Chapter 33. Did she want to leave her son behind?
He was led by several guards, and with brisk steps, he stepped up the stairs in a few strides.
"Yun Qin!"
As soon as he stood still, Madam Wen was already so excited that she was about to cry. She stepped forward and supported his kneeling arms.
"Get up! My son, it's been years since I last saw you. You've finally returned."
"It's all because I'm an unfilial son, causing my mother worry."
The boy… no, he should be a man now, he pursed his lips and said it was all his fault.
Upon hearing the dull, magnetic sound, Ji Wanyuan was startled.
Upon closer inspection, Wen Yunqin had grown considerably taller than he had been a few years ago. Not only had he grown taller, but perhaps due to his experience on the battlefield, he appeared more robust and imposing, giving off an aura of heroic grandeur.
His dark hair was tied up high, his face was handsome, and every move he made was neat and clean. He had become a little tanned, which made him look much more mature and added a touch of unfamiliar fortitude.
This was a far cry from the boy she remembered who always walked in front of her, turned upside down to face her, crossed his arms, tilted his head, and made her laugh.
Hmm...it feels so unfamiliar.
"It's good that you're back. I was always worried about you when you were out there. Now that you're back, I can finally rest easy."
Madam Wen couldn't help but wipe away her tears, but the smile on her face remained.
Ji Wanyuan stepped forward at the opportune moment, gave a perfunctory greeting, and said according to the proper etiquette, "Uncle, are you well? Welcome home."
After Wen Yunqin stood up, his gaze shifted from Madam Wen's direction and fell slightly when he saw her updo. His eyes paused almost imperceptibly.
The beautiful young woman standing before him was as lovely as ever, but time had changed, and she had now achieved her wish and was her brother's wife.
"...Sister-in-law, you're too kind. We're all family." Wen Yunqin snapped out of his reverie and addressed Ji Wanyuan with a respectful smile.
Seeing the man smile, Ji Wanyuan regained some of the familiar feeling from his smile, and the strangeness in her heart was slightly dispelled.
She smiled back at him and said, "A few days ago, when my mother-in-law learned that my brother-in-law was coming home today, she specially ordered the kitchen to prepare a lot of dishes. Thanks to my brother-in-law, I was able to enjoy them all."
Ji Wanyuan seemed to have no distance between them, just like before.
Wen Yunqin felt a little relieved and was about to respond to Ji Wanyuan's words with a smile when he was suddenly interrupted by a voice from not far away calling out "Yunqin".
At the same time, a sharp gaze fell upon him, following the inexplicable feeling of being scrutinized.
Standing not far away was his elder brother.
"..."
Walking ahead, Wen's father smiled and patted him on the shoulder, "Not bad, you've improved after being away for a few years."
"Father," Wen Yunqin called out, then bowed in greeting.
"This is all thanks to my elder brother." Wen Yunqin looked back.
The two brothers' eyes met in the air.
"Big brother," Wen Yunqin called out first.
"Hmm." Wen Qiyan responded with his usual concise and to-the-point reply, simply nodding slightly.
Ji Wanyuan watched from the side and couldn't help but purse her lips.
The two Wen brothers were both tall and imposing, but they gave off completely different vibes.
Wen Yunqin is warm and cheerful, always talking and laughing, while Wen Qiyan is as cold as ice, rarely saying more than a few words.
As she was thinking this to herself, she looked up and met the man's deep eyes.
The smile on her lips vanished instantly. What was he looking at? His brows furrowed slightly.
Could it be that she did something wrong and provoked him again?
A capricious, despicable man.
Seeing that the little smile left on Ji Wanyuan's face had completely vanished after she turned around, Wen Qiyan couldn't help but sneer inwardly.
She would smile at the men next to her, even having the energy to be funny, but when she faced him, she not only didn't smile, but didn't say a word.
"Alright, let's go to the main hall to talk." Wen's mother said that there were still many relatives and uncles who had come to greet and visit him.
Ji Wanyuan didn't want to get involved in the Wen family's commotion, so she deliberately lagged behind, hoping to delay as long as possible.
Unexpectedly, Wen Qiyan was not walking ahead either.
The two maintained a distance of one in front of the other.
After she noticed this, she deliberately slowed down her pace, and unsuspectingly, he also walked very slowly.
At this moment, the two of them had fallen behind the three people in front of them by a considerable distance.
She would rather be alone with that capricious, despicable man than deal with the Wen family's relatives.
She immediately decided to quicken her pace, but just as she was about to pass him, he grabbed her.
