TFWYH – Chapter 366 Guiding Lingyue

If she hadn’t regarded Tang Wan as one of her own, she wouldn’t have said any of this to Ling Yue.

It was precisely because she considered Tang Wan family — and because Tang Wan clearly cared a great deal about this young sister-in-law — that she extended her goodwill to Ling Yue as well.

Ling Yue was still young and new to the world of business. She had no idea how realistic — and how cruel — it could be.

After saying this, Madam Su said no more. She had someone bring banknotes, purchased two thousand jin of grain, and personally escorted the three women out.

After Ling Yue left, Su Wanting frowned. “Mother, I don’t like her. She’s too soft-hearted — she’ll hold Sister Wan back.”

Madam Su smiled and rubbed her head. “Think of it from another angle. If you were Ling Yue — with no guidance since childhood — and you witnessed so many innocent people separated from their loved ones by death and disaster, wouldn’t you be like her too?”

Su Wanting fell silent at that. After a long moment, she nodded. “Probably. The first time I negotiated a deal, I couldn’t bear to see an old man crying and begging me, so I gave up thirty percent of the profit. Later I found out I’d been tricked — that old man was actually wealthy and heartless. He only pretended to be poor in front of me.”

Madam Su smiled. “Exactly. Your father deliberately arranged for you to handle that negotiation. And many of your later deals too — all intentionally arranged by him — that’s how you became who you are today. What about Ling Yue? She’s from the countryside and grew up without guidance — just like you used to be.”

Su Wanting sighed with exaggerated maturity. “Alright, I understand. For Sister Wan’s sake, I’ll help her. If she wants to sell grain later, I’ll buy it back at a high price.”

Madam Su praised her, “Good girl. If your Sister Wan knew how thoughtful you are toward her, she’d like you even more.”

Su Wanting broke into a smile.

Su Yangyu was destined for an official career, while she was the true heir to the Su family business.

She had been personally trained by Su Yuan and carefully taught by Madam Su since childhood — how could she really be naïve?

Only in front of Tang Wan did she act like a child.

Sometimes Madam Su found it remarkable — affinity was such a strange thing. Her proud, high-spirited daughter didn’t even think much of princesses, yet she adored Wan-niang.

Truly puzzling.

Unlike this mother and daughter pair, the three women leaving the Su residence were each lost in their own thoughts.

Madam Jiang frowned slightly. Ling Yue pressed her lips together, her face full of inner conflict.

Seeing them like this, Madam Qian tried to comfort her. “Yue’er, don’t overthink it. Some people just don’t know how to appreciate kindness. I’ve lived this long and never seen anyone refuse money being handed to them. Hmph — the Su family just looks down on us. We won’t come again.”

Madam Jiang said, “Sister-in-law, Madam Su didn’t mean it that way.”

“Then what did she mean?” Madam Qian said indignantly. “All of Yue’er’s good intentions — what a slap in the face.”

Ling Yue said helplessly, “Auntie, Madam Su isn’t what you think. Who in this world refuses a bargain? If someone doesn’t take advantage, either they want something — or they truly care about you. And… I think Madam Su was actually giving me guidance. I’m just having trouble accepting it.”

“Fine, fine — you’re all defending her. I’m the one who talked too much,” Madam Qian muttered.

“Oh come on, sister-in-law, don’t take it to heart. Let me tell you…” Madam Jiang coaxed her along.

Before long, she managed to smooth things over.

But Ling Yue still felt unsettled.

Madam Su’s words today had shaken her entire worldview.

“If merchants are never without cunning,” she thought, “doesn’t that mean being a merchant is basically being a bad person?”