Today, when the whole family gathered for a meal, Shen Li had a frown on her face the entire time, occasionally glancing at Shen Meng, her face contorted with worry.

As the head of the household, was careless, but his daughter was thoughtful: “Father, this meal is prepared quite well. Why don’t you eat more? This soup was specially made for you by the chef.”

Shen Li deeply appreciated her daughter’s thoughtfulness, praising her with a smile before shifting her gaze to Shen Meng. Now, everyone noticed Shen Li’s abnormal behavior. All eyes followed her gaze, occasionally glancing at Liang Jue. It was as if by looking at him, they could discern something from his expression.

Even Shen Meng, who was usually indifferent, couldn’t stand her father’s demeanor. Before her stepfather could speak, she spoke up: “Father, if you have something to say, just say it. I have something to attend to later and won’t stay here specifically.”

After she spoke, Shen Li finally spoke up: “Your cousin’s wife passed away some days ago. Considering your childhood connection, you should go offer condolences.”

“Which cousin?” Shen Meng knew which noble family in the capital had encountered a mishap, but she was clueless about her cousin’s marital situation.

“Who else could it be? It’s Du Zhi.” Shen Meng had several cousins on her father’s side, but that didn’t concern her.

The worse their situation, the happier Shen Meng would be, so her father wouldn’t bother mentioning it to her.

Shen Meng realized the logic behind it, but Du Zhi’s name seemed distant to her. With so much time passed, she had almost forgotten about him.

Shen Li glanced at Liang Jue and added, “This child is also quite pitiful. I plan to bring him over in a few days.”

The clinking of Liang Jue’s spoon against the bowl drew everyone’s attention to him. Liang Jue quickly picked up the spoon and said, “It’s nothing. I just slipped.”

As the head of the household, Mother Shen, coughed lightly, “Although Du Zhi is pitiful, he still has his own family. Why should he come to our house?”

Mother Shen didn’t think Du Zhi’s presence would affect her eldest daughter and son-in-law. She just didn’t want to tarnish her family’s reputation by taking in a widowed man.

Shen Li’s reasons were quite good: “You know he only has an elder sister who’s already married and settled. If his wife had been alive, it would be different.”

Shen Li added, “Plus, he has his deceased wife’s family.”

Shen Li gave her wife an angry look and said, “Come on. The poor child lost his wife and was kicked out because they had no children. With Xiang gone, I feel lonely, so bringing him here would give me some company. When the time comes, and he finds someone, I’ll naturally arrange his marriage.”

Liang Jue lowered his head and took a sip of soup, feeling quite uneasy. Back then, Shen Meng had intervened on behalf of Du Zhi with less severity, but Du Zhi still ended up in a tough spot. He had hoped that this person wouldn’t appear again in his life, but unexpectedly, Du Zhi’s wife passed away, and Shen Li continued to use this as a pretext to torment her.

Previously, when Du Zhi was at the Shen household, Shen Li indeed treated her nephew quite well.

Mother Shen, being a provincial official, wasn’t too keen on managing affairs, and she just went along with it, saying, “Fine, fine, do as you please. Anyway, I can’t control his affairs. Just handle it yourself, but don’t tarnish the reputation of our Shen family.”

By the end of the meal, Liang Jue found it tasteless. He had wanted to have a good talk with Shen Meng, but the latter had been busy the whole time. Thinking he shouldn’t disturb Shen Meng’s important matters, he held back until he was alone in the courtyard having dinner before he let it out.

“Wife’s luck with relationships is really something. Even those previously married off are coming back. You must be pleased now.”

Shen Meng indeed had many admirers before Liang Jue. Most of those from respectable backgrounds had a vague fondness for her, restrained by their sense of propriety. After Shen Meng married Liang Jue, they naturally backed off.

As for genuine rotten luck in relationships, her cousin, who was used as a pawn against Liang Jue, counted as one, and the one she met on Lantern Festival was even worse.

Shen Meng looked helpless. “What’s there to be happy about? If father hadn’t brought it up, I would have almost forgotten about this cousin. And besides the cousin, there’s nothing going on with me and the one from Lantern Festival.” She was telling the truth; if Shen Li hadn’t mentioned it at the dinner table, she wouldn’t have deliberately inquired about Du Zhi’s situation.

Liang Jue poked at the already mushy meat in his bowl with his chopsticks and hummed, “Your wife’s memory seems to be a bit lacking. There was also the Third Prince before.”

Shen Meng’s chopsticks paused momentarily before she confidently picked up a golden spring roll and placed it in her mouth.

