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

Wen Jiayue sat in front of the dressing table, tears streaming down her face.

Even though he couldn't see her tears, Shen Fuhan couldn't help but feel a pang in his heart.

“Don’t cry,” he straightened up. “You don’t have to listen to what your grandmother says.”

Wen Jiayue lowered her eyes and said, "I understand, but I'm just sad."

Shen Fuhan paused for a moment before speaking: "Go to Ninghui Hall less often in the future."

Wen Jiayue tentatively asked, "Is it a summons from Grandmother?"

“Just say you’re not feeling well, and I’ll explain for you.”

Wen Jiayue couldn't help but curl the corners of her mouth, but quickly covered it with her hand.

"Thank you, Lord Marquis."

He was completely unable to withstand this move, and Wen Jiayue began to think about it.

If I could get what she wanted by pretending to cry, that would be perfect.

After applying the perfume, Wen Jiayue walked towards the bed.

In her own blanket lay Shen Fuhan.

She pursed her lips, said nothing, and lifted the blanket.

With Shen Fuhan around, it was indeed much warmer at night, and since he had just agreed to help her, she couldn't be cold to him.

As long as he doesn't lay a hand on me, it's fine.

As soon as she lay down in bed, Shen Fuhan's arms tightened around her.

Her face was forced into his chest, and her neatly tied inner garment opened slightly.

A cool touch of the nose brushed against a hot chest, and both of them froze for a moment.

It was someone's heartbeat that was deafening.

Wen Jiayue was the first to react, and sheepishly stepped back a little.

"Don't hug me anymore, it's uncomfortable to sleep like this."

Shen Fuhan asked in a deep voice, "Why?"

Wen Jiayue said sincerely, "Your arm is too hard, it hurts my neck."

In her past life, she always slept with her head on his arm.

This position wasn't actually comfortable, but she liked the feeling of being hugged, so she endured it for four years.

Now she doesn't want to endure it anymore and wants to sleep the way she likes.

Shen Fuhan paused for a moment, then asked, "How do you want to sleep?"

Wen Jiayue thought for a moment: "Back to back, each of us can sleep separately."

Shen Fuhan immediately rejected the idea: "No way."

"Then go back to your bed and sleep."

"No."

Wen Jiayue took a deep breath: "Sleep however you want, I don't want to sleep like this anymore."

She turned over so her back was to him and closed her eyes.

A heat source was pressed against my back, and my entire back immediately became warm and soothing.

His right hand was positioned between her and the soft pillow, while his left hand rested on her waist, a gesture brimming with protectiveness.

Shen Fuhan asked, "Like this?"

Wen Jiayue didn't feel any discomfort, she just wanted to adjust her sleeping position.

She had barely moved twice when the hand around her waist tightened instantly.

"Do not move."

His voice was deep and hoarse, as if he was trying his best to restrain himself.

The thing lurking beneath her gradually awakened, pressing against her thighs, impossible to ignore.

Wen Jiayue was somewhat helpless. She hadn't done anything, so why was he getting so agitated?

She cooperated and didn't move, but that large hand was gently caressing her waist, and the breath on the back of her neck was getting hotter and hotter.

Wen Jiayue pursed her lips and forcefully moved his hand away.

She said coldly, "If you can't bear it, Lord Marquis, you should go to your study to sleep. I am not in a good enough position to serve you."

The contraceptive soup was too harmful to her health, and she didn't want to drink it again.

If he insists on having sex, then she will find him a maid who is willing to be his concubine.

Shen Fuhan spoke in a low voice: "You really..."

The rest of the words were muffled and unclear, stuck in the crook of his neck.

Wen Jiayue asked instinctively, "What did you say, Lord Marquis?"

"It's nothing," Shen Fuhan said, pulling his arm away. "I'm going to take a shower."

The sound of running water from the washroom soon reached Wen Jiayue. He was slightly taken aback; he hadn't asked the servant to come in and add hot water, so he had washed with cold water.

The November weather... She suppressed the reluctance in her heart; it wasn't like she forced him to wash.

Wen Jiayue closed her eyes, trying to fall asleep, but she couldn't feel sleepy at all.

After an unknown amount of time, Shen Fuhan returned.

A chill swirled around him, and Wen Jiayue felt a coldness and shivered involuntarily.

Shen Fuhan glanced at her and lay back down in his own bed.

No one spoke again, and Wen Jiayue quickly fell asleep.

Shen Fuhan had already warmed up, so he pulled her into his arms and closed his eyes.

When the third watch gong sounded, he opened his eyes, his expression still clear.

As dawn broke, the pageboy Sibai yawned and waited outside the courtyard for the Marquis to leave the mansion.

With his shift time fast approaching, Sibo finally realized that the Marquis had overslept today.

Since he became an official, the Marquis has never been so lazy. He has always been the first to arrive.

He took off running into the courtyard, banging on the door and shouting, "My lord, my lord, wake up! We're going to be late!"

The shouts didn't wake Shen Fuhan, but instead made Wen Jiayue open her eyes.

She groggily looked at the person next to her who was still sleeping and was startled.

It's almost dawn outside, why is Shen Fuhan still here!

She sat up and nudged him, saying, "Wake up."

Shen Fuhan was always a light sleeper, but now he didn't respond at all no matter how she called him, and Wen Jiayue's heart skipped a beat.

She shakily extended her index finger to check his breath and suddenly noticed an unusual flush on his face.

She frowned slightly and placed the back of her hand on his forehead; it was burning hot.

Wen Jiayue immediately raised her voice and said, "Sibai, your lord is ill and cannot go today. Go to the Dali Temple and let them know."

Ruyi, who had come upon hearing the noise, pushed open the door and hurriedly said, "Madam, let me help you get up first."

Wen Jiayue shook her head: "Go and have someone fetch the family physician first, then bring over a handkerchief."

She looked at the ailing Shen Fuhan with a complicated expression.

He was physically strong and had been healthy for four years of marriage, but unexpectedly, he fell ill after taking a cold shower.

After applying a hot towel to his face, Wen Jiayue got dressed and stood up, waiting for the imperial physician to arrive.

Before long, Su Ye arrived hurriedly, carrying a medicine box.

Upon seeing him, Wen Jiayue immediately felt extremely uncomfortable.

Although he had no official status, now that she knew about his relationship with Shen Funian, he could be considered her third sister's husband for the time being, which was somewhat awkward.

She asked, "Why didn't your master come?"

"Master is sleeping. He just has a fever. There's no need to trouble him."

Su Ye opened the medicine box methodically and placed her hand on Shen Fuhan's pulse.

“The invasion of external pathogens is indeed a symptom of fever,” Su Ye withdrew his hand. “I will go and prepare the medicine. Madam, please remember to feed it to the Marquis.”

Wen Jiayue nodded and asked, "When will he wake up?"

"I can't say for sure either, but Madam, there's no need to worry. The Marquis probably didn't sleep well last night, which is why he didn't wake up in time. He will wake up after taking his medicine."

Wen Jiayue's expression suddenly became complicated; she hadn't slept well...

After seeing Su Ye off, Wen Jiayue sat by the bed and changed his handkerchief.

Just as she was about to pull her hand back, Shen Fuhan suddenly gripped her wrist tightly, muttering something under his breath.

Wen Jiayue leaned down to listen and carefully discerned the differences.

"Ayue..."