Chapter 40 Chapter 40 If we really practice the Zhougong ritual...

Being watched by so many people, it would be a lie for Zhu Yinluan to say that she wasn't nervous.

What's more, all the relatives of the Shen family are important officials in the court, the aunts are all respectable, and even the younger generations of the same generation hold important positions in the court. If you take their individual identities into consideration, everyone is a hundred times better than her.

In the past, when she was in the Wei family, she attended banquets, but she never got to see these people because her status was not qualified.

Zhu Yinluan followed Shen Jingzhan obediently, not daring to look around too much, and just silently accepted the person based on the past relationship with the Shi family and the special treatment that Shen Jingzhan had prepared for her just now.

While she was observing the elders, they were also observing her.

Yesterday, she was supported by maids and bridesmaids, and her figure and face were barely visible during the wedding ceremony. Today, seeing her walking beside Shen Jingzhan, she was neither humble nor arrogant.

Shen Jingzhan wore a deep blue round robe and a white jade hair crown. He had an upright stature and a handsome face. His every move revealed the demeanor of a young master.

The woman beside him had her hair tied up in a bun, adorned only with two hairpins. She wore a red dress, which made her face look even whiter and her skin more delicate. Her waist was slender as she walked, and she and Shen Jingzhan looked a perfect match.

If you don't know her true background, who would know that she is a concubine's daughter, and was divorced after being married for four years, "..."

In the past, only the eldest wife lived in the Marquis' Mansion, but today Zhu Yinluan, as the new bride, wanted to serve tea. Shen Jingzhan had the highest status among the younger generations of the Shen family, and he was also a well-known person in front of the emperor, so naturally all the elders of the Shen family came.

At the top is the old lady of the Shen family.

She didn't show up in the main hall yesterday, but when I saw her today, she looked really extraordinary.

She was half leaning on a soft pillow in a leisurely posture, with her silver hair combed meticulously. Although she was old, she was in good spirits, and her eyes were very sharp, which made people feel awe and dare not look at her easily.

When the two walked to the front, a little maid put down a futon made of goose down and served tea.

Zhu Yinluan followed Shen Jingzhan and knelt down to greet Old Madam Shen and offer her tea.

Mrs. Shen first took Shen Jingzhan’s tea and drank it.

After looking at Zhu Yinluan for a long time, he slowly sat up with the help of the old woman beside him.

It was the old woman who took the tea from Zhu Yinluan's hand, and then Mrs. Shen took a sip.

During this time, Mrs. Shen's eyes were always on Zhu Yinluan's face.

The other person felt her gaze and kept his brows lowered, allowing her to look at him without showing any fear.

Although he wasn't sure what was going on with his courage, he was able to handle the situation and didn't show any signs of panic.

After Old Lady Shen drank the tea, she didn't say anything. The maid next to her spoke auspicious words on her behalf and gave Zhu Yinluan a gift, which was a statue of Guanyin, the goddess of fertility.

"As the prince's wife, the old lady hopes that you can have children for the Shen family as soon as possible." This sentence is very meaningful. Everyone is watching the show and want to hear what Zhu Yinluan has to say.

When Zhu Yinluan heard the words "Guanyin, the Goddess of Childbearing", she thought of the fact that she had not had a child for four years, and her eyelids twitched slightly.

She thought that if the Shen family investigated her past, they would definitely know that she had no children of her own in the four years since she married into the Wei family.

Old Mrs. Shen naturally noticed Zhu Yinluan's little reaction.

But Mrs. Shen didn't expect that after kneeling for just a short while, her knees wouldn't be bent to the point of pain, right?

Shen Jingzhan personally helped Zhu Yinluan to stand up, looking distressed, and before Zhu Yinluan could speak, he answered for her.

"Raising an heir is not just Luan'er's job. I will also work hard, so don't worry, grandma."

Old Mrs. Shen sneered in her heart, hoping that he could really make people trust him.

Previously, Shen Jingzhan said that Zhu Yinluan was unable to have children because he had drugged her then-husband, Wei Jiazi. At that time, Old Lady Shen was so angry that she fainted from a headache.

After thinking about it, no matter whether it is true or not, let's see if the girl from the Zhu family can give birth after marrying into the family.

If the couple really cannot have children, they must be divorced!

"By the way, you have not been in good health. I asked someone to find a statue of Namo Medicine Master Liuli Light Tathagata Buddha and put it in your inner house. I believe it will be helpful to you."

Is this to tell her to pray more and worry less?

