After Rebirth, My Aloof Husband Can Hear My Inner Thoughts [Transmigration & Rebirth] - Chapter 1

The cold moon hung high, and bare branches stood lonely.

Inside the room, shadows moved before the dim lamplight, while outside, two maids whispered to each other.

“Why is it so quiet now? Wasn’t she just clamoring for the young master a moment ago?”

“Who knows? The young master sent someone over, so she must have been pacified by now.”

“Three years and she still won’t give up. Does the young master even pay her any mind?”

Before the two maids could pull their heads apart, the door behind them swung open, and Peilan, the young mistress’s personal maid, ran out with tears streaming down her face.

“Quick, call the physician! The young mistress is fading!”

Lin Shengshen felt light as a feather. Pear blossoms in the courtyard rustled, pulling and swirling her amidst the pink and white petals until the north wind swept through, scattering them to the yellow earth.

The physician checked her breathing and shook his head. “The young mistress has been overthinking, chronically ill and with little time left. Now, she’s been struck by a fit of rage…”

Peilan clutched her hand tightly. “Miss, hold on! The young master is on his way back!”

Lin Shengshen couldn’t open her eyes. In her dazed state, the divorce agreement pressed heavily against her palm, making it impossible to lift her arm.

Forget it—Xie Zhizhou wouldn’t come.

The Lin family had already fallen into ruin. Xie Zhizhou had merely settled for this marriage in the first place. Now that he had sent someone to deliver the divorce papers, why would he bother seeing her one last time?

Since their youth, Lin Shengshen had treated him like stars worshipping the moon, like a moth drawn to a flame—yet she had never earned so much as a proper glance from him.

Three years had passed. It was time to let go.

Amid hurried footsteps and Peilan’s heart-wrenching sobs, Lin Shengshen released the divorce agreement from her hand, completely drained of strength.

Perhaps it was for the best.

—

“This Huanhua brocade was carefully chosen by the young lady. Be careful while scenting it—don’t hold it too close.”

“Peilan, the incense pellets are running low. Add some more.”

“I’m drying the young lady’s hair. Ask Baidou to do it.”

…

Lin Shengshen soaked in the hot water, enveloped in steam and the lingering fragrance of flowers as she listened to the familiar voices.

Baidou? Hadn’t Baidou been married off two years ago?

The voices drifted in and out, indistinct to Lin Shengshen’s ears. Slowly, she opened her eyes.

Beside the wide embroidered screen with intertwined branches and paired blossoms stood a hexagonal flower stand, where a delicate orchid bud waited to bloom. A pale primrose-colored gown with flowing sleeves hung from a cedar chest—a style she had loved in her youth.

She shifted slightly, causing ripples in the bathtub. The gentle waves pushed scattered petals back and forth, filling the air with fragrance.

In a daze, Lin Shengshen lifted her submerged hand and examined it over and over.

Her skin was smooth and lustrous, her nails a healthy shade of pink. A bright red petal slid down her delicate wrist—this was not the appearance of someone who had been ill for over a month…

She turned abruptly, splashing water everywhere. Peilan quickly picked up the towel again to dry Lin Shengshen’s hair.

Tilting her head, Peilan observed her. Lin Shengshen’s almond-shaped eyes were clear and pure, her cherry lips moist and full, her delicate brows slightly furrowed with a hint of confusion—like an immortal who had mistakenly wandered into the mortal realm.

“Young lady, are you still half-asleep?”

Someone approached, holding a set of clothes with a cheerful smile. “The young master rarely visits. Today is truly a joyous occasion!”

“Young lady, it’s getting late. Time to get out of the bath.”

Lin Shengshen took a deep breath. The cool, refreshing scent, reminiscent of plum blossoms in the snow, was none other than Xuezhong Chunxin—the fragrance she had once adored.

Skilled in the art of incense, she had learned in her youth that Xie Zhizhou favored Xuezhong Chunxin above all others. Day after day, she had burned this incense, hoping to catch his eye.

But as time passed, confined to the inner courtyard, she would sometimes go months without seeing him. Gradually, she stopped using incense altogether.

Xuezhong Chunxin—it had been so long since she had last smelled it.

So this was…

She had come back to life!

Unfortunately, it was a bit too late—she had returned to a time after her marriage to Xie Zhizhou.

As she watched the maid lift the gown—a fei-colored Huanhua brocade dress—countless memories flooded back in an instant.

This was the dress she had worn on the night she and Xie Zhizhou consummated their marriage.

On their wedding day, Xie Zhizhou had drawn a clear boundary between them and stormed off, never to see her again. But then, for some unknown reason, he had suddenly decided to stay at Tangli Residence one day.

