Chapter 51 - 51: Speaking Lightly
Chapter 51 - 51: Speaking Lightly
Chapter 51: Chapter 51: Speaking Lightly
Translator: 549690339
“Fourth Daughter-in-law, I heard from Third Daughter-in-law about her elder brother’s situation. She said that it was you who told the Su Family to do this. Is there any truth to this?” Mrs. Yang said, her heart actually somewhat biased towards Mrs. Wang. Although she disliked Mrs. Wang at present, if Fourth Daughter-in-law really did this, anyone would be anxious about the situation, and it wouldn’t be hard to understand why they might do something extreme.
Upon hearing this, Su Wenyue knew it had to be true. She thought since Mrs. Wang didn’t get her way with her last time and didn’t settle things easily, it was no surprise she had come back. Su Wenyue didn’t know how Mrs. Wang persuaded Mrs. Yang to ask such a question. Although Mrs. Yang spoke
politely, she clearly believed Mrs. Wang’s account.
Su Wenyue wasn’t sure if her Second Brother was behind it, but regardless, she would absolutely never admit it! What a joke, she’s not stupid. If her Second Brother hadn’t done it, she would treat it as a farce. Why would she foolishly take the blame for something she didn’t do? If her Second Brother had done it, after he had gone to such lengths to avenge his sister, why would she sabotage him?
“Mother, are you asking this because you believe Third Sister-in-law’s words, taking her side against me and thinking I’m the sort of person who would do something like that?!” Su Wenyue looked at Mrs. Yang incredulously, her tone filled with anger and disappointment.
Mrs. Yang initially felt justified in her accusation, but Su Wenyue’s questioning made her falter: “Well, I didn’t say for sure that you did it. That’s why I wanted to ask you. Fourth Daughter-in-law, don’t get excited, I believe you. It’s just that Third Daughter-in-law said…”
“What did Third Sister-in-law say?”
“Third Daughter-in-law said her elder brother was framed and fell into gambling, accumulating a lot of debt because someone had been bribed to set him up. She mentioned that they offended someone they shouldn’t have, and they can’t think of anyone else they’ve wronged except for you, Fourth Daughter-in-law.”
“Fourth Daughter-in-law, there’s some logic to what Third Daughter-in-law says. Who would do such a thing for no reason? There’s tension between you and her— if it was your doing, Mother wouldn’t blame you. Just pay off her brother’s gambling debts, and let’s end this matter.”
When Mrs. Wang previously suggested this solution, Mrs. Yang thought fifty taels of silver was a significant amount. The Han Family might not be able to come up with that much, but the Su Family was different. In the end, she still had her biases and felt that fifty taels of silver was nothing much to Su Wenyue, especially since the issue arose from her actions. It was the best solution, and she didn’t want the family to be in constant turmoil.
It’s true that before Fourth Daughter-in-law entered the home, there were some quarrels, but those were just trivial. After her arrival though, it seemed there was always one problem after another, leaving hardly a moment of peace. This dissatisfaction lingered in Mrs. Yang’s mind.
Su Wenyue nearly chuckled sarcastically, “Mother, I must be hearing things. Are you asking me to pay off Mrs. Wang’s elder brother’s gambling debts? As easily as you say it, although my mother’s family is wealthy and my dowry is not small, that money didn’t come with the wind. Especially given how chaotic the world is today, fifty taels could buy how much food? You know best as you manage our household. Even if I had it, I most certainly wouldn’t pay such an unjust debt, not to mention her elder brother’s situation truly has nothing to do with me.”
“Fourth Daughter-in-law, why be so stubborn? Pushing too hard won’t do you any good! Although Third Daughter-in-law doesn’t get along with you, she is currently carrying the heir of Old Han Family. If something goes wrong, I won’t stand for it.” Mrs. Yang’s words were earnest and carried a hint of admonishment. Su Wenyue barely kept her temper in check, her facial expression cooling down.
“Mother, let me repeat, I did not do this! If you don’t believe me, I will swear to the heavens. If I am behind this, may thunder strike me down and I meet a terrible end! So I definitely won’t pay this unjust debt. You can tell Third Sister-in-law that if she thinks she can get even half a coin from me for this, she’s wrong. Tell her not to harbor any delusions, or else she should remember—Mrs. Wang isn’t the only one with a mother’s family!”
Mrs. Yang, unaware of the back story, was somewhat frightened by this bold statement. Her face showed embarrassment and a sense of dread towards Su Wenyue’s mother’s family. The Su Family was not one to be taken lightly compared to the Wang family; they couldn’t just cause a fuss and be done with it. This Fourth Daughter-in-law was stubborn. Why couldn’t she just speak nicely instead of making such a vicious oath? But now, seeing how things were, the situation indeed seemed unrelated to Fourth Daughter-in-law. Otherwise, who would curse themselves like that? It appeared Third Daughter-in-law was playing tricks on her again.
“Fourth Daughter-in-law, what are you doing? I was just asking, I didn’t say it was definitely you. It was Third Daughter-in-law who insisted so much.” Su Wenyue raised an eyebrow, “Mother, do you now believe that I didn’t do it?”
“I believe, I believe. Fourth Daughter-in-law, next time you can’t speak so thoughtlessly. Now that this issue is cleared up, I have something stewing in the Kitchen. I need to go check on it.”
Mrs. Yang got up and hurried to the Kitchen, dropping the matter entirely. Since Fourth Daughter-in-law truly wasn’t behind it, there was no reason for her to pay Mrs. Wang’s elder brother’s gambling debts. Moreover, if Fourth Daughter-in-law really stirred up trouble and summoned her mother’s family, the Han Family wouldn’t stand a chance, and the Wang Family people had also been subdued by Fourth Daughter-in-law. If a young daughter could be so formidable, what about the rest of the Su Family?
As Su Wenyue watched Mrs. Yang leave, her lips curled in a slightly mocking smile, “Wang Qianru, if you have any more tricks up your sleeve, bring them on. I want to see what else you’re capable of.”
Returning home in the evening to find out about the incident, Han Yu’s expression grew dark. Only Mrs. Wang was a pregnant woman, and the other was his mother, so he had no choice but to suppress his frustration. Still, his daughter-in-law had handled the situation commendably this time. In the past, had he not asked, she wouldn’t have brought it up herself. It seemed there was some truth to what those men said; a daughter-in-law does require a firm hand.
“You can’t blame me; I didn’t provoke Mrs. Wang. She came looking for trouble herself, thinking she could force me to pay off her elder brother’s gambling debt. She can dream on!” Su Wenyue knew Han Yu wasn’t blaming her, but his stoic demeanor suddenly made her feel guilty, especially remembering how he’d sternly dealt with her before, making her legs tremble at the thought..