Mrs. Shen, who was hit back by her own grandson, said, "..."

Seeing this, everyone who had been observing carefully nearby stopped looking down on Zhu Yinluan, because she was so much loved by Shen Jingzhan.

In such a big occasion where all the elders of the Shen family were present, Shen Jingzhan actually blocked the lecture from Old Lady Shen to her grandson's wife for her sake. Zhu Yinluan hardly said anything. Shen Jingzhan was just helping her to save face.

Some time ago, seeing the lavish manner in which Shen Jingzhan married her, everyone did not believe that he really loved the girl of the Zhu family that much. After all, the banquet was well organized, mainly to demonstrate the strength of the Shen family. But seeing today... I'm afraid it's more than that.

Old Mrs. Shen's face darkened slightly, and Mrs. Shen quickly stepped forward to smooth things over and change the subject.

The tea was served to Madam Shen and Lord Shen. The two did not feel embarrassed. They drank the tea, gave the things, and accepted Zhu Yinluan's return gift.

With the previous experience of Shen Jingzhan fighting back against Old Lady Shen on behalf of Zhu Yinluan, no one dared to show any displeasure to Zhu Yinluan, and even spoke to her in a polite manner. After all, everyone in the Shen family knew how powerful Shen Jingzhan was. He was a smiling tiger who would not recognize anyone when he got angry.

Compared with the politeness of the other wives, there was only one person, the second wife, who was neither warm nor cold but somewhat impressive - because she had previously found out that Shen Jiaxian's "exile" was vaguely related to Zhu Yinluan, so she was not happy.

Zhu Yinluan didn't know the real situation and thought that the second wife looked down on her background.

After offering tea and exchanging a few words, it was time for breakfast.

Zhu Yinluan sat down next to Shen Jingzhan.

She had originally thought that she might have to serve Mrs. Shen and Old Madam Shen during meals, but she didn't expect that she wouldn't have to, because there were already maids to take care of it.

Not only did she not have to serve her mother-in-law and grandmother at meals, Shen Jingzhan also always took care of her and picked up food for her.

Not to mention that when they were alone, she felt uncomfortable when he picked up food for her. In front of so many elders and being watched secretly, Zhu Yinluan felt more and more unnatural. She could only pick up food for Shen Jingzhan and whispered to him to eat and not to bother her.

He continued to scoop soup for her as if no one was around, saying that he was worried that she was shy and didn't dare to eat more, and that she was thin and should have more food.

Zhu Yinluan could only purse her lips and smile awkwardly, avoiding everyone's gaze and concentrating on eating.

She had originally put her mind in order, trying to treat the meal with the many relatives of the Shen family in a normal manner, but being taken care of by him and being watched by so many people, she was indeed a little shy and unnatural.

In the past, Shen Jingzhan was as cold as ice and never said a word, but today he was considerate and caring, as if he had become a different person, which really shocked everyone.

Madam Shen and Lord Shen looked at each other.

Although Lord Shen was surprised, it was okay, after all, Lord Shen knew what else Shen Jingzhan had done to marry Zhu Yinluan.

Madam Shen looked as if she had seen a ghost. Was this still her son who was not interested in women and always avoided them?

Zhu Yinluan felt like she was being stared at. She almost ate with gritted teeth, "..."

It was amazing that she could still notice something strange at this moment.

All the dishes that Shen Jingzhan picked for her were her favorites. Was this a coincidence?

He actually knows her preferences so well?

He even knew such private matters as her dislike of eating leaf mustard greens, and he picked them out for her.

Even the personal servants Ming Ya and Jiao Hui didn't know about this, so how did Shen Jingzhan know?

Even if it was a coincidence, it couldn't be such a coincidence.

Because she didn't know the reason, Zhu Yinluan could only suppress this doubt in her heart for the time being.

Seeing that she was lowering her head more and more, when Shen Jingzhan picked up some food for her, he raised his eyes and swept his cold gaze over the people who were observing this side. Everyone hurriedly looked away and used their own food.

“…”

After the meal, everyone chatted politely for a while.

Shen Jingzhan was about to take Zhu Yinluan away. He said he wanted her to walk around the yard and get familiar with the layout of the Shen family, which would help her digest her food.

But just as they were about to get up, Old Lady Shen stopped them and said, "Since you have already started a family, why don't you move back home? We can all be together and at least you can take care of each other."

Move back?

Zhu Yinluan remembered something, Shen Jingzhan seemed to be living outside.

