The Mute Wife Who Brings Prosperity

Chapter 845 - 801: What’s There to Fear? (Part 1)

Since moving into this house, Yun Huai has never had a guest before, but today, someone came by, and they are now accompanying Yun Huai, sitting on a stone bench under the banana tree, drinking tea.

The other is a cultured young man, dressed in colors that are fresh and plain, with every move demonstrating politeness, appearing like a scholar.

At the moment of entering the door, Xu Jia seemed to hear Yun Huai call him "Second Young Master Li."

Second Young Master Li, if she remembered correctly, is the son whom the Li Family plans to marry into the Western Marquis Mansion, also the second, his full name is Li Yu.

Seeing this situation, Xu Jia suddenly had a bad premonition.

Sure enough, the next moment, she saw Yun Huai look her way, speaking in a familiar tone as if they had known each other for many years, oh no, more like an old married couple!

"This is the second young master from Vice Minister Li Mansion. Today with a guest, you should cook a few more dishes."

"..." Xu Jia was so angry she didn’t want to speak.

The young man was indeed Li Yu. Hearing Yun Huai’s words, he turned to look at Xu Jia, with a bit of confusion in his gaze.

Yun Huai calmly explained: "She is Miss Xu from the Western Marquis Mansion. When our teacher and apprentice entered the Capital, we were kindly looked after by the Marquis Mansion, especially by Miss Xu, who is kind-hearted, not only bringing people to help me clean the courtyard and furnish the house, but also frequently coming to cook meals for us, truly beyond grateful."

After hearing this, Li Yu’s face stiffened momentarily, and even his smile became forced.

Xu Jia’s face turned black. But how could she refute? What Yun Huai said was all true: When he first moved in, in repayment of a favor, she personally brought people to clean everything thoroughly, realized how rudimentary it was inside, and moved many things over from the mansion’s storeroom. As for cooking, she indeed had helped him before.

But how did these words turn sour coming from Yun Huai’s mouth?

Not only Li Yu, even Xu Jia herself, upon hearing it, felt there was something indecent between her and Yun Huai.

Seeing the faint disappointment on Li Yu’s face, Xu Jia explained: "Second Young Master Li, actually I..."

She hadn’t finished speaking when she heard Yun Huai instruct Little Thirteen, "Go help Miss Xu."

"No, don’t bother. I have important matters today, so I won’t stay for a meal." Li Yu suddenly said.

The name of Suzhou Yun Family’s Sixth Son is well-known. His father often praised how extraordinary this Master Yun was, and suggested he should visit when he gets a chance. He was planning to send a calling card through a servant, but unexpectedly, received an invitation early that morning from Yun Huai. His father was utterly delighted upon seeing the invitation, urging him to come early lest Master Yun be neglected.

So he came.

Sitting with Yun Huai before drinking tea, Li Yu found Yun Huai’s refined and elegant speech likable, feeling it remarkable how such a young Yun Six Lang could surpass the hierarchy and become the Family Head.

But now, Li Yu’s expression darkened, wanting to leave quickly because he felt disgusted.

The family proposed a marriage to him a few days ago; upon learning that Xu Jia was divorced, he was extremely resistant.

Imagining himself, a noble son of the Vice Minister of the Ministry of War Mansion, a top student of the Imperial College, marrying a loose woman? If his classmates found out, who knows how they would ridicule him!

But his elder sister, who had recently returned from the Princess Mansion, said Miss Xu was brave and kind; it was her ex-husband’s blindness that led to the divorce.

Li Yu thought, since his elder sister praised her, surely she must have some exceptional qualities; otherwise, his parents wouldn’t have no objections.

Though they hadn’t met, there was some curiosity and anticipation in his mind towards Xu Jia.

Curious about what kind of person she truly was, and anticipated her extraordinary brilliance, perhaps when marrying her, it might shame those who jeer.

But who would have thought that he would coincidentally meet Xu Jia when accepting Yun Six Lang’s invitation.

This supposedly brave and resolute young woman in his sister’s account, didn’t have celestial beauty, which he could overlook. Yet as a girl nearing marriage, she constantly visited a man’s house, even cooking for him?

What’s with the claim of coming voluntarily to help Master Yun?

With the Yun Family’s vast estates, would a Marquis Family daughter need to send servants to clean and furnish?

Clearly, this woman is attempting to cling to him, with Master Yun’s high moral standing, not judging her intentions harshly.

With this in mind, Li Yu’s gaze towards Xu Jia changed completely, not hiding the disgust within.

Xu Jia understood Li Yu’s gaze, rendered speechless.

She hadn’t even finished speaking, what utterly unforgivable thing had she done to merit such a look from him?

Li Yu withdrew his gaze and saluted Yun Huai, "Master Yun, I have an appointment with classmates to study at the library, so I’ll take my leave."

