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

Chapter 267 Reconciliation

"Uncle and Aunt, let's go eat first," Shen Chengyao said, rubbing his stomach. "I'm hungry."

For him, deciding whether to like his uncle or aunt was more difficult than studying, so he could only change the subject.

“Okay,” Wen Jiayue said quickly, “Let’s go.”

She flicked her wrist, and Shen Fuhan slowly released his grip.

After dinner, Shen Fuhan taught Shen Chengyao to read.

Unexpectedly, he was unusually positive today, and his concentration was also much improved.

Shen Fuhan sighed as he recalled that book; it turned out it was for understanding military strategy.

But being willing to learn is much better than not wanting to learn. Shen Fuhan promised, "If you can complete the assignments I give you for a month, I will give you the book."

Shen Chengyao's eyes widened: "Really, Uncle?"

Shen Fuhan nodded and said, "I have many more military books. If you like them, I can continue to give them to you in the future."

"I want them all," Shen Chengyao nodded vigorously, "I will definitely study hard!"

Although he made such a guarantee, Shen Fuhan was still skeptical.

There had been times like this before. Shen Chengyao was afraid of him, and when he saw his cold face, he would behave himself for two days, but after two days he would become even more aggressive.

Unexpectedly, Shen Chengyao maintained a proper attitude for the next few days, which was quite surprising.

That evening, Shen Fuhan discussed with Wen Jiayue, "Why don't we send Yao'er back to Chang Le Yuan tomorrow?"

Wen Jiayue hesitated and said, "But I'm afraid Yao'er will be resistant. He hasn't mentioned Third Sister these past few days. Even when I bring it up in front of him, he avoids the topic."

Shen Fuhan pondered for a moment and said, "Ask him again tomorrow and see if he is willing to go to Chang Le Yuan with us."

Wen Jiayue nodded; this was the only way.

Shen Fuhan took off his clothes, as if on purpose, to show the bite marks on his shoulder.

Wen Jiayue pursed her lips. These past few days, he had been intentionally or unintentionally revealing it, not as an accusation, but as a boast.

She also felt confused, wondering why she would think that way.

Wen Jiayue turned over, out of sight, out of mind.

"I'm going to sleep first."

The next day, after breakfast, Wen Jiayue asked Yao'er if he wanted to go to Chang Le Yuan.

She explained, "Your aunt isn't asking you to go back, it's just that you haven't seen your mother for several days, and she misses you a lot. Do you miss her?"

Shen Chengyao nodded, then shook his head.

“My mother is too fierce,” Shen Chengyao pouted. “I miss the mother I used to have.”

Wen Jiayue sighed, "I assure you that your mother will not force you today, and with your uncle here, your mother will not treat you badly."

Shen Chengyao thought about it and finally agreed.

The three of them then went to Chang Le Yuan.

As he approached, Shen Chengyao hesitated, unable to make up his mind to take the final step for a long time.

Wen Jiayue encouraged, "Yao'er, don't be afraid. If you don't want to stay, we can go back anytime."

Shen Chengyao then took her hand tightly and carefully stepped into Chang Le Courtyard.

The courtyard was unusually quiet, with no maids or servants moving about, and five guards dutifully standing guard in their respective positions.

Upon seeing them enter, they all clasped their hands in a respectful greeting.

As if hearing a noise, Shen Funian immediately rushed out of the house.

"Yao'er, you're finally back, Yao'er..."

Shen Chengyao was so frightened that he took a step back and hid behind Wen Jiayue, not daring to say a word.

Shen Funian was stunned for a moment, her expression hurt.

"Yao'er, are you afraid of me?"

“Mother,” Shen Chengyao said timidly, “I…I didn’t.”

But this look clearly shows that he is afraid.

Shen Funian suddenly felt a little short of breath. She had been so good to him, but their hearts had drifted apart.

Wen Jiayue patted her shoulder: "Let's go inside and talk."

Shen Funian snapped out of her daze and made way for her.

After closing the door, Shen Fuhan took out the calligraphy that Shen Chengyao had written over the past few days and showed it to her.

