The husband I snatched halfway through his life is strange.

The moonlight was dim, the snow was still falling outside, the chill was getting stronger, and even the starlight seemed particularly faint.

The heat wave inside the hall brushed against Wei Fengyuan's frozen, blue knuckles. Snowflakes fell in a flurry, leaving dark watermarks on the ground. His dark robes were already soaked, but when he looked at Shen Jin, his eyes burned with a scorching fire.

Too hot.

And it happened so suddenly.

Shen Jin dared not meet his gaze. Her body was also inconvenient, and her mind was in turmoil. She hurriedly left the words "Do as you please" and went to the washroom to change out of her blood-stained nightgown and put on a menstrual belt.

After she finished tidying up, she tightened her belt, her breath coming out stagnant.

Shen Jin leaned against the door, and after a long while, she gradually removed her complicated expression, put on her outer robe, and composed herself before stepping out.

The man remained standing in the same spot, without moving around.

Behind him was a carved window. His tall and imposing figure blocked out most of the moonlight in the room, making him seem as if he were half-melted into the night, both real and unreal.

But Shen Jin knew this was not a dream.

"sit down."

Shen Jin first knelt on the futon, the copper stove glowing red with charcoal, and picked up the celadon tea canister with her delicate hands.

Although the bedchamber was where Shen Jin lived, it was so empty that it felt like a temporary lodging. The furnishings inside were also not as elaborate as they had been for her boudoir before she got married.

But tonight, as soon as he arrived, the entire palace suddenly felt cramped.

Wei Fengyuan placed the sword she had taken off on the table, its scabbard resting on the scriptures she usually copied.

Out of the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of his movements, which seemed casual yet deliberate. The steam rose up, blurring Shen Jin's lowered eyes.

The sound of the tea grinder slowly grinding the new tea is delicate and lingering.

"This year's Junshan Silver Needle..."

Shen Jin spoke softly, without looking at him, her tone even: "I still used the method you taught me before to save it."

She brewed the tea and poured a cup for Wei Fengyuan.

Wei Fengyuan sat down but didn't drink, staring intently at her.

How many years ago was the last time we met?

That was when he went to war.

As dawn broke, the Wei family army was already lined up, ready to depart. Shen Jin disregarded etiquette and rode after them to the outskirts of the city. Her hairpins fell out of her hair as she rode, and her black hair was disheveled by the wind.

—“Wei Fengyuan!”

Wei Fengyuan told the Wei family army to continue on their way, while he turned around and rode off to see her.

In previous years, every time he returned to the city, he could spot Shen Jin at a glance among the huge crowds welcoming him at the city gate.

But Shen Jin never saw her off before each expedition; she was always like that, disliking farewells.

In the instant the two horses passed each other, he suddenly released the stirrups, leaped nimbly, his iron boots landing firmly on the saddle behind her. He wrapped his strong arms around her slender waist and pulled her into his embrace.

Her back slammed against his breastplate, the cold metal against her thin clothes. Shen Jin trembled slightly, but his iron arm held her firmly around the waist.

His warhorse was exceptionally intelligent, clattering along behind him.

"What orders do you need? Why did you have to chase after me?"

Wei Fengyuan told the horse to slow down and head towards the pavilion on the right.

As he spoke, he smiled.

Shen Jin felt somewhat awkward.

--"why are you laughing?"

"I'm reflecting on it. Being given official status definitely makes a difference; the benefits have all increased."

Shen Jin felt somewhat embarrassed and annoyed.

But they also acknowledge this point.

She was indeed extremely reluctant to part with it.

"I got you a peace charm."

"When you come back next time, you have to tell me that you are fine and have no more injuries."

"There are no mercy in the outside world, so you must take good care of yourself."

She gave her detailed instructions.

He listened quietly.

until--

Shen Jin tilted her head slightly, her expression earnest.

"Let's get married when you come back."

Wei Fengyuan had this intention all along.

If it weren't for the tight schedule this time, with the emperor urging him to go to the border, and his fear of wronging her, he would have decided to get things done with her this time.

Wei Fengyuan cupped her face and pressed his lips to hers. His movements were hasty, but he lacked experience, and all he could do was suck on her soft lips.

Shen Jin was both ashamed and annoyed when she heard him say that.

"I've already asked the shops in Jiangnan to keep an eye out for a few bolts of bright red brocade. The South Sea pearls I gave you the other day shouldn't be too heavy when adorning your wedding gown."

But... things didn't go as planned.

He is still at the border.

Shen Jin was unexpectedly and forcefully sent to the palace by the Shen family.

Who could have imagined that after that parting, we would meet again now?

She has changed a lot.

She was no longer the girl who would laugh and joke with you the moment you met her; she was now filled with a bone-deep loneliness, as if she were imprisoned in a cold, desolate palace.

Tea was Wei Fengyuan's favorite tea.

But the tea was more bitter than I remembered.

Wei Fengyuan felt a tightness in his chest: "I returned half a month ago."

Shen Jin: "I know."

Wei Fengyuan: "Although this border battle was dangerous, I was protected by your peace talisman and was not injured."

Shen Jin paused slightly.

She slowly raised her eyes and met Wei Fengyuan's gaze.

"I know."

His voice became hoarse: "I miss you to the bone."

"I... also know."

"Then do you know why I've come here today?"

After a long while, Shen Jin fell silent.

But Wei Fengyuan wouldn't let her dodge. He stared straight at her: "With your intelligence, you should know that."

“I should have come earlier after returning to Beijing, but I had too many things to take care of and couldn’t get away.”

"Ajin."

"Give me some more time."

"Once I've taken care of everything, I'll definitely take you out of this cage."

Shen Jin's fingertips turned white, and her usually steady breathing became erratic.

She said in a hoarse voice, each word distinct: "Are you crazy?"

Before Wei Fengxing could speak again, a turbulent emotion stirred beneath her calm exterior.

“You’re from the Wei family, you have too many things to worry about.”

"So many years have passed, and I've lived a pretty good life in the palace."

"Although you are constantly surrounded by the smoke of war, you still have the skills to protect yourself."

"If a bride is taken in, the family will be happy and harmonious in the future..."

Wei Fengyuan has remained unmarried all these years, which is also a thorn in Shen Jin's side.

She didn't want him to do that.

The incident happened so suddenly that she didn't even have time to send a message to the Duke of Shun's residence.

Speaking of which...

Even though she was forced into a corner with no other choice, in the end, she was the one who wronged him.

"Wei Fengyuan."

Shen Jin stared intently at him: "That wedding dress has long since faded."

“A person like you deserves the best girl in the world. Why bother with me, a woman who is already married?”

"You should live a good life and show me."

Wei Fengyuan closed his eyes heavily: "You're doing well?"

"You're telling me you're doing well?"

Wei Fengyuan suddenly stood up: "The reason I haven't come over all these years isn't because you've been avoiding me, but because I've been afraid to come."

"What do you mean I have too many concerns, and I have to bear the rise and fall of the Duke of Shun's mansion? That's all nonsense! In the end... I couldn't even protect the one I love. Even if the late emperor had immense power, wasn't that also a reflection of my incompetence?"

Shen Jin heard him say that.

"I have no face to see you."

Shen Jin turned her face away, and a tear rolled down her cheek without warning.

Faceless?

She... was no different.

Wei Fengyuan walked over and carefully wiped away her tears with his calloused fingertips.

How could you be so heartless as to force me to find another wife?

Wei Fengyuan asked in a hoarse voice, "You don't want me anymore?"

(End of this chapter)