Yun Huai opened his mouth to persuade him, "It’s rare for me to meet a scholar. Won’t Second Young Master Li stay for a meal?"

"No, no," Li Yu hurriedly declined, paused for a moment, and then said, "Master Yun, you have a noble character and are inevitably tolerant to those around you, but you must be careful. Don’t let opportunists take advantage, or else it would be truly regrettable to tarnish your reputation."

Yun Huai’s handsome face held a faint smile, "Thank you for the reminder."

Li Yu did not wish to stay any longer. After speaking, he was about to leave. As he passed by Xu Jia, he deliberately stopped and lowered his voice, "The daughter of the Western Marquis Mansion is truly eye-opening. Fortunately, I saw Miss Xu today, or else if it ended in a blind marriage, who knows how much I would regret it."

Xu Jia laughed, "Then I must congratulate Second Young Master Li for having a keen eye, avoiding the pain of stepping into a big pit, truly a cause for celebration."

Li Yu obviously didn’t expect Xu Jia to react this way. His expression froze for a moment, then he snorted coldly and swept away with his sleeves.

Ignorant and foolish woman, being treated like this yet still dreaming of attaching herself to the Yun Family. You’ll have your time to cry!

After Li Yu left, Xu Jia looked at Yun Huai sitting on the stone bench.

Seeing his leisurely demeanor, she rubbed her temples, a bit helpless, "Did you deliberately invite Second Young Master Li?"

Yun Huai raised the corners of his lips, "If Li Yu had any brains, he wouldn’t have fallen into the trap."

Xu Jia was speechless for a moment, "Isn’t it a bit shameless for you to make him misunderstand me like this?"

"Where’s the misunderstanding?" Yun Huai poured her a cup of Biluochun tea, "He could overlook the fact that you were married, yet just a few words from an outsider like me made him utterly disappointed in you. His attitude towards you truly deserves the word ’shameless’. "

Xu Jia was left speechless.

Indeed, Yun Huai’s analysis was correct. If Li Yu could overlook her being previously married, it should indicate he had some level of tolerance. Yet just now, even before Xu Jia could finish speaking, Li Yu had already imagined a whole drama in his head. That final look he gave was as if she had wronged him greatly, almost like he wanted to cut her into pieces.

It showed that Li Yu agreed to marry her possibly because he had unrealistically high expectations. Upon meeting her in person and realizing she was different from his imagination, he immediately backed out. His words were merely an excuse to call off the engagement.

Not even giving a chance for explanation, making a swift judgment, how could Xu Jia trust such a self-centered man with the rest of her life?

Thinking of this, she couldn’t help but sigh slightly.

It’s indeed difficult for a woman, once divorced, to marry again.

Although the society of this dynasty is relatively open, allowing women to divorce and remarry, once divorced, the reputation is tarnished. Finding a suitable husband is like searching for a needle in a haystack.

Yun Huai, seeing her lost in thought, watched her for a while before speaking leisurely, "Did you have something to tell me?"

Xu Jia returned to her senses, originally wanting to tell Yun Huai that Suzhou was too far away and she wanted to stay in the Capital. But with this little incident involving Li Yu, she suddenly didn’t know how to begin.

"You’re hesitating," Yun Huai said, "Do you think Suzhou is too far?"

Xu Jia was taken aback, noticing that Yun Huai could see through her thoughts several times, "Can you read minds?"

"Where in the world is there a mind-reading technique?" Yun Huai smiled faintly, "It’s just that I remembered how you once went to great lengths for a bracelet..."

"Cough, cough, cough..." Xu Jia choked on her tea.

Though both were aware of the matter, was it really okay for him to say it so blatantly? Xu Jia instantly felt extremely embarrassed.

Recalling that indelible black mark in her past, Xu Jia could only lower her head, not looking at him.

Yun Huai noticed her discomfort, stopped what he was about to say, and changed the topic, "It seems your mother holds a significant position in your heart. With the distance from Suzhou to the Capital being so far, it’s normal for you to have concerns, but I don’t believe that’s the reason."

Xu Jia retorted angrily, "If that’s not the reason, then what is?"

"Think carefully, is it really because Suzhou is too far, or do you have other concerns? What are you afraid of?"

Upon hearing this, Xu Jia felt as if someone had struck a chord in her heart.

She’s indeed afraid, afraid that her reputation would burden the Yun Family, afraid the Yun Family would not accept her, afraid of being alone in Suzhou, suffering grievances without anyone to confide in.

Yun Huai saw her silent expression and understood, smiling gently, with a reassuring warmth in his tone, "Since I dare to marry you against all odds, naturally I have the ability to ensure your life without worry. The disciples of the Yun Family never make reckless promises to others."