The sound insulation of the Shen family's ancestral mansion was excellent, so there was no need to worry about being eavesdropped on.
This room had been cleaned up in advance and specially arranged for Tan Linyuan to rest in.
Nan Yu looked annoyed. "I didn't touch anything except that bowl of porridge."
She had considered all possibilities but still couldn't figure out where things had gone wrong.
Tan Linyuan didn't doubt her answer. His heavy gaze landed on her face. After a long while, he said, "Have you checked the tableware?"
Tableware?
Nan Yu was stunned. After thinking for a few seconds, she shook her head. "... I didn't pay attention. The tableware was also brought to me by Shen Yanche."
Since she hadn't picked up any dishes, the chopsticks could be ruled out. So the only tableware she had touched was the bowl for the porridge and the spoon for scooping it.
Tan Linyuan pondered for a moment and said calmly, "He was so eager for you to drink the porridge, and you had already swapped it. He couldn't be stupid enough to drug himself."
"So... the spoon?" Nan Yu asked.
Tan Linyuan didn't answer, but his attitude had already indicated the answer.
Nan Yu felt a bit frustrated. "I took so many precautions, but I still couldn't prevent it."
The only thing to be thankful for was that she hadn't fallen into Shen Yanche's trap and ended up in his bed.
Thinking about the situation at that time, Nan Yu still felt a little scared.
If she had had a relationship with Shen Yanche, their marriage would have to be confirmed. Moreover, judging from the conversation she had heard, Shen Suhai even planned to let the whole Shen family know.
Know that on the night of Old Master Shen's wake...
By then, Nan Yu's reputation would be almost completely ruined.
Thinking of this, she couldn't help shivering and rubbed her arms with both hands.
Suddenly, Tan Linyuan draped a robe over her. Nan Yu was caught off guard and looked at him blankly with a pair of wide eyes.
"Put it on," Tan Linyuan said in a calm tone.
"I have my own clothes..." Nan Yu stopped halfway through her sentence when she glanced at the messy top and pants thrown on the ground.
She didn't need to pick them up to check. Nan Yu knew how dirty they were.
Tan Linyuan said unhurriedly, "The Shen family's ancestral mansion is located in a remote area. The nearest women's clothing store won't open until nine o'clock tomorrow morning."
The implication was that it would be impossible to find her replacement clothes for the time being.
He continued methodically, "If anyone asks during the day, just say you changed into the robe and spent the whole night in my room chanting scriptures to console Old Master Shen."
He had even found an excuse for her.
Nan Yu stumbled over her words. "... Thank you, Uncle Tan."
The robe had a faint smell of sandalwood. She leaned in and smelled it. It was a reassuring smell.
She had to admit that this smell would inexplicably calm her down.
Even when the effects of the drug were at their strongest, it was this smell that helped her hold on.
Because she knew it was him.
After giving the robe to her, Tan Linyuan was only wearing a white robe and long trousers, making his figure look even more elegant.
He looked at her. "Why did you hold onto me so tightly at that time?"
Nan Yu answered simply, "Because I didn't want to sleep with Shen Yanche."
"Not with Shen Yanche, but okay with others?"
"Of course not," Nan Yu blurted out.
Tan Linyuan smiled. "Not okay with others, but okay with me?"
Nan Yu: "Um..."
"So, why must it be me?" Tan Linyuan pressed on.
"Because..." Nan Yu suddenly became speechless. It took her a long time to come up with an answer. "Because I've slept with you."
"Is that the only reason?" Tan Linyuan was silent for a moment, and a hint of displeasure flashed in his eyes.
"Otherwise?" Nan Yu felt puzzled. "I can't just grab a random person. What if I get a disease?"
Moreover, this was the Shen family's place. Any random person might be related to Shen Yanche.
In this case, only Tan Linyuan was the most suitable.
"Is that really the only reason?" Tan Linyuan looked at her, and the look in his eyes had darkened.
Nan Yu nodded. "Yes. Uncle Tan is the most useful."
The next second, Tan Linyuan grabbed her arm and pressed her back onto the bed.
Nan Yu's eyes widened.
"I've said that there's a price to pay for using me," Tan Linyuan said. His slender fingers peeled off the robe on her body again.
Nan Yu was incredulous.
They had already done it many times just now. Why was this man still so energetic?
At this moment, Nan Yu took back her previous speculation that Tan Linyuan had been with Qu Jiaran.
Judging from Tan Linyuan's state, he hadn't had any such experience for at least some time, or he wouldn't be so full of energy.
She didn't have much time to think. The man on top of her didn't allow her to be distracted.
But now it was different from before. The effects of the drug had worn off, and Nan Yu was now sober. "Uncle Tan, you're already married."
Tan Linyuan didn't stop his movements. "So?"
Nan Yu continued, "If Qu Jiaran knows, she'll be heartbroken."
She admitted that it sounded a bit like a green tea bitch to say such things at this time.
But Tan Linyuan must know better than anyone that her words weren't a feigned rejection but a serious reminder: You already have a wife.
Tan Linyuan didn't care about her reminder. "She wishes I would do this."
This statement was rather cryptic. Nan Yu was silent for two seconds and then remembered what Qu Jiaran had said before.
The desire that had been stirred up was instantly extinguished. She closed her eyes and said softly, "Tan Linyuan, I don't want to."
This sentence made the man on top of her pause.
"You want it when you want it and don't want it when you don't?" His fingers reached her face and forced her to open her eyes.
"I don't want to be the third party in your marriage," Nan Yu said calmly. "Since you've already got the marriage certificate, we can't make any more mistakes, Uncle Tan."
Tan Linyuan sneered. "Your moral standards are quite high."
Nan Yu thought that this sentence would be enough to dampen his enthusiasm.
Unexpectedly, after this sentence, instead of getting up, Tan Linyuan pressed his lips against hers again.
"I've never got the marriage certificate with her," he said.
Then he easily pried open her teeth.
Nan Yu's mind went blank.
They hadn't got the marriage certificate?
Then what was the relationship between him and Qu Jiaran?
The deep kiss left her no time to think about other things. She could only instinctively respond, rubbing her legs gently.
This time was different from the hasty one just to relieve the effects of the drug. It was gentle and meticulous.
Like a starving person who had just filled their stomach and was now starting to savor the food carefully.
Desire came like a surging tide.
...
This time it was very long.
Nan Yu was extremely tired and fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.
Tan Linyuan didn't rest. He just covered her with the quilt and then left the room to continue keeping watch over Old Master Shen's spirit in the mourning hall.
Before leaving, he also told the two strong men to continue guarding the door and not allow anyone to enter.
When dawn was just breaking, Nan Yu opened her eyes.
It started to rain again outside. The sky was gray, as if covered by a huge curtain.
Nan Yu put on the robe Tan Linyuan had given her and slowly walked out of the room.
The corridor was empty.
Nan Yu had only taken a few steps when Shen Yanche suddenly appeared. Almost instantly, his eyes locked onto her.
Nan Yu's heart skipped a beat, and she turned around to leave.
Shen Yanche rushed over like an arrow and grabbed her arm—