The husband I snatched halfway through his life is strange.

Snowflakes fluttered against the window, the cold wind blew, scattering the snow on the plum branches and startling the clear sound of the bronze bells inside the hall.

The capital city, the imperial palace.

The Empress Dowager looked at Shen Jin opposite her and earnestly advised, "I called you here not for any other reason. I heard from the Empress that you have declined the New Year's Eve palace banquet again and do not wish to attend."

Shen Jin only poured her a cup of tea, her voice cold: "Please don't make things difficult for me, sir."

What does it mean to be in a difficult position?

The Empress Dowager laughed in exasperation.

"Your palace is deserted and quiet. Apart from a few red lanterns hanging in the Imperial Household Department, it doesn't look like it's New Year's at all."

"But you don't want to see your father and brother?"

"You can keep this to yourself. They are certainly hateful, but right now, in front of you, they can only obediently pay their respects. They are not on the banquet guest list, and even if they were, they would only be seated at the very end."

What right does the Shen family have to be invited to the banquet?

The list included not only imperial relatives but also important officials of the court.

Gu Fuju was not qualified, but Jiashan was able to come, but only because of the Empress Dowager's influence.

Shen Jin lowered her eyes.

She wasn't afraid to see the Shen family.

If I really had to calculate, I would indeed be afraid to see just one person.

However, it's all in the past, and... there's nothing worth seeing.

She was a concubine, while he was incredibly powerful and influential. If the family were to find him a new wife later, they would surely have a happy marriage.

We've been on completely different paths for a long time.

If one of the two people is doing well, it is a blessing from heaven.

"Ajin."

The Empress Dowager was very troubled when she saw that she didn't speak.

"Do you know why I was named the new empress after the late empress passed away?"

Shen Jin's lips moved slightly: "You have no children and no family to support you, so you don't need to be feared by the late emperor. The new emperor is registered under your name, but he is not your biological son, so he cannot be truly worthy of your affection."

Queen Mother:…

Don't you know a lot?

She glared at Shen Jin with annoyance.

"I have no children. The emperor calls me Empress Dowager, and the imperial grandson calls me Imperial Grandmother, but they are not my blood relatives. In this palace, you are the one I am closest to."

Shen Jin remained silent.

So why isn't she?

Shen Jin: "Knowing that you are afraid of the cold, I sewed a warm coat using mugwort from the southern mountains and cotton from the northern lands. I forgot to bring it because I came in a hurry this time, but I will ask the maid in the palace to bring it to me later."

"If anything is not right, I'll adjust the size later."

Shen Jin then looked at the nanny beside the Empress Dowager and gently instructed, "Tomorrow is New Year's Eve, and there will be many more ladies offering toasts. The Empress Dowager has just recovered from her cough, but she is fond of drinking. You must keep a close eye on her and make sure she doesn't drink."

Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager sighed: "Really not going?"

"Since you entered the palace, how many years has it been since you last showed your face in public? You usually only come to pay your respects to me when you go out. I know you don't like crowds, but could you please keep me company?"

Staying in the palace all the time, without anyone you can talk to, will make you sick.

We can't just endure this forever, can we?
"Don't go."

Queen Mother:…

I can't persuade them.

It's like casting pearls before swine.

You weren't like this before.

She still remembered that before Shen Jin entered the palace, he and Jia Shan were quite a handful.

Shen Jin: "I'm getting old."

Empress Dowager: "Then I..."

Shen Jin: "Even older."

Queen Mother:…

Okay, okay, I'll call you over here to annoy me.

"Go, go, go back to your palace!"

Shen Jin stood up and bowed respectfully: "Thank you, Empress Dowager."

The Empress Dowager watched her retreating figure and slammed her hand on the table in anger.

"He may not be troublesome, but his temper is still just as bad. Look at him, he's even trying to control me."

The old nanny said from the side, "Master Shen is showing you respect."

"Does this old servant know about that jacket? Master Shen sewed it for over a month. The embroidery and stitches are impeccable, even surpassing those of the palace embroiderers."

The Empress Dowager stood up, her expression turning indifferent.

"Is this some good news?"

"Among those who have endured hardship in this harem, I am still fortunate. Outside the palace, at least there is Jia Shan Xu Ran. What does she have?"

"Look at her, where is the radiance she had before she got married? She's cold and aloof, without a trace of human warmth."

"I want to help her out."

"But she refused."

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

The palace path is not easy to walk on and is slippery.

Shen Jin walked very carefully.

New snow added to the old snow, and the palace path had long since covered the traces of those who had walked before.

One step and you'll sink right up to your ankle.

She didn't stop and kept walking. By the time she returned to the palace, it was already dark.

My shoes and socks were already soaked.

My feet were numb from the cold.

In fact, Shen Jin only needed to give an order, and servants would shovel snow to clear the way.

Rather than saying Shen Jin was unwilling to make a big fuss, it would be more accurate to say that she didn't care about her own health.

"Miss."

The palace servants who were serving inside the hall came forward to greet them.

"Master Shen fell this morning and had a doctor examine him. The doctor said it was nothing serious and prescribed some medicated oil. But by evening, the pain had become severe, making it difficult for him to even get out of bed. I'm afraid he has injured something. Madam Shen is extremely anxious and sent word to ask you to help fetch a royal physician."

Master Shen is Shen Jin's father.

Madam Shen is her mother.

It's ridiculous.

Shen Jin: "Last time, Yi-jie caught a cold and didn't get better for a long time. When I found out, I was worried and specially asked the imperial physician to make a trip."

