Chapter 491 The Duel Between Li Wenxun and Lu Hanyi

Chapter 491: The Confrontation Between Li Wenxun and Lu Hanyi

Li Wenxun said nothing more to Li Shouye, only uttering with a sinister tone, "You've grown up now," before leading his concubines away.

After they left, Lu Hanyi's eyes gleamed with the satisfaction of having got sweet revenge.

"Mother, are you alright?" Li Shouye asked.

"What could go wrong with you here?" Lu Hanyi replied excitedly.

At this moment, Xu Yinyin spoke up, "But after today's commotion, won’t Father-in-law be furious?"

"Why bother about him? Let him rage—better yet, I hope he chokes on his rage!" Lu Hanyi's eyes sparkled with malice, wishing nothing more than for Li Wenxun to perish sooner rather than later.

If he died, she’d immediately auction off his entire household of concubines!

She’d drive out all his bastard sons and marry off his by-blow daughters to footmen!

Just the thought made her whole world brighten.

Xu Yinyin blinked at Lu Hanyi’s fervor and asked, "Should we still go to the old residence to pay our respects today?"

Li Shouye hesitated, but Lu Hanyi eagerly declared, "Of course we’re going!"

Earlier, she had shut herself indoors, unsure how to deal with Li Wenxun and his entourage.

But now that they had provoked her, she had discovered their Achilles' heel.

As long as she made a scene, they’d be powerless against her!

So why fear them?

They would go—not only that, but she’d also teach Li Wenxun another lesson!

She’d make that mangy old dog regret crossing her!

Once ready, the entire family piled into the carriage and headed to the Li clan's old residence.

That evening, a feast was held.

Scores of the Li clan members gathered to welcome Li Wenxun back to the capital.

After returning, Li Wenxun had cleaned up nicely, changed clothes, and dabbed on some medicine—though the scratches on his face remained visible. He took his seat sporting obvious fight marks.

When he took his seat, Lu Hanyi, along with her son and daughter-in-law, were already seated.

"Second Brother, what happened to you?" the eldest Li brother inquired.

Li Wenxun shifted uncomfortably. "I was scratched by a damn stray cat on the roadside earlier."

The moment he finished speaking, a cold laugh sounded beside him. "Oh? A damn stray cat? Then you’d better be careful tonight—lest that ‘stray cat’ claws your throat out!"

Li Wenxun: "......"

As he glowered, lost for words, his sister-in-law Wei Shi cut in sweetly, "Hanyi, how can you speak like that? Second Brother is your husband. Shouldn’t you, as his lawful wife, show him comfort and concern when he’s hurt?"

"Comfort and concern? I’d kill to see that damn stray cat rip his guts out!"

"Lu Hanyi!" The elderly Lady Li roared in fury. "This is your lord and master, your heaven! How dare you spout such foolish talk! Do you believe I’ll send for your mother here to hear the nonsense you’re spewing?"

At this, Lu Hanyi clamped her mouth shut.

While she could easily throw tantrums at Li Wenxun, those tricks didn't work against the elderly Lady Li and Wei Shi.

That meddling old hag truly dared to complain to her parents. Relying on her status as the elder matriarch, she would tattle to Lu Hanyi’s family, making any resistance pointless.

For the moment, she had no choice but to endure.

Wei Shi, happy to see Lu Hanyi put in her place, glanced between the quarreling couple and needled, "Second Brother, now that you’re back, things will surely improve. Hanyi has suffered greatly these years—playing both father and mother in your absence. Her quick temper has grown fiercer, but with your return, you’ll surely shape her into a docile and proper wife!"

As soon as she finished, the entire table broke into laughter.

Every person in this household had dealings with Lu Hanyi.

Her infamously difficult and sharp temper was well-known to all.

She had managed to offend everyone at the table—there wasn’t a single soul who liked her.

Listening to their hypocritical jabs, Lu Hanyi boiled with anger. She wouldn’t take it all out on anyone else—she would save it all for Li Wenxun!

Li Wenxun, meanwhile, wore an expression of mortified embarrassment at the table’s remarks.

He couldn’t help but resent the fact that he had married a woman like Lu Hanyi.

Not only had she been of no help to him, but she had also dragged his name through the mud!

In this very household—where he had once dreamed of making something of himself and earning respect—she had utterly disgraced him.

He forced an awkward smile and remained silent.

Just then, the elderly Lady Li spoke up. "Wenxun, now that you’re back, where do you mean to live?"

At his age, with his eldest child already married, it was only natural to consider setting up his own household.

"Don’t misunderstand, son—I’m not pushing you away. But with your entire family in tow, including your concubines and children, your former rooms simply can’t accommodate everyone."

The elderly Lady Li was calculating.

Their grand residence could no longer house additional people.

Her eldest son’s grandson was soon to marry and would need a proper, independent courtyard—and she had her eye on Li Wenxun’s current residence.

After all, her second son had never amounted to much. At his age, he was still only an eighth-rank storekeeper, while her eldest had already risen to a seventh-rank assistant instructor at the Imperial Academy, mingling with princes and securing a far brighter future than her good-for-nothing second son could ever achieve.

Better to drive him out now and make room for her cherished eldest grandson.

Li Wenxun, sharp as he was, instantly grasped his mother’s disdainful implication. His pride had always been fragile in this household, and he had long yearned to prove himself. Now, hearing her words, he declared, "Mother, you needn’t worry. I’ve already inspected potential lodgings today—Shouye’s residence is quite spacious. We’ll simply move in with him."

His visit to Li Shouye’s home earlier had not been without purpose.

He had gone to assess the property, intending to relocate his entire family there!

Land in the Imperial City was exorbitantly expensive—he lacked the funds to purchase his own estate, especially after squandering most of his savings during his years in Jiangnan.

Earn in Jiangnan, spend in Jiangnan—not a single coin made it back home.

On his journey back to the capital, he had already contemplated his living arrangements.

The Li family’s old residence was too cramped, and though he craved prestige, he couldn’t afford to live separately from the others. With his finances in shambles, his thoughts had immediately turned to Li Shouye.

He had heard that his son had married the daughter of a county official, receiving a generous dowry—including a house.

His visit today had been to inspect that very property!

When Lu Hanyi heard Li Wenxun’s words, her eyes widened in outrage. "You shameless, worthless wretch! Now you’re trying to steal my son’s house too?!"