Chapter 309: Chapter 317: Deliberate Teasing
“Madam, your Great-Uncle is here and is currently heading towards the backyard,”

Upon hearing that her big brother had arrived, Su Wenyue’s heart leaped with joy—it was indeed a happy occasion. Moreover, she had entrusted her brother with investigating a certain matter, and she wondered how his investigation had progressed. Han Yu didn’t even know about this yet. Even though Su Wenyue knew that the woman was one of Emperor Wu’s consorts, she just didn’t want her to have any entanglement with Han Yu. Perhaps it was because Noble Consort Li was too outstanding, too talented, making any woman insecure. Besides, Su Wenyue had also heard some gossip in her previous life about Han Yu and Noble Consort Li being quite close, with unflattering rumors even suggesting that Noble Consort Li had once taken a fancy to Han Yu, but due to a twist of fate, ended up with the emperor. Regardless of whether these rumors were true or not, Su Wenyue already harbored a wariness in her heart.

“This house of yours is indeed nice—the location is very good, the space is ample, and the arrangement is both grand and elegant,” Su Hengyi smiled as he spoke, having gotten an idea of the house’s layout on his way here. He thought to himself that Han Yu, his brother-in-law, was truly extraordinary. Not only had he been promoted several times despite his young age, reaching the position of Sixth Rank Commander, but he had also managed to recruit many followers to work for him. Just this fact alone made him incomparable to ordinary men.

“I also think it’s quite good. What pleases me the most is that this house is spacious and even came with a significant piece of land attached. Whether for extensions or any other purposes, it’s suitable for it all.”

Su Wenyue was actually planning to use that land to grow vegetables, ensuring that the green vegetables needed by the mansion wouldn’t have to be transported from Zhuangzi. Even though the distance was not that far, the back-and-forth travel still took quite a bit of time and effort. It would be more convenient and less wasteful to open up a space behind the Courtyard. She would just take as much as needed from the field, without having to always stock up, especially since vegetables wouldn’t stay fresh for long.

Watching his younger sister like this, Su Hengyi was truly moved. When had that naughty and clueless girl grown into a competent mistress of a mansion, so virtuous, who not only bore and raised children for Han Yu but also managed the Inner Courtyard in an orderly fashion, and could even help Han Yu socialize with other ladies and families outside? He, her elder brother, viewed her in a new light. They had all underestimated the mischievous and troublemaking sister before, not expecting that once she took something seriously, she would be second to none.

“Little sister has really grown up. Now more sensible than ever, Mother was worried that you might be frivolous and make things difficult for your brother-in-law. Looking at it now, it seems that all her worries were for naught. Our little sister is so smart and virtuous; even I, your big brother, didn’t expect you to do so well,”

Listening to the implied sentiment in Su Hengyi’s words, Su Wenyue thought about the harrowing lessons from her previous life, knowing she could no longer be as clueless as before. With mixed feelings in her heart, she could only smile and respond, “Really, big brother, are you teasing me? I won’t let you! Did you bring me any gifts from your trip to Jiyang? I won’t let it go if you didn’t bring any!”

Su Wenyue said and stretched out her hand, looking like she was really expecting a gift from Su Hengyi.

“Seeing you like this, you’re just like a little girl who hasn’t grown up. You’re so big now and still expect me to give you presents,” Su Hengyi said, itching to pinch Su Wenyue’s cheek.

“Big brother, I’m going to tell Mother and Sister-in-law that not only did you not bring me a gift, you even bullied me by pinching my face, which you promised not to do!”

Su Wenyue was speechless. Why did all these men like to pinch her cheek—her big brother did, Second Brother did, and so did Han Yu. No amount of protests made a difference; they would still do as they pleased next time. Was it because her cheek was soft and comfortable to pinch?

“Tsk tsk, such a grown-up and still looking to tell on me to Mother. Wouldn’t your brother-in-law be ashamed? Don’t worry, I did bring the gift, who do you think I have but one precious younger sister!”

With those words, Su Hengyi had someone bring in a box, which contained special products from Jiyang. Though Jiyang was close to the Prefecture and smaller than Yiyang Prefecture, it had its own specialties. Even if most items were also found in the Prefecture, it was customary to bring back gifts. Especially since the brothers Su Hengyi and Su Hengxuan were used to pampering their sister; they always brought gifts for her whenever they traveled. That’s why Su Wenyue could so confidently ask Su Hengyi for a gift upon his return.

“Big brother, I knew you were the best,” Su Wenyue said, joyfully opening the box and looking through its contents. It was evident that much thought had gone into selecting these items, with each being delicate and, although not all were particularly valuable, they suited her tastes very well.

“You ungrateful little thing, now you acknowledge how good I am to you,” Su Hengyi said, his face showing an indulgent and doting smile as he looked at his sister he had pampered since childhood.

“By the way, brother, did you find out anything about the person I asked you to investigate? Did you manage to get any news on her?” Su Wenyue wasn’t entirely sure why she felt so uneasy; after all, that woman had ended up with Emperor Wu. Yet knowing that her big brother was going there, she asked Su Hengyi to help her search. Moreover, this life she had depended a lot on Noble Consort Li’s talents, and she was curious about what the future Noble Consort Li was like now. Without affecting her own situation, making an acquaintance or two wasn’t unacceptable. Indeed, Noble Consort Li was an extraordinary woman she admired, and her feelings were conflicted and complex.

When it came to this topic, Su Hengyi was somewhat puzzled, unclear why his sister wanted him to look into such an obscure figure. Although he didn’t understand why, being someone who had always doted on his sister, Su Hengyi had people search for several days to fulfill Su Wenyue’s request, but they found no one who matched the description she provided.

“Sister, are you sure you’re not mistaken? This person is really named ‘Chen Li’? I’ve searched all over Jiyang. There are some named ‘Chen Li,’ but none match the description you gave. Could you have been mistaken?”

As Su Hengyi said this, Su Wenyue started to doubt. She didn’t actually know Noble Consort Li’s birth name; she only knew her surname was Chen and that Emperor Wu had given her the title of Noble Consort Li. She thought perhaps the emperor had taken a character from her name, as Emperor Wu tended to be rather lazy about these things, liking to confer titles based on the consorts’ names. So she had given him that name. Now, after a thorough search, they couldn’t find this person. She was sure that Noble Consort Li was from Jiyang, but she also knew of her big brother’s abilities. If even he couldn’t find this person, perhaps she really was mistaken.

Sighing internally at his sister’s uncertain expression, Su Hengyi didn’t get why someone whose name and identity were so unclear could garner so much of his sister’s attention. Was it again because of the dream she had? He thought he really should pay closer attention.