Ji Wanyuan, “?”
Wen Yunqin was the first to notice the two's movements.
He turned his head slightly to look over, his gaze falling on his usually aloof and reserved older brother's action of holding the girl's wrist.
Seeing this, Wen's mother smiled and told him not to worry about it. Wen's father was also very happy to see it happen, and the two of them led him away.
Everyone else left, leaving only the two of them.
Ji Wanyuan struggled, slightly annoyed, "Wen Qiyan, what are you doing?"
Seeing that she had no intention of leaving, the man released her hand and looked at the impatient face in front of him.
“You’re happy that your brother Qin is home, aren’t you?”
This statement conveys a subtle certainty rather than a question.
Ji Wanyuan found his question strange, "Which eye of yours saw me happy?"
“You smiled at him and chatted with him happily.”
The more Ji Wanyuan listened, the more she thought he was sick. When she looked up and met the man's slightly gloomy face, she couldn't help but say, "I was just greeting my uncle."
Even if she's genuinely happy, what does it matter to him? Doesn't he despise her? Why is he so concerned?
"Is that so?" the man sneered. "Does a simple greeting require so much talk?"
When she first married into the family, she also pretended to smile at him. But now, seeing her smile at other people, it seems that her previous smile was fake.
"You're sick." Ji Wanyuan was speechless, not knowing what to say back, and threw him a sentence, "I suggest you go to the palace and send a letter to the imperial physician to have your brain and eyes checked!"
After saying that, she snorted and took a step to leave, but the man grabbed her wrist and pulled her back.
"Wen Qiyan, you're pinching me too hard!" Ji Wanyuan tried to pry his hand off, glared at him, and angrily told him to let go!
"Ji Wanyuan," the man addressed her by her name in a cold tone.
Even though the back of her hand was scratched and bleeding, she didn't care at all.
He looked at her face and warned, "You are my wife now. Yun Qin is not yet married. Stay away from him."
After hearing this, Ji Wanyuan still had some questions. Did he think there was something between her and Wen Yunqin?
That madman.
She glared at the man and retorted, "Your heart is filthy; everything you see is filthy!"
Even if it was an argument, especially in the corridor of the Wen family compound, Ji Wanyuan didn't dare to raise her voice too much, because it was disgraceful.
If looks could kill, she would have loved to tear a piece of flesh from him.
Seeing her gritted teeth and furious, claw-like expression, Wen Qiyan's displeasure did not dissipate; instead, he felt extremely frustrated.
After a long standoff, he finally released her and left without waiting for her, heading towards the South Study.
“Miss…” Emerald hurriedly stepped forward.
Ji Wanyuan was so angry that she could hardly breathe. Looking at the man's tall and slender back, she cursed him as a beast in human clothing and a degenerate scoundrel!
Feeling terrible because of Wen Qiyan, Ji Wanyuan really had no desire to put on a smiling face and deal with Wen's relatives. Since she was going to get a divorce sooner or later anyway, why should she pretend to be polite?
She sent a maid to tell Madam Wen that she was feeling unwell, and then returned to the courtyard.
Stepping into the inner room, Ji Wanyuan sat for a while to calm down, but she still felt very angry. Seeing Wen Qiyan's belongings not far away, she asked someone to move them away.
Out of sight, out of mind.
When will this end?
Then he thought she was blind and couldn't help but beat his chest in frustration.
"..."
When Madam Wen heard Ji Wanyuan say that she was feeling unwell, she immediately sent someone to fetch a doctor.
The relatives nearby also said they wanted to come and see her, just in case something really happened, but Wen Qiyan stopped them all.
Let him go and see for himself, so that the elders don't have to go through the trouble.
At Mrs. Wen's instruction, the elderly women nearby prepared additional meals and sent them over.
Wen Yunqin watched Wen Qiyan's departing figure, glanced at the two empty seats opposite, and couldn't help but ask Madam Wen what was going on.
"It's nothing. You'll know once you stay home for a few days. Your sister-in-law and your brother are always arguing."
Wen Yunqin was surprised, "Making a scene?"
If it were Ji Wanyuan making a scene, it would be understandable, but thinking back to when Wen Qiyan grabbed her wrist earlier…
It doesn't seem like she's making a fuss; it's more like her brother.
But my brother's words and actions have always been calm and uneventful. Will he make a fuss?
"Yes, there has been no peace since the day we got married. Don't worry, things will be fine again in a while."
