Chapter 424: 431: Change in Chang'an

The servants, gathered at the door to welcome their arrival, were met with Han Yu’s unmistakably displeased scowl. Fearing the wrath simmering within their master, they shivered with trepidation, unsure of what had caused such a mood yet exceedingly cautious, dreading even a slight misstep might provoke his ire.

Han Yu’s prestige had been growing by the day, and he wore a demeanor of strict solemnity in public. His governance was stringent; transgressing his military camp rules would mean facing martial law. Although the servants at his Mansion were not subjected to military law, they still found his discipline quite severe and dared not offend him.

“Speak! What is it?” Han Yu’s voice sounded through gritted teeth.

The servant felt wronged; how could he have foreseen that his usually stern and indifferent master would involve himself in such matters in broad daylight? Moreover, the situation was indeed urgent—couriers from his wife’s family had repeatedly emphasized the need for speed, entrusting him to deliver the message directly to the old master and his wife without delay.

“Master, the Su Family has sent a letter stating there’s an urgent matter and instructed me to deliver it to you immediately,” the servant stammered, sweating as he handed the letter to Han Yu.

Upon hearing it concerned the Su Family, Han Yu’s brows relaxed slightly. Any matter from his wife’s parent’s home, no matter how small, warranted serious attention. Otherwise, his father-in-law and brothers-in-law would find fault with him, for he had whisked away their beloved daughter and younger sister. His wife would also be displeased if she knew he had taken his wife’s family’s concerns lightly. In sum, any issue from the Su Family was of great importance, especially since the letter was specifically directed to him.

Han Yu well understood the temperament of his wife’s family; they wouldn’t have sent such an urgent message without good reason. He immediately opened the letter to check its contents.

Su Wenyue sat on the bed, and upon hearing that a letter had arrived from her mother’s family, she stirred, quickly dressed and tidied herself, and looked towards Han Yu.

“Is it a letter from my father? Husband, what does it say? Is there something urgent that needed the message to be sent in such haste?” Su Wenyue asked with concern, her heart uneasy seeing Han Yu’s stern expression after reading the letter.

“Wife, get ready quickly. We need to visit your mother’s place at once. Something has happened at the Chang’an Bei’an Marquis Mansion,” Han Yu said with a hint of worry.

“But what has happened?” Su Wenyue couldn’t wait for Han Yu’s response, and immediately approached to take the letter from his hand. Its content was succinct, likely for caution, stating only: “Trouble in Chang’an, the Marquis Mansion is in peril. Consult urgently with the Su Family.”

The vaguer the message, the more severe the situation seemed. Su Wenyue remembered that nothing of this sort had transpired in her previous life. Although the Bei’an Marquis Mansion had been oppressed recently, it had not faced any major incident, maintaining a low profile. However, in her previous life, relations with her mother’s family had been strained to the point of no contact. And even when she was sent to the Zhuangzi as punishment by her mistress, it had been her cousin secretly aiding her, getting her through the toughest times under a pseudonym, which she later discovered.

The more Su Wenyue thought about it, the more anxious she became, both worried for the safety of the Bei’an Marquis Mansion’s residents and feeling guilt and self-reproach.

Seeing his wife’s troubled face, Han Yu comforted her, “Wife, do not worry too much. We do not yet know what has happened, and it may not be anything serious. Even if it is, we will find a solution.”

Su Wenyue nodded, aware that this was indeed the case. She quickly finished packing and followed Han Yu back to her mother’s home.

Upon returning to the Su Mansion, whether it was the effect of her state of mind or not, Su Wenyue felt a gloomy atmosphere pervading the mansion. The servants, seeing the Mistress and Master return, hastened to usher them inside.

At that time, the Su Family members had all gathered in the study room, all with somber expressions. Upon seeing Su Wenyue, their faces softened slightly, but none displayed their usual cheerfulness. Realizing this, Su Wenyue’s heart sank, knowing that the situation at the Bei’an Marquis Mansion must be grave, as even her Father, Mother, and Elder Brother, who typically remained stoic, now wore concern and sorrow upon their faces.

“Father, Mother, what has happened? What’s wrong with my eldest uncle and the rest?” Su Wenyue couldn’t help asking as soon as she entered, her anxiety such that she couldn’t rest until she knew more.

As soon as the Bei’an Marquis Mansion was mentioned, any trace of a smile that Master Su and Madam Su had managed for their daughter disappeared, replaced by solemn worry.

Seeing his daughter’s anxious gaze, Master Su sighed before speaking, “We’ve received a pigeon letter from Chang’an. Wang Mang, that traitor, wants to declare himself emperor. Your eldest uncle and his family refuse to back a traitor and have drawn his ire. The entire Bei’an Marquis Mansion is now surrounded by his troops, and your eldest uncle and cousins have been thrown into prison, accused of treason. In a month’s time, when Wang Mang crowns himself, he intends to behead your eldest uncle and cousins in public, using their blood to deter those who dare to defy him.”

Upon hearing this, Su Wenyue’s complexion paled and she nearly lost her balance, feeling a deep affection for her caring eldest uncle and cousins. In her previous life, after her parents and elder brother’s hearts had been thoroughly broken and they’d severed ties with her, it was her cousin who’d looked after her from the shadows during her punishing stay at the Zhuangzi, ensuring her survival through the most difficult period. Even though he’d used another’s name to keep his identity secret, Su Wenyue had later discovered the truth.

Han Yu, ever watchful of his wife, saw her reaction and quickly wrapped his arms around her from behind, holding her close, “Wife, the situation hasn’t reached its worst. Your eldest uncle and cousins are still safe for now. We have time to find a way to rescue them.”

“Yes, Daughter, don’t worry too much. We’re all here for you, and we’ll find a way to save your eldest uncle and cousins. Just take care of yourself and don’t add to our concerns,” said Master Su reassuringly. Although his brother’s family was important, they paled next to his daughter’s well-being. He was consoled by her deep sense of loyalty. Despite being treated well by her eldest uncle’s family, it was during the time she lived at the Marquis Mansion that she’d forged these strong bonds—and these memories were something she held dearly and the reason for her current concern.

Madam Su too hadn’t anticipated her daughter’s intense worry. “That’s right, Lady Yue, you mustn’t overthink. Your health has never been robust, and it’s not your place as a girl to worry over these matters. Still, Wang Mang is indeed despicable for his brutality. Thankfully, your grandmother and eldest uncle’s wife and daughters weren’t in Chang’an and haven’t been harmed.”