"He looks honest and upright? Sister, others may be confused, but you cannot be. Lord Shen is not an unmoving object, he is a living person, flesh and blood, with emotions and desires. If you place a young girl before him, do you think nothing will happen?" Madame Xiao Min thought Madame Zhou was wise in everything except this moment.
Madame Zhou lowered her eyes upon hearing this, "Since she is placed before him, I know what will happen."
"Confused, Sister, you are truly confused. Do you want to watch someone share your husband?" Madame Xiao Min did not understand Madame Zhou's thoughts. If it were her, she would not agree, preferring to be called a jealous woman rather than accept it.
Madame Zhou looked up at Madame Xiao Min, her expression tinged with sadness, "With my current state, if the Lord sees me, he will likely be disgusted. Rather than him taking an outside mistress, it is better to have someone I can control become a concubine."
"Sister, you are truly confused. Never mind whether your idea is right or wrong, you think too little of Lord Shen. My husband said that Lord Shen is of impeccable character, both in his private life and in the court, he is the most incorruptible. Perhaps only you would think Lord Shen would take an outside mistress."
Madame Zhou bit her lower lip, "But, but we have been married for half a year, and we have shared a bed only a handful of times."
Madame Xiao Min was taken aback, then smiled, "So, Sister, you are worried about this. Sister, you can rest assured. I heard from my elder sister's husband that they have been very busy these past few months. Even my husband hasn't seen me for over half a month..."
Madame Zhou paused slightly, had she been overthinking?
"Sister, have I... have I really wronged my Lord?"
Madame Xiao Min nodded, "Yes. Sister, I have also met Lord Shen. He does not seem like that kind of person. Sister, you are with Lord Shen day and night, do you not know Lord Shen's character?"
Madame Zhou recalled her every moment with Shen Yun Xuan. She indeed had few opportunities to be alone with him. Besides the wedding night when they had no choice but to be together, the only other time was when he was drunk and held her hand, calling out 'Ning An'.
It was then that she realized there was a woman in her husband's heart. However, she had sent people to search, but found no news of any girl named Ning An, as if she had never existed.
But since that time, Shen Yun Xuan had never uttered that name again, as if it were just a slip of the tongue.
"Sister, Lord Shen is wholeheartedly devoted to the court, which is understandable. But you cannot blame him for it."
"Sister, I did not..."
"Sister, think it through. If Lord Shen were to touch your sister, I dare say you would regret it even more than you do now," said Madame Xiao Min.
How could Madame Zhou not know? She was already incredibly jealous hearing that Wan Zhu had watched Shen Yun Xuan leave from the doorway. If she knew Shen Yun Xuan had touched her, she would surely fly into a jealous rage.
"Sister, you must think carefully about this. Sister does not approve. Unless Lord Shen himself requests it, you can pretend you do not know."
"But will outsiders not say I am jealous?"
Madame Xiao Min smiled upon hearing this, "Sister, your mother-in-law is not present. Who would know? Besides, what are you afraid of? You have already considered the worst-case scenario, what else is there to fear?"
Madame Zhou's heart suddenly felt much lighter.
"Sister, after hearing what you said, I feel much better," Madame Zhou finally revealed a long-lost smile.
Madame Xiao Min took Madame Zhou's hand and patted it, "Sister, think more about yourself. Although we cannot establish ourselves in our husband's family without our own families, we might not fare well in our own families without our husbands. This is the reality for married women."
Madame Zhou nodded, "Sister, I understand."
"Madam... Madam..." A voice suddenly called from outside the door. Madame Zhou, hearing it was Hong Yan, quickly asked, "What is it?"
Hong Yan said urgently, "Miss Shi and Miss Sun are fighting."
Madame Xiao Min almost lost her footing. Madame Zhou got up from the bed and helped her, "Sister, don't worry." Then Madame Zhou instructed Hong Yan, "Make sure to protect Miss Shi."
"Yes, Madam."
Madame Xiao Min wished she could run there instantly. Madame Zhou was also anxious. This Sun Wan Zhu was truly causing her trouble. Why was she arguing with a child?
When they arrived, they saw Sun Wan Zhu clutching her chest and crying profusely, while the little one stood with her hands on her hips, saying with disbelief, "Why are you crying? You're so big, and yet you're more delicate than me."
"Xing Xing..." Madame Xiao Min was so angry she was about to lose her temper. She rushed forward and hugged the little one, her heart still pounding.
Madame Zhou looked at Sun Wan Zhu's torn collar with disbelief. She had thought Sun Wan Zhu had bullied the little one, but she never expected the little one to be unharmed.
"What happened?" a voice inquired, causing everyone present to be surprised.
A man in official attire looked at the scene before him. Madame Zhou, seeing him, hurried forward, "My Lord."
Shen Yun Xuan nodded, reached out to support her, and whispered, "You should go out more. Your complexion looks much better today."
Madame Zhou's heart leaped upon hearing this, and she looked up to ask, "Really?"
Shen Yun Xuan replied affirmatively.
"Oh, Madam Shi is here." Madame Zhou turned to look at Madame Xiao Min.
Madame Xiao Min stepped forward and curtsied, "Lord Shen."
Shen Yun Xuan nodded and his gaze fell upon the child in Madame Xiao Min's arms. He paused slightly, realizing why Madame Zhou had been praising her. Indeed, she was a very lovely child, possessing a subtle, indescribable aura.
Seeing Shen Yun Xuan's somewhat distant gaze, Xue Xing Yue knew he did not recognize her.
"Sister..." Sun Wan Zhu, seeing that she was being ignored, could not help but speak.
Madame Zhou then remembered Sun Wan Zhu was also there and signaled to Hong Yan. Hong Yan walked over to help Sun Wan Zhu up and said, "Miss Sun, you must be careful when you walk. It wouldn't be good if you fell, what if you got disfigured?"
"Sister, I..."
"Alright, Hong Yan, help Miss Sun back to rest." Madame Zhou least wanted to see Sun Wan Zhu at this moment.
Sun Wan Zhu did not want to leave, but she was no match for Hong Yan's strength and was forcefully dragged away.
"Since Madam Shi is here, you can chat with her. I'm going to the study," Shen Yun Xuan said.
Madame Zhou nodded, "Alright, I'll call you for dinner."
Shen Yun Xuan replied, "Okay."
Madame Zhou was overjoyed. It had been a long time since she had spoken so much with him.
After Shen Yun Xuan left, Madame Xiao Min walked over and whispered, "See, your Lord Shen has no such intentions at all. You have made a fuss over nothing."
Madame Zhou nodded, "Yes, Sister is right. Tomorrow I will have someone send her back."
"Yes, you did the right thing," Madame Xiao Min agreed.
Madame Zhou looked at the little one in Madame Xiao Min's arms and said, "I wonder when I will be able to conceive."
"What's the rush? You've only been married half a year. Take your time."