Madam Wen served him food, urging him to eat more, saying that he had suffered a lot outside and looked quite thin.
Wen Yunqin didn't dare to ask any more questions, so he could only suppress his confusion and glance at the doorway again, "..."
Before long, his uncles and elders invited him to drink, and he could only compose himself and deal with them.
Ji Wanyuan was indeed hungry. Just as she was about to ask Emerald to instruct the small kitchen, she saw a man she disliked come in carrying a food box.
Their eyes met, but she didn't want to say a word to him. She turned her face away angrily, leaving him with an angry profile.
Seeing that she was still angry, Wen Qiyan remained silent.
His gaze swept to both sides. Emerald, who had lingered because she was afraid that Ji Wanyuan would be bullied again, had no choice but to leave the inner room due to Wen Qiyan's imposing presence.
After the person left, he opened the food box and placed the dishes on the table.
Even if Ji Wanyuan was annoyed, she wouldn't mess with the food. Besides, the food she brought was mostly her favorite. Since she could eat it right now, why wait for the cook to make it on an empty stomach?
So when Wen Qiyan handed her the silver chopsticks, she quickly took them and then lowered her head to eat.
During this time, he added soup and served her food, and she did not refuse, treating him like a servant.
After they had eaten and drunk their fill, his attendant Qinghe cleaned up the leftovers, and only then did Ji Wanyuan ask, "What are you doing here?"
"I was being tactless just now, I'm sorry."
He apologized to her so quickly?
Heh, who knows if he really feels guilty, or maybe he's just using her to get closer to her.
"Oh," Ji Wanyuan replied indifferently.
He then gave him a sarcastic smile and said, "Young Master Wen, this trick of slapping me and then giving me a piece of candy won't work on me."
Didn't he always call her Miss Ji? Ha!
The man stared at her small face for a while, then got up and walked around to her side.
As soon as Wen Qiyan got close, Ji Wanyuan became extremely nervous.
By the time she came to her senses and tried to leave, he had already pinned her down.
Before she could angrily ask, she saw Wen Qiyan lift up her skirt sleeve and apply ointment to her wrist—the spot where he had grabbed and pinched her during their argument.
Feeling a cool sensation, Ji Wanyuan remained silent.
Because she knew that even if she struggled, this scoundrel would grab her hand back, just like last time.
His ointment was indeed better; she didn't know where he got it from, but since it was beneficial to her, there was no need to resist it.
Rarely did she behave so well. Wen Qiyan, who had been prepared to deal with her struggles, glanced at her, but Ji Wanyuan didn't even look back at him.
He applied it slowly, his fingertips gently circling her wrist, which felt quite comfortable.
At the same time, Wen Qiyan spoke again, "It's all my fault, I've made you suffer."
Upon hearing this, Ji Wanyuan suddenly stopped. She was indeed aggrieved, but she didn't know if it was because she didn't care about him.
Compared to feeling wronged, she actually felt... not so wronged. In the past, when she still liked Wen Qiyan, she would have felt wronged, but now she didn't feel wronged; she felt more angry.
How could he suspect that she and Wen Yunqin were having an affair? Was he insulting her, or did he simply not trust his own brother?
Even if he wanted to pretend to care about her and make her think he was jealous, he didn't have to pretend like that when she and Wen Yunqin met for the first time in many years.
This acting is way too exaggerated.
Even if he wanted to find fault with her and use it as an excuse, he couldn't wait more than a few days. This man is becoming increasingly impatient.
Ji Wanyuan silently grumbled in her heart, but did not respond.
"If you're really angry, why don't you hit me a couple of times to vent your anger?"
Upon hearing a typed message, Ji Wanyuan became interested, "...Really?"
"Hmm," the man said in a flat tone.
Ji Wanyuan did indeed want to hit him, and even observed where Wen Qiyan would start.
After much thought, her gaze settled on Wen Qiyan's face, which was his most outstanding feature.
Seeing her gaze fixed on his face, he asked, "Want to slap me?"
"Is it not allowed?"
His whole body was rock hard; there was nowhere else to hit him.
"Can."
As they were talking, the ointment had already been applied.
A cool sensation spread across her wrist, and Ji Wanyuan lowered her head to blow on it, feeling even more comfortable.
But when she looked up, she was almost startled by the man's handsome face looming closer.
"What are you doing?!" He suddenly moved closer to her.
Wen Qiyan remained silent, while Ji Wanyuan composed herself and looked at the man's aloof and handsome face.
The deeper meaning behind his actions is self-evident.
