There was no talking during meals, nor at bedtime, a practice that was now being strictly observed by these people.
After the meal, Shen Xiaoyan saw that Lu Taobao had no intention of speaking, and the woman had also remained silent. She didn't want to waste any more time with them. After all, the four children were extremely sleepy and it was best to go back early so they could have a good nap.
"Alright, the children are tired, we're leaving," Shen Xiaoyan cleared her throat and said.
"Huh?" Lu Taobao looked at Shen Xiaoyan in a daze. After a moment of confusion, he finally understood what Shen Xiaoyan was saying and quickly nodded, "Okay, okay."
Then Shen Xiaoyan and the others stood up and went downstairs together.
As they got into the carriage, before it even started moving, Lu Taobao hurried back up.
"I just remembered, there's something I need to discuss with Brother Zheng. I'll go back with you later today."
Zheng Wei glanced at the woman whose gaze was fixed on Lu Taobao and said faintly, "I see you have other matters today, perhaps we can discuss it in a few days."
"No, Brother Zheng, I'm really in a hurry," Lu Taobao pleaded with Zheng Wei.
Shen Xiaoyan, from inside the carriage, lifted the curtain and watched the scene unfold outside. Seeing Lu Taobao like this, she felt he was in a difficult predicament.
"That young lady, the fruits at our home are ripe and taste delicious. We'd like to invite you to try some. Would you be willing?"
Shen Xiaoyan said loudly to the woman, and then looked at her with a light smile.
The woman's expression faltered slightly, and finally she nodded, "Okay."
After the woman got into the carriage, Shen Xiaoyan clearly saw Lu Taobao breathe a sigh of relief.
Lu Taobao's horse must have been nearby, because shortly after, Wu Yong came leading the horse.
"Go back and tell Master that I'll be staying at Brother Zheng's house for the night and won't be returning today."
Lu Taobao mounted his horse and instructed Wu Yong.
"I will return and tell Master immediately," Wu Yong replied with a bow.
On the way home, Shen Xiaoyan only glanced at the woman occasionally and did not speak a word.
The woman seemed to be lost in thought, appearing absent-minded. She didn't notice Shen Xiaoyan looking at her at all.
Finally, they arrived home. Shen Xiaoyan told the nannies to take the children to the west side room for their nap, while she, along with Yue Qingxin, led the woman into the main room.
The woman's mood had been low, and even after entering the room and sitting on the kang bed, she still hadn't spoken.
After Huo Fen served tea and withdrew, Shen Xiaoyan finally spoke, "I am Shen Xiaoyan, the wife of the Zheng Big Brother whom Lu Taobao mentioned earlier. This is Sister Yue Qingxin, the wife of Brother Sima Han."
"Greetings to both sisters. My name is Bai Ying," Bai Ying also introduced herself.
"We are also friends with Lu Taobao, so you can tell us what's going on," Shen Xiaoyan said directly after thinking about it.
She preferred to get straight to the point rather than beat around the bush.
"We..." Bai Ying seemed unsure how to begin. After saying just two words, she fell silent again.
Shen Xiaoyan didn't rush her. It was someone else's business. If she wanted to talk, she could; if not, then so be it.
After about fifteen minutes, Bai Ying finally spoke again.
"Our family and the Lu family have been acquainted for generations. My father and Brother Lu's father were close friends and had business dealings. Our family is a pharmaceutical clan, and we have always supplied traditional Chinese medicinal herbs to the Lu family's pharmacy."
Bai Ying spoke slowly, her face showing a look of reminiscence.
"Brother Lu and I have known each other since childhood. We were childhood sweethearts. Ever since I was sensible, I considered Brother Lu my future husband. My father and Uncle Lu also had the idea of arranging a marriage between us. I always thought Brother Lu felt the same way, until two years ago, before my coming-of-age ceremony. Uncle Lu brought up our marriage to Brother Lu, but to my surprise, he refused."
"Why did he refuse? Does he have someone else he loves?" Shen Xiaoyan asked curiously.
"No, apart from me, Brother Lu has no other women he is familiar with," Bai Ying said firmly.
That was strange. According to Bai Ying's account, they were childhood friends, grew up together, and no one else was involved. Why would Lu Taobao refuse to marry Bai Ying?
"Did he say why?"
Bai Ying shook her head. "He just said he wasn't good enough for me and said nothing else. After his refusal, I declared that I would wait for him as long as he didn't marry. Two years have passed, and he hasn't married. Clearly, he doesn't like anyone else, so why is he unwilling to marry me?"
At this point, Bai Ying started to cry again.
Shen Xiaoyan was also perplexed. Logically, if he didn't like the girl he grew up with, it was understandable. Perhaps Lu Taobao had always seen her as a sister.
