Rebirth of a Farming Wife

Chapter 279: 287: Falling for This Trick

Pei Yuhan ultimately couldn’t defy Mrs. Pei’s wishes, even if she was reluctant in her heart, she knew that if she didn’t apologize to Su Wenyue today according to her aunt’s wishes, she would lose her aunt’s affection and protection, which would truly be a loss not worth the gain. She had no choice but to swallow her pride temporarily, as there would always be a day when she could retrieve it.

“Cousin Yue, I’m sorry, I was too narrow-minded. I didn’t mean anything else, and as you know, my upbringing was such that my stepmother and concubines at home were all causes for concern, so it’s inevitable that I may be somewhat biased in my thoughts. After all, those sons and daughters of concubines are up to no good, and if you’re too kind to them, they might get some ideas. I was just considering Aunt’s feelings. If there’s anything that has upset you, Cousin, please forgive me,” Pei Yuhan said, on the verge of tears.

Su Wenyue listened to Pei Yuhan’s words, which lacked any sincerity, and were even intended to trip up Su Lanxin and Su Lanfang. However, since Pei Yuhan had already apologized, it would not be good for her to continue to pursue the matter. Fighting with Pei Yuhan on Lanxin and Lanfang’s behalf might also upset her eldest aunt, which would serve no benefit. With this incident, Pei Yuhan would know better than to provoke her easily in the future.

“Since Cousin Yuhan realizes her mistake, just remember the lesson. After all, you are an unmarried girl, and if a bad reputation spreads, it won’t be good for your marriage prospects. No family would be willing to marry a girl who stirs up trouble, don’t you agree?” Su Wenyue said with a smile that was not quite a smile, seeming to see through Pei Yuhan’s thoughts. With those few light words, she hit Pei Yuhan right where it hurt, given her family situation, her hope was to marry into a good family.

“Thank you for caring, Cousin Yue. I will remember your words and definitely learn from this lesson,” Pei Yuhan replied, almost suppressing the anger in her heart. She had not expected Su Wenyue to be so despicable, to think in such a way. Should her reputation be ruined, her situation would become even more difficult. She knew she must stay calm, and in the future, she would try to provoke Su Wenyue as little as possible. Once she got what she wanted, there would definitely be a time to get back at Su Wenyue.

“It’s good that you think so. This way, Aunt won’t have to worry too much about you. She truly loves you, and for her sake, you must think more and not make any more mistakes.”

Su Wenyue’s words resonated with Mrs. Pei’s true feelings. Mrs. Pei initially felt that Su Wenyue had made too much of a fuss, but now she saw that Su Wenyue was actually giving her niece a lesson. Her gaze towards Su Wenyue became even softer.

“I didn’t expect that Sister Yue would understand my thoughts. Yuhan is my niece after all, and if she could find a good home, it would also put to rest one of my worries.”

“With Aunt handling matters for Cousin Yuhan, she will have a good future,” Su Wenyue said, though she didn’t really believe it. Given Pei Yuhan’s temperament, it was difficult for the mistresses of wealthy households to favor her. Not to mention her character, Pei Yuhan’s father, although he was the governor of Jiangzhou, did not place much importance on this daughter. With no brothers for support and with a stepmother, she was not a favorable match. In her previous life, Su Wenyue had not heard much about this cousin from the Pei family, which suggested that her marriage had been ordinary. Otherwise, she would have heard some rumors, just as she had about the marriages of Lanxin and Lanfang.

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Pei felt even more that Su Wenyue was magnanimous. It was no wonder people liked her – the unsophisticated and forthright girl was something her niece back home could never compare with.

“Aunt, speaking of clothes, I also made a set by hand for you. I personally selected the style, but I don’t know if it’s to your liking. You’ve seen many fine things, and if it’s not well made, please don’t mind it,” Su Wenyue said, handing over a beautifully crafted wooden box to Mrs. Pei.

Mrs. Pei opened the box and her eyes immediately lit up with joy at the sight of the clothes. Without mentioning anything else, she liked the style and pattern very much. Feeling the fabric, she realized it was of the finest quality – Qi Luo brocade from Suzhou, a tribute to the court. Only the Su Family’s Second House who dealt in business had the means for such fabric. Just one bolt of this material would cost hundreds of silver coins, and that was the old price. Now with inflation, it couldn’t be compared to the current rates. The clothes she usually wore were of good quality materials as well, but they paled in comparison to this.

However, Mrs. Pei guessed wrong this time. This material was not from the Su Family but was part of what Han Yu had confiscated during a bandit suppression. When Su Wenyue first saw those bolts of silk, she thought of giving them to Mrs. An, as the fabric suited a noblewoman like her mother the best. Later on, when making clothes for her eldest aunt, she used this fabric.

Mrs. Pei had the servant girl take the clothes out of the wooden box to show her. The peony pattern embroidered on the clothes was vividly lifelike, as if the real flowers were blooming. The exquisite embroidery skill enhanced the value of the clothes by a notch, transforming them from mere clothes to an art piece. Mrs. Pei was somewhat regretful for letting the servant girl handle them and instructed her several times to be careful not to damage the clothes.

“Sister Yue, did you really make this dress by hand? And the embroidery on it, did you embroider it all by yourself?” Mrs. Pei could hardly believe that the clothes came from her niece’s hands, for she had always thought of her niece as naïve and unrestrained. She was doted upon by elders and not expected to excel in such skills, and she hadn’t heard of Su Wenyue standing out much anywhere else. Otherwise, her husband and son would be singing her praises long ago. They truly treated Sister Yue as their own daughter and younger sister, exaggerating even the slightest advantage, and that’s why she was so astonished right now.

“Aunt, it truly is my own handiwork, and I spent quite a lot of effort on it. Whenever I got some free time recently, I devoted it to this, even delaying my mother’s clothes. When my mother finds out, she’ll definitely say that I’ve forgotten her now that I have you, Aunt, treating you like my own birth mother,” Su Wenyue said, playfully cooing to Mrs. Pei, who was easily charmed by it.

In truth, Su Wenyue had gotten that ancient embroidery book and had been studying it intensely, which is why she spent her extra energy on this craft. It was a win-win situation for her. But this true reason, Su Wenyue would naturally not disclose. To charm someone, one must always say pleasant things.

Looking at the embroidery on the clothes, it was even more exquisite and lively compared to what she had embroidered for Lanxin and Lanfang before. Although her embroidery had been good and quite realistic, it was merely a very realistic embroidery piece. Now, the subjects of her embroidery truly seemed alive. Of course, her study was not yet deep enough, and she hadn’t fully grasped the essence of the book, with much room for improvement.