Chapter 413: 420: What Consequence
Han Yu’s eyes narrowed dangerously as he gazed at the man standing in the study room. No matter when, even in broad daylight, the man was always dressed in black with a stern expression on his face that somehow always seemed provocative.
“Your Excellency, entering without invitation is rather presumptuous,” Han Yu said coldly. Having an outsider silently infiltrate his study room, acting as if it were unoccupied, and not for the first time, would leave anyone less than pleased.
“The master does not wish our meeting to be known to anyone,” the Man in black was somewhat more polite this time, partly because Han Yu’s status had risen—he was no longer the insignificant figure who could be easily manipulated. Moreover, the master intended to cooperate with Han Yu, and as his subordinate, it was unfitting to be too overbearing.
“Did Sikong Ling send you because there is a matter to discuss?” When Han Yu heard what the Man in black said, he refrained from further blame. Although he didn’t like the master and servant duo much, there were no eternal enemies in this world. Even though Sikong Ling had once coveted his Daughter-in-law, he had subsequently helped them several times and had shown no intention of stealing his beloved, especially during the last incident when it was actually the Husband and Wife who had tricked Sikong Ling.
Upon hearing Han Yu’s words, the Man in black produced a letter from his bosom: “This is written by the master himself, for me to personally deliver into your hands. After reading it, please destroy it immediately.”
Knowing that it must be something serious to warrant such formality from Sikong Ling, Han Yu carefully read the letter twice, then set it on fire, destroying it in front of the Man in black. His expression became more solemn as he looked at the man, contemplative and considering.
In just a quarter of an hour, the Man in black left as silently as he had arrived. No one knew what they had discussed, or even that they had met. Han Yu emerged from the study room in the middle of the night, followed by a series of commands and instructions.
When he returned to his room, Su Wenyue was already fast asleep. After frolicking with their three children in the evening, she had coaxed the energetic children to sleep and, exhausted, had immediately fallen into a deep slumber herself. Now she slept soundly, probably feeling hot as she had unknowingly kicked off the blanket, revealing more than half of her body. Against the backdrop of the crimson and silver bedding, her skin seemed even more translucent, and the contours beneath her nightclothes were enthrallingly beautiful.
Looking at this seductive scene, Han Yu swallowed hard, feeling his blood heat up, but seeing his Daughter-in-law so tired, he didn’t have the heart to wake her and instead gently gathered her into his arms.
Su Wenyue, suddenly enveloped by Han Yu’s embrace and finding her limbs restrained, struggled subconsciously for a moment. Realizing it was futile and murmuring disapprovingly, she soon fell back into deep sleep.
“You really are a little thing I can’t let out of my sight, not knowing how to take care of yourself at all,” Han Yu murmured affectionately as he kissed Su Wenyue’s forehead and caressed his Daughter-in-law’s body. The night was still somewhat cold, and her skin felt chilled to the touch. It was all too easy for her to catch a cold sleeping this way, so how could he feel at ease leaving her alone? Yet if she stayed by his side, the danger was certain. Han Yu gazed silently at his Daughter-in-law’s face, his heart wavering continuously.
When Su Wenyue woke up in the morning, to her surprise, she found that Han Yu hadn’t left but was lying beside her, looking at her with tender eyes, relaxed and comfortable.
These Days, there had been too much going on outside, and Han Yu had been very busy, typically leaving early in the morning and not returning until late. It was unusual for him to have such leisure, and Su Wenyue turned over, lazily nestling into Han Yu’s embrace.
“Husband, don’t you have tasks to attend to today?” Su Wenyue’s voice was somewhat hoarse from just waking up.
“It’s no trouble, everything has been arranged. After being busy for so long without a moment to spare, today I’ve decided to take a day off to spend with you and the Child,” Han Yu had thought about it a lot yesterday. Although he couldn’t bear to be separated from his Daughter-in-law and was worried about her safety, he still wanted to send his Daughter-in-law and Child to a safe place, so he had specially made time today.
Although Han Yu used his usual tone, Su Wenyue could hear something different in it, as his behavior today was too out of character. Han Yu was a man with a strong sense of purpose, yet now, he had taken a whole day off to spend with her and the Child—something seemed off.
“Husband, has something happened? You mustn’t hide anything from me. If you do, don’t expect me to forgive you this time!” Su Wenyue, haunted by the shadows of the last incident, although that event had been unforeseen and out of desperation, she had decided to forgive Han Yu. But she never wanted to go through that again, hence her firm and decisive tone.
Han Yu was surprised by his Daughter-in-law’s acumen, but upon reflection, he felt guilty and pained. The previous incident had terrified his Daughter-in-law. Had she been any other woman, she wouldn’t have trusted him as much, nor would she have cooperated so tacitly, let alone been so strong to shoulder the burden alone and raise the Child so well. She, who usually acted spoiled and willful, had shown more responsibility than anyone at that time.
“Daughter-in-law,” Han Yu called out softly, his voice laden with helplessness and guilt, corroborating Su Wenyue’s words.
Su Wenyue’s expression grew serious, her large eyes staring directly at Han Yu as if trying to peer into his heart. “Husband, I’m serious. I, Su Wenyue, am not a weak person. If there is any problem, just tell me, and we will face it together. But you mustn’t make decisions without telling me. Otherwise, I will never forgive you. I’m not joking with you. Although the last situation wasn’t entirely your fault, and you had your reasons, I won’t endure something like that again. I’d rather live alone with the Child than spend my Days in fear and worry.”
Stunned by the earnestness and pain in Su Wenyue’s voice, Han Yu realized how deeply he had hurt his Daughter-in-law. He had thought she understood him since her reaction had seemed to show it. If she hadn’t spoken up this time, he wouldn’t have known that she harbored such resolute thoughts. If he made another unilateral decision, Han Yu didn’t dare to imagine the consequences.
“Daughter-in-law, I’m sorry!” Seeing his Daughter-in-law in pain, Han Yu felt even more heartache and held her tightly in his arms.
Having kept her feelings hidden for so long and with so much time having passed since the ordeal, even during the most difficult and uncertain times, Su Wenyue had remained resolute. Now, however, she broke down, crying bitterly in Han Yu’s embrace.