Chapter 460
Chapter 460: Chapter 454_1 Chapter 460: Chapter 454_1 ****** The words were decidedly impolite, and the tone was so aggressive that anyone would frown upon hearing them. Lin Yue had seen through ******’s character and intentionally provoked her, wanting her to learn a lesson. Upon hearing these words, she was not annoyed. In contrast, the Zhang Qiusheng family, hearing their own daughter so insolent and lacking manners, felt both anger and worry; they feared that the Wei Residence’s mistress would take offense and refuse to shelter them anymore. Without her aid, they truly had no place to turn, which is why their tone became more stern.
“Ungrateful girl, shut your mouth. How dare you speak to Dongjia’s mistress like that? If it hadn’t been for her, you would have been taken away by the old master of Wei Residence to become a concubine by now. How can you be so ungrateful? Dongjia’s mistress is saying this for your own good. Not only do you not listen obediently, but you also spout lies. How did I raise such a wicked daughter? Do you want to bring more disaster upon us, drag us all down with you?”
When Zhang Qiusheng reprimanded his daughter like this, although it was for Lin Yue to see, deep down he also harbored some resentment. If it weren’t for his daughter’s reckless behavior, ignoring the family’s daily teachings, and rashly going to the Wei Residence, how would they have ended up in such a dire situation? Even if the old master of Wei used his power to bully them, at worst, they would have gotten less pay. It wouldn’t have come to this extent if he hadn’t met Dongjia’s mistress, who had the ability to stand up to the old master of Wei.
In the end, Zhang Qiusheng was a proud man; he would rather lose his life than send his daughter to be someone’s concubine, especially to someone of such old age who already had plenty of concubines. It wasn’t just because he couldn’t bear to part with his only daughter. If he really did do that, the neighbors would surely gossip and look down upon their family, leaving him with no dignity. It would be better off dead.
Since childhood, ****** had been doted on and never been harshly spoken to, let alone by her father, who adored her the most. Being scolded in front of so many people, especially by a mere countrywoman, ****** lost all sense of reason. Without a thought for what should or shouldn’t be, she only felt unbearable shame and anger. “Dad, what has gotten into you? I am your legitimate daughter, how can you side with strangers? What does a countrywoman know to come and lecture me? I think you’ve gone senile, dad.”
Seeing his daughter so indignant and disrespectful, not only lacking intelligence but also speaking rudely to Dongjia’s mistress and not considering her family’s plight—now even talking back to her father—coupled with the frustration of recent events, Zhang Qiusheng truly became angry and slapped ****** across the face.
“You dare to argue with me after doing wrong? I must have accrued bad karma in my past life to have a daughter like you. Go to your room and reflect on your actions, and don’t you dare come out until you’ve thought things through,” Zhang Qiusheng yelled at his daughter. The Zhang Family elders and Zhang Qiusheng’s wife felt it inappropriate to intercede; the girl was indeed spoiled rotten.
“You’re not my father, I hate you!” ******, covering her face and weeping like rain, turned and ran away. The Zhang Family elders quickly made apologies to Lin Yue and chased after their granddaughter. Zhang Qiusheng’s wife, who was unwell, had already pushed herself to her limit and had to be assisted away.
Lin Yue hadn’t expected ****** to be such a character—thoughtless and hot-tempered, with a pretty face being her sole redeeming feature. Raising such a daughter was indeed a headache.
Seeing his daughter run off, Zhang Qiusheng was embarrassed and hastily apologized to Lin Yue, “Dongjia’s mistress, I’m deeply sorry. This is the only daughter I have, spoiled since childhood, and now it has backfired. She was wrong just now, and I ask that you do not take offense for a child’s mistake. I apologize on her behalf here.”
Indeed, as Zhang Qiusheng had said, Lin Yue treated ****** as a child and naturally wouldn’t take it too much to heart. Otherwise, she would seem petty. Moreover, she had provoked ****** on purpose. With a wave of her hand, she showed magnanimity. “It’s nothing; children who grew up spoiled are bound to be willful. Constrain her more in the future. Otherwise, even if I don’t mind today, such a temperament will be her downfall when she marries out. You must be tired after all the fuss today, Master Zhang; you should go rest. There’s no need to prepare dinner today—I will have someone send you food later.”
Zhang Qiusheng, seeing Dongjia’s mistress’s generosity, sincerely admired her capacity. Though she was not much older than his daughter, she was already a married woman, managing a household with meticulous attention to detail, often inspiring awe even in him. It was remarkable. His daughter… how did she end up like this, incomparable to even a fraction of such a woman’s quality? He lamented, blaming their excessive parental indulgence and lack of proper guidance. They could not allow it to continue; otherwise, who knows what calamity she might cause? There was no hope of her marrying well in the future, not unless he planned to take in a son-in-law. After all, her life ahead would depend on her own abilities.
****** was still nursing her hurt feelings, unaware that after today’s events, Zhang Qiusheng had resolved to be stricter with her in the future. Her life wouldn’t be easy, at least not until she reformed her temper. Her family would certainly not indulge her anymore.
These days, Zhao Erhu had been busy with outside work, getting things in order before heading south. He left early and returned late, and Lin Yue could only see this busy man at night.
“Wife, I heard that you took in a carpenter today, let his family move into our estate. Moreover, that carpenter’s daughter had the audacity to be insolent to you, is that true?” Zhao Erhu heard about the incident from a servant upon his return and was very angry. He was not at home, and someone dared to bully his little wife. Although his wife was clever and powerful, at times she was too kind-hearted, which emboldened others to be so rude.
“Yes, that happened. You just got back and already heard about it. They sure do talk too much—probably couldn’t wait to run off and tattle to you,” Lin Yue said. One of the maids she kept by her side was particularly clever and protective. Given today’s events, she probably felt that Lin Yue hadn’t punished ****** harshly enough, letting her off easily, which made the maid unhappy, prompting her to complain to the master.
“That’s good; you tend to keep things to yourself and wouldn’t even tell me when you’re wronged. It leaves me nothing but after-the-fact anguish, truly worrying. In my opinion, you don’t have to be so lenient with those who are blind to their place. If someone really crosses the line, just deal with them harshly and kick them out. They’re just carpenters after all; where could we not find a better one?”