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

The pavilion was drafty on all sides, with a biting wind blowing in from all directions, but it couldn't compare to the chill emanating from Shen Fuhan.

Wen Jiayue found his anger inexplicable.

Even if she knew, so what? Was she supposed to stop her?

She did try to stop it once in her past life, and she succeeded, but what did she gain from it?

It will only make the old lady look down on her even more.

Wen Jiayue ignored his words and looked at the girl in pink with a smile.

"Miss Li, please have a seat."

Miss Li glanced at the extremely indifferent Shen Fuhan and dared not sit down.

She said awkwardly, "Thank you, Madam, but I have other matters to attend to. I'll come back later."

She then quickly left.

The girls outside the pavilion surrounded her, asking what had happened, while the three people inside were ignored.

Shen Funian looked at Wen Jiayue and asked hesitantly, "What's wrong with my older brother?"

Her parents died early, and her eldest brother was like a father to her. He was becoming increasingly authoritative, and she was truly afraid that Shen Fuhan would get angry. Her heart was pounding in her chest.

A few years ago, she was cruelly abandoned by her husband. When she returned to the Marquis's mansion in disgrace, carrying her infant son, her elder brother's cold expression made her legs go weak, and she almost knelt down.

Her expression now is no less than it was then; if she weren't sitting, she probably would have already knelt down.

Wen Jiayue casually brushed it off, saying, "Maybe the case at the Dali Temple isn't going well, so he's taking this opportunity to vent."

Shen Funian retorted, "My older brother isn't that kind of person, stop slandering me..."

Before she could finish speaking, Shen Fuhan stood up, and she immediately shut her mouth, shrinking her head back like a quail.

“Go back.” Shen Fuhan looked at Wen Jiayue.

Wen Jiayue didn't move and calmly said, "The Marquis's mansion is holding a flower viewing banquet. As the Marquis's wife, I naturally have to be present and cannot leave easily."

Shen Funian was stunned. Wen Jiayue actually dared to talk back to her older brother!

She was completely bewildered, wondering if her older brother would lock her up in the ancestral hall to copy Buddhist scriptures.

Should she try to dissuade her or pretend not to see it?

No, why would she try to stop her? It would be good enough if she didn't kick him when he was down...

My mind was filled with all sorts of random thoughts when I heard hurried footsteps.

Shen Funian looked up in astonishment as Shen Fuhan strode away.

My older brother... he just left like that?

She quickly nudged Wen Jiayue and said anxiously, "Hurry up and keep up with my older brother!"

"What are you doing?" Wen Jiayue asked, looking puzzled. "He can leave if he wants, but I can't."

Shen Funian truly couldn't understand the couple anymore, and sighed deeply.

The flower-viewing banquet continued, but without Shen Fuhan, everyone looked listless, and the lively atmosphere was gone.

Wen Jiayue felt a mix of emotions; Shen Fuhan still hadn't taken a concubine.

This man is really strange. He neither likes her as his wife nor wants to take a concubine, and he is indifferent to the princess.

She couldn't figure out what he was thinking at all.

Perhaps... he only wants to establish himself in the government and the public, and doesn't care about personal feelings?

She couldn't find any other reason besides this explanation.

As evening approached, the flower-viewing banquet came to an end, and the ladies returned home one by one.

Wen Jiayue and Shen Funian, having endured the cold wind all day, forced smiles as they watched them leave.

As soon as the last person left, Shen Funian's smile immediately vanished.

"I'm exhausted! This is torture!"

Wen Jiayue patted her somewhat stiff face and said, "I'm going back now."

Shen Funian waved her hand: "Good luck."

"What's wrong?" Wen Jiayue stopped in her tracks.

“My older brother is angry,” Shen Funian clicked her tongue. “You’d better keep a low profile in front of him today.”

Wen Jiayue frowned and said, "I didn't provoke him, and I don't have a tail."

Shen Funian twitched the corner of her mouth: "You're quite humorous."

As they walked out of the garden, Ruyi said softly, "After the Marquis left, he went to Ninghui Hall and then stayed in the study. He didn't seem to have lunch."

"To refuse to take a concubine, he actually went on a hunger strike?" Wen Jiayue sighed, half-jokingly, "I'm truly moved."

Ruyi said anxiously, "Why is Madam still making sarcastic remarks? Should we send some food to the Marquis like we used to?"

Wen Jiayue was stunned for a moment. In the past...

Shen Fuhan used to spend the whole day in his study, forgetting to eat and sleep.

She felt sorry for him, so she sent someone to deliver things to him and told him to take care of himself, fulfilling the duties of a virtuous and kind wife.

But men never learn to cherish. They might be moved once or twice, but the third time they'll definitely scoff.

She doesn't want to do that anymore.

"Let him be. If he doesn't eat, it means he's not hungry."

Back in the main courtyard, Wen Jiayue clearly sensed that the atmosphere was somewhat oppressive than usual.

Upon entering the courtyard, Nurse Zheng approached anxiously.

Wen Jiayue's heart tightened immediately, and she asked worriedly, "What's wrong with Zhaozhao?"

“Miss is fine,” Nurse Zheng said quickly, “but as soon as the Marquis returned, he took Miss away and wouldn’t let anyone near her. I’m a little worried.”

Wen Jiayue breathed a sigh of relief: "How long have you been carrying him?"

“It’s been an hour,” the wet nurse said guiltily. “The young lady needs to nurse, but the Marquis ordered me not to trespass…”

Wen Jiayue frowned. He was angry, but why was he starving Zhaozhao?

She walked into the bedroom.

The room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. She instinctively held her breath, only to see a large and a small child sleeping on the bed.

Shen Fuhan wrapped his arms around his daughter, who nestled in his embrace, one foot on her waist and the other on her wrist, sleeping sprawled out on her back.

Wen Jiayue couldn't help but laugh. She tiptoed forward, intending to take her daughter out.

Suddenly, her waist was gripped tightly, and she felt dizzy. She instinctively cried out in surprise and instantly collapsed onto Shen Fuhan.

He said in a deep voice, "You're finally back."

His chest was trembling, and she trembled slightly along with it.

Wen Jiayue scrambled to her feet in a fluster, but he held her waist, preventing her from moving.

She whispered, "Let me go!"

“I won’t let go,” Shen Fuhan stared at her intently. “You haven’t answered my question yet.”

Wen Jiayue didn't quite understand why he was so insistent on whether she knew about the concubine arrangement.

She didn't answer, but pursed her lips and said, "We'll talk about that later."

"Why?"

Wen Jiayue said coldly, "Zhaozhao is hungry, it's time to feed her!"

Shen Fuhan's gaze unconsciously drifted downwards, then he suddenly realized something and released his grip.

Wen Jiayue tidied her clothes in annoyance. Luckily, she didn't let anyone else in, otherwise, if they saw this scene, she would be too ashamed to face anyone!

She carried Zhao Zhao out, and the wet nurse quickly took her from her.

Before Wen Jiayue could say a few more words of advice, a large hand had already slammed the door shut.

She turned around, but found herself trapped between the doorway and Shen Fuhan, caught in a dilemma.

"Now, can we talk?"