Chapter 23 Secret Affair.

Chapter 23: Forbidden Feelings

Zhu Yinluan paused, at first thinking she’d misheard. She looked up at Ming Ya, her eyes clouded with confusion.

Ming Ya clearly realized that mentioning that person’s name was highly inappropriate.

Ming Ya averted her gaze, her hands slowing as she dried Zhu Yinluan’s hair.

Zhu Yinluan continued to stare at Ming Ya.

She couldn’t help but wonder—had she and Shen Jingzhan grown too close, to the point where it was now improper?

Otherwise, why would Ming Ya suggest she seek Shen Jingzhan’s help?

Zhu Yinluan remained silent for a long moment. Ming Ya grew nervous under her gaze, switching to a fresh cloth to continue drying her hair while explaining, “I only said that because Heir Shen is a very kind person. Perhaps he would be willing to help you?”

“Life in the Wei household has grown harder for you. If Heir Shen could lend a hand, your situation might ease somewhat.”

Zhu Yinluan let out a bitter laugh. “We’re practically strangers. We’ve only met by chance a few times—why would I go to him? And even if it came to that, why would he ever help me?”

“Why wouldn’t he?” Ming Ya disagreed. “This servant believes Heir Shen—”

Zhu Yinluan fixed her with another sharp look.

Having served her for many years, Ming Ya understood her concerns and quickly clarified that she wasn’t implying anything improper between them. Rather, “This servant simply thinks Heir Shen is a good man. If he saw your hardship, perhaps he—”

“I am not in hardship.” Zhu Yinluan shook her head, rejecting Ming Ya’s words.

She had food and clothes enough—only her mother-in-law and husband disliked her. That wasn’t hardship.

Ming Ya opened her mouth to argue, but Zhu Yinluan told her to stop.

“Heir Shen won’t help me. This concerns a matter of utmost importance in court appointments—how could he possibly show…”

Partiality?

When the word “partiality” surfaced in her mind, Zhu Yinluan’s heart skipped a beat.

Partiality? Like something illicit?

At this thought, she snapped back to reality. From now on, she must avoid Shen Jingzhan—no more accidental run-ins. If even Ming Ya thought this way, what if others found out? Who knew what rumors would start?

If gossip spread, no amount of scrubbing could wash it away.

“In any case, never mention this again.”

“Yes…” Seeing her displeasure, Ming Ya clammed up, not daring to continue.

Finally, Zhu Yinluan asked where Wei Ruzuo would be resting that night.

He glanced at her but didn’t answer directly. “You go ahead and sleep.”

With that dismissal, Zhu Yinluan could only turn in.

She lay in bed for a long time, unable to sleep. Her chest felt empty, restless, yet she squeezed her eyes shut and rested.

Zhu Yinluan knew very well that her elder sister’s visit to the Wei family was far from friendly.

Before, she had thought that once Fang Zhongyue gave birth, she could raise the child properly and live in peace.

But who could have predicted the sudden family drama in the Luo family? Her elder sister had not only divorced but even come to the Wei household. Recalling the day’s events, Zhu Yinluan dreaded what came next…

She just didn’t know whether this was her elder sister’s idea, their father and stepmother’s, or even Wei Ruzuo’s.

In any case, she was worried and adrift, unsure of what to do next.

If her elder sister intended to enter the Wei household, how should she respond?

Her elder sister was proud and ambitious—would she really lower herself to being a concubine?

Tangled in these thoughts, Zhu Yinluan suddenly heard footsteps—Wei Ruzuo was approaching.

He’d skipped the eastern courtyard to find Fang Zhongyue but had instead come to rest with her?

What if he intended to share her bed?

Zhu Yinluan realized that even in this urgent situation, pressured by her elder sister, she still didn’t want to sleep with Wei Ruzuo.

Right now, she had only one path forward: to quickly conceive a child of her own. Whether a son or daughter, it would secure her standing in the Wei family.

But… using a child to solidify her position?

Wei Ruzuo didn’t like her—would he even care for a child she bore?

She had endured enough neglect and belittlement in her youth and didn’t want her child to suffer the same fate.

More importantly, she simply didn’t want to share a bed with Wei Ruzuo anymore. Not since he took Fang Zhongyue as his concubine…

She couldn’t bring herself to be magnanimous.

Once Wei Ruzuo lay down, Zhu Yinluan grew tense.

She had already resolved that if he tried to initiate intimacy, she would beg off, claiming she was unwell. After all, she’d been on Jiao Hui’s medicine, and he could see she looked pale.

But after waiting for some time, though she sensed Wei Ruzuo’s gaze, he didn’t so much as brush her arm.

Did he not want her?

If not, why rest here? Was he worried that going to Fang Zhongyue might get back to her elder sister, who had visited today, and thus avoided it?

Zhu Yinluan couldn’t help but wonder what game he was playing.

Yet she had no way of knowing that while she waited for Wei Ruzuo to speak, he was also waiting for her to say something.

Recently, he had been promoted, and everyone had praised him—except Zhu Yinluan.

Well, she had, but only a token compliment or two.

Nothing meaningful.

Seeing her poor complexion today, Wei Ruzuo guessed she was troubled by Zhu Chentan’s visit.

More than that, he wondered—now that it was late and they were alone—would Zhu Yinluan say anything to him?

