freenovelworld Chapter 341 How Does A-Yue Plan to Take the Initiative?
Chapter 341 How Does A-Yue Plan to Take the Initiative?
Seeing his emphasis, Wen Jiayue finally understood what he meant.
She said solemnly, "Thank you, my husband."
Shen Fuhan looked at her with a complicated expression, paused for a moment, and then said, "No need to be so polite."
The two left the palace in silence.
Wen Jiayue did not notice that Shen Fuhan was in a bad mood. He was not a talkative person to begin with, and it was normal for him to be silent when he had nothing to say.
She didn't speak because she was thinking about whether he would agree to spread the word about Li Zhilan and him.
This matter can be considered a minor or major issue. On a minor level, it's just a personal emotional entanglement; on a major level, it's attracting nationwide attention, and the consequences are unpredictable.
Having served as a court official for many years, Shen Fuhan was impeccable and enjoyed the emperor's trust.
He naturally values his reputation, otherwise he wouldn't have stayed married for four years without taking a concubine in his previous life.
If his affair with Li Zhilan were exposed, even if he did nothing wrong, he would still face a lot of questioning if his political enemies fueled the flames.
For Shen Fuhan, the disadvantages outweighed the advantages.
How can she persuade him to agree to this?
"Brother, sister-in-law!"
As they approached the palace gate, a voice called out from ahead, and the two looked over at the same time.
Then they saw Xiao Suye standing to the side, waiting for them to come forward.
Shen Fuhan asked, "What is it?"
Wen Jiayue glanced at him; he seemed to accept the title quite well.
However, she still felt a little uncomfortable; the doctor she had been calling for so long had suddenly become her brother-in-law.
Xiao Suye approached them and said, "I couldn't say anything else in front of the Emperor just now. I just wanted to ask how Niannian has been these past few days."
Shen Fuhan nodded and said, "That's good."
Knowing that he only knew those two words, Xiao Suyue looked at Wen Jiayue.
Wen Jiayue then said, "I don't see her often. The nanny sent by the Princess is very strict, and she's been quite busy these past few days. But the last time I saw her, she was quite..."
Last time, Wen Jiayue was so focused on persuading Shen Funian and Granny Wang that she didn't talk to her about anything else, so she didn't know how to continue the conversation.
However, she quickly thought of a phrase: "She has quite a lot of energy and blood."
Xiao Suye breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Thank you, sister-in-law. Where is Yao'er?"
Wen Jiayue hesitated and said, "Niannian didn't tell him about this. I suppose she's worried that he might not be able to accept it."
For Xiao Suye, this was expected. If Shen Funian didn't know how to bring it up, he would do it.
It's okay if he doesn't call me "Dad". As long as you can accept him, everything else can be taken slowly.
Xiao Suye then said, "Please tell Niannian that she doesn't need to worry about this matter; I will handle it."
Wen Jiayue couldn't help but look at him with higher regard.
She remembered that Xiao Suye was only nineteen years old, and he was already so responsible before he even came of age. Shen Funian would definitely be very happy in the future.
She smiled and said, "Now that Niannian is married to you, I have nothing to worry about."
“Of course I will treat Nian Nian well,” Xiao Suye finally showed a bit of the shyness of a young man. “I have liked her since I was a child, and I will not let her suffer any grievances.”
Before Wen Jiayue could speak, Shen Fuhan spoke first: "Are you finished?"
His tone was cold, and his expression showed a hint of impatience, as if someone owed him eight hundred taels of silver.
Wen Jiayue found his behavior inexplicable and ignored him.
Xiao Suye dared not ignore him, for this was his brother-in-law, someone he had to treat with utmost respect.
Seeing that his brother-in-law was about to leave, he quickly said, "There's one last thing."
He took a letter out of his pocket: "Please give this to Niannian, elder brother and sister-in-law."
Shen Fuhan took the letter and said calmly, "I understand."
"Take care, elder brother and sister-in-law."
Shen Fuhan gave a forced smile and left.
Wen Jiayue stared at his back, completely baffled.
She quickly said, "He's in a bad mood today, Xiao... please don't take it to heart."
Since everyone was calling her "elder sister-in-law," it would seem too distant for her to call him "Young Master Xiao." She couldn't bring herself to call him "brother-in-law" for the time being, and calling him "Su Ye" would be too intimate. So she had no choice but to skip the formalities.