He wanted her to hit him.
He just offered his face like that? Wasn't he afraid she'd flick it away and bruise his face?
Then she remembered how he had lowered his head to kiss her the night before.
Getting slapped in the face like this doesn't seem like such a big deal, does it?
Moreover, he had definitely planned it all out. Even if she was angry, she wouldn't really hit him hard within the Wen family's territory.
If a mark is left, Wen's father and mother will surely ask questions.
Thinking of this, Ji Wanyuan became even angrier.
Why does he always have the right to control her! Even if Mr. and Mrs. Wen find out, she doesn't care anymore, because she's not the only one who's embarrassed.
Wen Qiyan couldn't possibly parade around with a slap mark on his face.
So she raised her hand and struck.
Snap—
A crisp slapping sound rang out instantly in the inner room.
She wanted to vent her anger, but when she swung her hand out, Ji Wanyuan still restrained herself a bit.
Even so, the handprint she left behind soon appeared on the man's face.
Seeing him remain motionless in the position of being hit, Ji Wanyuan felt inexplicably flustered and regretful.
She wondered if Wen Qiyan would get angry and retaliate.
She couldn't withstand a slap from him.
If he really makes a move, will she still have her pretty face?
Thinking of this, her regret grew even stronger.
I shouldn't have acted impulsively. It's just that I've been holding back for so long, and these past two days I've been letting loose and not restraining myself.
She was about to threaten him, saying that he had told her to hit him, and that if he dared to hit her back, she would definitely tell everyone that he had laid a hand on her.
Unexpectedly, Wen Qiyan remained silent for a moment before stuffing the ointment he hadn't put away into her hand.
He leaned even closer, bringing his handsome face right up to her eyelids.
"Apply me the medicine."
Ji Wanyuan, “…”
"Can't you send your attendants?" She didn't want to get too close to him and instinctively wanted to give up.
But he grabbed her stool and dragged her over. Ji Wanyuan almost bumped into his arms, but luckily she quickly grabbed the edge of the table to avoid being in such a mess.
"Whoever hits him should handle it."
This is a threat!
Ji Wanyuan gritted her teeth, reluctantly taking over the task of applying the medicine to him.
Looking at him up close, one has to admit that Wen Qiyan's face is impeccably handsome, simply too exquisite.
She fell in love with him at first sight at Yunqi Bridge. She was attracted to his appearance at first glance. Later, when she got to know him, she felt that he was too aloof, like a flower on a high mountain. So she secretly vowed to win him over and make Wen Qiyan her devoted follower.
Looking back now, Ji Wanyuan is somewhat bewildered. Did she truly and sincerely like Wen Qiyan, or was it just a competitive spirit? Did she want to surpass Lin Nianxi, to win over Wen Qiyan, and to be the envy of others?
She herself was confused.
Seeing her staring at him absentmindedly, her movements as she applied the medicine slowed down considerably, and he couldn't help but feel nervous, wondering what she was thinking.
"..."
Ji Wanyuan pondered for a long time, but still couldn't figure it out. Maybe she just didn't like it that much. In any case, it didn't matter anymore; she didn't need an answer.
"Okay." She put down the ointment and got up to wash her hands.
Feeling that her gaze had shifted away and she hadn't looked at him again, Wen Qiyan was momentarily displeased.
Ji Wanyuan's gaze lingered on him less and less frequently, and for shorter and shorter periods of time.
He had regressed considerably in recent days, but she seemed to have no intention of taking advantage of him or climbing the social ladder, nor did she show any strong sense of shyness or embarrassment at his closeness.
Even when passion and desire surged in bed, impatience was the most frequent urge.
And once her passion subsided, she immediately returned to normal, still treating him the same way, not wanting to get close to him.
He couldn't figure out what was wrong with Ji Wanyuan.
Really... do you no longer like him?
It seems that this is indeed the case.
But Wen Qiyan still couldn't believe it. She had pursued him for so many years, how could she just give up like that? What had changed her?
When he returned to the Ji family yesterday and had dinner, he heard what Prime Minister Ji said to Ji Wanyuan, and it didn't seem like he had already told Ji Wanyuan about the disputes in the court.
His attempts to get close to her and take advantage of her were making no progress, and his father was getting anxious, constantly urging him and asking what was going on.
He didn't know what was wrong with him.
The affairs of the imperial court were urgent, but he didn't want to get involved.
Compared to the imperial edict, he was even more concerned about Ji Wanyuan's changes. He wanted to know what she was thinking, but right now Ji Wanyuan was very impatient with him, glaring and giving him the cold shoulder no matter what he said.
