"No need for you to trouble yourself, brother-in-law. I took a bath before coming." Shen Yan changed the subject, "But you, you haven't bathed or changed your clothes since you arrived, have you?"
Shen Yan's words didn't offend Zhu Qing'an, but Meng Qingluan beside him pouted guiltily.
She doesn't seem to have taken a shower yet.
On second thought, who in their right mind would take a shower before a meal, especially in the dead of winter without heating?
Meng Qingluan felt that Chen Yan's words were somewhat inexplicable.
Zhu Qing'an remained unfazed by Chen Yan's questioning and answered calmly.
"Although Lord Shen has taken a bath, he will inevitably catch a chill as he walks from the backyard to the side hall."
"..."
Before Shen Yan could answer, he smiled and said, "As for me, whether I bathe or not, I will not let my sister absorb any cold air."
Zhu Qing'an spoke with great conviction, and there was even a hint of showing off in his words.
"Okay, okay, it's alright. I'm not very warm either."
Meng Qingluan could already smell the gunpowder, so she quickly stepped in as a peacemaker to interrupt the back-and-forth between the two.
"good."
As soon as Meng Qingluan finished speaking, Zhu Qing'an immediately nodded in agreement, picked up her chopsticks, and started eating again.
Shen Yan gritted his teeth, not expecting that this brat would beat him to it and repeat his words without wanting to be outdone.
Chen Yan picked up a shrimp and peeled it himself, saying, "Luan Luan, eat shrimp."
"Okay, okay!"
Meng Qingluan readily agreed, as the newly appointed chef in the manor was truly skilled, especially in making braised prawns.
Upon hearing Meng Qingluan's reply, Chen Yan quickened his pace considerably, his interest piqued.
Peel the shrimp and place them on Meng Qingluan's plate.
Just as Meng Qingluan picked up her glasses amidst Shen Yan's expectant gaze seeking praise, a voice broke through the silence.
"Lord Shen, how could you peel shrimp for my sister?" Zhu Qing'an put down her chopsticks and turned her head, her eyes full of confusion.
"First, whatever your sister likes to eat, I, as her husband, should naturally serve her that; second, I am your brother-in-law, you should call me brother-in-law."
Shen Yan deliberately emphasized the words "brother-in-law," remaining completely composed.
What use would it be for him to stay in the mansion and stay by Meng Qingluan's side?
He was Chen Yan, the husband she had married, the one she had prayed to heaven and earth for, the one she had performed the nuptial ceremony for, the one she could spend her life with.
“Shrimp is delicious, and it’s normal for you to like it. But… shrimp is cold in nature and can easily damage the spleen and stomach’s yang energy. You are thin and have been accumulating cold energy in your body for a long time, so it is not suitable for you to eat it.”
As Zhu Qing'an spoke, he reached out with his chopsticks and threw the shrimp from Meng Qingluan's plate back into Shen Yan's plate.
After throwing it away, he said with some guilt, "Brother-in-law, you won't be angry, will you? I was only doing this for my sister's own good. You and my sister have been married for so long, don't you know these things?"
Shen Yan gritted her teeth, "I will study in the future."
Upon hearing this, Zhu Qing'an's eyes widened in shock. "Brother-in-law really didn't know? I was just being nosy. Brother-in-law, you don't need to study. You're busy with official duties, so I'll take care of my sister."
Zhu Qing'an meant to take care of him, but Shen Yan heard it as him trying to steal Luan Luan from him.
After Meng Qingluan told him about her background, he sent people to investigate.
Zhu Qing'an was not only not their biological son, but Meng's parents also raised him as their son-in-law.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have been given the surname Zhu, instead of Meng Guan.
From his attitude towards him that day, he knew that Zhu Qingan had not given up.
Shen Yan naturally didn't think that the care he mentioned was just simple care.
"You?" Shen Yan's lips curled slightly, but there was no smile in his eyes. He said slowly, "You should take care of yourself."
"Thank you for your concern, brother-in-law. I will not only take good care of myself, but also take good care of my sister."
