Rebirth of a Farming Wife

“Humph, someone certainly is too audacious, but I wonder who has the gall to set their sights on Xiao Xi, as if the Su Family is so easily bullied!” Su Wenyue’s face was as cold as frost, clearly infuriated by the idea that the people from the Main House were shameless enough to target Xiao Xi, and Han Hao, that ingrate, even deigned to disdain Xiao Xi’s status, wanting her to become a concubine, a truly intolerable notion, such people are simply asking to be put in their place.

The Old lady flinched and felt fearful under Su Wenyue’s icy gaze, but she thought that if she backed down this time, it would be harder to control the Second House in the future. Besides, even if Miss Su is from the Su Family, she’s now part of the Han Family; could it be that she’s trying to turn the world upside down?

“What’s all this about the Su Family? The moment you married Brother Yu you became part of our Han Family, and you must obey me,” the Old lady said. Noticing Su Wenyue’s expression grow colder, she felt unsure and turned her attention toward Han Jincai and Mrs. Yang.

“Second Brother, I want a clear answer from you now; will you give me the girl or not? Brother Hao is your nephew, is a servant girl more important than your own nephew, don’t you care about your nephew’s needs at all? If you don’t agree to this today, then you are no son of mine.” The Old lady had always used this tactic to deal with her sons, and it had always worked well, proving easy to apply even now.

“Mother, I’ve said before that Xier is already redeemed and not a servant of our family. Even if she wasn’t redeemed, she’s from the Su Family, so we have no say over her. You should stop setting your sights on her. Brother Hao is not young anymore; don’t set your mind on such unsound practices. What concubine? We’re from a low-status civilian family; where do we get the notion of taking concubines? We should properly find a daughter-in-law instead of being so arrogant and adopting the bad habits of Wealthy Families.”

Han Jincai, even with his good nature, felt irritated by Han Hao’s words: “Brother Hao, what nonsense are you spouting? In this lifetime, all I, Han Jincai, want is to live a good life with my wife and children, never entertaining such improper thoughts. I advise you to be more down-to-earth; don’t daydream about pointless things. Learn a trade that can earn money and support yourself, living an honest life is the proper way.”

When Han Hao heard Han Jincai speak these words, he felt extremely uncomfortable. Already influenced by his Old lady and Mrs. Wang to look down upon the Second House and not even regarding Han Jincai as his Second Uncle, he saw the people from the Second House as beneath them. How could he possibly heed Han Jincai’s words, especially since they clearly carried a reproachful tone, ruining his plans and thoroughly objectionable?

“Second Uncle, mind your own business. It’s correct that your Second House is from a low-status civilian country family, but our Main House is different. Don’t belittle others; I am just considering taking a concubine, how is that walking an unrighteous path? I think you don’t dare because you simply lack the ability,” Han Hao retorted.

Han Jincai’s temper flared at Han Hao’s insinuation: “What nonsense are you talking about, Brother Hao? All I, Han Jincai, want in this life is to have a good life with my wife and children, and I’ve never had those inappropriate thoughts. I urge you to be more conscientious; instead of constantly entertaining unrealistic ideas, learn a skill that can make money and take care of yourself.

Han Hao, seeing Han Jincai’s authoritative stance, was extremely annoyed and yet, since Han Jincai was indeed his Uncle, he couldn’t outright object even when he was being admonished. Deep inside, however, he was truly unwilling to comply, so he naturally sought help from the Old lady.

“Grandma, look at Second Uncle, lecturing me with such authority, as if he has the right to speak in front of you. It’s clear he doesn’t respect you, Grandma. What’s all this about living honestly? As someone from the city, could I possibly learn from Second Uncle and dig around in the fields for food? I think Second Uncle simply doesn’t want to agree and is deliberately finding excuses to scold me,” Han Hao complained.

Han Jincai cursed Han Hao internally for his cunning, knowing how to use the Old lady as a shield. Such upbringing – if that were his child, he’d have thrashed him by now. Even their own unremarkable Han Lin was far better than this boy.

“Mother, I didn’t mean it like that, but I truly cannot make decisions regarding Xiao Xi. Besides, as a decent young woman, who would willingly become a concubine? It’s also improper for Brother Hao to harbor such ideas at his young age,” Han Jincai said delicately.

“Grandma!”

“If you don’t mean that, what do you mean? Are you saying that our Brother Hao is incompetent, suggesting he should be like you lot, insignificant as those who dig around in the fields? That’s all the ambition you have. Our Brother Hao is meant to do great things in the future. Xiao Xi is but a mere servant girl; to offer her the position of a concubine is already more than generous. If Brother Hao truly achieves something remarkable in the future, she wouldn’t even be worthy of attending to him as a servant girl,” the Old lady rebuked, her lifetime disdain for those who toiled in the fields coloring her judgment, which is why she had always favored her sons so unequally, especially when seeing her unaccomplished second son scolding her beloved grandson; she immediately got defensive.

“Exactly, Mother is right. She’s merely a servant girl; being offered the position of a concubine is already giving her face. How could she still be unsatisfied? That truly reflects ingratitude,” Mrs. Han Wang rarely agreed with the Old lady, protecting her son.

Xiao Xi, being originally a servant girl with lowly birth, wasn’t as upset about the Old lady relegating her to such a lowly status, knowing that the people from the Main House weren’t ordinary, she wasn’t as angry in her heart.

But Su Wenyue felt different; she truly regarded Xiao Xi, her loyal servant girl, as someone special. In her previous life, Xiao Xi suffered so much for her sake; this life, she had secretly vowed to herself to treat Xiao Xi well, never expecting the Old lady to belittle and disrespect Xiao Xi in such a manner.

Mrs. Yang, seeing her daughter-in-law’s face turn exceedingly ugly, almost to the point of exploding, grew worried. Although she disliked the people from the Main House and harbored much resentment towards the Old lady, at the end of the day, the Old lady was Han Jincai’s birth mother and an elder. If the Fourth Daughter-in-law acted too excessively, it would inevitably lead to a bad reputation, as not everyone outside knew the Main House’s true colors and would only blame the Fourth Daughter-in-law for being disrespectful to her elders.

“Husband, you should go have a look at Grandma’s; Brother Hao has taken a fancy to Brother Yu’s wife’s servant girl and is insisting on taking her as a concubine. Now Grandma and Brother Yu’s wife are confronting each other, and it looks like it might turn ugly, so I hurried to inform you, lest they mess up your plans,” Mrs. Yang said.

No one knew when Mrs. Zhou had left the Old lady’s room. Following Mrs. Wang storming into the Old lady’s room and saying her piece, Mrs. Zhou sensed the situation spiraling out of control. Remembering her husband’s instructions, she hastened forward to relay the message, for there was nothing more important than her husband’s future.

At that time, Han Yu and his brothers were all gathered together with Han Jinbiao and his son. Seeing Mrs. Zhou enter hurriedly, her expression somewhat panicked, they all felt a sense of concern.