Shen Funian stared blankly, not knowing what it meant.

“Yao’er has been enjoying reading lately,” Shen Fuhan said. “If you allow him to practice martial arts, he will study even better.”

Shen Funian immediately said anxiously, "But I don't want him to..."

"Yao'er, you go out first," Shen Fuhan interrupted her, "Your mother and I have something to say."

Shen Chengyao obediently walked out.

Shen Fuhan then spoke up: "Third sister, if we don't do this, Yao'er will never be able to pass the imperial examinations."

His words were cruel, and Shen Funian struggled to say, "But my sister-in-law clearly told me that Yao'er could pass the imperial examination! You said it yourself, brother!"

Shen Fuhan frowned and asked, "When did I say that?"

Wen Jiayue cleared her throat and said apologetically, "That was just to give you some motivation, I didn't expect you to actually take it seriously."

Shen Funian: "..."

She slumped into the armchair, remaining in a daze for a long time.

Seeing her so distracted, Wen Jiayue tugged at Shen Fuhan's sleeve and asked worriedly, "Weren't your words too harsh?"

Shen Fuhan said calmly, "She needs to face the facts."

He continued, "Yao'er studies and practices martial arts. He will be well-rounded in both fields and may even take the imperial examinations on his own initiative. But if you force him to study and only allow him to study, it will only cause annoyance."

These words gave Shen Funian a glimmer of hope; what her elder brother said made some sense.

She took a deep breath: "Big brother, please call Yao'er over. I want to talk to him alone."

Wen Jiayue asked Yao'er, and only after he agreed did she let him in.

To put his mind at ease, Wen Jiayue said, "If you don't want to stay, just call me uncle and aunt."

Shen Chengyao nodded obediently.

Shen Fuhan and Wen Jiayue stood in the courtyard, listening to the sounds inside. Seeing that there was no loud noise, they were relieved.

After a moment, Ling He, dressed in casual clothes, suddenly walked over, clasped his hands in greeting, and said, "Lord Marquis, Madam."

He wasn't wearing a guard's uniform, so Wen Jiayue almost didn't recognize him. She only recognized him when she heard his voice.

Wen Jiayue nodded with a smile: "Guard Ling."

She hadn't seen Ling He for the past few days, so she assumed he had been sent out on a mission by Shen Fuhan.

Shen Fuhan didn't speak, but his expression was tense.

Ling He's return means the investigation is complete, and he will soon learn about Wen Jiayue and Pei Huaijin's past.

Even though he had been mentally prepared, when the day actually arrived, he found himself somewhat reluctant to face it.

Seeing that he remained silent, Wen Jiayue said, "My lord, important matters are of utmost importance. You should return to your study first. I will keep an eye on things here."

She could tell they had something to say, but she certainly couldn't listen to it.

Shen Fuhan glanced at her with a complicated expression before speaking, "No need, this matter is not urgent."

Ling He asked in surprise, "But Lord Marquis..."

“I said there’s no rush, and that means there’s no rush,” Shen Fuhan said calmly. “You go back first.”

Ling He quickly replied, "Yes."

Wen Jiayue glanced at Shen Fuhan with a puzzled look, but didn't ask any further questions.

Shortly after, Shen Funian and her son came out.

“Uncle and Aunt, I’m not going back with you,” Shen Chengyao said. “I want to live with my mother.”

Seeing that Shen Funian had persuaded him, Wen Jiayue smiled and said, "Alright, if your mother treats you badly, your aunt will take you back."

Shen Funian glared at her: "Don't talk nonsense. I will definitely not do that again in the future. Don't corrupt my son."

She had figured it out: stopping her son from practicing martial arts was useless and would only alienate him from her.

As for what happens in the future, we'll talk about that later.

Wen Jiayue and Shen Fuhan walked out of Chang Le Courtyard.

“My lord, please go ahead with your work,” Wen Jiayue said. “I’ll head back now.”

Shen Fuhan nodded slightly, watching her disappear around the corner, before taking a deep breath and walking heavily toward the study.