Rebirth of a Farming Wife

Madam Fang Chen had been holding back her breath for so long, and now that she had finally found an opportunity, she naturally urged Mrs. Sun incessantly to deal with Su Wenyue. Thinking about Su Wenyue’s misfortune brought a wave of pleasure to Madam Fang Chen’s heart.

“Sister, rest assured, I will definitely take this breath out for you. It’s not just for you, but also for myself. After all, being a merchant’s daughter, she has limited experience—thinking that threatening me a few times would make her untouchable. I’ll let her understand soon enough what the rules are in officialdom. If she doesn’t follow the rules, she’s bound to be out of luck,” Mrs. Wang Sun said with a hint of pride and arrogance on her face, backed by the confidence her mother’s family had given her.

“Sister speaks truth. That Mrs. Su, a mere merchant’s daughter, and Lord Han, who also comes from a farmer’s background, both haven’t been properly educated. They should be taught the rules so that they don’t think they can look down on everyone just because they’ve climbed up the ladder through flattery,” Mrs. Sun remarked.

Having received Mrs. Wang Sun’s explicit approval, Madam Fang Chen left in high spirits, feeling more at ease. She had been thinking that this grievance would remain unresolved, not expecting that Su Wenyue, that vile woman, would seek her own doom and clash with Mrs. Sun. She knew Mrs. Sun’s domineering character well; a person like her would never suffer a loss at Su Wenyue’s hands. Now, there would be a good show to watch.

No sooner had Madam Fang Chen left than Mrs. Wang Sun called over her trusted old woman servant, “Granny, you go to the provincial capital for me. Tell my mother… Actually, I’ll go there myself.”

As she spoke, Mrs. Wang Sun changed her mind. Firstly, she worried that the old woman might not explain things clearly, and secondly, she needed her father’s help with her husband’s affairs. This time, Han Yu had occupied the promotion spot, and they had to find a way to elevate her husband. After all, it wasn’t appropriate for him to remain in an eighth-rank position forever.

When Lord Wang heard that Mrs. Sun planned to go to the provincial capital, it was almost certain that it was about his affair. He hadn’t gone to Mrs. Sun’s chamber these last few days for nothing; at least his efforts had some effect. He hoped that Mrs. Sun wouldn’t be useless this time and would handle things well for him.

Mrs. Zhou Wang lived in the same area as Mrs. Wang Sun. When she learned that Mrs. Wang Sun was going to the provincial capital, she discussed it with Lord Zhou.

“Husband, Mrs. Sun is heading to the provincial capital, probably because of Lord Han’s recent promotion. The other day at the banquet, she and Madam Han had an unpleasant clash. I’m afraid this trip might be detrimental to Lord Han. Do you think we should inform Lord Han? After all, he is now your immediate superior, and if he appreciates your goodwill, he might be able to look out for you in the future.”

Mrs. Zhou Wang wasn’t a woman who would stay put. She was ambitious and, with the news of Mrs. Sun’s trip to the provincial capital, she was not content to just let it be; she had to spin it to her family’s advantage. Moreover, she couldn’t stand to see Su Wenyue living so comfortably and wanted to give her something to worry about. Although Mrs. Zhou Wang appeared to flatter on the surface, she still held a grudge over past events. She thought that if Su Wenyue’s pregnancy was stressed too much, it could affect the child in her womb, and then she’d see how smug Su Wenyue could be.

“If we go to inform Lord Han, Mr. Sun and Lord Wang might not take it well if they find out,” Lord Zhou said, lacking the decisiveness of his wife.

“They won’t know. You don’t need to tell Lord Han directly. I’ll pass the message to Madam Han, who can then inform Lord Han. Even if Madam Wang finds out, she’ll think it slipped out inadvertently when I was speaking. It’s not a big enough issue to blame us over. Plus, this will curry favor with Lord Han. There’s nothing to hesitate about with such a no-risk, all-benefit situation.”

“Alright, then, this matter is in your hands, Wife,” Lord Zhou still decided to go by Mrs. Zhou’s wishes.

“Good, I’ll go to Madam Han right now and let her know my sincerity—that upon receiving the news, I immediately came to inform her,” Mrs. Zhou Wang said, pleased with Lord Zhou’s agreement, and quickly arranged to head over to Su Wenyue’s place.

“Madam, Mrs. Zhou Wang has come to visit.”

Su Wenyue was eating Bird’s Nest when she heard the servants announce that Mrs. Zhou Wang had arrived, her face showing a hint of impatience. Mrs. Zhou Wang was not someone pleasant. Coming early in the morning, who knew what she could possibly want? Was she coming to curry favor or to sow discord? Regardless of her intentions, Su Wenyue really wasn’t eager to meet this person.

“Go tell Mrs. Zhou that I’m not well and it’s inconvenient for me to receive visitors. Please ask her for her understanding!”

The maid obediently went to deliver the message, but Mrs. Zhou Wang, hearing that Su Wenyue refused to meet her, showed a flash of displeasure on her face. However, she quickly regained her composure with a smile.

“I really have something very important to discuss with Madam Han. This matter concerns Lord Han’s future, and so I had to rush over here. I came to report to you immediately, and I ask you to tell her once more that it’s imperative for her to see me. It’s a big matter that mustn’t go awry.”

The maid had received Su Wenyue’s instructions and initially didn’t want to give much attention to Mrs. Zhou, but hearing Mrs. Zhou Wang frame the issue as so critical—an issue related to her master’s future—the maid was startled. It was not for her to decide on such a major matter, and she immediately went back inside to report it, knowing that messing up her master’s important business would be disastrous.

“She said that?” Su Wenyue put down her bowl and wiped her mouth, her eyes narrowing slightly as she considered what game Mrs. Zhou Wang was up to this time.

“Yes, Madam. Mrs. Zhou Wang also said that she came here to pass information to the master. She instructed me to tell you, Madam, that you must absolutely see her; otherwise, it could lead to a big mistake and could even harm Lord Han. She mentioned it was related to Madam Wang’s affairs,” the maid reported.

Hearing the maid mention Madam Wang, a hint of sarcasm flashed in Su Wenyue’s eyes—Mrs. Zhou Wang truly had ‘good intentions.’ However, with Mrs. Zhou so eager to meet her, it wouldn’t be proper for Su Wenyue to decline, lest she disappoint someone’s ‘kind gesture.’

“Since Mrs. Zhou Wang is so considerate, we really shouldn’t refuse to see her. Go ahead and welcome Mrs. Zhou in,” Su Wenyue said.

The maid obeyed and returned shortly with Mrs. Zhou, who appeared quite anxious, as if in genuine distress. Upon seeing Su Wenyue, she hurriedly said, “Madam Han, I really shouldn’t have disturbed you so early, to avoid affecting your pregnancy. But the matter is just too urgent to delay, and as soon as I received the news, I came straight to inform you. I fear a delay might complicate things.”

“Oh? I wonder what matter has made Mrs. Zhou so anxious, to make such a composed person so nervous. It must indeed be a serious affair,” Su Wenyue remarked.

“Madam Han, Mrs. Sun took a horse carriage to the city this morning…”

“Madam, here is an invitation from the Magistrate’s wife for you to attend a banquet she’s hosting. The Magistrate’s wife is Madam Wang’s birth mother,” Grandma Chen said with apprehension, holding out the post.