"Cousin, I just reached my coming-of-age ceremony this year," Fan Yunxiu said, lowering her head shyly.
"So young? Already thinking about marriage?"
Fan Yunxiu was taken aback. "Cousin, shouldn't one be married at this age?"
"Marriage? Do you know that once married, there's truly no turning back?"
"But isn't your marriage going well?" Fan Yunxiu looked at Madam Zhou, a hint of envy in her eyes.
"What you see as good may not necessarily be good," Madam Zhou said slowly.
Fan Yunxiu blinked slightly and said, "But I heard others say that Cousin-in-law is a third-rank official in the court, a favored person by His Majesty, and he is also very handsome. Aren't you very happy to be married to someone like that?"
Madam Zhou was slightly stunned. Happy?
"Madam, my lord has returned," a servant from the estate hurried over.
Madam Zhou heard this and said, "Hong Yan, take your cousin and her mother to dine. I'll be back shortly."
Fan Yunxiu nodded. "Alright, Cousin, hurry along!"
Madam Zhou went to the front hall and saw Shen Yunxuan, who had just returned. She stepped forward to take the outer robe he took off and said, "I heard Mother is here?"
Madam Zhou nodded. "I have a cousin who has reached the age where marriage is appropriate. Mother wants me to help keep an eye out. My lord, are there any young talents in the court whom I could introduce to my cousin?"
"I'll keep an eye out. Since Mother is here, I'll go and see her as well," Shen Yunxuan said.
Madam Zhou was slightly stunned. Shen Yunxuan had never proactively met her mother before. Did this mean Shen Yunxuan was starting to step into her family?
Madam Zhou was very happy about Shen Yunxuan meeting Madam Fan and said, "I'll take you."
"Mother, if there is any lack of hospitality, please inform Madam. She will make arrangements," Shen Yunxuan bowed slightly and paid his respects to Madam Fan.
Madam Fan was also surprised. She remembered that after Li'er and Shen Yunxuan got married, she had met Shen Yunxuan only a handful of times, let alone him coming to visit her specifically today.
"Quick, get up, get up," Madam Fan said with a smile.
"Everyone sit down and eat," Shen Yunxuan said calmly.
Madam Zhou quickly helped Madam Fan to sit. Once the dishes were served, everyone began to eat. Just as Madam Zhou was about to serve Madam Fan, she noticed that there was already food in her bowl. She was slightly taken aback and looked up to see Shen Yunxuan nodding at her.
Madam Zhou's face instantly flushed. It was probably the first time Shen Yunxuan had served her food.
Madam Fan also felt much more at ease seeing this, observing that her daughter and son-in-law seemed to have grown much closer.
On the side, Fan Yunxiu gazed at Shen Yunxuan dazedly. She had not realized that her cousin's husband was so handsome. She had assumed that a third-rank official in the capital would at least be a rugged, burly man.
It was impossible for him to be such a remarkably handsome man.
She hadn't believed it when she heard people say that the favored people by the Empress were all handsome, but now it seemed the rumors were true.
Seeing Shen Yunxuan's gaze fall upon her, she blushed and said, "Cousin... Cousin-in-law."
Shen Yunxuan nodded. "I've heard your cousin mention you."
Madam Zhou was slightly stunned, thinking, When did I mention Yunxiu?
"Your name is Fan Yunxiu," Shen Yunxuan said calmly.
Fan Yunxiu trembled all over. Those three words tickled the bottom of her heart like a little kitten, causing a pleasant itch.
Madam Zhou suddenly remembered. "My lord, you remember something so long ago?"
"Your matters, I naturally must remember," Shen Yunxuan said calmly.
Madam Zhou was stunned, her face flushing even deeper.
Seeing this scene, Fan Yunxiu felt a pang of sadness in her heart, wondering if her future husband could be as handsome and caring as Shen Yunxuan.
It rained that evening, and Madam Zhou kept Madam Fan and Fan Yunxiu overnight.
It was the first time she had stayed in such a large room, with maids guarding the night outside. Fan Yunxiu felt as though she were dreaming.
A single room here was larger than her mansion in Yizhou.
In the new environment, she couldn't fall asleep. Tossing and turning, she suddenly heard the maids on night duty whispering to each other.
Thinking she couldn't sleep anyway, she walked to the door to listen to the two maids talking.
"Do you think this one might have similar intentions?"
Fan Yunxiu was startled, and it took her a while to realize they were talking about her.
"That's hard to say, but the former Miss Sun always coveted Madam's position. Fortunately, my lord was unmoved. This one is even less so than that Miss Sun, so I don't think there's any chance."
Fan Yunxiu returned to her bed. She knew what the two maids were discussing. When I first arrived, I overheard some rumors saying that Cousin's wife, Madam Sun, had her sister live in the Shen mansion, thinking to keep the benefits within the family and have her sister become a concubine to Lord Shen.
Unfortunately, Madam Sun's sister was not capable herself. She overthought things and angered Cousin, who then kicked them out.
Afterward, there was the incident of confronting the court.
Fan Yunxiu covered her head with the quilt. She imagined Shen Yunxuan's appearance filling her mind. If she became a concubine, would Cousin agree?
She spent the night sleepless. When Fan Yunxiu got up in the morning, her complexion was not good. After washing up and going for breakfast, Madam Zhou couldn't help but ask with concern, "Yunxiu, did you not sleep well last night?"
Fan Yunxiu said, "I've changed to a new environment and am not quite used to it, so I didn't sleep well."
"Eat something, and you can rest when we get back," Madam Fan said.
Fan Yunxiu nodded. "Alright, Aunt."
Fan Yunxiu noticed that only a few of them were having breakfast and couldn't help but ask, "Isn't Cousin-in-law joining us for breakfast?"
Madam Zhou said, "He got up early and has already gone to the morning court. By the way, shall we go out to explore after breakfast!"
Fan Yunxiu nodded. "Okay,"
"Little lady, you're so pretty! Are you betrothed?"
Fan Yunxiu was surprised that someone would come to flirt with her after being separated from her cousin for only a short while.
She took a few steps back. "Don't touch me."
The man chuckled and said, "Little lady, what are you afraid of? Come play with this lord..."
"Let go of me..." Fan Yunxiu was so angry she wanted to struggle, but she couldn't overpower the man.
Fan Yunxiu was on the verge of tears from anger. Just then, an arrow shot through the man's sleeve and landed on the ground. The man was also thrown to the ground by the arrow.
The man became enraged. "Who is it? How dare you treat this young master like this? Do you know who this young master is..."
"No matter who you are, it's wrong to bully my lord's sister."
The man looked up at the person subduing him and angrily said, "Who is your lord? How dare you bully this young master in broad daylight? This young master will definitely make him pay."
"It is I, Shen Yunxuan."
The man trembled all over. "Shen Yunxuan, the Minister of Justice?"
"Indeed, it is I. If you have any grievances, you can voice them, and I will handle it for you," Shen Yunxuan said, stepping in front of the man and speaking word by word.
The man was so scared that he quickly shook his head. "No, no more..."