Chapter 23 - 23: How Can This Be

Translator: 549690339

“Mother, I understand that having children is a matter of fate. Both

Grandfather and Father are insightful men, and they are accurate in judging people. Since they both think highly of Han Yu, I trust their judgment. If Han Yu truly is reliable, he will not easily fail me, regardless of whether we have children or not. If he turns out to be fickle, I still have my mother’s family to rely on. In that case, Father and Mother will have to support me. After all, it was Daddy’s poor judgment that got us here, hehe.”

Su Wenyue playfully stuck to her guns, but she agreed with her mother’s words in her heart. A woman ultimately needs a child by her side. Considering that she became pregnant six months after marriage in her previous life, she believed this life would be the same, so she wasn’t in a hurry.

“You! I’m being serious here. Men are unreliable. In their eyes, their careers and heirs are always the most important. Even if Mr. Han really is a decent man, he would still value having heirs,” said Mrs. An, seeing that her daughter was still indifferent. But she didn’t insist further. Since her daughter had only just married, it was somewhat early to talk about this matter. Heirs were sometimes a matter of destiny. When the time comes, a child will come naturally.

“Mother, Younger Sister has returned. Let me take a look at her. Has she changed after being married for a few days, or is she still the same annoying little girl?” Su Hengxuan hadn’t yet entered, but his voice carried in, filled with joy.

Su Wenyue’s face brightened too, looking eagerly at the doorway, but she retorted, “Mother, look at Elder Brother, calling me an annoying little girl right in front of you. He’s the one who’s annoying, not caring at all about his younger sister.”

“Oh, the third child, I’ve finally caught you bad-mouthing me in front of Mother. Since I am such an uncaring elder brother, I guess a certain someone doesn’t want the box of gifts I just brought back,” Su Hengxuan stepped in, greeting Mrs. An.

“Mother!…” Instead of asking Su Hengxuan for gifts, Su Wenyue clung to Mrs. An’s sleeve to petulantly plead her case.

How embarrassing, a daughter who’s married still acting coquettishly with her mother,” Su Hengxuan said, pinching Su Wenyue’s slightly puffing cheeks with delight. They were just as tender and smooth as always. Su Wenyue, her eyebrows knitted and eyes glaring, couldn’t stand it. Her brother had this odd habit, ever since they were young, to pinch her cheeks, and he hadn’t changed to this day.

“Hengxuan, really, you’re all grown up and still love to tease your younger sister. Mr. Han is outside, have you met him?” Mrs. An had already mostly accepted Han Yu in her heart, but she still referred to him as ‘Mr. Han the youngster,’ somewhat hesitant due to Han Yu’s background.

“I met him on my way home. I had a seat at Father’s place before coming here.”

“Mother, that man is your son-in-law. Why do you keep referring to him as ‘Mr. Han the youngster?’ So impersonal. While Han Yu’s family background isn’t great, he’s a decent person. Don’t look down on him like that. What’s true in one decade may change in the next. Han Yu is ambitious, and he will surely make something of himself. In the end, he will make your daughter proud.”

Although Su Wenyue spoke well of Han Yu, she genuinely believed he had the ability to match her praise and wanted her family to treat him better. After all, he had been protective of her, and she appreciated that.

Before Mrs. An could respond, the always spoiled Su Hengxuan couldn’t help but sound a bit snarky, “Indeed, a daughter invariably turns towards her husband’s household. She’s only been married a few days, and she’s already speaking in favor of another man. Since Han Yu married our precious gem, he should be prepared for us to examine him. Why are you defending him so? It’s not like we’re going to eat him up.”

“Brother, why are you being like this? If you keep this up, I really won’t pay you any mind.”

Su Hengxuan shrugged nonchalantly, “You say that every time, no novelty at all.

“Alright, both of you are grown-ups now yet still bickering. Don’t you worry about being laughed at?” Despite her words, Mrs. An’s face showed a hint of amusement, watching her children quibble in a way that eased her heart.

“By the way, Hengxuan, didn’t you say you’d be home by this morning at the latest? It’s almost noon. Did something happen on the way?” Mrs. An inquired about her son’s delayed return.

When the conversation turned to serious matters, Su Hengxuan turned solemn, “There was a minor incident. A servant dared to betray their masters and deceive both superiors and subordinates, causing some trouble. It took me some time to deal with the people and the situation before returning.”

“That’s good to hear,” Mrs. An was well aware of her son’s capabilities. Such minor matters were within his ability to handle, so she did not inquire further.

But to the side, Su Wenyue, upon hearing the words ‘a servant who betrayed their masters,’ suddenly remembered something. Yet considering her mother’s and brother’s attitudes towards Han Yu, she hesitated to speak up. Initially, she had intended to keep quiet about the trouble Mrs. Liu and Mrs. Wang had caused her. However, the safety of the Su Family was more critical, and keeping such a treacherous servant would undoubtedly be a disaster.

“Mother, Second Brother, there’s something I need to tell you. It has nothing to do with Han Yu, so please don’t blame him. After all, in a large family, there will always be one or two rotten apples,” Su Wenyue prefaced to absolve Han Yu before discussing the matter, hoping her mother would not misunderstand as before.

When Su Hengxuan heard his younger sister address him as Second Brother, he knew she was serious and stopped the teasing, waiting silently for her to reveal the issue. As to whether he would blame Han Yu, that would depend on what had transpired.

Mrs. An grew impatient, knowing her daughter wouldn’t speak of trivial matters, “What’s the matter? Get to the point.”

Su Wenyue didn’t rush to explain but instead took a white silk handkerchief from her sleeve and offered it, “Mother, do you recognize this handkerchief?”

Mrs. An examined it and replied, “Of course, I recognize it. Could I not recognize my own daughter’s handiwork? Isn’t this the handkerchief you embroidered? But what does this have to do with anything?”

Su Wenyue nodded and then recounted the Tea ceremony incident, altering some details to downplay her own role. Mrs. An, skilled in managing backyard affairs, immediately understood the implications. As the story unfolded, her expression grew darker, and Su Hengxuan felt a similar anger, clenching his fists at the thought of his sister being bullied.

Mrs. An never hid the affairs of the backyard from her sons; sometimes, she would even deliberately expose them to ensure her sons were aware of the scheming that could occur there, preventing them from being outwitted by others. So Su Hengxuan also understood the situation completely.

“Outrageous! Those despicable women, daring to treat my sister like this.. Do they think the Su Family is to be trifled with!”