Rebirth of a Farming Wife

“I’ll talk, I’ll tell you everything that happened today,” Chen Li quickly agreed, eager only to recount the day’s events at the Liu Mansion and then hurry home.

“Very well, this is knowing which way the wind blows. As long as what you say satisfies me, today’s matter will be considered closed. Otherwise, had it been someone else instigating my wife to commit such heinous acts and trying to sow discord between us, I would have sent that person to meet the King of Hell long ago; there’s no way they’d still be alive,” Han Yu said, pleased with Chen Li’s compliance. However, he knew this woman had some tenacity, like a cockroach that couldn’t be killed—apparently dead, yet somehow able to spring back to life. So he deliberately made his words more terrifying to reinforce her memory and prevent her from committing the same folly again in the future.

Chen Li was already shivering with cold, and upon hearing Han Yu’s words, she was beyond responding, feeling as if the man before her was not a person but an executioner, holding a blood-drenched knife in his hand.

It actually wasn’t so horrifying, but it was an atmosphere created intentionally by Han Yu, who released an aura of bloodthirst solidity and, under the flickering light of the oil lamps at night, Chen Li, who was after all just a woman—even if a strong one—could hardly bear it. Not freaking out was already a feat, especially since Han Yu repeatedly spoke of claiming lives. More importantly, Chen Li recognized that she had provoked a man who valued his wife above everything else.

“I didn’t mean it intentionally, it was just that I was angry when you left me standing at the gate, and I blurted out those words impulsively without any malice. Besides, I didn’t only speak ill of you—I mentioned many of your good points too. You have no idea how women love it when their men value them above all and treat other women poorly. Maybe your wife is even happy about it! Considering this, please offset my merits against my faults and spare me just this once! Or think of it as letting off a fart—how about you just let it pass with a ‘pffft’? I promise to stay away from your wife from now on,” Chen Li pleaded, bargaining with Han Yu—and even using crass language to describe how he might simply let her go.

Han Yu looked up at the ceiling, wondering whether to laugh or, well, laugh at such words. But he knew that if he actually laughed, all his previous efforts would be undone. Despite everything, he absolutely couldn’t allow a woman like her to get close to his daughter-in-law; if his wife were to be led astray, whom could he turn to?

It wasn’t that he was being petty or suspicious of Chen Li—the things she had said before were outrageous and had reached his own ears. If his daughter-in-law had truly taken those words to heart, it would be disastrous!

With that thought, any trace of a smile faded from Han Yu’s face, his presence becoming even colder and more stern, his gaze freezing on Chen Li like he was staring at a corpse, devoid of any warmth.

Felt like fur was sprouting from her body under Han Yu’s gaze, Chen Li had thought her words would have some effect, as Han Yu’s demeanor seemed to have softened somewhat. Not knowing which part of her statement set him off, she wondered why he suddenly started giving off an icy vibe again.

“It’s not like you’re a refrigerator, always emitting cold air—aren’t you afraid of freezing someone to death!” Chen Li scorned inwardly, not daring to show her frustration, and waited for Han Yu, the master, to speak. She was willing to comply with anything as long as it didn’t threaten her life.

“Don’t try to be funny with me. Staying away from my wife is not a bargaining chip for you, but a word of advice from me. If you end up dead on the street one day, don’t say I didn’t warn you. As for whether I’ll let off your instigating my wife, it depends on your attitude. I don’t have time to waste on nonsense with you. Just spill everything you know,” Han Yu said, clearly out of patience and not in the mood to trade barbs with Chen Li. He didn’t want her to lead the conversation astray again, knowing that his wife was likely waiting for him to return and explain what had transpired, and he didn’t want to delay any longer.

Chen Li had a knack for tangential chatter that could lead conversations off the rails at any moment, but faced with Han Yu’s obvious impatience, she dared not continue her digressions and quickly recounted everything she had witnessed at the Liu Mansion that day, including the words spoken by Yin Shi and others. She tried to convey the essence of the events and her own actions, without any hint of seeking praise.

However, Han Yu felt a flicker of gratitude toward Chen Li upon hearing her account. Considering the reactions she described and Liu Xiu’s demeanor, if it weren’t for Chen Li’s unexpected interjection, who knows how things would have unfolded. Liu Xiu might have been persuaded by Yin Shi and others to send assassins to Chang’an to eliminate the Marquis Bei’an and his son, and he certainly wouldn’t have discussed the affair with Han Yu afterward.

“There, I’ve said all I know and should say. I originally came here out of gratitude for your arrival at the Liu Mansion today. Whatever the reason, you showed up, and although the danger had already passed, I came to give you a heads-up about today’s events,” explained Chen Li. Seeing Han Yu listen intently and even show some appreciation, no longer imposing the earlier coldness, she knew this man distinguished clearly between gratitude and grievances and wasn’t the sort to be ungrateful. She spoke a few more words.

“You should be wary of Yin Shi. He’s too sinister and despicable. It’s not just about today’s incident—I know of several other occasions where he’s schemed and ousted those who stood in his way, using rather dark methods. His plots against you are also not new, but it seems every time he encounters you, his plans are thwarted. It’s just that while he hasn’t succeeded in the past, the future might be different. Take, for instance, today’s events; I feel like Big Brother Liu doesn’t trust you completely. If he were anyone else, he would’ve likely been swayed by Yin Shi,” Chen Li continued, noticing Han Yu’s gaze and fearing he might suspect her of targeting Yin Shi with her words, quickly clarified, “I, Chen Li, might not be as honorable as a gentleman and can be both good and bad, but I don’t lie. What’s true is true, what’s false is false, and it’s not because the Yin Family and the Liu Family are to be related by marriage that I would speak ill of Yin Shi without reason. That’s all I have to say. Believe it or not, be on your guard. I’ve told you everything I know, now can I go?”

Han Yu was merely surprised that Chen Li knew of Yin Shi’s clandestine maneuvers; he had never doubted the motives behind her words. He was not one given to explanations. Nodding in response, he said, “The night is late, and it’s not safe for a woman to be out alone. I’ll have someone escort you home.”