Chapter 535: Was it commendable?

Meng Yunhan puffed her chest out and continued angrily, "What do you think you are doing? Your sister is doing this out of kindness. She knows that the magistrate came here for Han Ruochen. But it’s impolite to send him away without even offering him the smallest morsel of food."

Because of her stubbornness, the atmosphere turned awkward. Even Magistrate Zhang was upset. He had a bunch of things that he wanted to deal with, and yet this woman was stopping him again and again. What did she think he was?

Han Xuehan also could not withstand what was happening. She pursed her lips and said, "Mother, if you really care about Ruochen, then you need to understand that this is her day. There is no need for you to push Ziyan forward. After all, Ruochen almost lost her life while opening that channel! It’s only right for her to be in the limelight today. Why are you putting Ziyan in front?"

As soon as Meng Yunhan heard Han Xuehan’s words, she was so angry that she swelled like a bullfrog. "What do you know? Is this a matter of pushing someone to the front line? So what if she opened the channel? So what if it was risky? She is alright." She motioned her hand at Han Ruochen and continued, "Look at her; she is standing completely fine! So what is up with you—"

"That is enough!"

Everyone turned to look at the source of the sound.

Han Yichen had been staying quiet for some time, hoping that his wife would stay quiet, but no matter how long he stayed patient, the woman wouldn’t just shut her trap. It was both annoying and frustrating. No wonder his mother kept talking about how it was important for someone to marry a virtuous wife. Look at this: his good wife was causing such an embarrassing scene in front of the magistrate himself.

His Ruochen earned such a big honour for him, and all of it was ruined by this woman! She was really such a mess.

She was making a fool out of the entire family.

"Dad," Han Yong immediately supported his father, who was now trembling with anger. "Don’t get angry. The doctor said that you need to rest and keep your emotions under control."

Han Ruochen also turned to look at her father and hurried forward to help him. "Dad, there is no need to get angry. It’s fine; I don’t mind." Even if she minded, she was not a fool to say it out loud in front of the magistrate. Han Ziyan could play the role of a good girl, and she could do that too.

When he heard Han Ruochen’s voice, Han Yichen’s expression softened. He glanced at her and patted her on the head before turning to the magistrate. "Magistrate Zhang, please forgive us. It was quite discourteous of us. My daughter has done something meaningful for the country, and you have honoured her for her actions. This alone is good enough for us; there is no need for you to show us any more extra courtesy."

Magistrate Zhang heaved a sigh of relief when he saw that Han Yichen had spoken, for a second there he thought that this entire family was run by Meng Yunhan. Even Han Ruochen was silent!

"Mister Han, there is no need to apologise. Miss Han’s contribution is extraordinary." he smiled and took Han Yichen’s hands into his. "I mean, she has created a channel through the one path that no one had ever taken. This channel will provide tremendous benefits to our trade network. How can I even take such a thing to heart?"

"You are right; Ruochen has always been capable. Unfortunately, some people are determined to overlook this fact." Han Yichen nodded and agreed.

Meng Yunhan’s face turned stiff. "Old Han, what are you saying? I was just thinking about entertaining the magistrate and nothing else. He came to give Ruochen an award from the county; asking him to stay for a meal is not a big deal."

"Who do you think you are?" Han Yichen curled his lips mockingly. "Do you think you can entertain him? He has official duties to attend to, yet you insist on making him stay and eat noodles. Is he a distinguished official or your family guest?"

"It’s just a matter of eating some egg noodles! It’s such a little thing!" Meng Yunhan protested.

"Exactly, those are just egg noodles!" Han Yichen’s voice rose. "Our daughter has reopened a sea channel that was blocked by mines and bombs. She has created an opportunity for the country’s trade to expand and flourish. The magistrate came here because he recognised her achievement. Not to eat some egg noodles! If he wanted to eat noodles, then he could have bought them in a restaurant and eaten them. Why would he come all the way here?"

Meng Yunhan flushed red in embarrassment.

"I was not trying to undermine Ruochen in any way."

"Then why are you trying to turn this important occasion into a stage for Ziyan!?"

His words were like a sharp slap that was delivered right onto her face, causing her to turn pale with embarrassment.

Han Ziyan’s face changed, and she quickly stepped forward before pulling her mother back. "Dad, please don’t be angry with Mom. It is all my fault. I only wanted to help. If you don’t want me to entertain the magistrate, then I will not do it."

She turned to look at the magistrate and forced a trembling smile like she had been bullied to death.

"Magistrate Zhang, please do not misunderstand our family... my dad, he—is still unwell, so his temper is not the same anymore. He gets upset over the smallest things."

Han Yichen narrowed his eyes and turned to look at Han Ziyan with a bad expression. "Smallest thing?" He took a trembling step forward. "You call Ruochen’s achievement just a small thing? The honour she has bestowed upon our humble family as a small thing? Ziyan, do you like your mother thinks that what your sister has done is not commendable?"