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

Wen Jiayue's gaze slowly shifted to the bed.

Behind her, the red hibiscus-patterned wedding quilt covering her was spread out on the bed rather haphazardly, with even a corner lifted.

She turned back stiffly, and remained silent for a long time.

This shouldn't be happening. How could she possibly be lying in Shen Fuhan's bed?

She thought about it again and realized that she had clearly woken up in her own bed yesterday and the day before, and suddenly felt that something was amiss.

Wen Jiayue pursed her lips and said, "You must have done something to it."

Shen Fuhan asked calmly, "Where's the evidence?"

“You…” Wen Jiayue took a deep breath, “I didn’t sleep like this yesterday, nor the day before!”

Shen Fuhan said calmly, "When I woke up this morning, I carried you there."

Wen Jiayue: "..."

Hearing him say that, it seems... that I have indeed been a bit cold in the latter part of my sleep these past two days.

Could it be that she craved his warmth at night and automatically moved closer to him?

Wen Jiayue dared not think any further and stammered, "If that's the case, why didn't you push me away?"

Her voice softened, and two blushes appeared on her cheeks, making her exceptionally adorable.

Shen Fuhan looked away and asked, "Why did you push me away?"

Wen Jiayue bit her lip: "If I do this again next time, wake me up and I'll go back."

"……Um."

The two dressed neatly and went to wash and groom themselves.

After breakfast, Shen Fuhan went into the study, and Wen Jiayue took her daughter to play in the yard.

Yesterday, it snowed for half a day, leaving a thick layer on the ground. Servants had already shoveled the snow and cleared several roads.

Wen Jiayue specifically instructed that a small area be set aside for Zhaozhao to play with.

She crouched down, placed her daughter on the snow, and helped her tread on it.

Zhao Zhao was extremely excited, babbling incessantly.

Wen Jiayue was exhausted, but the little one didn't complain about being tired.

Ruyi smiled and said, "Madam, why don't you let me do it?"

Wen Jiayue shook her head: "We'll go back inside soon. Zhao Zhao can't catch a cold."

It was windy, and Zhao Zhao wasn't dressed too warmly, so she didn't dare to take any risks.

Remembering something, she asked, "By the way, when is the flower viewing banquet?"

"The appointed time is 9 AM. Madam, would you like to go now?"

Wen Jiayue nodded. After all, she was the lady of the Marquis's mansion, and it wouldn't be appropriate for her to arrive too late.

"Send someone to the study to tell them."

Ruyi's expression immediately changed, and she whispered, "The Marquis may have already forgotten about this matter, why should Madam remind him?"

She really couldn't understand the lady's thoughts. How could she hope that her husband would take a concubine?

Wen Jiayue said nonchalantly, "Go ahead."

She had liked Shen Fuhan for four years, and knowing that she would still care about his thoughts, her heart would still pound when she saw his face.

It was instinct; she couldn't control it. This love couldn't be easily severed.

But if he takes a concubine, she will be heartbroken.

Ruyi had no choice but to send a servant to deliver the message.

Before long, Shen Fuhan arrived, and the two walked side by side toward the garden.

Stepping out of the main courtyard, a gust of wind blew in her face. Wen Jiayue pulled her cloak tighter and lowered her head.

The next moment, Shen Fuhan walked in front of her.

He was shielding her from the wind.

Wen Jiayue's eyes felt slightly warm.

He was so attentive, yet she was blinded by false love for four years. Was it really all her fault?

If he doesn't like her, why would he do this?

Wen Jiayue really couldn't understand it; her mind was a complete mess.

Perhaps he was this kind to every woman, but since no other woman had ever appeared in his life, she thought that this was all the love he had.

Wen Jiayue exhaled softly, and the misty fog settled on his back, only to be blown away by the wind.

Everything will become clear after he takes a concubine.

Before long, the two arrived at the garden.

It snowed yesterday, and the flowers in the Hou Mansion are covered in snow, a vast expanse of white.

But looking around, the flowers are in full bloom, with buds about to burst into bloom everywhere.

Wen Jiayue glanced around a few times, then stepped into the pavilion with a smile.

Shen Funian arrived early. When she saw them coming, she called out "Big Brother" and then stared at them with a resentful look.

"You seem quite leisurely, arriving so late."

Wen Jiayue smiled and said, "I didn't organize this flower viewing banquet. If I arrive early, wouldn't I be stealing your thunder?"

Shen Funian snorted: "How come I never realized you were so good with words before? Did you learn it from my older brother?"

Shen Fuhan said coldly, "Third Sister."

"Alright, I won't say anymore," Shen Funian immediately changed the subject, "What brings you here, Big Brother?"

Before he could speak, whispers could be heard from outside the pavilion.

"It's the Marquis!"

"The Marquis has arrived!"

The girls excitedly stole glances at the tall, upright figure sitting in the pavilion.

Four years ago, when Shen Fuhan became the top scholar in the imperial examination and rode through the streets in her scholar's robes, they were at the age when their hearts were just beginning to flutter with love.

Overnight, Shen Fuhan became the object of every unmarried young woman's dreams in Chang'an.

Unfortunately, he was already engaged, and everyone hoped he would break off the engagement, but he still got married last year, leaving his girlfriend heartbroken.

Unexpectedly, after entering the mansion today, they went to pay their respects to the old lady.

The old lady hinted that if they performed well, they would have the opportunity to become the Marquis's concubine. How could they not be tempted?

However, upon seeing the Lady of the Marquis's Mansion sitting to the side, they hesitated to approach.

With the principal wife here, even saying a single word to the Marquis would seem like she had ulterior motives.

They were all daughters of respectable families, with rules and etiquette ingrained in their bones, and dared not easily disobey.

Just as they were hesitating, a figure in pink gracefully stepped into the pavilion.

Shen Funian's heart tightened. She leaned closer to Wen Jiayue and whispered, "They're not here for my older brother, are they?"

Wen Jiayue said calmly, "How would I know?"

"You should kick her out!" Shen Funian said, exasperated. "What if my older brother takes a liking to her?"

As the two were talking, the girl in pink also spoke up, introducing herself as the daughter of a fifth-rank official.

Wen Jiayue laughed and said, "Isn't this exactly what you wanted? A sister-in-law with a higher status than me."

Shen Funian was furious with her, and then looked at her elder brother's expression.

Shen Fuhan's face was expressionless; he didn't even look up, his eyes fixed on the clear tea in his teacup.

After the girl finished speaking, Shen Fuhan looked at Shen Funian.

Stared at by such a sharp gaze, even though Shen Funian hadn't done anything wrong, she subconsciously looked away guiltily.

"What's wrong, Big Brother?"

"What are the next steps?"

"What arrangements?"

"You're the one organizing the flower-viewing banquet, and you're asking me?"

Shen Fuhan spoke, suppressing his anger, clearly having already guessed the whole story.

Wen Jiayue pursed her lips, wondering how Shen Fuhan's brain worked so quickly.

"I don't know," Shen Funian said, startled. "Didn't Grandmother ask me to do this?"

Shen Fuhan asked in a cold voice, "Did you know about this?"

"Big brother, what are you saying?"

Shen Funian looked up with a puzzled expression, not expecting that the words were not directed at her, but at Wen Jiayue.