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

The following day was New Year's Eve.

Wen Jiayue had something on her mind, so she only ate half of her lunch before putting down her chopsticks.

Shen Fuhan said, "Eat some more. Tonight's food is all cold, so it won't be good."

Wen Jiayue shook her head and casually made up an excuse: "I'm not hungry."

She went into the washroom, burned incense, and took a bath.

When they came out, Shen Fuhan was nowhere to be seen. The servant reported that the Marquis had gone to his study.

Wen Jiayue ignored him and sat in front of the dressing table, where maids dressed and styled her hair.

Her long hair was tied into a bun and adorned with gorgeous hairpins and ornaments. She changed into a newly made blue and gold-embroidered begonia-patterned ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress).

Having not dressed up like this in a long time, Wen Jiayue stared blankly at her somewhat unfamiliar reflection in the bronze mirror.

She still remembered that she had been eagerly anticipating this day in her past life.

Although the palace banquet was boring and long, she felt happy as long as Shen Fuhan was by her side.

She was so silly and naive back then.

“Madam, please smile,” Ruyi said with a smile. “You’re all dressed up so beautifully today, of course you should smile more.”

Wen Jiayue tried to stop thinking about the past and tried to smile, but she couldn't manage it.

Who would be happy to see their enemy?

She lowered her eyes and said, "It's almost time to go to the palace. Send someone to invite the Marquis."

A moment later, Shen Fuhan hurried over, and his steps faltered slightly when he saw Wen Jiayue.

She looks best in green and blue, which make her appear even more gentle and dignified, like a fairy from the Jade Palace.

Just then, a light snow began to fall from the sky. She stood under the eaves, holding a hand warmer, gazing into the distance with an indifferent expression, which added a touch of divinity and made her seem even more unapproachable.

Shen Fuhan slowly walked to her side.

Wen Jiayue snapped out of her daze: "The Marquis has arrived."

"Let's go."

The two walked side by side out of the mansion, without saying a word.

Two carriages were parked outside the Marquis's residence; the one in front belonged to the old lady.

Upon learning that the old lady had already boarded the car, the two naturally wanted to go and see her.

Unexpectedly, Shen Fuyou was sitting in the carriage, eating persimmons with his legs crossed.

Upon seeing Shen Fuhan, he quickly put his legs down and greeted him respectfully.

Shen Fuhan glanced at him but didn't say anything.

Wen Jiayue was somewhat surprised. Shen Fuyou didn't attend the palace banquet last year, and she thought she wouldn't come this year either.

However, Shen Funian would definitely not come. She has a bad reputation, and if she went, she would only be ridiculed behind her back.

The old lady asked with displeasure, "Why are you so late?"

She frowned at Wen Jiayue, clearly placing all the blame on her.

Wen Jiayue naturally wouldn't take the blame, and was about to explain when Shen Fuyou spoke up first.

"Grandmother, why are you only staring at my sister-in-law? Maybe it's my eldest brother who's slow."

Wen Jiayue glanced at him gratefully; finally, there was someone in the Marquis's mansion who would speak up for her.

Shen Fuhan's expression suddenly turned cold.

He then spoke up: "It was indeed my oversight. I was so busy with official duties that I forgot the time, which is why I'm a little late."

The old lady naturally dared not blame him, and said with a smile, "So that's how it is. It's quite cold outside, let's get in the car quickly."

The two boarded the carriage behind them and soon set off.

The Marquis's residence was not far from the palace, and they arrived in no time.

Although it was not yet Shen Shi (3-5 PM), many carriages had already gathered outside the palace.

Shen Fuhan got out of the car first and politely extended his hand.

Wen Jiayue pursed her lips and began to pretend again.

But with so many people watching, she couldn't refuse, so she placed her hand in his palm.

After regaining her footing, she immediately withdrew her hand and said with a slight smile, "Thank you, Lord Marquis."

Shen Fuyou happened to witness this scene and exclaimed, "Big brother and sister-in-law are so loving!"

Shen Fuhan said coldly, "If you don't speak, no one will think you're mute."

Shen Fuyou was completely confused. What was wrong with her brother? Was it wrong for him to say that they were in love?

