A Good Country Wife
Chapter 183: The White-Eyed Wolf_1

Chapter 183: Chapter 183: The White-Eyed Wolf_1

Zhao Erhu also felt some annoyance. What was his elder sister thinking, getting full and causing trouble? His wife had kindly and diligently prepared a whole table of dishes, and even if she hadn’t said anything nice, she just ate her fill—now, after eating, she came to pick on his wife. When had she become so unreasonable?

In fact, Zhao Erhu didn’t know that Zhao Yunxiang’s ultimate goal was to suppress Lin Yue. It wasn’t that she couldn’t see what was happening; she saw it all too clearly. The vixen from the Lin Family had too much influence over Zhao Erhu, and whenever she wanted Zhao Erhu’s help, he would agree out of sibling affection. Yunxiang feared that the Lin Family woman would interfere with her plans, so she wanted to keep Lin Yue under her thumb. Little did she know that by doing so, she was pushing Zhao Erhu further away. Erhu’s affection for his little wife was much deeper than what Zhao Yunxiang could see.

Lin Yue, being such a sensible person, did not confront Zhao Yunxiang after hearing her shameless remarks. She wouldn’t engage in a conflict where she would harm herself along with the enemy unless it was absolutely necessary. This was the perfect time to show her composure, so she looked towards Zhao Erhu with a wronged expression.

"Brother Erhu, I’m not a wasteful woman. I just thought that since our elder sister and brother-in-law rarely visit, and our elder brother and sister-in-law haven’t had a meal at our house yet, I decided to make some extra delicacies. Even if we are frugal at home, we can’t neglect our relatives, right? Did I do something wrong?" Lin Yue said, her mouth puckering, unable to hide her sadness and disappointment. Zhao Erhu felt another twinge in his heart and grew even more dissatisfied with his elder sister’s actions.

Lin Yue knew that Zhao Erhu still had strong feelings for Zhao Yunxiang, his sister who had taken care of him since childhood. What she needed to do now was to let Zhao Yunxiang dig her own grave, gradually erode the sibling affection Zhao Erhu had for her, and make Zhao Erhu see her own suffering, deepening his sympathy for her.

"I’ll tell you, sister-in-law, that you’re in the wrong here. She offered her kindness, and if you don’t appreciate it, so be it, but then you go on to say all those unpleasant things. Our sister-in-law doesn’t seem like someone who loves to overspend. She knows the value of saving money, which she earned through hard work. Wouldn’t it be better for her to keep her own money? She’s just being hospitable because we are family. I saw you eat her cooking—it’s not like you didn’t partake. You even ate more than others. I counted—you refilled your bowl five times, and you were quicker to take the dishes than anyone else. Our sister-in-law hosted you with great food, and if you can’t appreciate it, fine, but now to come and make trouble after the meal, isn’t that a bit too low? We can’t be seen as ingrates who bite the hand that feeds us."

Liu’s tirade was a string of accusations directed at Zhao Yunxiang for her unkind behavior. At the Zhao Family old house, because of Zhao Jingen and Zhao Dahuo, Liu had to hold her tongue. No one knew she could be so sharp with her words, leaving Zhao Yunxiang no chance to retort.

Lin Yue couldn’t help but be delighted upon hearing this. Liu proved to be a very loyal and supportive ally, speaking up for her immediately when Zhao Yunxiang made things difficult. Liu’s sincere gesture was all the more powerful because, by seniority, she was Yunxiang’s elder sister-in-law. There were things both Lin Yue and Zhao Erhu could not say, but it was natural for Liu to speak out. Zhao Yunxiang had no grounds to use her elder sister status to press down on others. If Zhao Yunxiang argued with Liu, others would accuse her of disrespecting her elder sister-in-law. Perhaps knowing this, Yunxiang didn’t continue to argue.

Zhao Yunxiang realized she couldn’t bring down Lin Yue this time, so she let it rest for the moment. In the evening, she secretly called Zhao Erhu aside, "Erhu, I know you’re angry with your elder sister, but she’s only looking out for you. I always think of how our mother repeatedly entrusted me and your elder brother to take good care of you when she passed away. That’s why, seeing that woman from the Lin Family being so thoughtless, I spoke too harshly. Don’t be mad at your elder sister. I apologize to you on her behalf."

"Sister, don’t be like that. I’m not mad at you, I still remember how good you were to me when we were kids. But it’s not right for you to treat my wife this way. She’s a good woman who has sacrificed a lot for me and the kids. Don’t misunderstand her; if you get along with her, she will treat you well and regard you as her own sister. Look how wholeheartedly she treats Brother Dahu and his wife."

Compared to Zhao Yunxiang’s affected and deliberately emotive behavior, Zhao Erhu truly felt this way. Whenever he spoke of Lin Yue, his eyes would start to glimmer, anxious to make sure everyone knew how great his wife was.

Zhao Yunxiang, listening to Zhao Erhu praising Lin Yue to the skies, felt sick to her stomach and extremely uncomfortable. She cursed Lin Yue in her mind over and over again, but now she needed her brother’s help and had to lower her pride. If the matter was resolved, enduring some grievances meant nothing to her. Zhao Yunxiang, for all her faults, was indeed very good to Lin Genfa.

"Enough, enough. I only said a few words, and here you are giving me a whole lecture. I’ll stop targeting your wife, okay? My only thought was that she’s too young, and I was trying to temper her character for you so you’d have an easier life later on. Since you don’t want that, I’ll stop meddling."

Zhao Yunxiang acted as though she would mind her own business from now on, speaking as if she meant it.

Zhao Erhu was still not well disciplined by Lin Yue in this regard and was too trusting of Zhao Yunxiang, falling for her ploy and genuinely believing she cared deeply for him. "Sister, I know you care about me."

"Let’s not talk about this anymore. Erhu, I called you out here because I have a favor to ask. Could you help your sister out?" Zhao Yunxiang asked with a pleading look on her face.

"Sister, just speak your mind. We’re siblings; there’s no need for secrets. I’ll help out however I can," Zhao Erhu readily agreed. After all, it was his elder sister who had doted on him since childhood. Even though what she did today wasn’t ideal, her intentions were for his good—they were just misguided. Now that his sister was asking for a favor, he would do his best to assist within his capabilities.

"It’s nothing big. You’ve done well for yourself, and I was hoping you could help Genfa find a better job. His current work is too strenuous, and I worry he can’t handle it. You know my family’s situation; we all rely on your brother-in-law’s earnings from his work outside. If he breaks down from exhaustion, what will happen to the children and me?" Zhao Yunxiang had grown wiser and knew how to use the appeal of the suffering soldier to plaintively share her woes with Zhao Erhu.

Zhao Erhu felt a bit troubled. He had neither connections nor influence. Being able to supply the Government Office with food was only because his wife had a good relationship with Doctor Jiang, and thanks to Doctor Jiang’s favor, the Magistrate granted him this bounty. If his sister had asked to borrow a few taels of silver, he would have been able to manage that, but finding a job for Lin Genfa was a difficult task. Nevertheless, Zhao Erhu didn’t outright refuse Zhao Yunxiang. After pondering for a moment, he said, "Sister, what kind of job do you want me to find for brother-in-law?"