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

Chapter 301 An Accidental Encounter with Pei Huaijin

Wen Jiayue glanced at Shen Fuhan, her attention diverted.

The dazzling fireworks continuously illuminated his profile, and a smile seemed to flow in his eyes as he looked down at her.

Wen Jiayue was momentarily dazed. Was the person in front of her really Shen Fuhan?

"Ah Yue, why aren't you answering?"

Wen Jiayue then came to her senses and asked, "What did you just say?"

"So, are you happy?"

Wen Jiayue immediately realized: "You had these fireworks set off?"

Shen Fuhan nodded slightly: "I already told you I brought you out to relax."

This action left Wen Jiayue somewhat bewildered. Why was he suddenly being so nice to her?

“Fireworks are fleeting, and so are troubles,” Shen Fuhan said, gazing at the night sky. “There’s no need to worry about them or linger on them.”

Wen Jiayue followed his gaze and saw orange-yellow fireworks bloom, then dim in the blink of an eye.

"I understand."

Wen Jiayue let out a soft breath. He had thought that she was just putting on a brave face when she said she didn't care, but in fact she had long since stopped caring.

Nevertheless, I still thank him for bringing her to see the fireworks.

She looked at Shen Fuhan and said softly, "Thank you, Lord Marquis."

Shen Fuhan's expression darkened slightly; even at a time like this, she still addressed him as "Lord Marquis."

But he didn't say much. After watching the fireworks, the crowd dispersed, and they joined them.

Shen Fuhan picked up Zhaozhao, who was holding a river lantern.

The river lantern was shaped like a lotus flower, and Zhao Zhao seemed to like it very much, holding it tightly and not letting go even when she was eating.

Wen Jiayue said helplessly, "Zhaozhao, why don't you give the river lantern to the wet nurse first?"

Zhao Zhao shook her head and said earnestly, "Mother, the boat."

Wen Jiayue was stunned for a moment, looked around, and saw that there were shops everywhere, so where did the boat come from?

Shen Fuhan realized what was going on and said, "Zhaozhao must be referring to the lake in our manor. She wants to release river lanterns there."

Zhao Zhao was very satisfied and kissed her father on the cheek.

Wen Jiayue was taken aback for a moment, then asked, "How did you guess?"

Shen Fuhan pinched his daughter's cheek: "Because I am her father."

Wen Jiayue gave a soft hum; she was still Zhaozhao's mother.

However, she couldn't help but doubt herself. She spent far more time with Zhao Zhao than Shen Fuhan, so why didn't she understand Zhao Zhao's meaning?

Shen Fuhan realized something and, after thinking for a moment, said, "Actually, I was just guessing randomly, and it just happened to be right."

Wen Jiayue glared at him, thinking he knew how to talk.

When they arrived at the sugar painting stall, Zhao Zhao was attracted and, after watching for a while, said in a coquettish tone, "Daddy."

Shen Fuhan was about to buy one for his daughter when he remembered something, looked at Wen Jiayue, and asked, "Do you want to eat one?"

Wen Jiayue shook her head: "Buy it for Zhaozhao."

Unexpectedly, Shen Fuhan still bought two, and then asked, "What kind of pattern do you want?"

He bought two because he wanted to see if Wen Jiayue would say "dragonfly".

Seeing that he had already paid, Wen Jiayue had no choice but to point to a sugar painting that was already drawn on the table.

"This is fine. After you finish drawing it, my lord, you can eat it. I don't want to eat it."

Seeing that she was so casual and didn't even think about the dragonfly, Shen Fuhan finally breathed a sigh of relief.

He agreed.

Zhao Zhao wanted to draw the river lantern in her hand, so she held it high, afraid that the old man who made sugar paintings wouldn't see it.

Wen Jiayue smiled and said, "Zhaozhao, put it down when you get tired. The old man can see it."

