Chapter 123 - One Hundred Twenty-Three: Smooth as Rolling Beads

Translator: 549690339

“What are you thinking about?” Su Wenyue asked knowingly, feigning confusion as she gazed at Han Yu, yet her eyes twinkled with mischief.

Han Yu could clearly see that Su Wenyue was doing it on purpose. He adored his wife’s clever and naughty disposition so much that he had a strong urge to pull her into his arms and ravish her with affection. Since they were rightfully husband and wife, Han Yu harbored such thoughts and acted on them immediately. After a tender interlude, Su Wenyue’s fair and delicate face retained a touch of bewitchingly seductive blush.

“Lady Yue, your Second Brother must have told you about the Imperial Court’s military conscription. Tell me, what do you think?”

Though Han Yu had already made up his mind, he still cared deeply about his wife’s opinion. Moreover, apart from other matters, this was also an excellent opportunity to split the family. He had previously endured various concerns, causing his wife to suffer many grievances. If he handled the situation correctly this time, they could surely succeed in splitting the family. Then, he and his wife could live their own sweet life, lavishing her with affection without having to sneak around for a treat.

“You ask what I’m thinking, but what are you thinking, Husband?” Su Wenyue turned the question back to Han Yu.

Han Yu didn’t joke but took his wife’s question very seriously, his face bearing a look of solemnity and earnestness.

“Wife, I don’t want to lie to you. Although others shun the draft, for me, it’s a rare opportunity to change my fate. I don’t want to remain a farmer for my whole life, not want my wonderful wife to live in such hardship. I plan to fight for a future in the army. However, doing so might mean neglecting you for some time,” Han Yu said, guilt lacing his tone. Before, he could pursue his future without worries, but now he had someone who needed his care and tenderness.

Su Wenyue felt happy that Han Yu was willing to be honest with her. Although he prioritized his future first, at least he hadn’t lied to her, which showed that he truly cared about her. Besides, she had long understood this man’s ambition. How could the future Prime Minister be content with mediocrity?

“Husband, do whatever you want. Don’t worry about me; I can take care of myself. I know you are ambitious and will one day achieve your dreams and provide a good life for me,” Su Wenyue said, her words brimming with trust and support, without a trace of complaint or blame.

With a wife like this, what more could a husband ask for? Although Han Yu wasn’t skilled at expressing his emotions, he could only hold the woman in his arms even tighter, his love and joy for her increasing all the more.

“Wife, thank you. I will definitely make sure you have a good life,” Han Yu spoke with firmness, his words sounding like a vow, a promise to Su Wenyue.

Han Yu still remembered how the Concubine’s Daughters of the Su Family looked smug and condescending when he brought his wife back home. He wasn’t petty or one to hold grudges against women, but he couldn’t stand to see his wife wronged. He had vowed that one day he would achieve greatness to provide a good life for his wife.

After this exchange, the couple had a much better understanding of each other’s hearts. They kept these matters a secret from the other Han family members with an unspoken agreement. Han Yu, valuing his wife even more, shared with Su Wenyue his idea of using the situation to split the family. Naturally, Su Wenyue wholeheartedly agreed and even felt that Han Yu was considerate of her wishes as she had long contemplated splitting from the family.

A few days later, the news of the Imperial Court’s conscription spread, but without an official decree yet, people were uncertain whether the news was true or false, causing widespread anxiety. The mood at the Han Family also grew tense, and the sisters-in-law were no longer as chatty and laugh-filled as usual. Each was calculating her own schemes. Among the four Han Family Brothers, if the news was true, one of them needed to enlist, and none wanted their men to leave.

Su Wenyue, however, wasn’t affected at all. Heeding Su Hengxuan’s instructions, she took the opportunity to visit her mother’s family, avoiding the strange atmosphere at home—truly a relief. Given the previous incident, Han Yu was not at ease with Su Wenyue returning to her mother’s family alone, so he accompanied her.

In the past few days, Madam An had been eagerly awaiting her daughter’s visit, eager for a doctor to confirm her pulse and put her mind at ease. So, upon hearing of her daughter’s arrival, she immediately summoned Doctor Lin.

“Mother, my injury is healed already. Why did you call for Doctor Lin?” Su Wenyue, seeing Doctor Lin, felt her mother was worrying too much; her injury had long since healed, unaware that Madam An had other concerns.

Madam An shook her head at her daughter’s obliviousness, “My silly girl, how could I not worry? Sit quietly and let Doctor Lin take your pulse.”

Obeying her birth mother’s instruction, Su Wenyue compliantly sat down for Doctor Lin to take her pulse. Doctor Lin examined Su Wenyue’s pulse carefully and then revealed a smile, “Congratulations, Madam Su. Miss’s pulse is smooth as rolling pearls, a joyful rhythm.”

“Really, that’s wonderful! Quickly, call Old Master and Uncle here.” Madam An could scarcely contain her happiness upon hearing Doctor Lin’s diagnosis, immediately wanting to share the good news with everyone, but Su Wenyue stopped her.

Su Wenyue also froze momentarily upon hearing Doctor Lin’s words. In her previous life, she wasn’t pregnant at this time but several months later, so she didn’t suspect her symptoms. She was puzzled to suddenly hear the news and struggled to react, but then she was overjoyed. It was only when Madam An wanted to spread the news that she hurriedly intervened.

“Mother, wait. Please keep my pregnancy a secret for now, and don’t tell anyone,” Su Wenyue urged urgently.

Madam An was taken aback by her daughter’s reaction. A pregnancy was good news, so why did she want to keep it a secret? It must be because Han Yu didn’t want the child, thought Madam An, her expression cooling.

With Doctor Lin present, there were some things Su Wenyue couldn’t discuss openly. Once Madam An ensured the doctor’s discretion, she took her daughter aside for a heart-to-heart behind closed doors.

“Yueyue, what’s going on? Being pregnant is good news, so why keep it a secret? Is it something to do with the son-in-law?” Madam An speculated something must be wrong with Han Yu, her tone turning a bit hostile when mentioning him.

As soon as she heard this, Su Wenyue realized her mother had misunderstood, “Mother, what are you thinking? Han Yu has been looking forward to me bearing his child. He’d be overjoyed to know I’m pregnant. It’s me who currently doesn’t want him or the Han family members to learn of this, so as not to disrupt my plans.”

Having heard her daughter’s explanation, Madam An temporarily set aside her grievances with Han Yu, but was still perplexed.