Shen Zhou couldn’t hold back when he heard that. He clasped Wen Ning’s hand and stepped across the threshold.
Startled, Wen Ning instinctively tried to pull away, but Shen Zhou tightened his grip. “Why hide?”
Truth be told, he was nervous too. The girl’s palm was soft, like a piece of tender tofu—he was afraid he might crush it if he held too tightly.
Wen Ning glanced at him and realized he was trying to stand up for her. So she played along, looping her arm through his and leaning close, her voice sweet and obedient: “Heir, you’re so kind.”
Shen Zhou’s face flushed crimson. He bent his head and whispered a reminder: “This act… isn’t it a bit much?”
Wen Ning clung tighter. “Not at all. Not one bit.”
Shen Zhou struggled in vain, muttering under his breath: “What did you eat to have such strength?”
Madam Xu’s sharp eyes immediately spotted the pair as they entered and called out loudly: “Ning girl, you’re back?”
Her gaze fell on Shen Zhou, and her expression shifted at once. Hadn’t people said he wasted his time in brothels and had no interest in Wen Ning? But looking at the indulgent warmth in his eyes—how could anyone believe there wasn’t something between them?
The longer Madam Xu looked, the angrier she became. Song Yan might be decent-looking, but compared to Shen Zhou, he was nothing.
Today, Shen Zhou wore a dark silk robe, a fine jade pendant at his waist. Tall and elegant, though still young, he already carried the faint authority of the capital’s nobility. His features were refined and noble, his brows and eyes like starlight scattered across the night sky—radiant and dazzling.
Such a man would shine wherever he stood.
Madam Xu bit down hard. That foolish Wen Qing—truly throwing away a watermelon to pick up a sesame seed. How could that pauper Song Yan ever compare to Shen Zhou?
Shen Zhou stepped forward, offered a proper bow, and ordered the servants to unload the gifts entrusted by Madam Xu. He even remembered to inquire after the health of Wen Zheng and his wife.
Wen Ning had thought him a spoiled young master, but seeing how steady he was in handling matters, she was surprised.
Madam Xu nearly shredded the handkerchief hidden in her sleeve. Forcing down her fury, she said: “Thank you for your trouble, Heir. This Ning girl has never been easy to manage since childhood—she must have caused you no end of trouble, hasn’t she?”
Madam Xu said coldly, “If this girl doesn’t behave, you may beat or scold her as you please. If it truly doesn’t work, you can even send her back.”
A flicker of disgust passed through Shen Zhou’s eyes, though his face betrayed nothing. Looking at Wen Ning, his voice was low, gentle, and tender. “Madam Wen jests. Ah Ning is clever—I cherish and respect her, how could I ever bear to scold her?”
“You’re lying!” Wen Qing suddenly shrieked hysterically. “The one you love is that courtesan from the brothel, not Wen Ning!”
In her past life, Shen Zhou had never accompanied Wen Qing back to her family. Why should Wen Ning deserve it now?
Shen Zhou’s fine brows knit slightly, just as he was about to speak, Wen Ning stepped in front of him. Her voice was soft and delicate, yet firm.
“Wen Qing, mind your words. To slander the Heir’s reputation—do you mean for Song Yan to sacrifice his future for you?”
Wen Ning knew Wen Qing had been spoiled since childhood. The only one who could rein her in was Song Yan. She was still hoping to become his wife once he ranked first in the imperial exams.
Sure enough, Song Yan spoke up: “Heir, forgive her. Wen Qing is young and ignorant, speaking nonsense. Please don’t take offense.”
Shen Zhou raised a brow, his deep voice tinged with anger: “Of course I won’t hold it against her—but I will hold it against you. If Young Master Song cannot even manage the women of his household, if the family discipline is lax and chaos brews, then even if you enter the court, you’ll only bring disaster. Better to go home and farm!”
Wen Qing pointed at Shen Zhou furiously. “You—”
“Silence!” Song Yan barked. He bowed to Shen Zhou. “Heir’s admonition is just. I will remember it.”
Shen Zhou, unwilling to linger, lowered his head to ask Wen Ning softly if she wanted to go out.
The girl’s eyes lit up at once. “C-can I?”
He took her out. Today, he had arranged to meet his friends Zhou Zilang and Xuan Du at the teahouse, and now seemed the perfect chance to introduce Wen Ning.
But Shen Zhou never expected his two friends would frighten her.
Wen Ning sat nervously on a small stool, fingers twisting, while the two men exclaimed in unison:
“Good heavens!”
“Shen Zhou, you must have died for the country in your past life to deserve this!”
Curious, Wen Ning looked at them. Zhou Zilang leaned closer, scrutinizing her, then asked: “You’re the Wen family’s eldest daughter, Wen Ning?”
She nodded. Zhou Zilang’s eyes nearly popped out, his tone incredulous.
“Shen Zhou, with this face, you still thought of divorcing her?”
Wen Ning: “???”
Shen Zhou pressed his brow, regretting bringing her out at all.
Zhou Zilang pressed on: “Shen Zhou, are you even a man? Sister Wen Ning is so beautiful, and you wanted to cast her aside?”
Wen Ning’s clear eyes widened in hurt, her mood sinking. “So the Heir truly wished to divorce me…”
Shen Zhou snapped irritably: “Don’t listen to him.”
But Zhou Zilang persisted: “Sister Wen Ning, could you call me ‘brother’? My greatest wish is to have a sweet, obedient little sister like you.”
Shen Zhou sneered. “Stop taking advantage!”
Yet to his shock, Wen Ning tilted her head, dimples showing, and sweetly called out: “Brother Zilang.”
Shen Zhou froze.
Xuan Du quickly followed: “And me too.”
Wen Ning’s voice was soft and gentle. “Brother Xuan Du.”
Shen Zhou looked at his friends, his heart sour and aching. The little girl had no conscience! After marrying him, she only ever called him “Heir”—polite and distant. But to others, she was warm and affectionate, her lips sweetly calling “brother” again and again. Not once had she called him “brother” to his face.
Zhou Zilang was practically wagging his tail with delight. He thumped his chest and promised: “Sister Wen Ning, if Shen Zhou bullies you, tell me. I’ll stand up for you!”
Shen Zhou gave him a look reserved for fools. “Do you think that’s even possible?”
But Wen Ning spoke again, her voice soft and sugary, obedient and pleasant. “Alright, Brother Zilang.”
Shen Zhou: …Should I just leave???