5 Chapter 5: This Statement Is Incorrect
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Mrs. Wang was very cunning and could easily see through Mrs. Lius thoughts. This wasnt the first or second time she had stirred up Mrs. Liu to take action. Although Mrs. Liu said it verbally, the implication was clearly This is exactly what the Fourth Daughter-inw did,
Of course, you are my Sister-inw, and I would deceive anyone but you. I have people from my mothers family working in the Su Family, and we learned this news from them. Theres no mistake. Mrs. Wang had heard about Su Wenyue marrying into the Han Family earlier and felt that this Fourth younger sister-inw would threaten her status in the Han Family. She had made a special effort to inquire when she went back to her mothers home, all so that she could keep Su Wenyue under her thumb once she entered the family.
How dare she! This Su Wenyue uses things made by the servants from her mothers family to deceive Father and Mother, thinking were all fools! I must expose her lies and cant allow her to be so arrogant. Having found an excuse, Mrs. Liu could no longer hold back and was about to charge forward, but a re from her man made her stand still, though she refused to settle down.
Oh! The craftsmanship of the Fourth Daughter-inw is really exquisite. Look at these shoes and insoles she made for Father and Mothernot even the embroiderers from the big Embroidery House in the city canpare. Although theres innate talent involved in needlework, its mostly a skill thates from practice. The Fourth Daughter-inws embroidery skills must have been honed for at least twenty or thirty years. Otherwise, how could she achieve such a level.
With a smile, Mrs. Liu continued tovish praise upon Su Wenyue. Su Wenyue knew well what kind of person Mrs. Liu was and understood she wasnt truly defending her in front of the parents-inw. She stood there quietly, waiting for Mrs. Liu to continue and reveal her true motive.
But Father and Mother, the Fourth Daughter-inw just reached the age of eligibility for marriage this year, right? All things considered, shes only about fifteen years old, so how can this be? Mrs. Liu stopped there, but the implications were crystal clearwho didnt understand that she was suggesting the shoes and insoles werent made by Su Wenyue herself? The previously joyful atmosphere chilled in an instant, and everyone fell silent.
Su Wenyue hadnt expected Mrs. Liu to aim for this angle, which seemed beyond her usual intelligencemeticulously thought out and quick-witted. The Su Wenyue from her previous life indeed would have been unable to cope. Although the parents-inw knowing the shoes and insoles werent made by her wouldnt be a big deal, it wouldnt bode well for her impression on them. Even if she couldnt win favor, neither could Mrs. Liu; making a scene like this would equally displease the parents-inw. Looking at it this way, it more so resembled the handiwork of Mrs. Wang.
Su Wenyue wasnt the same as she used to be and naturally wasnt unequipped to handle the situation. However, she didnt rush to exin and instead watched the reactions of everyone coldly.
When Han Yu heard Mrs. Lius words, his expression soured, knowing that things were probably as she described. Yet, he never held out hope, so he was just somewhat disappointed. What displeased him was Mrs. Liu, as the Eldest Sister-inw, targeting his daughter-inw, especially at this moment. However, moved by unknown motives, Han Yu didnt speak up for Su Wenyue. Instead, he just stood there with a cold face.
Su Wenyue knew Han Yu didnt hold much affection for her. Although he had been nice to her since morning, it was probably because she had made a good impression. Now that Mrs. Liu was giving her a hard time, and even if what Mrs. Liu said was true, seeing Han Yus indifference still saddened her. Hadnt it been the same in her previous life? No matter how Mrs. Liu and Mrs. Wang made things difficult for her, behind her back, or to her face, Han Yu maintained this attitude. When she went to him with her troubles, instead of understanding, Han Yu used her of making trouble out of nothing and disrespecting her Sister-inw.
Through her painful experiences from the past life, Su Wenyue had been filled with joy at the prospect of living her days with Han Yu and had looked forward to life which now fell cold in her heart. Perhaps she chose to forget certain things selectively, only remembering that which she wanted, which led to a blind idealization of her former life. Now, she realized that the miserable life she had led was not entirely her fault.
Seemingly oblivious to the tense atmosphere in the room, Mrs. Li opened her mouth cluelessly: Whats so odd about that? Fourth younger sister-inw is such a delicate and lovely person. Its quite likely her hands are as skillful as her appearance suggests. Having such outstanding embroidery skills is quite normal. The Su Family, such a Wealthy Family, must have hired skilled people to teach Fourth younger sister-inw. Next time, if you have a chance, teach your Sister-inw too. Seeing your craftsmanship and then looking back at my own, it does make one feel embarrassed!
It was rare for Mrs. Li, who normally stayed quiet, to speak up for her in front of everyone. A touch of warmth streaked through Su Wenyues heart: Certainly! Since Second Sister-inw has asked, how can I not oblige as a younger sister-inw? Whenever you want to learn, juste to me.
Mrs. Liu, seeing Mrs. Li disrupting her ns, was annoyed and wasnt willing to let Su Wenyue off so easily: Fourth Daughter-inw, dont talk big. I dont mean to belittle you, but everyone knows Miss Su is famously pampered. Although beautiful, she is known to be incapable of any work, and even her own dowry was embroidered by the servant girls by her side.
Sister-inw, you are mistaken. I dont mean to refute you, but Fourth younger sister-inw is very capable. She even made breakfast for everyone this morningdo you not remember? With ordinary ingredients, she made dishes tastier than any of ours. She truly is dexterous in both mind and hands, Mrs. Li said, seemingly not noticing Mrs. Lius gloomy face or Mrs. Wangs attempts to silence her.
When Old Man Han and Mrs. Yang heard the words of the Second Daughter-inw, they remembered, indeed, they had tasted the breakfast made by the Fourth Daughter-inw, and it was delicious. None of the daughters-inw at home could match the Fourth Daughter-inws skill. Why did they listen to the Eldest Daughter-inws provocations? The Eldest Daughter-inw enjoyed stirring up trouble and chose exactly the tea-serving moment to embarrass the Fourth Daughter-inw, not showing any grace expected of an Eldest Sister-inw.
Second Sister-inw overpraises me! Father, Mother, I dont dare im to be highly capable, but I am not as useless as Sister-inw says. Although I never did farm work in the field at my mothers home, I have earnestly learned everything a woman should know.
As for what Sister-inw mentioned, I really dont know how such a reputation came to be. The Su Family has always been kind and fair; the rent we collect on leasednd is the lowest far and wide, and this is something Father and Mother surely know. Moreover, for such a rumor to spread, it must have been someone who worked for the Su Family. The Su Family treated her not unkindly, yet she tarnishes our reputation so. Its truly both ungrateful and detestable. Since Sister-inw has heard it from someone, please tell this younger sister-inw who this rumor-monger is. Such a morally corrupt person must not be allowed to stay in the Su Family.