Chapter 339: Chapter 347: Meeting Again
“Husband, how should we arrange for Father and Mother on the day of the banquet? These Madams and Misses are all difficult characters; Mother has been living in the Village and has not experienced their roundabout machinations. I’m afraid they will not be able to cope,” Su Wenyue asked delicately. When it comes to matters involving her husband’s family, any Daughter-in-law would be extra sensitive. If Han Yu thought she was looking down on her husband’s family, that wouldn’t be good, and that wasn’t her intention either. However, practical issues still needed to be addressed.

Han Yu had already thought about this issue: “Father and Mother will not attend that day; it just so happens that we have relatives in The City that we haven’t visited for many years. I’ve asked Father and Mother to go there as guests.”

When Han Yu said this, it wasn’t because he was unfilial and only cared about his Future. He knew his own parents well. For them to participate in such an occasion, especially without mental preparation, it was better not to subject them to that discomfort. Besides, it was indeed inappropriate; they could wait until he had achieved success and fame, and then Father and Mother would naturally have their glorious moment.

“That’s fine. When the time comes, I’ll arrange the horse carriage for Father and Mother and prepare the gifts,” Su Wenyue did not ask about the relatives from Han Yu’s family in the prefecture, knowing that it was mostly an excuse. But with Han Yu having arranged everything, she could breathe a sigh of relief and stop worrying about this.

Early in the morning, Shangguan Wuyou and Deng Chen’s families arrived, conveniently gathering together. Deng Chen came because he had matters to discuss with Han Yu. Given the sensitive times, frequent visits weren’t a good idea, so he came early today, whereas Shangguan Wuyou was purely urged by his wife. Ye Xinxin got along with Su Wenyue and constantly heard Deng Chen praise how delicious the food was at Han Mansion; she had wanted to come over for a while and had urged Shangguan Wuyou to set out early. Shangguan Wuyou, who doted on his Daughter-in-law, naturally listened to her.

“I can’t stand the idle chatter of those people. Find me a quiet place to stay, no need for company. I’ll join when it’s time,” Shangguan Wuyou didn’t beat around the bush with Han Yu, speaking directly since he knew Deng Chen had matters to discuss with Han Yu. Understanding some situations, he was even less willing to get involved.

“That’s exactly what I was thinking. I really have nothing to chat about with those Madams and Misses. I’ll be with my Husband. Sister Yue, send me some more delicious food, I heard your food here is particularly good; I’ve been looking forward to it. Today you have to let me eat to my heart’s content,” Shangguan Wuyou made his request unreservedly, and Ye Xinxin was even less reserved. Indeed, this didn’t seem out of place in the company of Han Yu and Su Wenyue, or else the couple wouldn’t make such direct requests. It signaled a sense of closeness.

“No problem; our family might not have much, but we definitely provide plenty of good food. Just tell me whatever you like, and I’ll arrange it for you.”

Deng Chen was also a foodie, and he loved dining, usually eager to join in. But perhaps because he had matters on his mind today, he wasn’t as carefree and jovial as usual.

Liu Yuan, Deng Chen’s wife, also came over today. It was probably because she felt grateful for Liu Xiu’s matter and was warmer to Su Wenyue than usual. Su Wenyue understood her reasons and, having intended to forge a good relationship, naturally hosted her even more warmly, without the slightest negligence due to other factors.

Liu Yuan’s impression of Su Wenyue improved. It seemed that her Husband was right; Mrs. Su was indeed a good person. Previously, when her Husband had encouraged her to interact more with Mrs. Su, she hadn’t taken it seriously, carrying some disdain and prejudice. Now, it appeared that she had been narrow-minded.

In recent times, because of her mother’s family matters, Liu Yuan had not only faced difficulties in Deng’s Mansion but also outside. Many previously close Madams and Misses, not wanting to get involved in the trouble, deliberately avoided her, keeping their distance. Adversity revealed true friends; whether it was Han Yu’s kindness to her Liu Family or Madam Han’s treatment of her, she remembered.

Those who came to the banquet were all previously invited with a set number of attendees, but Su Wenyue did not expect that Han Yu would suddenly include the Yin siblings yesterday. Moreover, from Han Yu’s tone, it seemed he had a good impression of Yin Shi, marking a change from her previous life’s events. She wondered if it was a good or bad development.

“Madam Han, we meet again. The other day, Lihua was rude, and I hope you don’t take it to heart. From now on, we should get closer,” Yin Lihua said with a beaming smile, showing no trace of her previous disdain and arrogance, now seemingly more sincere, which made Su Wenyue a bit puzzled as the change in attitude was too rapid.

“Miss Yin, with such talent and beauty, I have long admired you. I couldn’t ask for more,” Su Wenyue replied appropriately, despite her thoughts, with a smile beaming as well.

In reality, Yin Lihua hadn’t expected her brother to appreciate someone who had climbed up through opportunism and flattery. Being part of the inner house, she wasn’t fully aware of some matters. It was only after listening to her brother talk about Han Yu that she realized her own shortsightedness. She had believed rumors from outside and thus had a bad impression of Han Yu’s wife, reflecting on the incident that happened that day.

“I suppose Madam Han finds my attitude strange. I was wrong before; I believed the outside rumors, which led to my prejudice against you. Please don’t take it to heart,” Yin Lihua, who later became the Empress, though still showing some inadequacies at this point, was not to be underestimated. She guessed Su Wenyue’s thoughts quite openly, admitting her mistake with considerable candidness.

With Miss Yin showing such an attitude, Su Wenyue would appear petty if she continued to hold onto past issues.

Naturally, Su Wenyue was not so narrow-minded. Regardless, just for the fact that Yin Lihua could so openly admit her mistake, Su Wenyue gained some respect for her and wasn’t the type to cling to others’ faults.

“Miss Yin’s words make me feel ashamed. That day, I, too, didn’t speak very nicely. Please don’t take it personally; I’m just a bit blunt when I speak, without any malice,” Su Wenyue said cheerfully, her words now sounding much more pleasant, free from the suffocating sarcasm of before.

Both being Smart People, and both intent on improving their relationship, they quickly became friendly. No matter their inner thoughts, the surface interactions were impeccable.

With a deeper understanding of each other, Yin Lihua held Su Wenyue in higher regard, finding her to be a person of grace and sincerity. Su Wenyue also realized that, influenced by her previous lifetime, she had prematurely judged Yin Lihua to be like Sikong Ling’s wife, which was somewhat unfair. The two were actually quite different; though Miss Yin was calculating and had her methods, she differed fundamentally from that outwardly kind but heartless woman. However, it was too early to draw conclusions. One couldn’t fully discern a person’s true nature overnight.

When Ye Xinxin came out and saw Su Wenyue chatting and laughing with Miss Yin, she thought she had seen wrong. After understanding the reasons and course of the events, she still didn’t quite like Yin Lihua. After all, relationships between people required a certain affinity.