Chapter 276 - 284: Quite a Few Changes

“Madam,” an old woman by Mrs. Pei’s side smiled as she rushed to deliver the good news she had just heard from the front, “Word has come that the Second house’s uncle has won great merit by suppressing bandits and risen two ranks. He is now a sixth rank commander and is to be relocated to the Yiyang Prefecture General Camp for duty after the New Year.” The old woman knew her own Madame had a soft spot for Lady Yue, and out of the Su Family’s entire generation, they only had such a daughter of the direct line—legitimate daughters were indeed different from concubine’s daughters. Even the Madame was very fond of this niece.

“It’s indeed a joyful event. At first, I wondered why Father-in-law would choose such a husband for Lady Yue; I thought it was a pity for her. Now it seems Father-in-law was not confused after all. He must have seen something commendable in the Han family’s kid, though he is only sixth rank. But at his age, it is rare to climb to such a position by his own ability.”

Mrs. Pei was also pleased when she heard the news. Overall, the Su Family had been harmonious, especially since the Second House had early on separated according to ancestral teachings, reducing conflicts due to the sister-in-laws not interacting frequently. The Second House even faced some disadvantages because of the ancestral teachings—they could not have descendants enter official service—making the Main House feel even more apologetic and protective, adding to their tolerance. Thus, Mrs. Pei was happy to see the Second House do well.

Upon hearing this, Pei Yuhan felt unhappy. Setting aside other issues, as the legitimate daughter of the prefecture governor, it was humiliating how she had fallen to the point of relying on her Aunt. Meanwhile, Su Wenyue was just a Merchant’s niece who had been spoiled and pampered since childhood. Moreover, Su Wenyue’s attitude toward her the last time was far from friendly. The disdain and contempt in her eyes when she looked at her really irritated her. Pei Yuhan couldn’t stand the fact that a mere merchant’s niece looked down on her, while being very affectionate toward those two concubine’s daughters.

“Aunt, speaking of which, my two cousins have been staying with the Han Family for quite some time now; why haven’t they come back? Initially, they said it was just a short visit.”

Pei Yuhan couldn’t speak ill of Su Wenyue, but she felt deeply uncomfortable and needed to find something to complain about. Moreover, staying in the Su Mansion these days, she had felt constrained without the two concubine’s daughters from her Aunt’s home to push around. People from the Second House, despite being in trade, were all so stubborn and didn’t even consider her, the Governor’s legitimate daughter, in their eyes. That Feng Ruolin was particularly hateful; not even Aunt’s direct relative’s daughter-in-law dared to discipline her, yet Feng treated her differently, never failing to mock her whenever she saw her, and her Aunt didn’t even take her side.

“It has been quite some time,” Mrs. Pei responded to Pei Yuhan’s concerns.

“Aunt, those two concubine’s daughters really don’t know their place, staying at the Han Family for so long without returning. It seems they don’t take you seriously. After all, they came from their Concubine mother’s stomach—they are not good goods,” Pei Yuhan said, and seeing a few shades of displeasure on Mrs. Pei’s face, she felt a certain satisfaction. She disliked this type of person, a concubine’s daughter. Back at home, not only her stepmother treated her poorly, but several concubine’s daughters also relied on their aunt’s favor to overstep their boundaries and walk all over her—something she could never tolerate.

Mrs. Pei, while not pleased with the actions of the two concubine’s daughters, didn’t agree with her niece’s words, and instead questioned her niece’s upbringing. After all, she had been raised by a stepmother for so long, turning out rather twisted.

“Yuhan, you should not speak such words anymore. As an unmarried girl, you should be extra careful with your conduct. Such vulgar words should not come from your mouth. Your mother passed away early, and your stepmother didn’t care to raise you properly, allowing you to develop such a twisted personality.”

Seeing the tears brimming in her niece’s eyes, Mrs. Pei felt helpless again. “I am your Aunt, and naturally, I consider your best interests. Look at you now; I’ve only spoken a few words, and they’re for your own good. And here you are, getting upset. What’s the point of all this crying? Couldn’t you have discussed it calmly? You’re grown up now, and it’s time to talk about marriage. When the Madams of wealthy families seek daughters-in-law for their grandchildren, which of them doesn’t value the character of the women? Virtuous and dignified—these are characteristics expected of daughters raised in wealthy families. Don’t follow the path of those foxy concubines.”

Pei Yuhan initially felt aggrieved and wanted to cry, but dared not after hearing her Aunt’s words. With a stepmother at home and a father who neglected her, only her Aunt was her support. She absolutely could not offend her Aunt, causing her to be unhappy, though she felt a little sad inside. Indeed, she hadn’t always been like this. It was only after her mother’s death and the frequent bullying she faced that she realized this weakness evoked pity in others, so she often showed vulnerability. It had now become a habit; she couldn’t help it—she could only blame the unfairness of the world.

“Yes, Aunt, Yuhan understands. I won’t do this in the future,” Pei Yuhan obediently said, having spent so much time by Mrs. Pei’s side, she understood her Aunt’s character and knew what to do for her own benefit.

Seeing Pei Yuhan respond so sensibly, Mrs. Pei’s expression softened and even showed a hint of pity, “That’s right. Just remember that your Aunt’s demands are for your own good. Ah, you’re such a pitiable child. If your sister-in-law were still alive, she would have raised you well, and you wouldn’t be any less than those noble ladies from aristocratic families. Fate can be so cruel.”

Pei Yuhan disagreed with Mrs. Pei’s remarks deep down. What did she mean that if her mother were still alive, she wouldn’t be inferior to noble ladies from aristocratic families? Wasn’t she just as dignified? Since childhood, Pei Yuhan had learned music, chess, calligraphy, and painting with her teacher, and later she practiced her skills at the zither diligently. She considered herself a ‘talented woman’ and held herself in high esteem.

Although she disagreed with Mrs. Pei, she couldn’t argue and just kept her head down silently, as if mourning her mother, which evoked even more sympathy and tenderness from Mrs. Pei. Well, Yuhan was a pitiable child after all. She would take good care of her in the future. With proper guidance, even if her personality was somewhat unlikable, she wouldn’t be raised wrongly.

The people of Su Family had not expected Su Wenyue to return so soon; the joyful news had just been passed yesterday, and along with Su Lanxin and Su Lanfang, the two sisters had returned as well. Although they had only stayed with the Han Family for a while, they seemed to have changed quite a bit, not just in their attire but also in their demeanor. No longer timid, they walked with their heads held high, looking every bit the part of cultured young ladies from aristocratic families, not at all like the overlooked concubine daughters from the back house.

Not to mention what others thought upon seeing the transformation in Su Lanxin and Su Lanfang, even Mrs. Pei was surprised by the change in the two concubine’s daughters compared to what she remembered. They were less cautious and fearful, more honest, and open-hearted. Lately, Mrs. Pei had much to reflect on regarding Pei Yuhan’s upbringing issues. Seeing such changes in the two concubine’s daughters made her somehow pleased.

Mrs. Pei was not one to have a narrow view. Although not warm to concubine’s daughters, she harbored no great prejudice against them. After all, the sons in her family had come from her own womb, and the existence of concubine’s daughters posed no threat to her status. If the concubine’s daughters were well-behaved, she’d be proud to present them in public.