Chapter 60 Chapter 60 "Chen Jingzhan, let's get divorced."...

“Sister-in-law!”

After lunch, Zhu Yinluan sat in the small flower hall in the courtyard, daydreaming.

Suddenly, a crisp cry came from the side, and a small object fell in front of her eyes.

Zhu Yinluan came back to her senses from her daze, and then she saw clearly that what Chen Kouyu put in front of her was an exquisite purple jade pendant.

The purple jade was carved into the shape of a purse, dazzling and eye-catching. Even though she was not in a good mood at the moment, her eyes unconsciously followed the swing of the purple jade pendant.

Chen Kouyu couldn't say that this was something Chen Jingzhan asked her to use to coax Zhu Yinluan.

She just pretended that she picked it out from the toys Princess Feng'an gave her. She thought the purple jade was suitable for Zhu Yinluan, so she gave it to her to wear for fun.

"Sister-in-law, what's wrong with you lately? You don't like to laugh, you talk less, and you are always worried. What happened?" Chen Kouyu came to ask.

Zhu Yinluan forced a smile and told her that it was nothing, it was just a bad season, so she always felt lazy and had no energy.

Her gaze unconsciously fell to her lower abdomen, and worry rose between her brows.

Seeing this, Chen Kouyu did not say anything, "......"

I don't know what Zhu Yinluan and Shen Jingzhan were planning. They had clearly asked an imperial physician to see the baby, but they still didn't tell their family members about the pregnancy. Therefore, Lord Shen and Madam Shen didn't know that Zhu Yinluan was pregnant.

Zhu Yinluan seemed to be preoccupied with thoughts these days and was even more silent than before.

Although she and Shen Jingzhan pretended well, Mrs. Shen and Old Lady Shen were both shrewd people. How could they not notice the subtleties between the two?

Since it hasn't been exposed, it's naturally difficult to ask what exactly happened?

So she went to find Chen Kouyu to find out what was going on. Chen Kouyu only knew that Zhu Yinluan was pregnant, and had no idea what had happened between the two. She didn't dare to get involved rashly for fear of getting herself into trouble, so she kept making excuses that she had something to do and didn't want to go.

Even though she refused in every possible way, Madam Shen and Old Lady Shen still asked her to find out the news. In order to drive her along, they even said that they could give her some more time to get married. With such a "huge profit", Shen Kouyu had no choice but to get involved.

As for Shen Jingzhan, Shen Kouyu didn't dare to frown. After all, she still had something to ask Shen Jingzhan, so she could only come to Zhu Yinluan. But she hadn't figured out how to ask yet, Shen Jingzhan called her over, gave her a purple jade pendant, and asked her to bring it over.

Purple jade is hard to find, and natural purple jade is even rarer. My mother doesn't have any, but my brother was willing to carve it into a pendant for people to play with.

If you care about others, why do you want to make them unhappy?

Although Zhu Yinluan had not been married to the Shen family for long, her quiet personality was obvious to all. Shen Jingzhan was a smiling tiger who was not easy to mess with, so Shen Kouyu concluded that it must be Shen Jingzhan who made her unhappy.

Seeing Zhu Yinluan stroking the jade pendant, she must like it, right?

Chen Kouyu took the opportunity to ask, "Is it true? If sister-in-law encounters any problems, you can tell me, maybe I can help her solve the problem?" Chen Kouyu raised the jade whip in her hand and said that she could beat the other person to pieces.

Zhu Yinluan smiled, but soon stopped. Chen Kouyu asked her if she didn't believe it.

As she was talking, she immediately stood up and showed her a whip in front of Zhu Yinluan.

Chen Kouyu was naturally pretty and bright, and the whip she wielded was both gentle and sharp, making her every move so attractive that people could not take their eyes off her.

When she was collecting the whip, she rolled up a blooming peony and handed it to Zhu Yinluan, saying that although the flower was beautiful, it was not half as beautiful as Zhu Yinluan's. Zhu Yinluan took the flower and told her to stop praising it, saying that she did not dare to appreciate it.

Sitting down and wiping the sweat off her forehead, Chen Kouyu drank a cup of tea and asked, "Did my brother bully my sister-in-law?"

When it comes to Shen Jingzhan, Zhu Yinluan said nothing.

She thought about what happened that day after the imperial physician came to take her pulse.

She never thought that things would develop like that, and she never thought that after it became so unpleasant, why would Shen Jingzhan ask her later if she had any romantic feelings for him?

Her thoughts were already in a mess at the time, and she was still wondering what he would say and how he would decide the fate of the baby in her belly.

