Rebirth of a Farming Wife

Chapter 612: Chapter Six Hundred and Eighteen

Chen Li didn’t deny that she was a vain woman; otherwise, she wouldn’t have put in so much effort to climb up the social ladder. Wasn’t it all to make others look up to her? Nowadays, she was no longer the scorned businesswoman of her past. She not only prepared military supplies for Liu Xiu but also offered him counsel in many major affairs, earning considerable merits. Those who once looked down on her now saw her with new respect. Even in Liu Xiu’s presence, Yin Lihua had to yield to her by three points—what of being the first wife?

Chen Li felt smug inside. Whether in ancient times or in the modern era, one could only rely on oneself. What one fought for was the only reliable thing. Wasn’t there a saying, “When you lean on a mountain it may collapse; when you lean on a tree it may fall”? Clearly, there was truth to it.

Even Su Wenyue, as Han Yu’s wife, naturally held a respected status. Everyone had to regard her highly, but what of it? All this honor and respect came from Han Yu. Should the day come when Han Yu no longer favored her, she feared her days would not be so easy.

Chen Li had once truly envied Su Wenyue’s life, with a man so devoted and in love with her. Now, it seemed not entirely so. Recalling everything she had seen and heard these past days, Chen Li looked at Su Wenyue with a hint of sympathy. This foolish woman, confined to the backyard, focused solely on her husband and child, managing everything at home, was probably still unaware that her own man was involved in an intimate affair with another woman.

When Chen Li first heard this news, she felt a touch of schadenfreude. Who didn’t harbor their own little schemes? But remembering that Su Wenyue had treated her well and shown her favor, Chen Li suppressed these petty thoughts, sending someone to spy on Han Yu’s side to find out more precise information.

After all, what she heard were just rumors. She herself had once been a victim of such gossip, nearly ruined by unfounded rumors. Who knew if this was deliberately spread by someone with an agenda, a classic case of perpetuating a lie? Chen Li had witnessed how Han Yu treated Su Wenyue and somewhat disbelieved that Han Yu would really betray his wife. Not to mention Su Wenyue’s beauty and her kind and gentle nature, Han Yu’s achievements today were inseparable from the Su family’s support.

The information she received, however, disappointed Chen Li. She had thought this man in ancient times was uniquely good, but it turned out he was a scumbag who tired of the old and was fond of the new, and what’s worse, his object of flirtation was Zhou Yao, who had once been expelled from Han Mansion by Su Wenyue.

“As expected, men are no good!” Chen Li said indignantly upon receiving the news, instructing the servants to continue monitoring Han Yu.

The servant, however, had a panicked look and knelt down with a thud, “This servant dares not; having been noticed by General Han for investigating his affairs, he warned that should this servant dare to do such a thing again, he will have this servant’s head.”

Chen Li snorted coldly, “He sure puts on quite a show of force, using his power against a mere servant. If he really had any ability, he wouldn’t be doing such reprehensible deeds.”

The servant naturally didn’t dare to argue with Chen Li, but inwardly disagreed with her words. General Han had simply taken a liking to a woman—what reprehensible deeds were those? If the servant were to swap places with him, with such status and social status, he would surely keep several women in the backyard. He had heard Madam Han was quite jealous, and yet there was more the servant hadn’t finished saying.

“General Han also said…”

“What did he say?”

“General Han also said to Miss Chen to keep your hands and feet to yourself and not to overextend your reach, otherwise don’t blame him for being merciless. Miss Chen ought to be well aware of his methods!” The servant said this while deliberately imitating a bit of Han Yu’s tone, which infuriated Chen Li. Recalling Han Yu’s methods in the past, and that time when she narrowly escaped death, she shuddered and waved the servant off.

Chen Li was no longer the naïve young girl she once was. The threat in Han Yu’s words was so clear, she naturally understood that Han Yu didn’t want her to reveal the news to Su Wenyue.

“Not a man at all, having the nerve to act but not the nerve to own up. If you want to play around with other women, why be afraid of letting your wife know!”

Chen Li curled her lips in disdain for Han Yu but really didn’t dare to act rashly. After all, she still feared Han Yu’s methods, even though she now had a lot of face in front of Liu Xiu, she knew she couldn’t compare to Han Yu.

Threatened by Han Yu, Chen Li could only endure and dared not send people to tail him anymore. Although it seemed somewhat unfair to Su Wenyue to keep her in the dark, Chen Li hadn’t expected Han Yu to become even more outrageous. Before, he had kept his dalliance with the vixen behind closed doors, but now it had become public. Sometimes he even brought that arrogant woman, Zhou Yao, to public events, even to important places like the military camp, where Han Yu shamelessly let her in, in disregard of principles.

Chen Li really became unsettled this time, firstly because she really couldn’t stand that arrogant Zhou Yao—a woman who came from the City Lord Mansion, all alike in their unpleasantness. If this trend continued, Su Wenyue’s position would undoubtedly be at risk sooner or later.

Chen Li had managed to hold back before, thinking that even if Han Yu engaged in an affair with another woman, he would be discreet. Such was the flawed nature of men; even if she told Su Wenyue, it would only hurt her. In this accursed age, it was normal for a man to have multiple wives and concubines. It wasn’t as if she could clamor for a divorce. It might be better not to know, though fear of Han Yu was part of the reason.

But now, with things having developed to this point, if she didn’t inform Su Wenyue to allow her to be prepared, she might fall victim to Zhou Yao’s schemes without even knowing. Being forewarned was to be forearmed. Zhou Yao was no ordinary woman but a Miss Cousin of the City Lord Mansion with a social status not inferior to, and even higher than, Su Wenyue’s—capable of challenging her for the position of General’s Wife.

From any perspective, Chen Li absolutely did not want to see Zhou Yao claim the position of the General’s Wife. Thinking this, Chen Li could no longer hold back. She hurriedly finished up her tasks and headed for Han Mansion.

Seeing Su Wenyue’s genuine welcome and the innocent, lively smiles on the children’s faces, Chen Li felt even more that Han Yu was a scumbag. Compared to how he once appeared devoted, giving a woman promises only to betray her, it was better to deal with someone like Liu Xiu, who had no expectations and hence, no disappointments.

“How have you and the children been these days?” Chen Li asked absentmindedly, somewhat reluctant to let Su Wenyue know the cruel reality.

“I’m doing well, and the children are too. Thank you for your concern, Miss Chen.” Su Wenyue answered with a smile, though she noticed that Chen Li seemed a bit off.

“Has General Han been treating you well lately?” Chen Li continued.

“Quite well. It’s just that my husband has been very busy lately, always leaving early and returning late,” Su Wenyue responded, her face unchanged, but inside she felt uneasy. The previous question seemed normal but this one felt amiss, as if laden with deeper meaning, prompting her to remember the rouge stains she found on Han Yu’s clothes some days before and an uneasy premonition welled up inside her.