Overjoyed, Lin Shengshen had prepared eagerly, and this dress was the one she had painstakingly chosen.

…

Expressionless, Lin Shengshen turned her head and sighed inwardly. Of all days, why did it have to be this one?

“Young lady? Young lady? Is something wrong?”

The timing was wrong, the situation was wrong, her feelings were wrong—everything was wrong…

Lin Shengshen rose to her feet, casually draping a robe over her shoulders as she approached the mirror. The reflection showed a face glowing with health, eyes clear and innocent, a habitual smile gracing her lips. Her dark hair cascaded down her back, accentuating her graceful figure.

So this was what she used to look like.

Behind her, Baidou held up a dress and asked, “Miss, would you like to put this on now?”

Lin Shengshen turned away, pushed the garments aside, and strode over to the incense burner. Picking up a cup of tea, she poured it over the embers. The curling wisps of fragrant smoke quickly dissipated, and the scent of winter plum in the room grew fainter.

Her gaze then fell upon a white jade dish on the round table, where several peeled green grapes rested. Beside it, two cups of plum wine shimmered with a delicate pink hue.

Such meticulous effort—every detail exuding the shy anticipation of a young maiden.

Lin Shengshen curled her lips into a faint smile and walked forward.

Baidou gasped, “Miss, why are you eating them all? Weren’t these prepared for the young master?”

The grapes had been soaked in ice water and carefully peeled, with even the two astringent seeds meticulously removed. They tasted exquisite.

Lin Shengshen picked up one of the wine cups and drank it down in two swift gulps. The liquor was smooth and refreshing, bursting with the fragrance of plum blossoms—truly a superior brew.

She savored the sweet and tangy grapes, relished the crispness of the plum wine, and as she moved, the ribbons of her robe fluttered around her. Gazing at her reflection in the mirror, her heart felt light.

So this was what it felt like to be healthy!

With all this, who needed to care about some man?

Lin Shengshen casually parted the colorful butterfly-adorned gauze curtains and lay down on the bed, leaving the maids exchanging bewildered glances.

“Lock the doors and windows, guard the courtyard. No one is to set foot inside tonight!”

Hearing this, Peilan hurried forward to lower another layer of gauze curtains. She shot a meaningful look to dismiss the others, then gently closed the door and settled on the stone steps to keep watch.

It was not until late at night that Tangli Residence received a rare visitor.

Xie Zhizhou, clad in dark black robes, emerged from the shadows with a somber expression. The paired green jade crane pendants at his waist glowed softly under the moonlight, slightly softening his stern demeanor.

He seldom visited this place, yet he keenly sensed something amiss.

Seeing the pitch-black darkness beyond the latticed windows, Xie Zhizhou frowned slightly.

If she had gone so far as to involve his father in this matter, why was she now shutting her doors and extinguishing the lamps?

Official duties weighed heavily on him—the case of Minister Zhang’s murder remained unresolved. Had it not been for his father’s repeated persuasions, he would never have come here.

“Whether you are willing or not, the Emperor arranged this marriage to bridge the old nobility and the newly risen elites. If these trivial domestic disputes reach the Emperor, it will only bring disgrace to the imperial family!”

Xie Zhizhou slowly rubbed the jade ring on his finger, his gaze growing even colder.

Peilan, who had been dozing off, quickly stood up at the sound of footsteps. She shifted almost imperceptibly, positioning herself squarely in front of the main door.

“Young Master, the mistress is unwell and has already retired for the night.”

Xie Zhizhou’s voice was icy. “There is no door in Xie Manor that I cannot enter.”

—

Lin Shengshen’s heart remained unsettled, her mind replaying countless scenes from her past and present lives as she tossed and turned within the layers of gauze curtains.

Suddenly, she recalled this very day in her previous life—a day filled with hopeful anticipation, only to end in even more tears.

That night, Xie Zhizhou arrived late, his face dark as he downed a cup of wine before pressing her against the luohan bed behind the screen. Without even removing their clothes, he hastily took her.

The prolonged pain of his intrusion and her helpless tears afterward all faded into the indifference of his cold, retreating back.

Lin Shengshen turned over once more.

[Consummating the marriage? In your dreams. From now on, my Tangli Residence is off-limits to Xie Zhizhou and dogs alike.]

Xie Zhizhou pushed the door open and entered. The faint scent of pear blossoms filled the room—a clear, sweet fragrance he disliked. Brushing aside his irritation, he stepped around the screen.

Through the layers of gauzy bed curtains, Xie Zhizhou caught sight of Lin Shengshen’s back and heard her muttering—

…

“What did you say?”

The night was cold, but his voice was even more piercing.