Hearing that sentence, the whole person was a little stunned. When he completely came back to his senses and realized what Shen Jingzhan had said, Shen Jingzhan had already gone out.

Since that day, the two of them tacitly maintained superficial calm and rarely spoke to each other in private.

As expected, something happened to the Yao family. The Grand Marshal was held accountable and imprisoned in the palace. His Majesty asked Shen Jingzhan to handle the case, so he had no time to spare.

She went back to her old ways of leaving early and coming back late. She only knew that Shen Jingzhan came back at night, but she had no idea when he came back or when he left.

Did he let her figure it out on her own?

But he asked just that one question that day, and Zhu Yinluan didn't understand. Was his question about whether she had any romantic feelings for him related to any calculations?

If she nodded and said that she had developed romantic feelings for him, wouldn't that be selfish?

If you say there is none, there is not even a trace...

But it is not.

She couldn't tell that lie.

How can things between men and women be explained clearly in just a few words?

"Brother, this guy..."

Chen Kouyu tried to comfort Zhu Yinluan while drinking tea.

"Sometimes he does things in a domineering way, but...but he loves his sister-in-law, so he must be thinking about her and cherishing her."

Chen Kouyu looked at the purple jade in Zhu Yinluan's hand and continued, "Brother has never been in contact with a girl before, so it is inevitable that he will be clumsy and not do well. Sister-in-law, you... don't bother with him."

“What’s more…” Chen Kouyu lowered her voice, “Sister-in-law, you still have a baby in your belly. Even if your pulse is stable, you shouldn’t always be in a bad mood. It would be bad if something happened.”

Zhu Yinluan stroked the patterns on the purple jade carved purse in her palm and felt that the patterns were vivid.

Speaking of pendants, she had one before, which was a small swallow whistle carved from wood. She didn't remember where she bought it from. She found it in a box. Maybe it was a little gadget left for her by her mother.

But later when I got married, the item was lost and has not been found to this day.

"Who carved this?" Zhu Yinluan asked.

Chen Kouyu was not prepared for her question and was stunned for a moment before quickly saying that she didn't know, "It was delivered like this. If sister-in-law wants to know, I'll ask the princess when I send the gift back."

Zhu Yinluan shook her head, "No need."

Maybe she was overthinking it. How could it be possible that her Little Swallow Spring Whistle and the purple jade purse pendant were carved by the same person?

"Sister-in-law, are you listening to me?" Chen Kouyu asked.

"I heard it." She just couldn't hear it.

"Then you..." Chen Kouyu wanted to continue to be a peacemaker, but Zhu Yinluan suddenly asked her, "Do you think your brother likes me?"

"Of course I like it. What are you talking about, sister-in-law?" Chen Kouyu didn't understand why she asked that.

Almost everyone in the Shen family knows about Shen Jingzhan's love and bias towards Zhu Yinluan, and this is beyond doubt. Why does Zhu Yinluan seem to doubt it, or even not believe it?

Looking at Chen Kouyu's expression, Zhu Yinluan murmured, "Is that so?"

In the past, Shen Jingzhan pretended to be so good that not only did she often lose focus, but even the people around him believed that he loved her.

But does Shen Jingzhan really like her?

No.

Sometimes she felt it inexplicably, but...but his sudden words "Miss Zhu" yesterday were like a basin of cold water that instantly woke her up.

Thinking of this, Zhu Yinluan felt more and more hypocritical. In fact, she still had some feelings for Shen Jingzhan.

If you only regard him as an ally and a benefactor, you won't feel aggrieved and lost because of the title that suddenly distanced you from him.

Even sad enough to cry.

The more Zhu Yinluan thought about it, the more she hated herself.

She had betrayed Shen Jingzhan's trust in her. She had promised not to miss him at the beginning, but now she couldn't resist the temptation. She couldn't tell when her heart was shaken.

Shen Jingzhan must have noticed it, so he asked her that.

Definitely.

"I was wrong..." Zhu Yinluan murmured again, looking at the purple jade purse pendant in her hand.

"Sister-in-law, don't scare me. What's wrong with you?" Seeing her talking in a weird way, Chen Kouyu was really afraid that she would not be able to persuade the person, but would mess things up instead, which would be a disaster.

"It's okay." Zhu Yinluan laughed at herself and let out a long sigh.

"I just feel like... I was wrong."

She was too confident in herself. She was certain that she would not fall in love with Shen Jingzhan at the beginning, and she seemed to have sworn to him that she would not miss him. But now it turned out like this.

After all, it's because she has too little experience and has gone through too little that this happens.

