After Rebirth, My Aloof Husband Can Hear My Inner Thoughts [Transmigration & Rebirth] - Chapter 14

If one were to meticulously calculate the time since their previous lives, Lin Shengshen and Wen Lingzhou had not seen each other for four or five years. In her memory, he was still that youthful, anxious boy about to embark on a distant campaign.

But now, tempered by the battlefield, Wen Lingzhou had become a dignified general.

Lin Shengshen froze for a moment, her throat suddenly dry. She swallowed and said, “General Wen.”

The light in Wen Lingzhou’s eyes dimmed. “You used to call me Brother Lingzhou.”

Lin Shengshen nodded with a faint smile. “Brother Lingzhou, it’s been a while.”

Wen Lingzhou took a step forward but halted when he noticed the high, married woman’s bun in her hair—

Two years apart, and she had already married, wedded to the one she loved.

Lin Shengshen didn’t notice the shift in his demeanor. “I have matters to attend to and must head to the palace first. Shall we catch up when I return?”

Wen Lingzhou nodded. “Yes, yes. I’ll wait for you.”

Lin Shengshen lifted her skirts and fluttered down the stairs like a butterfly, her figure disappearing into the small palace sedan. Only then did Wen Lingzhou withdraw his gaze.

He looked up at the overcast sky, heavy with the promise of a downpour. Lin Shengshen had left in a palace sedan, but there might be no carriage for her return.

“Prepare a carriage. I’ll wait at the palace gates.”

—

In the Xie residence courtyard, beneath the silk tree, Xie Zhizhou moved with fluid grace in a lightweight, narrow-sleeved robe. The short blade in his hand flashed with cold light as he executed powerful motions.

The courtyard was silent, save for the whistling of his arm swings and the blade’s sharp cuts.

Xie Zhizhou wielded the exquisite short blade with masterful skill.

Yuan Qing approached from the corridor and stood waiting for a quarter of an hour.

Xie Zhizhou sheathed his blade, walked over, picked up a towel to wipe the sweat from his temples, and took a sip of cold tea. “Speak.”

“Young Madam was taken away in a palace sedan this afternoon.”

Xie Zhizhou said, “By someone from the palace? Picked up from Baoxiang Tower?”

Yuan Qing nodded. “Yuan Zhen just reported that Consort Qi, having heard of Young Madam’s management of Baoxiang Tower and her expertise in the art of incense, summoned her to the palace for discussion.”

“Expertise.” Xie Zhizhou’s nostrils recalled the lychee fragrance he had smelled at Tangli Residence the other day—elegant and sweet, unlike ordinary lychee scents.

It was clear she put great thought into these matters and had achieved notable success.

Xie Zhizhou nodded. “Consort Qi is skilled in incense, so it makes sense she would summon Young Madam.”

Yet Consort Qi was backed by Prince Su’s faction, and Prince Su and the Crown Prince were currently locked in fierce rivalry. Lin Shengshen’s brother, Lin Xun’en, was aligned with the Crown Prince…

Lin Shengshen, naive by nature, understood only romance and leisure, unaware of court intrigues. Would she be dragged into the conflict?

Xie Zhizhou glanced up at the stormy sky—rain was imminent.

Suddenly, he remembered the family physician’s advice from a few days prior—nurture warmth, avoid exposure to rain and cold.

“Prepare a carriage. I’ll wait at the palace gates.”

Yuan Qing hastily retreated upon receiving the order but was called back again.

“What’s the rush? I need to change my clothes first.”

Yuan Qing stared in disbelief. “Your Highness is going too?”

–

A light Four Seasons incense burned in Qingchun Palace, creating an elegant and tranquil atmosphere.

Lin Shengshen followed behind the female palace official with her head lowered.

The female official had slender eyes and willow-leaf eyebrows, her hair meticulously styled, and her pale dress impeccably neat. She remained silent throughout the journey, only speaking softly to indicate turns or steps when necessary.

Lin Shengshen knew this was Qi Xin, Consort Qi’s younger half-sister, a renowned talented woman in the capital whose poetry once stirred the entire city.

Yet her status was worlds apart from Consort Qi’s. Rumors said Qi Xin was born to a maid who served in Old Master Qi’s chambers, and her birth mother was secretly executed by the Qi family after giving birth to cover up the scandal.

Qi Xin had been raised under Madame Qi’s name since childhood, growing up alongside Consort Qi, and the bond between the sisters was extraordinary.

Now that Consort Qi held immense power in the rear palace and Prince Su was growing older, with Consort Qi currently pregnant, the Qi family had sent Qi Xin into the palace.

Though it was publicly stated that Qi Xin would serve as a female palace official attending to Consort Qi, the Qi family’s intentions were likely far from simple.

Adding fuel to the fire—the ambition of the Qi family was immeasurable. What would ultimately become of this?

Lin Shengshen lowered her gaze.

No emperor would allow maternal relatives to grow too powerful.

If the emperor remained silent, he was merely observing developments. If he took action, it would mean rivers of blood.

