Chapter 383 - Chapter 383: Chapter 390: Straddling Two Boats (2/2)
With deep concern, Han Yu instructed his wife, his loathing growing more evident, afraid that frequent contact with Chen Li would lead his well-trained obedient wife astray. Proximity to red makes you red, proximity to black makes you black—the things that woman rattled off were all rebellious and unorthodox. He didn’t want his cute and clever little wife to pick up that woman’s ways.
Su Wenyue, who had initially thought Han Yu had a soft spot for Chen Li given Noble Consort Li’s prestigious reputation, was surprised yet slightly pleased by his attitude. No woman truly enjoys watching her man get cozy with another.
“Chen Li seems like a capable person despite her arrogance. What exactly did she do to earn such scorn from you?” Su Wenyue was pleased by Han Yu’s reaction but also curious. After all, Han Yu was not the type to casually criticize, especially not when it came to issues between women.
Han Yu sighed at his wife’s curious gaze and explained the whole story of how he came to know Chen Li, stressing once again that Su Wenyue should keep her distance from this woman.
“So that’s how it is. But Chen Li is really bold, daring to ‘straddle two boats’.” After listening to Han Yu recount Chen Li’s actions, Su Wenyue was speechless, at a loss for words. Her jealousy subsided, replaced by a certain admiration for Chen Li, who dared to act so boldly. She also cast an odd glance at Han Yu, her own man, attractive and skillful, no wonder he had caught someone’s eye.
Of course, this admiration was quite different from another kind. Chen Li was truly a woman who dared to challenge conventional morality. However, in this world, such behavior usually didn’t end well. Even in her previous life, despite Noble Consort Li’s successful rise, after enjoying excessive glory, she still met with a tragic end, criticized and condemned by princes and ministers, resulting in her death.
Han Yu’s face darkened upon hearing Su Wenyue’s remarks, “What do you mean by ‘straddling two boats’? That delusional woman was just wishful thinking. Would I involve myself with such a woman? I only tolerate her for Brother Liu’s sake; it wouldn’t be right to start a feud over a woman. Also, I am your husband. Why do I sense some schadenfreude in your words?”
As Han Yu reached his last sentence, his tone rose slightly, his gaze at Su Wenyue both amused and mocking, causing her to tense up for no reason. Whenever Han Yu had that expression, Su Wenyue was in for it. Each time, she was left miserably dealt with by him. It had been over a year since they’d seen each other, yet she hadn’t grown any wiser. Perhaps Han Yu’s methods of handling her were too memorable.
“How could that be? I just find that woman, Chen Li’s actions, to be utterly inconceivable. Is she treating both you, Husband, and that gentleman as fools? Otherwise, why would she dare to play such a game, which is like playing with fire—careless, and you’ll burn yourself. Moreover, if that gentleman finds out, wouldn’t he become suspicious of you, Husband?”
Dead saints don’t make holy relics, Su Wenyue swiftly changed the subject, steering the conversation towards Chen Li. Even though her concern grew as she spoke, she knew all too well that Liu Xiu would eventually ascend the throne, and if Chen Li became the emperor’s consort in this life too, it would spell trouble for Han Yu. Emperors are unpredictable, and if Emperor Wu suspected anything because of this, it would be an unwarranted disaster. This damnable Chen Li, dragging others down with her selfishness—Su Wenyue would never allow Han Yu to fall into danger over such baseless matters.
Seeing his wife’s worried expression, Han Yu reassured her: “Wife, don’t worry. I don’t think Brother Liu truly fancies that woman. She’s just somewhat useful to him. Even if he found out, it wouldn’t ruin the friendship between us. Brother Liu is no fool; he certainly knows what’s in his best interest.”