Rebirth of a Farming Wife

Chapter 43: No Good Intentions

Translator: 549690339

“This is outrageous! Mrs. Wang made the mistake first, talking back to the Mother-in-law afterward, and when things don’t go her way, she runs back to her mother’s family. And now she has the audacity to bring her relatives to make a scene at our door, as if the Han family is easy to talk to!” Mrs. Yang said, huffing and puffing.

Because of the government tax increase, the Han family members were already not in the best of moods, and now the Wang family had the nerve to make a fuss at their doorstep, leaving no one in a good mood. Han Lin felt particularly anxious, thinking that the situation might result in a ruckus between both sides. He wondered whose side he should take; he was inclined to support his daughter-in-law, but after all, he was part of the Han family.

When the Han family members went outside, not only were the Wang family there, but a large crowd had gathered, including nearby neighbors and others who followed the Wang family’s imposing entourage. They all crowded outside the Han family’s courtyard, and with Wang Chenglin cursing dirty and loudly, the scene was incredibly lively.

Su Wenyue followed behind Han Yu, thinking to herself that the Han family was indeed bustling with drama lately, with one act after another—never a dull moment.

“My dear in-law, what on earth are you raising such a ruckus for at our Han family’s doorstep? The things you’re saying are so unpleasant. What do you mean by accusing us, the Han family, of bullying others? Whom have we bullied? You keep demanding justice for your sister, and I would really like to hear, exactly what grievance did your sister suffer to justify such a grand commotion?” Mrs. Yang didn’t want her family to become a laughingstock and didn’t charge forward angrily. Instead, she tried to reason with the people from the Wang family, but her tone was absolutely assertive.

“What grievance? You have the nerve to ask! My sister married into your Han family as a fine, decent daughter, not despising the Han family’s lower social standing. You should have treated my sister well. But what happened? Your whole family ganged up to bully my sister, and you, as the mother-in-law, were particularly biased, treating your wealthy-born younger daughter-in-law like a treasure, while my sister was treated like trash. Your favoritism aside, you even laid hands on my sister. How can you call yourself a mother-in-law! Bullying my sister like this, do you think the Wang family has no one to stand up for her? The Su family might be powerful, but our Wang family will not be bullied!”

“So this is what your sister told you, that I, as the mother-in-law, am biased and that’s why I hit her?” Mrs. Yang almost laughed out of exasperation, asking pointedly but glancing over at Wang Qianru, who stood behind her parents, to see if Mrs. Wang had indeed said so. If that were the case, Mrs. Yang would not want such a daughter-in-law.

“Mrs. Wang, I ask you once, did you tell your family that I, as the mother-in-law, am biased and that I hit you, and that’s why you ran back to your mother’s family?” Mrs. Yang asked calmly, almost with a mocking smile.

“Mother-in-law, I, I didn’t want it to be like this, but where am I inferior to the fourth younger sibling? I really do want to show my respect to you.” Mrs. Wang neither confirmed nor denied, instead speaking ambiguously with a look of aggrieved innocence that portrayed a daughter-in-law suffering in silence. Anyone unaware of the truth would think that Mrs. Wang was indeed being bullied by the Han family, enduring grievances without complaint, the image of a poor daughter-in-law mistreated by her husband’s family.

But to the Han family members, Mrs. Wang’s act was infuriating, as they watched the onlookers point and gossip about them. Mrs. Yang was so angry she nearly spat blood. Mrs. Wang was indeed cunning, turning her schemes on her. Did she want everyone to see her as an unprincipled, wicked mother-in-law? There could be no such daughter-in-law under heaven.

Blinded by her brother’s affairs, Mrs. Wang stopped considering the consequences, consumed by her desires, she played manipulative games against her mother-in-law and the Han family members, intent on using public pressure to force them to yield.

“Listen here, old woman of the Han family, stop scaring my sister. Can’t you see how terrified she has gotten? You need to have a conscience. My sister has been married into the Han family for four or five years, and even if there’s no merit, there’s hard work. She’s slaved away for your entire family, and if you don’t give my sister an explanation today, we, the Wang family, will not stand for it!”

“You, you disrespectful wretch, what did you call me? With the way your Wang family is, what kind of daughter could you possibly raise!” Mrs. Yang spat out angrily, glaring fiercely at Mrs. Wang, who, feeling guilty, lowered her head and avoided her mother-in-law’s gaze, which only led others to mistake Mrs. Yang for being vicious.

Mrs. Wang wanted to speak, but seeing that her mother-in-law wasn’t looking at her anymore, she signaled with her eyes to her brother that he had strayed from the subject. Their goal today wasn’t the Han family members but Su Wenyue. On the side, Wang Fangru, also intent on getting back at Su Wenyue, lost her patience and spoke up, “Cousin, don’t bother with that old lady for now; in the end, the one who has been bullying cousin the most is that Su Wenyue, the Miss of the Su family.”

Wang Chenglin saw his sister’s signal and heard his cousin’s words, then charged towards Su Wenyue. Han Yu and Xiao Xi, seeing Wang Chenglin’s actions, both moved, with Han Yu stepping in front of Su Wenyue to protect her first.

“Stop right there! What do you think you’re doing to our Miss? I’ll have you know, our Miss is not someone you can bully easily. If you take one more step forward, don’t blame me for being rude.” Xiao Xi, who was always forthright, now fiercely protective, called out loudly, barring Wang Chenglin from coming any closer.

“Tsk tsk, Miss Su of the Su family certainly has quite the attitude, still with a servant girl attending to her after marrying into the Su family. No wonder the Han family is partial. All daughters-in-law are equal, yet my poor sister has to get up early and work the fields until dusk, then come home and cook for the whole family. Meanwhile, someone else lounges at home every day, waiting to be served. The Han family just covets Su family’s wealth, so they’re eyeing those benefits. That would be fine, but you shouldn’t have bullied my sister,” Wang Chenglin stated loudly, ensuring the bystanders heard and continued their whispering.

“Su Wenyue, you’re the one who has been constantly bullying and framing my sister, aren’t you? Ever since you married into the Han family, my sister hasn’t had a single good day, bullied by you every day. Now, isn’t it time you give the Wang family an explanation? Otherwise, don’t blame us for being unkind, ” Wang Chenglin said, his gaze on Su Wenyue sleazy and greedy. He couldn’t help but think how beautiful and well-bred the Miss Su was, and how lucky the impoverished Fourth Son of the Han family was to have married her, indulging in the thought of her delicate laughter… Heh heh!

Han Yu saw Wang Chenglin ogling his wife with clear ill-intent and stepped in front of him to block his view, his eyes flashing with a cold and menacing chill. Anyone who dared covet his wife was courting death!

Wang Chenglin had always been wary of his brother-in-law, who was standing opposite him, and lost his speech in the confrontation with Han Yu..