Rebirth of a Farming Wife

Chapter 21: Chapter 21: Born with Good Fortune

Translator: 549690339

Su Wenyue was still thinking about how to solve the problem of going hungry in the future. It was not practical for her to run back to her mother’s family every time she felt hungry, not to mention that it would inconvenience her, and her husband’s family would certainly disapprove. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if her concubine sisters could send her food often? Whatever their intentions, she benefited tangibly in the end.

Having lived a previous life, Su Wenyue had grown much more indifferent to many things. Even if her concubine sisters made fun of her, it didn’t affect her emotionally; she had been suppressed by them for so many years. Letting them feel superior for once wasn’t a big deal. After all, she was merely fortunate to be born of the Queen Mother’s womb. Moreover, she knew her husband, Han Yu, would climb to higher ranks in the future, becoming a powerful and favored court official second-in-command. With neither power nor wealth lacking, she had no reason to feel unbalanced inside.

Truthfully, there were other ways to deal with the hunger problem. With money, anything could be solved. Yet, Su Wenyue was reluctant to spend money on food. Her dowry was many times larger than that of her concubine sisters, but those treasures had to be preserved. The lands couldn’t be touched, and food stocks certainly couldn’t be sold—in such chaotic times, food was the foundation of survival.

Although the world was chaotic now, it was still under control. People had yet to deeply feel its impact. Su Wenyue, having lived through it before, knew that in a few years, the Daming Dynasty would plunge into utter chaos, with rampant warfare. Food would become exceptionally precious. Especially after Wang Mang reformed the currency system, money devalued. Initially, when the price of food soared to two thousands silver per measure—thought to be unreasonably high and would not rise further, people waited for prices to fall. They didn’t anticipate that food prices would soar even more erratically, eventually reaching the preposterous rate of one tael of gold per measure.

It wasn’t just food prices that rose; everything became more expensive, especially medicinal materials and other necessities on the battlefield, which became scarce commodities. Even with her abundant dowry, Su Wenyue couldn’t afford such extravagant spending for long, and she soon frittered away several boxes of wealth.

It was only then that Su Wenyue learned that her parents had also endowed her with a Zhuangzi as part of her dowry. Relying on the food sent from that estate, she managed to live rather comfortably. However, she really had been naive at that time, letting Mrs. Wang deceive her into selling that vast, productive estate so easily. Considering the value of farming estates that could produce food, both Master Su and the An Family were so furious when they found out that they nearly fainted with regret, too late to bemoan their failure to raise their daughter well.

The hard-earned lessons from her previous life’s hardships were ingrained in Su Wenyue’s heart, not without their rewards. At the very least, she could use her foreknowledge to plan for herself and her family, securing stability in troubled times, and even become an asset to Han Yu. Of course, whether she would assist Han Yu depended on his behavior.

Mrs. Su looked at the conversation between her daughter and the concubine sisters, feeling both amused and irritated. Her heartless daughter was actually enjoying herself, oblivious to the fact that those two troublemakers were truly making fun of her, not sincerely considering her well-being. They were merely belittling her, and by extension, her husband’s family. After all, Mrs. Su had provided her daughter with a substantial dowry; it was out of the question that her daughter would actually go hungry. Even if the Han Family was not wealthy, couldn’t they just buy food with silver? Beforehand, her daughter used to spend money without a second thought. Could it be that she had learned to be frugal after getting married?

“You silly girl, you really lack foresight. Do you think the Han Family would let you starve? Besides, you still have your mother’s family. Your father and mother are still alive, and even if we were not, you would have your elder brother, a direct relative. It shouldn’t come to needing help from concubine-born sisters. You can’t say you aren’t reliant on your mother’s family; without it, your sisters would not be living such comfortable lives. How foolish can you be!”

In this remark, Mrs. Su openly and implicitly chastised the concubine sisters, emphasizing that their current well-being hinged entirely on their mother’s family. Without it, they would amount to nothing, and yet they dared to scoff at her daughter!

“But come to think of it, I wasn’t aware we had such capable chefs in our mansion. Our home’s chefs are expensive hires personally selected by the Old Master. If there’s someone better than ours, I really must pay a visit and taste these exquisite dishes for myself, worthy of your bragging.” Now, Mrs. Su’s words bore an unmistakable warning.

Upon hearing Mrs. Su’s words, the concubine sisters’ faces turned pale. Their husband’s families had married them for the strength and mutual benefit promised by the Su Family. Without their mother’s family’s support, they would be deprived of everything. Furthermore, they did not have brothers of their own to rely on; their dependence was solely on Su Hengyi and Su

Hengxuan, the legitimate sons, and thus they dared not offend their Queen Mother.

Watching from the sidelines, Han Yu understood why his wife had been raised so innocent and naive. With a mother like his Mother-in-law—shrewd and capable—constantly protecting his wife under her wings and clearing all obstacles, allowing her to grow up carefree, it was no wonder she developed such a disposition.

Although his wife’s innocence and naivety sometimes made him anxious, Han Yu was very grateful to his Mother-in-law. Because of her, he had such a lovely and simple wife. If his wife had been raised to be like those concubine sisters, no matter how competent, he wouldn’t have wanted her. Sometimes it’s better for a woman to be simple.

“I appreciate the kind intentions of both elder sisters on behalf of my wife, but although my Han Family is just a low-status civilian family, we can afford such things, so there’s no need for you to worry. I’ll take good care of my wife and won’t let her suffer.’

Witnessing her Birth Mother and Husband’s protective actions, Su Wenyue felt somewhat saddened for the first time. “No, no, don’t say that! Delicious food is always welcome. I won’t turn it away.”

Han Yu felt increasingly helpless ever since he married his wife. Didn’t this thoughtless little girl see they were backing her up? Why would she cause trouble at this moment? Could it really be because she’d been hungry these past two days, and that’s why her mind was filled with thoughts of food? It seemed highly likely to Han Yu, who decided he really couldn’t afford to let his wife go hungry again in the future. What if she turned silly from hunger when she was already silly enough?

“Lady Yue, you’re such a silly girl. If you crave something, just tell me, your Husband. How could you go asking your sisters for it? Since you married me, it’s my duty to provide for you, and I will make sure you’re well-fed. Now I know you like Roasted Chicken, Roasted Duck, Roasted Goose. Why didn’t you tell me earlier? Rest assured, I’ll make sure you have your fill of them.”

Han Yu rubbed Su Wenyue’s head with a smile, but his gaze carried a warning—this foolish girl had better not contradict him again, or he would see how to deal with her when they got home..