A Good Country Wife
Chapter 412 - 406_1

Chapter 412: 406_1

"Our young miss hosted a poetry gathering in our mansion on the third day of July and invited the lady of the Zhao Family to attend. Here is the invitation," said the servant, handing over the invitation to another servant. The disdain was unmistakable in his tone and demeanor. Initially, he had some respect for the guests invited by the young miss. But upon arrival here, learning that Zhao Erhu and his wife were only renting their home and that they came from a rural farming background, he felt them beneath even himself, unworthy of his respect.

Although Zhao Erhu and Lin Yue were uncomfortable with the servant’s attitude, since he was sent from the Chen Mansion, and they wished to curry favor with the Chen family, they could hardly offend their representative. They managed only a forced smile in response.

Jiang Ziqi’s face darkened upon seeing such insolence from a mere Chen family servant. His indifferent expression concealed a chill as he regarded the servant with the same indifference as one might a lifeless object. Zhao Erhu and Lin Yue may have been angered by the servant’s attitude, merely wishing to respond, but it was different for Jiang Ziqi. Raised in such a family, he was accustomed to seeing servants dismissed or even killed for far less; in his eyes, this servant had shown such disrespect that, even if spared death, should not be let off lightly.

"Please trouble brother to return and tell your young miss, thank you for thinking of us. We will be sure to attend on that day." Lin Yue hadn’t expected Chen Ruyu’s sudden kindness in inviting her, given the clearly unfriendly nature of their last encounter. It was likely a trap of some sort. Despite not wanting to go, the fact that they came to extend the invitation in person, coupled with not wanting to appear cowardly, as well as not wanting to risk offending the Chen family, she accepted the invitation outright.

"Wife, that lady of the Chen family clearly has no good intentions towards you. Maybe it’s better if you don’t go. I’ll find an excuse to speak with Mr. Chen and decline the invitation, how about that?" Zhao Erhu was well aware of Chen Ruyu’s animosity towards Lin Yue, and while he didn’t understand why, her previous treatment had already pained him greatly. Unable to stand up for his wife then, how could he now be at ease allowing Lin Yue to attend Miss Chen’s poetry gathering? He was aware of the cunning often found in daughters of prominent families and feared what unpleasant scheme she might be plotting against his wife.

"No need, I think even if Miss Chen is unreasonable, at worst she’ll just make things difficult for me, she won’t really harm me. Declining now would seem petty and could also offend Mr. Chen, suggesting we don’t want to associate with their family."

"But how can I be at peace with you going like this? Shall I accompany you?" Zhao Erhu was at a loss.

Lin Yue knew her husband was concerned for her, wanting to be on good terms with Mr. Chen but not wanting her to suffer any slights. She felt warmed by his affection and reassured him with a smile, "How could you? Only the women will be in attendance, and it wouldn’t be proper for a man to join. Don’t worry about me; I am not so easily bullied. If Miss Chen truly crosses the line, I won’t stay silent."

Jiang Ziqi, watching on the side, had been about to suggest that Lin Yue need not bother attending if she didn’t wish to. He would send someone over with his regards instead. But seeing her determination, he did not object, simply saying, "If Little Yueyue wishes to go, let her. I will make sure someone looks after her."

"Thank you, Brother Jiang." Lin Yue was genuinely grateful for Jiang Ziqi’s unwavering support and did not enjoy uttering formal thanks, knowing his personality and preference for genuine sentiments, so she simply expressed her genuine gratitude.

"You needn’t be so formal with me. But remember this: you are protected by Jiang Ziqi. When you are at the Chen Mansion, be as bold as you like. If no one provokes you, so be it, but if they dare, retaliate without hesitation. No matter what happens, I’ve got your back. Even with Miss Chen, you need not hold back," said Jiang Ziqi, though he was still worried he might have to arrange for someone to keep an eye on Lin Yue on the day.

Once everything was settled, Zhao Erhu remembered something, "Wife, Miss Chen has invited you to a poetry gathering. Though I know you can read and write, composing poetry is quite challenging. She will surely seek to embarrass you, are you sure you can handle it?"

Jiang Ziqi had more faith in Lin Yue than Zhao Erhu did. If Little Yueyue had agreed, she must have considered it carefully. He never expected a woman from a rural background to be so talented and intelligent, with the grace of a daughter brought up in a wealthy family. Composing poetry wasn’t that difficult, and he was confident Little Yueyue could do it; otherwise, why agreed so readily?

Lin Yue had not truly considered this aspect, seeing it as just another gathering hosted by a young lady. Realizing Chen Ruyu’s intentions only after Zhao Erhu mentioned it, she figured that Miss Chen probably thought that she, a mere country woman, could at best recognize characters and would never be capable of writing poetry. The plan was to humiliate her in front of everyone, which seemed like a fitting revenge for Miss Chen.

Speaking of composing, Lin Yue wasn’t particularly skilled in it, but there was nothing to do but steel herself for the challenge. She had read plenty of books, and as the saying goes, "Having memorized three hundred Tang poems, one might not write poetry but can surely recite," so she kept all she learned in mind. She believed managing Miss Chen’s poetry gathering should be no problem.

The servant returned and reported everything to please his master, describing Lin Yue’s situation in detail. Chen Ruyu sneered upon hearing that Lin Yue did not even own a residence in the Capital City, but was renting a room in someone else’s yard, scoffing even more at the thought that someone of such low status would have the gall to ingratiate themselves with their family. She could not understand why her parents were so polite to someone of such humble origins, especially since her mother had even chastised her for this woman’s sake, which was infuriating.

The more Chen Ruyu thought about it, the more she felt that the upcoming poetry gathering must teach the farmer woman a lesson about her inferior status and that she had no place in the company of families like theirs. She wanted to see how that woman could still be so proud, with such an arrogant demeanor, seemingly thinking she was something special.

Today was only the first of the month, and it was a few days until the seventh. Knowing full well that Chen Ruyu aimed to embarrass her, Lin Yue naturally had to prepare meticulously. She could no longer afford to be casual in her dress and took the time to visit the largest Cloth Store in the Capital City, selecting several fine fabrics. Following the latest fashion in the Capital City, with a few alterations, she had two outfits made for herself. Trying them on, she looked exceptionally beautiful—Zhao Erhu was mesmerized, and even Lin Yue herself felt quite pleased. Indeed, clothes make the woman. Dressed up like this, she felt herself comparable to the ladies of the grand households.

"Wife, in those clothes, you’ll outshine the ladies of the wealthy households. You truly are my wife, born so beautiful," exclaimed Zhao Erhu.

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