Chapter 338 - Chapter 338: Chapter 346: Caught between a rock and a hard place (2/2)

“You must be aware of the risks and stakes involved, little brother. I’m truly at my wit’s end. Many are watching me on account of the relationship between the Deng Family and the Liu Family. If I make a move, I’ll immediately be detected, which is why I’ve had to turn to you for help. You are the one I trust the most” Deng Chen said, and upon seeing Han Yu unchanged, calm demeanor, without any signs of surprise or tension, he felt more assured that he had entrusted the matter to the right person.

“Brother Deng, don’t mention it. Apart from the many favors you’ve done for me, our friendship alone is enough. You don’t need to speak such formal words. Your affair is my affair. Leave it to me.”

“I’m grateful for that,” said Deng Chen, who truly admired Han Yu now. Such courage and composure, when even the two of them were filled with apprehension over the issue, he found Han Yu taking it lightly, making Deng Chen feel that he still had much to learn. This was truly the demeanor of someone who handled big affairs.

Since the matter was urgent, after attending the banquet and seeing Su Wenyue home, Han Yu left in a hurry. Su Wenyue, too, became busy; with the New Year’s banquet approaching, which her family could not avoid hosting, they invited familiar faces and friends Han Yu had made during this period, to be held on December 28th of the lunar calendar with just one day left for preparations. This was their family’s first formal banquet in the prefecture’s city, and for whatever reason, Su Wenyue had to ensure it was meticulously arranged with no room for error, or else it would certainly become the subject of ridicule.

One’s social standing is such that a mistake in the mansion of ordinary people might not be a big deal, for no one can manage a household without the occasional mishap. But Su Wenyue’s family hailed from the countryside, and Han Yu had been rapidly promoted, leading many to believe he had achieved his rank through flattery and opportunism, attracting disdain. Should there be the slightest oversight, there would be people ready to criticize and demean Han Yu—an outcome Su Wenyue could not allow.

For this banquet, some of the significant dishes had been prepared by Su Wenyue more than a week in advance. A single good dish is not only about the quality of the ingredients on all fronts; a plot of Vegetables was specially grown in the Zhuangzi for this very occasion.

“Daughter-in-law, you’ve worked hard,” said Han Yu when he returned and saw that his wife was still busy. He felt a bit heartbroken, but this banquet was indeed important, and he could only be at ease with her personally taking charge of the preparations.

Su Wenyue smiled, “It’s my duty. The preparations are almost complete. Don’t worry; everything is well arranged, and I won’t let you down.”

Though Su Wenyue lacked experience in arranging banquets, with Aunt Li and Grandma Chen by her side, nothing would go wrong with the formalities. As for the food at the banquet, Su Wenyue dared to say that their feast would undoubtedly be the best in the city. She prepared several varieties of fresh Vegetables and fruits, precious in winter, along with delicacies from foreign domains that some had never tasted before. Their cook’s Craftsmanship was honed under her guidance, unmistakably top-notch. With her help in preparation, even if the dishes didn’t match her unique flavors, they’d surely possess seven or eight parts of its essence.

The current source of Su Wenyue’s worry was another matter, involving how to arrange for her husband’s family to attend the banquet. It was a difficult problem, whether to include them or not.

To exclude them would seem disrespectful, as those in the know were aware that they had brought their relatives to the Mansion for New Year. On the other hand, letting them attend would also be inappropriate. It wasn’t that she looked down upon her Father-in-Law and Mother-in-Law, but they were not accustomed to such grand affairs and were sure to be overwhelmed, which might only invite ridicule. This was the first banquet they were hosting, and she could not afford for it to go awry.