Old Madame Shen was about to continue when Shen Yunan hurriedly cut her off.
"This is the Marquis's Estate, and everyone around us is our own people. Are you worried Lady Xu might find out?"
"Yunan, I think you're being far too cautious," Old Madame Shen said with displeasure. "Besides, it was Lady Xu who wronged you first. Now that things are settled, I want a straight answer: when do you intend to divorce that woman, Xu Yuan?"
Faced with her questioning, Shen Yunan looked troubled. "Mother, Xu Yuan has the Duke's Estate behind her, and she is Duke Xu's only daughter. I cannot divorce her just yet."
Hearing this, Old Madame Shen trembled with rage. "Even after how she spoke to me, you still refuse? Don't forget, it was Lu Rou who actually gave birth to your son."
Shen Yunan nodded, his gaze softening at the mention of Lu Rou. "Mother is right; I have kept all of that in my heart. The reason I keep Xu Yuan in the estate is that I hope she will be of greater use to the child's future."
Upon hearing this, Old Madame Shen thought of her precious grandson. Although she hadn't been able to hold him yet, seeing how Xu Yuan doted on the child, her anger subsided slightly.
"Then when do you plan to bring Lu Rou into the estate? And the child cannot be raised by Xu Yuan forever. What if she takes the opportunity to alienate him from us?" Whenever she mentioned Xu Yuan, her tone was filled with intense resentment.
As Shen Yunan appeased his mother, he replied, "Mother, I have already considered this. For now, we will leave him with Xu Yuan to be raised for a while; once the child is older, I will oversee his upbringing personally. As for Rou'er, I will bring her into the estate when the time is right."
Old Madame Shen nodded in satisfaction. "Very well. Since you have already thought through your future plans, I have nothing more to say. But 'Yaoer' was such a fine name—why on earth did she have to choose 'Yier'?" she muttered, clearly still upset about what had happened in Xu Yuan's room.
"Mother," Shen Yunan sighed, feeling helpless.
"Fine, fine. As long as that Lady Xu is truly good to the child, I suppose the rest doesn't matter."
She had no idea that her words were being heard clearly by Xu Yuan outside.
*Trying to plot against me? These people have a rather high opinion of their own schemes.* At this thought, a cold light flashed in Xu Yuan's eyes.
"Mother-in-law."
Just as Old Madame Shen and Shen Yunan were about to continue their discussion, they heard Xu Yuan's voice from outside. Shen Yunan’s pupils constricted, and he felt a sudden chill.
*Xu Yuan?*
Before he could process the thought, he saw her standing just outside the door. It was indeed Xu Yuan! Shen Yunan was utterly shocked by her appearance, and his gaze turned wary and cautious. *How long has she been here? Did she hear anything?*
Shen Yunan knew clearly that if his actions were exposed, his reputation and even his political career would be ruined. Moreover, he still relied on the backing of the Duke's Estate. He remained silent, watching her quietly, his eyes full of scrutiny, as if trying to discern something from her expression.
Xu Yuan knew exactly what lay behind Shen Yunan’s inspection. *Is he already this afraid?* She lowered her eyes, a trace of mockery flashing across them. *And yet, everything has only just begun.*
She feigned ignorance and asked, "Why is the Marquis looking at me like that? Is there something on my face?"
Realizing he had lost his composure, Shen Yunan quickly withdrew his gaze and offered a gentle smile. He stepped forward, reaching out to take her hand. "Why has my Lady come here? And where is Yier?" He scanned his surroundings, looking perplexed to see her alone.
"Cuiliu is watching over him," Xu Yuan replied in a flat tone. As Shen Yunan approached, she took a step back, pulling her hand away from his grip. "How are you feeling, Mother-in-law?"
"She has just woken up, but the doctor said she needs to rest quietly for some time."
"My Lady, Mother’s temperament has always been this way," Shen Yunan said in a conciliatory tone. "If there are any conflicts in the future, could you please be more understanding?"
Xu Yuan curled her lips, though the smile did not reach her eyes. "Does the Marquis mean that I should endure everything?"
Shen Yunan paused, not having expected her to take it that way. "You’ve misunderstood, my Lady," he quickly added.
Xu Yuan deliberately put on a pained expression. "I had intended to bring Yier over once Mother-in-law had recovered, but it seems there is no need now. If the Marquis finds me such a nuisance, I shall take Yier back to the Duke's Estate immediately."
Upon hearing this, Shen Yunan panicked. Especially since Xu Yuan had just given birth, the thought of her returning to her maiden home would surely cause gossip. Anxious, he stepped forward to block her path. He couldn't help but feel suspicious: had she proposed this because she had heard something? While trying to appease her, he probed further.
"My Lady, that is not what I meant at all."
Xu Yuan looked up at him. "Then what did the Marquis mean?"
Shen Yunan paused, rendered speechless as their eyes met. He felt a secret, seething annoyance—why had he never noticed before that Xu Yuan had such a sharp tongue? However, he had to maintain the image of a doting husband; no matter how much he loathed her, he could not show it on the surface.
Just as he was struggling for a response, Old Madame Shen’s voice came from inside the room. "Lady Xu, and Yunan, stop standing outside muttering to each other. Come inside if you have something to say."
Shen Yunan signaled to Xu Yuan, "My Lady, let’s go inside first, shall we?"
Xu Yuan gave a soft acknowledgement, no longer refusing.
Once inside, Old Madame Shen had sat up on the bed, though her complexion remained pale. Xu Yuan looked at her as if nothing had happened. "Mother-in-law, are you feeling any better?"
Old Madame Shen nodded. "It is just the same old ailment. Lady Xu, does your promise to bring the child to see me still stand?" She spoke with an expectant tone, wanting nothing more than to hold her precious grandson.
"Naturally, it still stands. It’s just that, Mother-in-law, you are currently..." Xu Yuan said, hinting at her condition. "Mother-in-law, Yier is still very young. I am doing this for his health, so I hope you will understand the heart of a mother."
Xu Yuan’s words were airtight; even Old Madame Shen could find no fault in them.