Shen Jingzhan was gracious and didn't bother with her. What he said that day might have been considered nice. If the reprimand had been harsher, she might have really cried in front of Shen Jingzhan.

"Sister-in-law, what did you do wrong? Even if there is a mistake, it is my brother's fault!"

Seeing that she was in a low mood, Chen Kouyu was busy trying to coax her and became a little anxious. She even brought up the incident with the portrait from last time, saying that Shen Jingzhan must like her, otherwise he would not have secretly hidden her portrait in the study for many years and would take it out from time to time to peek at it.

"Besides that, sister-in-law...I'll tell you a secret..." Chen Kouyu leaned close to her ear, "Before you got married, I painted a lot of portraits of you, all new ones, in my study. How can this not be considered love for you, sister-in-law?"

Shen Kouyu told Zhu Yinluan at the risk of offending Shen Jingzhan.

It was a pity that Zhu Yinluan was immersed in sadness at the moment and did not react at all, nor did she take her words to heart.

I just thought that the portraits Shen Kouyu was talking about were of Shen Jingzhan’s married sweetheart.

At this moment she became increasingly sad.

She didn't want to be sad, but she couldn't help but feel envious, even a little jealous...

She actually began to be jealous of the girl who had been married for many years but was still in Shen Jingzhan's heart.

Zhu Yinluan shook off the thoughts in her mind.

Already started making plans.

Seeing that she didn't agree to a word, Chen Kouyu didn't know what to say, so she just kept silent.

“.......”

At dinner time, Shen Jingzhan's followers came over and told Zhu Yinluan that he would be back late today and that she didn't have to wait for him for dinner.

Zhu Yinluan nodded silently. Before her followers left, she stopped them and asked when Shen Jingzhan could come back.

"I have something to say to him."

The attendant thought for a moment and said, "Your Highness is very busy with official business, so I don't know what you mean, but I will definitely convey your words."

"Yeah." Zhu Yinluan nodded.

She had dinner alone, but because she was in a bad mood, she didn't eat much.

Just as she was about to put down her silver chopsticks, Mingya stepped forward to persuade her to eat more, but she heard the old lady from Yunmeitang coming over to tell her that Old Madam Shen wanted to see her.

Zhu Yinluan guessed that it was most likely because of what happened today.

Just rinse your mouth and wash your hands and it will be over.

However, she didn't expect that what Mrs. Shen wanted to talk about was not this matter at all. As soon as Zhu Yinluan sat down, Mrs. Shen asked her if she was clear about the disputes between the Zhu family and the Wei family.

Zhu Yinluan was confused and shook her head honestly, saying that she had no involvement with the Wei family since her divorce and was not sure.

"Grandma, what happened?"

"The Wei family is corrupt, the Wei family and the Zhu family are married, and the Zhu family has also been investigated. Don't you know?" asked Old Mrs. Shen.

Zhu Yinluan shook her head, "My grandson's wife doesn't know."

So many things have happened recently?

She lived in the backyard of the Shen family, but she didn't hear any news at all.

Someone must have deliberately concealed the news, and the first person Zhu Yinluan thought of was Madam Shen.

Madam Shen had never wanted her to have anything to do with the Zhu family, and she had told her so last time.

"You didn't know it some time ago, but now I'm telling you, you should have some idea of it." Old Mrs. Shen put down the jade beads in her hand.

“…Yes.” Zhu Yinluan responded.

Old Madam Shen continued, "Your father-in-law and mother-in-law told me that something happened to the Wei family not long ago. They were originally just impeached, but after the Inspection Department and the Dali Temple investigated for some time, they found that corruption and forming a clique... It's almost certain, and they will definitely be punished."

"The Zhu family and the Wei family seem to be discussing your eldest sister's marriage to Wei Ruzhuo, and they have very close contacts. Now the Zhu family has been implicated and has been investigated. Your father and brother have been suspended from their posts. In order to gain connections, the Zhu family is likely to look for you and Tinglan."

"I've already talked to Ting Lan about this. Your father-in-law and mother-in-law have already told him that he will no longer be involved in the Zhu family's affairs. If the Zhu family comes to you for help, you should know what to do, right?"

Zhu Yinluan was terrified when he heard this, and couldn't help but think of the fact that Shen Jingzhan had helped Zhu Mingsheng to get promoted to an official position a long time ago. Could he have been implicated as well?

"My granddaughter-in-law knows, but..."

"Just what?" Seeing that she was frowning and speaking hesitantly, Mrs. Shen also frowned.