If it weren't for her mother's insistence, she probably wouldn't want to live under the same roof as him.
That day, when he tried to probe her feelings for He Xun, he didn't find anything. She didn't seem to care about that live-in son-in-law; it was all just his overthinking.
If Ji Wanyuan hadn't fallen for someone else, then it must be that his bedroom skills were poor, which annoyed her.
That day at the Ji family home, faced with her deliberate provocation, he retreated again and again, and in the end, he inadvertently did something to please her.
A person's mouth can lie, but their body's reactions are always the most truthful.
Ji Wanyuan was clearly happy that day.
But as soon as she turned her head, she immediately felt disgusted by his filth.
Thinking of this, an absurd idea suddenly popped into Wen Qiyan's mind.
Ji Wanyuan drugged him and slept with him. Wasn't the reason she just wanted a child? To leave the father behind and keep the child.
She lost interest in him after becoming pregnant and no longer wanted to marry him.
The Ji family had few male heirs, so taking in a son-in-law was only to maintain the family's standing and, secondly, to ensure the continuation of their lineage.
Thinking of this, he became even more silent.
After washing her hands, Ji Wanyuan went to bed to rest. As she was getting drowsy, she turned over and looked through the curtains.
They discovered that Wen Qiyan was still sitting in his original spot in the outer room, as if he were in deep meditation, completely still.
However, she didn't pay any attention to it.
After the month started, not only did my appetite improve, but I also became very sleepy.
He spends all day scheming about this and that.
That was really tiring.
She needs to recover her health; she absolutely cannot have another difficult childbirth. She doesn't want to die.
"..."
Just when she was at her wit's end, something unexpected happened, which was a pleasant surprise.
With Wen Yunqin returning home, her visit to the Lin family naturally had to be postponed. She was considering whether to take Wen Qiyan along for the formality and try to spark a romance, since many people had come to the Wen family these past two days, and Madam Wen would be entertaining guests at home, so she didn't know how long it would take.
Unexpectedly, the Lin family came on their own!
Madam Lin brought Lin Nianxi to the Wen family's door without any warning!
As for the reason, it was to celebrate Wen Yunqin's return to Beijing to take up his post. The Lin family brought many valuable gifts, showing that they valued Wen Yunqin very much.
However, Madam Wen did not inform Ji Wanyuan beforehand about the Lin family mother and daughter's visit. For the past two days, Ji Wanyuan has been staying in the courtyard under the pretext of feeling unwell and has not seen any guests.
So when Wen Qiyan led her to the main hall, she was somewhat stunned when she first saw Lin Nianxi.
There's a sense of joy, like finding something you've been searching for but couldn't find, only to have it come to you effortlessly.
It had been a long time since we last saw Lin Nianxi, and she had lost a lot of weight. It seemed that the news of her marriage to Wen Qiyan had been a big blow to her, and the rumors that she was bedridden were not false.
Despite her slimmer figure, she looked exceptionally beautiful in a smoky purple dress. A gentle smile played on her lips as she sat quietly beside her elders, exuding both gentleness and dignity.
Hmm... Lin Nianxi must have tidied up carefully before coming today.
Looking at the begonia-patterned gold hairpin in her hair, a treasure dug out from the bottom of her trunk, when this hairpin first came out of Diancui Pavilion, Ji Wanyuan also wanted it, but Lin Nianxi snatched the first one first. The meaning behind her wearing it today is self-evident.
To enhance her complexion, she also had delicate floral decorations drawn on her forehead.
It was Madam Wen's reminder that brought Ji Wanyuan, who had been secretly observing people, back to her senses. She quickly smiled and greeted the Lin family mother and daughter.
When former rivals meet, the scene is actually quite awkward.
After all, everyone present knew that the two had a long-standing feud and were always at odds whenever they met.
Madam Wen was puzzled as to why Wen Qiyan had suddenly come to the main hall today. It was one thing for him to come by himself, but why did he bring Ji Wanyuan with him as well?
He had just sent someone to tell him that the Lin family had arrived, the unspoken message being not to let Ji Wanyuan know, yet he still let the two of them meet?
Aren't you afraid that Ji Wanyuan and Lin Nianxi will have a falling out on the spot, tearing apart the harmonious scene and creating an unpleasant situation?
To Madam Wen's surprise, Ji Wanyuan was not only not angry, but also maintained an excellent attitude as a guest, showing no displeasure at the arrival of the Lin family mother and daughter.
