A Good Country Wife
Chapter 417 - 411_1

Chapter 417: Chapter 411_1

This peasant woman is quite adept at social maneuvering, first ingratiating herself with Jiang Ziqi, and now even making connections with the Commandery Princess. I don’t see what’s so special about her, Chen Ruyu cursed inwardly, her jealousy and resentment growing. Zhang Peilan’s expression, however, was somewhat complex. The arrival of Lady Roujia had disrupted her plans. With her status, she was nothing but a servant in front of Lady Roujia. If Lady Roujia was protective of Lin Yue, she wouldn’t dare to cross the Commandery Princess.

So it’s really just a poetry gathering after all, with Lady Roujia not participating but simply sitting at the head, looking indifferent, occasionally glancing at Lin Yue, wondering what was different about this woman that made Jiang Ziqi view her so favorably.

Lin Yue had figured out Lady Roujia’s attitude and had her own speculations, which made her feel more at ease. She had thought that Chen Ruyu might make things a little difficult for her, just to embarrass her, but not too excessively. However, seeing that Chen Ruyu wasn’t thinking that way at all, and with Zhang Peilan as an accomplice, with every word and sentence targeting her, she was truly hard to deal with. Unless she was ready to completely fall out with Chen Mansion, she feared her face wouldn’t look good today.

But she couldn’t resign herself to this situation. She had seen all the effort Zhao Erhu had put in these past days, working so diligently to build a good relationship with the Chen family patriarch, who was also a good official and had taken an increasing interest in Zhao Erhu. She didn’t want to destroy the results of Zhao Erhu’s long efforts because of herself. To her surprise, at this time, Lady Roujia arrived, and openly stated she would look after her.

"Really, these people are just too bored to host such a ’poetry gathering.’ Listening to the poetry they recite, not only lacks literary grace but is also unbearably pedantic, it makes my ears hurt just listening to it," Lady Roujia complained to Lin Yue, rubbing her ears with a hint of impatience. If it weren’t for agreeing to look after Lin Yue on behalf of Jiang Ziqi, she would have left long ago, not staying here to let her ears suffer.

Originally, Lin Yue was seated below Aunt Chen, but when Lady Roujia arrived, she had Lin Yue sit by her side. Now, hearing Lady Roujia’s words, Lin Yue nodded in agreement, thinking of the phrase ’The youth doesn’t know the taste of sorrow, but composes new poems to describe it forcibly,’ and uttered it without thinking.

Lady Roujia’s eyes lit up upon hearing this, recognizing genuine literary talent. It seemed the person whom Jiang Ziqi viewed differently was indeed extraordinary. Just by hearing these two lines, one could tell Lin Yue was learned. It was truly curious how a peasant woman could possess such talent, and surely that wasn’t all there was to her. There might be more she hadn’t shown yet. She ought to discover more, and although their days seemed rather dull, she had now found something interesting and naturally wouldn’t let go of Lin Yue. Instantly, she warmly took Lin Yue’s hand and started an animated conversation.

Seeing that Lady Roujia, despite her high status, was not disdainful and had a forthright personality, and also didn’t look down on her for being a peasant woman, Lin Yue was naturally willing to chat with Lady Roujia. It was much better than listening to the young ladies recite insipid poetry. As the two talked more, they found they had a lot in common.

"Yueyue, you are truly remarkable. Although you grew up in the countryside, you know so much. It seems like you’re aware of everything under the heavens. It’s beyond my expectations. No wonder Jiang Ziqi looks at you differently. It’s rare that we have so much in common; we must visit with each other more in the future," Lady Roujia confided in Lin Yue as a close friend and spoke without reservation. Besides, Jiang Ziqi hadn’t warned her against telling Lin Yue. Many in the upper circles already knew of her close relationship with Jiang Ziqi.

Upon hearing Lady Roujia’s words, Lin Yue was certain of her own speculation; it was indeed Jiang Ziqi who had asked Lady Roujia to come. In the Capital City, aside from Jiang Ziqi, no one else would help her like this. Her family’s debt to Jiang Ziqi was growing by the day.

"Commandery Princess, was it Brother Jiang who asked you to come? Brother Jiang is my husband’s life-saver, and he has helped our family so much. I don’t know how I can ever thank him enough."

"Ah! Why talk about things that serve no purpose? Jiang Ziqi did it willingly, and for him, it was a simple effort. Why not do it gladly? Still, I’ve never seen him so eager to help before! You may not know that Jiang Ziqi is actually quite reserved. Throughout his life, he’s only had a few close friends, and I am one of them. Now he’s enlisted my help for you; he must really care about you."

Lady Roujia didn’t let her thoughts wander to unsavory places like the women of the Jiang Residence. Only those with impure intentions would entertain such sordid thoughts. She just felt that Jiang Ziqi might have come to see Lin Yue as a sister, and that’s why he took such good care of her. Now, she herself also enjoyed Lin Yue’s company.

As the two conversed so agreeably, they somewhat lost track of time, and the poetry gathering was nearing its conclusion. Chen Ruyu couldn’t bear to let Lin Yue off so easily, and neither could Zhang Peilan, but despite their unwillingness, they had to restrain themselves in the presence of Lady Roujia.

"Thank you, Madame Chen and Miss Chen, for your hospitality. I must take my leave now."

Lin Yue, unlike Lady Roujia, could not ignore Madam Chen and her daughter; she naturally had to say goodbye before leaving.

"Why the hurry, Madame Lin? Why not stay a little longer and chat more with the sisters?"

"Indeed, Madame Lin, we all had a great time today. We were just discussing when to have another gathering. We’ve heard that your estate has splendid scenery. I wonder if we might have the honor of visiting your home? Chen Ruyu could not openly target Lin Yue, but she suddenly remembered what the servant told her—that the peasant woman was truly despicable and even now lived in a rented house. Therefore, she used this tactic to put Lin Yue in a difficult position. If Lin Yue refused, everyone would think she was too stingy and difficult to get along with. But if she agreed, her humble abode couldn’t possibly accommodate everyone—so many people would hardly fit."

"That’s fine, no problem at all. If the sisters want to come and visit my home, that’s wonderful. I’ll send out invites another day and have everyone over to my place."

Lin Yue agreed readily, regardless of what Zhang Peilan and Chen Ruyu were thinking.

Chen Ruyu had thought Lin Yue would come up with all sorts of excuses to decline. Lin Yue’s forthright agreement caught her off guard; after all, it was such a shabby place, and rented at that. The peasant woman wasn’t afraid to embarrass herself by inviting them to her place. Well, if that was the case, she would genuinely go and see just how shabby the peasant woman’s residence really was.

Upon leaving the Chen Mansion, Lady Roujia looked at Lin Yue, "You didn’t have to agree if you didn’t want to. With me supporting you, no one would dare give you trouble."

Lin Yue had her own reasons for agreeing to the invitation, and hearing Lady Roujia speak so supportively warmed her heart. Although Lady Roujia had been asked by Jiang Ziqi to come along, she really didn’t need to go to such lengths. "Don’t worry, Commandery Princess, it’s just a matter of sisters visiting each other’s homes. There’s nothing troublesome about that."

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