Originally, I thought Zhu Yinluan was indecisive and didn't want to break up with her family, so I was ready to scold her as soon as she opened her mouth. However, I didn't expect that Zhu Yinluan actually opened her mouth to express her worry for Shen Jingzhan.

After listening to her, Mrs. Shen's expression eased a little. Fortunately, she was not the one who just kept turning her elbow outward.

Old Mrs. Shen's expression also improved a little. "You don't have to worry about this matter."

"Ting Lan has always been cautious in his work, not to mention that your father-in-law and the Shen family are mediating."

She originally wanted to talk about Zhu Yinluan, but she saw that she didn't look very good. Thinking of her filial piety in the past, Mrs. Shen didn't say anything.

"I have given you some advice. I know you are an obedient child and will definitely not get involved in the Zhu family's affairs again. But I can't say for sure about your mother's family. They must have had nowhere to turn to these days. They have sent many visiting cards to the Shen family, and even your father has come in person."

Zhu Yinluan was nervous, "Did my father-in-law and mother-in-law answer the call?"

"No." Old Mrs. Shen told her directly, "I won't accept it now, and I won't accept it in the future."

"To avoid trouble with your family, you should not go out these days to avoid trouble."

Avoiding it is indeed the best way.

Zhu Yinluan nodded, "Yes."

After talking about this matter, Old Lady Shen asked her what happened recently, "I shouldn't ask this question, but is there any conflict between you and Tinglan?"

Before calling Zhu Yinluan over, Old Madam Shen had once suspected that maybe there was someone in the family who was not careful enough to keep his mouth shut and let Zhu Yinluan know about the affairs of the Zhu and Wei families, so she was always worried and even had conflicts with Shen Jingzhan?

Old Madam Shen also speculated that Zhu Yinluan was very likely to be soft-hearted and care about her natal family, and wanted Shen Jingzhan to help her do something, but Shen Jingzhan was unwilling, so she made a fuss?

But from what Zhu Yinluan said just now, she had no idea what had happened, which made Mrs. Shen feel relieved.

But now that things have come to this, I might as well give her a few pointers.

Zhu Yinluan was silent for two breaths and then said no.

Knowing that Zhu Yinluan didn't want to say it, Old Lady Shen didn't force her. Between the young couple, who were full of youth and vigor, it was inevitable that there would be unpleasant conflicts. This was all inevitable.

"Ting Lan has always been a person with strong opinions and a tough personality. He also has no patience, but he loves you very much. Logically speaking, you are not worthy of entering the Shen family because of your background, even as a concubine, but he insists on having you and is determined to marry you."

"In order to marry you, he put in a lot of effort, and deliberately found a new supporter for you in the bride's family, and asked your mother-in-law to give you a dowry. The weight was no different from marrying off a daughter. After you came to the Shen family, he also protected you in every way, without any slight, because he knew that if he gave you enough care and love, no one in this family would dare to look down on you."

"Zhu, ask yourself, how does Ting Lan treat you?"

Zhu Yinluan lowered her eyes and listened. She bit her lips slightly and nodded, saying that Shen Jingzhan was very good to her.

"He treats you very well." Old Mrs. Shen affirmed this statement.

"Since you know he treats you well, you should be more considerate of him in the past."

Old Madam Shen didn’t say that it was Zhu Yinluan’s fault, she just said that there are always conflicts in life, and asked her to coax Shen Jingzhan a little more.

Zhu Yinluan listened without refutation. After a long while, when Old Lady Shen finished speaking, she nodded and said, "Grandson's wife understands."

"It's getting late. You should go back and rest early."

Old Mrs. Shen asked the old lady to take her back.

On the way back, the old mother comforted her with several words, and Zhu Yinluan responded to each one, indicating that she had listened to her.

When I arrived at the yard, Shen Jingzhan really didn't come back.

Zhu Yinluan looked at the quiet inner room, then turned her head to look at the shadows of trees swaying in the evening breeze outside the window. She couldn't help but think of the past. When she was at the Wei family, whenever she had something depressing and hard to think about, she would often lie on the window sill to look at the scenery.

Although the Wei family's courtyard was well built, it was far inferior to the Shen family's.

Zhu Yinluan had no intention of enjoying the scenery at this moment.

She just felt confused.

Unprecedented chaos.

In just a few days, the Wei family was investigated into this state, and even the Zhu family was implicated.

Although Shen Jingzhan is dealing with the Taiwei’s affairs, I wonder if he has been implicated?

Although she has already gotten away from the Zhu family, but... she still has the surname Zhu.

