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

Wen Ruoqian spoke with righteous indignation, as if someone had truly wronged him.

Shen Fuhan frowned. He clearly saw that Wen Ruoqian had forcibly covered the maid's mouth and dragged her here.

He had only met this brother-in-law once, and he seemed gentle and refined.

Unexpectedly, all that glitters is not gold; it is rotten to the core.

Shen Fuhan ignored him, glanced at the corner, and then looked at the maid.

Did he force you?

The maid's voice trembled: "Thank goodness the Marquis came just in time. He only tugged at my clothes, nothing else."

Shen Fuhan nodded slightly: "How do you intend to punish him?"

The maid was already in a panic, sobbing, "This servant will listen to the Marquis, but this servant does not want to make a big fuss."

A young woman's reputation is more important than anything else; she doesn't want to ruin her life.

Still clinging to the hope that no one had witnessed the scene, Wen Ruoqian stubbornly retorted, "Brother-in-law, how could you believe the maid's words? We're family!"

Shen Fuhan said coldly, "Shut up."

His expression was icy, and Wen Ruoqian couldn't help but shiver, standing awkwardly to the side.

Shen Fuhan said, "Give this young lady one hundred taels of silver, and this matter will be considered settled."

Wen Ruoqian's eyes widened: "Brother-in-law, where am I supposed to find a hundred taels of silver?"

One hundred taels of silver would be enough for him to enjoy himself in a brothel for several nights, but how could he bear to give it to a maid he hadn't even touched twice?

But seeing Shen Fuhan's expression, he dared not refute her anymore.

Wen Ruoqian rolled his eyes and said, "Brother-in-law, why don't you lend me a hundred taels of silver first, and I'll pay you back later."

Anyway, the maid didn't want to make a big fuss, so he wasn't afraid whether he received the money or not.

As for the borrowed silver... since he had no intention of repaying it, he didn't have to pay a single copper coin, so why not?

Upon hearing this, Wen Jiayue finally walked over.

She had originally intended to pretend that she had just happened to be passing by, but seeing Shen Fuhan's calm expression, she realized that he had obviously already noticed her, so she stopped trying to hide it.

Wen Ruoqian had no idea that she had been eavesdropping all along, and came to her side as if she had seen a lifeline.

"Sister, brother-in-law is framing me! It was clearly the maid who seduced me, but he doesn't believe me and even made me give her a hundred taels of silver!"

His stepsister is easily swayed; if he acts pitiful, she'll definitely believe him.

Wen Ruoqian was extremely confident, but he didn't expect that the next moment a fragrant breeze would waft over, and a crisp "snap" would sound in his ear.

It took him a moment to realize that his weak and easily bullied stepsister had slapped him, and his left cheek was burning with pain.

He covered his face in disbelief: "Sis, why did you hit me?"

Shen Fuhan raised his eyebrows slightly. He hadn't expected that his usually gentle and delicate wife would be so decisive and efficient when she took action.

"I'll teach you a lesson on behalf of your parents," Wen Jiayue said, flicking her wrist. "You've completely disgraced the Wen family!"

She used her position to settle a personal score, and when she hit Wen Ruoqian from her past life, she used all her strength, her palms trembling from the impact.

“Gather a hundred taels of silver for this young lady tomorrow,” Wen Jiayue said coldly, “otherwise I will tell my parents about your trip to the brothel as well.”

The information I just received will come in handy.

Wen Ruoqian panicked completely: "How...how did you know?"

Wen Jiayue smiled gently and said ambiguously, "I can't tell you that. I promised her I wouldn't tell anyone."

Wen Ruoqian immediately thought of Wen Ruohuan. Only she knew about this. She actually betrayed him. Just wait and see!

With Wen Jiayue holding a handle on him, he had no choice but to grit his teeth and speak.

"One hundred taels it is!"

He turned and left, and Wen Jiayue did not stop him, but frowned as she looked at the sobbing maid.

"Are you ok?"

The maidservant bowed with tears in her eyes and said, "Thank you, Lord Marquis, thank you, Madam. I'm alright."

She thought the madam would help Wen Ruoqian, after all, he was her younger brother, but she didn't expect that he would come to help her. The madam is really kind.

Wen Jiayue glanced at Shen Fuhan, who tactfully walked away.

"What's your name?" Wen Jiayue took out a handkerchief and handed it to her.

The maidservant was flattered and accepted the gift, and quickly said, "This servant is Cai'er, a second-class maidservant in the old lady's room."

Cai'er... Wen Jiayue vaguely remembered this name; it seemed to be her in her past life.

Looking at the pitiful girl, Wen Jiayue asked, "One hundred taels is enough for you to be freed from slavery. Do you have any plans to leave the Marquis's mansion?"

Cai'er shook her head firmly: "I still have a younger sister to support. I can't just sit around and do nothing. The Marquis's monthly allowance is quite substantial. I don't want to leave, and... if I leave, I'm afraid of being retaliated against."

Her concerns were valid, so Wen Jiayue said, "In that case, you should save your money carefully. I can guarantee that Wen Ruoqian will never appear in the Marquis's mansion again."

Cai'er, who had finally managed to stop her tears, began to sob.

"Thank you, Madam. You and the Marquis are so upright and honest. I will remember your kindness for the rest of my life."

Wen Jiayue sighed, "It is clearly I who have wronged you. I apologize to you on behalf of Wen Ruoqian."

Cai'er shook her head, then suddenly remembered something.

She wiped away her tears, glanced at the Marquis not far away, and then spoke softly.

“After you and the Marquis left last night, the old lady said that she would hold a flower-viewing banquet in a while, but actually she wanted to arrange for the Marquis to take a concubine.”

The lady treats her well, so she should repay her.

Wen Jiayue pursed her lips and smiled, "Thank you for reminding me. You should go back and rest first. I will tell the old lady that you are not feeling well."

Cai'er left quickly.

Wen Jiayue walked towards Shen Fuhan, wanting to explain why she was there, but after thinking for a moment, she gave up.

If he doesn't ask, she won't say, lest he find out she's lying.

"My lord, we've been delayed for so long, let's hurry back to the main courtyard."

Shen Fuhan nodded.

Wen Jiayue breathed a sigh of relief; he indeed didn't ask.

After walking a short distance, the person next to me suddenly asked, "Does your hand still hurt?"

Wen Jiayue paused for a moment, then shook her head.

Shen Fuhan suddenly grabbed her wrist and looked down to examine it.

Wen Jiayue stared at him blankly.

Warm light fell on his profile, outlining his deep, downcast eyes, as if melting away the coldness and revealing boundless tenderness and affection.

Shen Fuhan possesses a face that captivates the soul; despite her extreme aloofness, she still attracts countless admirers.

No one can stop it.

Wen Jiayue stared at him blankly until he raised his head indifferently, and she suddenly came back to her senses.

He remained the extremely aloof Shen Fuhan, while her love for him always stemmed from her imagination.

He would never be as tender and affectionate as she imagined.

"Your palms are still red, and your fingertips are trembling," Shen Fuhan said calmly. "Is this what you mean by not feeling pain?"

“It didn’t hurt at all,” Wen Jiayue forcefully pulled her hand back. “You’re overthinking it, Lord Marquis.”

She walked back in frustration, annoyed that she had actually stared at his face, even to the point of her heart fluttering.