But then, why hadn't Lu Taobao married yet?
Moreover, based on Lu Taobao's refusal to Bai Ying, he only wanted Bai Ying to give up on him, but he never said he didn't like Bai Ying.
"Is it because I'm really not good enough that he doesn't like me?"
Bai Ying's face showed pain, and tears streamed down her face.
Shen Xiaoyan didn't know what to say for a moment.
Love could not be forced. Besides, she had no intention of playing matchmaker.
"Perhaps you should... talk to him properly?" Yue Qingxin suggested tentatively.
"I want to, but he avoids me every time he sees me. I met him on the street today, which is why I could speak to him for a moment. The last time I saw him was months ago."
Hearing Bai Ying say this, Shen Xiaoyan was speechless.
Should she praise this woman for her unwavering devotion, or should she call Lu Taobao timid and incompetent?
In fact, Shen Xiaoyan did not like Lu Taobao's behavior.
You could dislike someone, or refuse someone, but you couldn't make them wait for nothing.
Therefore, Shen Xiaoyan decided to ask Lu Taobao for clarification on Bai Ying's behalf.
"You wait here. I'll go see what they are talking about."
Shen Xiaoyan finished speaking and quickly walked out.
Zheng Wei and the other two were in the west room. So, without walking far from the main room, Shen Xiaoyan arrived at the west room.
In the west room, Lu Taobao sat on a wooden chair, while Zheng Wei and Sima Han sat on either side of the low table.
The three of them were not speaking at the moment. Seeing Shen Xiaoyan enter, they merely nodded in greeting.
Shen Xiaoyan sat on a wooden chair opposite Lu Taobao and stared at his face without speaking.
Lu Taobao felt as if Shen Xiaoyan's gaze was like a knife, slicing and dicing his face, causing him immense pain.
After about fifteen minutes, Lu Taobao could no longer bear it.
"Sister-in-law, I beg you, please stop looking at me like that. If you have something to ask, just ask directly. If I can tell you, I definitely will," Lu Taobao said to Shen Xiaoyan with a pleading expression.
Shen Xiaoyan raised her eyebrows. Hearing Lu Taobao's words, it implied there were things he couldn't say?
"What is it that you cannot say?"
"What?" Lu Taobao was confused by Shen Xiaoyan's question. What kind of question was this?
"I'm asking you, what is it that you said you cannot say?" Shen Xiaoyan repeated her question.
"There's nothing I can't say," Lu Taobao's eyes darted around, but he firmly denied it. "How could there be anything I can't say? As long as Sister-in-law asks, I will tell you everything."
"Alright, you rascal, are you not taking us seriously?" Sima Han's face darkened slightly, and his tone became unfriendly.
He and Zheng Wei had been questioning him for a long time, using every tactic, but the boy refused to open his mouth.
Now, Shen Xiaoyan hadn't even asked anything yet, and he was already volunteering information.
"No, no, that's not it. I just hadn't figured out how to start," Lu Taobao said with a hearty laugh.
"Have you figured it out now?" Zheng Wei asked calmly.
"I have, I have," Lu Taobao nodded repeatedly.
"Then speak quickly," Shen Xiaoyan urged.
"Speak what?"
"Everything, from when you met to now," Shen Xiaoyan and the other two shouted in unison.
Lu Taobao flinched and lowered his head to ponder for a moment before beginning his story.
Shen Xiaoyan listened quietly. Initially, the content Lu Taobao told her was the same as what he had told Bai Ying.
However, after he was rescued by Zheng Wei, the change in his attitude towards Bai Ying could be discerned from his tone.
Before this point, Shen Xiaoyan was sure that Lu Taobao also liked Bai Ying. But after this point, Shen Xiaoyan could no longer be certain.
Because, as Lu Taobao's voice became calmer, even the slightest trace of reminiscence disappeared.
It was as if he felt that his relationship with Bai Ying could not progress further.
"Do you... like someone else?"
Shen Xiaoyan pondered for a moment before asking.
Upon hearing Shen Xiaoyan's question, Lu Taobao instinctively looked at Zheng Wei, and then shook his head, saying no.
The three of them naturally noticed his action.
Zheng Wei was surprised, Sima Han was shocked, and Shen Xiaoyan was...
"The person you like isn't Zheng Wei, is it?" Shen Xiaoyan blurted out the question in her mind without realizing it.
Zheng Wei: ...
Sima Han: ...
Lu Taobao: ...
"Sister-in-law, what are you saying?" Lu Taobao asked, completely bewildered.
Shen Xiaoyan, however, didn't hear his question. She was still lost in her own thoughts.