章節 3: Chapter 3: Strangeness of Yin and Yang
Han Yu had not practiced martial arts today; instead, he followed into the kitchen, feeling somewhat uneasy. His daughter-in-law had been pampered since childhood. Despite growing up in the village, the Su Family was a landowner, and her parents doted on their only beloved daughter, raising her with utmost care. It was said that before his daughter-in-law had joined the family, she even had servant girls to wait on her, never having to dip her fingers in spring water, let alone do any chores.
Although his daughter-in-law had been performing quite well since getting up this morning, Han Yu also wanted to believe in his daughter-in-law, but could you really expect someone who had never set foot in a kitchen to cook a meal for the entire family? What if she ended up setting the kitchen on fire? It seemed more prudent to keep an eye on things. Of course, Han Yu wouldn't show his concerns outwardly; he simply observed Su Wenyuan's reactions covertly.
Seeing Su Wenyue standing there in a daze, Han Yu felt a sense of 'I knew it.' His daughter-in-law had the intention, but fell short in ability. However, he couldn't blame her. If it weren't for the Su Family keeping their promise and not being the kind of household greedy for power, Su Wenyue, with her beauty and background, would surely have married into a wealthy family, becoming a lady of leisure served by maids and old women, with no need to do these things herself. Her reaction yesterday must have been due to panic, so she deliberately spoke that way. Thinking like this, Han Yu found Su Wenyue's arrogant and disdainful behavior from yesterday somewhat endearing—a beautiful misunderstanding indeed.
Nevertheless, the unease in Han Yu's heart lingered, and he felt additional pity and affection for his daughter-in-law. A man should achieve great things and make a name for himself. Sooner or later, he would make such a career that his daughter-in-law would also enjoy a good life and have no regrets about marrying into the Han Family.
"Daughter-in-law, what's wrong? If you don't know how, it's fine. So many people at home can cook; we won't miss one more. It's the thought that counts," Han Yu said, believing himself to be considerate, but he received a roll of the eyes from Su Wenyue in response.
This man looked down on her so much. It was just a table's worth of meals, something she could easily accomplish. Back in the day, in her efforts to please that man, she had put a lot of work into her cooking skills—even the chefs in the mansion felt inferior to her own culinary prowess. Otherwise, how could she have won that man's favor? That man had grown up eating delicacies from mountains and seas and was very particular about his food.
"Don't underestimate me; cooking is just a simple task. It's just that I don't know where everything is stored at home," she said.
To Han Yu, Su Wenyue's words seemed like stubborn pride, but he still found it endearingly obstinate. He followed by familiarizing her with the kitchen, thinking that with his supervision, no significant errors would occur, perhaps just a slight lack in flavor.
Only when Su Wenyue efficiently prepared a fragrant breakfast did Han Yu realize how wrong he was to underestimate her. Due to the limited means of the Han Family, the ingredients Su Wenyue could use were not abundant, and she had to consider the quantity carefully. If she used ingredients for several meals just for breakfast, no matter how tasty, no one would feel good about it. It was tough being a daughter-in-law in a farming family, but even so, Su Wenyue managed to make an ordinary breakfast smell delicious.
Han Yu was reflective, wondering when his daughter-in-law had learned to cook. Could it be that the Mother-in-law had taught her specially before she married? It must be so, Han Yu speculated, not knowing that Mrs. Su had indeed intended for her daughter to learn the ways of a wife before the marriage, including teaching her cooking. However, Su Wenyue, being pampered and marrying into a family like the Han Family, didn't need to please anyone and thought even less of it.
Just as Han Yu was about to say something, he heard some noise from outside. Looking through the kitchen door, he saw Mrs. Han Yang approaching, and he swiftly left the kitchen without her noticing.
Mrs. Han Yang hadn't expected Su Wenyue to be like most new daughters-in-law, getting up early to cook breakfast for everyone. She came to the kitchen early in the morning only to find that Su Wenyue had already prepared breakfast. She nodded, a satisfied smile spread across her face, and the slight worry she had had about Su Wenyue marrying down into their family disappeared. She had indeed chosen the right daughter-in-law. Not only was she beautiful and charming, but she also respected the rules for new wives and was so capable. Yuer was indeed blessed.
"Mother, you're up," Su Wenyue called sweetly upon seeing Mrs. Han Yang enter, without any of her previous arrogance or disdain.
"Yes, I was just about to come and make breakfast. I didn't expect that Lady Yue, you would have already prepared it. You truly are capable," Mrs. Han Yang said with satisfaction, becoming a few degrees warmer towards Su Wenyue.
Seeing Mrs. Han Yang satisfied, Su Wenyue knew she had passed this test with her mother-in-law and was happy. She became even more modest, "This is what a daughter-in-law should do."
"Good, good, such a sensible child. Yuer is so fortunate to have married you. You must be tired after working in the kitchen for so long by yourself; sit and rest for a while. The rest of us, with your sisters-in-law, can take care of things. Don't tire yourself out," Mrs. Han Yang insisted, pulling Su Wenyue aside to sit down, causing the other daughters-in-law to be envious. When they had married into the family, they hadn't received such consideration, nor had they heard their mother-in-law praise them even once. After all, wasn't this the case for every new daughter-in-law? It seemed to them that just because Su Wenyue came from a prominent mother's family, the mother-in-law treasured her as if she were contemplating making Su Wenyue into a worshiped Bodhisattva.
"Yes, Fourth younger sibling, you rest. Let us sisters-in-law handle the rest. After all, our skin is thick and our flesh is tough, unlike you, who are so delicate. Making breakfast has Mother worrying about you as if it's such a big deal," Eldest Daughter-in-law Mrs. Liu said sarcastically.
Mrs. Han Yang's expression soured upon hearing the Eldest Daughter-in-law's words. That Eldest Daughter-in-law was troublesome, known for shirking duties and not keeping her pregnancies, and she loved stirring up trouble. Now, she was targeting the newly arrived Fourth Daughter-in-law. Fourth Daughter-in-law had been spoiled by her parents since childhood and wasn't used to taking such nonsense; it wouldn't be good if a scene were made.
Su Wenyue was not oblivious to the sarcasm in Mrs. Liu's words but still smiled, not taking offense. Mrs. Liu had always been like this in her previous life, constantly picking on her. Back then, Su Wenyue was young and could not stand Mrs. Liu's provocations, suffering quite a bit at her hands. This life, Su Wenyue saw Mrs. Liu as nothing more than a clown. It wasn't that she couldn't be bothered to argue with someone as petty as Mrs. Liu, but today was her first day in the family, and it would not be good to cause a fuss. Even if she came out on top, she would acquire a bad reputation for disrespecting her Eldest Sister-in-law. With these thoughts, Su Wenyue smiled even more softly.
"Eldest Sister-in-law, how can you say that? How could I let my sisters-in-law work while I sit idly by? Since most of the work is done, why don't Mother and the sisters-in-law go and sit down? I'll serve the breakfast right away."
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