Chapter 184: It’s Nothing

Translator: 549690339

No walls are impervious to the wind, and though the Han family did not publicize Su Wenyue’s refusal to attend the general magistrate’s wife’s banquet, somehow word got out. People had various opinions but mostly felt oppressed by her actions. After all, the general magistrate was the second-in-command in Yiyang Prefecture, and even though his authority had waned, his dignity was not something those beneath him could challenge. Some admired Su Wenyue’s boldness, others thought her overconfident, and many saw her as a fool. She was just a newly promoted Deputy Lieutenant’s wife and yet so brazen as to refuse the general magistrate’s wife!

The people of Xinluo Town were even more aware of the inside story; everyone had witnessed the day Su Wenyue offended Madam Wang. They expected Madam Wang to provoke the general magistrate’s wife against Su Wenyue, which was not surprising since Madam Wang herself was not the highest-ranking lady in Xinluo Town—the fear of her family’s influence kept others from offending her. Mrs. Wang Sun was indeed the legitimate daughter of the Sun family, and it was natural for them to support her should anyone dare to cross her.

A few days ago, because of Han Yu’s promotion, ladies and misses from other families were non-stop visitors. Once this news broke out, the Han family had some peace since offending the general magistrate’s wife meant that others did not dare to associate with them, for fear of her retribution, even if it meant losing out on some benefits.

When Madam Fang Chen heard of the incident, she just waited for Su Wenyue to fall from grace. Now, Su Wenyue had offended not only Mrs. Wang Sun but also the general magistrate’s wife; her situation seemed bleak.

Zhou Wang also reveled in schadenfreude. The day she went to the Han family to deliver news, Mrs. Su put on airs and did not give her face. Now, after offending the general magistrate’s wife, Zhou Wang was curious to see how Mrs. Su would cope, thinking perhaps Lord Han would soon lose his official position as well.

Madame Liu Zhao and a few others had always stood by Su Wenyue’s side. Seeing her run into such big trouble made them anxious, both for her and the possibility of being implicated themselves. They hurried over to the Han family but could not meet Su Wenyue in person.

“Please forgive us, ladies, our lady is not like other pregnant women. Bearing twins is truly taxing, and she has felt unwell these past two days. She even declined the general magistrate’s wife’s invitation due to her poor condition and is currently resting. I fear she cannot meet with you right now. When our lady is feeling better, she will arrange to meet with you all,” Grandma Chen explained politely.

“But we have very important matters to discuss with Lady Yue. How about we wait here until she wakes up?” Madame Liu Zhao had the closest relationship with Su Wenyue among these ladies and was deeply involved. She had thought Han Yu’s promotion would be beneficial for their families; little did she know this trouble would arise. Mrs. Wang Sun’s attitude toward her that night had been very bad, likely due to Lady Yue, and now she was worried about being implicated herself.

Madame Liu Zhao wasn’t sure if she should regret her position, but no matter what, she saw no way out. Unlike other madams, she couldn’t just protect herself without getting involved. Even if she didn’t intervene, Mrs. Wang Sun would not let her off the hook, and she would be alienating the Han family—that’s why she firmly supported Su Wenyue, but arriving and not seeing her made Madame Liu Zhao even more anxious.

“Madam Liu, there’s no need to worry. If it’s about the general magistrate’s wife, then rest assured our lady has left a message saying she has her own way of dealing with it, and there’s no need for you ladies to worry. Just take care of your own matters,” Grandma Chen assured.

“But the general magistrate’s wife is no ordinary person. How will Lady Yue deal with it? Just relying on those threats she made to Madam Wang won’t work. If Madam Wang were truly frightened, she wouldn’t have taken the matter to the general magistrate’s wife. Lady Yue is young after all—she doesn’t know the ins and outs of officialdom, and acting impulsively can lead to trouble,” Madame Liu worried aloud.

“Do you think our lady is someone who acts impulsively without understanding the severity, Madam Liu? The general magistrate’s wife is indeed powerful, but our lady is not someone who can be easily bullied either. Not only Madam Wang has a mother’s family! If we really get into it, the general magistrate is just sixth rank. In this small place, he might seem very important, but once you’re in Chang’an City, fifth and sixth rank officials are merely at the bottom. Trying to swagger around without enough weight is quite laughable!” Grandma Chen said with a cold smirk and touch of contempt on her face after she finished.

There are things the master cannot say, but as servants, they have more leeway to speak, and both Grandma Chen and Aunt Li were brought over from Su Wenyue’s mother’s family and were of different statuses.

Madame Liu Zhao and the other ladies had come to consult with Su Wenyue, but they did not expect such a firm response from the Han family’s servants, who seemed to dismiss the general magistrate’s wife. Could this also reflect their master’s stance? They knew Madam Wang’s mother’s family was the Sun family, but they were unclear about Su Wenyue’s family background, only aware that the Su family was not an ordinary merchant, nothing more. It appeared they had yet to reach that level of connection.

Listening to Grandma Chen’s words implied that the Su family had ties with Chang’an. To speak so boldly, their backing must be high-ranking, at least higher than a general magistrate, to disregard his wife. Yet at the end of the day, Chang’an was quite distant.

“Isn’t Madam Su’s mother’s family a wealthy merchant? But from what you say, Grandma, could there be something we’re unaware of?” Mrs. Yao Qin asked tentatively.

“Ah, we servant girls can’t just go spreading rumors about our master’s family,” Grandma Chen hesitated upon hearing Mrs. Yao Qin’s question, unsure whether she should reveal more.

Seeing this, Mrs. Yao Qin slipped a purse to Grandma Chen, “Please, let’s just talk among ourselves. We mean no harm; we’re just worried about Madam Han. If you could give us a hint, it would set our minds at ease.”

With the purse in her hand, Grandma Chen became much more forthcoming.

“Well, since you ladies are all close with our lady, there’s no need to keep secrets. However, I will only speak if you promise to keep this confidential for our lady,” Grandma Chen insisted.

“Of course, Grandma Chen, rest assured. We’re all tight-lipped and won’t spread rumors,” Madame Liu Zhao and the others reassured her.

It seemed that Grandma Chen trusted them, and so she began, “Speaking of our lady’s mother’s family…”

After hearing what Grandma Chen said, Madame Liu Zhao and the others realized just how prestigious Mrs. Su’s family really was. No wonder the Su family, being mere merchants, was untouchable—it turns out they were a branch of the main line from Marquis Bei’an

Mansion. In the presence of the Marquis Bei’an Mansion, the general magistrate indeed counted for little. No wonder Grandma Chen spoke with such confidence; they finally felt at ease.

Grandma Chen observed the ladies’ reactions and knew that her words would soon spread throughout the circles of Xinye.