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“I’ve long heard that Madam Han is no ordinary woman, and seeing you today, it truly is extraordinary. Just this eloquence of yours is beyond the reach of many,” Li Bonian said to Su Wenyue with a beaming smile, looking as gentle as possible. Although he had a grudge against Han Yu, Li Bonian believed this should not affect his feelings towards Han Yu’s woman. After all, this was a matter for men to handle outside, at least that was what Li Bonian thought after meeting Su Wenyue.

Li Bonian had not expected Su Wenyue to be so stunning. He had assumed that the woman Han Yu brought from the countryside, even if she were the legitimate daughter of the Su Mansion, must have been either ugly or flawed to marry a farmer. He didn’t expect that she would be such a beauty. If something happened to Han Yu this time, it wouldn’t be bad to take her back and make her his concubine. Such beauty was indeed rare even in the prefecture.

Seeing Li Bonian’s ill-intentioned gaze, Su Wenyue’s face turned displeased. The only person who could appear so brazenly in the Li family’s backyard besides Li Bonian was nobody else.

“Master Li overpraises me. I simply tell it as it is, which doesn’t count as eloquence,” Su Wenyue said with a cold tone, showing no favor to Li Bonian, one of the chief culprits. He was nothing more than a sinister and despicable person. Her husband was out fighting bandits in the cold, while Li Bonian was here enjoying his leisure; anyone would feel aggrieved by this contrast.

“Madam Han is truly modest, Li admires you,” Li Bonian, now with intentions, naturally made an effort to ingratiate himself with Su Wenyue. Li Bonian’s gaze towards Su Wenyue made both Madam Li and the old Madam Li frown frequently, well aware of Li Bonian’s lecherous nature – they had not failed to notice the lecherous glint in his eyes as he watched Su Wenyue.

Madam Li did not oppose her son seeking women; men were naturally entitled to multiple wives and concubines. She occasionally sent one or two concubines to her son, hoping for more heirs. However, if that woman were Su Wenyue, it was absolutely out of the question—not because Su Wenyue was married before, but because she was too sharp-edged, bristling with spikes. Having her around her son could lead to unpredictable problems.

“I don’t merit such praise from Master Li. As for admiration, my husband and I have always been conscientious and have never engaged in unsavory dealings. At the very least, we can stand and sit with a clear conscience, which is more than I can say for Master Li. I have a piece of advice for Master Li, ‘One who walks the night path often will eventually encounter ghosts.’ Do not think that just because you have done some things, others do not know.”

But Li Bonian had thick skin; he wasn’t angered by Su Wenyue’s words and didn’t believe Han Yu would learn the real reason behind the bandit-suppressing campaigns. He probably thought Su Wenyue was referring to past issues aimed at Lord Han. His gaze was almost clinging to Su Wenyue; a beauty in anger seemed even more attractive than ordinary people.

Su Wenyue felt even more disgusted. Madam Li, seeing her husband behaving this way, found it difficult to maintain her dignity but didn’t particularly hate Su Wenyue for it. After all, it wasn’t the first or second time such an incident had occurred, and it wasn’t just because of Su Wenyue—the word to describe it was simply ‘licentious’.

“Brother Li, today we are celebrating your daughter-in-law’s birthday, and this place is full of women. It’s not proper for a man to stay too long. You’d better go back to your own courtyard first,” the old Madam Li said, not wanting her son to take a fancy to Su Wenyue, so she preemptively tried to send Li Bonian away before her daughter-in-law could speak.

Seeing his mother put it this way and everyone looking at him, Li Bonian realized it would be improper to stay any longer. He gave Su Wenyue a meaningful glance before departing.

“Madam, this Master Li is clearly up to no good, with those thief-like eyes always peering at you. I want to gouge his eyeballs out!” Xiao Xi whispered angrily into Su Wenyue’s ear.

With Su Wenyue’s previous remarks serving as a deterrent, the old Madam Li and the daughter-in-law knew better than to provoke her. Even if they had their own designs, they did not act upon them, and the banquet went over smoothly. Seeing that it was about time, Su Wenyue prepared to take her leave.

“Madam Han, please wait!”

As Su Wenyue left the Inner Courtyard and was halfway across, near a small garden, she was stopped by Li Bonian. Seeing Li Bonian suddenly emerge, it was clear he had anticipated Su Wenyue’s route and had been lying in wait there.

“Old master.” The servant girl leading the way for Su Wenyue immediately knelt down upon seeing Li Bonian obstructing the path.

“Move aside!” Li Bonian, seeing the ignorant servant girl block his way, spoke irritably.

The maid moved her lips, then, under Li Bonian’s threatening gaze, shut her mouth and stepped aside, standing there like an invisible person, not daring to sweep her gaze this way again, showing how much authority Li Bonian held in the Li Mansion.

Su Wenyue was startled by Li Bonian’s sudden appearance but, upon recognizing who it was, her eyes flashed with disdain and disgust rather than fear. She had already been cautious of the Li family’s intentions toward her, and with two martially trained servant girls by her side, it was unlikely that Li Bonian could do anything to her even if he wanted to.

“Master Li is blocking my path. What are your intentions?” Su Wenyue asked with an icy demeanor, not bothering to hide her annoyance.

“Madam Han, please don’t misunderstand. I just want to have a proper talk with you. There were too many people before to say much. I always feel that Madam Han is different from other women, not only beautiful and elegant but also kind-hearted beyond the average woman. Lord Han is currently suppressing bandits, and his life is uncertain. Yet, Madam Han still thinks constantly of Lord Han, unlike those fickle women who have already started looking for another man since it’s too hard for a woman to handle everything alone with a child in these times.”

“So what does Master Li mean by that?” Su Wenyue asked, her expression growing even colder and tinged with a chilling undertone.

I deeply respect Madam Han’s character. If Lord Han is not by your side and you need any help, you can come to me. I, Li Bonian, will surely not hesitate to lend a hand.”

“There’s a well-known saying, ‘Unwarranted kindness often signals a scoundrel or a thief.’ We’re not close, Master Li, and I cannot accept your so-called kindness,” Su Wenyue replied, not wanting to say another word. Without waiting for Li Bonian to make way, she signaled Ah Qing with her eyes.

Understanding Su Wenyue’s intention, Ah Qing approached Li Bonian, extended one hand, and grabbed him by the waist with ease, lifting him effortlessly and tossing him aside.