A Good Country Wife
Chapter 402 - 396_1

Chapter 402: Chapter 396_1

Since the other party had come to provoke, Lin Yue naturally wouldn’t be polite. As far as offending anyone is concerned, I’d never provoke anyone unless provoked first. And since they’ve crossed my doorstep looking for trouble, they have only themselves to blame. Besides, she was already feeling uncomfortable, and these people seemed to be asking for a scolding. She certainly wouldn’t hold back.

Once Lin Yue had said this, the faces of several women suddenly turned sour. Although they were of lower status, merely concubines bought and sold at will, they held that status as the Concubines of the Family Head. The people of the Jiang Residence usually showed them some respect, and they had never been humiliated like this. Moreover, the one humiliating them was suspected to be their rival in love, which was utterly detestable.

"Oh, Lady Lin, by what right do you suggest our lord should reward us? You are nothing but a guest, and that from some obscure, rural area. To think you can make such grand statements about our lord rewarding us. Take a look at yourself before you speak such big words. Aren’t you afraid your tongue will snap from all that boasting?"

"Sister, that’s not right. I don’t think Lady Lin is boasting at all. She truly has the confidence, and who knows, she might’ve already hooked up with the master, even got him wrapped around her finger. Otherwise, why would he personally go to fetch her and arrange for her to stay in the Qiwu Courtyard? Tsk tsk, quite impressive indeed. I just wonder what seductive tricks she used. They say rural women are quite skilled in the ways of the world outside, perhaps the master is quite taken with her."

"Using such shameless tactics, how could the master fancy such a rural woman, and one who’s already another man’s wife at that? Even if we are concubines, we were formally brought into the residence. That’s far better than some wild woman from outside. She doesn’t even seem to know her place. The Qiwu Courtyard has always been reserved for the main wife of the Jiang Family. And she just moved in so brazenly, thinking she could take on the status of the Jiang Family’s main wife? Even being a concubine would be elevating her too high. The Old Master and the Family Head would never agree to this."

The women spoke one unpleasant word after another, clearly intent on ensuring that Lin Yue could not hold her head high. Lin Yue hadn’t expected living in the Jiang Residence would cause such a misunderstanding. She was, after all, a married woman, and these people really had wild imaginations. What she hadn’t foreseen was that the Qiwu Courtyard was where the main wife of the Jiang Family lived. Why had Ziqi arranged for them to stay there? No wonder people misunderstood and were waiting to find trouble with her.

"I didn’t know this was what you all were thinking. No wonder your mouths are so filthy. I’ll let it go this time. My relationship with Elder Brother Jiang is pure and without any impropriety. Besides, I have a husband who treats me very well. There’s a saying that it’s better to be the wife of a poor man than the concubine of a rich one. How could I abandon a fine husband to become a concubine in the Jiang Family? However, since there seems to be a misunderstanding, I find it meaningless to stay here. When my husband returns, I’ll clear things up with Elder Brother Jiang and then move out. You won’t have to come here to show off your strength."

Lin Yue spoke with a hint of irony. Even though she didn’t intend to take these women’s words to heart, the slander and attacks still irked her.

Lin Yue had made her stance clear, and anyone with a bit of intelligence would realize that they were mistaken. She had no intention of staying in the Jiang Residence. The women had varying levels of intelligence; among them, Concubine Chen was considered one of the cleverest. She had not planned to get involved in this matter, but since several other concubines were acting together, she couldn’t appear too exempt. Otherwise, their united anger might not be against Lady Lin, but against her. Besides, she was persuaded to see what kind of person Lady Lin was, so she followed the other concubines here. Now, she truly regretted it, especially after hearing Lady Lin mention moving out of the Jiang Residence.

"Lady Lin, you’ve misunderstood. That wasn’t my intention. Since the master arranged for you to stay in the Qiwu Courtyard, he must have considered it carefully. You should stay right where you are and not pay attention to idle gossip," Concubine Chen quickly said with a heartfelt and sincere tone, trying to persuade Lin Yue to stay.

If the master found out about today’s events, none of them would have an easy time, especially since Lady Lin mentioned moving out. Since the master had arranged for Lady Lin to stay in the Qiwu Courtyard, it showed his regard for her. If they were perceived as having forced her out of the residence, Concubine Chen didn’t even want to imagine the consequences.

She knew the master was ordinarily untroubled by their antics and never punished them without reason. But she also knew that he wasn’t someone with a good temper; it was just that they hadn’t gotten on his bad side, and he couldn’t be bothered with them. This time, however, they had clearly crossed a line. Why had she allowed herself to be swayed to join them? Even being ganged up on by the other concubines would be preferable to angering the master. Concubine Chen just hoped that Lady Lin would quell the situation and not insist on moving out of the Jiang Residence.

"Concubine Chen, I think you’re being too nosy. If Lady Lin wishes to move out, then let her move out. Knowing that there’s gossip, one should know to avoid it, rather than shamelessly clinging on," said Concubine Zhang, who lacked sense. In her mind, if they could drive Lady Lin out, future trouble would be avoided. So when she heard Concubine Chen suddenly reverse her stance and suggest that Lin Yue should stay, she was quick to counter it.

Seeing that Lady Lin was already displeased, and with Concubine Zhang adding such remarks, it was impossible to get Lady Lin to stay. Concubine Chen silently cursed ’idiot’ and knew any further action was futile. They could only wait for the Family Head to return and try to apologize first, possibly gaining a chance to make amends. Otherwise, once the Family Head found out the truth and reacted, she feared she wouldn’t be able to bear his wrath. As for the other concubines getting evicted, it would serve them right.

As soon as Lin Yue got back to the Qiwu Courtyard, she started packing up her belongings. She didn’t need Xiaofang’s help; the maid was not to be trusted. The scene that had unfolded earlier in the garden must have had her hand in it.

Xiaofang had originally maintained an indifferent stance, so when the concubines were verbally attacking Lady Lin, she did not intervene or speak up for her. Realizing how things had escalated, she was worried about the consequences. She wasn’t sure if the concubines would be punished by the Family Head, but there was no doubt in her mind that she would not be spared.

"Lady Lin, I am guilty. Please spare me this once. I will never dare to do it again," Xiaofang suddenly knelt down, her expression showing fear, her words filled with humbleness and pleading.

"What wrong have you done that you should be suddenly guilty? Don’t kneel before me; such grand gestures are too much for a rural woman like me to accept," Lin Yue said with a smile that wasn’t quite a smile. She was not the sort to repay evil with kindness. In her view, it was simple: repay kindness with kindness, and grudges with vengeance. Xiaofang had conspired with the women from Ziqi’s back courtyard to set her up, so no matter how pitiful Xiaofang acted now, she did not merit any sympathy.