Chapter 38: I’m Here to Watch the Show. Do I Not Even Get a Seat for Watching the Show Now?

“I want to ask brother-in-law to please keep today’s matter a secret for me, don’t tell others… Don’t tell others that I hid in the garden and cried quietly.”

She spoke with some awkwardness, as if crying was a very embarrassing thing for a woman. After she finished speaking, she looked at Meng Huan with expectant eyes.

Seeing her display a ‘delicate woman’ side, Meng Huan agreed without a second thought, “Don’t worry! I definitely won’t say anything!”

Then he pointed to the nearby pavilion, gesturing if she wanted to sit there for a while and chat.

Wen Zhibai naturally had no objections. She rubbed her face and walked over first, but didn’t sit down immediately. Instead, she used a handkerchief to wipe the bench opposite her, showing meticulous care in every detail.

Meng Huan secretly felt pleased. This was how a woman should be, unlike Wen Zhaoyin who acted like a big shot all day, wanting people to serve her for everything, domineering and dictatorial.

“Actually, you don’t need to call me brother-in-law. Others may not know, but you should know, right? Your cousin hasn’t even given me a proper title. You can just call me Meng Huan.”

Hearing him say this, Wen Zhibai’s expression involuntarily stiffened, but she hid it well and wasn’t noticed as abnormal.

They already had a child and were so affectionate, yet she hadn’t given him a title? What exactly was her cousin planning?

Perhaps according to normal people’s thinking, those who aren’t important wouldn’t be given a title. But her cousin wasn’t a normal person and never took the conventional path. What seemed unimportant was probably the most important.

Wen Zhibai had never seen Wen Zhaoyin’s previous legal husband, so she didn’t know how similar Meng Huan’s appearance was to him. That’s why her guess was a bit off.

“Then, then I won’t stand on ceremony, Meng Huan.”

The latter laughed and nodded repeatedly upon hearing this. “Calling me that is fine! Being called brother-in-law feels quite awkward. By the way, is it convenient to say why you were crying? If you’re facing difficulties, you can tell your cousin, don’t bear it alone.”

Meng Huan said these words naturally without much thought. Even he himself didn’t know why he stayed behind to say these things to her.

Perhaps people always want to spend more time with beautiful people? He thought this way and added in his heart that a domineering beauty like Wen Zhaoyin was too much to handle.

The corners of Wen Zhibai’s mouth lifted into a smile. The redness from crying earlier had mostly disappeared, and her complexion had returned to its previous paleness.

“It’s not a big deal, I was just told by a few aunts that I’m relying on others and clinging to power and influence. I’m still too proud and can’t let go of it in my heart.”

“They say a woman’s tears shouldn’t be shed lightly. I’m really too weak. It’s understandable that the aunts don’t approve of me. I just hope my cousin won’t overthink it…”

What’s the big deal about a woman crying? Meng Huan quickly comforted her after hearing her words, “Where there’s a sun, there’s a moon. The alternation of sun and moon makes a day. People are the same. You can’t always be strong. You need to be a little vulnerable sometimes. There’s nothing wrong with crying.”

“Why can’t women cry? Everyone has the right to cry. It’s perfectly normal to cry when you’re sad. Besides, you’re so beautiful, you look good even when crying.”

After he said this, Wen Xi jabbed him from behind. He turned his head and glared back, not understanding what Wen Xi was doing. He was just complimenting a beauty, was that not allowed?

Wen Xi felt a bit distressed. As the man of the head of the household, how could the young master so blatantly praise another young woman? It was too improper. If the head of the household found out, the young master would be in trouble.

He had already hinted at the young master, but the young master still didn’t listen and continued chatting with Madam Wen. He really didn’t think his life was too long.

Madam Wen was also at fault. She actually spoke so warmly with her cousin’s concubine, completely disregarding the propriety between men and women. Didn’t she know that if others found out, it would affect the reputation of the head of the household and the young master?

“Meng Huan truly has a unique perspective. I haven’t seen such a special man like you before. No wonder my cousin likes you.” Wen Zhibai smiled radiantly, adding a touch of vitality to her sickly pale countenance.

As soon as he was complimented, Meng Huan felt a bit smug and spoke without restraint, “I don’t want her to like me.”

This brother-in-law was really bold and daring to speak. How could a concubine dislike his wife? Even if he didn’t like her, he couldn’t say it out loud. Wen Zhibai smiled without speaking after hearing this, already having a plan in mind.

“You really speak your mind, but remember, you can say it in front of me, but you can’t say it in front of others, otherwise… Hehe.” She lowered her head and laughed.

Meng Huan didn’t think there was anything inappropriate, but hearing her say this, he didn’t continue the topic.

The two of them talked for a while longer. It was unknown how they managed to chat despite the different era’s concepts, but in the end, he was quite happy.

Wen Xi had always worked in the Wen manor and had a strong sense of belonging to the Wen family. He stood beside them listening to their conversation the whole time. Although there weren’t any particularly inappropriate words, it just felt uncomfortable to hear.

His heart felt a bit chaotic, and he couldn’t sort out his thoughts for a moment. He could only put aside this feeling for now and support Meng Huan to leave the garden with some wariness.

After they walked far away, Wen Xi looked back and found that there was no one around. He then whispered in Meng Huan’s ear, “Young master, men shouldn’t meet with women in private. Madam Wen is only temporarily staying in the manor, but she’s still an outsider. Your status is special, so it’s not appropriate for you to talk to her often.”

“So… Next time we see her, we can just nod and greet her.”

