nashuaworldcup Chapter 93 Dispute
Chapter 93 Dispute
It was already late afternoon when we came out of the Imperial Garden.
Winter days are short and dark. At this moment, the sun is setting, and only a few streaks of twilight remain on the horizon.
Wen Jiayue asked, "Hasn't it taken a bit too long? Shouldn't we be heading to the palace banquet?"
The banquet was about to begin, yet they were still in the Imperial Garden.
If the Emperor arrived before them, then they would be being rather ungrateful.
Shen Fuhan nodded and said, "Let's go."
He took her hand again.
Fortunately, Wen Jiayue reacted quickly this time and he didn't get involved.
Shen Fuhan frowned at her: "Aren't your hands cold?"
"We'll be at Jinfu Palace soon," Wen Jiayue said. "There will be people everywhere soon, and it wouldn't be good if someone saw us."
Shen Fuhan did not insist and walked towards Jinfu Palace, where the palace banquet was being held.
He walked leisurely, while Wen Jiayue followed behind him, somewhat anxious.
"My lord, please hurry. What if the Emperor arrives before us?"
"will not."
Wen Jiayue: "..."
Is he a mind reader, so certain?
"Let's hurry, it's getting dark."
Eunuchs were lighting lamps everywhere, illuminating the somewhat dark and secluded palace corridors with warmth and brightness.
Shen Fuhan, however, remained unhurried.
Wen Jiayue became even more anxious. If she had known the way, she would have left long ago.
Seeing this, she had no choice but to grab his sleeve and try to quicken her pace.
Shen Fuhan asked, "Aren't you tired?"
"A little, but I'm more afraid the palace banquet will be late."
She wasn't Li Zhilan, who could act recklessly in the palace. She had no power or influence, so it was better for her to be cautious in this situation.
She paused for a moment, then suddenly realized what she was doing and blurted it out.
"Are you deliberately walking slowly? To give me a moment to rest?"
Shen Fuhan avoided her gaze and said calmly, "No."
Wen Jiayue was stunned for a moment, then gave a self-deprecating laugh. It turned out that she had been deluding herself again.
Even after being reborn for so long, I still can't get rid of this bad habit.
If Shen Fuhan is even slightly gentle, she can't help but overthink.
Like Li Zhilan, he was one of the emperor's closest confidants, and he was not afraid of being late.
So, he just wanted to take a walk.
He never considered her situation.
Feeling embarrassed and awkward, Wen Jiayue loosened her grip on Shen Fuhan's sleeve.
Just then, a young eunuch carrying a lantern appeared in front of her, so she quickly walked over.
"Excuse me, sir, where is Jinfu Palace?"
Before the young eunuch could answer, Shen Fuhan walked over with a cold face.
"I'm still here, why are you asking other people?"
Wen Jiayue twitched the corner of her mouth: "Then I'll trouble you, Lord Marquis, to show me the way."
Shen Fuhan stared at her for a moment, then took her wrist and walked forward.
Wen Jiayue couldn't break free, and considering that she was still in the palace, she could only endure it.
As darkness fell, the brightly lit Jinfu Palace came into view, with the faint sounds of string and wind instruments drifting through the air.
Shen Fuhan released her hand at the right moment.
Wen Jiayue flicked her wrist, didn't even glance at him, and strode into the hall.
Shen Fuhan stood outside the hall, his hands clenched into fists.
The emperor, disguised, slipped out from the other side and asked curiously, "Did you and your wife have a fight?"
He had sensed something was off earlier, but he couldn't hear what they were saying, so he could only observe their expressions.
Madam Shen, who had been smiling, suddenly stiffened her smile for some reason.
“No,” Shen Fuhan paused, “but she seems angry.”
The emperor scrutinized his face and said with certainty, "Minister Shen is also angry."
"Your Majesty, I do not."
"You have deceived the emperor," the emperor snorted, "I will punish you with a beating."
Shen Fuhan didn't take his joke to heart at all, and cupped his hands, saying, "It's getting late, Your Majesty, please go back and change your clothes. This humble subject must also go into the palace now."
"Alright, I won't interfere in your family affairs," the emperor waved his hand. "I'm leaving now. Go and appease your wife."
Shen Fuhan quickly entered the hall.
Jinfu Hall was extremely large, but it was now crowded with people. They sat in order at the long table, exchanging greetings, drinking tea, or enjoying the song and dance performances.
As soon as he walked in, he immediately attracted the attention of half the people.
Wen Jiayue also subconsciously looked over and immediately saw Shen Fuhan surrounded by people.
Surrounded by pot-bellied and elderly people, he stood out with his handsome face and upright figure, truly a crane among chickens.
Just as she was about to look away, Shen Fuhan's gaze pierced through the layers of people and looked at her.
Wen Jiayue paused for a moment, then lowered her eyes and began to drink her tea.
Shen Fuyou turned around and exclaimed to her, "Sister-in-law, my eldest brother is truly outstanding, don't you think?"
At the New Year's Eve banquet, every family sits together, symbolizing reunion.
However, there is a distinction between front and back seats; usually, men sit in the front and women sit in the back.
Wen Jiayue nodded perfunctorily, trying to banish Shen Fuhan's image from her mind.
She pondered carefully how she should act as if nothing had happened when Li Zhilan arrived.
Li Zhilan...
Just thinking of a name makes the hatred in my heart surge.
Her hands became so unsteady on the teacup that she almost spilled it.
The old lady sitting to the side glared and whispered, "They've learned all the rules but forgotten them!"
Wen Jiayue calmly replied, "You are right."
She truly had to ingrain the rules in her very bones, and couldn't afford to make the slightest mistake.
Soon, a lady from another family came up to her and started chatting. Wen Jiayue maintained her smile and began to talk to her.
After exchanging pleasantries, the lady in front of him smiled and said, "Madam Shen's hairpins are truly small and exquisite."
This implies that her jewelry is not presentable.
Wen Jiayue smiled and said, "I don't care about that. As long as I match this outfit well, that's fine. If I were covered in jewels and looked top-heavy, that would be a laughing stock."
The lady's smile faltered; she was dressed to the nines today, and her head was incredibly heavy.
But she couldn't say anything, since the other party hadn't named anyone.
He could only agree, saying, "Madam Shen is right. I have other matters to attend to, so I will head over now."
Wen Jiayue watched her leave, then her smile faded.
If it were her in the past, she would definitely have been hesitant and timid in such a situation.
However, having served as the wife of a marquis for four years and attended numerous palace banquets, she was already quite adept at it.
After dealing with several ladies who came to chat with him, the emperor finally arrived.
Everyone immediately returned to their seats, and Shen Fuhan naturally returned as well.
As he passed by her, he glanced at her.
Wen Jiayue could feel his gaze, but she didn't look at him. She lowered her eyes and followed the others in bowing.
After everyone was seated, a group of dancers came forward and began to dance to cheerful music.
Wen Jiayue appeared to be watching intently, but in reality, her mind was already wandering far away.
After an unknown amount of time, the music abruptly stopped, and a eunuch standing outside the hall rang out in a high-pitched voice.
"Princess Yongzhen has arrived!"