C2 It Was Very Demonic!

"I don't trust her one bit. Just look at her, all dolled up like a vixen—probably got up to no good and that's why the master sold her off. She's nothing but shameless trash, strutting around us like she owns the place. Besides, I could tell Old Six wasn't exactly smitten with her."

"You said it. She doesn't exactly come off as the quiet type, does she? And yet, for some reason, she's still got her protector." Zhao Xiaomei murmured in agreement.

Sun Guiying, the eldest daughter-in-law, watched as Laosi's family continued to stir up trouble. Shaking her head with the authority of the eldest sister-in-law, she intervened, "Enough already. Can't we all just get along peacefully? There's no need to turn this into a complete circus."

Sun Guiying wasn't taking sides with Ann Yan. She knew the sixth family had their own issues, but at least they were honest, unlike Laosi's family who seemed to thrive on sowing discord. It was clear to her that Laosi had a hand in the sixth family's unrest. Among her sisters-in-law, it was Lao'er's family that caused her the least worry.

Reflecting on this, Sun Guiying glanced at Lao'er's wife, who was always hard at work. The woman was diligent but too naive, never speaking up even when bullied by the wives of Laosi. But life is what you make of it, and if Lao'er's wife couldn't stand up for herself, Sun Guiying wasn't about to interfere. She had her own household to manage.

At that moment, Old Madam Han entered. Liao Xiaofang and Laosi's wife, who had been chatting away, suddenly fell silent.

They were genuinely intimidated by their mother-in-law, Old Madam Han. The veiled insults they had been tossing around were only safe when she was out of earshot. Old Madam Han wasn't one to meddle in squabbles between sisters-in-law, but she would not tolerate them tarnishing the reputation of the sixth family.

"Has the sixth brother's wife not risen yet?" Old Madam Han glanced at the daughters-in-law and inquired.

"Exactly, it's so late, and she's still not up. Even a young lady from a wealthy family wouldn't be this lazy, let alone a servant who's now a daughter-in-law. Mother, you really need to have a word with the sixth family. This is no way to behave!" Liao Xiaofang nearly let slip a derogatory term, but she caught herself just in time, avoiding a surefire scolding.

Old Madam Han didn't lose her temper upon hearing the comments. She had always shown a bit more leniency towards Ann Yan than her other daughters-in-law, understanding that a maidservant from a grand household, aside from attending to their mistress, would have the lesser maids and the matron handle the more menial tasks. They were quite coddled, so a period of adjustment to farm life was to be expected. However, the thought of Laoliu's Wife's attitude and those cutting remarks still left her feeling uneasy.

Despite her outward show of resolve and her insistence that she had made the right choice, Old Madam Han was, in truth, protecting her pride. Deep down, she harbored some regrets and questioned whether she had indeed made a mistake.

"Exactly, Mother," chimed in Laosi's wife, Wang Dongying, not wanting to be outdone as she subtly influenced her mother-in-law. "With the way things are in Laoliu's household, it's not just us sisters-in-law who feel it's unfair. We're all daughters-in-law, so why should we be the ones toiling away while Laoliu's Wife gets to sit back and relax? It doesn't look right to outsiders, and it certainly doesn't reflect well on the sixth brother's family's reputation."

"Enough of your nonsense! Since when do outsiders have the right to comment on the Han Family's affairs? If anyone dares to gossip about our private matters, they'll have me to answer to!" Old Madam Han rebuked her daughters-in-law fiercely, her gaze lingering on the wives from the third and fourth families.

The family's business was their own to know. The daughters-in-law from the first and second families were commendable, but it was the third and fourth families that caused her the most concern. One was careless and foolish, charging headlong into things without realizing they were being manipulated. The other was too cunning for her own good, always stirring up trouble and thinking herself the cleverest with her petty schemes, which Old Madam Han couldn't be bothered to address.

Despite her words, she knew that the situation with Laoliu's household couldn't continue as it was. Even if she had a soft spot for her youngest son, she couldn't let it go too far. The third and fourth families already harbored grievances, and while the first and second families remained silent, she feared they too might grow resentful over time. Moreover, she didn't want to risk alienating her sons. Old Mrs. Liu was well aware that although each finger has its own length, favoritism should never be too blatant.

Old Madam Han approached the door of room six, poised to push it open, but paused, considering the notorious temper of the household within. Opting for courtesy, she knocked instead.

Ann Yan's recent behavior had been a source of frustration, stirring up trouble over trivial matters. While it was exasperating, it wasn't without its advantages. The entire Han Family tread carefully around her, including Old Madam Han, who was somewhat intimidated by her daughter-in-law. She preferred to avoid conflict over minor issues, but Laoliu's Wife's reckless antics were becoming too much to bear.

Before Old Madam Liu could respond, the door swung open from the inside.

"Mother, you're here. My apologies, I overslept today," Ann Yan said with an embarrassed grin.

Despite her current unrest, Ann Yan was not one to dwell on the negative. She had a pragmatic outlook; what was done was done, and life must go on. For now, she had to deal with the consequences of the original owner's actions, which had left her in a precarious position. Her plan was to take things one step at a time and improve her circumstances.

Old Madam Han had braced herself to reprimand her daughter-in-law, as Laoliu's Wife's behavior couldn't continue unchecked. Yet, Ann Yan's contrite attitude took the edge off her anger, though she maintained a stern expression.

"You're aware, and that's good. I understand you've lived in luxury before, even as a maidservant, enjoying a better life than some city misses. It's understandable that you're not accustomed to this place. But now that you're part of the Han Family, your past is irrelevant. You need to face reality and settle down to a proper life with Old Sixth. Your current behavior is simply unacceptable. Just look at the other young women and wives in the village; none of them carry on like you."

Old Madam Han had more to say, but Ann Yan's seemingly receptive manner made her hold her tongue. She suspected that Laoliu must have given his wife a talking-to the day before. Deciding that enough was enough, she refrained from further lecturing. It was best not to provoke Laoliu's Wife into another heedless outburst. Such wildness was almost demonic, and Old Madam Han could see that, on a few occasions, Laoliu's Wife had truly been out of control.