Fang Zhongyue said that he had moved to another mansion a long time ago. There were only people from the eldest house in the mansion, and Shen Jingzhan's sister was not married yet. She went to Liuzhou last month and has not returned yet.

She originally wanted to come back, but because Liuzhou was too far away from the capital and was an independent small state, the snow melted in the spring, the river bank collapsed, many ships passing by were damaged, and the roads were blocked, so she stayed in that area.

The person was fine. The Shen family had already sent someone to pick her up, but it would take some time for her to come back, so Zhu Yinluan had not met this nominal aunt yet.

I heard from the sisters of the Shi family that she was good friends with Princess Feng'an.

That Princess Feng'an...at the banquet hosted by Wei Mingyan, Zhu Yinluan heard people say that she was pleased with Shen Jingzhan.

"Grandma, the most important thing is to take good care of yourself. You don't have to worry about these things." He interrupted Mrs. Shen again.

The other party glared at him unhappily. Zhu Yinluan was standing nearby and couldn't interrupt, so Old Lady Shen looked at her, as if she wanted her to persuade him.

Zhu Yinluan was not stupid, so she naturally understood. She thought about it and was about to speak, but Shen Jingzhan said goodbye to Old Lady Shen and stopped her from saying anything, and took her away.

Only Old Lady Shen was left staring at the two men's backs with an unhappy look on her face.

The rest of the Shen family members who stayed behind didn't know what to say. They could only comfort Old Lady Shen and told her to be at ease. After staying with her for a while, they also took their leave.

Almost everyone had left, leaving only Madam Shen and Lord Shen.

When Old Mrs. Shen thought that this undisciplined grandson was born to them, she didn't want to see them anymore and told them to go about their business and not to get in the way.

After everyone left, the old lady next to Mrs. Shen massaged her shoulders and asked her what was wrong.

"What else can you do? Didn't you see it all?" Old Mrs. Shen sighed.

"It's a good thing that the eldest master loves the young lady. I see that the young lady is a well-behaved person, not like those people with evil intentions and schemes. When you looked at her just now, it was obvious that she wanted to speak for you, but the eldest master..." and she pulled the person away.

"I'm afraid it's just a matter of face." Old Madam Shen pinched her brows, "Hearing that Lan likes her so much, I don't know whether it's a blessing or a curse."

"You are just worrying too much. You fainted a few days ago and are still taking medicine. The imperial physician told you to take good care of yourself. You should listen to the imperial physician."

Old Mrs. Shen waved her hands and closed her eyes. The old mother immediately closed her mouth and brought a soft quilt to cover Old Mrs. Shen's legs.

Zhu Yinluan and Shen Jingzhan went around to the backyard of the Shen family.

It must be said that the Shen family's courtyard was really too big, even bigger than that of the Shi family. There were rockery and waterside pavilions, gurgling streams, and all kinds of rare flower species, some of which she didn't even recognize. They seemed to have only been seen in books. They were arranged in an orderly manner, which made people feel relaxed and happy.

Shen Jingzhan asked her if she liked the Shen family?

Zhu Yinluan didn't say whether she liked it or not, she just said that the scenery of Shen's house was beautiful and the courtyard and pavilion were also nice.

"My father spent a lot of money to ask the Minister of Works of the Palace to help build this."

It turned out to be the work of the Minister of Works, no wonder it is so exquisite and elegant.

"By the way, grandma just said..." Before Zhu Yinluan finished her words, Shen Jingzhan asked her whether she wanted to live in the Shen family or move out?

Zhu Yinluan paused for a moment. In her heart, she naturally wanted to move out.

Living with the elders, one can't help but feel restrained.

What's more, Shen Jingzhan's rest days will end in a few days. If he is too busy to return home for a few days, she will be left alone at the Shen's house to deal with the Shen's people.

The people of the Shen family are polite today, but who knows what they are like behind the scenes? They are probably more difficult to deal with than the Pang family of the Wei family and her stepmother, Madam Zhu.

"Luan'er also wants to move out, right?" While Zhu Yinluan was silent, Shen Jingzhan already understood what she meant.

"But Grandmother..."

"Don't worry about grandma, Luan'er. I will take care of it." Thinking of his protection today, Zhu Yinluan didn't know what to say.

Because Shen Jingzhan is so thoughtful.

It was clearly agreed that she would help him deal with the Shen family's affairs. Today, she was prepared to deal with many words from her elders, but she couldn't say a word because Shen Jingzhan blocked them all for her.

