Chapter 380: 387: Slapping Faces

“Presumptuous! The status of my mistress is not for an outsider like you to question!” Qi Luo scolded the woman for her impudence.

“What outsider? My connection with Big Brother Han has a depth no one else can match. It’s also out of concern for him that I speak. Big Brother Han is such a talent; he’s not someone just any ordinary person can aspire to. It’s best if indecent women don’t try to get involved—otherwise, it’s going to be embarrassing to get thrown out later.”

Chen Li’s sarcasm was fueled by jealousy in her heart. Deep down, she believed Han Yu shouldn’t be involved with other women, even if that woman was his wife. How could a merchant’s daughter be worthy of such a fine man—even though her own status was beneath that of Su Wenyue? Chen Li was suspicious, seeing Su Wenyue blocked outside. If Su Wenyue really were Han Yu’s wife, why would the soldiers prevent her from entering? Chen Li surmised the woman was likely pretending, trying to sneak in under false pretenses.

Chen Li’s brazen words filled with insinuation annoyed Qi Luo, who, pointing at Chen Li, retorted: “What did you say! You’re too arrogant. I’ve never seen a woman so shamelessly insinuate herself with a married man. You’re utterly devoid of decency. I think that remark would be better directed at you! Our master only has his wife in his heart, and definitely not some wild woman!”

“Acting so convincing, huh? If you truly were Big Brother Han’s wife, you wouldn’t be stopped at the gate, unable to get in.”

The soldiers nearby, sweating at Chen Li’s words, largely believed that the woman before them was their mistress, but they had to err on the side of caution, leading to this situation. They prayed the mistress would be forgiving, as they were just following their duties. Their glances towards Chen Li, who had started the dispute, were not friendly.

Su Wenyue, unaware of these events upon her return, was clear to them. They knew this woman, who dressed as a man, was the incessant bother of their master, a man who wouldn’t spare a glance at such a shameless, ungraceful woman. Only due to certain reasons hadn’t he sent her away. The woman had taken advantage of the master’s injury and unconscious state during those days, pretending to care for him while shamelessly visiting.

With indignation in her heart, and not wishing for the mistress to misunderstand her master, Qi Luo wanted to set things straight with Chen Li but stopped, dissuaded by Su Wenyue’s look. She stood aside, her glare cutting Chen Li down.

“It’s none of your concern, girl. It will soon be clear for all to see,” Su Wenyue coldly stated, refusing to lower herself to argue with this outrageous stranger. She had often masqueraded as a boy for fun but was always extremely cautious, unlike this brazen woman with her blatant comings and goings at someone’s estate, which displayed a clear lack of proper upbringing.

“Look at this—what’s all this commotion at the gate? Some people really have no shame, a sheltered daughter running to another man’s house, touting for attention? Tsk, tsk, such a desperate need for men.”

Little did Chi Feifei know what day it brought everyone together when she descended from her sedan chair and saw Chen Li standing at the entrance. Chi Feifei had often clashed with Chen Li and without a second thought, she mocked her. Because Su Wenyue and her servant were facing away, Chi Feifei initially overlooked them.

Chen Li, furious, pointed at Chi Feifei: “You, who can’t even claim to be a concubine, dare to show off in front of me? Didn’t you hear Big Brother Han? He told you to stay put in your own place. Han Mansion is not somewhere you belong.”

After her declaration, Chen Li addressed the guards: “From now on, don’t let this woman enter if she comes. You’ll be unable to bear the consequences if Big Brother Han blames you!”

The soldiers resented Chen Li using them like pawns. Yet as mere guards, they dared not offend anyone and thus neither agreed nor retorted, instead subconsciously turning towards Su Wenyue. If indeed she was their mistress, in the future they ought to heed her, not commands from a woman of uncertain status. They didn’t like this feeling.

Chi Feifei, aggravated—she knew Chen Li had greater influence with Han Yu, hence her free access to Han Mansion and her orders to the soldiers. Chi Feifei believed the guards’ silence was tantamount to compliance with Chen Li’s commands.

While Chi Feifei felt helpless against Chen Li, her internal frustration had nowhere to vent. That’s when she shifted her attention to the two women beside her, poised to rebuke them, only to be shocked into silence when she saw Su Wenyue’s face and knelt with a thud. Su Wenyue’s formidable presence had left a deep impression the last time; with such a formidable mistress, she dared not provoke her again.

“Your servant pays respects to the Madam. May you be well,” Chi Feifei said, bowing to Su Wenyue, fearful of arousing her ire once more.

Chi Feifei wasn’t foolish. Despite being sent away by the master last time, she’d noticed something these past days: the master’s apparent indifference to his wife was a facade. The incident that day seemed staged. Unbeknownst to others, was she unaware of the master’s attitude towards her? He cared not for her, otherwise, he wouldn’t have allowed his wife to treat her so publicly or forsake his wife because of her. No, she wouldn’t be foolish enough to explain. As a vulnerable woman without support, her notorious reputation, however unpleasant, made others wary of crossing Han Yu, thus treating her with a semblance of respect, which she welcomed.

Seeing Chi Feifei act so deferentially revealed to Chen Li that the woman she faced was indeed Han Yu’s wife. Her previous comments were a slap to her own face.

“Get up,” said Su Wenyue, not wishing to be too hard on Chi Feifei. She nodded, finding Chi Feifei more agreeable than Chen Li.

Chi Feifei, standing respectfully to the side, took secret pleasure in Chen Li’s chagrined expression.

In the mansion, the housekeeper, receiving the news from the soldiers, was startled into action: “What—the mistress has returned? I’ll go welcome her immediately.”

The mansion still employed veteran servants from Su Wenyue’s era. The housekeeper, having stayed behind to cloak his movements, had settled back into the mansion after two days at Zhuangzi. Hearing of Su Wenyue’s return, he showed delight and promptly led people to greet her at the gate.

“Your servant pays respects to the Madam. May you be well.”

Seeing the housekeeper, Su Wenyue finally showed a trace of warmth: “I appreciate your efforts in my absence. You have worked hard, housekeeper.”