A Good Country Wife-Chapter 634 - 628_1

"Yes, originally Uncle Lord didn’t want to trouble Madam, intending to return to Shanglin Village right after delivering the grain. However, those two were unwilling and insisted on seeing Madam. They are all waiting outside now. I didn’t dare to decide on my own, so I came to ask for Madam’s opinion," said the Servant.

Lin Yue raised her eyebrows. Hearing Liu Aniu say this, she understood. If her so-called parents had any sense, she wouldn’t mind giving them some benefits. After all, those two loved their son, and in the end, most of it would end up with Lin Qing.

"Xixi, go and invite them in for me," Lin Yue ordered.

Liu Aniu quickly added upon hearing Lin Yue’s response, "Madam, what the Lord desires is for you to personally greet them at the gate. I’m afraid it might not be appropriate if Xixi goes..." Liu Aniu trailed off without finishing his sentence. His implication was clear, after all, there were some things inappropriate for servants to say outright.

"Such audacity, now they want me to receive them personally. Give them an inch and they’ll take a mile!" Lin Yue’s expression darkened upon hearing this. She found her so-called stepfather—who rarely appeared but was always scheming behind her back and was exceptionally hypocritical—more detestable than her stepmother, who consistently troubled her.

At this moment, Xixi didn’t know whether she should go or not, waiting for Lin Yue’s decision. She knew that the Madam despised those two, but sometimes she couldn’t quite understand the Madam’s attitude.

"Xixi, you still go to receive them. There’s no need to be too courteous. If they wish to come in, let them; if not, they can go back. I have no intention of detaining them against their will. They should remember what the Master said back then anyway! Since they cut off relations with me even before I married here, there’s no need to discuss any past affections. The only reason I’m still willing to deal with them is for the sake of my brother—I don’t want them to get above themselves," Lin Yue said with a scoff, It wasn’t that she didn’t want to be pleasant or risk her reputation, but Lin Youfu and Madame Zhou were simply not the kind of people to be treated nicely. A little kindness shown towards them and they would immediately become overbearing.

"Yes, Madam, I understand what to do now," Xixi acknowledged, now knowing how to proceed based on Lin Yue’s words.

"Manager Liu, it’s still necessary for you to take a trip to Shanglin Village to deliver the grain and seeds. If my Aunt’s family is indeed in trouble, bring my Aunt over as well. Both of my cousins used to work for a landlord, and after the refugees’ incident, many landlords have been affected and likely won’t hire people for the time being. Ask my cousins if they are willing to work here. After all, working here is no different from elsewhere, and they would earn the same wages. There’s no need to avoid troubling me—if my cousins are willing, I believe having them work here would be more reliable, and they can help keep an eye on things for me," said Lin Yue.

"Madam’s instructions are clear to me. Is there anything else you would like to order? If not, I will set off for Zhao Family Village immediately, as this trip has already been delayed quite a bit," the Manager Liu replied.

"There’s nothing else, you may leave now."

Zhao Youfu and Lady Zhou just stood waiting outside. Zhao Youfu’s original intention was to put on airs and display his authority, but now, humiliated by Liu Aniu and unable to even enter the mansion, he was left standing there awkwardly, a picture of embarrassment. The doorkeeper boy was no use either, showing no initiative—seeing him stand there for so long, he didn’t even think to offer him a chair.

"Master of the house, how come that Liu has been inside for so long without coming out? He isn’t plotting something bad, talking smack about us to our daughter, is he?" After waiting for a while, Lady Zhou became restless and wanted to barge in, but the doorkeeper boy was watching and would not allow it.

"Do you know who I am to dare block my way? We are your master’s parents-in-law. With this kind of attitude, wait until I see my daughter and settle accounts with you—I’ll have you all kicked out!" Lady Zhou, still wary of Liu Aniu, had no such reservations about scolding the gatekeeper boys, speaking angrily, hoping her threats would scare them off.

The doorkeeping boy, although somewhat panicked by Lady Zhou’s words, had been well trained. After dealing with the recent refugee incident, he was able to withstand pressure. Thinking of the Manager Liu’s attitude, who was the trusted confidante of the master and mistress, he knew that Manager Liu’s stance must reflect the mistress’s wishes. So no matter how much Lady Zhou made a fuss, the doorkeeper simply would not let her in.

"Oh! Such grand airs, our master certainly doesn’t have parents-in-law like you. The mistress always acts impartially. As long as we, the servants, follow the rules, there’s no random punishment—there’s no way she would kick us out. So, old lady, please don’t scare people like that." Xixi overheard Lady Zhou flaunting her authority to the doorkeeper at the entrance and spoke sarcastically. Remembering the attitude Lady Zhou had towards them when she lived at her house, where they even had to pay for a night’s stay, Xixi felt even less sympathetic. freeweɓnovel.cѳm

Lady Zhou, of course, recognized Xixi and was so irked by her words that her teeth itched with annoyance. That wretched girl, with her sharp tongue, could choke a person with her words. At that moment, Lady Zhou didn’t want to stoop to argue with Xixi and looked behind her instead. "Where is she, my second girl, my daughter? Didn’t I ask her to come out to greet us? Why didn’t that Liu tell my daughter to come out and receive her parents? We’ve been waiting here for so long."

"Manager Liu reported to the mistress. The mistress sent me to welcome you inside, saying that she would do so out of respect for the uncle’s relationship. Otherwise, in line with the master’s previous agreement, given that the relationship between the two families has already been severed, you wouldn’t be allowed to visit. So even if you come as guests to the Zhao Family, please don’t assume the identity of the master’s parents-in-law, otherwise it will be difficult for the mistress to handle," Xixi explained.

Lin Youfu, not seeing Lin Yue appear, was already in a foul mood. Hearing Xixi’s words, his face turned black in an instant. He wanted to burst into anger, but he restrained himself. The realization hit him that the defiant girl now had substantial backing and no longer was as docile and easy to handle as before. To be denied entry would only worsen their embarrassment.

"What are you standing there for? Since you were sent to greet us, hurry up and let us in. It seems that the second girl is too lenient with you servants, allowing you to be so disrespectful. Hmph!" Lin Youfu, unable to deal with Lin Yue, scolded the servant girl in an attempt to vent some of his anger. He then strode towards the entrance, and this time the doorkeeper didn’t dare stop him. Internally, he understood that since Xixi spoke thus, it was clear that the mistress and her natal family weren’t on good terms. Except for showing basic courtesy to this uncle, there was no need to be overly obsequious to the other two.

Xixi, who could confront Lady Zhou head-on, was somewhat afraid of the usually taciturn Lin Youfu. Even though she disdainfully looked down on Lin Youfu’s character, she didn’t talk back. Angrily pouting, she followed after him.