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The restaurant was located in the bustling center of the city, filled with people coming and going. Ye Xiaohan and Boss Yan's argument quickly attracted a crowd, and when they saw Boss Yan being driven out, they jeered at his retreating figure.
"Boss Ye, are you alright? That scoundrel deceived people and still dares to show his face. What a thick skin! If he dares to come back, we should report him!" one of the shop assistants from a nearby store spat in the direction Boss Yan had left.
The news of Boss Yan's previous deceitful acts had already spread, and few regarded him as a good person. Moreover, his character had never been great, and he had not gotten along well with the neighbors.
Seeing him get humiliated and chased away brought satisfaction to many. Some who were unaware of the details began to inquire about what had happened, and as the story spread from one person to another, it gradually gained traction.
Ye Xiaohan's restaurant had not even opened yet but was already attracting a lot of attention. She found it both amusing and exasperating that this incident added to her notoriety.
Soon, the news reached Liu Susu's ears.
Ever since Liu Susu had attempted to humiliate Ye Xiaohan during her last visit but ended up infuriated instead, she had viewed Ye Xiaohan as a thorn in her side, wishing nothing more than to eliminate her.
She even sent people to keep an eye on Ye Xiaohan's movements, reporting back to her whenever there was news.
Upon learning about the quarrel between Ye Xiaohan and Boss Yan, Liu Susu couldn't help but feel elated.
"Ye Xiaohan, I've finally caught you at a weak point!" Liu Susu immediately ordered her servants to prepare a carriage and head to the General's residence.
The steward sighed in annoyance upon hearing that Liu Susu was coming again. Due to her status, he couldn't just send her away. After all, considering her family's influence and out of respect for Gu Rong, who served as a steward for the Gu Family for three generations, he couldn't simply throw out their Second Young Mistress.
"Young Master, don't you think it's similar to the Second Young Mistress?" the butler said with concern. "As a sister-in-law, she frequently visits the elder branch of the family. What kind of behavior is that?"
The butler cared for the reputation of the Gu Family and did not wish to see such matters unfold. "If she wants to tarnish the Liu Family's name, no one can stop her. But our Gu Family's good name cannot be ruined by her actions!"
It was truly unfortunate; how did the master choose such a troublesome daughter-in-law?
Gu Bei offered some words of comfort to the butler before heading off to deal with Liu Susu.
He had already clearly told Liu Susu not to approach the General anymore; he did not want to be involved with her any further. However, Liu Susu acted as if she hadn't heard him, continuing to do as she pleased.
Now, seeing Liu Susu made Gu Bei feel somewhat irritated. How had he not noticed before how difficult she was? Although his memories of her were few, he could still recall that back then, Liu Susu adhered to the etiquette expected of a young lady and did not act out of line.
"Madam Gu, I remember what I said. Please do not come to the General's residence again. Our statuses are different, and it would not be good for either of us if this got out," Gu Bei stated bluntly, without leaving her any face.
For the sake of the Gu Family's reputation, just seeing Liu Susu reminded him of his treacherous younger brother, stirring mixed feelings within him.
Moreover, Gu Bei recalled a recent incident when he had secretly visited Ye Xiaohan's household. Ye Xiaohan had been furious, complaining about how Liu Susu had come looking for trouble.
"Be more careful," Ye Xiaohan had said, his expression twisted in frustration. "If you're looking for a woman, at least choose someone with some quality! Just look at who you've picked!"
At that time, Gu Bei had been somewhat surprised; he hadn't expected Liu Susu to disregard her own status and act so selfishly.
After enduring half a scolding from Ye Xiaohan, he managed to calm him down. He certainly did not want a repeat of that situation.
Upon hearing Gu Bei's dismissal, Liu Susu's eyes immediately turned red, tears welling up in her eyes. "Brother Gu Bei, why are you like this again? Are others' gossip and rumors really more important than my place in your heart?"