“Miss Lin, I heard Baoxiang Tower recently dealt with Xiangyun Tower. It seems Miss Lin is clever and astute, quite skilled in management.”

After leading Lin Shengshen to the door, Qi Xin suddenly turned around and asked this.

Lin Shengshen appeared bashful. “I don’t deserve such praise. All the underhanded schemes of Xiangyun Tower were uncovered by the manager of Baoxiang Tower. I was raised delicately in the inner chambers since childhood, usually just doing embroidery—how would I understand anything about management?”

Qi Xin curled her lips slightly. “Miss Lin is too modest.”

Without saying more, Qi Xin pushed the door open and went inside to announce her. Shortly after, she came out and said, “Miss Lin, please.”

Lin Shengshen straightened her posture and entered the room.

Though the hall was filled with an elegant, light fragrance, the furnishings were extravagantly luxurious. Upon entering, one felt an absurd sense of the scent not matching the golden hall.

Consort Qi reclined on a daybed, a curtain of beads hanging down, blocking Lin Shengshen’s view.

“Are you the daughter of the Chen family?” a languid voice asked.

Lin Shengshen bowed and replied calmly, “This commoner is Lin Shengshen. My mother is of the Wei Bei Chen family.”

Consort Qi seemed to nod. After a moment, she said, “Common merchants have been looked down upon by officials since the previous dynasty. Your father serves as a minister in court, your mother engages in trade among the people, and you… married into a century-old noble family yet move among common merchants. Truly—”

“Unusual.”

Consort Qi’s tone was indifferent, and the last two words carried a faint, ambiguous laugh.

Lin Shengshen remained expressionless. “His Majesty’s grace is profound. With the nation at peace and officials and merchants in harmony, it is the people’s blessing.”

“What a ‘blessing for the people.’”

Consort Qi rose and took a small box from a sandalwood side table, handing it to a palace maid beside her. “I heard you are skilled in the art of incense. I’ve been preparing this Er Su Jiu Ju for two days, but something feels off. Smell it.”

The bead curtain rustled softly as the palace maid brought the purple-gold box to Lin Shengshen.

Lin Shengshen picked up a Scented Pill and gently sniffed it, then smiled. “Your Highness is ingenious. You added tea fragrance to it, making the scent even more refreshing and suitable for midsummer.”

“However… the ratio of agarwood to old mountain sandalwood should be one to two. In Your Highness’s Scented Pills, I’m afraid the agarwood is somewhat excessive.”

Before she could finish speaking, Consort Qi covered her mouth with a light laugh and said to those beside her, “You see? I told you that since Miss Lin manages Baoxiang Tower so adeptly, she must be well-versed in the art of incense.”

The palace maid nearby simply smiled while gently waving a fan.

Consort Qi said, “I am weary. This box of Scented Pills is bestowed upon you. You may withdraw now.”

Lin Shengshen immediately showed an expression of pleasant surprise and expressed her gratitude.

Qi Xin entered the hall and led Lin Shengshen away.

A moment later, Qi Xin lowered her head and re-entered the hall. Lifting the beaded curtain, she approached and knelt to massage Consort Qi’s legs.

“I’ve long said that an inexperienced young woman like her—how could she possibly understand the intricacies of court politics? How could she know the relationship between Xiangyun Tower and our Qingchun Palace?” Consort Qi’s tone was disdainful.

Qi Xin remained silent for a moment before asking, “When Your Highness tested her earlier, did you notice anything?”

Consort Qi sneered, “Turns out she’s all show and no substance!”

She shifted her leg slightly. Qi Xin withdrew her hands, waited for Consort Qi to adjust to a more comfortable position, and then resumed massaging.

Consort Qi continued, “The ‘Two Su’s Old Recipe’ is the simplest formula, yet she even recited it incorrectly—mixing up the measurements of the two most crucial ingredients!”

“She even mistook your specially crafted jasmine incense for tea fragrance. With such crude skills and fawning flattery, how is she worthy of stepping into my Qingchun Palace?”

Qi Xin bowed her head. “It seems this girl is not skilled in the art of incense. The rumors circulating among the common folk are false.”

Consort Qi idly toyed with the tasseled hairpin at Qi Xin’s temple with her crimson nails. “You are far too cautious. Instruct Xiangyun Tower to set their minds at ease and stop being so suspicious. If they focus on their tasks, I will ensure they become the largest incense shop in Yunjing.”

Having said this, Consort Qi lightly tapped Qi Xin’s shoulder with her toe, signaling her to rise.

“I am weary. Carrying this little one is truly unsettling. You may withdraw now.”

Qi Xin obediently stood and asked, “Your Highness, you have not yet taken the cardamom Scented Pills today.”

A palace maid nearby moved to fetch them and assist.

Consort Qi said, “I want you to serve me.” She pointed at Qi Xin.

Qi Xin bowed her head and went to retrieve the Scented Pills, assisting Consort Qi in taking them. She then offered tea, kneeling before her as Consort Qi took a few sips before dismissing her.

Before Qi Xin could even leave the golden hall, Consort Qi casually inquired, “I heard His Majesty summoned you to the study yesterday to serve ink and brush?”

