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

Shen Yu'er, who was only five or six years old, simply couldn't lie.

"Her name is Shen Yu'er, and her surname is Shen."

Fu Rou replied softly, "My husband's surname is also Shen, please don't misunderstand, Second Madam."

This answer seems to have no problem, but it always arouses some suspicion.

"Oh, that's quite a coincidence."

Shen Nian'an thought Xie Wanru would keep harping on this point and was thinking of a countermeasure.

Xie Wanru got up and stopped asking. In her previous life, Shen Yuer was raised by Fu Rou, which gave her a natural foxy charm. She got involved with someone early on and ran away.

In his previous life, Shen Yanzhi also blamed Xie Wanru for this, believing that Xie Wanru's poor upbringing led to his sister eloping with someone.

"Then I'll trouble Mother to make arrangements for the two of them. I've always preferred quiet, and Plum Garden is indeed not suitable for them."

After Xie Wanru finished speaking, she bowed and left.

As soon as she left, Old Madam Shen had someone take Shen Yu'er away, leaving Shen Nian'an and Fu Rou behind.

"Madam, my daughter doesn't ask for any title or status. This arrangement is fine as it is. As long as I can see Yanzhi and Second Master often, I will be content."

Fu Rou revealed her feminine fragility, as if she were truly a pitiful woman who didn't care about fame or status.

Shen Nian'an was somewhat moved.

He had promised Fu Rou that he would definitely bring her into the Shen family mansion and make her his wife.

But he couldn't do that. Even now, he can only let them live in the Shen family as distant relatives.

But Madam Shen was no ordinary woman; otherwise, she wouldn't have been able to hold power in the Marquis's mansion for so many years. She could tell at a glance that Fu Rou had some tricks up her sleeve.

"Then tell me, where do you come from, and where are your parents? You and An'er are engaged, but if it weren't for An'er's loyalty and affection, you wouldn't even be worthy of entering the Shen family."

Madam Shen's tone carried a hint of authority and skepticism. If it were any other woman, she would have come to the Shen family long ago after giving birth to a boy as her first child.

Although she wasn't going to be the main wife, she could be a concubine. Even if things didn't go well, the Shen family would find a way to arrange it. However, the child certainly couldn't be raised openly. Arrangements would have to be made after the main wife entered the family. But Fu Rou had been enduring it all along. If Shen Yanzhi hadn't had that accident, she probably wouldn't have been in such a hurry to enter the mansion.

Fu Rou's expression changed slightly, but she quickly regained her gentle demeanor.

"Reporting to Madam, I grew up with my parents in the water towns of Jiangnan since I was a child. Unfortunately, my family fell into decline, and both my parents passed away one after another due to illness, leaving me to wander alone in this world. Meeting you, Second Master, is the greatest fortune of my life. I know that I am of lowly status and dare not hope for too much. I only wish to stay by your side as long as possible to repay your kindness."

After hearing this, Madam Shen's expression remained unclear; she simply nodded slightly. Under these circumstances, it was unlikely that anything could be found.

Madam Shen looked at Shen Nian'an.

“Since you’ve brought him back, you should find a way to handle things properly. He can’t stay in my courtyard to serve you forever. If Yu’er accidentally calls you ‘father’ in the future, it will be discovered. You might as well go to Wanru and confess yourself and try to get her forgiveness. However, Yan Zhi’s identity must never be exposed. He can only be Xie Wanru’s son. Also, the Shen family has strict rules. Miss Fu, don’t leave my courtyard unless necessary, so as not to make a fool of yourself in front of outsiders.”

Shen Nian'an quickly replied, "I understand, I will handle everything well. I will go to Xie Wanru to discuss it in a little while. Don't worry, I will find a way to get Xie Wanru to agree."

Madam Shen then slowly stood up and said, "That's enough. You didn't manage to do it yesterday, so it's truly commendable that she's so magnanimous today. Take some things to Plum Garden and learn to be a decent husband. Harmony between husband and wife is the most important thing."

After Madam Shen finished speaking, Fu Rou's face turned several shades paler.

Shen Nian'an always says he only loves her, but how could he not be moved by a woman like Xie Wanru?

“Miss Fu, you must remember that no matter what your status is, once you enter the Shen family, you are a member of the Shen family and must abide by the rules of the Shen family. Don’t think that just because An’er used to dote on you, you can act lawlessly. Even if you become a concubine, you must still respectfully address Wanru as ‘elder sister.’ Do not have any improper thoughts.”

After speaking, Madam Shen, supported by her maid, slowly left.

Madam Shen's last few words pierced Fu Rou's heart like a sharp blade.

It was as if all her previous insistence and planning had been a joke.

"You and Yu'er stay here. I will come to pay my respects to Mother from time to time."

Shen Nian'an helped the person up. Xie Wan's actions today had indeed surprised him and made him feel somewhat guilty.

"Nianlang, I'm sorry for putting you in such a difficult position."

Fu Rou looked at Shen Nian'an with teary eyes, her voice filled with grievance and self-blame.

Shen Nian'an's heart softened, and she gently stroked the top of her head, no longer as impatient as before.

"Rou'er, don't say that. It's my fault for not being able to give you a proper status, which has caused you to suffer. Don't worry, I will definitely find a way to let you and Yu'er stay in the Shen family legitimately. The doctor said you are weak and need to rest more. I'll have someone take you down to rest."

"Nianlang, I don't ask for any title, I only ask to be with you and Yu'er, even if I'm just an unknown concubine, I'll be content," Fu Rou said softly, her tone full of deep affection and sacrifice.

Shen Nian'an felt extremely guilty at this moment, and he held Fu Rou's hand tightly.

"Rou'er, don't worry, I, Shen Nian'an, will never let you down in this life. I will definitely find a way to make Xie Wanru accept you, and I will also make Yu'er a proper young lady of the Shen family, so that our children can all grow up well."

Shen Nian'an felt a little better after saying these words. He regretted his impatience, which made Fu Rou feel insecure and even cause her to faint.

"Nianlang, could you let me go see Yanzhi later? Just to see him."

Fu Rou asked.

"Father, Yu'er hasn't seen her brother for a very long time. Please take us to see him. Yu'er misses her brother."

Shen Yu'er's childish voice was filled with longing. She was only a few years old, so naturally she would feel longing. As soon as she heard Fu Rou mention her brother's name, she had the idea of ​​wanting to see him.

Shen Yanzhi was locked in the ancestral hall. It was said that no one would be brought him food, and he was to reflect on his actions in the ancestral hall. However, it was not said that no one was allowed to approach him.

"Okay, let's go later. You guys go and rest first, and see where you can stay."

Shen Nian'an had no choice but to agree, since Fu Rou hadn't made a fuss about getting a title, and had been wronged.

Fu Rou nodded pitifully.

Today she also saw some things clearly. For example, the Shen family is run by the old lady Shen, and the Marquis doesn't usually get involved. The old lady Shen has decided that Xie Wanru is her daughter-in-law. If she wants to have a place in the Shen family, she must make the old lady Shen hostile towards Xie Wanru.

As for Shen Nian'an and Xie Wanru, they weren't as distant and hostile as rumored. She thought she had captured Shen Nian'an's heart, but in fact, Shen Nian'an's heart had already wavered; he clearly liked Xie Wanru.

In the end, she felt inferior in front of Xie Wanru.