The wife of the Han family remained silent for a moment before speaking.
"Qingdai is an obedient and sensible child. She knows it’s not easy at home and is willing to help the family overcome difficulties."
Han Ling sneered, "Oh, an obedient and sensible child indeed."
The wife of the Han family detected the sarcasm in Han Ling’s words and felt displeased. Unable to hold back, her voice rose, "A-Ling, you need to understand. The situation you’re in today has nothing to do with us. On the contrary, because of your issues, we’ve all been implicated."
These past few days, she dared not go out, fearing acquaintances would ask her about Han Ling’s affairs.
Not any less embarrassing.
After saying this, the wife of the Han family felt it was inappropriate and softened her tone, "A-Ling, you know well how your eldest sister-in-law has treated you all along. It’s not that your brother and sister-in-law are heartless, but under the current circumstances, staying in the Capital City, staying at home, is of no benefit to you."
Painstakingly trying to advise.
The wife of the Han family felt somewhat parched from speaking.
Han Ling then lazily began to speak, the sarcasm absent from her tone, which sounded quite calm.
"How could I not know my brother and sister-in-law have my best interests at heart? I listen to you all, and whenever you say to leave, I’ll leave. As for Qingdai, if she sincerely wishes to leave the Capital City with me, I’ll take her. If not, sister-in-law should not force her."
The wife of the Han family was overjoyed, "Of course she’s sincere. She has told me how much she admires you as an aunt and wants to be like you."
Then, realizing her words were inappropriate, she awkwardly wanted to explain, but her way with words was never very good, and she didn’t know how to explain for a moment.
Why did she speak without thinking?
When A-Ling was still the Duchess, she said Qingdai admired her and wanted to be like her. It was praise, good words.
Now, A-Ling was dismissed, and saying such words had a hint of intentionality.
Han Ling didn’t quibble with the wife of the Han family, "Sister-in-law, let me meet with Qingdai first."
The last time was rather rushed, and nothing much was said.
At that time, she had intentions to make use of Qingdai.
Now, they might have to rely on each other for survival in the future.
"If you want to meet her, go ahead," said the wife of the Han family.
"In our residence, you can go wherever you please; there’s no place you can’t go." She added, "You don’t need to ask me, this is your home."
Since she’s about to leave, indulging her a little is no big deal.
"Then thank you, sister-in-law," said Han Ling.
"If you have any other requests, just let me know. As long as my brother and I can fulfill them, we won’t refuse," added the wife of the Han family.
"My brother and sister-in-law have already been good enough to me. What else could I ask for?" Han Ling’s tone was airy.
"It’s what a sister-in-law should do," said the wife of the Han family.
Han Ling walked towards the courtyard where Qingdai lived. Occasionally passing maids showed her respect, just like when she was the Duchess.
But after taking a few steps, she heard the hushed whispers.
"Returned after being dismissed, yet not staying put peacefully..."
"It’s just that our master and wife are kind-hearted, or else where would she find a place to stay?"
"Our lady has been crying incessantly these days, all because of her. People laughed at Miss because of her?"
"I heard that a family originally interested in a betrothal with our residence backed out, saying that the Han family’s young madam did something disgraceful and fearing our Miss might be similar."
"The master can’t even hold his head high among colleagues."
Whether intentionally or unintentionally, these voices all reached Han Ling’s ears.
Even if she walked quickly and covered her ears, she could still hear.
So, when Han Ling reached Qingdai’s courtyard, she was breathing heavily.
Qingdai, embroidering in the courtyard, was the first to spot Han Ling.
She put down her embroidery frame, stood up, and saluted Han Ling, "Aunt."
Quite different from the awkwardness of their previous encounter, Qingdai was very composed.
Han Ling took a deep breath to calm her emotions and slowly spoke, "Your mother said you’re willing to return to the hometown with me."
"Yes, Aunt," replied Qingdai.
"Others can’t avoid me fast enough. Why are you different?" Han Ling stared directly at Qingdai.
"I don’t like the Capital City, and I don’t care about others’ opinions or views." Qingdai replied, "Whether people see me favorably or unfavorably has nothing to do with me. Their opinions can’t control me. I live to fulfill my own desires."
"To live for oneself?" Han Ling repeated.
Qingdai nodded, "Yes, to live for oneself."
Han Ling wondered, all this time, what had she been living for?
For others’ expectations.
Her mother wished for her to become a certain type of person, her father hoped for her to become a certain type of person, and she had always followed their wishes, step by step, receiving much praise, even serving as a model for many families raising daughters.
How did she want to live?
When her young heart was budding, she secretly read storybooks and fantasized, envisioned her future husband.
She thought, in the end, she would experience a genuine love like the protagonist of a storybook. Check latest chapters at novel~fire~net
Later, everything went contrary to her expectations.
Life is truly laughable.
"Qingdai, do you think I’m a failure?" Han Ling asked her.
"What do you think, Aunt?" Qingdai countered.
Just like how she doesn’t care about others’ opinions, to her, whether one is considered a failure or success isn’t defined by others but by herself. If she feels successful, even if others perceive her as a failure, she is successful.
Conversely, the same applies.
So she asked Han Ling in return.
"Probably a failure," Han Ling opened up after a long silence.
"Then so be it. However, failure isn’t something to be feared," Qingdai said. "You can choose to accept it calmly, or not accept it. Of course, if you don’t accept it, you’ll have to strive harder to cover the failure with success."
"Why do you, at such a young age, take things so lightly?" Han Ling asked.
"If you, Aunt, grew up as lonely as I did, you’d probably have an even lighter view," Qingdai said earnestly.
Han Ling laughed. All along, her sister-in-law kept emphasizing how good she was to Qingdai and how Qingdai should be grateful. But now it seemed, these were just her sister-in-law’s assumptions.
"Qingdai, staying in the Capital, even if you cannot marry into a top family, you could find a decent match. You would become an Official’s Wife, and if your husband does well, you might even become an Imperial Decree Lady. Following me back to the hometown, you’ll likely only marry a man with a mediocre background and lead a dull life. Even because of me, even a man with mediocre background might scrutinize you," Han Ling said.
"I’ve never thought of marrying into a prominent family, and I’m not interested in becoming an Imperial Decree Lady. There’s nothing wrong with a mediocre background. Who says a life of plainness won’t be happy?" Qingdai said leisurely, "As for the scrutiny, why should I give an opportunity to a scrutinizing man?"