Chapter 33: Chapter 33: Making a Mountain Out of a Molehill
Translator: 549690339
Su Wenyue delivered the medicinal plaster to Mrs. Yang and also gave the wine to Old Man Han, who had a particular fondness for it. Ever since she had entered the home, her father-in-law had had his eye on the jar of wine in her hand. Su Wenyue noticed this earlier; in fact, her father-in-law was quite a lovable old man who usually did not interfere with household matters, yet at critical moments, he was able to see matters clearly and act accordingly.
“Father, this wine is brewed with a unique secret recipe from the Su Family, and it tastes quite different from the wines sold outside. I brought a jar of it especially for you to try.”
Old Man Han received the wine with joy comparable to receiving some treasure. The Su Family’s wine was known for its reputation, and he had long heard of it. However, the price was indeed not cheap. A single jar would cost more than a dozen taels of silver, and that wasn’t even the most expensive one. In his lifetime, he had never had that much silver to spare for such expensive wine. He hadn’t expected that by virtue of his daughter-in-law, he would actually get to taste it: “It sure is good that Fourth child married a daughter-in-law who knows exactly what I like.”
The gifts for the father-in-law and mother-in-law were delivered separately, along with what she promised to give to each of her nieces and nephews, combined with the subsidy promised to Xiao Xi for her six-month stay at the Han Family. She presented these at the dining table before the meal, in front of everyone, first handing over the six taels of silver to mother-in-law Mrs. Yang, at the monthly rate of one tael, which was agreed to cover Xiao Xi’s half-year expenses at the Han Family.
Mrs. Yang, holding the silver, thought she had been too impulsive earlier and had forgotten to remind her fourth son’s wife not to be so generous with money. The second daughter-in-law, although not talkative, was acceptable. However, both the eldest daughter-in-law and the third daughter-in-law were not of good character, and even if they received any benefits, they might not remember them.
“Fourth daughter-in-law, you’ve taken out too much silver. Xiao Xi, as a young girl, doesn’t need one tael of silver a month. Our whole family put together doesn’t even use that much in a month. Here is what we’ll do: you just give 200 coins a month for Xiao Xi’s board, which makes one tael of silver and 200 copper coins for half a year.” Regardless of the benefits from the Su Family, and even for the sake of her youngest son, Mrs. Yang couldn’t allow her fourth son’s wife to take such a loss, insisting on returning the excess silver to Su Wenyue.
Mrs. Liu, upon seeing Su Wenyue agree to give one tael of silver for Xiao Xi’s board and lodging, was delighted, thinking this would improve their family’s meals. But before she could get too excited, she heard the mother-in-law say such disappointing words, actually returning the silver that was at hand, which caused her considerable distress.
“Mother, since the fourth daughter-in-law gave it to you, why not just keep it? Who complains about having too much money? Besides, the fourth daughter-in-law’s family is wealthy. This bit of silver means nothing to her, and it can really help to improve our family’s meals. Every day we work the fields and with such plain food, where will we get the strength to work?” Mrs. Liu’s straightforward nature was evident. Concerned that Su Wenyue might really take back the silver, she spoke in haste, not even caring when her husband glared at her multiple times.
“What are you talking about, woman! You’ll make us a laughingstock. Even if the younger sister-in-law’s family is wealthy, there’s no reason for her to use her dowry to subsidize the household expenses. If word got out, would we have any face left?” Han Hu scolded and glared severely at Mrs. Liu, his eyes full of warning. This wife of his, who had no sense of propriety, was boldly taking advantage of others’ kindness when the younger sister-in-law had already done so much to help look after the children. It was pure greed.
Mrs. Wang, hearing Han Hu’s words, thought to herself that the big brother was both priggish and foolish. If he spoke up for Su Wenyue in front of everyone, it would benefit everyone if she gave more silver. However, she had been out of favor with the parents-in-law recently and knew that if she spoke out, it might not have any effect and might even invite scolding from the partial mother-in-law. So, she nudged Han Lin sitting next to her, who understood his wife’s intent.
“Big brother, you’re being too harsh. We aren’t forcing the fourth daughter-in-law to give us anything; it was her own voluntary decision. Besides, we’re all one family; there’s no need to be so strict about it. Given how wealthy the fourth daughter-in-law’s family is, they won’t mind this small amount. Don’t make a big deal out of nothing.” Han Lin said as he adopted his wife’s stance.
“And sister-in-law was right. We work hard in the fields every day and are exhausted. We can’t eat such bland food all the time. It’s not just that we can’t feel full, but the fourth daughter-in-law can’t either. At her mother’s home, even if it wasn’t delicacies from land and sea, it was certainly meat and fish. It would be a shame if we starved her at the Han Family. If she’s willing to spend the silver to improve the meals, that’s a good thing! Surely Fourth Younger Brother must also be concerned for his wife.
Han Lin teased Han Yu with his words, making more of the situation than it was. Han Yu never had much affection for his off-key third brother and ignored Han Lin’s comments, but he didn’t object either. Improving the family’s meals would indeed be good. His wife couldn’t continue like this forever, as she had already lost a significant amount of weight in just a few days, her originally soft and rounded chin becoming sharper. If it continued like this, she couldn’t endure it. As for the silver meant to subsidize the family, he naturally planned to earn it back and return it to his wife. His big brother was right; even if his wife’s family was wealthy, it didn’t justify her using her dowry to subsidize household expenses.
“Third Child, shut your mouth! Out of all of you, it’s you and your wife who work the slowest in the fields, always skiving off, as if I don’t know! And now you have the gall to say such things—I’m embarrassed for you. A grown man with no ambition. If you can’t compare to Fourth Brother, at least learn from your eldest and second brothers. At least they work diligently. You’re always so inconsistent.” Mrs. Yang scolded.
“Mother, you just favor those three. Am I not the son you bore? If you dislike me so much, why did you even have me! All I want is to eat something nice; why does that provoke so much criticism from you!” Han Lin never learned the meaning of filial piety. His words angered Mrs. Yang to the point of chest pain. She had several good sons; why was this one so hopeless? Whom did he take after?
“Shut your mouth, Third Child! If you dare to speak to your mother like that again, I’ll break your legs! You don’t even understand the most basic rules!” Old Man Han exploded in anger. Han Lin did not continue to act foolishly. He was still afraid of his father, having been beaten by the old man more than once. While Mrs. Yang was strict with him, it was mostly verbal; she rarely took serious action. However, Old Man Han was different. He was usually hands-off, but when he acted, it was a proper beating.
Seeing Han Lin subdued by Old Man Han, Su Wenyue felt a surge of satisfaction. In this family, it was Han Lin and his wife, Mrs. Wang, whom she disliked the most. This couple had nothing but bad intentions. In her previous life, she had been deceived by Mrs. Wang, and it’s likely that Han Lin had been involved behind the scenes. As for the silver she offered to the family, Su Wenyue did not take it back. She was well aware of the household’s expenses, and indeed, giving one tael a month was quite generous, but she did so hoping to improve their meals..
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