Chapter 189 - One Hundred and Eighty-Nine: Surge of Jealousy

Translator: 549690339

“Miss and Uncle have returned; Madam has been waiting inside for quite a while now. She specifically instructed us servant girls to wait by the door to welcome Miss and Uncle in,” said the old woman in service to the An Family with a beaming smile as she greeted Su Wenyue and Han Yu at the door.

“An old woman, is there some happy event at home? I even see big red lanterns hanging up. Could it be that my Second Brother mentioned he wants to take a daughter-in-law?” Su Wenyue said teasingly upon seeing her Elder Brother Su Hengxuan come out, though she knew full well this was impossible. She really couldn’t fathom any other reason for such changes at home. If it were for Elder Brother Su Hengyi’s return, it didn’t quite fit, as he had left on long trips before without such fanfare.

“You little brat, what nonsense are you talking about? I want to enjoy a few more years of freedom. Mother has been nagging me about this and you’re bringing up the very topic I wish to avoid. Watch out or I’ll set you straight,” Su Hengxuan warned as he glared at Su Wenyue, only to hear his Brother-in-law’s indifferent voice.

“Lady Yue’s husband shall correct her ways where needed; that’s none of Second Brother-in-law’s concern. But since Second Brother-in-law isn’t getting any younger, and Mother-in-law only wishes you well, it’s about time you married a Socialite Lady to settle down.”

“Mr. Han, mind your own business. You seem to be quite the gentleman, but you’re surprisingly sinister. Last time you badmouthed me in front of Father, and he gave me a good scolding. I haven’t settled that with you yet. If you dare to speak nonsense in front of Mother, you’d better watch out!” Su Hengxuan threatened viciously, loathing the ‘sinister’ Brother-in-law. It’s just that he couldn’t stand to see him getting along so well with his Sister—that is his Sister!

“Second Brother, I’m now a woman with a husband, not someone you can bully so easily. And with Elder Brother back, if he finds out you’ve been bullying me, he’ll set you straight too, so you better watch out!” Su Wenyue didn’t expect Han Yu to speak up on her behalf before she could banter further with Su Hengxuan. Pleased with the support, she beamed triumphantly and mocked Su Hengxuan a bit more, leaving him seething.

“The old saying goes that a married daughter is like spilled water. You little brat, I should not have doted on you so much in the past. Now you’re hoping Elder Brother will set me straight? Don’t forget who covered for you when you snuck out to play. Otherwise, it would have been you whom Elder Brother scolded, you little brat.” Su Hengxuan grumbled, yet his words were tinged with doting and a touch of sorrow. The little girl had grown up, having a husband to protect and spoil her, no longer in need of her Elder Brother.

Su Wenyue was somewhat speechless at Su Hengxuan’s sorrowful expression—it was so out of character for her Second Brother, she found it hard to adjust. She didn’t let up, though: “Don’t forget who was the one who coaxed me to go play on the mountain. If I get in trouble, you can’t escape blame; I’ll definitely rat you out.”

Su Hengyi was a bit worried about his dear Younger Sister as Su Hengxuan had been outside waiting to receive visitors for half a day without returning. He went to check and stumbled upon the two siblings bickering. A smile graced his lips; his Sister still acted like a child even after marriage. His gaze towards Han Yu, who was supporting his Sister, was somewhat scrutinizing and dissatisfied, much like Su Hengxuan’s.

“What are you both talking about? What’s all this talk of setting things straight? You’re both adults and still standing at the main entrance bickering, what an image!” Accustomed to being the boss, Su Hengyi scolded them, especially Su Hengxuan.

“Su Hengxuan, do you even behave like an Elder Brother? Can’t you be a bit more considerate to Yueyue? If I catch you bullying your Sister again, hmph!”

“Elder Brother, you’re biased. Look how arrogant she is. How could I ever bully her? She’d complain to you all at the slightest thing,” Su Hengxuan retorted.

“Elder Brother, you’re back! I’ve missed you so much!” Upon laying eyes on Su Hengyi, Su Wenyue couldn’t contain herself and excitedly leapt up to run towards him, forgetting she was a Pregnant Woman. Su Hengyi and Su Hengxuan watched in horror, and even Han Yu got a fright, quickly catching her in his arms.

“You little girl, you’re carrying a Child now. Be very careful; you could have given us a heart attack,” Su Hengxuan said after catching his breath, as the scare took a toll on him.

Seeing his Younger Sister after returning, Su Hengyi chastised her with a stern face: “Reckless! You’re married and should act more mature. Such carelessness can harm the Child in your stomach, what then?”

Han Yu, seeing his daughter-in-law reprimanded by her two brothers, said no more, especially in their presence. Teaching his daughter-in-law was a matter better dealt with at home.

Su Wenyue smiled sheepishly, knowing she was wrong and not daring to talk back after the scolding. She had been so excited seeing her Elder Brother that she’d become reckless. In her previous life, her reckless and capricious behavior had repeatedly broken her Elder Brother’s heart, leading to a gradual estrangement, and ultimately, a loss of contact. Unable now to hold back her tears, they began to stream down her face.

“What’s the matter? Elder Brother didn’t mean to lecture you, only worried you might accidentally hurt the Child in your stomach, why start crying?” Seeing his Younger Sister suddenly break into tears left Su Hengyi flustered, feeling that his tone wasn’t harsh enough to upset her like this.

Han Yu knew of his wife’s increased sensitivity due to pregnancy and feared something had set her off again. He hurried to console her: “Daughter-in-law, what’s wrong, why the tears? Elder Brother only has your best interests at heart.”

“I’m fine, I’m just overwhelmed seeing Elder Brother again. I’ve missed you, Elder Brother, wu wu!” Su Wenyue’s tearful plea for a hug made Han Yu, who now understood the reason, feel utterly exasperated, his heart churning with jealousy. He thought his wife was already too attached to her Second Brother-in-law, and now there was an Eldest Cousin for whom she yearned even more deeply. He wondered if his wife would also cry like this for him.

Not just Han Yu felt the imbalance; Su Hengxuan too felt a twinge of jealousy watching from the side, questioning why his Sister hadn’t missed him this much when he returned from traveling afar.

Seeing his Sister crying out of longing for him filled Su Hengyi with a mix of pain and joy, reassured that his nurturing had not been in vain. Even Brother-in-law Han Yu seemed more agreeable now. Clearing his throat, he said, “Ahem, Brother-in-law, my Sister can be rather delicate. After all, we’ve indulged her since childhood, so it’s normal for her to be a bit spoiled. Yet she is the most sensible and obedient. Be patient with her, especially as she’s bearing your Child now and enduring hardships. Be more considerate, and don’t hold trivial matters against her.”