Chapter 280 - 274 How Unwise_1
"Where’s your husband Zhao Erhu? Call him over, I have business matters to discuss with him." Zhao Lingxiang felt that such matters were beyond Lin Yue’s competence as a woman. Although Zhao Erhu appeared to treat his wife well, Zhao Lingxiang knew her stepbrother well enough: he was shrewd. Had it not been for her father’s influence, Erhu would have never let her mother gain the upper hand. Therefore, she did not believe Zhao Erhu would allow Lin Yue to meddle in business affairs. Her own master in the Wei Family was the same; he never allowed the women from the inner quarters to broach business matters. The last time she carelessly inquired, she’d been chastised fiercely and given the cold shoulder for several days.
Lin Yue looked at Zhao Lingxiang as if she were insane. "What does this woman think she is, putting on such airs? My husband has gone to work in the fields; he has no time for these trivial issues. If you have something to say, say it now to me. Otherwise, please leave. I’m busy myself and have no time for idle folks."
"I need Zhao Erhu for an important matter. It is not fit for discussion with a woman. You’d better call him right away. If this opportunity is missed, you’ll regret it when Zhao Erhu deals with you!" Zhao Lingxiang had never liked Lin Yue. From their first meeting, the Lin Family showed her no face, and their subsequent encounters were quite unpleasant. Zhao Lingxiang had long sought to regain her dignity and saw this as a chance to assert her superiority over Lin Yue, who she thought was far too pleased with herself.
Moreover, Zhao Lingxiang harbored a subtle resentment. Master Wei’s demeanor toward her could be as dismissive as toying with a kitten or a puppy when he was pleased, and even worse, when he was not, he treated her like a maid or something even more abject, to be summoned or dismissed at will. As a woman, Lin Yue lived such a comfortable life; Zhao Erhu treated her so well, doting on her to the skies, and any woman would feel envious, especially someone like Zhao Lingxiang, who was steeped in the bitterness of the inner quarters and naturally sought to outshine Lin Yue in other aspects.
"I’m sorry to disappoint you, but my husband treats me very well. He never chastises me, only spoils me." Lin Yue said, not missing the flash of jealousy on Zhao Lingxiang’s face, her words laced with a killing gentleness. Having said that, she moved to close the door but paused when she saw Li Xiaomei approaching.
"Xiaomei, do you want to come in? If not, I’m closing the door. I have things to attend to, and no time to waste chattering with others." At that moment, Lin Yue wasn’t actually busy. She had already completed Jiang Ziqi’s Longevity Picture a few days earlier, and all other household matters were being handled by Zhao Erhu. She hadn’t had such free time for a while and planned to relax for a few days. Her words were simply an excuse to avoid Zhao Lingxiang; she still had time to chat idly with Li Xiaomei.