Meng Huan didn’t take his suggestion to heart and instead said, “When one’s conduct is upright, one need not fear the shadow cast by the sun. If there’s nothing to it, why be afraid of talking together for a few words?”

“You people here are too feudal. Can’t men and women even spend too much time alone together? Ridiculous.”

“Young master…”

“Alright, you’re the only one nagging all day. I’ll be more careful next time, okay?”

He could see that Wen Xi was just a worrywart, constantly fretting about this and that in his ear, saying what couldn’t be done, which was annoying. But although he was a bit troublesome, he truly had Meng Huan’s best interests in mind.

Wen Xi was all smiles, and even his steps became lighter as he steadily supported Meng Huan back to Qingzhu Courtyard.

He thought that there would be no more issues after returning to rest, but unexpectedly, news came from the front that Wen Zhaoyin had started arguing with someone.

It wasn’t specifically with anyone, but she had a dispute with all the people who came from the Wen family. The banquet had just started not long ago, but the guests had already left in droves.

Zu Jun didn’t intervene and waited for Meng Huan in the back courtyard. Unable to wait any longer, he directly sent someone to find him in Qingzhu Courtyard, and found him in one go.

Seeing him arriving late, Zu Jun didn’t even scold him. He directly pointed at Wang Gui to lead him to the front hall, saying that he wanted him to persuade Wen Zhaoyin.

“Talking about dividing the family, she’s a member of the Wen family, why divide the family? This old man doesn’t care what method you use, whether it’s yourself or the child in your belly, hurry and persuade Zhaoyin to abandon this idea!”

He was truly desperate, knowing that his daughter was stubborn, yet asking a man who couldn’t even be considered a concubine to persuade her. It was a helpless move.

Zu Jun really couldn’t understand. With such good days, how could his daughter suddenly insist on dividing the family? Could it be that someone had used witchcraft on her?

Meng Huan hadn’t even heard clearly before he was led by Wang Gui to the front, who kept instilling in his ear that they couldn’t divide the family, that the various branches of the Wen family were one body, and that they would be doomed if they separated.

Listening to it until his head was spinning, he also understood a bit. Wen Zhaoyin suddenly wanted to divide today, but the others didn’t want to. Zu Jun was also on the side of not wanting to divide, so he sent him to persuade her.

“Who can I persuade? Don’t count on me.”

Wang Gui hadn’t interacted with him on a daily basis and had only heard that he had an eccentric personality. After a brief interaction, he already felt very uncomfortable. Where in the world was there such a rogue-like man? It was truly unbelievable. He didn’t know what the head of the household saw in him.

Seeing that Meng Huan was uncooperative, he threatened, “The head of the household said she wants to make you a concubine, but after all, your background is here. To become a concubine, you still need to pass Zu Jun’s test, so I hope you will do your best to handle the matter Zu Jun has instructed.”

Meng Huan was about to say that he didn’t even care about being a concubine when Wang Gui gave him a not-too-light push, causing him to cross the threshold and enter the front hall.

Wen Xi angrily glared back at Wang Gui, but the next second, sensing the tense atmosphere in the front hall, he turned his head back and lowered it, supporting Meng Huan as they slowly walked forward.

Although they said they had started arguing here, everyone was a person of power and considered face, so there weren’t any overly intense scenes. At most, some people had angry expressions.

Wen Zhaoyin sat in the main seat, unhurriedly pouring tea. “What are all the aunts getting angry about? The path I walk is not the same as everyone else’s anyway. Even if I separate, it won’t affect anyone, right?”

On the surface, it seemed that way, but behind the scenes, these people could borrow quite a bit of assistance from her, so none of them wanted her to separate independently.

She had the idea of dividing the family for more than a day or two. The Empress had spoken with her a few days ago. Although she didn’t say it explicitly, her words were very clear.

To be a loyal minister and be valued, one couldn’t have too many entanglements.

Separating the family on the surface was undoubtedly the best response to the Empress. With today’s experience of Wen Zhibai serving as a warning to her, she suddenly made this ‘foolish’ decision that others couldn’t understand.

Admiring the expression of righteous indignation on most people’s faces, her gaze swept over the back door and saw Wen Xi supporting Meng Huan standing there. She was suddenly stunned.

Did he come to persuade her following his father’s arrangement?

For some reason, her mood suddenly became a bit unclear.

Seeing that she had noticed him, Meng Huan no longer stood awkwardly in place and walked towards her.

Wen Zhaoyin watched him approach at her leisure, slightly relaxing her brows and eyes, wanting to hear how he would persuade her and if it would be any different from others.

After waiting for a while, he only asked, “Where do I sit?”

Huh? He came to persuade her and still wanted a seat? Wen Zhaoyin shook her head. “There’s no seat. Just say what you want to say and let me hear if you have any novel way of persuasion.”

Meng Huan glanced around and felt a bit uncomfortable being stared at by everyone. He could only say, “Can I persuade you, my wife? I’m just here to watch the show.”

“Since you have already made a decision, regardless of whether others think it’s right or wrong, it must have been carefully considered. I, who knows nothing, should be the last to meddle.”

After saying this, he observed her expression and found that she actually seemed a bit dazed. What was going on? Could it be that she was dissatisfied with what he said and still wanted him to put on an act and persuade her?

Just as he was hesitating, Wen Zhaoyin grabbed his hand. From the smile on her face, it could be seen that her mood had suddenly improved. What was the situation?

“Huan Huan understands me,” she said.

“Go back and rest. After I resolve the matters here, I’ll return to accompany you,” she added.