Han Yu had been doing farm work all morning and had gone hunting in the mountain. Drenched in sweat, he grabbed some clothes to wash up. Su Wenyue hesitated but still called out to Han Yu and took a set of brand-new clothes out of the box for him. From innerwear to outer garments, everything was included. Handing them over, she looked somewhat conflicted.
"Here, these clothes were made according to your measurements. Go ahead and wear them," she said.
Han Yu took the clothes from Su Wenyue's hands. They weren't made of silk but of high-quality cotton. Clearly, the Su Family could afford better materials but had chosen high-quality cotton considering his everyday needs, ensuring that the clothes were comfortable and not so unusual that they'd end up unused at the bottom of the box. The craftsmanship was exquisite, clearly the work of the same person who had made the shoes and insoles for the Tea ceremony.
Han Yu raised an eyebrow, looking at Su Wenyue, "Did you make these?"
Somehow, facing Han Yu's rather intense gaze, Su Wenyue felt very guilty. She had intended to simply affirm, but knowing how shrewd Han Yu was, if she lied now and he discovered the truth later, it would surely affect his thoughts of her. Han Yu was not easily fooled like Mrs. Liu and Mrs. Wang, so the best choice was honesty, hoping that Han Yu would think better of her for her candor.
"I... I'd like to say I made them, but that's not true. They were made by an embroiderer at home." Su Wenyue, after speaking, hung her head in shame, showing real remorse.
"Hmm?" Han Yu looked at the clothes in his hand. He trusted his judgement and would not be mistaken; the clothes, along with the shoes and insoles presented during the Tea ceremony, were indeed crafted by the same person. Not only the stitching but also certain embroidery habits were familiar. He had suspicions when he saw Su Wenyue embroider on the spot and had thought it was an improvement on her embroidery skills. Now, other doubts had been dismissed since he didn't want to suspect his Daughter-in-law or make a big deal over such a small matter. But it seemed it wasn't the case at all.
"Not just these clothes, but also the shoes and insoles given to Father and Mother, they were all made by our embroiderer," Su Wenyue spoke softer and softer, her head bowing lower, dissipating some of the displeasure Han Yu initially felt.
Han Yu found his Daughter-in-law sometimes acted like an unripe child. If their ages didn't differ by just three years, he would have thought he was raising a worrisome Daughter. Stubborn and prone to sulk, she also had a round, apple-shaped face with a touch of baby fat on her chin, making her look much younger than she was when she looked up at you with an innocent expression.
Now, looking at her ashamed demeanor, too scared to lift her head, he believed she knew she had done wrong. But if she knew it was wrong, why did she still do it?
Han Yu had seen the embroidery skills Su Wenyue demonstrated; he didn't believe she couldn't do it herself, perhaps she just didn't want to do it.
Thinking this way, Han Yu also recalled her reluctance when unveiling the wedding veil. But then again, with her privileged background, who would be willing to marry a Farmer with no particular skills like him? Although Han Yu believed he wouldn't live an ordinary life forever, outsiders saw the reality for what it was.
"I remember during the Tea ceremony, you confidently claimed that those shoes and insoles were handcrafted by you, even causing Sister-in-law and Third Sister-in-law to apologize, making me believe too," Han Yu said casually, his tone light and teasing, but Su Wenyue felt an increased pressure.
This devil, still but a common Farmer without yet making his fortune, had a presence so assertive it entirely overwhelmed her. Su Wenyue cursed him silently in her mind.
Yet Han Yu's tone suddenly became much more severe. It was fine for his Daughter-in-law to be a little spoiled, but he couldn't indulge her habit of lying: "Why are you looking down! Look at me when I'm speaking. What's the use of acting like this after what you've done? I am curious about one thing, though. Since you managed to deceive everyone, why confess the truth to me now? Aren't you afraid I'd be angry or tell Father and Mother about it?"
"I am afraid, but... but Mother said Husband and Wife should act with honesty. Besides, I didn't want to lie to you. And you're so smart, while I'm a bit slow. I wouldn't be able to trick you anyway, so I might as well tell you the truth. If you're angry, you can punish me or scold me all you want. But please, don't tell Father and Mother; they would definitely be upset," Su Wenyue said coyly, shaking Han Yu's arm, leaving him both helpless and...
Han Yu raised his hand to hit Su Wenyue's head, but as his hand neared her, he changed the action, poking her forehead firmly instead: "You know you're not smart, and your little tricks might fool the naive, but I can't be bothered to call you out on them. It would be too easy to spot the flaws."
"Yes, yes, I know you're the most amazing, Husband. But it wasn't on purpose. I was just so angry at the time, angry that Dad had me marry just any man on a whim, without letting me choose someone I liked. I was showing him my displeasure. Why should I do as he wished? But I won't do it again, I promise to make clothes for you with my own hands in the future," she said.
"So what kind of man do you like?" Han Yu asked casually, although the topic had already shifted.
Showing nothing on her face, Su Wenyue internally dismissed Han Yu's childish tactics. 'As if I don't know you're fishing for information. The future Prime Minister is still growing up, still too green. Madam, I was seasoned in the backyard dealings, expert in dealing with that unfaithful scoundrel. Even though men are different, they have commonalities.'
"Well, I'm not sure what I like. Maybe someone handsome, gentle, and considerate? Or someone cool and devoted? Or someone dignified with a strong Presence of a man? Anyway, it doesn't matter. I just wanted to pick a man I liked myself, like my cousin did, instead of carelessly marrying a stranger!" Su Wenyue spoke bitterly internally, yet her external facade was clouded with naive confusion.
Han Yu shook his head, disbelieving her idea of a preferred partner; all figments of her imagination. The reason for her unwillingness to marry him wasn't due to his lack of ability as a Farmer or a preoccupied heart; it turns out this girl simply hadn't matured. It seemed he was the one overthinking things.