Rebirth of a Farming Wife

“Madam Fang, you better save it! Who is Madam Han? And who are you? You don’t have the kind of influence that would have our family’s Madam personally send someone to receive you. If you had that kind of clout, it wouldn’t be just about letting people in; even having a servant kneel and lick your shoes would be acceptable.”

The concierge’s servants had never seen someone as clueless as Madam Fang Chen; wasn’t the situation clear? Saying too much would only bring humiliation upon oneself! They certainly didn’t need to make things difficult for anyone, but let’s be clear, they’re just lowly doorkeepers. Inside the mansion, never mind the various masters, but even the more influential servants have more clout than they do, and everyone has to be coddled.

Zhou Wang, standing by, understood all too well that relying on Madam Fang Chen to get in today just wasn’t going to happen. Luckily, she knew Madam Fang Chen was unreliable and had made preparations beforehand, taking out a purse from her sleeve and handing it to the concierge.

“What this young man says is true, and I know it’s difficult for you. However, I’m here to congratulate the county magistrate’s wife on her birthday, so I do hope you can make an allowance,” Zhou Wang said with a smile plastered across her face, not too proud to lower her status. It’s normal for the servants of the county government to be a bit arrogant in front of them. Once her husband is promoted, people will naturally defer to them. That’s why Mrs. Su can bring people in—it’s all the same principle.

The concierge weighed the purse in his hand, finding it quite substantial. This woman was smart enough to know she needed to pay a bribe. On any other day, he would have let her in, but today was different. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to take the silver; it was just that if he did, he would lose his job and get beaten, as per the instructions from the Madam’s close aides.

“When I say it’s not possible, it’s not possible. The mansion has its own rules, and they can’t be changed just for you. You should honestly go to the side door and get in line, or else you might as well turn around and go home,” the concierge said as he returned the purse to Zhou Wang, his tone somewhat more polite.

Zhou Wang felt a surge of anger rising within her, but she also knew this was not feasible. She composed herself, put away the purse, and headed towards the side door. In her heart, she swore that once she rose in status, she would make these disdainful people pay.

As for Madam Fang Chen, that self-important yet utterly useless woman, since she couldn’t even serve her only purpose, Zhou Wang wouldn’t bother with her from now on. Without so much as greeting Madam Fang Chen, she made her way towards the side door, leaving Madam Fang Chen with an equally displeased expression.

The concierge’s words seemed aimed at Zhou Wang, yet each and every sentence implied criticism of her, suggesting she lacked influence and couldn’t compare to Mrs. Su. This was even more painful than a slap to the face. Then seeing Zhou Wang’s attitude—who had been so fawning and agreeable before, but now, seeing no use for her, immediately turned her back without even a greeting—truly infuriated her.

Meanwhile, Su Wenyue followed the servant through the outer courtyard to the Inner Courtyard. As it wasn’t proper for the small servant to enter, a servant girl who had been waiting promptly made arrangements for Madame Liu Zhao and others and led her to a side room.

The county magistrate’s wife and Madam Su were chatting and laughing. Upon seeing Su Wenyue arrive, they both welcomed her with kind and smiling faces.

“Lady Yue pays her respects to the county magistrate’s wife, wishing you good health. Today is your birthday, Madam, and Lady Yue wishes you eternal youth and beauty, more so with each passing year.”

The county magistrate’s wife, motioning for Su Wenyue to rise and sit, laughed, “Oh, listen to you, child! Who gets younger as they live? That would make us nothing but witches!”

“Madam, you maintain yourself so well, and with such a good disposition, your vitality shines through. Although your children are grown, you look hardly any older than us. That’s practically getting younger with age,” Su Wenyue said with a cheerful smile. She was no stranger to the county magistrate’s wife. The county magistrate’s wife and her mother were close, and she had visited many times before, but after the events of her previous life, it felt as if it had been a long time.

“Tsk, tsk, whose lovely daughter is this, with such sweet words? Don’t let her sugarcoat everything. My own monkeys at home are such a worry; none of them are sensible or well-behaved like Lady Yue. I truly envy you!” The county magistrate’s wife had two sons and one daughter, with the latter being the youngest and only a year younger than Su Wenyue. She was the one her mother doted on the most, lively and playful, always causing her mother to wear a helpless expression when she spoke of her.

“Mother, that’s not fair. Sister Yue, too, was mischievous. She once snuck out to play with me. Yet, in your eyes, one is sensible and well-behaved, and the other is a monkey. If you continue to favor her, I won’t stand for it.”

As her voice fell, a charming girl entered the doorway—the county magistrate’s wife’s youngest daughter, Xu Qianqian. She briskly walked over and sat next to her mother, clinging to her arm coquettishly.

“Childhood doesn’t count; everyone goes through a playful phase. Growing up is different. Look at Sister Yue, becoming more beautiful and virtuous by the day. Yet you always act like you’re not growing up at all. It’s such a worry. Next year you’ll be married. If you act like this in your Husband’s Family, they’ll disapprove,” the county magistrate’s wife said, her face showing genuine concern. Her daughter’s behavior was her doing, and it wouldn’t be easy to change. Hopefully, her future son-in-law would be tolerant.

“Mother, why do you keep on about this? It’s so annoying! To me, you’re clearly biased towards Sister Yue, even though she’s just like me,” Xu Qianqian complained, winking at Su Wenyue. Her complaint seemed without any real dissatisfaction, and instead, she showed affection towards Su Wenyue. After all, they had known each other since childhood, and Su Wenyue herself used to be spoiled. They had a lot of fun together and often got into mischief. It was just that Su Wenyue always appeared calm and obedient in front of others, which had led the county magistrate’s wife to such a skewed perception.

“If it were true, I wish I had a daughter as obedient as you.”

The county magistrate’s wife had always had a high opinion of Su Wenyue. If it weren’t for Old Master Su’s decision on Su Wenyue’s marriage, she would have liked to take her as a daughter-in-law. With these thoughts, she couldn’t help but glance at Su Wenyue’s stomach. Truly a fortunate child, married for only a short time and already pregnant, and with a pointed stomach—it looked to be a son.

“Look at Lady Yue’s stomach, she must be four or five months along. In just a few months, you’ll be a grandmother, and won’t you be delighted?” The county magistrate’s wife teased the An Family woman, feeling envious herself. Both of her sons were married, but there was still no news from their daughter-in-laws.

An Family woman laughed heartily, “Indeed, both my Husband and I are eagerly waiting. But it’s still six months away; Lady Yue is just over three months along, there’s still a wait.”

“Only a little over three months? But her stomach already looks so big, resembling someone four or five months pregnant. Could it be twins?” the county magistrate’s wife exclaimed in surprise.