He moved closer to Wen Jiayue and asked in a low voice, "Sister-in-law, is Brother in a bad mood today?"

If he's in a bad mood, you should stay away from him.

"I do not……"

Before she could even utter the word "I know," Shen Fuhan grabbed her hand and forced her to walk towards the palace gate.

"Slow down!" Wen Jiayue staggered, barely managing to keep up with his pace.

“We can’t delay,” Shen Fuhan said calmly. “We should go and pay our respects to the Emperor.”

Wen Jiayue was stunned. How come she didn't remember this happening in her previous life?

She always sat on the sidelines for a long time before attending several palace banquets, and then watched a long performance of song and dance in the evening before the banquet began.

Throughout the entire affair, she only saw the emperor a few times from afar.

Completely baffled as to why things had changed in this life, Wen Jiayue asked, "Why do you suddenly want to pay your respects to the Emperor?"

Shen Fuhan said, "You don't need to be nervous."

The answer was so nonsensical that Wen Jiayue was speechless and simply stopped asking.

Perhaps it was just a whim of the Emperor. After all, the news of Shen Fuhan visiting the Wen residence every night had spread throughout Chang'an recently, and it was possible that the Emperor was simply curious about her.

After walking along the long palace road, the two stopped in front of Hanliang Hall.

This was Wen Jiayue's first time here. Although she was curious, she followed the rules and didn't look around.

I was a little nervous. Could Li Zhilan also be in the hall?

Thinking about it carefully, it's unlikely.

In her past life, Li Zhilan always arrived late to every palace banquet, taking her seat halfway through, which always attracted everyone's attention.

Thinking of this, she relaxed a little.

Before long, a eunuch summoned them into the palace.

Wen Jiayue took a deep breath, but she was still a little nervous as it was her first time meeting the Emperor.

Shen Fuhan entered the hall half a step behind, and the two bowed together.

"Please get up quickly!"

A young yet authoritative voice rang out, with a hint of intimacy in its tone.

This intimacy was naturally meant for Shen Fuhan, but it also eased Wen Jiayue's tension somewhat.

After being seated, palace maids served tea and snacks.

"This is specially prepared by me for Minister Shen and his wife," the Emperor said. "It's still early before the palace banquet, so please have something to tide you over."

Just as the two were about to bow and express their gratitude, the emperor waved his hand and said, "No need to thank me, there are no outsiders here."

Wen Jiayue glanced at Shen Fuhan and, seeing that he had actually withdrawn his hand, was shocked and silently lowered her hand as well.

For a moment, the hall fell silent.

Shen Fuhan looked at her and asked, "Why aren't you eating?"

Wen Jiayue had no choice but to pick up a piece of peach blossom cake.

The palace pastries are made extremely small and exquisite, perfect for a single bite, and they taste quite good.

After swallowing the food in his mouth, Shen Fuhan personally handed him a piece.

Wen Jiayue frowned slightly. Were they here to put on a show of marital bliss for the Emperor?

She glanced up discreetly and saw the emperor propping himself up on his arm, watching the two of them with great interest.

She had no choice but to accept it and thanked him quietly.

After finishing the second peach blossom cake, Shen Fuhan handed over a lily cake.

Wen Jiayue: "..."

She had to speak in a voice only Shen Fuhan could hear: "That's enough."

No sooner had the words left his mouth than the emperor at the head of the table spoke up: "Why isn't Madam Shen eating? Is it not tasty?"

Wen Jiayue quickly replied, "Of course not. The palace snacks are extremely delicious. It's just that I ate a bit too much for lunch."

Shen Fuhan also said in a voice only she could hear, "Deceiving the emperor."

If it weren't for the inappropriate occasion, Wen Jiayue would have liked to slap him again.

The Emperor said, "In that case, Madam Shen, please go and sit in the side hall. I will borrow your husband for a while."

His words are nonsensical and don't sound like those of an emperor at all.

As she thought about it, Wen Jiayue obediently stood up, bowed, and was led by a palace maid to the side hall.

The emperor's voice drifted faintly from behind.

"I feel that this is different from what you said last time..."

Wen Jiayue didn't quite understand. Last time? What last time? Did Shen Fuhan mention her in front of the Emperor?