As Zhu Qing'an spoke, she picked up a chicken wing for Meng Qingluan; it was boneless...
Meng Qingluan hesitated for a moment, then subconsciously looked at Chen Yan beside her.
Seeing this, Zhu Qing'an asked innocently, "Brother-in-law wouldn't forbid my sister from eating the food I put on her plate, would he?"
Despite his anger, Shen Yan maintained a calm and collected demeanor. When he saw Meng Qingluan looking at him, he gave a forced smile.
"Eat."
Meng Qingluan picked up a chicken wing, then glanced at him uncertainly, her eyes probing.
"Luanluan, eat it. It's just a chicken wing, isn't it?" Shen Yan smiled gently.
"..."
Upon hearing this, Meng Qingluan chewed and swallowed it.
It's just a chicken wing, it's not a big deal, right?
Seeing her swallow, Zhu Qing'an blinked her two wet eyes and asked, "Sister, was it delicious?"
Meng Qingluan rolled her eyes. "Isn't that obvious? How could a chef we hired at a high price not taste good?"
Zhu Qing'an: "..."
His lips twitched a few times, then finally pressed into a straight line.
Wishing you peace and tranquility brings you joy, but sinking into the inkstone brings you relief, instantly lifting your spirits considerably.
She leaned close to Meng Qingluan and whispered, "Lanluan, I'm sorry, I'll learn."
Meng Qingluan asked in confusion, "Learn what?"
Shen Yan said earnestly, "Learn what you can't eat, and what foods are good for your health."
Meng Qingluan found it amusing and, instead of dampening his spirits, offered encouragement.
"Okay, I believe your smart little brain will definitely learn it."
"Um."
Shen Yan dared not serve Meng Qingluan any more food, fearing that he might serve her something that would be bad for her health.
Zhu Qing'an was quite sensible, though she would occasionally put some food on Meng Qingluan's plate.
After dinner.
Meng Qingluan went to wash up, leaving Chen Yan and Zhu Qingan alone in the room.
Separated by a door, the two did not confront each other directly.
Meng Qingluan finished washing up and went into the room.
Zhu Qing'an stayed on the bed where the maid kept watch at night. As soon as she entered the room, she saw him sitting on the couch reading a book.
Out of politeness, Meng Qingluan took the initiative to greet her, "Aren't you going to rest?"
Zhu Qing'an looked up and honestly said, "I can't sleep."
"Not used to it? Would you like some calming soup?" Meng Qingluan suggested.
Zhu Qing'an shook her head. "No need, sister. Can you read me a story instead?"
"Huh?" Meng Qingluan thought she must have misheard. Zhu Qing'an wanted to hear a story?
Zhu Qing'an lowered her eyes. "If you don't want to talk about it, that's fine. I can fall asleep by closing my eyes tightly."
Meng Qingluan's lips twitched violently.
What kind of fate does she have? She's destined to attract scheming women.
"I won't."
Meng Qingluan wasn't lying; she genuinely didn't know how to tell ancient bedtime stories.
The only classic ancient stories she knew were from *Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio*, and even then, they were the kind of versions that were too explicit and violent.
This is not suitable for children.
Zhu Qing'an's eyes sparkled. "It's alright, any story is fine."
"All right."
Meng Qingluan compromised and dragged a chair to his bedside.
Zhu Qing'an had already lay down on the pillow, the blanket covering him completely, only his eyes still looking at her expectantly.
"Once upon a time, there was a princess who was called Snow White because she was naturally beautiful... In the end, Snow White was rescued from the wolf's belly by the prince and lived happily ever after with her grandmother."
Meng Qingluan talked for a long time in a daze, her head was a little sleepy, and she put the ending of Little Red Riding Hood on Snow White.
Something doesn't seem right... Meng Qingluan thought to herself.
Who cares? Anyway, Zhu Qing'an is an ancient person who would never have heard of him.
Unexpectedly, Zhu Qing'an suddenly spoke up.
"Sister, wasn't Snow White poisoned to death by the poisoned apple?"
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