Chapter 88 [V] Showdown
Han Yue wanted a divorce not because he had fallen in love with someone else, but because he had seen through the true nature of his wife.
She wasn't as pure and innocent as he had first met her; her so-called innocence was all an act. Even her face was fake.
If he had known from the beginning that she was this kind of person, he wouldn't have gone against all odds to marry her, let alone even glance at her.
However, Han Yue also considered a problem: as a scholar, if he divorced his wife without cause, it might damage his reputation.
So, the next day, Han Yue disregarded whether Xue Yi had refused his visit and went straight to his door.
As evening approached, Xue Yi returned home from the camp and saw a person standing in front of his house from afar.
Because he was far away and couldn't see clearly, he assumed it was his wife waiting for him at the door because she was worried about him not returning home for so long. He was even a little excited and immediately gave a soft "Giddy up!" to urge the horse to walk a little faster.
But when he was almost at the door and saw who was standing under the eaves, Xue Yi immediately lost all interest.
At that moment, Han Yue also saw him.
Upon seeing the person, Han Yue naturally took the initiative to come over.
Although Xue Yi disliked Han Yue and didn't want to have much contact with him, since they hadn't broken off relations and Han Yue hadn't done anything excessive, Xue Yi naturally treated him with courtesy.
"Han Xiucai." After dismounting, Xue Yi addressed him by the title "Xiucai" in a polite yet distant manner.
In contrast, Han Yue was much more formal. He first bowed to Xue Yi to greet him, then apologized for his uninvited visit, asking the general to forgive him. Finally, he stated his purpose, saying, "I have something important to discuss with the general."
"Oh?" Xue Yi was also puzzled. If they came without any ulterior motives, what important matter could they possibly have to discuss?
Han Yue was unwilling to talk about it here. He looked around, hesitated, and finally, when Xue Yi did not invite him inside to talk, he said directly, "This matter is of great importance, and this is not the place to discuss it."
Xue Yichen glanced at him, then looked up at the sky before saying, "If it is truly important, Scholar Han, please come in and speak."
After saying this, Xue Yi took the lead and went to the gate. After entering the courtyard, he quietly whispered a few words in the gatekeeper's ear. Upon hearing this, the gatekeeper immediately nodded and then ran away in a flash.
After that, Xue Yi turned to look at Han Yue and gestured, "This way, please."
Because he wasn't an important person, and Xue Yi even harbored hostility and suspicion towards him, he didn't invite him to the study, but instead invited him to the reception hall.
.
Xue Yi sent a doorman to deliver a letter to his wife. Li Yan learned that Han Yue had come uninvited and went straight to his door to confront him... It was quite amusing.
But since they had come, they were guests and couldn't be denied even a cup of tea. So, Li Yan instructed Xing'er to go to the kitchen to boil water and serve tea. After the tea was brewed, Li Yan took Xing'er with her and went to the flower hall where Xue Yi was entertaining guests.
At this moment, both Xue Yi and Han Yue looked solemn in the hall.
Upon seeing Li Yan approach, Han Yue said, "Madam, you've come at just the right time." He now addressed Li Yan as "Madam" instead of "Second Madam" as before, partly out of respect for Li Yan, and partly because he wanted to sever ties with Li's eldest aunt as soon as possible.
Upon hearing Han Yue's words, Li Yan asked, "Did I arrive just in time? What does your discussion have to do with me?"
Han Yue said, "Today's events are indeed related to Madam."
Because of his serious expression, and seeing that Xue Yi also looked serious at this moment... Li Yan couldn't help but have some guesses in her mind.
"Xing'er, you can go now." Li Yan dismissed the maid.
After serving the tea, Xing'er squatted down and left.
Li Yan picked a seat next to Xue Yi and sat down.
Han Yue then repeated what he had just said to Xue Yi in front of Li Yan.
Han Yue found the whole thing very bizarre, but for Li Yan, who had already transmigrated into other people's bodies, many things were nothing new. She had even suspected that Li Jiaojiao had stolen the original owner's fortune.
But now, the original owner has let go of everything here and left this world without any resentment. Li Yan only wants to live her life well now and does not want to cause any more trouble.
Therefore, Li Yan's reaction was very indifferent when Han Yue said these words.
She even retorted to Han Yue, "Brother-in-law, what are you talking about? What 'stealing people's fortune'? That's absurd. If such a bizarre thing really existed in this world, wouldn't it be easy for those powerful and wealthy families to take the lives of ordinary people?"
As a scholar, one shouldn't say such things. But Han Yue had his own selfish motives, so he couldn't care less about such things.
Seeing that Li Yan wasn't taking his bait, Han Yue didn't give up and said, "Back when your mother was still alive, my wife and I met." Han Yue used to be most reluctant to talk about the past because he had a marriage agreement with Li's second wife. He wouldn't abandon the beautiful Li's first wife to marry Li's second wife.
