After the delicate and soft-spoken wife gave up, the aloof and powerful minister embraced her and sh

The following day, around noon, the Wen family came to visit Wen Jiayue.

As soon as she entered, Wen Ruohuan sat on the bed affectionately and sweetly called out "Sister".

Wen Ruohuan is fifteen years old this year, a flower bud-like age. She is dressed in pink and looks very pretty. Like a butterfly, she is full of fragrance when she comes over.

She reached out her hand, and Wen Jiayue instinctively dodged it.

Even though she had prepared herself mentally, Wen Jiayue still couldn't bear to see her.

Her younger sister, whom she had doted on for over ten years, not only coveted her brother-in-law but also wanted to replace her. How could she not be upset?

Wen Ruohuan was taken aback and asked in confusion, "Sister, what's wrong?"

"It's nothing, I just think you smell too good," Wen Jiayue forced a smile. "I haven't used perfume in a long time, so I'm not used to it."

Wen Ruohuan clearly accepted this explanation, sticking out her tongue and saying, "Then I'll stay away, so as not to offend my sister's breath."

As she spoke, she moved a little further away, pretending to casually look around at the furnishings in the room.

Wen Jiayue glanced at her and saw greed and desire in her eyes.

She forced herself to suppress her disgust and looked towards the door.

Wen's father and her stepmother, Zhang, naturally came over as well, and immediately began to inquire about her well-being upon entering the room.

"Yue'er, are you feeling unwell?" Zhang's concern for her was evident in her words, as if she were her own daughter.

Mr. Wen was not good with words, and he said dryly, "It's good that you're safe, it's good that you're safe."

Zhang sighed, "Now that we see you are safe and sound, we are truly relieved."

The two talked non-stop, giving Wen Jiayue no chance to speak.

In the past, she would have been happy that her father and stepmother cared for her so much and loved her as much as before.

But now, looking at the three smiling faces in front of her, she couldn't help but think more.

How much of their smiles are genuine and how much is fake?

Wen Jiayue roused herself and forced a smile as she asked, "Where's Ruoqian?"

Wen Ruoqian is her stepson, sixteen years old this year, and he is studying at the academy.

Zhang said, "He is studying hard at the academy, so I didn't ask him to come over. But if Yue'er wants to see him, I will send someone to call him over."

Wen Jiayue had only asked casually, and upon hearing this, she replied, "No need, it's a good thing to know how to improve."

He scoffed inwardly, thinking, "After studying for so many years, I couldn't even pass the preliminary imperial examination in my past life."

She had long harbored resentment towards her stepson.

In his past life, he got drunk at the full moon celebration and started flirting with the old lady's maid, ruining the entire event.

She would never tolerate him doing anything out of line in her life.

Father Wen quickly said, "Alright, alright, we'll do whatever Yue'er says."

After the pleasantries were over, Wen Jiayue asked Ruyi to bring Zhaozhao over for them to see.

After playing with the child for a while, Madam Zhang asked with a smile, "Yue'er, where is the Marquis?"

Wen Jiayue smiled and said, "He has to work and has a lot to do, but he will come back at noon to have lunch with Father and Mother."

Zhang stood beside her daughter and nudged her arm.

Wen Ruohuan smiled and smoothed her hair, then casually looked around the room as if it had become her home.

Looking at Wen's father again, he hesitated as he looked at his wife and daughter, then glanced at his eldest daughter's expression, clearly knowing everything.

Wen Jiayue took in all their little actions and sneered inwardly.

In her past life, they were her closest relatives. She never put up with any defenses and naturally assumed that they treated her with the same sincerity.

But they are not biological mothers or daughters or sisters. No matter how close they are on the surface, there is still a layer between them in their hearts.

She misjudged people.

The family members who were best to her were the ones who hurt her the most.

The paternal love, maternal love, and sisterly affection they displayed were all just for show, all sharp knives aimed at stabbing her.

They were just waiting for the day they could skin her alive, tear her apart, and step on her bones to place their own daughter in the position of the Marquis's wife.

