Rebirth of a Farming Wife

Chapter 595: Chapter 601

“Cousin, Ah Yao is telling the truth. With your beauty blooming like the moon, before Madam Han came, you indeed were the most beautiful in Peicheng.”

“What do you mean by that? Which Madam Han?” Liu Xinru’s smile disappeared, and her piercing gaze fixated on Zhou Yao, clearly displeased.

Seeing that Liu Xinru took the bait, Zhou Yao was pleased, “Madam Han is the wife of General Han, who Cousin saw that day with General Liu when they came to meet the City Lord.”

“That ice-faced man, his wife.” Once Zhou Yao mentioned her, Liu Xinru knew immediately.

In terms of looks, Han Yu wasn’t bad either. That day, when he entered the city with Liu Xiu, Liu Xinru’s first impression was actually of Han Yu. However, since Han Yu had been cold and indifferent, lacking any gentlemanly demeanor, and coupled with Liu Xiu’s refined and pleasant manner of speaking, Liu Xinru shifted her attention to Liu Xiu. As she got to know him, she increasingly found this man to be quite agreeable.

“Cousin, you didn’t see how arrogant that woman was. She didn’t take our City Lord Mansion seriously at all. It’s one thing for her to bully me, but it’s absolutely unacceptable for her to disrespect our City Lord Mansion. If we don’t teach her a lesson, she might even start to bully you, Cousin!”

“Is that so?” Liu Xinru looked skeptically at Zhou Yao.

“Cousin, I know you have a kind heart, but you absolutely must not be soft-hearted with someone like Su Wenyue; otherwise, you’ll come to regret it!” Zhou Yao nodded emphatically, affirming her statement.

“But I really can’t think of any reason for conflict between her and me. Just because she is prettier than I am, should I pick a fight with her? That kind of reasoning is just too far-fetched.” Liu Xinru spoke calmly and unhurriedly, her interest piqued upon seeing Zhou Yao becoming anxious.

“Of course, Cousin wouldn’t seek trouble with Su Wenyue for that reason, but rather to defend the dignity of our City Lord Mansion, to let people know that our City Lord Mansion is not to be trifled with.”

“That’s a good rationale, however, you have the wrong idea. You’re trying to stir up trouble between Madam Han and me, getting me to confront her. It’s a nice try, but unfortunately, I’m not a fool.” With that, Liu Xinru took a step forward, lifting Zhou Yao’s chin with her hand, her eyes chilly.

“Zhou Yao, listen to me. This is the last time I’ll tolerate you. If you dare to scheme against me again, I will make you understand what a ‘consequence’ is!” Although Liu Xinru was haughty, displaying the mannerisms of a Young Miss, she was far from foolish. Let alone the fact that she had no grudge against Su Wenyue, and though it did indeed slightly displease her to hear that there was a woman more beautiful than she, it was just a minor irritation. Far from being persuaded by Zhou Yao’s provocation to make trouble, Liu Xinru wouldn’t seek trouble with Su Wenyue especially since Han Yu was regarded highly by Liu Xiu, and even out of consideration for Liu Xiu, it would not be worthwhile.

After finishing her piece, Liu Xinru walked away, leaving Zhou Yao there. Liu Xinru’s servant girl paused for a moment, as instructed by her master, then said to Zhou Yao, “As a person, you need to understand your status and know your place. Don’t be causing trouble all the time; do you think everyone is a fool? Our Miss is being generous by not holding it against you. Otherwise, do you think you could still comfortably stay in the City Lord Mansion?”

With a cold laugh, Liu Xinru’s servant girl hastened after her master, leaving Zhou Yao standing there with a gloomy and ugly expression.

“Miss, the Young Miss is being a bit too harsh. You are her cousin after all; how could she speak to you like that?”

“She is the legitimate first lady of the City Lord Mansion, and of course I, a mere Miss Cousin from the outside, cannot compare! But what of it, even if she is the first lady? Her uncle is getting on in years, and even if he dotes on her, eventually there will come a day when he leaves. No one can predict the future; will she be able to bask in glory for a lifetime?!”

“What Miss says is true!”

Zhou Yao watched as Liu Xinru walked away, her gaze lingering until she vanished from sight before heading towards the City Lord’s wife.

Zhou Yao knew that her aunt didn’t really like her much. Although Zhou Yao’s mother and her aunt were sisters by the same mother, her aunt’s attitude towards her, a direct relative and niece, was not warm but nearly cold. Nonetheless, her aunt was still willing to let her stay in the City Lord Mansion. It was for this reason that she had to be extra careful to please her aunt, whose mood could determine Zhou Yao’s standing within the City Lord Mansion.

However, before Zhou Yao could reach the City Lord’s wife, she overheard the servants discussing, “General Han has come to visit the City Lord. They say General Han is a War God, who once, with very few soldiers, defeated a larger army sent by the Imperial Court. It’s truly remarkable.”

“Indeed, I’ve long wanted to see General Han in person. I happened to be out on errands for my master last time General Han visited and missed it. Today, I finally got to see him. He’s indeed majestic and awe-inspiring. However, General Han seems to be in a bad mood; who knows why…”

Zhou Yao, hearing that Han Yu had suddenly come to the City Lord Mansion, was somewhat worried. Upon hearing the subsequent remarks, she speculated about the purpose of Han Yu’s sudden visit and her face turned pale. Could it be that Su Wenyue told General Han about today’s events and thus General Han was in a bad mood?

“Ying Luo, do you think General Han might be here because of our visit to the Han Mansion today?” Zhou Yao grasped Ying Luo’s hand, who could clearly feel her mistress’s trembling.

“Well, this servant does not know, but Miss, if General Han is here because of today’s incident when we went to Madam Han, wouldn’t he come looking for Miss? Perhaps General Han just has business to discuss with the City Lord.” Ying Luo was also feeling anxious, but instinctively tried to comfort her mistress.

Heartened by this suggestion, Zhou Yao replied, “That must be it. A person like General Han would be concerned with matters of state, not some petty backyard squabble. Besides, they have just thrown their lot in with us, and offending the City Lord Mansion is certainly not a smart move. And for the daughter of a merchant, how significant could she possibly be in General Han’s heart? General Han must be here to discuss matters with my uncle.”

Her own words seemed to reassure her, steadying her panicked heart.

After leaving his home and bidding farewell to his daughter-in-law, Han Yu rode straight to the City Lord Mansion to see Liu Wenyong.

“Ah, what brings Han Yu here at this time? Has something happened outside?” Liu Wenyong found Han Yu’s sudden arrival to be quite unexpected and asked his servants.

“Replying to the City Lord, nothing has happened outside. Moreover, General Han said he has a personal matter to discuss with the City Lord,” they reported.

“A personal matter? That’s even stranger. What private business could Han Yu possibly have with me?” Puzzled, Liu Wenyong could not delay his visitor and personally went to the entrance of the living room to greet him. He greatly admired Han Yu, a capable and talented young man.