Having a foot in both camps

Han Yu was somewhat panicked by Su Wenyue’s attitude; he actually had no intention of speaking up for Mrs. Liu and Mrs. Wang. After so many years of living together, he knew exactly what kind of people they were. It was just that he couldn’t stand how Su Wenyue did not seem to care about him.

After Su Wenyue said her piece, she did not want to say another word to Han Yu. Any good feelings that had arisen between them that morning had dissipated, and she turned instead to address her Father-in-law and Mother-in-law.

“Father, Mother, I am grateful for your trust and protection. It is not that I, your daughter-in-law, insist on arguing when I am in the right, but some things must be made clear once they have been brought up. Otherwise, even if we move past this, there will always be a lump in everyone’s heart. I believe you both have doubts at this moment. Therefore, I am willing to prove right here and now that both the shoes and insoles were made by me, stitch by stitch, and not made by the embroiderer from home, as Sister-in-law and Third Sister-in-law have claimed. I ask you also to give me an opportunity to prove myself and not let me bear such a disrespectful accusation against my in-laws and elder brother’s wife on my very first day entering Han Family!”

Everyone in the room was taken aback by Su Wenyue’s motives. Mrs. Wang seemed astonished. Had Su Wenyue taken the wrong medicine? Surely no one would rush to expose themselves. Yet, Old Man Han and Mrs. Yang’s faces which had been unpleasant, softened into kindness, feeling a touch of warmth in their hearts. It seemed that the Fourth Daughter-in-law knew respect and they had misunderstood her.

“Fourth Daughter-in-law, I already said I believed you, why insist on this? The Eldest Daughter-in-law and Third Daughter-in-law were fooled by idle gossip—people who enjoy spreading rumors usually do not have good intentions. Moreover, Han Family marrying such a fine daughter-in-law like you, I am afraid many are envious and do not wish to see our family prosper, which is why they deliberately spread false rumors.

“Eldest Daughter-in-law, Fourth Daughter-in-law, in the future you both should go out less and stay home to do more work. This will help avoid mixing with those who are up to no good and falling for nonsense rumors, and making things difficult for your own younger sister-in-law. If there’s a next time, I, the old lady, will truly not tolerate it!” Mrs. Yang’s words carried a severity that had never been seen before. It seemed that after some consideration, her thoughts about the issue had grown more complex and risen to another level.

“Yes, Mother. We understand,” Mrs. Liu and Mrs. Wang replied, feeling aggrieved. Mrs. Wang clenched the silk handkerchief tightly in her hand, unable to use it. She still thought that Su Wenyue really intended to reveal her shortcomings. She hadn’t expected this strategy from her.

Su Wenyue glanced at Mrs. Wang, noting her frustrations and resentment. A mysterious smile played on her lips, “Mother, I know that is what you think, but since I have given my word, I must follow through. Otherwise, how can I convince Sister-in-law and Third Sister-in-law? Even with Mother’s support, if I cannot prove myself, I’m afraid Sister-in-law and Third Sister-in-law will agree only on the surface, but not be convinced in their hearts.”

“Well then, since you insist, let’s do as you say,” Mrs. Yang said. She had shown her support for Su Wenyue and given her importance through her words. However, since Su Wenyue herself insisted, Mrs. Yang had nothing to object to. In fact, she understood that the Eldest Daughter-in-law and Third Daughter-in-law were likely cursing her for being partial. If the Fourth Daughter-in-law could prove herself, it would effectively shut them up.

Having received permission from her Father-in-law and Mother-in-law, the tea ceremony was set aside for the time being. Su Wenyue fetched needle and thread from her room and started embroidering in front of everyone, completely unpressured.

She thought about how the skills she had acquired in her previous life to please that person were not without purpose. Just on her first day at the Han Family, both her cooking and needlework had come in handy, puncturing Mrs. Wang’s sinister strategy and turning it back on her. Watching Mrs. Liu and Mrs. Wang’s fluctuating expressions, Su Wenyue felt a great sense of satisfaction.

Everyone except Mrs. Liu and Mrs. Wang admired Su Wenyue’s embroidery performance; she was truly the daughter raised in a wealthy family. Even the action of embroidering a flower was exceptionally graceful, each movement exuding a unique grace and charm unlike that of ordinary women.

Within a short while, Su Wenyue embroidered a butterfly ready to spread its wings on the handkerchief. She then stopped her work, put away her needle and thread, and handed the embroidered fabric to Mrs. Yang, “Mother, this is my craftsmanship, please review it.”

“Excellent! Such exquisite embroidery skills at such a young age, how extraordinary! Eldest Daughter-in-law, Third Daughter-in-law, you have seen for yourselves. The fact is in front of us – the Fourth Daughter-in-law is truly skilled and talented. Whoever else heeds rumors and slanders their own younger sister-in-law in the future, do not blame this old lady for ignoring family ties!”

Mrs. Liu truly acknowledged her mistake now. She had originally thought the Fourth Daughter-in-law was all show and no substance, winning favor simply because she was born into a good family and knew how to sweet-talk. She was deeply resentful and easily provoked by Mrs. Wang’s instigation. Now, seeing that the Fourth Daughter-in-law had real ability – not only cooking delicious food but also possessing excellent embroidery skills, not to mention her beauty and family background – she really had no choice but to acknowledge her. It was no wonder the Mother-in-law was partial.

Mrs. Wang, who thought she had thoroughly investigated the matter, was somewhat incredulous upon seeing the design that Su Wenyue embroidered. How could this be possible? The motif on the embroidery was clearly even more exquisite than that on the shoes and insoles. In her daze, the silk handkerchief she was holding as evidence against Su Wenyue inadvertently dropped.

Su Wenyue, with her sharp eyes, immediately recognized that handkerchief as her own, one that she had embroidered not long before marrying into the Han Family. How it had ended up in Mrs. Wang’s hands indicated that there certainly was a traitor in the Su Family. A girl’s handkerchief, although a seemingly inconspicuous item, was a personal belonging. If it fell into the wrong hands, it could be used to ruin a woman’s reputation.

As the Mistress of the house for many years, Mrs. Su would definitely understand this. She was very strict with such matters, yet someone still managed to take advantage. A chill flashed through Su Wenyue’s eyes. It seemed she needed to remind her Mother to have a thorough cleansing of the servants at home, not sparing those who betrayed their own household.

Taking advantage while Mrs. Wang was still unresponsive, Su Wenyue picked up the dropped handkerchief from the ground, “Third Sister-in-law is so considerate. This handkerchief seems to be the work of my servant girl who was learning embroidery skills from me. How did it end up with Third Sister-in-law? You wouldn’t think this is my embroidery, would you? No wonder, as she learned her skills from me, her technique naturally resembles mine. It’s common for those not in the know to mistake it. Since it belongs to a servant from my mother’s family, it is only right for me to take care of it and hold onto it in place of that unprogressive servant girl.”

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