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

November 8th is an auspicious day for marriage.

Today is Lin Wanwan's wedding day. Wen Jiayue got up early to dress up and went to the Lin residence with everyone from the Marquis's mansion.

The carriage was spacious enough for three women, Wang Chengyao, and even Shen Fuhan, but he insisted on riding a horse.

Wen Jiayue snorted inwardly. He was completely relaxed, leaving her alone to face the old lady and Shen Funian.

However, Shen Funian has been much more well-behaved lately, neither causing trouble nor picking fights, and her quietness is frightening.

As soon as they got into the carriage, the old lady asked, "Why didn't you take your daughter with you?"

Wen Jiayue explained, "Zhaozhao is only two months old, and I'm afraid she'll catch a cold."

The old lady pursed her lips: "What do you mean two months old? She'll be two years old after the New Year. What's with all the pampering?"

Wen Jiayue: "..."

Even if you're old and frail, this isn't the way to go.

She ignored it and quietly handed Wang Chengyao a piece of candy.

Wang Chengyao glanced at his mother, who was looking down and not looking in his direction, so he quickly took it from her.

He excitedly whispered, "Thank you, Aunt!"

Wen Jiayue patted his head.

The old lady's gaze then fell on her great-grandson, and she said affectionately, "Yao'er will be six years old next year, it's time for him to start his education."

Wang Chengyao scratched his head: "But I just had my birthday a few days ago, and my mother said I'm four years old now."

The old lady shook her head and said, "Your age isn't calculated like that. You're one year old when you're born, and you're another year old after the New Year..."

Wen Jiayue was exhausted from listening to the old lady's nagging the whole way, and finally they arrived at the Lin residence.

The group got off the car in order. Wen Jiayue followed behind the old lady, but when she looked up, she met Shen Fuhan's gaze.

His hand was raised in mid-air, just in the position where she could easily place her hand.

He's always so considerate when we go out together.

She looked forward to going out with him, just for this moment when she could place her hand in his palm.

Unfortunately, it was all an act from beginning to end.

The area around the Lin residence was packed with people, and she couldn't refuse him, so she placed her hand on his wrist.

Shen Fuhan paused, tightened his grip on her wrist, and helped her down from the carriage.

After regaining her footing, Wen Jiayue immediately withdrew her hand and said softly, "Thank you, Lord Marquis."

Before Shen Fuhan could speak, people gathered around and exchanged pleasantries with him.

Wen Jiayue took the opportunity to leave and walked with Shen Funian towards the brightly decorated Lin residence.

She had been to the Lin residence several times and knew the place well, so she easily found Lin Wanwan's courtyard.

As soon as they entered, they heard Lin Wanwan's shouts, mixed with sobs.

Shen Funian, who had been looking listless, perked up and pulled her into the house.

"Let's go, let's go see what's going on!"

Wen Jiayue: "..."

It's true that seeing your arch-enemy suffer is the most motivating thing.

For the past two weeks, she almost thought Shen Funian was going to become a nun, but now it seems she hasn't seen through the illusions of the world.

In her boudoir, Lin Wanwan cried uncontrollably, "I won't marry him! I won't marry him!"

She had already put on her phoenix coronet and wedding gown, and her makeup was done, but now she had cried it all off.

With the wedding time fast approaching, Lin's mother said with a stern face, "You have to marry whether you like it or not. Now is not the time for you to be willful!"

Shen Funian walked forward with a smile.

"Cousin, this marriage is excellent. What more could you want?"

Lin Wanwan looked at her through teary eyes and suddenly grabbed her hand.

Shen Funian was startled: "What are you doing!"

I'm not going to get into a fight with her right now, am I?

She still vividly remembered being punished by her older brother to copy scriptures all night, and she was so frightened that she pried her hand away.

Lin's mother also quickly went to pull her daughter away.

Lin Wanwan wouldn't let go, anxiously asking, "Where's Fourth Cousin? Has Fourth Cousin come?"

Shen Funian pouted: "No, give up on that idea!"

Lin Wanwan suddenly lost all strength and murmured, "Does he... really have no feelings for me at all?"

Shen Funian scoffed, "Anyone with eyes can see that."

Wen Jiayue tugged at her sleeve, not wanting her to add fuel to the fire, fearing that Lin Wanwan might do something rash.

Shen Funian snorted but didn't say anything more, forcefully smoothing out the wrinkles on her clothes.

Seeing that her daughter had calmed down, Lin's mother quickly had someone help her with her hair and makeup.

The wedding ceremony proceeded smoothly, and Lin Wanwan rode in the bridal sedan chair, accompanied by music and fanfare.

Although it was a wedding and everyone had smiles on their faces, Wen Jiayue didn't feel a trace of joy.

She didn't know if this decision was right or wrong, but at least Shen Fuyou wouldn't go to the border so easily.

She could only do her best to protect the lives of those she cared about; as for the fate of others, she was powerless to change it.

After the commotion subsided, the Lin residence became much quieter, and a banquet was held to entertain the guests.

Shen Funian, who had previously been dejected, began to eat heartily.

"You should eat too," she said, putting food on Wen Jiayue's plate. "It's a waste not to eat!"

Wen Jiayue smiled. Shen Funian was really easy to talk to when she was in a good mood; she even started serving her food.

In return, she poured Shen Funian a glass of wine.

Shen Funian paused in her eating, then coughed lightly, "I've given it up."

"Why?"

Shen Funian stammered, "I drank too much last time... and drinking can lead to trouble, so let's forget about it."

Wen Jiayue stopped trying to persuade her and poured herself a drink.

Shen Funian asked curiously, "Why did you start drinking?"

Wen Jiayue pursed her lips and said, "I feel a little down."

"What are you brooding over?" Shen Funian chuckled. "Are you thinking about when you and my older brother got married?"

Wen Jiayue was too lazy to pay attention to her; it was all so many years ago, what was there to think about?

But when she was tipsy, she still remembered the day she married Shen Fuhan.

On the eve of her wedding, she didn't sleep well all night and got up early to wash and dress up.

The wedding customs were complicated, and she was marrying into a wealthy and powerful family. She was exhausted and nervous all day long.

The only time she felt relaxed was on her wedding night, when Shen Fuhan gently comforted her and told her not to be afraid.

"Don't be afraid..."

Wen Jiayue paused, her mind hazy with drunkenness, wondering if she was hallucinating. Why did it sound like she heard Shen Fuhan's voice?

She lifted her heavy eyelids, her vision blurred, but she could still make out Shen Fuhan's outline.

She instinctively touched his face: "Shen Fuhan..."

Is she dreaming, or has she returned to her wedding night?

Shen Fuhan grasped her hand, raised it above his head, and then kissed her passionately.

Wen Jiayue turned her face away.

Shen Fuhan took a breath and asked restrainedly, "You were taking the initiative just now, what's wrong with you now?"

She got drunk halfway through the banquet, and he didn't stay any longer, so he brought her back.

Back at the Marquis's residence, he wiped her face as he had done before, but she was restless, sometimes burying herself in his arms and touching him, sometimes murmuring his name.

He even mentioned that on their wedding night, he could no longer control himself.

Wen Jiayue couldn't understand what he was saying; she only felt hot, her body burning.

She tried to break free from his grasp, but to no avail; instead, she only provoked him to breathe even heavier, his breath brushing against her neck.

Wen Jiayue sobbed, "No..."

The rest of her words were blocked by her lips and tongue, and she could not utter another word, only soft moans and low gasps remained.