Chapter 32: Chapter 32: It Was Intentional
Translator: 549690339
“Daughter-in-law obeys her parents; it’s all good this way. Xiao Xi, although she had it better than other servant girls in the Su Family, is prepared for hardship now that she’s coming to follow me. Later, I’ll take Xiao Xi and sort things out by ourselves, I dare not bother Father and Mother and everyone else with this.”
“Fourth Daughter-in-law, what are you saying? With so many people at home, we couldn’t possibly let the two of you, two delicate ones, do all this work. We’re all family here, why be so polite? It’s just a matter of everyone lending a hand, and together we can quickly get the room cleared out. To think that a dainty Miss from a Wealthy Family like yourself married into our Han Family, you’ve really been through hardship. But I know my own son very well; among his brothers, Fourth child is the smartest and most decisive. He will definitely make something of himself in the future and give you a good life. You won’t be at a loss being with Fourth child.”
Mrs. Yang was provoked because the servant girls of the Su Family led much better lives than her own; she thought her son was marrying above his station by taking Su Wenyue as his wife and wanted to be better to her. However, Mrs. Yang also feared that Su Wenyue might not regard the Han Family and Han Yu with the respect due to her distinguished background, which is why her words had taken such a turn.
Han Yu did indeed have abilities, but every mother thinks their son is the best. Naturally, Su Wenyue wouldn’t argue with her mother-in-law. She placed the bundle she was carrying on the table, opened it, and said with a smile, “Mother, this is a Pain Relief Patch that my mother had someone bring over from Chang’an. I heard from Husband that you often suffer from back pain and seeing the doctor doesn’t seem to help. My mother has the same ailment, and this patch is especially effective—it’s made from a prescription obtained from a Divine Doctor and prepared with the finest medicinal materials. Knowing that you also suffer from this, my mother specifically had me bring over a course of treatment for you. Please try it and see if it helps, and if it works well, I will ask my mother to have someone send more from Chang’an.”
“What? This was especially sent from Chang’an? Just the travel expenses must have cost a lot, not to mention it’s a prescription from a Divine Doctor! As a simple country old lady, I really can’t afford such precious things. My child, you really shouldn’t have brought so much. Since your mother went to the trouble of sending this from Chang’an, won’t she be in need of it now?”
Upon hearing the origin of the seemingly inconspicuous ointment, Mrs. Yang became somewhat excited. She handled it with greater care, afraid of dropping and wasting it.
Su Wenyue found it amusing to watch. She admitted that she purposefully spoke in such a manner. She wasn’t lying—the Pain Relief Patch was truly effective and formulated by a Divine Doctor, using high-quality medicine. Even in Chang’an City, it was not easy to obtain. However, her maternal grandfather owned a Pharmacy, making it easy to acquire items that others might have difficulty finding. There was no need to send someone specifically; the Su Family had a caravan that visited Chang’an every two months, so they could bring it back on their trips.
Su Wenyue disliked playing the part of a silent benefactor in the background; what was the point if no one knew of her good deeds? Her intention was to curry favor with her mother-in-law, and if she did good, how could she let it go unnoticed? To treat such a precious ointment as if it were an ordinary plaster from a countryside traveling doctor would be an injustice.
Mrs. Yang certainly appreciated her daughter-in-law’s gesture. Although she was shrewd and had a strong say at home, she was still a woman from the countryside, and Chang’an, the bustling capital of the Ming Dynasty, was a distant dream to her, spoken of only in tales. As for meeting a figure like the Divine Doctor—that was even further from reach. For minor health issues, they would resort to local traveling doctors for prescriptions or take simple medicines. For more serious matters, they might consult a doctor from the
County, but a Divine Doctor was utterly beyond the means of common folk like them.
“It doesn’t matter, my mother still has a few patches left to use. This Pain Relief Patch needs a full course of treatment to be effective. My mother has already sent someone posthaste to Chang’an, and they should be able to bring more in time. Although it’s a bit troublesome, as long as it benefits you, Mother, it’s worth it. My mother said that since you’ve been so good to me, treating me like your own daughter, I, as a daughter-in-law, should also think more about you.”
“You, always blessed with good fortune, have in-laws that treat you exceptionally well—beyond words. But this item is too precious; even with a whole year’s hard work, our Han Family might not earn enough to buy one patch. You should take it back, I acknowledge your mother-in-law’s good intentions with all my heart, and to reassure her, since you’re now a member of the Han Family and my daughter-in-law, isn’t it natural for me to be good to you? There’s no need for her to go to such expense.”
Mrs. Yang had truly suffered quite a lot for her back pain; otherwise, she wouldn’t have been willing to spend money to see a doctor in the County, yet to no avail. She was hopeful about the effectiveness of the patch, but despite her occasional partiality, she was honest and couldn’t bear to accept such an expensive gift without feeling indebted, and so she declined.
“Mother, don’t say that. What could be more valuable than your health? Husband cares about you and Father the most. You both being well is what allows Husband to have peace of mind, and that would make me, as his daughter-in-law, the happiest. Money is important, but compared to your health, what does it matter? If Husband had known earlier, he would have done everything possible to acquire it for you.”
Su Wenyue skillfully acknowledged her own contribution, but more importantly, she praised Han Yu, as a mother’s joy is most profoundly derived from knowing she is cherished by her son—more effective than any other form of flattery.
Indeed, after Su Wenyue spoke these words, Mrs. Yang felt an even greater sense of satisfaction, carefully handling the ointment and refraining from mentioning that Su Wenyue should send it back, her expression towards Su Wenyue more tender than ever before.
“Yes, yes, you and Fourth child, both of you are the most filial children. Since you, Fourth Daughter-in-law, have said so, I’ll just shamelessly accept this patch.”
“It was specifically sought for you in the first place. However, Daughter-in-law still has a but. Mother, please don’t hesitate to use it because it’s precious, or keep a patch or two unused. This medicine must be used in sufficient quantity, following the treatment course, to be effective. Don’t be reluctant; if it truly helps, I will make sure to get more for you.”
“No, please no, this is already enough. Such an expensive item has to be effective; please don’t spend any more for my sake. Otherwise, I wouldn’t feel right about it.” Mrs. Yang was touched by her son and daughter-in-law’s thoughtfulness, but she couldn’t bear to accept more, her own value not worth that much.
Su Wenyue merely smiled without a word, knowing her mother-in-law had her flaws but was certainly not greedy. Although she took these measures to ingratiate herself with her mother-in-law, her wish to show filial piety was sincere, motivated by the kindness and forbearance her father-in-law and mother-in-law had shown her in her previous life..
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