On the contrary!!!
She spoke to Madam Lin with a beaming smile, greeted Lin Nianxi, and even brought up the fact that she hadn't been able to visit Madam Lin's family to celebrate her birthday due to feeling unwell. She added that she had prepared a gift and originally planned to visit the Lin family in a few days.
He warmly inquired about Lin Nianxi's health, noting that she looked quite thin and should eat more to take care of herself.
Her little mouth moved up and down, rattling off a whole bunch of nice-sounding platitudes, leaving both families present astonished and bewildered.
Is this still Ji Wanyuan?
Flattered, Madam Lin finished speaking to Ji Wanyuan and gave Madam Wen a questioning look behind her back. Madam Wen, not understanding what was going on, could only smile awkwardly.
After a while of arguing, Ji Wanyuan sat back down next to Wen Qiyan and drank tea.
She responded with a bright smile to the questioning look that Wen Yunqin was giving her from diagonally opposite.
Seeing the two exchanging glances, Wen Qiyan reached out to grab some pastries, blocking Ji Wanyuan's view.
She didn't know what was happening, she just felt a sudden darkness before her eyes, and couldn't help but say, "Don't you still have your pastries? Why are you taking mine?"
"My wife's pastries look more delicious," he said casually.
Ji Wanyuan rolled her eyes inwardly.
ill.
Lin Nianxi watched the "interaction" between the two, maintaining a smile on her face, but secretly clenching her teeth.
Everyone thought Ji Wanyuan had changed her personality, but only she knew that wasn't the case at all.
Ji Wanyuan came here deliberately to show off her power!
Just now, I heard Madam Wen say that Ji Wanyuan had been feeling unwell and had not been seeing any guests for the past two days. No sooner had she finished speaking than she arrived.
Isn't this just a show of force to intimidate her? Or what is it for?
What's so great about getting pregnant and marrying into the Wen family through such despicable means?
Even if she tries to keep a low profile and please the elders of the Wen family, she still won't win the favor of the Wen family's older brother. Sooner or later, she will be kicked out of the family; it's just a matter of time.
Thinking of this, Lin Nianxi suppressed her jealousy.
Ji Wanyuan naturally sensed Lin Nianxi's veiled malice in her smile. While she sneered inwardly, she couldn't help but feel excited.
The more jealous this woman is of her, the more it shows that she still likes Wen Qiyan very much!
With just a little matchmaking, wouldn't it... be done?
Moreover, recalling what had just happened, Wen Qiyan had been by her side all this time and hadn't seen any guests, but as soon as Lin Nianxi arrived today, he showed up!
What does this mean? It means he still cares about Lin Nianxi.
However, just to make it look good, they still brought her, their legal wife, along as a formality. Actually, it wouldn't have mattered if they hadn't brought her; she wouldn't have been jealous.
She was hoping the two of them could spend more time together, so they could make some noise!
The more she thought about it, the more excited Ji Wanyuan became. She truly felt that even God was on her side!
Wen Qiyan watched without showing any emotion as the joy in the eyes and brows of the person next to him, and the upturned corners of his mouth that, despite his efforts to suppress it, finally revealed itself.
As he looked away, he glanced casually at the person diagonally opposite.
He met the gaze of his own younger brother, and the two looked away at the same time after their eyes met for a short while.
"..."
During the two days after Wen Yunqin returned to Beijing, he noticed many unusual things happening at home.
For example, his elder brother, who held the position of Vice Censor-in-Chief, had been on leave for many days. During this time, he did nothing but stay at home and stay by the side of his sister-in-law, Ji Wanyuan.
Going back, didn't he despise Ji Wanyuan?
He was outside the family when he learned the details of their marriage, but because he was a member of the Wen family, he also learned the specific details. It was Ji Wanyuan who, in order to get his brother, took a risky approach and drugged him, and then the two had a child. In order to protect this pregnancy, they had no choice but to get married.
But... my brother is shrewd and has never been afraid of power. Would he be the kind of person to yield to this? To marry the person he hates most for the sake of a child?
The imperial decree for the marriage was also strange. Not to mention that the father and elder brother are currently highly regarded by the emperor, and the emperor should have informed them in advance before issuing the decree, the Ji family is so powerful, how could the emperor allow the two families to marry?
That doesn't make sense.
It seems that the elder brother has some feelings for Ji Wanyuan, but he has been so engrossed in his love affair that he has taken so long off, and his parents have not even tried to dissuade him.
