Chapter 412 - 406_1
"Our young miss hosted a poetry gathering in our mansion on the third day of July and invited the lady of the Zhao Family to attend. Here is the invitation," said the servant, handing over the invitation to another servant. The disdain was unmistakable in his tone and demeanor. Initially, he had some respect for the guests invited by the young miss. But upon arrival here, learning that Zhao Erhu and his wife were only renting their home and that they came from a rural farming background, he felt them beneath even himself, unworthy of his respect.
Although Zhao Erhu and Lin Yue were uncomfortable with the servant’s attitude, since he was sent from the Chen Mansion, and they wished to curry favor with the Chen family, they could hardly offend their representative. They managed only a forced smile in response.
Jiang Ziqi’s face darkened upon seeing such insolence from a mere Chen family servant. His indifferent expression concealed a chill as he regarded the servant with the same indifference as one might a lifeless object. Zhao Erhu and Lin Yue may have been angered by the servant’s attitude, merely wishing to respond, but it was different for Jiang Ziqi. Raised in such a family, he was accustomed to seeing servants dismissed or even killed for far less; in his eyes, this servant had shown such disrespect that, even if spared death, should not be let off lightly.
"Please trouble brother to return and tell your young miss, thank you for thinking of us. We will be sure to attend on that day." Lin Yue hadn’t expected Chen Ruyu’s sudden kindness in inviting her, given the clearly unfriendly nature of their last encounter. It was likely a trap of some sort. Despite not wanting to go, the fact that they came to extend the invitation in person, coupled with not wanting to appear cowardly, as well as not wanting to risk offending the Chen family, she accepted the invitation outright.
"Wife, that lady of the Chen family clearly has no good intentions towards you. Maybe it’s better if you don’t go. I’ll find an excuse to speak with Mr. Chen and decline the invitation, how about that?" Zhao Erhu was well aware of Chen Ruyu’s animosity towards Lin Yue, and while he didn’t understand why, her previous treatment had already pained him greatly. Unable to stand up for his wife then, how could he now be at ease allowing Lin Yue to attend Miss Chen’s poetry gathering? He was aware of the cunning often found in daughters of prominent families and feared what unpleasant scheme she might be plotting against his wife.
"No need, I think even if Miss Chen is unreasonable, at worst she’ll just make things difficult for me, she won’t really harm me. Declining now would seem petty and could also offend Mr. Chen, suggesting we don’t want to associate with their family."
"But how can I be at peace with you going like this? Shall I accompany you?" Zhao Erhu was at a loss.
Lin Yue knew her husband was concerned for her, wanting to be on good terms with Mr. Chen but not wanting her to suffer any slights. She felt warmed by his affection and reassured him with a smile, "How could you? Only the women will be in attendance, and it wouldn’t be proper for a man to join. Don’t worry about me; I am not so easily bullied. If Miss Chen truly crosses the line, I won’t stay silent."