A Good Country Wife
Chapter 176: Squandering the Surplus_1

Chapter 176: Chapter 176: Squandering the Surplus_1

Everyone was here for the feast, and due to Zhao Dahu’s couple being delayed, Zhao Yunxiang and her husband, who had left early in the morning, arrived before them. The Yunxiang family was very poor and really couldn’t present any significant gift; their congratulatory offering was just half a basket of eggs.

Zhao Xinglin and his wife were not the types to scorn the poor and favor the rich, they appreciated the gift regardless of its size, as it was the giver’s heartfelt intention. They received it happily and welcomed the guests into the house. However, Han Family’s sister-in-law, Qin Family, watched with disdain as Yunxiang, looking so destitute, sneered and wanted to say something sarcastic, but a warning glance from the Han Family stopped her.

"Tsk, having such a poor relative and not being able to talk about it, isn’t it shameful? Born in the countryside, a bunch of bumpkins, even if they move to the city, what’s the use, with a horde of poor relatives." Once the Han Family went inside, Qin Family complained to another woman beside her.

"Dear sister, why lower yourself to their level? It just diminishes your own stature."

"Indeed, let’s go inside as well," said Qin Family, swaying her way into the house. She was always looking to pick faults today because she felt utterly imbalanced inside. Her in-laws, so biased, had actually spent money on getting a set of silver locks and bracelets for the Han Family’s son. She wondered how much that cost, as they had never been so generous with their own grandchildren, yet they spoiled an outsider so, and her husband did not object, staunchly defending his sister. He even scolded his own wife, saying that it was his dear sister after all.

Pah! What does it matter if she’s his dear sister? A daughter married away is like water spilled out, she already belongs to another family. Could it be they still expect her to look after the two old folks in the future? They were all so daft, truly clueless about how things actually were.

Guests continued to arrive one after another. With so many people, the house couldn’t accommodate everyone. Zhao Xinglin had already arranged for some guests to go to the restaurant where his third granduncle and father-in-law were entertaining. Erhu and his company hurried along and finally arrived.

Seeing his older sister Zhao Yunxiang was also there, Lin Yue was momentarily stunned, but he did not find it unexpected. Since Yunxiang had left in indignation last time, Lin Yue had felt somewhat remorseful inside. Noticing that Yunxiang’s attitude was much improved this time, he felt relieved. However, in Yunxiang’s eyes, she thought Lin Yue was being insincere just for Erhu’s sake. She deemed this woman deceitful, kind to the face but not behind the back. If it were not for the inappropriate occasion, she would surely let her brother see Lin Yue’s true colors.

"Elder sister/younger sister, brother-in-law/younger brother-in-law," family greeted each other first.

Yunxiang had a smile for Zhao Dahu and his wife, as well as for Erhu, but she was indifferent toward Lin Yue. Nevertheless, she restrained herself from making things uncomfortable for Lin Yue in front of everyone. Actually, Yunxiang felt quite reserved at such an event. Everyone present was a relative or friend of Zhao Xinglin’s couple, many were from the city, including some officials. Being a countrywoman, she inevitably felt uneasy, not daring to act freely for fear of seeming out of place. In fact, it was her family’s poverty that deepened her feeling of inferiority, seeing what she wore, a homespun hemp garment, there was nobody else present dressed more poorly than her, even Zhao Dahuo and his wife were better dressed than her.

Of course, Yunxiang did not know that Dahu’s couple had just changed into their clothes at Erhu’s house on short notice, otherwise, she would curse the Wei Family again. Meanwhile, standing next to Yunxiang was Lin Genfa, who knew his wife was proud and competitive. He feared she was struggling inside at that moment. His rough hand clasped Yunxiang’s, silently comforting her.

As soon as Han Family saw Lin Yue arrive, she came over to greet her personally. As for Dahu and Yunxiang’s couple standing nearby, she merely gave them a casual greeting before pulling Lin Yue aside for a chat.

Originally, since she was not very familiar with Zhao Dahu’s wife or Zhao Yunxiang, having only met them a few times, it was merely a formality. Of course, they couldn’t be very close; a greeting was already considered polite.

Although Han Family’s father was a minor official, he still came from a butler’s background. Despite appearing easy to get along with, there was still a sense of arrogance embedded within him. While he didn’t look down upon Zhao Xinglin’s rural relatives, he also wasn’t keen on mingling with them too much. His seemingly gentle and polite demeanor was in fact tinged with a subtle detachment. It was only toward those he deemed appropriate that he would draw somewhat closer, and Lin Yue was one such individual who had caught his favorable attention.

The distinct differential treatment by Han Family didn’t seem to bother Liu, Zhao Dahu’s wife, after all, Zhao Xinglin’s wife came from a good background, and being a butler’s daughter, it was normal for her not to hold Liu in high regard. However, Zhao Yunxiang felt differently. She was a bundle of contradictions, insecure yet prideful, and she took offense at Han Family’s behavior, feeling that it was a slight to her dignity.

"Sister-in-law, this is the full month gift Erhu and I have brought for my little nephew, wishing him intelligence and good health as he grows up strong and sturdy," Lin Yue handed over the gift she had brought to Han Family.

Qin Family watched from the side and, driven by some unknown motive, blurted out without regard for propriety, "Yo! Little sister, isn’t this your cousin’s wife? What fine things have you brought this time? Why not let everyone have a look?"

Han Family realized that her sister-in-law must be upset because her own parents had given her nephew—a silver lock and silver bracelets—causing her to act up at the baby’s full-month celebration out of unhappiness. Such pettiness, Han Family thought. Her mother should have never listened to her aunt’s instigation to marry Qin Family into their home. Now look at the domestic strife caused by Qin Family, and her brother often stays out overnight, not wanting to come home and argue with Qin Family.

With Qin Family causing such a stir, everyone’s attention was drawn to the full month gift brought by Lin Yue. However, most people didn’t have high expectations for Lin Yue’s gift, since she was a rural woman; what good things could they expect her to bring?

Han Family, after glancing at Lin Yue and seeing no objection, opened the package. Inside, it was neatly folded as before, with eight sets of baby clothes that differed in size and style from the previous ones given; there was also a pair of silver bracelets wrapped in red silk cloth.

Upon seeing Lin Yue’s silver bracelets, Han Family expressed her surprise, "Sister-in-law, you really went too far. Such a lavish gift, this is overly generous."

Just as Lin Yue was about to say something, before she could even speak, Zhao Yunxiang, who was by her side, saw the contents of the bundle. She went from surprised to infuriated. This sister-in-law, who was more trouble than she was worth and wasteful to boot, didn’t know the meaning of being frugal. Was it easy for her brother to earn money to support the family?

Not to mention the substantial value of those silver bracelets, even the several sets of clothes seemed exquisite and luxurious. How much silver would one set cost, and yet here she was, giving them away? When her own son had his full month celebration, he didn’t receive half as much. She was Zhao Erhu’s actual sister, after all. Zhao Xinglin was at best a cousin, one step removed. And she couldn’t fathom what Erhu was thinking to agree to Lin Family’s extravagant gift. Perhaps Lin Yue had bewitched him.

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