Xiao Suye quickly said, "I don't mind, just don't hold it against me, brother."
Wen Jiayue asked in surprise, "What is he concerned about?"
Xiao Suye coughed lightly: "Of course it's about marrying his sister. I originally planned to take it slow, but I didn't expect to be betrothed like this. What if my elder brother isn't satisfied with me as his brother-in-law..."
Wen Jiayue smiled and said, "Don't worry, he's very satisfied. If he wasn't, he would definitely correct you if he heard you call him 'Big Brother'."
Hearing this, Xiao Suye was finally reassured and cupped his hands in thanks, saying, "Thank you, sister-in-law."
"Can you leave?"
Shen Fuhan's urging voice came from not far away, and Xiao Suye hurriedly said, "Sister-in-law, please go back quickly, I also have to go back to the Imperial Hospital."
The two parted ways, with Wen Jiayue following Shen Fuhan.
Shen Fuhan asked, "What are you talking about? Why are you taking so long?"
“I’m not telling you,” Wen Jiayue rolled her eyes at him. “You left without warning, why should I tell you?”
"It's not inexplicable, it's because..."
When the conversation reached the crucial point, he stopped talking, and Wen Jiayue quickly asked, "Why?"
Shen Fuhan remained silent for a moment before saying, "He has coveted my third sister since he was a child, and I am not happy about that."
Wen Jiayue said helplessly, "He clearly said he liked it."
Shen Fuhan scoffed: "They're all the same."
Unable to reason with him, Wen Jiayue simply stopped talking.
She hadn't figured out how to tell Shen Fuhan about spreading the news, so she decided not to argue with him.
As she sat in the carriage returning to her residence, Wen Jiayue was still deep in thought, letting Shen Fuhan's words go in one ear and out the other.
Shen Fuhan frowned slightly and called out, "A-Yue."
Wen Jiayue finally came to her senses: "What's wrong?"
Shen Fuhan asked, "What are you thinking about?"
Since he asked, Wen Jiayue decided to go all out and tell him everything.
This matter will be exposed sooner or later; my past life is a prime example.
Whether it's black or white, the information released by Li Zhilan will definitely be in her favor.
Wen Jiayue was deceived by her, thinking that she and Shen Fuhan had long admired each other.
Wouldn't the people, who are even more unaware of the truth, be led by the nose by her?
It is much better for them to take the lead in shaping public opinion than to passively confront the enemy.
Thinking of this, Wen Jiayue said, "I'm thinking about something. The Princess and the Emperor are very close relatives. A casual remark could make the Emperor suspect you. We can't be so passive."
Shen Fuhan asked leisurely, "How does A-Yue plan to take the initiative?"
Wen Jiayue found his words strange, but she didn't think much of it and continued, "I have a way, but I'll have to sacrifice your reputation first."
Shen Fuhan's already sparse smile faded: "What do you mean?"
In an instant, some unpleasant images flashed through his mind, such as Wen Jiayue telling him to continue seducing Li Zhilan.
Wen Jiayue was about to speak when she remembered that they were in a carriage, so she said, "Let's talk about it when we get back."
Shen Fuhan lifted the carriage curtain and glanced inside. He knew he would be on pins and needles for another fifteen minutes before he could return to his bedroom.
For the first time, he felt the journey was incredibly long; it seemed like an eternity before the carriage finally came to a stop.
Back in the bedroom, Shen Fuhan finally spoke: "Go ahead and say it."
Along the way, he also wondered whether he should agree if what she wanted to say was the same as what he was thinking.
Continuing to associate with Li Zhilan is indeed more beneficial than harmful; avoiding the Emperor's suspicion is more important than anything else.
But he didn't want to, so he refused.
The reason is also quite good: he can't keep up the act anymore, and he'll definitely slip up.
Compared to his myriad thoughts, Wen Jiayue had calmed down and spoke calmly.
"What I'm thinking is to spread the word about your affair with the Princess before you leave the capital. Only by making a big fuss and having so many eyes watching will the Emperor not easily protect the Princess."
Wen Jiayue asked, "Can you accept that?"
Shen Fuhan breathed a sigh of relief; thankfully, it wasn't as he had guessed.
However, what she said wasn't much better for him either.
Shen Fuhan looked at her and finally spoke: "There's something I've always been curious about."
Although he didn't answer, he wasn't angry either, so Wen Jiayue asked, "What?"
"You seem to really want to kill her. Why?"