He suspected it might be sweet talk, urging him as her husband not to forget her after his promotion.

Wei Ruzuo found that even though he had heard endless flattery lately, he still craved it from her lips.

If she were to use some schemes again, like how Fang Zhongyue sent someone to invite him to retire to the eastern courtyard...

Thinking of this, Wei Ruzuo realized he felt a thrill of anticipation.

Did he actually not despise Zhu Yinluan’s coquetry and flattery? Instead, he was vaguely anticipating it?

It had been a long time since he last lay with Zhu Chentan. Recalling how she had come to his study earlier to remind him that it was late and he should rest soon, her retreating figure lingered in his mind.

Beneath her moonlit shift, her dark hair cascaded down to her waist, rippling gently.

As she walked, he could see the outline of her slender waist, so delicate it seemed he could span it with one hand. It reminded him of the exquisite softness of Zhu Yinluan’s waist and how she yielded to him.

Yet, after waiting for so long, there was still no response from his bedmate.

Not a single word.

She clearly wasn’t asleep yet.

Having been ignored for too long, Wei Ruzuo couldn’t hold back any longer and snapped, “Don’t you have anything to say to me?”

His voice carried barely contained irritation as he spoke.

He also wanted to make Zhu Yinluan aware through this that he was in a foul mood. If she had any sense, she should soothe and please him now.

But Zhu Yinluan didn’t.

Instead, she countered, “What does my husband mean?” Her soft voice was laced with deep confusion.

In that instant, Wei Ruzuo’s anticipation and interest were doused by her obliviousness, replaced only by burning anger.

He snapped back to reality—what had he even been expecting?

Zhu Yinluan was nothing but a doll-like beauty, timid and dull. What did she know of charm or wit?

Even sharing a bed with her was a chore. She shied away from anything playful, always cowering, leaving him frustrated. So… what had he been thinking?

He must have gone mad.

“Nothing!” Wei Ruzuo bit out the words before turning his back to her.

Soon after, unable to bear staying in the same bed with her any longer, he got up and left.

Ming Ya hurried in, asking Zhu Yinluan what had happened.

Sitting up, Zhu Yinluan shook her head as she watched Wei Ruzuo’s departing figure. “Pay it no mind.”

Just now, she had been terrified, fearing Wei Ruzuo had found out about her meeting with Shen Jingzhan, his presents of rare incense and sweets. But it turned out not to be the case…

If it had been, Wei Ruzuo wouldn’t have simply strode off. Instead, he would have scolded her on the spot—demanding she behave properly, avoid public appearances, and never entertain thoughts of associating with someone of his exalted station. She must uphold her duty and not tarnish the Wei family’s reputation.

Since Wei Ruzuo hadn’t mentioned it, it couldn’t be about that. After years of sharing a bed, she still understood him somewhat.

But if it wasn’t that, Zhu Yinluan could scarcely imagine what else it could be.

“Miss, should this servant go and bring Young Master Wei back?”

Zhu Yinluan shook her head. “No need.” She lay back down, curling into a small, forlorn little figure.

Wei Ruzuo strode off to the Eastern Courtyard.

Fang Zhongyue welcomed him with unbridled glee, coaxing him sweetly.

Though it wasn’t the flattery he had wanted from Zhu Yinluan, he had to admit—after hearing so many honeyed words, no matter who it came from, it still pleased him.

That night, he took Fang Zhongyue to bed.

Deep into the night, after Wei Ruzuo had fallen asleep, a small bird perched upon the window lattice.

Hearing the noise, Fang Zhongyue instantly opened her eyes and got up to drink tea. Carrying the teacup, she walked to the window lattice, tied a prepared missive to the bird’s leg, and released it.

The bird wheeled over the capital a few times before landing in the inner courtyard of the Shen residence.

A servant retrieved the message and bore it to Shen Jingzhan.

After listening, the man allowed himself a cold smile. “It seems Wei Ruzuo is even more vain than I imagined.”

Divorce? It likely wouldn’t even last until spring’s end.

“He craves power, and you’ve accounted for every contingency. Naturally, there won’t be any mistakes.”

Shen Jingzhan replied coolly, “Maintain your vigilance.”

“Yes…”

The quarrel between Zhu Yinluan and Wei Ruzuo the previous night quickly reached Pang Shi’s ears.

When Zhu Chentan made her morning obeisance to Pang Shi early the next morning, she naturally heard of it as well.

She said, “Could there be some misunderstanding? Perhaps it’s because Chentan visited the Wei household…”

Pang Shi, who now looked upon Zhu Chentan favorably, patted her hand. “It’s not your fault. It’s simply that Zhu Yinluan lacks the wit to attend to her husband properly.”

“Have her brought before me later,” Pang Shi instructed Yun Mama.

Before breakfast arrived, Pang Shi had Zhu Yinluan brought before her and took her to task harshly.

“Do you even know how to serve your husband?” Pang Shi demanded.

“Young Master Zhuo labors abroad all day, wearing himself to the bone. Can’t you even comfort or coax him?”

Zhu Yinluan replied, “Your humble daughter does not know how she has offended.”

“You don’t know?”

Pang Shi gave a derisive sniff, favoring her with a contemptuous glance. “It seems you’re unfit to remain the mistress of the Wei family.”