A Good Country Wife

Since the other party had come to provoke, Lin Yue naturally wouldn’t be polite. As far as offending anyone is concerned, I’d never provoke anyone unless provoked first. And since they’ve crossed my doorstep looking for trouble, they have only themselves to blame. Besides, she was already feeling uncomfortable, and these people seemed to be asking for a scolding. She certainly wouldn’t hold back.

Once Lin Yue had said this, the faces of several women suddenly turned sour. Although they were of lower status, merely concubines bought and sold at will, they held that status as the Concubines of the Family Head. The people of the Jiang Residence usually showed them some respect, and they had never been humiliated like this. Moreover, the one humiliating them was suspected to be their rival in love, which was utterly detestable.

"Oh, Lady Lin, by what right do you suggest our lord should reward us? You are nothing but a guest, and that from some obscure, rural area. To think you can make such grand statements about our lord rewarding us. Take a look at yourself before you speak such big words. Aren’t you afraid your tongue will snap from all that boasting?"

"Sister, that’s not right. I don’t think Lady Lin is boasting at all. She truly has the confidence, and who knows, she might’ve already hooked up with the master, even got him wrapped around her finger. Otherwise, why would he personally go to fetch her and arrange for her to stay in the Qiwu Courtyard? Tsk tsk, quite impressive indeed. I just wonder what seductive tricks she used. They say rural women are quite skilled in the ways of the world outside, perhaps the master is quite taken with her."

"Using such shameless tactics, how could the master fancy such a rural woman, and one who’s already another man’s wife at that? Even if we are concubines, we were formally brought into the residence. That’s far better than some wild woman from outside. She doesn’t even seem to know her place. The Qiwu Courtyard has always been reserved for the main wife of the Jiang Family. And she just moved in so brazenly, thinking she could take on the status of the Jiang Family’s main wife? Even being a concubine would be elevating her too high. The Old Master and the Family Head would never agree to this."

The women spoke one unpleasant word after another, clearly intent on ensuring that Lin Yue could not hold her head high. Lin Yue hadn’t expected living in the Jiang Residence would cause such a misunderstanding. She was, after all, a married woman, and these people really had wild imaginations. What she hadn’t foreseen was that the Qiwu Courtyard was where the main wife of the Jiang Family lived. Why had Ziqi arranged for them to stay there? No wonder people misunderstood and were waiting to find trouble with her.

"I didn’t know this was what you all were thinking. No wonder your mouths are so filthy. I’ll let it go this time. My relationship with Elder Brother Jiang is pure and without any impropriety. Besides, I have a husband who treats me very well. There’s a saying that it’s better to be the wife of a poor man than the concubine of a rich one. How could I abandon a fine husband to become a concubine in the Jiang Family? However, since there seems to be a misunderstanding, I find it meaningless to stay here. When my husband returns, I’ll clear things up with Elder Brother Jiang and then move out. You won’t have to come here to show off your strength."

Lin Yue spoke with a hint of irony. Even though she didn’t intend to take these women’s words to heart, the slander and attacks still irked her.