"Luan Er, do you have anything to say?"

"I just feel that you...my husband treats me very well." How could she be so worthy of this?

"I'm marrying Luan'er and bringing her home, not to ask you to suffer injustice."

If it wasn't being wronged, then it was enjoying life? She had never thought that after marrying into the Shen family, the Shen family would be able to enjoy life.

Shen Jingzhan looked at her and said this. Zhu Yinluan raised her eyes and looked into his deep and beautiful eyes. She couldn't help but move her heart slightly and pursed her lips.

She was silent.

I always feel like something is wrong. Yes, what is wrong?

After thinking about it, Zhu Yinluan suddenly had an idea. It was clear that she and Shen Jingzhan were getting married for "mutual benefit", but Shen Jingzhan gave her the feeling that he had admired her for many years? He finally married her, so he protected her everywhere.

She must have lost her mind to have come up with such a ridiculous idea.

Not knowing what to say but not wanting to remain silent, she responded, "…thank you, husband."

Thank you so much.

She knew very well that Shen Jingzhan's care and protection in front of others were all to support her.

Because of this, no one in the Shen family dared to bully her.

"You're welcome, Luan'er." The man looked at her, now no longer on guard, and a hint of smile flashed across his eyes.

Compared to before, she was no longer as resistant and distant towards him.

In time...she will definitely rely on him wholeheartedly.

No matter how long it takes, he has patience.

The two walked slowly in the backyard, chatting a word or two from time to time.

“…”

After Madam Shen returned to the courtyard, she was still thinking about what Old Lady Shen had asked. She went to Lord Shen for advice, wondering if he could also help to mediate and let Shen Jingzhan stay at home and not move out again.

Lord Shen was unwilling to do so. "Tinglan has already established a family and a career. He has his own decisions to make. Let him do whatever he wants."

"He's not at home all year round. Now that he's married, the house will be more lively. What should we do if he moves out with his family?"

Madam Shen naturally didn't want to talk about her selfish motives, she just wanted to keep an eye on Shen Jingzhan and Zhu Yinluan to have children.

What's more, we haven't seriously examined Zhu Yinluan's character yet. The two of them only stayed at home for a few days and then moved out. What can we say about that?

"Madam, if you don't want to hear Lan move out with his wife, why don't you go and talk to them in person?"

"How dare I be Ting Lan's boss?" Didn't you see that he even choked on what Old Lady Shen said?

Lord Shen couldn't help but laugh when he heard this.

Seeing his smile of staying out of the matter, Madam Shen's face fell. Lord Shen coughed lightly with a serious expression, leaned close to Madam Shen's ear, and gave her an idea.

"Will this work?" Mrs. Shen was skeptical after hearing this.

"Whether it works or not, we'll know after trying it," Lord Shen said.

Mrs. Shen fell silent as she pondered.

Maybe that's a solution.

The breakfast was unpleasant and Mrs. Shen did not show up for lunch or dinner.

After the other elders from the side branches who came to drink tea and give gifts left, only Madam Shen, Lord Shen, the young masters and young ladies of the eldest house, and the concubines and younger generations were left.

Although there were still quite a few people, there were not as many as in the morning.

During these two meals, Zhu Yinluan did not have to look after her subordinates while they ate. Most of the time, the maids and old women were there to serve them. Instead, she ate a lot herself.

Chen Jingzhan took care of her just as he did in the morning, and she noticed that the dishes he picked for her were all of her favorite flavors.

Very accurate.

The Shen family chef is particular about his cooking and basically never repeats the breakfast he prepares in the morning.

Even so, Shen Jingzhan was able to pick out her favorite dishes from the pile of dishes and put them in her bowl.

This is too much of a coincidence!

If it was a coincidence once, is it still a coincidence the second time?

Zhu Yinluan thought she had hidden it well as she had something on her mind, but she didn't expect to be discovered by Shen Jingzhan not long after she returned to the courtyard and washed up.

He asked her what she was thinking?

She just said she didn’t think anything, but Shen Jingzhan looked at her and asked, is it true?

"I don't mean to force Luan'er to tell me. I'm just afraid that you feel uncomfortable in the Shen family and you don't want to say it, so you keep it to yourself and feel sad."

The man's gentle and considerate words penetrated into his ears.

Zhu Yinluan felt that she might have overthought it. Shen Jingzhan was able to gain a foothold in front of the emperor at such a young age, so it goes without saying that he had the ability to see through people's hearts.