Qi Xin knelt in panic, pressing her forehead to the floor. “His Majesty only asked this humble servant about Your Highness’s health. Nothing more was said.”

Consort Qi chuckled lightly. “Look how frightened you are. Your father sent you into the palace precisely to… Ah, never mind. You may go.”

Qi Xin exited the main hall and stood under the sunlight, her back rigid and her expression slightly dim.

—

Lin Shengshen walked with her head lowered along the palace path, holding the Scented Pills bestowed by Consort Qi.

The palace walls loomed high, dark clouds drifted low overhead, and a damp, chilly wind swept through the path, carrying an intense cold.

What exactly is Xiangyun Tower’s background? Why was she summoned so urgently by Consort Qi for scrutiny the moment she made a move against Yin Wei?

And these Scented Pills…

The proportions are exquisite, and they even contain specially crafted jasmine fragrance, revealing the perfumer’s ingenuity and skilled technique.

Could it be that Consort Qi is truly as skilled in the art of incense as the rumors say, and has used this to win His Majesty’s favor?

But…

Consort Qi is pregnant, so why is there a faint scent of patchouli and clove lingering in the hall? These two fragrances are clearly harmful to the fetus. If inhaled or ingested over a long period, they could likely cause a miscarriage…

Is she unaware, or is this intentional?

Lin Shengshen suddenly remembered her past life—

Later, Consort Qi suddenly fainted one day, had difficulty breathing, and ultimately miscarried. The imperial physicians discovered a large amount of toxic incense hidden in the coral.

And this coral was the birthday gift presented to the consort by the Crown Prince.

As they approached Zhonghua Gate, Lin Shengshen slowed her pace and turned to speak with the palace maid beside her. “Consort Qi is the most favored in the entire harem. Even the Scented Pills she casually bestows are stored in purple-gold boxes. You who serve Her Majesty in the palace must receive quite generous rewards.”

The palace maid looked somewhat proud. “Consort Qi receives the most generous rewards from His Majesty, so she naturally treats us very well.”

Lin Shengshen said, “I noticed that Lady Qi is quite favored by Her Majesty. She must receive the most rewards, right?”

The palace maid pursed her lips, her expression disdainful. “Lady Qi? She’s just a…”

Before she could finish, she immediately paused, putting on a pleasant smile again as she raised her hand and said, “Miss Lin, please.”

Lin Shengshen understood perfectly. She lowered her head with a faint smile and said no more.

No matter what, there were other hidden reasons why Consort Qi couldn’t keep this pregnancy. In this lifetime, she would never let this accusation fall upon her brother again!

Just as they reached Zhonghua Gate, thunder suddenly rumbled, and rain poured down in torrents.

Lin Shengshen took shelter under the eaves as Peilan hurried over with an umbrella from outside the gate. “Miss!”

The young palace maid smiled and said, “Miss Lin, please wait a moment. This servant will go arrange for a carriage.”

Peilan shook her head at Lin Shengshen without saying more.

Lin Shengshen understood her meaning. “No need to trouble yourself. The residence has already sent a carriage to pick me up.”

The young palace maid peered outside the palace gate and saw a blackwood carriage parked nearby. The light blue carriage curtain fluttered in the wind, revealing a glimpse of a man’s shoulder.

Could it be that Lord Xie came to pick her up in person?

Who hasn’t heard about Miss Lin’s admiration for Young Master Xie? There were earlier rumors that Miss Lin wasn’t well-treated after marrying into the Xie residence, but now it seems even the most aloof young master can’t resist Miss Lin’s peerless beauty pursuing him.

“Miss Lin and Young Master Xie are such an affectionate couple, it’s truly enviable,” the young palace maid flattered.

…Lin Shengshen laughed awkwardly and brushed it off. “It’s alright.”

After the young palace maid had gone far enough, Lin Shengshen ducked under Peilan’s umbrella and walked out. “Did Baidou come to pick me up?”

Peilan shook her head. “It’s General Wen.”

“Wen Lingzhou?!”

–

Xie Zhizhou sat in his carriage, watching from afar the carriage parked in the rain at Zhonghua Gate around the corner.

Blackwood inlaid with gold—it was the Wen family’s carriage.

His eyes darkened as he gazed into the distance, just in time to see two people emerge from Zhonghua Gate.

A sky-blue umbrella obscured the upper halves of their bodies, but Xie Zhizhou could still tell from the primrose-colored fluttering hem that the one on the left was Lin Shengshen.

As Lin Shengshen approached the carriage, Wen Lingzhou personally stepped down with an umbrella, first placing a small hand warmer in her arms, then helping her into the carriage.

The carriage broke through the curtain of rain and sped away, water splashing in its wake.

Xie Zhizhou lowered the carriage curtain and glanced at the hand warmer placed beside him. The gilded carved patterns were wrapped in satin embroidered with mandarin ducks—

According to the maids at Tangli Residence, that was embroidered by Lin Shengshen before her wedding.

He withdrew his gaze.

“Return to the residence.”