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

After Shen Fuyou left, the two fell silent.

"In a moment..."

"Why did you..."

The two spoke at the same time, and then fell silent at the same time.

Wen Jiayue pursed her lips and said, "You go first."

Shen Fuhan's lips moved a few times, then he lowered his eyes and said, "Go ahead and speak."

Wen Jiayue found it strange, but seeing that he didn't want to talk about it, she didn't press him.

"I will have someone send the Marquis's bedding to his study in a little while."

Shen Fuhan frowned.

Seeing his displeasure, Wen Jiayue said, "If Your Excellency wishes to sleep here, you may. I will go to the side room and sleep with Zhaozhao."

Sleeping in the study was a hardship for the pampered and noble Marquis Jing'an, but she wasn't afraid of hardship. She was overjoyed to sleep with her daughter.

Shen Fuhan hesitated for a moment before speaking: "If you are in pain again tonight..."

The scene from last night flashed through her mind, and Wen Jiayue's face immediately turned red. She quickly interrupted him.

"I'm much better now!"

She felt nothing when she woke up this morning, and hasn't been in much pain since.

Even if the pain returns tonight, she will never let him help her!

"I sleep in the study."

After saying that, he turned and left.

The door slammed shut, and Wen Jiayue touched her face, feeling ashamed and indignant.

After a moment, Ruyi came in.

She overheard the conversation between the Marquis and his wife outside, and her expression became uneasy.

"Madam, have you and the Marquis had another argument?"

“No,” Wen Jiayue said through gritted teeth, “I have always been calm, and so has the Marquis.”

There was no love or affection between her and Shen Fuhan; they were just living together out of convenience. What was there to argue about?

Ruyi then said nothing more and brought up other things.

"Just now, Third Aunt handed out invitations to many young ladies from prominent families. This flower viewing banquet is truly lively."

She scratched her head as she spoke: "It's almost November, the flowers have all withered, the plum blossoms haven't bloomed, and there aren't many flowers in our mansion."

Wen Jiayue smiled gently: "Admiring flowers, people can be flowers too, as for the people admiring them..."

Ruyi waited curiously for what would happen next.

Wen Jiayue didn't continue, but asked instead, "Will the flower-viewing banquet be held during the Marquis's next day off?"

Ruyi exclaimed in surprise, "Madam is truly astute..."

She suddenly realized what was happening and covered her mouth in surprise: "Does Madam mean that this flower-viewing banquet is for the Marquis to take a concubine?"

Wen Jiayue smoothed out the wrinkles on her cuffs and said slowly, "Yes, I already knew."

Ruyi was extremely anxious: "Madam, what should we do?"

"Yes, what should we do?" Wen Jiayue rested her chin on her hand and looked out the window. "Should I go to the Treasure Pavilion to pick out jewelry, or should we go to Peach Blossom Spring for a meal?"

Without a second thought, Ruyi replied, "Naturally, it's Tao... Madam, are you leaving the manor?"

Wen Jiayue nodded: "Yes, we've been cooped up for so long, it's time to go out for a walk."

She had planned to leave the mansion long ago, but unfortunately, she was still in postpartum confinement.

Now that she has recovered and has someone to take care of her, Zhao Zhao is ready to travel around the mansion. When is a better time to do so?

Ruyi asked cautiously, "What about the flower-viewing banquet?"

"The matter of taking a concubine is not up to you or me," Wen Jiayue said calmly. "I can stop it once, but I can't stop it a second time."

She looked out the window at the osmanthus tree and murmured, "I've always known that he won't belong to just me in his life."

Ruyi's eyes were filled with tears as she grasped her hand, choking back sobs as she said, "Madam..."

"I didn't cry, so why are you crying?" Wen Jiayue asked, amused.

"This servant does not want the Marquis to take a concubine, otherwise it will definitely threaten your position."

The lady's family was only a minor official family of the seventh rank, while the daughters and brothers who were invited to the banquet all had higher official ranks than the master.

If the Marquis really takes a fancy to someone and brings her into his household, he will definitely find a way to step on the Madam's head!

Wen Jiayue patted her hand and comforted her, "It's no use talking about this. Why don't you go and find out which dish is the best in Peach Blossom Spring?"

Before she was married, she rarely went out; after she got married, she almost never left the mansion.

She was trapped in the Wen family mansion and the Jing'an Marquis's mansion her whole life, and never even saw the whole of Chang'an.

She didn't know what her future held, but at least for now, she wanted to enjoy life to the fullest.

Moreover, if she wanted to befriend the eldest princess, she would have to go through the future Consort Chen, now Miss Yun.

A hasty visit would be inadvisable, as the two families have no prior dealings and such an action would only arouse suspicion.

She wanted to try her luck; maybe she could run into him on the street.

Even if she doesn't meet him, she can look for other ways; she can't just sit around waiting to die.

In the evening, Ruyi brought over the menu of Peach Blossom Spring and handed it to Wen Jiayue for review.

Wen Jiayue said in surprise, "I didn't expect our Ruyi to have this ability."

“It’s not difficult at all,” Ruyi said shyly. “As long as I mention the name of the Marquis of Jing’an’s mansion, Peach Blossom Spring will not dare to be negligent.”

Wen Jiayue was taken aback. Yes, she was the lady of the Marquis's mansion, and naturally others treated her with utmost respect.

Flipping through the menu, Ruyi introduced several of Peach Blossom Spring's signature dishes.

Wen Jiayue nodded: "Then let's have these dishes."

"Yes, when would you like to go, Madam? I'll have someone reserve a private room in advance."

"You want to leave the house?"

Suddenly, Shen Fuhan's voice came from outside the door.

Immediately afterwards, he calmly strolled in and stood outside the beaded curtain, exuding a rather imposing aura.

Ruyi glanced nervously at the Marquis. The lady had never left the manor for a trip before, and she was worried that the Marquis would not approve of her going out so suddenly.

Wen Jiayue met his gaze without flinching: "Tomorrow at noon, I'm going to Peach Blossom Spring Restaurant for lunch."

Shen Fuhan lifted the beaded curtain, and the sound of jade clashing together was crisp and pleasant.

"with who?"

"Myself."

Because she rarely went out, she didn't have many close female friends before or after her marriage.

"Bring a few more guards."

Wen Jiayue looked up in surprise, never expecting him to agree so immediately. After a long while, she finally replied with an "okay".

Shen Fuhan sat down.

Wen Jiayue was silent for a moment, then asked, "What brings you here, Lord Marquis?"

Did he change his mind and decide to sleep here tonight?

Shen Fuhan glanced at her: "Have dinner."

Wen Jiayue: "..."

She then remembered this matter and asked Ruyi to serve the meal.

After thinking for a moment, Wen Jiayue said tactfully, "Actually, Your Excellency can eat in the study. I'll have someone send it to you."

Shen Fuhan paused for a moment: "I still need to visit Zhaozhao."

Wen Jiayue said "Oh" and then fell silent.

The maids brought in the food, arranged it neatly, and then all withdrew.

Once the room quieted down, Shen Fuhan asked, "Why was the flower-viewing banquet entrusted to Third Sister?"

His news travels fast.

Wen Jiayue explained, "The physician said that my health is not fully recovered and I should not overexert myself."

Shen Fuhan nodded and said nothing more.

Wen Jiayue then asked, "The day of the flower viewing banquet happens to be a day off. Does the Marquis have time to go with us?"

Shen Fuhan paused in his chopsticks before nodding and saying, "Okay."

Wen Jiayue scoffed inwardly, "They agreed so quickly."

She wanted to see how he would handle the situation.