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

Chapter 480 Being near the water tower gives you an advantage (4)

From that day on, Wen Jiayue went to Zheqing Courtyard every day.

He went there for half a month, and one day, he was stopped by Shen Funian on the road.

Shen Funian put her hands on her hips and said, "Sister-in-law, you're not keeping your word."

Wen Jiayue asked in surprise, "What's wrong with me?"

Shen Funian scolded, "When you first came, I told you to come to Chang Le Courtyard often, but you never went even once. Instead, you went to my elder brother's courtyard more often."

"I……"

"No need to explain, you must go to Chang Le Yuan today," Shen Funian said, pulling her along. "I have lots of delicious food there. What's your favorite food, little sister-in-law? I'll have someone make it."

Wen Jiayue stumbled and almost fell, but fortunately she managed to regain her balance in time.

"Third sister, please slow down."

"Don't be slow, or you'll see my older brother and he'll kidnap you right there and then."

Wen Jiayue listened in a daze, but her face inexplicably flushed.

Shen Funian didn't care whether she understood or not, and continued to ask, "Sister-in-law, do you like my older brother, so you stick to him all day long?"

Wen Jiayue blinked: "My brother is good to me, so of course I like him."

She treated everyone equally and continued, "I also like my third sister and second brother; you've both been very good to me."

Shen Funian pressed, "How have I been good to you? Tell me."

"Hmm... Third Sister is treating me to something delicious."

"What about my second brother?"

"Second brother, second brother..."

Wen Jiayue was stumped. She had only seen him once since the first day she entered the manor, so she couldn't think of anything for a long time.

Shen Funian smiled mysteriously: "Little sister-in-law, just admit it, anyway you're going to marry my older brother sooner or later."

Wen Jiayue understood what she meant, and she murmured, "Marry the Crown Prince?"

"Yes, otherwise why do you think my elder brother would bring you into the manor?"

Shen Funian chuckled: "You are now my elder brother's child bride."

Wen Jiayue asked again, puzzled: "What is a child bride?"

"It means raising you from a baby to adulthood, and then having you become my older brother's wife."

Wen Jiayue blinked gently, sounding quite pleased.

As they talked, the two arrived at Chang Le Courtyard.

Shen Funian set up a table in the courtyard, filled with meat dishes.

Wen Jiayue subconsciously took a step back: "Third sister, I can't eat these."

“I know you’re observing mourning,” Shen Funian tore off a large chicken leg and handed it to her. “Mourning is enough if you keep it in your heart. If you don’t tell me and I don’t tell you, who else will know?”

Wen Jiayue shook her head: "I won't eat."

"Sister-in-law, why are you so stubborn?" Shen Funian took a bite of her chicken leg and mumbled, "Your parents aren't good people at all, why are you observing mourning for them?"

Wen Jiayue's eyes widened: "You're talking nonsense!"

“My elder brother has investigated everything. Your uncle and aunt send money to your family every year, but they haven’t spent a single copper coin on you.”

Seeing the tears in her eyes, Shen Funian felt a pang of pity, but still insisted, "They're still willing to raise you because you still have some use. Once you grow up and marry my older brother, who knows how they'll bleed you dry. Luckily, you died young. Hey, sister-in-law, where are you going!"

Wen Jiayue lifted the hem of her skirt and ran towards Zheqing Courtyard.

She simply couldn't believe it. Her parents had been so good to her, how could they treat her like this?

She only believed what her brother, the Crown Prince, said.

But the more she ran, the more uncertain she felt.

If her father and mother liked her, why didn't her father let her ride on a big horse when she played, and why did her mother always put meat on her younger brother and sister's plates when they ate?

Wen Jiayue stopped and walked dejectedly towards Xiangzhu Courtyard.

Shen Funian finally caught up with her, panting, "Sister-in-law, why aren't you going to find my older brother?"

Wen Jiayue said dejectedly, "I want to go back to sleep."

Shen Funian wasn't afraid of her strong reaction, but rather of her lack of reaction. In a panic, she ran to Zheqing Courtyard.

Before long, Shen Fuhan arrived at Xiangzhu Courtyard with her.

Upon hearing his voice, Wen Jiayue quickly wiped away her tears and pretended to be asleep.

Shen Fuhan knew she wasn't asleep, so he told Shen Funian to go out first.

He said in a low voice, "What Third Sister said is true. A few days ago, a sum of money was delivered to the Marquis's residence after several transfers. I found out after investigation that it was sent by your uncle and aunt. However, there was no one in the Wen residence, so it was sent to the Marquis's residence instead."

Wen Jiayue sniffed and sat up.

Her face was flushed from crying, making her eyes appear even clearer and brighter, filled with grievance.

Wen Jiayue opened her arms.

Shen Fuhan was stunned for a moment, then heard her choke out, "Brother Prince, hug me."

He didn't know how he got there; he only knew that when he came to his senses, he had already pulled the little girl in front of him into his arms.

Shen Fuhan hesitated, about to let go, when Wen Jiayue sobbed, "Young Master, do Father and Mother not like me?"

He patted her back gently, offering a dry, comforting remark: "Don't cry."

Wen Jiayue cried even harder, almost soaking his shoulder.

But she didn't wail; she just sobbed and shed tears, which made her even more pitiful.

Wen Jiayue cried as she said, "Young Master, I want to eat meat every day from now on."

"Alright, Your Highness will let you eat meat."

"It's meat!"

"...meat."

Even though the Wen family was at fault, they were still in mourning, so the matter of eating meat could not be made public.

Shen Fuhan would prepare some meat for her when she went to Zheqing Courtyard, or Shen Funian would prepare it when she went to Changle Courtyard.

Two months later, Wen Jiayue felt that she had grown taller and excitedly went to compare her height with Shen Fuhan.

Surprisingly, she had become shorter.

Wen Jiayue was struck dumb, standing there stunned. How could this be?

Shen Fuhan coughed lightly: "I'm going to grow taller too, and I'll grow faster than you."

Wen Jiayue pouted, looking unhappy.

She pleaded, "Brother Prince, could you please grow taller more slowly and wait for me?"

Shen Fuhan continued writing: "This request is too difficult, please choose another one."

Wen Jiayue began to rack his brains, but before he could come up with anything, someone suddenly knocked on the door.

"Your Highness, the Emperor summons you to the palace."

Shen Fuhan was surprised for a moment before responding and looking at Wen Jiayue: "You should go back first."

"Can't you take me with you, Your Highness?"

“No,” he explained, realizing he had been too abrupt in his refusal. “I cannot enter the palace without an imperial edict. I will be back soon.”

Wen Jiayue had no choice but to leave.

Not long after returning to Xiangzhu Courtyard, a maid brought over a new dress.

"Miss Wen, come and try this. The young master prepared it especially for you."

Wen Jiayue's eyes lit up. So, her brother, the young master, was thinking of her!

She couldn't wait to put it on.