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

Chapter 167 Returning Late

As evening approached, Shen Funian arrived with Shen Chengyao.

Ever since Shen Fuhan started teaching Yao'er to read, the two of them have been having dinner in the main courtyard.

With some time before Shen Fuhan's shift ended, Shen Funian pulled Wen Jiayue aside to chat about the talent show.

"Did you hear about today's palace selection? More than twenty concubines were chosen to enter the palace. For the next month, His Majesty will certainly have something to do."

Wen Jiayue was so frightened that she hissed, "You're not afraid of losing your head by making up stories about the Emperor?"

“I’m telling the truth,” Shen Funian said with a smile, “Who could resist such a group of beauties?”

As she spoke, she touched Wen Jiayue's face, her expression truly resembling that of a tyrannical ruler.

Wen Jiayue helplessly slapped her hand away, then thought of Shen Funian from yesterday.

Drinking seemed to be just a whim of hers, and had nothing to do with anyone else.

Wen Jiayue held back and didn't ask about the drunkenness again.

Shen Fuhan definitely understands Shen Funian better than she does. Since he said she hasn't moved on and her nonchalance is just a facade, she won't reopen old wounds.

As dusk approached, wisps of sunset glow dyed the sky orange-yellow, slowly spreading across the entire heavens.

Then, darkness swallowed the twilight, and a heavy, inky blue pressed down.

Shen Chengyao ran over from Zhao Zhao's side, grumbling, "Mom, I'm so hungry, when are we going to eat?"

Shen Funian glared at her son: "Bear with it! Your uncle isn't back yet!"

After waiting a while longer, she became a little anxious and asked, "Why hasn't my older brother come back yet?"

"Perhaps something's wrong," Wen Jiayue said unsurprised. "Let's go have our meal first, we won't wait for him."

Shen Funian frowned and said, "If something happened, you should at least send someone back to let us know. Let's wait a little longer."

Wen Jiayue stood up and said, "Your older brother won't tell."

She looked at Shen Chengyao and smiled, "Let's go, Yao'er, let's go have a meal."

Shen Chengyao hurriedly ran to wash his hands: "Aunt, I'm coming right now!"

Shen Funian was taken aback for a moment, then subconsciously tried to excuse her brother: "It should only be once in a while, right? He probably just forgot."

Wen Jiayue smiled and said, "He never said that."

"That's too much!" Shen Funian immediately defended her. "When my older brother comes back, I'll teach him a lesson for you!"

Wen Jiayue smiled and said, "Thank you, but I don't need it anymore."

Shen Funian stared blankly at her retreating figure. "No longer needed?" What did that mean?

As the three were nearing the end of their meal, Shen Fuhan returned.

Shen Funian immediately put down her chopsticks and pulled him into the courtyard.

Once she was sure Wen Jiayue couldn't hear their conversation, she pressed, "Where did you go?"

"what's up?"

Seeing that he avoided answering, Shen Funian had a bad feeling.

"You didn't go to a brothel, did you?"

Shen Fuhan's expression immediately turned cold: "What nonsense are you talking about?"

"You're not giving me a straight answer!" Shen Funian said angrily. "Could it be that I guessed right?"

Shen Fuhan glanced at her: "I didn't go."

"Where did you go?"

“It’s none of your business,” Shen Fuhan frowned and asked, “What exactly are you trying to say?”

He frowned, and Shen Funian became a little scared.

But she still put her hands on her hips to bolster her courage.

She pressed on, saying, "Fine, fine, it has nothing to do with me, but it must have something to do with my sister-in-law, right? Half an hour has passed since you finished your shift, why didn't you send someone to deliver a message?"

What message are you trying to convey?

"If you come home late!" Shen Funian was so angry she almost vomited blood. "My sister-in-law said that she worries about you because you never tell her you come home late. How could you do this?"

Shen Fuhan paused for a moment, then said thoughtfully, "Should I tell her when I'm coming home late?"

Upon hearing his words, Shen Funian asked in surprise, "You didn't know?"

"know."

"If you knew, why didn't you say so?"

"Just found out."

"...?"

"Anything else?"

"No, that's all," Shen Funian reminded her worriedly. "Remember to explain to your sister-in-law that Yao'er won't be studying tonight, and I'll take him home right now."

Shen Fuhan nodded and went straight to the bedroom to change.

Shen Funian returned to the side hall and said smugly, "The matter is resolved!"

Wen Jiayue asked, puzzled, "What is it?"

"As for coming home late," Shen Fu said, "I've already given my older brother a good talking-to. He'll definitely send someone back to tell you from now on."

So that's why she went out. Wen Jiayue said nonchalantly, "But I really don't need it anymore."

Shen Funian pressed further, "Why not?"

“I…” Wen Jiayue didn’t know how to say it, “I’m used to it.”

“That won’t do. I need to get my older brother used to it,” Shen Funian suggested. “If he comes home late next time without telling you, you should cry, make a scene, and threaten suicide. He’ll definitely remember that.”

Wen Jiayue hesitated and said, "I could never do such a thing."

Seeing that Shen Funian was persistent, she had no choice but to say, "Okay, I'll try."

Shen Funian was finally satisfied and looked at her son.

"Let's go, we won't bother your aunt and uncle anymore."

Upon hearing this, Shen Chengyao, who had been dejected ever since Shen Fuhan returned, felt as if a gift from heaven had fallen on his head.

"No school today?"

"Yes, I'll spare your life, but you have to continue tomorrow, or I'll break your legs."

"Long live Mother!"

Wen Jiayue saw them off and carried Zhaozhao back to the bedroom.

Shen Fuhan had just changed his clothes. The moon-white brocade robe made his face look like jade, and he looked like an immortal, but it also made him look a little colder.

Wen Jiayue was momentarily stunned, but quickly looked away. Why was she dressed like this so late at night?

Shen Fuhan glanced at her, his expression calm and unreadable. As soon as he returned, he started playing with Zhaozhao, acting as if he didn't exist, let alone asking about his whereabouts.

Shen Fuhan paused for a moment, then spoke up, "I went to the Princess's residence after my shift."

Wen Jiayue said "Oh," she had already guessed it.

The Emperor will definitely summon his concubines to his bedchamber tonight; he won't let him into the palace.

Neither during festivals nor holidays would colleagues from the Dali Temple invite them to meals.

That leaves only Li Zhilan.

Seeing that she didn't say anything more, Shen Fuhan said, "I'll go have my meal first."

Wen Jiayue looked at him suspiciously. Did Li Zhilan not invite him to stay for dinner, or did he refuse to stay for dinner?

Regardless of the reason, it's good news for her.

The former indicates that Li Zhilan is not yet hopelessly in love, while the latter indicates that Shen Fuhan has not yet been blinded by love.

It's a good thing they don't like each other yet.

"Ah!"

She was so engrossed in her thoughts that she neglected her daughter, Zhao Zhao, who called out twice in dissatisfaction.

Wen Jiayue stopped thinking about it and continued playing with her.

At night, Zhao Zhao has exceptionally good energy, and she can only sleep soundly after she has exhausted all her energy.

When Shen Fuhan returned, Zhaozhao had just fallen asleep.

Wen Jiayue looked gentle, one hand supporting her forehead and the other patting her back, humming a tune.

Her voice was already gentle, and the lullaby she played was even softer, like a whisper in the wind.

She stopped singing when he approached.

Shen Fuhan lay down in bed and asked, "Why did you stop singing?"

“I’m done singing,” Wen Jiayue said, lying back down. “I’m going to sleep.”

Shen Fuhan said, "If I come home late, I will let you know in time next time."