A Good Country Wife
Chapter 257 - 248 Overestimating Oneself_1

Chapter 257: Chapter 248 Overestimating Oneself_1

When Lin Yue entered, not only Han Family’s mother was there, but her sister-in-law from the Qin Family was also present. Lin Yue imperceptibly furrowed her brows. Although she had only met her a few times, her impression of Han Family’s sister-in-law wasn’t at all favorable. This woman not only had a high opinion of herself, looking down on country folks like them, but she also liked to provoke discord and scheme against others behind their backs, definitely not one with good intentions.

However, even though Lin Yue didn’t like her, she wouldn’t do anything impolite. After all, Qin Family was Han Family’s sister-in-law and she couldn’t let down the face of the Han Family. So she went over with a bright smile to greet, "Big Aunt, Han Family’s sister-in-law."

"Erhu’s wife has come, it’s been some days since we last saw you, and you’ve become even more charming. Such a beautiful daughter-in-law is a delight to the eyes," Han Family’s mother was very fond of Lin Yue, thinking that despite Erhu’s wife’s young age, she was capable and had a kind heart. Seeing Lin Yue filled her with warmth, while Qin Family’s face was full of disdain.

"Hmph." Qin Family snorted lightly when Lin Yue greeted her, filled with contempt. Such a rustic bumpkin was not worthy of her conversation. Seeing her own mother-in-law so pleased, an outsider wouldn’t know and might think this country woman was her daughter-in-law instead. Her mother-in-law didn’t usually show her a good face either, often wearing a stern expression. Why then was she being so kind to a stranger?

Although she claimed disdain, Qin Family was actually filled with more jealousy than anything else. Why should a country woman be prettier than her, dress better than her, and be more liked than her? She’s nothing but a siren who bewitches the heart, hardly anything special.

Han Family felt embarrassed by Qin Family’s attitude towards Lin Yue. She had never been close to Qin Family, finding her to be a woman too sharp and acerbic to match her elder brother. Even though she didn’t like her, Qin Family was still her sister-in-law and, considering her brother’s face, she couldn’t say much, for fear of causing unpleasantness and troubling her brother. Therefore, she could only look apologetically at Lin Yue and treat her with even more warmth and attentiveness.

"Sister-in-law, these are Crystal Purple Grapes awarded by the Magistrate. They taste quite nice, why don’t you try some? If you like them, there are some more at home, and you can take them with you when you leave," offered Han Family, bringing over a plate of grapes with plump fruit and glistening skin of high quality—said to be a tribute variety. There weren’t many even at the Magistrate’s, and it was only a limited amount awarded to Zhao Xinglin. Han Family herself was somewhat reluctant to eat them and only brought them out because Lin Yue had come.

"You’re too polite, sister-in-law," said Lin Yue as she peeled a grape and popped it into her mouth. The skin was thin, the juice plentiful, and the taste sweetly sour—captivating Lin Yue’s taste buds at once. She said unreservedly to Han Family, "These grapes do taste wonderful. I’m quite delighted by them. Since sister-in-law has offered, I’ll boldly take some, just don’t feel sorry afterward."

"What are you talking about? What’s there to feel sorry about? It’s just a few bunches of grapes. If you like them, how could I be reluctant? You’ve brought so many nice things to me in the past. There’s not much that I can give you in return, so this is just a little token of my feelings. Just don’t be a stranger with me over it," replied Han Family warmly.

Qin Family felt deeply uncomfortable watching her sister-in-law being so affectionate with a countrywoman. She was, after all, her sister-in-law’s elder sister-in-law, and yet when good fortune came, her sister-in-law thought not of her own family but chose to give away the benefits to outsiders. Qin Family had been there for quite some time and hadn’t seen her sister-in-law offer her any grapes to eat. Did she not regard her as an elder sister-in-law? Or did she think Qin Family didn’t deserve to savor such fine things, while Lin Yue, that bumpkin of a country woman, did?

The more Qin Family thought about it, the angrier she became. Her words grew increasingly sharp and biting, "Oh! My dear sister-in-law, why would you bring out such fine things for a country bumpkin to eat? Does she even know what’s good? Isn’t it a waste to let her eat such delicacies? Such country folk behavior; eaten and done, yet still wanting to take some with her—a face so thick I’ve never seen! My sister-in-law, you really ought to stay away from such poor rural relatives to avoid demeaning your own status."

"Elder sister-in-law, what kind of words are these? Are these the manners taught to you by the Qin Family? No wonder my elder brother doesn’t like you, preferring to stay alone in his room at the Government Office rather than returning home. With a wife like you, gentleness and consideration are nowhere to be seen, yet you show such lack of manners, insulting guests in your sister-in-law’s home. No other elder sister-in-law would ever do such a thing."

Han Family was too angry, which is why she spoke so harshly, leaving no face for Qin Family. Zhao Erhu and his wife took good care of Han Family’s household on normal days, and they were closely related relatives. This time, they had given such great help. If her own husband knew that Zhao Erhu’s wife had been treated so harshly by her own family, he would inevitably be angry with her, and Han Family felt guilty towards Lin Yue too.

By bringing up her own brother, Han Family hit where it hurt the most for Qin Family, touching an untouchable deep sore point. Qin Family instantly felt stung, "Han Xiaochai, don’t you cross the line! Remember, I am your elder sister-in-law. Who lacks manners when speaking to me? Perhaps it’s you who’s been sabotaging me. That’s why my elder brother is so cold. What misfortune for me to have such a malicious sister-in-law like you."

"Qin Family, what are you saying! I’m the malicious one? Don’t you know why elder brother treats you as he does? If you hadn’t been so ambitious, despising my elder brother for lacking ambition, constantly showing him a long face, even directing it towards your pregnant second sister-in-law, nearly causing her to miscarry—and yet you remain unrepentant. You show no respect or filial piety toward your parents-in-law. Would my elder brother treat you this way? Look at yourself, what good are you? My elder brother was truly unlucky to marry a woman such as you. You don’t even reflect on yourself, but instead, you blame me for all this. It’s ludicrous." Han Family took the opportunity to vent all her dissatisfaction with Qin Family.

"Han Xiaochai, you! Just because you’re my sister-in-law doesn’t mean I’m afraid to discipline you." Qin Family looked as if she might indeed become physical.

"Enough, both of you stop quarreling!" Han Family’s mother was also very angry seeing her daughter-in-law behave this way. She gave Qin Family a warning glance, her displeasure with her eldest daughter-in-law growing by the moment. How could she have overlooked such a woman lacking in grace, morals, and good upbringing during the initial meeting, a woman who had brought nothing but disturbance to the family? Moreover, she proved difficult in bearing children. To this day, not to mention a grandson, she hadn’t even provided a granddaughter, and instead, she had driven her son to the point of not wanting to come home, opting to stay at the government office every day.

Qin Family, deeply dissatisfied with her mother-in-law’s obvious favoritism towards her sister-in-law, protested resentfully, "Mother-in-law, don’t be too biased. It’s because you and father-in-law have spoiled her that she dares talk to her own elder sister-in-law in such a manner."

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