Chapter 338: 346: Caught between a rock and a hard place

Su Wenyue noticed that Yin Lihua’s gaze fell on her two cousins, and she felt something was off, particularly observing Su Lanfang’s reaction. In her past life, Su Lanfang had to eke out a living under Yin Lihua’s thumb. Although she managed to raise her son, any semblance of peace she had was obtained through subservience and humility. Now, she saw her young cousin, despite her tender age, measuring up the Miss of the Yin Family with ease and poise befitting the daughter of a Marquis Mansion. While her appearance may have been lacking, she was in no other respect inferior, and Su Wenyue felt her cousin’s heart was broader still.

“Cousin, what are you thinking about?” Lan Fang asked when she noticed Su Wenyue looking somewhat distracted.

“Nothing, I just think Miss Yin is quite pretty, but she seems cunning, difficult to deal with. Be careful when you interact with her,” Su Wenyue replied.

“You’re worrying too much, Cousin. Miss Yin and we don’t really cross paths. We may only meet her at banquets, and even then, we hardly interact,” Su Lanxin said after hearing Su Wenyue’s words, and Su Lanfang felt the same. Su Wenyue was at a loss for words, as only she knew of the events of her previous life, and they naturally didn’t have much interaction at this time.

“That’s true, but one can never be too certain of what the future holds. By the way, when do you girls have time to come over to my place? We live so close now, and even if you wanted to stay for a while, it would be fine. If it’s inconvenient, I can speak with Aunt myself; she wouldn’t mind.” Some things were hard to say, so Su Wenyue quickly changed the subject.

Su Wenyue did not perceive any difference in Liu Yuan, but Deng Chen went out of his way to find Han Yu in the study room.

“Xiu Qi, I’ve run into trouble and need your help to get through it,” Deng Chen had thought it over and felt that Han Yu was the most reliable. His concern was out of the ordinary, as it could implicate the entire Deng Family. Other than considering whether others would dare to get involved, their capabilities were also in question, and only Han Yu seemed most suitable. Even Shangguan Wuyou, with whom he was on very good terms, was not considered by Deng Chen, since the interests of the Deng Family and the Shangguan Family were different.

“We don’t need to exchange such formalities. Just tell me what you need help with, Brother Deng,” Han Yu replied, having already guessed what it was. In the domain of Yiyang Prefecture, Deng Chen needed his help and likely for that very same issue.

“I won’t beat around the bush with you, my brother. My Cousin has been pursued and attacked by people from Prime Minister Wang, and is now seriously injured. He needs to find a place to recuperate as soon as possible. However, everyone knows about my family’s marital ties with the Liu Family. I’m afraid that someone has already been watching every move of our Deng Family, which is why I’ve come to seek your help, Xiu Qi. You’re the one I trust most.”

As Han Yu heard this, it was indeed as he had expected. Apart from the matter concerning Liu Xiu, Deng Chen’s influence in Yiyang Prefecture did not require seeking his help unless he wanted to avoid alarming the Deng Family members or the Deng Family was also under surveillance.

“Are you asking me to take care of your cousin’s matter?” This was not a difficult task for Han Yu; eventually, the matter had come round to him anyway.

“You must be aware of the risks and stakes involved, little brother. I’m truly at my wit’s end. Many are watching me on account of the relationship between the Deng Family and the Liu Family. If I make a move, I’ll immediately be detected, which is why I’ve had to turn to you for help. You are the one I trust the most” Deng Chen said, and upon seeing Han Yu unchanged, calm demeanor, without any signs of surprise or tension, he felt more assured that he had entrusted the matter to the right person.

“Brother Deng, don’t mention it. Apart from the many favors you’ve done for me, our friendship alone is enough. You don’t need to speak such formal words. Your affair is my affair. Leave it to me.”

“I’m grateful for that,” said Deng Chen, who truly admired Han Yu now. Such courage and composure, when even the two of them were filled with apprehension over the issue, he found Han Yu taking it lightly, making Deng Chen feel that he still had much to learn. This was truly the demeanor of someone who handled big affairs.

Since the matter was urgent, after attending the banquet and seeing Su Wenyue home, Han Yu left in a hurry. Su Wenyue, too, became busy; with the New Year’s banquet approaching, which her family could not avoid hosting, they invited familiar faces and friends Han Yu had made during this period, to be held on December 28th of the lunar calendar with just one day left for preparations. This was their family’s first formal banquet in the prefecture’s city, and for whatever reason, Su Wenyue had to ensure it was meticulously arranged with no room for error, or else it would certainly become the subject of ridicule.

One’s social standing is such that a mistake in the mansion of ordinary people might not be a big deal, for no one can manage a household without the occasional mishap. But Su Wenyue’s family hailed from the countryside, and Han Yu had been rapidly promoted, leading many to believe he had achieved his rank through flattery and opportunism, attracting disdain. Should there be the slightest oversight, there would be people ready to criticize and demean Han Yu—an outcome Su Wenyue could not allow.

For this banquet, some of the significant dishes had been prepared by Su Wenyue more than a week in advance. A single good dish is not only about the quality of the ingredients on all fronts; a plot of Vegetables was specially grown in the Zhuangzi for this very occasion.

“Daughter-in-law, you’ve worked hard,” said Han Yu when he returned and saw that his wife was still busy. He felt a bit heartbroken, but this banquet was indeed important, and he could only be at ease with her personally taking charge of the preparations.

Su Wenyue smiled, “It’s my duty. The preparations are almost complete. Don’t worry; everything is well arranged, and I won’t let you down.”

Though Su Wenyue lacked experience in arranging banquets, with Aunt Li and Grandma Chen by her side, nothing would go wrong with the formalities. As for the food at the banquet, Su Wenyue dared to say that their feast would undoubtedly be the best in the city. She prepared several varieties of fresh Vegetables and fruits, precious in winter, along with delicacies from foreign domains that some had never tasted before. Their cook’s Craftsmanship was honed under her guidance, unmistakably top-notch. With her help in preparation, even if the dishes didn’t match her unique flavors, they’d surely possess seven or eight parts of its essence.

The current source of Su Wenyue’s worry was another matter, involving how to arrange for her husband’s family to attend the banquet. It was a difficult problem, whether to include them or not.

To exclude them would seem disrespectful, as those in the know were aware that they had brought their relatives to the Mansion for New Year. On the other hand, letting them attend would also be inappropriate. It wasn’t that she looked down upon her Father-in-Law and Mother-in-Law, but they were not accustomed to such grand affairs and were sure to be overwhelmed, which might only invite ridicule. This was the first banquet they were hosting, and she could not afford for it to go awry.