Chapter 527: 534: Taking You Away

Han Yu had been nothing but gentle with her during this time, his patience was undeniable, and the indulgent and doting look in his eyes made Su Wenyue feel it was a bit too much. Yet, it was exactly this overly patient demeanor that left her ire extinguished; no matter how much of a fuss Su Wenyue kicked up, he simply coaxed and indulged her until she ran out of steam and inevitably complied with his wishes, deflating her anger until she obediently followed along.

Seeing Su Wenyue lose all her vitality at the sight of him, wilting away, Han Yu knew right away what was on the girl’s mind. These past few days, he felt like he was raising a child, habitually patting Su Wenyue on the head: “Daughter-in-law, what’s wrong? You look so unhappy. Has someone bullied you?”

Su Wenyue internally rolled her eyes, too lazy to even speak up. It was obvious, Han Yu was knowingly asking despite being aware.

Watching his daughter-in-law turn her back on him, seemingly sulking, Han Yu effortlessly wrapped his arms around her and drew her into his embrace: “Daughter-in-law, what’s gotten into you? If you’re angry, don’t keep it bottled up inside, or it’ll harm your health. I’m here for you, husband. Feel free to vent at me all you want; I promise to take any beating or scolding without fighting back!”

Han Yu teased his daughter-in-law, placed a kiss on her pouting lips, and pinched her now slightly less chubby, tender cheeks. He thought he needed to feed her more to plump her up; she had become too thin, and the tactile pleasure was not as good as before.

“Husband, I’m going stir-crazy being cooped up in the room all day. Please let me go out for a walk—if not outside, at least let me wander in the courtyard. I’m getting so restless, husband!” Su Wenyue tugged at Han Yu’s arm, pleading coquettishly. She knew if she didn’t speak her mind directly, Han Yu would beat around the bush endlessly, and Su Wenyue wasn’t the patient type. She recalled how in her previous life, she spent years in the Sikong Mansion’s backyard, and being confined to a room was something anyone would find unbearable.

“Daughter-in-law, be good. You’re not well, and there are drafts outside, not to mention the damp weather. Don’t go out and catch a chill.” Han Yu had repeated this countless times.

As soon as Han Yu spoke, Su Wenyue showed an ‘as expected’ expression: “You always say this, but my health has improved a lot recently. Even Divine Doctor Mu didn’t say I absolutely couldn’t leave the room—he just warned against catching cold. I can wear more clothes, but if I keep being smothered in here, I’ll end up getting sick from the stuffiness.”

Han Yu, seeing his daughter-in-law so determined and not planning to back down, thought that perhaps it was indeed unfair to keep her confined for so long. If she really got worse because of this, it wouldn’t be good. So, he finally relented: “Alright, you have a point there. But you are not to go out today. Tomorrow, after Divine Doctor Mu has examined you, if he gives permission, I’ll take you out. Now, rest obediently and no more fussing!”

Although Han Yu didn’t agree to let her go out immediately, this response was already a concession. Su Wenyue knew this was Han Yu’s limit and refrained from pushing further or pestering him, hastily nodding her head in agreement, her face lit with a mix of happiness and excitement: “Okay, I’ll rest obediently, but you have to keep your word, or I will turn on you.”

“Alright, I promise to keep my word, but before you rest, you must eat all the food I had the kitchen prepare…”

After Divine Doctor Mu had examined Su Wenyue and confirmed her condition was fairly good, allowing her to take some walks, Han Yu, although worried, stayed true to his word. Su Wenyue finally felt liberated. Although she still faced some restrictions from Han Yu, it was much better than being perpetually stuck in the room.

Nevertheless, it was only after leaving the room and stepping outside that Su Wenyue realized something was amiss, especially after that day she encountered Sikong Ling. Suddenly, she recalled Peach Blossom Valley, a place that had seemed familiar because she had heard of it in her previous life from Sikong Ling.

“Husband, what’s going on? Why is Sikong Ling here too?” Su Wenyue was immediately filled with questions, utterly confused by the situation.

“Peach Blossom Valley is a fallback for the Sikong family, and Sikong Ling is the master of this valley. Sikong Ling’s subordinates rescued you, and later, when your illness worsened and you couldn’t leave, Sikong Ling sent for me. We’re staying here for now, until your health is completely stable, then we can leave,” explained Han Yu.

The situation seemed straightforward, but Su Wenyue sensed something was off: “Is that really it? Why do I feel like there’s something strange about this? You’re not hiding anything from me, are you?”

“You don’t need to worry about these matters. Just focus on recuperating peacefully. Leave the rest to me.”

With Han Yu’s response, Su Wenyue was even more certain there was an issue. After pestering Han Yu for half a day, she finally got a clearer picture of the actual situation and learned that Sikong Ling still hadn’t given up on her and was still scheming to have her for himself. Su Wenyue’s expression soured considerably.

“Sikong Ling is a shameless wretch. Doesn’t he know I’m already a married woman? Yet he still harbors such filthy thoughts, treating me like what? I, Su Wenyue, would rather die than follow him impurely. He can keep dreaming!”

Every time she mentioned this, Su Wenyue remembered the unbearable experiences from her previous life and became agitated, her words tinged with hatred. She also feared Han Yu might misinterpret something.

Seeing his daughter-in-law’s agitation, Han Yu quickly soothed her: “Don’t get angry, daughter-in-law. I won’t let that happen. Moreover, no matter what, Sikong Ling and Phantom did save you, and for that, I am grateful. I’ve made arrangements. Just bear with it a little longer, and I will take you away soon.”

Su Wenyue nodded, feeling somewhat guilty. She hadn’t known about their predicament and had been making a fuss: “Don’t worry, husband. I understand everything. Don’t be concerned about me.”

From the day Su Wenyue learned they were trapped in Peach Blossom Valley, she didn’t show any signs of suspicion to avoid impacting Han Yu’s clandestine plans. Yet, whenever she went out for air, she purposefully ventured towards the areas the servants forbade her from entering.

Some actions might raise suspicions if done by Han Yu, but not so with Su Wenyue. These days, her capricious behavior was nothing new, and Sikong Ling, witnessing her antics, simply attributed it to her being petulant. He never suspected her true intentions. Su Wenyue hoped that if she could familiarize herself with the layout of Peach Blossom Valley, it might aid Han Yu somehow.

As for the mechanisms and arrays within Peach Blossom Valley, Su Wenyue wasn’t very worried or intimidated. Firstly, she had some prior research experience; it was from an accidental discovery of a book on mechanisms and arrays in the Sikong family’s vast study room. Although she had only read it and wasn’t skilled enough to practice it, she had learned some basics, which was certainly more than what those ignorant of such matters could boast.