Jiang Chuling quickly grabbed Sister Xiaoqiu's hand and shook it, indicating that she didn't mean that at all.
Opposite them, He Guilan saw that even an assistant dared to refute her in public and deliberately emphasized the word "deputy" in a sarcastic tone. Immediately, her face flushed with anger as she scolded, "Have the Jiang family's rules all gone to the dogs? How dare a servant talk back when the master is speaking?"
Qiuyun squeezed the young lady's hand and smiled even more brightly. "I originally thought Deputy Director He had just made a slip of the tongue, but it turns out that deep down, you really miss the extravagant life of the old landlord era, bossing people around with a crowd of servants at your disposal."
"You—"
Qiuyun interrupted her, "But looking at your narrow - minded appearance, the only kind of wealthy life you can imagine is these superficial things. You say our young lady is lazy and only knows how to enjoy life. Little do you know that you two are as different as the clouds in the sky and the mud on the ground. Today, you just happen to be sitting under the same roof for a meal. After the meal, you'll go your own way. You'll continue to curry favor with those above and bully those below in your own circle, while our young lady has her own vast world to strive in. You're not in the same social class. Why do you use your petty preachings to give orders to someone above your level? The child's uncle, grandparents haven't even said a word."
What He Guilan was like at work didn't matter.
But at home, in Quan City, as a leader in a government department, she was always respected by everyone. Even the seventh great - uncle would raise his glass to drink with her!
How could she be scolded by a servant assistant!
It was simply outrageous!
"Yu Xiang, is this how you treat your in - laws? Are you going to tolerate a little assistant stepping on your elder sister - in - law's head?"
Since He Guilan couldn't deal with this sharp - tongued assistant, she picked on another "soft target".
Qiuyun wasn't going to put up with it. "Hehe, not to mention that everyone is equal in modern society, and I'm a formal employee with a signed contract. Even in the high - class families of feudal society, there was no such overbearing and bossy master as Deputy Director He. Even emperors who were harsh on their subordinates were recorded by historians. Someone like you who doesn't know how to win people's hearts probably wouldn't last a year in a big mansion. Tsk tsk, it's really not wrong to say you're narrow - minded."
Moreover, the higher a person's status is, the more they care about their reputation and the more afraid they are of being undermined by small people. They are also more generous and respectful to those around them.
The saying that the bare - footed are not afraid of those in shoes has always been true, and when a person is in a high position, they will naturally understand this truth. Only those small - time people in a low position with a little bit of power in their hands will try to make the most of that little power.
Hearing her words, He Guilan's chest heaved rapidly with anger. "What do you mean? Are you saying I'm narrow - minded and harsh? What makes you think I'd lower myself to be harsh to you? Who do you think you are!"
Qiuyun replied, "If Deputy Director He thinks that being a civil servant gives you the right to be harsh to the people and think they're nothing, then I have nothing to say."
"You!"
"Alright!" Qiuyun took the initiative and started to persuade. "Deputy Director He, if I were you, with such a kind and generous sister - in - law like Mrs. Yu, wouldn't I hold her in high regard? But you're so concerned about face. You think that using our madam's money makes you seem inferior to her, so you try to assert your authority by picking on our young lady and showing off your seniority. Little do you know that your expenses are even less than my salary. Madam and the young lady really don't care. Why do you have to torture yourself about whether your self - esteem is hurt?"
He Guilan blushed to the roots of her hair from Qiuyun's sarcasm. "You, how dare you say that! What do you mean I'm using Yu Xiang's money! I'm on the government payroll! I don't rely on Yu Xiang for a living!"
"Yes, yes, yes."
Qiuyun had inherited a great knowledge of luxury goods from the previous owner. "That 128,000 - yuan KDY bracelet on your hand, the 63,000 - yuan DR sweater inside, and those 120,000 - to 130,000 - yuan CL fur boots on your feet. Did you buy them all with your monthly salary of ten thousand or so? If it wasn't from our madam, then the source of this money..."
Qiuyun said meaningfully, "may not be very clean."
He Guilan visibly panicked. "You, don't talk nonsense!"
"So," Qiuyun continued, "you've taken someone else's things and eaten their food. Our master and madam don't ask you to be obsequious. We just need to be polite to each other. But you insist on having things for free while acting tough. You've spent the money and also publicly scolded our young lady. You really haven't done this right."
He Guilan was thoroughly scolded inside and out. She lost both her dignity and face!
In a fit of rage, she threw down her chopsticks and sneered at everyone at the main table. "Fine, very good! I really married into the wrong family in your Yu family! I've been publicly insulted by a little bitch! And none of you dare to stand up for me! After all, there's a distinction between scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants. I'm from a government department, yet I'm not as good as a married - out sister - in - law who married a businessman. So what if you have a little money? What are you so proud of!"
After saying that, she wanted to overturn the table and leave. People around quickly grabbed her and advised her not to act on impulse.
Actually, they didn't know how to intervene.
Firstly, what the girl said made some sense. He Guilan was indeed taking things for free and acting tough.
Secondly, even Yu Xiang herself hadn't said a word to stop it. How could they, as outsiders, speak casually?
Thirdly, well, that girl had such a strong presence and was so quick - witted with her words. Before they could think of a way to refute, she had already rambled on, and there was no way for others to get a word in.
Humiliated, He Guilan angrily left the table. People around desperately tried to stop her, saying it wasn't worth it on Chinese New Year. Yu Xiang remained indifferent, neither persuading nor stopping. Jiang Chuling hid behind Sister Xiaoqiu, happy to watch the show.
Seeing that the situation was about to get out of control, Qiuyun raised her voice with a smile. "Deputy Director He, are you angry?"
The chaotic crowd in front stopped for a moment.
What was this girl up to? She had such a big smile on her face, as if she was enjoying the chaos.
She spoke gently, "It's Chinese New Year. No one would feel good if they were insulted in public, especially our young lady, who is just a child. Now, put yourself in her shoes. You should know how bad it feels, right?"
A group of peace - makers around said, "Yes, yes. She was just trying to anger you. You should teach the child privately next time. As the saying goes, don't discipline a child in public."
"Pfft!"
During the tug - of - war, He Guilan's hairstyle was in a mess, and her clothes were disheveled. She had completely lost her dignity.
"It was so much fun when you were scolding me just now. Now that you can't handle it, you want to make up for it? No way!" She pushed back her hair. "Yu Yang, let me tell you, I can't stay in your Yu family anymore. Let's get a divorce tomorrow!"
Wasn't it just a matter of who was more daring?
Who was afraid of whom!
"What!"
Now, not only the family members but also the great - granduncle couldn't sit still. He leaned on his cane and came over to persuade her not to be impulsive.
Seeing that the blame was about to turn towards their side again.
