Chapter 313 - 321: The Color of Greed

As the New Year was drawing ever closer, Zhuangzi sent over a large batch of freshly harvested vegetables, presented in exquisitely woven bamboo baskets and intricately carved wooden frames, according to Su Wenyue’s instructions. They looked quite high-end.

Su Hengyi had initially wanted to clear out a store specifically for Su Wenyue to sell these vegetables. However, since they had started preparing later this year, and even though several large greenhouses had been planted in batches, the quantity that could be harvested was not too large. There was more than enough to give away as New Year’s gifts from home, but not enough to sell. Besides, Su Wenyue was not in the mood for it at the moment. Therefore, the vegetables grown in Su Wenyue’s greenhouses became priceless commodities—unavailable for purchase even if wealthy families were willing to pay a high price, which made them appear even more precious.

The surplus that Su Wenyue had left over was entirely purchased by the Su Family, which had many business connections. They were perfect as New Year’s gifts since they were both prestigious and fresh. Su Wenyue had intended to give them to her mother’s family first. But after the incident with the greenhouses, Su Hengyi would not take advantage of Su Wenyue anymore. With the devaluation of silver being so severe, he exchanged the vegetables for an equivalent value in food, medicinal materials, and so on.

Seeing that her big brother and her mother’s family were all insisting on this, Su Wenyue had no choice but to accept, yet her heart was filled with boundless sentimentality. Her mother’s family always had her best interests at heart, fearing she might be displeased in any way. They acted this way also because they did not want the Han family members to know and gossip about it, even though Su Wenyue had already separated from the family. Still, there would always be idle chatter.

Speaking of the Han Family, there were only a few days left until the Little New Year, and it was time to start making arrangements back home. Although they had said they would come on their own and she need not worry, Su Wenyue didn’t mind showing off her virtues to her husband’s family. Moreover, since Han Yu said the house was bought by her, her going to pick them up would make a different impression, ensuring Father-in-Law and Mother-in-Law felt more at ease staying at her place.

“Daughter-in-law, you’ve worked hard. I remember everything you’ve done for me,” Han Yu said, gratefully aware of how his daughter-in-law had sent people to clean up the courtyard and personally arranged everything for the guests’ arrival.

“You should remember well, I will be claiming it back,” Su Wenyue replied without pretense of undue virtue, which might have seemed fake. Instead, she nodded, seizing the opportunity to act coquettishly with Han Yu and butter him up for benefits.

Seeing his daughter-in-law’s playful manner, Han Yu was deeply in love. If not for considering that his daughter-in-law had been busy and tired all day, he would have liked to shower this little one with lots of ‘affection’. However, this did not stop him from asking for some benefits, as the atmosphere in the room became romantically charged.

Meanwhile, in the village, Old Man Han and Mrs. Yang, the old couple, were supposed to be joyfully preparing for their trip to the prefecture to celebrate the New Year. Yet misfortune struck one after the other. One evening, Han Lin came home late from playing cards and drinking, and due to the snow-slicked roads, he took a fall and broke one leg.

And that wasn’t all. Mrs. Wang was lazy and did not take proper care of Han Lin after his fall. With Han Lin already being irritable because of his injury, they quarreled. In a moment of lost control, he also injured his other leg. This was truly a lamentable situation.

“It looks like Third Child’s family won’t be able to make it to the prefecture. But with Third Daughter-in-law in this state, how can she take good care of Third Child? If I go to the prefecture, I won’t have peace of mind,” Mrs. Yang said, her heart heavy with worry. It was supposed to be a joyous occasion that she had finally convinced Fourth Child to let Third Child’s family go to the prefecture as well, and now this.

Old Man Han took a couple of drags from his pipe before saying, “Fourth son and his wife genuinely want to host us for the New Year in the prefecture. What does it mean for you to stay behind? Third Child isn’t a little kid anymore. Even if Third Daughter-in-law is unreliable, she wouldn’t mistreat Fourth Child too badly. They won’t starve, at least. These two good-for-nothings can fend for themselves. Why bother with them!”

“Even if they are good-for-nothings, they still came from my womb. How can I truly be so heartless?” Mrs. Yang said, wiping away her tears.

Sighing, Old Man Han responded, “Old lady, don’t worry. It’s not a serious matter. Before we go, let’s visit our neighbors in the village and ask them to look after Third Child. As for Third Daughter-in-law, you should give her a warning to not harbor any other intentions. If she dares to disobey, we can’t tolerate such a disobedient and unworthy daughter-in-law in our old Han family. We’ll have no choice but to give her a Divorce Letter!”

Old Man Han was not like Mrs. Yang—it was rare for him to talk this way, and it seemed he was truly disappointed with Mrs. Wang.

“That’s a good idea. I’ll go check on Third Child and bring some food along. Third son and his wife don’t know how to live well. The wealth they received when we divided the property has already been squandered, and now they might not even have enough food for the New Year. Oh, I don’t have to worry about any of my sons except for Third Child—he’s just so hopeless,” Mrs. Yang said in exasperation.

Such is a mother’s concern. Old Man Han and Mrs. Yang had almost stopped dealing with Third House, but now, with this incident, even though she said she would let go, Mrs. Yang couldn’t neglect Han Lin. Old Man Han wasn’t entirely heartless either. Third Child was still his son, and he was just angry that he didn’t show any ambition. Watching Mrs. Yang’s reaction, he did not stop her and just smoked his pipe more intensely.

In the elders’ eyes, Han Lin and his wife were making an unsightly fuss, but at the moment, Han Lin and Mrs. Wang were sitting there, chatting and laughing without a care.

“Lin, what do you think Father and Mother’s reaction will be? They won’t really divorce me, right? After all this commotion,” Mrs. Wang, not being truly fearless, expressed her worries. Her mother’s family was also living in hardship and couldn’t afford to take back a daughter who had been divorced. Otherwise, why would she be so compliant? She had acted out this time at the instigation of Han Lin.

“Don’t worry, as long as I don’t agree, no one can divorce you. This matter is only valid if I say so!” said Han Lin, clearly showing no respect for Old Man Han and Mrs. Yang.

“But will making such a fuss really work?” Mrs. Wang was still worried. Their Third House wasn’t like the Main House or Second House, which had the Fourth House’s support and lived comfortably. Their food supply was nearly exhausted, and if they couldn’t go to the prefecture, this year’s New Year would be bleak indeed. It was bad luck—everything had been set for the trip to the prefecture, but who would have thought that Han Lin would take a fall? Upon hearing what the doctor said, Father-in-Law and Mother-in-Law decided to keep their Third House in the village to avoid causing trouble to Fourth son and his wife in the prefecture, which seemed unduly partial.

“Just wait and see. I know my mother’s nature. No matter how she looks down on me, I am still her son. She won’t neglect me. We’ve made such a fuss; she definitely can’t be at ease. When she comes, I’ll convince her. We are determined to go to the prefecture; why should only my brothers benefit, leaving me out?” Han Lin spoke, no need to hide his greed or the sinister venom in his voice with only Mrs. Wang present.