She chewed slowly, savoring the flavors, then leisurely remarked, “My dear husband, you’ve misunderstood me. The Third Prince is your rotten luck in relationships, yet somehow it’s attributed to me. How unjust!”

“Who one attracts is based on whom they are. Madam’s exceptional intelligence naturally grants her insight.”

Shen Meng felt a twinge of guilt. If she were someone else, perhaps she wouldn’t see things so clearly. But she had spent some time as the wife of that Third Prince in her past life. Initially, she had been swayed by gossip, but upon closer consideration, she knew his intentions very well.

Shen Meng said, “That’s all in the past now, so why bring it up, my dear husband?”

Liang Jue asked, “Even if the Third Prince is a thing of the past, what about this current situation? What do you plan to do?”

While the Third Prince was unpleasant, he was still a native of their country, and due to the pride of a man, his expressions were subtle. Although Liang Jue vaguely felt that the other party wouldn’t easily give up, the current person was like a rogue from the streets, utterly lacking in tact.

Ordinary troublemakers could be dealt with, but he had more trouble dealing with someone of higher status who was deeply concerned about the diplomatic relations between their countries.

Thinking about this, he couldn’t help but glare at Shen Meng indignantly, “I don’t see you as some great beauty, so why do you keep attracting trouble?”

He hadn’t noticed Shen Meng intentionally flirting with others, yet she always seemed to attract a bunch of headache-inducing people, each with their own quirks.

“I have no idea about this issue. I don’t even think I look that good. Shen Meng’s appearance is far inferior to yours, my dear husband.”

Shen Meng wasn’t being modest; everyone wants to be popular and have many admirers, as it signifies charisma. But this kind of charm should only be used to attract normal admirers; no one wants to be liked by paranoid lunatics.

Though Liang Jue was stubborn, he had never inflicted harm in the name of love, which was why she was particularly fond of him in this lifetime.

Thinking this, she couldn’t help but look at Liang Jue again. “My dear husband shouldn’t have asked me about this in the first place.”

Liang Jue took a sip of soup, the milky broth making his lips moist and shiny. He lightly licked his lips with his tongue and glanced at her. “Why can’t I ask you?”

Shen Meng replied, “Why they would like me is a question I also want to ask you. How did you choose me back then?”

Shen Meng felt she couldn’t passionately love someone to the point of tearing her heart apart, nor could she be as proactive or selflessly devoted as Liang Jue. Many men liked her, but there were also many who didn’t, including Shen Li.

She couldn’t be insecure, but she also couldn’t understand the thoughts of these few people Liang Jue mentioned, nor could she answer his question.

Heaven knows where she could possibly have the charm to attract those noble lords. If she could, she’d prefer these people to keep their distance from her.

Liang Jue pursed his lips. “Love is love, no need for so many reasons.”

Certainly, many forms of liking are tied to interests, but love, for the most part, is based on feelings. Although familiarity can breed affection, there are also those love at first sight, lasting for eternity.

Shen Meng set down her chopsticks. While Liang Jue pondered, she quietly ate her food. “My husband’s answer is my answer. Although interests can easily influence one’s likes and dislikes, some things are just… unreasonable. Some fates are destined at first sight; nobody can escape that.”

Liang Jue was unsatisfied with this answer, but he couldn’t blame Shen Meng. If she weren’t outstanding, if she didn’t have a likable face, perhaps he wouldn’t have fallen for her in the first place.

Seeing Liang Jue’s discontent, she scooped a spoonful of “Golden Harvest” into his bowl with a white porcelain spoon. “My dear husband always thinks highly of me, which makes everyone like me. This time, it’s not some rotten luck in relationships; I’d say it’s more like attracting love interests.”

Liang Jue poked at the golden corn kernels in his bowl, took a sip, and tasted the salty aroma that melted in his mouth. Today’s dishes were almost all his favorites, but he had no appetite now. “Maybe it’s attracting love interests for me, but not for you.”

“You’re thinking too negatively, my dear husband. You like me, so you see me as a sweet treat that everyone wants to take a bite of. But your wife isn’t as charming as you think.” She could discern who liked her and who didn’t.

The prince from the foreign country seemed particularly enthusiastic towards her, but in reality, he had ulterior motives.

Liang Jue remained noncommittal. “What else are you after besides beauty?”

Though she hailed from a foreign land, it was still a prosperous place. If Shen Meng were a princess or a powerful minister, he could understand why others might have designs on her. But apart from her person, he couldn’t fathom what Shen Meng had that others would covet.

“Of course, there is.”

Shen Meng’s features blended almost seamlessly with the voice of someone from a certain station: “”I/she has the things that we/they desire.”