She looked at Gu Bei with a cold expression, her heart skipping a beat. It seemed better not to provoke him too obviously, so she quickly added a remark to soften the situation: "As long as we stand upright and act justly, why should we care about what others think?"
The butler behind them let out a soft snort. How could this woman say such things? Her intentions were as clear as day; anyone could see through her facade, yet she still managed to lie without batting an eye.
The eldest young master was right not to marry this woman back then. It was a pity for the second young master, who was blind enough to fall for someone like her!
Gu Bei didn’t even bother with pleasantries, not even offering tea. He simply stood there and, after a few words, began to usher them out: "Madam Gu, if there's nothing else, you should head back early."
"Wait! I have something important to tell you!" Liu Susu quickly stopped him as he turned to leave. "Do you know that Ye Xiaohan has gotten into trouble outside?"
Upon hearing Ye Xiaohan's name, Gu Bei paused for a moment, coming back to his senses. He asked, "What happened? Liu Susu, I already know about the trouble you caused at the Li residence. I advise you to consider your own status and spare some face for your family and for yourself and Gu Rong!"
Anyone who wished harm upon the Li family would be his enemy—there would be no indulgence.
Liu Susu was taken aback by his sudden firmness and instinctively took a step back. Gu Bei had spent years on the battlefield, facing death countless times; he carried an aura of lingering hostility.
However, he was not naturally aggressive; he was quite humble and usually kept his emotions in check. Over the past year of living in seclusion and despair, much of his hostility had faded.
It wasn't often apparent in his daily demeanor, but when he got angry, the terrifying presence buried deep within his soul would resurface.
Liu Susu had only seen the gentle side of Gu Bei before; now she unexpectedly witnessed another side of him and felt a bit intimidated.
Yet her hatred for Ye Xiaohan outweighed her fear of Gu Bei.
Suppressing her fear, she still made an effort to express her intentions: "Brother Gu Bei, you're being unfair! I didn't go there to cause trouble last time; I just went to visit her!"
"And!" Liu Susu, fearing that Gu Bei would really kick her out, quickly added, "This has nothing to do with me! Ye Xiaohan brought this upon herself; others have come knocking at her door!"
"Really?" Gu Bei was taken aback. Just two days ago, Gu Da had reported that everything was fine. How could something suddenly go wrong? He looked at Liu Susu with suspicion. "I see."
Liu Susu hurriedly embellished the story, relaying the information she had received to Gu Bei. "That Ye Xiaohan is not behaving as a woman should! Instead of staying home to support her husband and raise children, she’s out there running a business! Now look what’s happened—she’s attracted attention!"
She mocked Ye Xiaohan, completely oblivious to the fact that her own actions were even more outrageous.
Gu Bei paid little attention to her provocation; he felt a twinge of displeasure at Liu Susu's slander against both herself and Ye Xiaohan.
"It seems Madam Gu has no important matters at hand. Steward, show our guest out!"
"Yes, Young Master!" The steward had been waiting for Gu Bei's cue. As soon as he finished speaking, he immediately took over. "Second Young Mistress, please this way!"
Liu Susu's face turned ugly; it seemed the entire General's residence was filled with people who dared to mock her!
"Brother Gu Bei, I came here out of goodwill to remind you not to be bewitched by that vixen, losing sight of your own judgment!"
Liu Susu was so furious that she forgot her earlier fear of Gu Bei. "That Ye Xiaohan stole someone else's shop to open a restaurant, and now the owners have come looking for her. This is all her own doing!"
Gu Bei replied coldly, "I know what kind of person she is; I don’t need an outsider pointing fingers between us! Liu Susu, I was polite to you before because of the long-standing friendship between our families, but it seems I was too lenient!"
His tone grew increasingly frigid. "As the daughter of a Prime Minister, you show none of the qualities expected of a proper lady; as someone else's wife, you lack any consideration for your husband's family. In my opinion, if you have the time to meddle in others' affairs, you should take care of yourself instead. Don’t let your actions ruin the reputations of both our families!"
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