This can be described as a mutual exchange of needs; if their family were to prosper and become wealthy, it would depend on them, so what’s a little honey?
For the Tang Family, such a wealthy family, to look favorably upon them was already a stroke of luck for their family.
Mrs. Lai, in the end, still held back her pain and did not agree to those noblewomen who wished to order honey.
As for the estate, she didn’t know much about it; her own family lacked capability, and on the estate, they were simply long-term workers without much use, once having vied for a managerial position, but, unfortunately, they weren’t as capable as Mrs. Li’s two brothers.
Her own son, raised by her, now also listened to Mrs. Li; he didn’t even listen to her, his mother, anymore. What was the worth of her family relatives?
She didn’t know how much the honey sold for, how much was sold in a year, how much income came from other farm produce, and since the money didn’t pass through her hands, she also wished to seize power. It was just her lazy nature that held her back; she couldn’t be bothered to go to the estate daily. Moreover, not one of the long-term workers there heeded her, and even the long-term workers at home did not behave as obediently under her management.
Mrs. Lai refused all those who raised their offers, which angered many of the women. Many of them were used to looking down from their high positions; they were subdued in front of the Hu Ren at Dream Lake and obsequious in the presence of the Tang Family.
These farmers had always been beneath their notice; all were lowly characters at the mercy of the wealthy.
But the person in front of them was a guest of the Tang Family. As irritation welled up in their hearts and showed on their faces, they began to utter spiteful words, yet no one dared to force a sale.
"Tsk, what’s so great? Don’t think that just because you’ve married into the Tang Family, you’re already living a life of wealth. Where can’t you buy honey? They won’t sell even when we offer such high prices, thinking they’re something special, a giant fool who’d rather gift than sell – utterly stupid!"
One wealthy person began to mock, and there was even a note of anger in the insult.
"Haha, giving it to the Tang Family, maybe they’re still begging for some splendor and wealth, but in the end, it’s just marrying off their daughter to a worker from the Tang Family, yet they want to mingle with us, not even considering her status."
Once this statement was made, some unaware of the situation asked others, only then learning why the Ye family was present at the banquet.
This attempt at marrying up was nothing grand, for their daughter had married not a son of the Tang Family, but merely a servant.
Many people looked at Mrs. Lai with contempt, but for Mrs. Li, who had been silent and bowing her head the whole time, there were no verbal attacks.
They could mock Mrs. Lai because she had spoken ostentatiously earlier, showing off before refusing them.
The noblewomen had formed an alliance; they normally went out together and were, in a sense, on the same side.
The noblewomen often got whatever they wanted as long as it could be bought with money!
To be outwitted by the wife from a farming family left them feeling disgruntled, and this was why they collectively attacked Mrs. Lai so vigorously here, yet even so, they did not forget that this was the Tang Family’s estate.
They did not dare offend the wet nurse, the main character. Mrs. Li seemed very subdued and had not spoken at all, seemingly a weak woman, but such weakness was like a soft knife, harmless in appearance but feared to be touched.
The garden was filled with an incessant commotion, and at this moment, many had not noticed that their children hadn’t returned and the host had not yet called for the meal at the appointed dining hour!
Mrs. Li could not afford to be distracted, as she watched her younger son’s hungry expression and couldn’t find a place to breastfeed, only able to ask the maid beside her to find something for the young child to eat.
The maid took on this task, heading to the kitchen to prepare rice paste for the young master.
Mrs. Li held back the pain in her chest as her son kept twisting his head, rubbing against her chest in discomfort, unable to voice this discomfort out loud.
"Mother, sister-in-law, are you here?" Ye Shuzhen’s voice appeared, and those women who had been chattering with mocking words all turned their gazes to Ye Shuzhen.
Without asking it was clear that this person was the new bride of a Tang Family worker, though not dressed in workers’ clothes. Perhaps because the Tang Family worker was wealthy, she lived a life resembling that of a young madam.
Seeing the fabric of her well-made brocade clothing, one could barely distinguish her from those in wealthy families.
Everyone thought to themselves, no wonder this farming family sought to marry above their station. To be favored by even a worker of the Tang Family was a blessing from their past lives.
A golden phoenix had flown out from the big mountain; considering the pecking order, a peasant’s daughter could marry a Tang Family worker and still be attended to by maids.