Zhao Zhao shook her head, it was unclear whether she was saying she wasn't tired or that the old man couldn't see her.

Just as Wen Jiayue was about to ask, a familiar, soft, and sweet voice came from the side.

"Brother, please buy it for me."

Shen Fuhan naturally heard the voice as well, and immediately felt something was wrong. He turned his head and met Pei Huaijin's gaze.

Even though it was only for a moment, Shen Fuhan still saw his gaze fall on Wen Jiayue.

Immediately afterward, Pei Huaijin paused for a moment, smiled at him, and then lowered his head to say something to Pei Shijing.

Pei Shijing, who was still acting coquettishly, looked over upon hearing this and waved excitedly.

"Zhaozhao! Lord Shen and Madam Shen! What a coincidence!"

She immediately disregarded Pei Huaijin and nimbly slipped through a gap in the crowd.

She asked with a smile, "Zhaozhao, do you still remember me?"

Zhao Zhao carefully examined it for a while, then held up the river lantern for her to see.

Seeing that she still remembered her, Pei Shijing was even happier. Then she looked at Shen Fuhan and asked, "Lord Shen, may I hold Zhaozhao?"

Shen Fuhan's expression had already turned ugly, and upon hearing this, he refused without even thinking.

"No."

His tone was somewhat stiff, and Wen Jiayue added, "There are people coming and going on the street, the Marquis is afraid that Zhaozhao will get lost."

Pei Shijing pouted upon hearing this, but did not insist.

"Alright, I'll hold her next time I visit your home."

As they were talking, Pei Huaijin also came over and said in a gentle voice, "Brother Shen, sister-in-law."

Shen Fuhan didn't want to pay attention, but he didn't want Wen Jiayue to speak either, so he had to speak first.

"Why are you here too?"

Pei Shijing blinked: "My brother and I go out every few days."

Shen Fuhan scoffed lightly: "The imperial examination is just around the corner, yet you're taking it easy."

Pei Huaijin said gently, "I told Brother Shen last time that we have learned everything we need to learn, and we should do our best and leave the rest to fate."

Shen Fuhan glanced at him and said, "Then I wish you success in the exam in advance."

Pei Huaijin smiled and changed the subject, saying, "Brother Shen and sister-in-law, what brings you here today?"

Although he was asking about two people, he was looking at Wen Jiayue.

Just as Wen Jiayue was about to speak, Shen Fuhan interrupted again: "Since we have nothing to do today, I'll take my wife and daughter out for a stroll."

He emphasized the word "Madam" to remind him that she was not someone he could covet.

Pei Huaijin, however, seemed not to have noticed and said, "In that case, why don't we travel together?"

Shen Fuhan's voice was even colder: "No need, we're already preparing to go back."

As he spoke, he looked at Wen Jiayue and asked, "Is that right, Madam?"

Wen Jiayue looked at him in surprise. When did he say that?

However, since he had already said that, she couldn't refuse him, so she could only nod.

But I couldn't help feeling a little regretful, as I didn't get to talk to Brother Dragonfly this time.

Even though they are so close, they always have to avoid each other because of their status.

"You're leaving so soon?" Pei Shijing pleaded. "Madam Shen, please stay a little longer. I just saw Zhaozhao."

Wen Jiayue wanted to agree, but Shen Fuhan clearly didn't want to be with them, though she didn't know why.

Pei Huaijin suddenly spoke up: "Xiao Jing and I have finished our tour. The Duke's Mansion and the Marquis's Mansion are on the same route, so why don't we ride in the same carriage?"

Shen Fuhan refused, saying, "The carriage is too cramped; let's forget about it."

“The Duke’s carriage is large,” Pei Huaijin said warmly, “and it’s parked not far away.”

As he spoke, he extended his hand: "Brother Shen, sister-in-law, please."

Just as Shen Fuhan was about to refuse again, he suddenly had a flash of inspiration and looked at Wen Jiayue.

"do you want to go?"