She sought out the imperial physician because she was worried about Shen Zhiyi.

The Shen family probably thinks that she is trying to reconcile with them and break the ice in this way.

beg?
She did beg for it back then.

I've been kowtowing so much my head is practically bleeding.

But who cares about her life or death?

The father was only interested in his career and was willing to sell his daughter for personal gain.

"What are you dissatisfied with?"

"That's an emperor!"

"You have no choice but to obey! This is an immense blessing that will bring glory to our family!"

"I've toiled in the court for twenty years, and this is the last step I've taken! I've raised you for so many years, it's time you changed your future for me!"

Where's the mother?
She cried and said she had no other choice.

Let her accept her fate.

"Jin'er, your mother has tried to persuade him, but your father won't listen, and your grandfather also... Your mother knows you're upset. The emperor is getting old, and you've been wronged."

"But think about it on the bright side. Entering the palace as a concubine is a privilege and glory that others can only dream of. You are young and beautiful. If you gain the emperor's favor, as a daughter of the Shen family, you must remember to help your family." "Listen to your father. People in the palace are unpredictable. If you want things to go well, you need your family to take care of things and help you. Only when your family is doing well can you do well."

Perhaps he genuinely had good intentions for her.

But... what Mother cared about more were Father and Brother.

They should know better than anyone that asking for this word is useless.

"do you died?"

Palace slave: "...No."

Shen Jin smiled, but there was no hint of amusement in her eyes: "Why are you bothering me with such a trivial matter?"

Her voice turned cold.

"It's not too late to announce the death after someone has died."

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

The sunlight, like ink splashed on rice paper, is hidden in the darkness.

Shen Jinyue's matter came in the middle of the night.

She never slept soundly, and woke up when she felt a warmth beneath her.

She rarely comes in the middle of the night.

Apart from this time, it was many years ago in my memory.

That time...

A look of disbelief flashed across Shen Jin's eyes.

On that occasion, when Wei's army returned to the capital, it coincided with the Lantern Festival. The city was not under curfew at night and was brightly lit.

After Wei Fengyuan finished his duties at the palace, he met her at the restaurant.

Old friends reunited.

Wei Fengyuan listened to her rambling complaints for a long time.

She also inquired about Wei Fengyuan's injuries sustained at the border.

They genuinely care.

After all, the injured area is quite sensitive.

If a perfectly healthy man gets injured in that area, he'll become half a eunuch and have to call her his sister.

Wei Fengyuan laughed in anger, directly revealing the truth.

"Who wants to be your sister? Do you think I'm just bored and send you letters every month without fail? Even my brother doesn't get that treatment."

"Shen Jin, what do you think of me?"

"I'm not trying to settle for you. Can I put it more clearly? I want to have a long future with you."

She was terrified.

But it's undeniable.

I was happy inside.

A young woman like her wouldn't dare to reveal her feelings to others, nor would she want him to see through them; her pride also made it impossible for her to agree immediately.

She tried her best to remain calm and met Wei Fengyuan's eyes.

"I see."

"That was so sudden."

And her stubbornness.

"This puts me in a rather awkward position."

"How about this, let me think about it?"

Wei Fengyuan stared at her intently at that moment.

—"How long will you consider it?"

—"Wait for my message."

"You have to give me a definite answer, right? I'm in a hurry."

He was really anxious.

They broke into the Shen family home that very night.

Just then, Shen Jin had her period that night, so she got up to change and the lights in the room were turned on.

Before she could even call someone to bring her some hot water...

Suddenly, there were two knocking sounds from the window.

--"who?"

--"I."

Shen Jin: ?
"You're coming over so late at night to have a drink with me?"

"I wanted to ask you what your decision is."

With a creak, the window was pushed open, and he jumped in.

Shen Jin: ? ? ?
No!

She was still an unmarried girl, wearing only her nightgown, and took a step back in surprise.

"Why did you barge in like that?"

"I understand your answer."

Wei Fengyuan was no longer as sharp as he had been in the military camp; his eyes were smiling.
"Miss Shen tossed and turned all night because of me."

Wouldn't that solve the problem?

"I don't follow those formalities."

He realized something was wrong as soon as he finished speaking.

Shen Jin's face turned bright red.

There was also a faint smell of blood in the air.

In the end, the man fled in panic, and she really couldn't sleep at night.

Thinking back on the past.

Shen Jin closed her eyes tightly.

She was the last person she wanted to think about at night.

The long night is ultimately more agonizing than the day.

Shen Jin got up, sat up straight without rushing, lit the lamp, and went to the wardrobe to find the menstrual pad.

Just then, there was a noise from the window.

— "Knock knock"

Shen Jin looked over and saw that the moonlight was cold and clear, making the window paper look pale.

There was no one in sight.

She thought she had misheard.

Ignored it.

But then the sound came again, one sound, then two, distinctly clear in the still night.

It's like the gentle tapping of an old friend's fingertips.

She was a light sleeper, and the servants below dared not do so.

For some reason, Shen Jin's heart was pounding.

It felt absurd and unbelievable.

She stood there, stunned.

The hand gripping the menstrual belt was tightening, and the ten fingers turned white.

She heard someone calling her.

"Ajin."

The moonlight cast Wei Fengyuan's shadow long. Receiving no response, he raised and lowered his fingertips several times before finally tapping twice more, his voice heavy with the bitterness of years past.

"it's me."

(End of this chapter)