Chapter 23 - Chapter 23: Chapter 23: How Can This Be (2/2)
“Brother, why are you being like this? If you keep this up, I really won’t pay you any mind.”
Su Hengxuan shrugged nonchalantly, “You say that every time, no novelty at all.
“Alright, both of you are grown-ups now yet still bickering. Don’t you worry about being laughed at?” Despite her words, Mrs. An’s face showed a hint of amusement, watching her children quibble in a way that eased her heart.
“By the way, Hengxuan, didn’t you say you’d be home by this morning at the latest? It’s almost noon. Did something happen on the way?” Mrs. An inquired about her son’s delayed return.
When the conversation turned to serious matters, Su Hengxuan turned solemn, “There was a minor incident. A servant dared to betray their masters and deceive both superiors and subordinates, causing some trouble. It took me some time to deal with the people and the situation before returning.”
“That’s good to hear,” Mrs. An was well aware of her son’s capabilities. Such minor matters were within his ability to handle, so she did not inquire further.
But to the side, Su Wenyue, upon hearing the words ‘a servant who betrayed their masters,’ suddenly remembered something. Yet considering her mother’s and brother’s attitudes towards Han Yu, she hesitated to speak up. Initially, she had intended to keep quiet about the trouble Mrs. Liu and Mrs. Wang had caused her. However, the safety of the Su Family was more critical, and keeping such a treacherous servant would undoubtedly be a disaster.
“Mother, Second Brother, there’s something I need to tell you. It has nothing to do with Han Yu, so please don’t blame him. After all, in a large family, there will always be one or two rotten apples,” Su Wenyue prefaced to absolve Han Yu before discussing the matter, hoping her mother would not misunderstand as before.
When Su Hengxuan heard his younger sister address him as Second Brother, he knew she was serious and stopped the teasing, waiting silently for her to reveal the issue. As to whether he would blame Han Yu, that would depend on what had transpired.
Mrs. An grew impatient, knowing her daughter wouldn’t speak of trivial matters, “What’s the matter? Get to the point.”
Su Wenyue didn’t rush to explain but instead took a white silk handkerchief from her sleeve and offered it, “Mother, do you recognize this handkerchief?”
Mrs. An examined it and replied, “Of course, I recognize it. Could I not recognize my own daughter’s handiwork? Isn’t this the handkerchief you embroidered? But what does this have to do with anything?”
Su Wenyue nodded and then recounted the Tea ceremony incident, altering some details to downplay her own role. Mrs. An, skilled in managing backyard affairs, immediately understood the implications. As the story unfolded, her expression grew darker, and Su Hengxuan felt a similar anger, clenching his fists at the thought of his sister being bullied.
Mrs. An never hid the affairs of the backyard from her sons; sometimes, she would even deliberately expose them to ensure her sons were aware of the scheming that could occur there, preventing them from being outwitted by others. So Su Hengxuan also understood the situation completely.
“Outrageous! Those despicable women, daring to treat my sister like this.. Do they think the Su Family is to be trifled with!”