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Chapter 61: Both Talented and Good-Looking

Ever since she was reborn, Su Wenyue had always stayed at the Han Family, having yet to go anywhere else except her mother’s family. When she heard that Han Yu wanted to take her into the city, she couldn’t contain her excitement. The Su Family, seeing that their daughter would be accompanied by Han Yu, had no concerns about her safety and let them go.

In order not to waste time on the road, they used the horse carriage from the Su Mansion to go to Xinye County. Han Yu was not particular about it; since the carriage would get them to the county town faster, he didn’t insist on using their own ox cart. Since it was an item from his wife’s parents’ home and could be borrowed, he saw no reason not to do so, and he didn’t harbor any inferiority complex either. Instead, he found it amusing to see his daughter-in-law so eager and couldn’t help shaking his head with a smile.

He grew up in the village, where a peasant family doesn’t have so many rules. Whether it’s unwed girls or married daughters-in-law, going to town was an easy matter, without the fuss of Wealthy Families about women not showing their faces in public. Going to the market or shopping in the city was a common affair, unless it was a daughter who was newly betrothed and waiting to get married, who would then try to go out as little as possible.

However, his daughter-in-law had been pampered by her parents since she was young. Although the Su Family didn’t live in the city, they were not just any rich household and had connections with Chang’an. Naturally, there were more rules at home, and with a daughter-in-law as beautiful and adorable as she was, even he wouldn’t feel at ease if she went to the city alone, let alone her father-in-law, mother-in-law, and the two cousins who kept her under constraints at home. It was normal for her to want to go out and have fun.

“If you like it, I’ll take you to the city whenever I have time, seeing how happy you are.”

“You don’t need to take me; I can go by myself, just ride the ox cart with the daughters-in-law from the village. Xiao Xi takes care of my errands and there’s also a horse carriage; going to the County Town is convenient. My father, mother, and elder brothers used to love controlling me, saying I couldn’t do this or that. But having married, I’m now free; they can’t control me anymore.”

Su Wenyue said cheerfully. Being married wasn’t without its perks; although some people in the Han Family didn’t get along with her, no one would interfere with her going into town. She just had to inform them. When there was a market, some daughters-in-law from the village would often bring local products or shoes they made themselves to sell at the market. Selling them would also make some money to help with household expenses. Su Wenyue found this quite interesting.

Han Yu didn’t oppose her saying this. Their Xinye County had always been peaceful, rarely had anything alarming happened. If other daughters-in-law could go, he had no reason to restrict his own. Nevertheless, he was still somewhat worried and cautioned, “You can go to the county town for fun, but not alone. You must bring Xiao Xi with you or let me accompany you. If I find out you didn’t listen, then you won’t be allowed to go anymore.”

“I know; I’ll bring Xiao Xi next time. She even knows Kung Fu; with her around, I will be very safe,” Su Wenyue promised, but she feared that Han Yu would try to stop her, just like her father, mother, and brothers did.

When they reached the County Town, it was indeed bustling, especially since today was the big market day. The streets were crowded with people and various vendors. Su Wenyue looked here and there, ending up buying quite a lot. However, since the Han Family had not yet separated, she had to be cautious about spending money. Su Wenyue was very frugal and thought that life would be better if she could separate from the family earlier.

She stopped buying things, but there were many street food stalls along the road, and the smell alone was enough to make one’s stomach rumble. When her elder brothers used to accompany her, they always said that these roadside stalls were unclean and wouldn’t let her eat there, but Han Yu would not do the same. Su Wenyue kept eating along the way and felt quite full.

“Husband, I really can’t eat anymore,” Su Wenyue said, holding a fried meatball and looking at Han Yu for help while patting her round stomach.

Han Yu, without any second thoughts, took the fried meatball from Su Wenyue’s hand. He didn’t mind that Su Wenyue had already taken a bite and finished it off quickly. Su Wenyue watched with amusement.

“Hey, isn’t that Brother Han? What’s this, taking your daughter-in-law out shopping?”

Han Yu and Su Wenyue both turned their heads upon hearing the voice and saw a young man, about the same age as Han Yu, dressed as a scholar with polite and refined manners, smiling at them.

Su Wenyue didn’t speak but looked at Han Yu. From the young man’s words, it seemed that he knew Han Yu. In her previous life, Han Yu didn’t care for her and seldom spoke to her. Naturally, he wouldn’t tell her anything about his outside acquaintances, and besides interactions with some nearby villagers, Su Wenyue was utterly clueless about Han Yu’s friends outside.

“Brother Deng, long time no see. I hope you are well,” Han Yu said and introduced them, “Lady Yue, this is my good friend Deng Tong. Brother Deng, this is my wife, Lady Yue.”

On hearing the name Deng Tong, Su Wenyue was taken aback, unsure if this was the same famous General Deng Tong she knew about. In her previous life, ever since she entered that mansion, she was confined to the inner house and couldn’t meet Deng Tong in person. She only knew of him and his deeds through the servant girls and maids’ talks. Although not as distinguished as Han Yu, he was also a remarkable person. However, it was said that General Deng Tong was from Xinye, so it must be the same person. She just didn’t expect Han Yu to know Deng Tong at this time. Thinking of the relationship between Deng Tong and Emperor Wu, it was possible that Han Yu followed Emperor Wu through Deng Tong’s connection.

“Lady Yue has met Young Master Deng.” Su Wenyue, raised under the tutelage of the An Family and even had an old woman teach her for a while, was thoroughly disciplined in the mansion. Any misstep was unacceptable. Now, even if the Han Family was a low-status civilian family and did not care for formalities, when it came to meeting others, she did not slack in the proper courtesies, and she greeted Deng Tong flawlessly.

Deng Tong, seeing this, was somewhat surprised. He hadn’t expected that Han Yu, a mere farmer, could marry such a lady not only of fine appearance but also cultured in speech and dress, clearly from a good family. His willingness to befriend Han Yu also stemmed from recognizing Han Yu’s extraordinary qualities, and considering that others could see it too, it didn’t seem strange anymore.

“Madam Sister-in-law, no need to be so formal. Han Brother and I are good friends. Although we have not known each other very long, we share common interests and mutual admiration. We got along well right from the start. Perhaps in the future, I might even trouble you, and I hope you won’t find me bothersome. As for Han Brother, he is indeed fortunate to have married you, a woman of both beauty and charm. Speaking of which, I have yet to toast Han Brother and celebrate his good fortune.” Deng Tong’s words were friendly towards Han Yu. Han Yu himself had intentions in befriending Deng Tong and naturally was happy with this proximity: “Brother Deng is too polite. Since we’ve met, it’s serendipity. Why don’t we go to the restaurant and have a drink?”

“Then I shall humbly accept the invitation, please!”