Chapter 3 - 3 3: Strangeness of Yin and Yang
Seeing Su Wenyue standing there in a daze, Han Yu felt a sense of I knew it. His daughter-in-law had the intention, but fell short in ability. However, he couldnt blame her. If it werent for the Su Family keeping their promise and not being the kind of household greedy for power, Su Wenyue, with her beauty and background, would surely have married into a wealthy family, becoming a lady of leisure served by maids and old women, with no need to do these things herself. Her reaction yesterday must have been due to panic, so she deliberately spoke that way. Thinking like this, Han Yu found Su Wenyues arrogant and disdainful behavior from yesterday somewhat endearinga beautiful misunderstanding indeed.
Nevertheless, the unease in Han Yus heart lingered, and he felt additional pity and affection for his daughter-in-law. A man should achieve great things and make a name for himself. Sooner or later, he would make such a career that his daughter-in-law would also enjoy a good life and have no regrets about marrying into the Han Family.
Daughter-in-law, whats wrong? If you dont know how, its fine. So many people at home can cook; we wont miss one more. Its the thought that counts, Han Yu said, believing himself to be considerate, but he received a roll of the eyes from Su Wenyue in response.
This man looked down on her so much. It was just a tables worth of meals, something she could easily accomplish. Back in the day, in her efforts to please that man, she had put a lot of work into her cooking skillseven the chefs in the mansion felt inferior to her own culinary prowess. Otherwise, how could she have won that mans favor? That man had grown up eating delicacies from mountains and seas and was very particular about his food.
Dont underestimate me; cooking is just a simple task. Its just that I dont know where everything is stored at home, she said.
To Han Yu, Su Wenyues words seemed like stubborn pride, but he still found it endearingly obstinate. He followed by familiarizing her with the kitchen, thinking that with his supervision, no significant errors would occur, perhaps just a slight lack in flavor.
Only when Su Wenyue efficiently prepared a fragrant breakfast did Han Yu realize how wrong he was to underestimate her. Due to the limited means of the Han Family, the ingredients Su Wenyue could use were not abundant, and she had to consider the quantity carefully. If she used ingredients for several meals just for breakfast, no matter how tasty, no one would feel good about it. It was tough being a daughter-in-law in a farming family, but even so, Su Wenyue managed to make an ordinary breakfast smell delicious.
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, didnt 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 hadnt 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, youre 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 didnt 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. Dont 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 hadnt received such consideration, nor had they heard their mother-in-law praise them even once. After all, wasnt this the case for every new daughter-in-law? It seemed to them that just because Su Wenyue came from a prominent mothers 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 its such a big deal, Eldest Daughter-in-law Mrs. Liu said sarcastically.
Mrs. Han Yangs expression soured upon hearing the Eldest Daughter-in-laws 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 wasnt used to taking such nonsense; it wouldnt be good if a scene were made.
Su Wenyue was not oblivious to the sarcasm in Mrs. Lius 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. Lius provocations, suffering quite a bit at her hands. This life, Su Wenyue saw Mrs. Liu as nothing more than a clown. It wasnt that she couldnt 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 dont Mother and the sisters-in-law go and sit down? Ill serve the breakfast right away.