Chapter 442 - Chapter 442: Chapter 449: Not Surprising (1/2)

Chapter 442: Chapter 449: Not Surprising

Seeing Han Yu carry Chen Li away, Su Wenyue hastily sent someone to the study room to listen for any commotion. If things got too loud, they were to inform her, lest the situation truly got out of hand. Although Liu Xiu had an arranged marriage with Yin Lihua, his attitude towards Chen Li had, for some reason, become better than before. Even considering Liu Xiu’s reputation, they couldn’t treat Chen Li too harshly.

After this incident, although Su Wenyue found Chen Li to be quite bothersome, she didn’t really dislike her. Perhaps it was only after truly interacting with her that Su Wenyue realized Chen Li was somewhat clever, yet not too scheming of a woman. However, she was definitely someone who defied conventional norms, which, in other people’s judgments, wasn’t wrong about her.

Chen Li was the type to casually mention divorce, criticizing social decorum and even scorning the practice of regarding one’s husband as one’s heaven. In such a male-dominated society, perhaps only Chen Li would dare to do so. It was no wonder Han Yu found Chen Li so repellent and objected to her being close to him.

In Su Wenyue’s eyes, although Han Yu was a good man, devoted to her and caring for their children, his male chauvinism was something she couldn’t seem to change, no matter how much she tried to educate him. He had improved somewhat from before, but on certain issues, he was still domineering. Once he made up his mind, he wouldn’t allow her to object, and he’d sometimes make decisions without her consent. Su Wenyue had been quite irate about this and had even had a few tumultuous arguments with Han Yu, but such deeply ingrained behaviors were not so easily altered.

Han Yu was also somewhat selfish in his thoughts, wanting to keep his daughter-in-law in his protective sphere, to shield her from outside influences, and shape her into the woman he desired. Although this thought was thwarted by Su Wenyue’s firm resistance, it definitely illustrated his mindset. This was why Han Yu initially unhesitatingly opposed Su Wenyue’s idea to open a store, although he eventually gave in. Still, he harbored some resentment, so seeing a woman who defied norms trying to lead astray his already somewhat ‘unruly’ daughter-in-law was infuriating. Thus, his rough treatment of Chen Li was not surprising.

With his own daughter-in-law, Han Yu couldn’t bear to hit or scold her, not even utter a harsh word—treating her like a precious treasure to be held in his arms. So he had no other choice but to indulge her, but what was Chen Li? Merely a woman he had always disliked for her flirtatious nature; there was no need for politeness. If it were not for Chen Li’s actions at Liu Mansion that day, which counted as a favor to Han Yu, even if he wouldn’t send Chen Li to Yihong Courtyard as he previously stated, he would definitely have given her a severe lesson.

“Why has my husband not returned after so long? Haven’t they finished discussing the matter? Has the person I sent to gather information not come back yet? I hope they didn’t scare her,” Su Wenyue said, seeing that Han Yu was delayed in his return. Her heart remained somewhat uneasy; after all, Han Yu was always quick to anger around Chen Li. Initially, she had thought Han Yu knew where to draw the line and would just scare Chen Li, but he still hadn’t come back after such a long time.

“Madam, don’t worry, the Master certainly knows how to act appropriately. As for Chen Li, she really should be frightened properly. What kind of things does she say with her mouth? She’s defiant of norms herself, and yet she comes to instigate Madam. Is she trying to make Madam as notoriously scandalous as she is?” Shu Lan said bluntly, clearly very displeased with Chen Li.

“Nonsense, are those words for you to say? From now on, do not gossip behind people’s backs, or should I find out, I will not be lenient!” Su Wenyue rebuked sternly, frowning. Shu Lan had become increasingly inappropriate lately. She used to be a bit quirky but still followed the rules. Perhaps Su Wenyue had been too lenient with the servants, and since Grandma Chen was busy with tasks Su Wenyue had assigned her, without someone to restrain Shu Lan, she had grown even more insolent.

Shu Lan, having spoken too impulsively, regretted provoking Madam’s anger and knelt down quickly to apologize: “Madam, forgive me, I was wrong. I won’t dare to do it again!”