It was probably no surprise that he could tell what she liked to eat.

Having said that, she still found it strange.

Do you want to say it?

She thought secretly in her heart.

But when she was struggling and unsure, Shen Jingzhan actually said it himself, asking her if she was wondering why the dishes he picked for her were all her favorites?

"How...how do you know?" Can he really see through people's hearts to such an extent? It's as if he can read their minds.

But how could she know, Shen Jingzhan knew her too well.

He paid close attention to her every move. Even if she hid the doubts she revealed at the dinner table, how could he not guess them?

If I don't tell her now, she might get suspicious.

Once the seeds of doubt are planted, people will become nervous and suspicious.

Facing Shen Jingzhan's smiling eyes, Zhu Yinluan realized that her subconscious words had revealed her inner thoughts.

He quickly shook his head, “I…I didn’t mean that.”

"It's just... I feel weird because my husband seems to know my taste very well."

"Yes." He nodded, "Luan'er should remain vigilant."

He went on, "I do know Luan'er's taste very well. Not only because I asked your maids and learned some of your preferences from them, but I also asked someone to pay attention to your food, clothing, and daily life when you lived in the Shi family."

After hearing this, Zhu Yinluan breathed a sigh of relief, "So that's how it is."

How could she forget about the Shi family?

Since Shen Jingzhan has attracted people's attention, he must know her preferences.

Thinking of this, she couldn't help but sigh at Shen Jingzhan's unfathomable depth. He was able to analyze many of her unknown tastes just from the reports of others. What else did he not know?

In addition to sighing, Zhu Yinluan also felt a little more cautious.

"As for why I am so meticulous, it's because I know Luan'er is quiet and gentle. First, I'm worried that you'll be bullied in the Shi family but won't say anything. Second,..."

"What is it?" It was rare to see Shen Jingzhan pause.

"I have explained to my family that the reason I want to marry Luan'er is that I have loved and thought about you for many years, and I will not marry anyone else in this life."

He just expressed his true thoughts in a joking and casual tone.

Zhu Yinluan was stunned for a moment, and when she met the man's deep eyes, she felt something was wrong.

But I can’t put it into words.

It seemed that because his eyes were naturally deep, even if what he said was a joke, people always felt that he was serious and not joking.

"As the saying goes, you have to do your best to put on a good show. Of course, you can't let the people at home see any flaws."

No wonder he took extra care of her, taking care of every detail, such as serving her tea and eating with her.

It turns out that apart from having to support her, there was another reason.

"I understand." Zhu Yinluan temporarily eliminated the doubts in her heart.

"Um."

"If Luan'er has any questions in the future, just ask me directly. There is nothing that cannot be discussed between you and me. If I have any questions, I will also ask you directly."

It is indeed better to talk it out. It can save a lot of trouble and avoid mutual suspicion, which will destroy the little trust between the two people.

Zhu Yinluan had no objection and nodded, "Okay."

After talking, the two stood up to rest.

Before going to bed, Shen Jingzhan walked through the study, as if he wanted to review and sign some imperial decree.

Zhu Yinluan went to bed and waited for him first.

While Mingya was helping her take off her boots, she whispered to her that the old lady who had eavesdropped yesterday was here again.

Zhu Yinluan frowned, "..."

Why are you here again?

Wouldn't these people come every day? Wouldn't that mean they would have to put on a show with Shen Jingzhan every day?

Today, facing the elders of the Shen family, she almost forgot the nervousness and embarrassment she felt on the bed yesterday. When she thought of yesterday, her face turned red.

"Did you come yesterday too?" She felt stupid as soon as she asked.

Didn’t Mingya say that the old lady who came to eavesdrop yesterday came again today? She actually asked about it. Moreover, Mingya also said during the day that someone came yesterday.

She didn't know what she was trying to prove.

To verify what Shen Jingzhan said? She didn't believe what Shen Jingzhan said?

But there was nothing wrong with what he said, and she had no doubts in her mind. It was almost perfect, so why should she ask?

yes……

His answer was almost perfect, without a single flaw.

"Miss, what's wrong with you?" Mingya thought her question was strange.

"Nothing, just... a little sleepy, so a little dazed."

She thought about the loss of control she had last night, how he kissed her, kissed her, and helped her.

During this act, she felt a heat and panic that she had never felt before.

She and Shen Jingzhan didn't even really perform the Zhougong rituals before things became so chaotic.

If the Zhougong ritual was really performed...