Especially his father, when he raised questions, his father said that it was all to comfort Ji Wanyuan, since she was pregnant and needed to be coaxed.
This excuse might have worked for Wen Yunqin a few years ago, but not now...
In short, something strange was about the house.
Unexpectedly, not only were the family members acting strangely, but even Ji Wanyuan seemed to have changed her personality.
Although many years have passed, the events of that time remain vivid in his memory.
Wen Yunqin had not forgotten the effort Ji Wanyuan had put in when she was chasing after his brother.
She initially tried to win over the Wen family by taking a roundabout approach to get closer to her brother.
Ji Wanyuan, whose younger sister was on good terms with the Lin family girl, couldn't get through to them. Disregarding the proper boundaries between men and women, she tried to find out his preferences and get closer to him by catering to his tastes. She then learned about her brother from him.
Thinking back on the past, she couldn't help but recall that moonlit night when she secretly asked him to go out and meet her at a teahouse, shyly asking him what he thought of her.
At that moment, when he looked at the girl across from him with bright, sparkling eyes, he felt a pang of fear.
He stammered a little, saying, "Very, very good."
He thought she was bold enough to confess her feelings to him, but to his surprise, she changed the subject and asked him if it would be okay for her to be his sister-in-law.
Thinking of this, Wen Yunqin couldn't help but glance at the person opposite him again.
She was eating pastries, which must have tasted really good, and she looked very happy.
Was it because her brother had taken a liking to her that she no longer cared about the Lin family girl and no longer saw her as a rival in love?
The words she spoke to the Lin family just now sounded like heartfelt concern, and she even told Miss Lin to eat more.
The more I thought about it, the more I couldn't help but chuckle.
But soon Wen Yunqin felt the cold gaze that his brother had cast his way.
I had a brief encounter with them.
Wen Yunqin didn't look at Ji Wanyuan again; he picked up his teacup and took a sip.
...She is now not only the eldest daughter of the Ji family, but also his sister-in-law.
It seems they drank too much cold water while marching, so even though the tea was hot, it tasted a bit astringent.
"..."
Ji Wanyuan sat to the side listening to Madam Wen and Madam Lin talk, occasionally chiming in with a comment.
Lin Nianxi didn't say much.
Ji Wanyuan became extremely vigilant, keeping a close eye on her and Wen Qiyan.
Then she realized that Lin Nianxi had been secretly looking at Wen Qiyan, but that scoundrel Wen Qiyan was very good at pretending and didn't even glance at her.
Ji Wanyuan didn't believe that someone as vigilant as him wouldn't have noticed Lin Nianxi's furtive glances.
Furthermore, when Madam Lin was praising Wen Yunqin, Lin Nianxi would occasionally steer the conversation toward her brother Lin Sinian, thus bringing up Wen Qiyan.
Now, she could openly look at Wen Qiyan and even strike up a conversation with him.
Even though Lin Nianxi had gone to great lengths to take the initiative, Wen Qiyan still didn't respond.
Seeing the beauty fall silent, Ji Wanyuan grew increasingly anxious. What was wrong with him? Before the marriage, he was calling Nianxi "little sister"! Now what's with the pretense and avoiding suspicion? Where was he before?!
Not wanting to miss the perfect opportunity to spark a romance between the two, she quickly stepped forward to take the stage and lend Lin Nianxi a hand.
Ji Wanyuan's eyes darted around, and she smiled as she spoke.
"I've heard that Young Master Lin and her husband were classmates and often discussed military strategy and other schools of thought together. Miss Lin is also the most talented woman in the capital, always winning first place in the capital's poetry gatherings. She's really amazing."
"Actually, my husband has mentioned to me in private that Miss Lin is really talented. He said that he has never seen a young lady with such literary knowledge as Miss Lin. He admires her very much."
Since Wen Qiyan didn't speak, she conveyed his appreciation for Lin Nianxi on his behalf.
Ji Wanyuan's words successfully saved Lin Nianxi from an awkward silence, and Madam Wen breathed a sigh of relief.
Madam Lin simply glanced at her a few more times.
Lin Nianxi smiled and asked in return, but she was not grateful to Ji Wanyuan in her heart.
In her opinion, Ji Wanyuan was still showing off, showing off that she could be alone with Wen Qiyan.
When Ji Wanyuan stopped, she picked up a piece of pastry to eat, but bumped into the man's face, which had a half-smile.
She was scheming in her mind, but on the surface she remained innocent, giving Wen Qiyan a smile.
