Chapter 178: A Ruthless Person
Translator: 549690339
Han Yu’s promotion was a joyous occasion, and every servant in the ho was brimming with happiness. However, trouble soon followed, as hosting guests in celebration of the promotion was unavoidable. Su Wenyue, nearly five months pregnant and expecting twins, was soone Han Yu did not wish to overburden, so he entrusted the banquet arrangents to Aunt Li and Grandma Chen. Su Wenyue, while trusting their abilities, still worried about potential oversights and took up the work herself whenever she had the energy.
Seeing that Su Wenyue insisted, and these days her morning sickness had abated, she was eating and sleeping well, and looked much more energetic. Furthermore, she was careful not to overexert herself, so Han Yu did not stop her. A daughter-in-law with the ability to manage affairs was naturally more ticulous and reliable than servants.
On the twenty-third of August, a day of rest, visitors arrived with gifts in hand. Han Yu entertained the male guests at the front, while Su Wenyue, unable to be active because of the children in her stomach, had to sit and greet the female guests. The plan had been for Grandma Chen and Aunt Li to take care of everything else.
Mada Liu Zhao had a sharp eye and, along with Mrs. Wei Li and Mrs. Yao Qin, arrived early to help Su Wenyue host the guests. Compared to the two old won servants, her assistance was much more dignified and thorough, and Su Wenyue was grateful.
Lord Fang and his wife did not co. Lord Fang himself was not a magnanimous man and was quite upset with Han Yu’s sudden change in deanor, feeling that Han Yu’s rapid promotion despite being new to the military camp was deeply unfair, decrying the unfairness of the heavens and the darkness of officialdom. Mada Fang Chen, having lost face over the incident at the County governnt, harbored a deep hatred for Su Wenyue. Had Su Wenyue been in trouble, she might have co to gloat, but with a celebration at Su Wenyue’s house, she had no interest in attending, not even sending a representative with congratulatory gifts.
Zhou Wang felt the sa as she ca with Lord Zhou, beaming with joy as if the celebration was for her own family. It seed as if her prior grievance with Su Wenyue had never existed. Su Wenyue had to admire Zhou Wang’s tenacity; this woman was too ambitious and too enduring, willing to sacrifice dignity for her goals, an attitude that Su Wenyue did not agree with or dare underestimate. Such a woman was truly dangerous, capable of anything.
“Madam Han is truly blessed. Not only is Lord Han young and handso, but he is also so capable. In just a short ti after entering the military camp, he has been promoted twice, advancing to Deputy Lieutenant of the Seventh Rank. Both his ability and fortune are undeniable. Besides, Lord Han is also deeply loyal to you, Madam Han. We can’t help but envy you,” said a lady.
“Indeed, in our families, once fortunes improve, isn’t it common to take in concubines and mistresses? Only Lord Han has kept himself clean,” another lady said enviously.
“But, Madam Han, we’re all experienced in these matters, and I must advise you. You’ll be pregnant for nearly a year, unable to attend to Lord Han. It’s necessary to have soone at Lord Han’s side. A young man in his pri can only hold out for so long. If a wildflower outside catches his attention, it won’t end well. It’s better to choose an obedient one, secure her body contract, and you won’t have to worry about her causing any mischief,” said the lady, clearly seasoned in dealing with concubines, keen to impart her wisdom upon Su Wenyue, thereby demonstrating her supposed superiority.
Su Wenyue was rather speechless and couldn’t outright refuse without causing trouble, as doing so might lead to rumors the next day about Lieutenant Han’s wife being overly jealous. Internally, though, she was indeed annoyed.
“Hehe, I know you all an well. However, this matter is not sothing I can decide on my own. It’s really up to what our family Head thinks. Lord Han is very decisive and does not put much stock in female beauty. If I were to arbitrarily arrange sothing, he’d be upset, which I really dare not risk,” responded Su Wenyue, donning the appearance of a submissive daughter-in-law in public.
“Madam Han is being modest. I believe Lord Han treats you very well. As our husband says, even when Lord Han is busy, he tries to spend ti with Madam Han every day, which shows how much he values you. You wouldn’t be trying to push away the idea of arranging soone to serve by your husband’s side, which is why you’re giving this excuse, right? That wouldn’t do at all. The thing we won must avoid at all costs is jealousy. Madam Han, don’t fall into that trap,” the lady said, her tone patronizing, clearly with an ulterior motive. No one would normally interfere so brazenly in another’s personal affairs. Even a genuine offer of advice would be brief, but her intent was clearly to embarrass Su Wenyue and tarnish her reputation.
Those present caught on to this, and most reveled in the disaster. Envy was prevalent regarding Han Yu’s rise. Many didn’t feel Han Yu had demonstrated any remarkable talents but had rely flattered his way above them, a promotion they begrudgingly accepted yet could not stomach, masking their jealousy with forced celebration. The pleasure they took in seeing soone challenging Su Wenyue was palpable.
Su Wenyue’s expression darkened. She was not one to suffer in silence. Had this woman been the wife of one of Han Yu’s superiors, Su Wenyue might have played along for Han Yu’s sake, but sadly she was not. Su Wenyue had her own recollections of this woman, and her lips curled into a scornful smile.
“Whether I’m confused or not, it’s not the place of a lower officer’s wife to lecture . First, put your own house in order before ddling in others’! You accuse of jealousy, yet I have neither abused nor hard any concubine or mistresses, nor have I made any of their children disappear.”
“That’s because Lord Han doesn’t have any mistresses or concubines. Naturally, you can afford to talk smugly,” retorted the lady, her rank being just Genuine Eighth Rank, yet showing little respect to Su Wenyue.
Su Wenyue surmised so of the underlying reasons, but no matter what, she was not going to let a lower officer’s wife trample over her. Otherwise, others would also feel emboldened to step on her in the future, not only disgracing herself but also bringing sha to Han Yu. Anyone aiming to slap her face deserved a strong slap in return—a warning to all those who took joy in her troubles that Su Wenyue was not to be trifled with.
“Yes, my husband is chaste and has no intention of keeping a concubine or mistress. As his wife, I am in the position to speak of such things, but as for you, Madam Wang, a woman who cruelly disposed of Lord Wang’s concubine and killed his illegitimate child, what face do you have to stand here accusing ? Under the gaze of everyone here, do you not feel any sha? And I wonder, does that deceased child co to haunt you for retribution at night?”
Madam Wang was no saint herself, and Su Wenyue rembered her in particular because of her ‘sins’ listed in the docunts she had read, which detailed over two pages just how ruthlessly she tornted her husband’s concubines and mistresses. At that ti, Su Wenyue thought her to be a truly vicious person.
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