You're the one who wants to marry a mistress, and I'm marrying someone else, yet you still

Upon arriving at the old lady's courtyard, Xie Wanru changed her relaxed and carefree expression from the journey, revealing a pitiful look.

Upon entering the room, one could see Shen Nian'an standing there with Fu Rou, who looked pale and unwell, and Shen Yu'er, who appeared timid. The old lady had a serious expression on her face, clearly extremely displeased with the matter.

"Wanru, you've come at the right time." The old lady said with a hint of reproach in her voice when she saw Xie Wanru. "Nian'an, what is the meaning of this? How could you so hastily bring an outsider back to the mansion?"

When Shen Nian'an suddenly brought the person back, Old Madam Shen was caught off guard.

Xie Wanru smiled slightly, bowed, and said, "Mother, please don't be impatient. Your daughter-in-law is willing to hear the details. Since Second Master has taken this action, he must have his reasons. Let's listen to what he has to say."

Xie Wanru was dignified and not at all as rude as Shen Nian'an had described. Fu Rou looked her up and down several times, and finally lowered her eyes with a hint of inferiority.

Fearing being implicated, Shen Nianqing hid herself away today. Her second brother dared to bring his mistress back to the Shen residence; he must have lost his mind. She didn't want Xie Wanru to misunderstand her as interfering and get slapped again.

Shen Nian'an was taken aback by Xie Wanru's calm response and was momentarily speechless, but she quickly composed herself.

“Wanru, Rou’er is an old friend of mine from many years ago. Now they are all alone and helpless. How can I stand idly by? I plan to let them stay in the manor and give them a place to live.”

Xie Wanru was unsure whether to laugh or not. Shen Nian'an's lie was so clichéd. If he had admitted it now, she would have respected him as a man.

Xie Wanru's eyes flickered slightly, but her tone remained calm: "I naturally understand Second Master's compassion. But the Shen family has strict rules, and there are many men in the Shen family. In what capacity should these two women stay?"

Madam Shen frowned, clearly quite dissatisfied with Shen Nian'an's arrangement, but she did not immediately lash out, waiting for Xie Wanru to continue. Xie Wanru was very polite today, so she couldn't help Shen Nianqing.

Seeing this, Fu Rou gently twisted the hem of her clothes, a hint of unease flashing in her eyes, while Shen Yu'er gripped Fu Rou's sleeve tightly, her face filled with fear and helplessness.

Shen Nian'an was speechless for a moment. He had not expected Xie Wanru to be so polite and throw the question back at him.

At this point, shouldn't he press her for answers? Shouldn't he fly into a rage? Then he could argue his case, retorting that Xie Wanru is clueless about romance and that he was forced to find other women outside.

He coughed lightly, trying to regain some confidence.

"They...they can stay temporarily as guests. We can tell everyone they are my mother's distant nieces, and I will make proper arrangements for them later."

He wasn't sure if Xie Wanru would be furious if he directly said it was his mistress, and Shen Yanzhi hadn't gained Xie Wanru's trust yet, so he couldn't reveal it now.

Xie Wanru's lips curled into a barely perceptible sneer. This Shen Nian'an really knows how to make excuses. Even at a time like this, he can still hold back from telling the truth.

She slowly got up and walked to Fu Rou and Shen Yu'er. Fu Rou felt a little guilty under her gaze. Before coming here, Fu Rou had thought that Xie Wanru must be a vulgar and uncouth woman.

That's why she couldn't take Shen Nian'an back from her, but now that she's seen the real person, she's not so sure anymore.

"If you two are truly old friends of the Second Master, the Shen family will certainly treat you with the utmost courtesy. However, everyone in this household must follow the rules. If you wish, you may stay in the guest rooms first, and the Second Master will make a decision after he has devised a foolproof plan. Is that alright?"

Fu Rou looked up, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes. She wanted to refuse, but seeing Xie Wanru's gentle yet firm attitude, and thinking of her and Yu'er's current situation, she finally nodded and agreed in a low voice.

Having just entered the Shen residence, she naturally had to listen to the people there, and Xie Wanru's words were so impeccable that she had no way to refuse.

Moreover... why did she feel that Shen Nian'an wasn't as heartless towards Xie Wanru as he claimed? Their relationship was clearly like that of a normal married couple.

Seeing this, Madam Shen's expression softened slightly. Although she was also dissatisfied with Shen Nian'an's actions, she was quite satisfied with Xie Wanru's handling of the situation.

She sighed softly, relieved.

“In that case, we shall do as Wanru says. Nian’an, you must remember that the Shen family is a century-old family, and its reputation is of utmost importance. You must never do such a rash thing again.”

Madam Shen gave Fu Rou a cold look. This woman did indeed give birth to a son for the Shen family, but compared to Fu Rou's son, she would much rather Xie Wanru and Shen Nian'an have a son with Xie family blood.

It's obvious that Xie Wanru wasn't very attentive to Shen Yanzhi. She had always let Shen Yanzhi grow up on his own, and although she was very indulgent, it always felt like something was missing.

"Yes, mother."

Helpless, Shen Nian'an could only agree, but secretly plotted how to resolve this trouble as soon as possible.

"Wanru, thank you for your understanding."

He walked towards Xie Wanru, but Xie Wanru inadvertently got up and avoided Shen Nian'an.

Shen Nian'an's outstretched hand froze in mid-air, her expression slightly embarrassed, but she had no choice but to withdraw it and put on a gentle smile instead.

"Wanru, I know you are angry, but I do have my reasons for this, and I will explain it to you in the future."

Xie Wanru smiled slightly, a smile that concealed a subtle distance.

Men really do fall for this. Her gentle and compliant nature makes him forget his own limitations.

"Second Master, you flatter me. You are the Second Master of the Shen family and my husband. I will respect your decision. However, I hope that in the future, you will consider the Shen family more and your own reputation more."

Xie Wanru's every smile and gesture exuded the elegance and poise of a lady from a prominent family.

Not only Shen Nian'an, but even Old Madam Shen was somewhat surprised by Xie Wanru's behavior today. Xie Wanru had always been so obedient. Ever since the first adoption ceremony, Xie Wanru had often been aggressive. Today...

"I will. You and Mother can arrange things for Miss Fu and Yu'er."

Shen Nian'an also had doubts, but since Xie Wanru didn't pursue the matter, he wasn't going to be so stubborn as to press her for answers.

“Then let’s put him in my yard. My yard is spacious and won’t bother you. It’ll also be more lively with a child running around in the yard.”

When Madam Shen made the suggestion, she was moved when she saw Shen Yu'er, who bore a resemblance to Shen Nian'an.

"Then I'll listen to Mother."

Xie Wanru did not object; she squatted down and looked at Shen Yu'er.

"Is your name Yu'er? What's your surname?"

Upon hearing this, Shen Nian'an and the others, who had just relaxed, started to feel anxious again.

Today, because Fu Rou was unconscious, Shen Nian'an was eager to resolve the matter and avoid having to run back and forth listening to Fu Rou's nagging, so she brought her back without any preparation.