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

Chapter 128 A Little Goodbye Is Better than a New Marriage

Wen Jiayue was so shocked that she couldn't speak.

The decision to punish her was neither given by her nor approved by Shen Fuhan; Ling He made the decision on his own.

Just as she was about to speak, Hui'er suddenly spoke up: "Madam... I was just helping out, how could you... how could you let Guard Ling punish me like this!"

She spoke in a weak voice, and by the end, she was extremely agitated, her face contorted in pain.

“It wasn’t the madam who hit you, it was me,” Ling Xiao said coldly. “The country has its laws, and the family has its rules. Dereliction of duty is punishable by five strokes of the cane. If Miss Hui’er has any objections, she can go and talk to the Marquis!”

Hui'er stretched out her hand with difficulty, her index finger trembling as she pointed at Ling He, but she couldn't utter a single word. Her eyes rolled back, and she immediately lost consciousness.

Wen Jiayue waved her hand, instructing the guards to settle Hui'er in.

She looked at Ling He.

"What are you going to do if the old lady investigates?"

She didn't sympathize with Hui'er, but the old lady would definitely object to Ling He's actions.

She was a perfectly good maidservant, sent to be a concubine, but she hasn't even gotten into bed yet, and instead gets beaten every few days.

The first time, it was Shen Fuhan who personally gave the order, and it was based on sound reasoning, so the old lady had nothing to say.

But this time it was Ling He who gave the order. The old lady will definitely find fault with Ling He in her anger, and she might even be implicated.

Ling He said, "I was just following orders."

Wen Jiayue really didn't know what to say about someone so stubborn.

She sighed: "When the Marquis returns, remember to tell him about this."

Ling He nodded: "Of course."

Before long, the guard who had bought the snacks returned.

Wen Jiayue tried them one by one. The pastries in Yuzhou City were sweet and sour, which were particularly appetizing.

"What are you thinking about?" Wen Jiayue fed one to Ruyi, who was lost in thought. "You eat too."

Ruyi glanced worriedly at the shadow standing by the window and asked, "Madam, are you planning to let them stay here indefinitely?"

Although they rarely come in and can't see what's going on in the bedroom, who can stand having several grown men standing there day and night?

“I don’t want to either, but there’s nothing I can do,” Wen Jiayue asked. “Do you have any ideas?”

“No,” Ruyi shook her head. “I only hope that the Marquis will return soon and stand up for the Madam.”

Upon hearing this, Wen Jiayue wholeheartedly agreed, saying, "I also hope that the Marquis will return soon."

She had originally thought that with Shen Fuhan gone, she could get a good night's sleep and wouldn't have to be kissed by him all the time.

Now that the wish has come true, who would have thought that Ling He would be even more troublesome than Shen Fuhan!

After glancing in the direction of the carved wooden door, Wen Jiayue pulled Ruyi away a little further away.

She asked quietly, "Do you think he would agree if I suggested to the Marquis that we change the head of the guard?"

Ruyi nodded vigorously: "It definitely will. Guard Ling is too stubborn. Maybe before Madam even mentions it, the Marquis will take the initiative to replace him."

Wen Jiayue was only 20% confident. Although Ling He was stubborn, he was loyal and didn't seem like someone who would be replaced.

Someone knocked on the door, and Ling He's voice came through.

"Madam, the managers of Wanzhen Pavilion and Qiluo Pavilion have arrived."

Wen Jiayue responded, "Let them in."

Since we can't leave the mansion, we have to find something to do to pass the time.

She took measurements, chose the fabric and pattern, and then selected a few pieces of jewelry. The afternoon passed in a flash.

As night deepened, after washing up, Wen Jiayue lay in bed, but couldn't fall asleep for a long time.

Although she knew in her heart that the people outside were guards, people protecting her safety, she still couldn't get over that hurdle.

Ruyi comforted her, "Don't worry, Madam, I'll stay with you. At worst, I won't sleep tonight."

Wen Jiayue shook her head: "Don't go to the other room to sleep, sleep in the bed with me."

Ruyi hesitated for a moment, then nodded.

Five days passed in this way, and Wen Jiayue was almost used to this kind of life when she suddenly learned that Shen Fuhan had returned.

Her eyes lit up, and she immediately got up to greet her.

Even when she loved him the most in her past life, she had never been this eager, running as fast as she could while lifting her skirt.

As you pass through the moon gate, Shen Fuhan appears.

Hearing the noise, he looked up and saw Wen Jiayue running towards him with a smile.

He was somewhat surprised and called out, "Slow down."

He quickly took two steps forward to meet her, grasped her arm, and helped her steady herself.

Wen Jiayue was breathing heavily, and glanced at Shen Fuhan as she did so.

He didn't look much different after not seeing him for several days, but he didn't seem to have taken good care of himself, as there were some stubble sprouting on his chin.

Shen Fuhan also looked down at Wen Jiayue.

She had lost some weight, which made her eyes appear larger, allowing him to clearly see the smile in them.

As far as I can remember, I've never seen her so happy before. Is it because we've been apart for so many days?

She had been ignoring him before he left.

He pondered to himself that there was some truth to the saying "absence makes the heart grow fonder."

Shen Fuhan tucked her disheveled hair behind her ear and asked softly, "Why are you in such a hurry?"

Wen Jiayue shook her head and pulled him by the wrist, leading him towards the bedroom.

Shen Fuhan's gaze fell on the spot where their hands were clasped, and he was even more astonished.

Does that mean she's no longer opposed to it? In fact, she seems so... impatient.

Despite the turmoil in his heart, Shen Fuhan remained calm and composed as he followed her at a leisurely pace.

Wen Jiayue stopped in front of the bedroom.

Shen Fuhan asked in confusion, "Why aren't you leaving?"

"Your Excellency, see for yourself," Wen Jiayue said, withdrawing her hand with a stern face. "Look at the good deeds your guards have done!"

Guard?

Shen Fuhan then looked over.

Eight guards stood guard under the window, beside the wall, and in front of the door, completely surrounding the bedroom.

Wen Jiayue accused, "They've been guarding this place for the past few days, even at night. Guard Ling insists that he's just following orders. Is that what the Marquis instructed before he left?"

The more Shen Fuhan listened, the deeper his brows furrowed.

He looked at Ling He and asked in a cold voice, "Is what Madam said true?"

“Your Excellency’s words are all true,” Ling He said, clasping his hands in a fist salute. “I have indeed followed orders and done my duty to protect the lady. Please, Your Excellency, see the truth!”

Shen Fuhan calmly said, "After returning to the capital, Ling He will be given twenty strokes of the cane, and the others will be given fifteen strokes."

Ling He was stunned for a moment. Although he didn't understand what he had done wrong, he still raised his voice and said, "This subordinate accepts the punishment!"

Wen Jiayue quickly said, "My lord, you must explain clearly."

Otherwise, given Ling He's personality, he still won't change.

“No rush,” Shen Fuhan said, looking at her. “I will leave tomorrow.”