BXBX NOVEL Chapter 76: Progress Through Retreat
Chapter 76: Progress Through Retreat
The second day at the crack of dawn, Su Wenyue and Han Yu headed to the County Town. The Han Family’s supply of rice grain wasn’t plentiful, eating meat only every other day, which was only thanks to Han Yu hunting wild game from the mountains. Yang Juxiang and her daughter came over, and the better food ingredients had been cooked last night to treat them. Now there was hardly any food left at home, not even much rice or flour, so Su Wenyue followed Han Yu to the city to restock.
Originally, Han Yu could have handled this task alone, but with a cousin around who never forgot to be vexatious, Su Wenyue didn’t want to stay at home. Moreover, she loved going to town, so she went along with him.
Normally, this wouldn’t be a problem. If some mother-in-laws were strict, they might object, but Mrs. Yang would definitely not object and would even hope that the daughter-in-law would go along. Her niece was becoming increasingly troublesome, and although the daughter-in-law seemed soft and gentle, she actually had a temper, which was clear from the last incident. If there was a commotion at home, it would be unpleasant. Lately, the Han Family was constantly in turmoil, and Mrs. Yang only wanted peace and tranquility at home.
Jiang Chunlan, seeing this, also wanted to go along, “Cousin Yu, you’re going to the city, right? Take me with you. I haven’t been to town in a long time. Please bring me along to see the world.”
Upon hearing this, Su Wenyue casually looked at Han Yu, her demeanor cheeky and flirtatious, although she said nothing. Her intention was clear, “Dare you agree and see what happens.”
“It’s better for the cousin to stay at home. It’s not often that you visit, so spend more time talking with Mother. Besides, me and your cousin-in-law aren’t going to the city for fun; we’re going to shop for necessities. It would be inconvenient for you to tag along.” Seeing his wife’s possessive little expression, Han Yu found it somewhat amusing and politely refused Jiang Chunlan. If it weren’t for the kinship between the two families, he wouldn’t have bothered with an excuse. Han Yu was never one to pity or indulge women. It was only after getting married recently that he had softened a bit, but his nature hadn’t changed.
Jiang Chunlan’s face, with its forced sweet smile, couldn’t hold up after being dismissed outright by Han Yu. She was still somewhat unwilling to let it go: “Cousin Yu, please take me with you. I’m used to doing chores at home, and I know a lot. In comparison with Miss Su, who comes from a wealthy family, I know much more. I can help you with shopping and carrying items.”
Mrs. Liu, wanting to show off in front of Su Wenyue, was especially attentive to
Jiang Chunlan’s every move. After hearing these shameless words from Jiang Chunlan, even if she wasn’t trying to gain favor with Su Wenyue, she couldn’t hold back any longer.
“What’s with the young girls nowadays, so shameless! Why are you meddling in the affairs of a husband and wife? It’s such disgraceful behavior!”
“What are you talking about! I just wanted to go to the city to have a look, how does that make me shameless? Turns out all of you sisters-in-law are ganging up against me! Aunt, look at them!” Jiang Chunlan pointed at Mrs. Liu, incensed.
“Chunlan, what are you doing? They are put off by you and don’t let you follow, and here you are insisting. Isn’t that enough embarrassment for you!” Yang Juxiang scolded sternly, then looked toward Mrs. Yang.
“Eldest Sister, I think I should take Chunlan back home with me today. We won’t stay much longer. I’m not as fortunate as you, having not married into a good family like the Han Family. It’s normal for us of the Jiang Family, Poor People like us, to be looked down upon. Originally, I just wanted to see you, and now that I have, I won’t trouble you any further.
However, I must clarify something. Our Chunlan is not like the shameless girl your Eldest Daughter-in-law talks about. She’s close to the Fourth Child because of their sibling affection from childhood, not as you folks described it. I hope you don’t spread rumors about her in front of others. A girl’s reputation is important. If any false rumors affect Chunlan, then our decades of sisterhood will come to an end.”
Yang Juxiang spoke with indignation and was about to go inside to pack and leave, but Mrs. Yang quickly stopped her. Although she was somewhat dissatisfied with her niece’s behavior, she still valued her sisterhood with Yang Juxiang.
“Juxiang, what are you saying? We’re all peasant families here at the Han
Family. Where is the high or low in that? Who can truly be better than others? Our Eldest Daughter-in-law is just a loose talker and not too bright. You shouldn’t take her words seriously enough to become angry. You’ve come all this way, and I haven’t even properly welcomed you and your daughter yet. You should at least stay a few days. Rest assured, I’ll reprimand the Eldest Daughter-in-law for her inappropriate remarks. Please don’t be angry anymore.”
“Mother, I…” Mrs. Liu wasn’t entirely convinced by what her Mother-in-law had said.
“Shut your mouth. You want to stir up more trouble, is that it? Tell me, when will that mouth of yours stop offending people!”
Juxiang was not genuinely keen on leaving; she still hoped for Han Family’s support. Leaving that way would simply waste her best possessions tucked away at the bottom of the box. Besides, she knew her Eldest Sister’s temperament and spoke that way as a strategic retreat.
No matter what, Su Wenyue would absolutely not agree to bring Jiang Chunlan along, and Mrs. Yang, while consoling, didn’t bring this matter up. Whether it was for her eldest son or her daughter-in-law, she did not want to displease the former, and she had reservations about the latter. It seemed the Mother-in-law was in a bit of a weak position.
“If the cousin doesn’t mind, why not keep the Third Cousin’s wife company? It must be boring lying alone when pregnant.” Mrs. Wang emerged from her room at some point, seemingly keen to defuse the tension with her good intentions, though everyone knew Mrs. Wang wasn’t so kind and wondered what she was plotting.
“Why don’t you stay in your room instead of coming out?” Mrs. Yang frowned upon seeing Mrs. Wang, but refrained from causing a scene in front of Yang Juxiang and her daughter.
“I don’t mind at all. As long as the Third Cousin’s wife is willing to have me, she is so kind, unlike some people who look down on us poor relatives.” Jiang Chunlan seemed not to notice Mrs. Yang’s expression, realizing that she couldn’t get her way with Han Yu and Su Wenyue. She was happy to go along with Mrs. Wang’s offer.
Mrs. Yang saw Mrs. Wang and her niece getting along harmoniously and decided not to comment. However, she gave Mrs. Wang a warning look, hoping she wouldn’t stir up trouble. On the surface, Mrs. Wang complied meekly, but a gleam of cunning flashed in her eyes.
The two families lived so far apart that Yang Juxiang hadn’t heard about the upheavals in the Wang family. Thinking that Mrs. Wang’s maternal family was well-off, she felt it would be beneficial for her daughter to foster a good relationship with Mrs. Wang, hoping for some advantages.
“Chunlan, since your Third Cousin’s wife values you, you should accompany her well. But be careful in your actions. She is carrying a child in her stomach, so don’t accidentally bump into or harm your Third Cousin’s wife..”