BXBX NOVEL Chapter 74: Losing Face
Upon hearing this, both Yang Juxiang and her daughter revealed a smug expression on their faces. In their view, once the Mother-in-law had spoken, how could a Daughter-in-law not obey? When Yang Juxiang was at the Jiang Family, she also never took a no from a Daughter-in-law.
However, Su Wenyue didn’t comply with their expectations, “No, that’s impossible. I won’t let her stay in my room!”
Su Wenyue refused without hesitation, leaving no room for discussion. Not only were Yang Juxiang and her daughter taken aback, but even Mrs. Yang’s face turned sour. Her Daughter-in-law didn’t leave her any dignity in front of her Younger Sister and Niece, a complete loss of the Mother-in-law’s authority and face.
“Aunt, look at how Cousin-in-law is talking. She won’t even agree to such a small request, and it was you who instructed; she clearly doesn’t take you seriously,” Jiang Chunlan said indignantly, pointing at Su Wenyue.
Yang Juxiang was also shocked by Su Wenyue’s behavior, “Eldest Sister, I’m not criticizing you, but your Mother-in-law is too lenient. Where is there a
Daughter-in-law so unruly as to defy her Mother-in-law’s words? It’s utterly outrageous! You cannot indulge her like this; otherwise, she’ll end up walking all over you!”
“Why do you have to incite things in front of my Mother-in-law? Mother, after living together these days, don’t you know what kind of person your
Daughter-in-law is? Surely I am not that petty.”
With that casual remark from Su Wenyue, much of the dissatisfaction in Mrs.
Yang’s heart dissipated. Initially, Mrs. Yang didn’t blame Su Wenyue much. Given the Fourth Daughter-in-law’s wealthy background, having some particularities was normal. The real issue was losing face in front of her Sister and Niece.
“Fourth Daughter-in-law, you must have a reason for not letting Chunlan stay in your room, right?”
“Mother-in-law understands best. Daughter-in-law indeed had Chunlan’s best interests in mind, which is why I cannot let her rest in my room. It was out of good intentions originally; I never expected Aunt and Cousin Chunlan to misunderstand and even upset you, Mother. I am truly wronged.”
Of all the people there, Su Wenyue only really cared about Mrs. Yang’s opinion. After all, Han Yu still felt some affection for his birth mother, and she didn’t want to strain their relationship and make things difficult for Han Yu.
As a Mother-in-law, Mrs. Yang wasn’t all that terrible. She wasn’t malicious or the kind of Mother-in-law who delighted in tormenting her Daughter-in-law. It was just that she suffered from the common failing of putting too much trust in those she believed in, becoming less astute and more biased when something concerned her. Su Wenyue understood this and sometimes could even take advantage of it.
If the Mother-in-law hadn’t been like that in her previous life, how could she have lived so comfortably in the Han Family? So even though sometimes Mrs. Yang’s actions exasperated Su Wenyue, she didn’t really blame her.
“What do you mean? Fourth Daughter-in-law, explain yourself clearly. Your Aunt and Cousin are reasonable people; if there truly is a good reason, they will listen.”
“Mother, it was I who was too impatient. I shouldn’t have talked back to Aunt. I didn’t let Chunlan rest in my room truly for her own good. Chunlan is only a
year younger than me, an almost fully grown girl. How can she sleep where a man lives? Never mind that Husband and Chunlan are cousins, such relationships have always been prone to gossip, and even true siblings need to avoid each other after reaching a certain age. If this gets out, there will inevitably be slanders, which would tarnish both Husband’s and Cousin’s reputations. ”
Mrs. Yang, who placed great importance on her youngest son’s reputation, quickly nodded in agreement, “Fourth Daughter-in-law makes a good point. A daughter’s reputation is of utmost importance.”
What Mrs. Yang actually wanted to say was that her son’s reputation was most important. However, considering her Niece was also involved, and Mrs. Yang did have a soft spot for Chunlan, she still took Chunlan’s feelings into account while speaking.
“If one does nothing wrong, why be afraid of a crooked shadow? I have done nothing to fear; besides, this is our own family we’re talking about. Who would gossip so much?” Jiang Chunlan muttered, unconcerned.
After hearing these words, Mrs. Yang could not reprimand her due to her Sister’s presence, but her expression soured. She had thought her Niece was respectable, but it turned out she was like this, a girl unconcerned with staying in a man’s room and unashamed. Mrs. Yang thought to herself that it was fortunate Father-in-law interfered with Yuer’s marriage and that he married the Fourth Daughter-in-law instead. If such a woman entered their family, it could have led her son astray. In this regard, Mrs. Yang even more appreciated Su Wenyue and firmly sided with her daughter-in-law over Jiang Chunlan.
“Cousin Chunlan might not be afraid, but I am. Husband clearly isn’t fickle, but such rumors would damage his reputation. I can’t control you, Cousin. You may do as you wish elsewhere, just don’t implicate my Husband. So Cousin
Chunlan, you should rest somewhere else. If you don’t mind, you can stay in Xiao Xi’s room,” Su Wenyue said.
This aligned perfectly with Mrs. Yang’s reasoning; it didn’t matter what the Jiang Family’s daughter did, as long as she didn’t affect her son.
“Yes, Chunlan, although what the Fourth Daughter-in-law says is harsh, it’s for your own good. Xiao Xi is a neat and generous person, and she wouldn’t mind you staying in her room. Besides, you are both women; it’s convenient and won’t cause any unseemly rumors,” Mrs. Yang added.
“Eldest Sister, who is this Xiao Xi?” Yang Juxiang asked, puzzled by the name, unaware of such a person at the Han Family.
Seeing her Sister inquire, Mrs. Yang explained Xiao Xi’s background again.
Both Yang Juxiang and her daughter, learning that Xiao Xi was merely Su Wenyue’s Servant girl, felt disdain and contempt.
“Aunt, how can you let me stay in a Servant girl’s room? That’s too degrading,” Jiang Chunlan protested, leveraging her youth and naivety to speak without concern, voicing things that Yang Juxiang wanted to say but couldn’t.
Yang Juxiang, hearing her daughter, didn’t object, evidently sharing the same view. Her Eldest Sister offering her a Servant’s room was downright disrespectful.
You silly girl, what are you saying? Xiao Xi is no longer a Servant girl; she’s redeemed herself. She’s staying with Our family because she values her loyalty and wishes to follow her master. Besides, not just anyone can become a servant at the Su Family. Many people plead for such a position and are turned away. You didn’t see the clothes Xiao Xi wore when she first arrived at the Han Family; she was dressed far better than us by many times, in the finest materials, like a pampered Daughter In The City. I couldn’t believe Xiao Xi was just a Servant girl. She can cook and do all sorts of household chores, and she’s literate, too. Our average farmer’s daughters can’t compare..”