Chapter 85: Not Smart

Chapter 85 Not Too Bright

Looking at the maid before her, a senior maid overseeing Songhe Hall, how could she be so tactless?

Chen Yuhu’s facial expression tightened slightly. Fortunately, she had sent Qing Tong to the Prince’s estate today. Otherwise, if he had witnessed such open discrimination firsthand, Chen Yuhu felt she might have lost her temper.

Even now, the situation was not much better.

She beckoned to the maid, and as the maid drew nearer, Chen Yuhu raised her hand and splashed a cup of reddish tea all over the maid’s face.

The maid lowered her head, not daring to speak.

A hush fell over the room. Lin Qu’s expression darkened. He had just returned home and originally didn’t want to upset his mother. "Mother, is there too much tea? Can’t drink it all?"

Old Madam Lin didn’t seem to care at all. "How could that be? The tea you’re drinking is this year’s finest new crop. I… she only got a little."

"Then, Mother, why not give it all to sister-in-law? As the eldest daughter-in-law managing the household, she works hard."

The Matriarch’s expression turned reluctant, but since her son had spoken, she said, "Fine. Since your sister-in-law wants it, there’s no issue. After all, she’s the Matriarch managing the household!"

Her tone implied that a Matriarch managing the household should not be so petty as to covet such a trivial thing.

Chen Yuhu stood up, this time without even a hint of a fake smile. "Thank you for your kindness, Second Brother. However, that tea was originally sent to me by my elder sister-in-law. I only shared a portion to pay filial respects to Mother."

"Since you and your wife haven’t tried it before, please enjoy more of it!"

"If it’s not enough, I’ll go back to my natal home and ask for more!"

In truth, there was only a small amount of that tea, and it was extremely precious. Most of it had been taken by Old Madam Lin like a bandit.

As she turned to leave, Lady Tan Shiyue said, "Is this the manners of the eldest daughter-in-law? To be so disrespectful in front of Mother?"

Chen Yuhu glanced back at Lady Tan Shiyue, frowning deeply. The disgust in her eyes could no longer be concealed—it was no different from looking at rats and cockroaches in a drain, perhaps even more repulsive.

Lady Tan Shiyue had never been looked at like this by her usually proper and restrained elder sister-in-law and was momentarily frightened.

But Chen Yuhu wasn’t about to let it go. She turned around, her skirt fluttering, exuding an imposing aura.

A sarcastic smile curled at the corners of Chen Yuhu’s lips.

"So it’s you, sister-in-law! I didn’t even notice. What brings you to my home again? Ah! The New Year’s gift must have forgotten your elder brother and me, right?"

"I wonder what standing your elder brother and I have. It’s just a gift. It doesn’t matter if you don’t send one in the future."

Her expression gradually faded, and her eyes and brows turned cold. After saying this, Chen Yuhu turned and left.

Lin Qu had already stood up and bowed, about to apologize to Chen Yuhu, but she didn’t even glance his way.

Only after she had left did the Matriarch, seated in the highest position, suddenly snap, "How dare you?"

"Jun Shi, look at this. This is the fine woman you married."

Lin Ji sat steadily, drinking the same tea as Chen Yuhu.

He didn’t even look up.

In truth, he wasn’t as filial as Chen Yuhu thought, nor did he value fraternal bonds as much.

Otherwise, Lin Qu wouldn’t have kept some sense of propriety despite Old Madam Lin’s doting.

Ultimately, Lin Qu was actually afraid of him.

Lin Ji knew all this. He also knew that Old Madam Lin acted like a bully in the household, hoarding all the good things for herself like a bandit.

His silence didn’t mean he was unaware.

His wife was actually very tolerant and truly more filial than he was.

He didn’t have as much patience with his old mother as his wife imagined.

If it were up to him, he would have long since come up with a plan. How could he have tolerated it for so long?

After listening to his mother’s complaints, Lin Ji set down his empty teacup and stood up.

"She is indeed the fine woman I married. My wife has always been filial and virtuous. Without her, the Lin family wouldn’t be where it is today. I know that well."

Lin Ji even looked somewhat moved.

The Matriarch was nearly fuming. "Marrying into our family is her duty as a daughter-in-law!"

"My wife has fulfilled her duties! As for you, Mother, since you don’t enjoy tea, Songhe Hall will no longer be supplied with tea from now on."

Lin Ji took the towel handed to him by a maid and wiped his hands.

"And Lady Tan, during your break, go learn some manners from the household Matrons."

Lady Tan’s eyes widened. "Brother-in-law! I…"

Lin Ji tossed the towel aside and turned to leave without another word, not wanting to hear any excuses.

Lin Qu remained silent. It would be good for his wife to learn some manners.

The entire Songhe Hall fell silent.

In the end, Chen Yuhu’s anger and Lin Ji’s anger were different.

Prejudice in people’s hearts is like a mountain.

Even Chen Yuhu had to admit that Lin Ji was the pillar of the household.

After the silence, Old Madam Lin suddenly seemed exhausted.

She no longer had the energy she had when Lin Qu returned, appearing several years older.

Mother Lin looked up at Lady Tan Shiyue and said to Lin Qu, "Zheng Qian, your elder brother has always been cold-hearted. He went to great lengths to marry his wife, and he won’t take your side."

Lin Qu glanced at his mother. Over the years, her favoritism had become more blatant.

Especially as his elder brother rose in status. In the past, she had at least maintained a facade of fairness.

Now, she couldn’t even serve them the same tea.

Lin Qu sighed. "Mother, you know perfectly well that my elder brother’s goal has always been to root the Lin family firmly in the capital, to ensure it endures like those established families."

"And so do I."

As Lin Qu spoke these words, they were firm. He truly meant what he said.

Influenced by Lin Ji from a young age, he shared the same goal as his elder brother.

Back then, the two young boys—one trained in martial arts, the other devoted to studies—witnessed the extravagant displays of prominent families. They didn’t exactly look down on them, but they never regarded those people with genuine respect either.

Yet, the two boys felt no discouragement; their eyes were filled with ambition.

To marry his sister-in-law, the eldest even traded his military achievements.

Only by bringing such a wife into the family could they establish a foothold in the capital.

His own marriage was also arranged under his elder brother’s guidance. While he focused on his studies, his wife’s family didn’t have many officials, but when it came to scholarly reputation, they were highly respected, comparable even to the Chen family.

All of this was the result of repeated discussions and planning between him and his elder brother.

From a scholar to an official, his elder brother remained steadfast in raising the children without forgetting their original aspirations, and he was no different.

"Mother, my elder brother and I are planning for the Lin family’s next hundred years and for generations to come."

As Lin Qu spoke these words, his eyes shone with determination.

"Please refrain from such actions in the future. My elder brother and sister-in-law will not shortchange me."

He and his elder brother had made complete preparations. Even if one day they had to sacrifice themselves for the Lin family’s future, they would not hesitate—just so their names could be added to the family records.

At this thought, Lin Qu seemed to envision the future scene of Lin descendants worshiping at the ancestral hall.

Lin’s mother looked at Lin Qu, wanting to say something but stopping herself.

Her children had grown up, and she couldn’t talk sense into them anymore. These two brothers were like they were under a spell.

If Lin Ji were to give Lin Qu a legitimate excuse to throw him in jail or have him die for the family’s future, Lin Qu would agree without a second thought.

Could she really be blamed for favoring one over the other? This kid just doesn’t seem all that clever!