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

As darkness fell, Ruyi's expression grew increasingly anxious.

Wen Jiayue put down her paintbrush and asked curiously, "What's wrong with you?"

Ruyi explained, "In the early morning, you said that after the Marquis returned to the manor, the old lady would call you and the Marquis over to talk about the morning and evening greetings. It's getting dark, and I'm worried for you, Madam."

Although the lady was married into a higher social class, there was no need for her to act this way. She did not want the lady to have to serve the old lady in a subservient manner all day long.

What good is this move besides gaining a good reputation?

Moreover, despite a year of morning and evening greetings, she hadn't seen the old lady treat the madam any better, and after the birth of her daughter, the old lady's treatment only worsened.

She felt sorry for the lady and didn't want her to do these useless things anymore.

But her heartache was useless. The one who truly had the say was the Marquis. If the Marquis allowed the Madam to continue her morning and evening greetings, who would dare to say no?

Thinking of this, Ruyi suggested, "Madam, why don't you go and beg the Marquis for help?"

Wen Jiayue said calmly, "Why should I ask him? Everyone knows that I am frail and cannot perform the morning and evening greetings. If the old lady insists on doing so, it will spread throughout Chang'an and slap the face of the Jing'an Marquis's mansion."

Moreover, isn't the old lady going to arrange for Shen Fuhan to take a concubine? If word gets out, which noble lady would agree to that?

Being a concubine is inherently humiliating. Even if you are Shen Fuhan's concubine, you have to weigh it.

Seeing that his wife was confident, Ruyi was no longer flustered.

She said apologetically, "It's enough that Madam knows what's going on. I'd better not offer any more advice."

Wen Jiayue smiled and said, "Don't worry, I already said I have the ability to foresee the future. I can easily resolve this matter by calculating with my fingers."

Just as Ruyi was about to speak, she suddenly caught sight of the tall figure outside the door and quickly curtsied.

"My Lord is well."

Wen Jiayue was taken aback. Shen Fuhan was back so quickly?

Her heart skipped a beat, and she looked somewhat at a loss.

There shouldn't have been anything wrong with the tone of her voice just now. Shen Fuhan wouldn't have noticed, would he?

She took a deep breath and slowly turned around.

"Master Hou is back."

"Hmm," Shen Fuhan stepped into the inner room, "What are you talking about?"

Wen Jiayue observed his expression, which remained indifferent as always, revealing no other emotions.

She stopped Ruyi from speaking and gave her a wink.

Ruyi understood, gave a curtsy, and went out.

“We were talking about my painting,” Wen Jiayue said. “I accidentally blew some ink on it just now.”

Before she got married, she learned all the arts, including music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, but she loved painting the most.

After getting married, she never dared to slack off as the lady of the Marquis's mansion and never painted again.

Today she was a little restless and had nothing to do, so she started painting.

Having not painted for many years, her skills had become rusty. She spent an entire afternoon barely managing to complete a painting of winter plum blossoms.

Seeing Shen Fuhan's gaze fall on the desk, Wen Jiayue subconsciously covered the drawing paper.

"My drawing skills are poor, so you'd better not look at it, my lord."

This is just a practice piece, hastily drawn, and hardly worthy of serious consideration.

Shen Fuhan had been influenced by culture since childhood, and she didn't want to be judged by him.

Shen Fuhan paused for a moment, but did not insist, and straightened up as agreed.

"I never knew you had this kind of hobby."

Wen Jiayue rolled up the drawing paper without saying a word.

Actually, she had almost forgotten that she could also paint.

After getting married, she gave up everything about herself, including her name, preferences, and personality...

She had only one identity—Lady Wen, wife of the Marquis of Jing'an.

After being reborn, she will gradually find herself again.

"My lord, are you hungry? Let's go..."

Before she could finish speaking, Ruyi knocked on the door.

"My lord, my lady, the old lady has sent word that she wants you to have a meal at Ninghui Hall."

Wen Jiayue said without any surprise, "Then let's go."

Shen Fuhan gave her a deep look and said calmly, "Wait for me to change."

Wen Jiayue neither helped him change his clothes nor stayed in the inner room, but decisively retreated to the outside to wait for him.

The wind was a bit strong in the courtyard, and Wen Jiayue shivered from the cold.

Ruyi whispered, "Madam's guess was spot on."

Wen Jiayue didn't dare say she could foresee the future; she just smiled.

Shen Fuhan is a fox spirit who has been around for a thousand years; one must be careful with one's words and actions in his presence.

Shortly after, Shen Fuhan emerged, carrying a white cloak.

Ruyi quickly took it, winking and making faces as she tied the cloak around her neck.

Wen Jiayue didn't need to guess to know what she wanted to say—Madam, look, the Marquis really cares about you.

Wen Jiayue smiled self-deprecatingly. It was this unintentional, cheap concern that had kept her in a daze for four whole years.

After fastening their cloaks, the two walked side by side toward Ninghui Hall in silence.

Wen Jiayue was used to this situation. Since there was nothing to say, she didn't bother to find topics to talk about and just walked with her head down.

Unexpectedly, Shen Fuhan suddenly spoke up: "Did Grandmother make things difficult for you today?"

She paused for a moment, then said, "It wasn't really a problem. Granny Zhao came by this morning and asked me to start paying my respects to her morning and evening from today onwards, but I wasn't feeling well and declined."

Shen Fuhan nodded slightly.

Wen Jiayue found it strange; how did he know that the old lady was making things difficult for her?

However, considering that the main courtyard was full of his people, she felt it wasn't surprising that he knew about this.

They soon arrived at Ninghui Hall. The old lady sat in the main seat with a stern face, and Shen Funian and Wang Chengyao were also there.

She looked much better, her usual dejected expression gone, and called out, "Brother, please sit down!"

Wang Chengyao retorted, not to be outdone: "Auntie, please sit down!"

Shen Funian glared at him, and he made a face.

Shen Fuhan bowed before taking his seat.

Wen Jiayue followed closely behind and sat down next to Shen Funian.

Shen Funian leaned closer to her and said mysteriously, "Grandmother said today is a family banquet, but Fourth Brother isn't here, so what kind of family banquet is it?"

Wen Jiayue kept her eyes down, seemingly lost in thought, and didn't respond.

Hey, why aren't you talking to me?

The old lady coughed, and Shen Funian sat up straight, but couldn't help but speak again.

"Grandmother, what did you call us here for?"

The old lady said, "I asked you to come mainly because of the flower viewing banquet. It's been delayed for so long, it's time to get things done."

Shen Funian did not refuse: "Alright, I will make the preparations tomorrow, and the flower viewing banquet will be held the day after tomorrow."

The old lady quickly said, "No, we have to wait until your eldest brother is on leave."

Shen Fuhan looked over: "Why?"

The old lady was a little nervous, and quickly came up with a clever idea: "You work so hard every day, so you can take advantage of the flower viewing banquet to liven things up."

Shen Fuhan pondered for a moment, then nodded in agreement: "Thank you, Grandmother."

Wen Jiayue quietly pursed her lips. It was too early to thank him now; he would thank her later.

She forcefully suppressed the pent-up frustration in her heart, desperately telling herself that she didn't need to care.

There was no love or affection between them; she was merely Shen Fuhan's wife.

Lost in thought, she noticed a gaze so loving it gave her goosebumps.

The old lady smiled and said, "My granddaughter-in-law has been recuperating for so long, it's time for her to show her filial piety. Starting tomorrow, she will visit you morning and evening."