After the delicate and soft-spoken wife gave up, the aloof and powerful minister embraced her and sh

Chapter 384 Why Not Take a Gamble?

The next morning, when Shen Fuhan woke up, Wen Jiayue was still asleep.

He kissed her cheek, but she frowned and brushed him away.

"You have quite the temper," Shen Fuhan chuckled as he grasped her wrist. "A-Yue, I'm leaving."

“Fine, I’ll go then,” Wen Jiayue muttered, “I’m not leaving.”

She turned over and went back to sleep, but was woken up half an hour later.

"Mother, mother."

A childish voice called to her, and her arm was being pushed around by a soft little hand, forcing Wen Jiayue to open her eyes.

Then she saw three little girls standing in a row beside her bed, with Ruyi standing to one side.

Liqiu and Xiaoman quickly bowed, their faces full of nervousness.

Ruyi explained, "Please forgive me, Madam. Miss wanted you to take her boating, but it's freezing cold and the lake is frozen over. Miss didn't believe it and insisted on coming in, disturbing your peace and quiet."

“It’s alright,” Wen Jiayue sat up and carried her daughter to the bed. “You take them out first.”

"Mommy, boat," Zhao Zhao said sweetly, "Let's go."

Wen Jiayue pinched her chubby little face and said helplessly, "Zhaozhao, we can't take a boat now, it's too cold."

Zhao Zhao pouted, looking completely disbelieving.

"Do you think your mother is lying to you?" Wen Jiayue could only say, "Your mother will take you to see for yourself in a little while."

Zhao Zhao then smiled and urged her mother to get dressed.

Fifteen minutes later, the mother and daughter went for a walk around the lake.

Zhao Zhao stared blankly at the frozen lake, her face filled with disbelief.

"Now you believe your mother, right?" Wen Jiayue said with a smile. "In three months, your mother will go boating with you."

Zhao Zhao didn't know how long three months was, and she walked into the lake with her cheeks puffed out.

The wet nurse and maids rushed forward to protect her.

Unlike what they expected, Zhao Zhao didn't act impulsively. Instead, she cautiously stepped out and tested the ice with one foot, her little face extremely serious.

Wen Jiayue shook her head and chuckled. This little face really comes from Shen Fuhan.

Zhao Zhao played by the lake for a long time before reluctantly leaving.

Meanwhile, inside the Xiao residence, Shen Funian had just opened her eyes.

She rolled over, feeling weak all over, and saw a man smiling at her.

She was startled and almost slapped him before realizing it was Xiao Suye.

Then I realized they were already married.

Shen Funian composed herself and glared at him: "What are you looking at? Is this your first time meeting me?"

On their first day of marriage, she had to project an imposing presence and intimidate him.

Xiao Suye nodded, and said seriously, "This is the first time I've seen Niannian awake."

"Enough with the nonsense," Shen Funian said, trying to hide her slightly racing heart. "I'm getting up."

"Wait a minute." Xiao Suye sat up.

Shen Funian was almost blinded. Had he been working out again these past few months? He seemed much stronger than before.

Those broad shoulders, those back muscles, that narrow waist, that…

He suddenly turned his face, and Shen Funian snapped back to reality, swallowing her saliva.

Xiao Suye curled his lips slightly before showing her the wine bottle.

"Where did it come from?"

Shen Funian glanced at it and casually said, "Wen Ruohuan's is my sister-in-law's younger sister. You didn't drink it, did you?"

"No," Xiao Suye glanced around, and just in case, covered her mouth before continuing, "This contains a fertility-inhibiting agent, did you know that?"

Shen Funian's eyes widened, she pulled her hand away, and said angrily, "I don't know, this Wen... umm!"

Xiao Suye covered her mouth again and whispered, "Keep your voice down, don't let anyone hear."

Shen Funian nodded angrily, having already figured out the cause and effect.

She lowered her voice and said, "She wants to harm my sister-in-law! This wine was meant for her! I knew Wen Ruohuan had ill intentions. She likes my brother, and she wants to prevent my sister-in-law from having children so she can take the opportunity to rise in her position!"

Xiao Suye hissed, "Is that so?"

"I'll tell my older brother right now," Shen Funian said, getting out of bed. "I'll ruin her reputation!"

Xiao Suye quickly stopped her: "You can't go. Don't tell anyone about this. Your brother definitely knows. If you go, you'll only cause trouble. Don't forget, there's Granny Wang outside."

Shen Funian was suddenly jolted awake, many things flashing through her mind: the princess's bestowal of marriage, Granny Wang's strict vigilance...

She covered her mouth in shock and said in a trembling voice, "You mean, the Eldest Princess and Wen Ruohuan have joined forces..."

"Don't be afraid," Xiao Suye said softly. "Big brother must have a plan. I'll ask him about it carefully when we return to our parents' home the day after tomorrow."

The Duke's Mansion of Qi.

Pei Huaijin was playing chess alone, pondering a game he hadn't touched for several days, and hadn't made a move for a long time.

A moment later, someone knocked on the door.

Pei Huaijin said gently, "Come in."

A masked man dressed in black entered silently and knelt down respectfully.

"Master, the Shen family guards have already verified your identity and are rushing back to Chang'an. They should be back in the capital in about ten days."

Pei Huaijin's gaze remained fixed on the chessboard as he praised, "Lord Shen is truly capable; you've moved much faster than I expected."

The masked man asked, "Master, should I have my men deal with them?"

“No need,” Pei Huaijin shook his head gently. “It’s time for him to know my identity.”

The masked man looked surprised and advised him, "Master, please think it over. The Duke of Qi said that you should keep your identity hidden for at least another three years to conserve your strength before you can be sure of success."

"Three years?" Pei Huaijin smiled faintly. "Three years later, she may already have three children."

He had endured it for three years after three years, and he thought he could continue to endure it—if he didn't meet her.

In those dark and hopeless days, he could only keep going by gazing at the bright moon in the sky.

He returned to Chang'an, but the moon seemed to drift further and further away from him, making even a glimpse of it a luxury.

Even if he prepares for another three years, what difference will it make? He already knows that his chances of winning are slim.

Since that's the case, why not take a gamble?

If he wins, the empire and the moon will both be his.

He lost... Before turning into a handful of dust, perhaps he could briefly possess the moon.

The masked man asked, puzzled, "Who is the person you are referring to, Master?"

Pei Huaijin snapped out of his daze and finally placed a chess piece down, without responding to his words.

"Didn't Lord Shen send another group of people to look for me? Spread the word that I'm in... Jinzhou."

Jinzhou is not far from Chang'an, and a round trip only takes two or three days, so there is no need to go to great lengths.

The masked man was greatly alarmed upon hearing this. After thinking for a while, he suggested, "Master, the reason why the Shen family guards are looking for you is still unclear. I think it's best to remain inactive..."

“Are you the master, or am I the master?” Pei Huaijin’s smile vanished. “This matter should have been put on the agenda long ago. It’s just a few days earlier than expected. Do as I say, the sooner the better.”

The masked man quickly bowed his head and agreed. Seeing that his master had not given any further instructions, he quietly withdrew.

Pei Huaijin gazed at the increasingly complex and perplexing chess game, pondered for a moment, and then took out a purse he had treasured for more than ten years from his bosom.

The purse was crudely embroidered and not very attractive. A square moon hung in the upper right corner, and a crooked white snowflake was embroidered in the center.

The moon is her, the snowflakes are...

He didn't want to think about it anymore; since the purse was in his hands, it was a gift to him.

After watching for a while, he put away his purse and continued playing the game alone.