Chapter 4: But It's True

Su Wenyue responded in such a manner, without showing any signs of anger; Mrs. Han Yang breathed a sigh of relief. Thankfully, the Fourth Daughter-in-law was sensible and generous, unlike the Eldest Daughter-in-law who often made a fuss. Her gaze towards Su Wenyue became increasingly satisfied and affectionate.

"Fourth Daughter-in-law, sit down and don't move," Mrs. Han Yang instructed her, then turned to the other three daughters-in-law.

"Are you all so lazy? The Fourth Daughter-in-law has prepared breakfast, and yet someone has to serve it to you. I, as the Mother-in-law, haven't even asked her to serve me yet, and here you sisters-in-law are acting mighty, commanding your younger sister-in-law around. I haven't even asked her to serve me, and here you are, shamelessly expecting her to. Hurry up and get to work!"

Mrs. Han Yang's words were clearly targeted at Mrs. Liu; the other two daughters-in-law were just collateral damage. But even if they felt mistreated, there was nothing they could do; after all, the speaker was their Mother-in-law, Mrs. Han Yang, and as daughters-in-law, they had to endure even if it seemed unfair.

"Mother, this isn't right, I'm truly not tired," Su Wenyue quickly interjected, although she wanted to make a good impression in front of her Mother-in-law, she didn't want to offend all her sisters-in-law on her very first day. Plus, she might not have liked her Eldest Sister-in-law and Third Sister-in-law, but the Second Sister-in-law, Mrs. Li, was nice, honest, and hard-working.

"What's wrong with that? You've just consummated your marriage with the Fourth Younger Brother yesterday, you must be tired. As someone who has been through this, how could I not understand? Just sit quietly, and don't wear yourself out further."

Mrs. Han Yang spoke in a tone that brooked no argument. She had her vanities too; being able to present her young and beautiful daughter-in-law, who looked as if she were a fairy who had stepped out of a picture and did not belong to the mortal world, was a source of pride. Moreover, Mrs. Han Yang truly did not want Su Wenyue to engage in such coarse labour, lest she lose her delicate charm. She had assured her counterpart upon bringing Su Wenyue into the family that she would take good care of her and would not make her do any farm work.

"Yes, Fourth Younger Sister, you should rest. Leave this little work to us. A person of your delicate beauty should be properly cared for. Let us sisters-in-law take care of the rough work," the Second Daughter-in-law, Mrs. Li, said with a gentle smile. She was straightforward and kind-hearted. Scolded by her Mother-in-law, she didn't get upset. Instead, she shared some of her Mother-in-law's thoughts, thinking that the Fourth Daughter-in-law, with her delicate looks, shouldn't be doing such rough work in the kitchen. Taking the remaining tasks off her hands, Mrs. Li began tidying up the kitchen.

Upon hearing Mrs. Li's naive words, Mrs. Liu and the Third Daughter-in-law, Mrs. Wang, glared fiercely at her. This fool, incurably stupid. They were all daughters-in-law; who was more noble? By saying such things, she lowered everyone else's status for no reason. The Fourth Daughter-in-law couldn't help feeling smug now.

Although Mrs. Liu and Mrs. Wang thought this way, they didn't dare say much more. In the family, Mother-in-law Yang represented authority, and even Mrs. Liu only dared to subvert her mother-in-law in secret with a few snide comments. Now that the Mother-in-law was angry, how could she dare to oppose? She obediently went about her tasks.

The Third Daughter-in-law had an even harder time. She was all smiles on the surface but sharp beneath, always very obedient to her Mother-in-law and amiable towards her sisters-in-law, a model Daughter-in-law. Even if she felt unhappy or disagreeable, she would only scheme in secret. She was indeed favored by Mrs. Yang most of the time. Dealing with such a person was much more challenging than dealing with Mrs. Liu and required caution and vigilance.

The Han Family was just a typical peasant family; there wasn't much ceremony about eating together. They didn't need separate seats, and they would just happily gather around a large table as one family.

Still, the atmosphere during this breakfast felt rather odd. Since Mrs. Yang had defended Su Wenyue so much in the kitchen, naturally, she wouldn't let the delicate daughter-in-law stand on ceremony. The men didn't think much of it, believing that it was only right to treat well such a refined girl who had married into their family. This only irked the Eldest Daughter-in-law and the Third Daughter-in-law even more. They ate with sullen expressions, and the Second Daughter-in-law, seeing them like this, merely focused on her food.

After breakfast came the Tea Ceremony. Su Wenyue offered tea and kowtowed to her parents-in-law, receiving two sizable Red envelopes in return. The weight implied they valued her quite a bit, although that was perhaps more for her mother's family's sake. However, that didn't detract from anything.

Having accepted the Red envelopes, Su Wenyue also took out the pairs of new shoes and insoles she had prepared for her parents-in-law—a customary but unwritten rule for a new daughter-in-law to embroider by hand for the Tea Ceremony. In her previous life, Su Wenyue's needlework was up to par, but she disdained doing such things to curry favor with her in-laws. Thus, her mother had the Servant girls prepare everything to ensure her daughter didn't breach the etiquette. Nonetheless, even with the preparations made by her mother, Su Wenyue left them pressed at the bottom of her box, never taking them out. Why should she seek favor from country bumpkins!

Having to do it all over again due to a lack of time, Su Wenyue could only bring out the ready-made pairs that had been prepared in the box. Since they were meticulously chosen by her mother, the cloth and embroidery were the finest. Yet, in her eagerness to show affection, her mother had overlooked one fact: in her past life, Su Wenyue never possessed such exquisite craftsmanship, which made it easy to see through the ruse.

"Father, Mother, this is a token of your daughter-in-law's sincerity. I hope you won't find it unacceptable."

"Oh, good, good, how could we dislike such fine things? The embroidery is excellent, Fourth Daughter-in-law, your hands are truly skilled. Fourth Child is lucky to have you."

Old Man Han and Mrs. Yang were, of course, happy to accept the gifts. They had never worn shoes and insoles quite so elegant in their lives. They looked like something worn by nobility, and they cherished them too much to even wear them. Mrs. Yang thought to store them in the box, content to occasionally take them out and admire them, while Old Man Han was keen on showing them off in the village.

Mrs. Liu and Mrs. Wang, who had been frowning, now looked even more displeased. Mrs. Wang's eyes rolled around as if she had thought of something. A malicious smile curled at her lips as she pulled Mrs. Liu's sleeve, whispered past Mrs. Li, and began murmuring in her ear.

"Second Sister-in-law, look at how our parents are completely taken in by the Fourth Daughter-in-law. I heard that when she was at her mother's house, she was pampered to the extreme and couldn't do anything. She's just a pretty face without any real skills—nothing more than a decorative pillow. There's no way her needlework could be this good. It must be the work of an embroiderer or Servant girl from her home. Yet she's crafty, using things made by servants to win over our Father and Mother, treating us like fools."

Mrs. Liu had already been looking for an excuse to pick on Su Wenyue but couldn't make a scene in front of everyone, especially after having been warned by her Mother-in-law just a while ago. Thus, she sat there quietly. But her eyes brightened at Mrs. Wang's words, "Is that really true? The Fourth Daughter-in-law couldn't have gone so far, could she?"