Chapter 246 - Chapter 246: Chapter 255: Plan Advancement (2/2)

“Cousin, that may not be advisable. After all, as women, we are expected to be demure and proper. Engaging in such outings could tarnish our reputations,” said Lan Xin, struggling to suppress her desire.

Su Wenyue saw right through Lan Xin’s facade and rolled her eyes in an unladylike way. “You silly girl! If we’re sneaking out, how could anyone find out? Our reputations won’t be damaged, and besides, I’ll accompany you. It’s not like my days of having to sneak out; if we’re just careful, it’ll be fine. Don’t talk to me about all those restrictions placed on women, meant for show. Those are just to put on a front—actually living by them would be exhausting.”

“But isn’t that how women are supposed to be?” Lan Fang asked, younger and having been brought up under such strict teachings—especially those of the Queen Mother—and she was skeptical of Su Wenyue’s arguments.

“You two are being foolish. What does ‘supposed to be’ even mean? Rules are made by people. The world is unfair to women, and if we can’t fight back, we should at least find ways to make ourselves happy. If we just passively follow all the rules, life would be so tiresome! Don’t talk to me about doctrine. I don’t believe for a second that’s what you actually think; you’re just obliged to comply. Now that you have this chance, why hold back?”

“You sort of make sense, cousin,” both sisters admitted, no longer needing to hide their emotions in Su Wenyue’s presence. Their expressions betrayed their eagerness to try.

“It’s not merely ‘making sense,’ this is the truth. Take advantage of your status as unwed girls without burdens and enjoy a good time while you can. When you’re married, you’ll have enough worries, and even if you get the chance to go out, you won’t have the same spirit or mood,” Su Wenyue advised out of experience.

With such enticement, the two young girls couldn’t resist making up their minds, pleading with Su Wenyue to take them out for some fun in the future.

Su Wenyue readily agreed; after spending time together, she grew to genuinely care for her affectionate cousins. Knowing how difficult life could be in a husband’s family, especially for Su Lanfang who would later enter the palace a lonely and oppressive place Su Wenyue sincerely wanted them to enjoy their days and at least have happy memories to look back on, rather than feeling their lives barren and tedious, as she had endured.

The plans to take her cousins out would have to wait for Han Yu’s return—that way, Su Wenyue would be in the right frame of mind, as she watched the relentless rain outside.

“This damned weather is just too cursed,” Liu Cong cursed as he took off his rain-soaked clothes and dried them by the fire.

Fortunately, Han Yu had prepared well, choosing a high-ground cave that remained dry, but such weather was inevitably depressing. Especially in the forest, garments easily became damp with rain, creating an uncomfortable coldness. Yet, in Han Yu’s eyes, the weather was an excellent opportunity. Far from disheartened, he decided to bring forward the planned operation.