It took Wen Ning a great deal of effort to finally rouse Shen Zhou from bed.
As the two were eating breakfast, Duchess Xu sent word.
On the seventh day of next month, it would be Shen Shen’s birthday, and they were to donate incense money.
Bodhi Temple? Wen Ning paused before realizing. In her previous life, she had also gone there—but at that time, it was to pray for Song Yan’s success in the imperial examinations.
Back then, with the exams approaching, Song Yan buried himself in study day and night, and her mother-in-law pitied him. Every morning before dawn, her mother-in-law made her rise to brew restorative soup for Song Yan, and also sent Wen Ning to Bodhi Temple to draw a lot for him.
She remembered that during that visit, she happened to encounter the Shen family army setting out.
With war imminent, Duchess Xu had donated a large sum of incense money to Bodhi Temple and prayed for protective charms for the soldiers.
Indeed, without the Shen army, the Chen dynasty would not have enjoyed the peace it has enjoyed in recent years.
Unfortunately, at the time, Wen Ning had been too focused on praying for Song Yan and missed the chance to witness the Shen army’s grandeur.
Thinking of military campaigns, Wen Ning recalled another matter.
That particular war had not been difficult to fight, but because supplies were cut off midway, what should have been a three-month campaign dragged into six.
The common people were left displaced, suffering bitterly.
Wen Ning fell silent. Now that she had been reborn—if she could glimpse a bit of Heaven’s will, perhaps she could help those suffering people?
“Madam, let’s go.” Shen Zhou packed her things and urged her to set out.
The little girl was quite delicate—going out required an umbrella, flower tea, and fruit pastries.
After fussing for half the morning, Shen Zhou looked at the packed pastry box with a surprising sense of accomplishment. Neither of them expected to run into acquaintances at Bodhi Temple.
Wen Qing and Song Yan had also come to offer incense.
The last time Wen Ning saw them, Wen Qing had been furious over Song Yan’s plan to take Liu’er as a concubine, storming back to her mother’s house. Yet in just a few days, the two were clinging to each other again.
Wen Ning was about to pretend not to see them and take another path, but Wen Qing called out to her.
“Elder Sister and Heir have also come to offer incense?”
Though Wen Qing had been angry last time, Song Yan had quickly chased her back to the Wen household.
In her past life, whenever Wen Qing ran back to her mother’s house, Shen Zhou never paid her any attention. Either Duchess Xu went to fetch her back, or she returned on her own, ashamed and defeated.
But Song Yan was different. He chased her to the Wen household and solemnly explained himself. He said the only reason he had acted that way was because the imperial exams were near, and he feared Liu’er might spread rumors that could ruin his future. Seeing him so earnest, Wen Qing’s anger had already melted away by more than half. She only reproached him: why did he have to touch Liu’er at all?
Song Yan himself could hardly explain. He had been quietly studying at home, and somehow—like struck by some evil influence—he had done such a foolish thing.
Wen Qing remembered that Liu’er had been bought from a brothel by her mother, deliberately to spite Wen Ning. It seemed Liu’er, upon seeing her handsome husband, had developed improper thoughts. At that, Wen Qing’s lowered eyes flashed with a hint of murderous intent.
Feigning shyness, she nestled into Song Yan’s arms and complained softly, “Yanlang, are you sure you’re not lying to me?”
Song Yan knew Madam Xu had always doted on this daughter. If the matter blew up, he would be in serious trouble. He nearly swore an oath to Heaven. “Qingqing, don’t worry. In my heart, there’s only you. Even if I take her in, I will never touch her.”
Only then did Wen Qing agree to return with him. And in the following days, Song Yan truly acted as he had promised. Though he had accepted Liu’er, he never once stepped into her room. Thus, the couple lived peacefully for a time.
Song Yan spent every day in Wen Qing’s chamber, but her belly showed no sign of life.
Madam Song had long been dissatisfied with this daughter-in-law. If not for Wen Qing being Wen Zheng’s legitimate daughter, Madam Song would never have tolerated her.
All day she ate and lazed, clinging to her husband, her mind full of frivolous things, never considering that Song Yan was about to face the imperial exams. How could such a woman be worthy of her son?
But Song Yan reminded her that Wen Qing’s father was a respected official at court. If he himself entered government service, he would surely need his father-in-law’s support. Only then did Madam Song restrain herself.
Yet the previous night, when Wen Qing was changing her clothes, Madam Song caught sight of her undergarments and couldn’t resist mocking her. “I hear the Bodhisattva at Bodhi Temple is very efficacious. Tomorrow you and Yan’er should go together—pray for his success in the exams, and also ask the Bodhisattva to bless your belly, so you can give us a grandson sooner.”
Wen Qing was both ashamed and angry, but she dared not defy Madam Song. Early the next morning, she dragged Song Yan to Bodhi Temple. She hadn’t expected Shen Zhou to be there as well, accompanying Wen Ning. Jealousy flickered in her eyes as she looked at Wen Ning. In just a few days, Wen Ning’s phoenix hairpins, jewelry, and gowns were even more luxurious than before.
Clearly, Shen Zhou loved Qiao Yanxin—so why was Wen Ning living so well? Every time she saw them together, Shen Zhou seemed attentive and caring toward Wen Ning.
Wen Qing couldn’t understand—where had things gone wrong? But what she didn’t know was that at that very moment, her own husband Song Yan was also gazing at Wen Ning.
In just a few days, she seemed even more beautiful. Today she wore a pink peach-blossom dress, the gauzy skirt bright and vivid, making her fair skin look even more delicate and flawless. The fine tailoring of the gown accentuated her graceful figure, all the more captivating.
Song Yan glanced back at his wife. Though Wen Qing was pretty enough, compared to Wen Ning, she fell far short.
If he hadn’t coveted Wen Qing’s status as a legitimate daughter back then, would the one standing beside Wen Ning today have been himself?
Shen Zhou noticed Song Yan’s distraction. Without a word, he shielded the little girl behind him, tall and imposing, blocking her from view. With a smile that didn’t reach his eyes, he said, “So it’s Young Master Song. What’s this? Not at home studying for the exams, and still have the mood to wander about?”
Shen Zhou could be rude to him, but Song Yan could not afford to be rude back. “Greetings, Heir. With the exams approaching, my mother asked my wife and me to come to the temple today, simply to ease our hearts.”
Shen Zhou stood half a head taller, looking down at him with deliberate pressure. “If you’re foolish, then read more books. Don’t just think about clutching at Buddha’s feet at the last moment.”
Wen Qing immediately bristled at this. “Shen Zhou, what do you mean…”
“Qingqing, be quiet.” Song Yan ground his teeth, forcing down his emotions.
This Shen Zhou was too arrogant. One day, he would repay this humiliation. But not now. He lowered his head and said, “I will remember your teaching.” With that, he led Wen Qing away.
Watching their retreating figures, Wen Ning said disapprovingly, “Heir, why did you deliberately provoke him?”
Shen Zhou touched his nose, feigning ignorance. “Did I?”
Seeing his act, Wen Ning pretended to be angry. “Are you treating me like a fool?”
Noticing her displeasure, Shen Zhou didn’t get angry. Instead, he pulled her into his arms, patiently coaxing her. “Because he was looking at you.”
Wen Ning was incredulous. “He only glanced at me, and you get this angry? Then, when I go out in the future, should I wear a veil and a bamboo hat?”
She had meant it as a joke, but Shen Zhou took it seriously. He lifted his gaze to her, smiling boldly, wickedly charming. “That would be fine too.”
Wen Ning froze instantly.
Shen Zhou—you really are a dog!