Chapter 380 - Chapter 380: Chapter 387: Slapping Faces (2/2)
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.”