But things are different now.
Although he did not want to rekindle his relationship with Li Erniang, he did not want to be husband and wife with Li Daniang again.
When he brought up the events of that year, Li Yan felt the most apprehensive. After all, she was not the real Li Yan.
However, though he was filled with fear, he tried his best not to show it on his face.
They listened quietly as Han Yue continued, "Although the lady was young back then, she inherited her mother's looks and was not an ugly person. After her mother passed away, her father remarried to a woman surnamed Yue, and the lady's situation changed."
As Han Yue spoke, he stared intently at Li Yan, observing the expression on her face.
"When Madam was young, she was also intelligent and beautiful. How could she have become the way outsiders say she is in just one or two years? As for what happened after that, I don't need to say more. Madam herself knows the truth."
Upon hearing this, Li Yan simply smiled: "My mother's sudden death left me devastated, and I struggled to accept it, naturally becoming despondent. But later, I got married, and my mother-in-law and two nephews treated me exceptionally well. I regained my confidence to continue living a good life, and naturally, my demeanor and appearance changed. I don't believe what Han Gong said. I admit that my stepsister and I have always been at odds, but no matter how much we disagree, I would never fabricate such rumors to slander her. Now that I've found my ideal husband, I just want to live my life well, and I don't want to care about any other grudges or resentments." As she spoke, she looked earnestly at Xue Yi. The deep affection in her eyes was impossible to conceal.
Seeing this, Xue Yi felt a sudden tightness in his heart and naturally spoke up for his wife: "We won't interfere in your marital affairs." Xue Yi had fought on the battlefield and then spent some time in the officialdom, so he knew how to read people's hearts.
Han Yue's purpose in coming here was perfectly clear to him.
A rift developed between them, and perhaps he wanted to sever their marriage. However, burdened by his social status and unable to find fault with his wife, he decided to use her as a tool.
Han Yue was naturally a smart man. With just one sentence from Xue Yi, he knew that his own plans had been laid bare before him.
But he was not discouraged, and continued, "Madam, you are magnanimous and do not hold grudges against those who have hurt you. However, some people, once they have been phoenixes, are unwilling to return to being sparrows. You have let go of the past, but some people have not let go of the present." Then, he told Li Yan, without reservation, all the hatred his wife harbored for her stepsister, Li Yan.
After saying this, he stood up and continued, "I am not a heartless person. It is not that I have forgotten the goodness of my wife who shared my hardships after I have gained fame and fortune. It's just that she is no longer the same woman. Her appearance is secondary; her character has also completely changed. I once valued her for her gentleness, virtue, and kindness, but now she has become repulsive and her heart is no longer kind. She is no longer the wife I once wanted to marry. I know that you, General and Madam, may not approve of what I have done, but if this were to happen to you two, you might not be so forgiving."
After saying this, Han Yue clasped his hands and said, "I have said a lot today and may have disturbed you in many ways. I am truly sorry."
Seeing his frankness and his heartfelt words, Xue Yi felt a certain degree of admiration for him.
After Han Yue said goodbye, Xue Yi, out of courtesy to his guest, also stood up and said, "I'll see you out."
Before seeing him to the door, Han Yue solemnly bid farewell to Xue Yi again, saying, "General, you are an upright man, and your wife is a kind-hearted one. Even if we had no connection, I would still like to remind you—it's hard to guard against a petty person. Without further ado, farewell." Han Yue clasped his hands again before turning and leaving.
Xue Yi stood on the steps, silently watching the others walk away.
Now that the height of summer has passed, the days are getting shorter and shorter. Right now, the sun has already set, the sky is a deep blue-green, and it's getting dark.
He stood there for a while, lost in thought. Once the figure had completely disappeared, Xue Yi immediately turned and headed towards his wife.
In fact, Xue Yi also had many doubts in his heart. For example, in the life he dreamed of, the Li Shi he saw after returning home was completely different from the one beside him.
But he thought that no matter what the truth was, he would trust his wife.
He believed everything she said without question.
But we must be completely honest with each other this time.
So after returning home, Xue Yi went to see his wife.
Because of Han Yue's sudden visit and the things he talked about, Li Yan had lost her appetite. So, she sent Xing'er to tell the old lady that she wouldn't be coming over for dinner that night.
After returning to her room, she lazily nestled inside, her mind racing with thoughts of many things.
She guessed that Xue Yi would probably come looking for her soon.
Sure enough, the thought had barely crossed her mind when she saw the tall male figure appear in the courtyard outside the window.
In fact, Li Yan had also thought that since the couple was aiming to live a good life together, they should be honest with each other about many things. Besides, she hadn't done anything wrong in that matter.
What's the point of saying it?
If he doesn't accept, it means they are not meant to be.
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