Wen Jiayue couldn't help but smile bitterly; it turned out she had always been an outsider.

Neither the Wen family mansion nor the Jing'an Marquis's mansion offered her a place to stand; neither was her home.

Fortunately, she still had Zhaozhao, with whom she could depend on each other for survival.

Wen Jiayue suppressed her complicated thoughts and continued to deal with the Wen family.

It was past noon when Shen Fuhan returned.

Wen Jiayue glanced at Wen Ruohuan without changing her expression.

She couldn't hide the joy in her eyes; if Zhang hadn't stopped her, she might have already flown to Shen Fuhan.

Looking at Shen Fuhan again, he still had a cold expression. He calmly called out "Father-in-law and Mother-in-law," and his gaze swept past Wen Ruohuan, who was looking expectantly, before looking at her.

Wen Jiayue didn't look away; instead, she smiled and softly called out, "My husband is back."

She leaned against the soft pillows, the soft light falling on her gentle face, her smile warm and sweet.

Shen Fuhan looked at her and nodded slightly.

Wen Jiayue smiled and said, "My husband must be hungry. Ruyi, go and prepare the meal."

After everyone's attention had shifted, the smile on her face gradually disappeared.

In front of the Wen family, she and Shen Fuhan always played the role of a loving couple.

She had begged for this; she didn't want the Wen family to know how difficult her life was in the Marquis's mansion and to worry about her all the time.

But now, it all seems like a joke; the loving relationship between husband and wife is fake, and the harmonious family is fake too.

She was the only one who got too caught up in the role and only saw through everything on her deathbed.

Let it be a performance; whoever performs best will be the winner.

Because she was still in postpartum confinement, Wen Jiayue couldn't go out, so lunch was served in the side room.

Wen Jiayue had little appetite, ate very little, and found the food tasteless.

Shen Fuhan personally served her half a bowl of black chicken soup with donkey-hide gelatin and said in a low voice, "Drink some soup to warm yourself up."

Shen Fuhan always gave her face in front of the Wen family, and it was common for him to serve her food and soup.

She glanced at Wen Ruohuan's fleeting, twisted expression, picked up the silver spoon, and smiled sweetly.

"Thank you, husband."

The act of a loving couple will naturally continue.

"Sister, is the black chicken soup delicious? I'd like to try it too."

Wen Ruohuan spoke sweetly, and then picked up the bowl, clearly expecting someone to serve her.

As luck would have it, the black chicken soup was closest to Shen Fuhan.

Everyone at the table looked at him, but Shen Fuhan didn't even raise his head and said indifferently, "Serve the soup to the Third Miss."

The maid who had been observing the situation quickly stepped forward and took the bowl.

Wen Ruohuan was extremely annoyed, but she forced a smile and said cheerfully, "Thank you, brother-in-law!"

Shen Fuhan did not respond, and Wen Jiayue remained silent.

Normally, she would have smoothed things over, but now, she just wanted to see Wen Ruohuan embarrassed.

As she sipped her black chicken soup, she wondered whether Wen Ruohuan was after Shen Fuhan's gentle and considerate demeanor, or the position of the Marquis's wife.

But whatever it is, it doesn't matter to her anymore.

In her past life, she misjudged people; this time, she will not let anyone who hurt her and her daughter get away with it!

Wen Ruohuan looked somewhat embarrassed, her smile slowly faded, and she pouted.

Seeing that his youngest daughter was unhappy, Mr. Wen quickly said, "What are you thanking me for? Your brother-in-law is no stranger to us."

Zhang chimed in, "Yes, we're family, so let's not make things awkward."

Wen Jiayue smiled. If nothing unexpected happened, Madam Zhang would have Wen Ruohuan stay at the Marquis's residence to keep her company.

As expected, Madam Zhang continued, "Yue'er, I'm thinking that you've had a hard time during your postpartum period. How about letting Huan'er stay with you at the Marquis's residence for a few days? That way, she can take good care of you. What do you think?"