She was not afraid of death, but she was afraid of implicating Shen Jingzhan, the Shen family, and the Shi family.

Even though Old Madam Shen had said that as long as she didn't care and stayed in the inner house, everything would be fine, she still couldn't let her mind go.

Especially when thinking about the fact that Shen Jingzhan helped Zhu Mingsheng get promoted to an official position.

She always felt that this matter was not so easy to turn over.

Is it her illusion?

Zhu Yinluan was stunned for a while and went to take a shower and wash up.

Mingya felt sorry that she didn't eat much for dinner, so she offered to make her some midnight snack, but Zhu Yinluan refused.

Tonight, Zhu Yinluan couldn't fall asleep for a long time after she lay down, but she didn't turn over and didn't disturb Jiaohui who was keeping watch.

I don’t know what day it is.

She felt like not much time had passed, and Shen Jingzhan actually came back.

She heard some noise outside and at first thought it was the maid coming in to add some incense, but when she listened carefully she found that it was not the case, because she heard the voice of greeting.

Shen Jingzhan is indeed back.

Did he come back earlier today than usual?

I asked the night watch maid before, and she said that he would not come back until midnight, but he came back so early today.

Why?

At first, Zhu Yinluan wondered if it was because she asked her followers to pass on the message?

But she quickly shook the thought off, avoiding thinking about it too deeply and making herself sad.

What surprised Zhu Yinluan was that Shen Jingzhan actually noticed that she didn't rest even better than the little maid.

After he came back, the maids left. Zhu Yinluan heard his footsteps. He was originally going to the bathroom, but somehow he turned to her side.

Zhu Yinluan hesitated and was about to sit up, but Shen Jingzhan opened the curtain first.

The two people's eyes met in the dim light for the first time in a long time.

There was a moment of silence.

Zhu Yinluan couldn't help but get nervous, and her hands subconsciously clenched the quilt.

Fortunately, the maids did not light the candles in the inner room. She guessed that it must be Shen Jingzhan's order, right? After all, he has always been careful and considerate.

"......"

After a long-awaited eye contact, Zhu Yinluan was the first to look away.

She felt that Shen Jingzhan was too tall, and his eyes were deep and dark, blocking the bed, which made her extremely flustered.

She was about to say something to change the subject, but she was still a step too late because Shen Jingzhan spoke before her.

His voice was deep and magnetic. "It's so late, why haven't you rested yet?"

Zhu Yinluan bit her lips lightly, thinking about what to say in response.

It seems like nothing can be said in return.

Are you waiting for him? Or are you unable to sleep because of what happened recently?

After thinking about it, Zhu Yinluan simply changed her tone, "You're back..."

She seemed to be in a daze and realized it belatedly.

Shen Jingzhan looked at the girl sitting up on the bed, her petite figure nestled in the quilt, her long hair like ink splashed across her back, covering her.

Her eyebrows were drooped and her eyes were dodging, as if she was still thinking about what happened that day, and she was still nervous when she saw him.

Thinking that he could not be seen in the darkness, his hands were clutching the quilt and his face was tense.

"Yeah." Shen Jingzhan replied, "I'll go take a shower first."

After saying this, the man lowered the curtain and left.

Zhu Yinluan couldn't sleep, so she got up and asked the maid to light another candle, making the inner room a little brighter.

She listened to the sound of water dripping from the bathroom and thought of her previous infatuation with Shen Jingzhan on the bed.

Sometimes she fainted from exhaustion or had no strength to fall limply on his shoulders, and he would carry her to take a bath and scrub her.

Before long, all this seemed like an old dream from a distant past.

Half an incense stick later, Shen Jingzhan came out.

Even when he was wearing only a moon-white robe, his tall and majestic figure could still be felt.

Maybe it was because he was in a hurry, but he hadn’t wiped off the water droplets on his body yet, and his shirt stuck to his body. Zhu Yinluan saw the man’s faintly visible abdominal muscles and mermaid line through the candlelight.

She felt very uncomfortable and quickly looked away.

Shen Jingzhan didn't seem to notice that his clothes were a little inappropriate. He sat next to her and asked her why she got up.

Zhu Yinluan didn't say anything, just remained silent.

Shen Jingzhan seemed to have just noticed her "abnormality" and asked her what was wrong?

Zhu Yinluan stood up to get him a cloak, and dismissed the maids who were serving in the inner room, "I have something to tell you."

The man wiped his long hair and nodded, "The people around me have already told me today, what does Luan'er want to tell me?"

Zhu Yinluan mustered up her courage and said,

"Chen Jingzhan, let's get divorced."