Next, Ji Wanyuan wanted to make her move, and Lin Nianxi didn't beat around the bush and started talking to Wen Qiyan anymore.
Ji Wanyuan couldn't find a place to exert any force.
All I could do was sigh in my heart.
Fortunately, the weather cooperated. After dinner, a strong wind and rainstorm blew, making it difficult to travel. So, Madam Wen let the Lin family stay at her home.
Ji Wanyuan wanted to take on the task of setting up a courtyard for Lin Nianxi, and also wanted Wen Qiyan to accompany her.
But to her surprise, before she could even bring it up, Wen Qiyan took his leave from Madam Wen and led her back to the courtyard, saying that she was afraid of thunder and needed to go back to rest as soon as possible, fearing it might upset the baby.
Ji Wanyuan had a feeling that he was doing it on purpose, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it.
She could only reluctantly go back with the man.
Wen Qiyan remained silent the entire way. Ji Wanyuan was planning to get up earlier the next day to create an opportunity for the two of them, but how could she do that?
Should I take Wen Qiyan to check on Lin Nianxi to see if she slept well last night? Or should I make an excuse to leave again? I need to talk to Emerald first and make sure she doesn't give anything away.
Lost in thought, she didn't even notice when the man in front of her stopped, and bumped straight into his back, making her nose hurt terribly.
"Why did you suddenly stop without saying a word? You did it on purpose!"
"Deliberately?" The man turned around, watching her rub her nose and curse.
"Was what you said today intentional, my lady?"
Ji Wanyuan was taken aback, but immediately pretended to be stupid, feeling slightly guilty, "What are you talking about? I don't understand."
"Whether you're confused or clear-headed," the man said, looking at her face. "I advise my wife not to waste her time and breath."
Ji Wanyuan, “…” He actually noticed?
What happened?
How could Wen Qiyan know about this?
To admit it or not to admit it?
While she was still in a daze, the man had already walked away, and Ji Wanyuan watched his back.
The man's moon-white robes fluttered in the night wind, his jade-like figure standing tall, strolling with the wind, like a banished immortal.
She slowed her pace and entered the inner room. She heard sounds coming from the bathroom; Wen Qiyan had gone to take a bath first.
Ji Wanyuan sat at the round table in a daze. She didn't know what went wrong, but Wen Qiyan had actually seen through her thoughts and plans.
Could it be a scam?
Regardless of whether it was true or not, Wen Qiyan sensed that she was up to something.
Now that we know, this matter has become tricky.
Even if it's a difficult task, she still has to do it.
Because this was the only path she could think of; what else could she do?
Otherwise, should we be frank with Wen Qiyan and tell her that she wants a divorce?
No, the affairs of the court are in the middle. How could he agree? Even if Wen Qiyan agreed, his father wouldn't, and the Emperor would never give his approval.
Forget it, let's just pretend we're deaf and dumb for now.
She refused to believe that Wen Qiyan could remain unmoved by such a woman. The Lin family girl was also a beauty, and after all these years of being like brother and sister, hadn't he ever harbored any feelings for her?
Just as Ji Wanyuan was pondering her idea, Wen Qiyan came out of the bathhouse.
He didn't look at her and went straight to the study.
Ji Wanyuan scoffed softly. Was he giving her a hard time?
snort.
When Ji Wanyuan came out after washing up, Wen Qiyan was still in the study.
She didn't speak to him, went straight to bed, had Emerald extinguish the candle, and covered her head to sleep.
But before she could even fall asleep, the bed curtains were pulled back, and the man got into bed with her.
What frightened Ji Wanyuan was that he immediately hugged her, ignoring her struggles, and easily pulled her into his arms.
Just as she was about to tell him to let go, the man parted his thin lips slightly and said a sentence that landed in her ear, freezing her completely in place.
Because he said, "Now that the month is almost over, when do you plan to carry out the remaining two trips?"
Ji Wanyuan, “…”
"Forgot? Did you?"
She decided to play dumb and asked, puzzled, "What, twice?"
Unexpectedly, the man's large hand easily slipped through her thin undergarment and landed on her chest.
Caught off guard by the sudden, controlled touch, Ji Wanyuan let out a soft "Ah!"
If it gets too clingy and ambiguous, she immediately bites her lip and shuts up.
The man's thin lips curved slightly. "Do you remember those two times?"
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Author's note: Here I am! [Exaggerated compliments]
I'm so happy every day because I receive nutritional supplements from the little ones! [milk tea emoji]
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