Rebirth of a Farming Wife

However, Su Wenyue disdained to argue over such trivial matters. It was not anything significant, and behaving like this would really seem undignified. She did not want to be surrounded and mocked by others, as if she was performing in a grand opera.

While Su Wenyue’s status imposed certain constraints, Xiao Xi was different; she feared no ridicule. As a mere servant girl, her duty was to defend her master. She immediately pointed at the servant girl in green clothes.

“I wonder who the real country bumpkin is. Which Family’s servants would be so arrogant? The master hasn’t spoken yet, and you’re already spewing nonsense, truly uneducated! Well, it’s to be expected, the servant girl from a declining household can’t be very well-mannered to begin with, but to bring disgrace in public is just wrong!” Xiao Xi, who was naturally outspoken, now had Su Wenyue’s permission and certainly did not hold back her tongue, lambasting not only the servant girl in green clothes but also Madam Fang Chen in the process.

In her heart, Xiao Xi was also grumbling: Damn it, think I’m a sick cat if Madam doesn’t show her claws? I was just putting up with you earlier. In terms of eloquence, you’re no match for me, not once, not twice, not thrice, always just a ‘country bumpkin’ with each breath; you’re not my opponent at all!

Madame Liu Zhao and others watched Xiao Xi mock Madam Fang Chen and her servant unmercifully, without a change in her expression, and exhibited a look of admiration. They had not known that this servant girl by Mrs. Su’s side was so bold and fierce, having only ever seen her comport herself proper and upstanding. They did not think this was bad; on the contrary, they believed the Su Family’s servants were well-raised, serving as the master’s right and left hand.

Madam Fang Chen, considering herself above others, did not like to talk to ‘lower-class people.’ Thus, whenever she was displeased, it was her servant girl who spoke on her behalf. Watching her own servant girl being rendered speechless and red-faced by Xiao Xi’s words, she both felt embarrassed by her servant’s incompetence and judged others’ servants as lacking in manners.

Madam Fang Chen, of course, would not stoop to hassle a servant girl and instead turned her complaint towards Su Wenyue. She did not think Su Wenyue worthy of speaking to her, especially since her own husband had praised Mrs. Su to the skies, which irked her. In her view, Su Wenyue was just a merchant’s daughter, not fit to be seen in polite society, with nothing more than a pretty face that could beguile men.

“Mrs. Su, is this the kind of rules you enforce? How do you educate your servants? You don’t even realize where you are, letting your servant yell and shriek, utterly unseemly. Aren’t you afraid the County magistrate’s wife will blame you? You can’t afford to take the consequences!”

Madam Fang Chen reproached Su Wenyue while still carrying herself haughtily, even using the County magistrate’s wife to make her point. Anyone unaware might have thought she had a good relationship with the County magistrate’s wife, or else how could she dare invoke her name without fear of blame? Only Madam Fang Chen knew in her heart that the County magistrate’s wife didn’t regard her at all and was quite distant towards her. Her invitation today was a courtesy extended due to her mother’s family. By mentioning the County magistrate’s wife, she was hoping she wouldn’t learn of the affair here and was just posturing in front of Su Wenyue and the others.

Madam Fang Chen’s charade was transparent to Su Wenyu: “Madam Fang, you needn’t worry about my household’s rules. Moreover, it was your servant girl who sought to instigate this trouble. Who truly lacks manners is clear to anyone with eyes. I believe the County magistrate’s wife knows who to blame too. Wouldn’t you agree, Madam Fang?”

“You!” Though Madam Fang Chen was proud, her ability to argue was quite lacking. Su Wenyue, with just a few straightforward words, had left her speechless, her finger pointed at Su Wenyue.

“What about me? It seems Madam Fang is very angry. Did I say something wrong? No, I didn’t! Look, even your complexion is changing. Don’t get so angry you make yourself ill. People should be more tolerant, not petty, unlike some who have a smaller heart than the eye of a needle.” Su Wenyue spoke slowly, with that kind of infuriating tone that could anger someone to death.

Madam Fang Chen, who was merely angry before, saw her complexion turn dark instantly upon Su Wenyue’s words.

Zhou Wang was somewhat uncomfortable watching this unfold, as she had come to the event relying on Madam Fang Chen for entry. She hoped to seize the opportunity to mingle with some noble ladies, and didn’t want Mrs. Su to ruin everything. She immediately intervened to smooth things over.

“Alright, alright, what a fuss over a small matter. It’s just a few words exchanged between servants. Why make it a quarrel between the masters? Servants who don’t know the rules can be disciplined later. Today is the County magistrate’s wife’s birthday, and if this blows up into an ugly scene, regardless of who’s at fault, it would be a slap in the face to the County magistrate’s wife. Let’s just step back and let this incident pass.”

Madam Fang Chen, already feeling guilty for using the County magistrate’s wife to make her case, was infuriated into irrationality by Su Wenyue. With Zhou Wang’s reconciliation, she calmed down, realizing the inappropriateness of making a scene now, as she wasn’t completely witless.

Su Wenyue had no intention of causing a scene either. Today was the County magistrate’s wife’s birthday after all, and she came to offer congratulations, not to create trouble. Besides, having given Madam Fang Chen an earful was quite satisfying. So when Zhou Wang stood up to make peace, she took the opportunity to back down graciously.

“There really was no issue, it’s just that some people insisted on making trouble out of nothing.” Su Wenyue concluded and paid no further heed to Madam Fang Chen and Zhou Wang.

Madam Fang Chen, who had calmed down, flared up again at Su Wenyue’s comment but managed to keep her composure, shooting Su Wenyue a resentful glance. Seeing the Government office servant approaching, she collected herself and straightened up her demeanor.

Zhou Wang also saw the Government office servant heading their direction. Of those present, Madam Fang Chen was the most esteemed, so Zhou Wang instinctively assumed the servant came for Madam Fang Chen. She straightened her back subconsciously, feeling honored to be accompanying Madam Fang Chen.

Seeing Madam Fang Chen and Zhou Wang react this way, Su Wenyue couldn’t help but curl her lips into a mocking smile—people are not scary when they’re stupid, what’s frightening is when they lack self-awareness, unable to discern their own place, that’s what makes a real joke.

The Government office servant, having received orders from the County magistrate’s wife and along with Su Mansion’s servants, came to usher Su Wenyue inside. They had seen Su Wenyue speaking with Madam Fang Chen earlier and did not wish to disturb them, so they did not hurry over. Hence, they were unaware of their conversation’s content and assumed they knew each other. This caused a moment’s hesitation when Madam Fang Chen and Zhou Wang signaled to them, not wanting to offend Miss Su’s ‘friends.’

“The servant pays his respects to both madams,” the Government office servant greeted Madam Fang Chen and Zhou Wang with a bow.

Upon seeing the Government office servant bow to them, Madam Fang Chen and Zhou Wang looked even more smug. Madam Fang Chen even gave Su Wenyue a provocative glance, as if to say: See? The County magistrate’s wife sent someone to escort me personally, demonstrating her regard for me. You’d better recognize your place.

“You’re here to escort us, aren’t you? The County magistrate’s wife really didn’t need to be so courteous. We could have gone inside on our own; she really went to too much trouble.” Madam Fang Chen said in a high-pitched voice.