heard some noise from outside. Looking through the kitchen door, he saw Mrs. Han Yang approaching, and he swiftly left the kitchen without her noticing.

Mrs. Han Yang hadn’t expected Su Wenyue to be like most new daughters-in-law, getting up early to cook breakfast for everyone. She came to the kitchen early in the morning only to find that Su Wenyue had already prepared breakfast. She nodded, a satisfied smile spread across her face, and the slight worry she had had about Su Wenyue marrying down into their family disappeared. She had indeed chosen the right daughter-in-law. Not only was she beautiful and charming, but she also respected the rules for new wives and was so capable. Yuer was indeed blessed.

“Mother, you’re up,” Su Wenyue called sweetly upon seeing Mrs. Han Yang enter, without any of her previous arrogance or disdain.

“Yes, I was just about to come and make breakfast. I didn’t expect that Lady Yue, you would have already prepared it. You truly are capable,” Mrs. Han Yang said with satisfaction, becoming a few degrees warmer towards Su Wenyue.

Seeing Mrs. Han Yang satisfied, Su Wenyue knew she had passed this test with her mother-in-law and was happy. She became even more modest, “This is what a daughter-in-law should do.”

“Good, good, such a sensible child. Yuer is so fortunate to have married you. You must be tired after working in the kitchen for so long by yourself; sit and rest for a while. The rest of us, with your sisters-in-law, can take care of things. Don’t tire yourself out,” Mrs. Han Yang insisted, pulling Su Wenyue aside to sit down, causing the other daughters-in-law to be envious. When they had married into the family, they hadn’t received such consideration, nor had they heard their mother-in-law praise them even once. After all, wasn’t this the case for every new daughter-in-law? It seemed to them that just because Su Wenyue came from a prominent mother’s family, the mother-in-law treasured her as if she were contemplating making Su Wenyue into a worshiped Bodhisattva.

“Yes, Fourth younger sibling, you rest. Let us sisters-in-law handle the rest. After all, our skin is thick and our flesh is tough, unlike you, who are so delicate. Making breakfast has Mother worrying about you as if it’s such a big deal,” Eldest Daughter-in-law Mrs. Liu said sarcastically.

Mrs. Han Yang’s expression soured upon hearing the Eldest Daughter-in-law’s words. That Eldest Daughter-in-law was troublesome, known for shirking duties and not keeping her pregnancies, and she loved stirring up trouble. Now, she was targeting the newly arrived Fourth Daughter-in-law. Fourth Daughter-in-law had been spoiled by her parents since childhood and wasn’t used to taking such nonsense; it wouldn’t be good if a scene were made.

Su Wenyue was not oblivious to the sarcasm in Mrs. Liu’s words but still smiled, not taking offense. Mrs. Liu had always been like this in her previous life, constantly picking on her. Back then, Su Wenyue was young and could not stand Mrs. Liu’s provocations, suffering quite a bit at her hands. This life, Su Wenyue saw Mrs. Liu as nothing more than a clown. It wasn’t that she couldn’t be bothered to argue with someone as petty as Mrs. Liu, but today was her first day in the family, and it would not be good to cause a fuss. Even if she came out on top, she would acquire a bad reputation for disrespecting her Eldest Sister-in-law. With these thoughts, Su Wenyue smiled even more softly.

“Eldest Sister-in-law, how can you say that? How could I let my sisters-in-law work while I sit idly by? Since most of the work is done, why don’t Mother and the sisters-in-law go and sit down? I’ll serve the breakfast right away.”