After Rebirth, My Aloof Husband Can Hear My Inner Thoughts [Transmigration & Rebirth] - Chapter 20

The hair ribbon twisted tightly in his palm like a cunning snake, coiling around Xie Zhizhou while waiting for a chance to bite. He clenched his hand and took a step forward.

Lin Shengshen wore a primrose-yellow pomegranate skirt today, her ink-black hair swaying gently at her waist in the breeze. She hadn’t styled her hair up today, and from behind, she looked no different from an unmarried maiden.

Xie Zhizhou narrowed his eyes slightly, his deep brows tightening. From his angle, the pair was vaguely concealed behind the flowers, creating an ambiguous scene.

So, the hair ribbon hadn’t been taken for repairs, nor was it any distress signal—it was merely a discarded object, tossed aside out of boredom and annoyance.

Lin Shengshen paused briefly without answering.

Yet Xie Zhizhou heard—

[Regret! Of course I regret it! I regret it so much my intestines have turned green!]

Lin Shengshen cleared her throat lightly, “Lingzhou gege—”

Before she could finish, heavy footsteps sounded behind her, followed by Xie Zhizhou’s cold voice: “Lin Shengshen, it’s time to go home.”

Wen Lingzhou had already spotted Xie Zhizhou hidden behind the flowers, but he hadn’t expected Xie Zhizhou to be so impatient as to interrupt before hearing everything.

He’d heard that since marrying into the Xie residence, Lin Shengshen had suffered constant cold treatment.

In Wen Lingzhou’s memory, Lin Shengshen had been treasured like a pearl since childhood, never subjected to harsh treatment. Now that she was enduring grievances in the Xie household, she must surely be filled with regret.

If Lin Shengshen said today that she regretted this marriage, even if he had to climb mountains of blades and descend into seas of fire, exhausting all his military merits, he would go before His Majesty to reclaim this marriage.

But if she was unwilling…

Wen Lingzhou glanced at Xie Zhizhou, who didn’t spare him half a look, his gaze fixed solely on Lin Shengshen, waves of emotion surging in his eyes.

Wen Lingzhou raised an eyebrow. This matter—

Had Xie Zhizhou been unwilling to listen just now, or had he been afraid to listen?

Alarm bells rang loudly in Wen Lingzhou’s mind. He instinctively stepped forward, but was ultimately a moment too late.

In the instant Lin Shengshen stood frozen, Xie Zhizhou had already taken her wrist and led her around the rockery onto the shaded path.

Under the gloomy sky, even darker was Xie Zhizhou’s expression.

Lin Shengshen shook off his grip from her arm, “What are you doing? I can walk by myself!”

Xie Zhizhou remained silent, taking another step forward that completely blocked Lin Shengshen’s petite figure.

Lin Shengshen’s chest heaved violently. She had nearly stumbled during those hurried steps just now, and now facing off against Xie Zhizhou, she felt a thread of panic, but more than that was anger at his inexplicable interference with her movements.

“You shouldn’t meet Wen Lingzhou in private.” Xie Zhizhou, probably driven mad by anger at this moment, had forgotten what he thought yesterday: that he had no interest in meddling in her interactions with Wen Lingzhou.

Lin Shengshen took a step back, her presence undiminished, “You shouldn’t have followed me.”

“You are my wife.” Xie Zhizhou stated.

“So what?” Lin Shengshen retorted.

Xie Zhizhou pressed his thin lips together and took another step forward, pinning Lin Shengshen tightly against the thick tree trunk.

He knew that Lin Shengshen wasn’t thinking anything at this moment.

But it infuriated him that Lin Shengshen wasn’t thinking anything at this moment.

Looking at Lin Shengshen’s self-righteous yet slightly puzzled expression, Xie Zhizhou suddenly felt a surge of irritation rising within him.

For some reason, he was annoyed that he could hear Lin Shengshen’s inner thoughts. If he couldn’t, perhaps he could deceive himself into believing that Lin Shengshen was flustered, guilty, and that the answer she wanted to voice was—

“I don’t regret this marriage.”

But as it was, he could hear her thoughts clearly and see the truth plainly, leaving no room for self-deception.

Perhaps there had once been a sincere affection placed before him. Lin Shengshen’s letters, the two corals, the discarded hair ribbon, the exquisite painting, the hem of her dress soaked multiple times for his sake… so many things could prove that Lin Shengshen had once truly loved him.

But now, what lay before him was her distant gaze, her evasive posture, her resistant gestures—

She no longer loved him. In just a few days, she had withdrawn completely, leaving him alone in a state of confusion.

Yet it wasn’t fair. If she no longer loved him, why let him know she once had? If she no longer loved him, why let him hear it so clearly?

His heart was tossed between hope and despair, while she remained unperturbed, growing close to someone else—

Her relationship with Wen Lingzhou was far from as simple as he had imagined.

After a long silence, Xie Zhizhou restrained himself and spoke, “You shouldn’t act like this.”

Lin Shengshen didn’t understand. “Like what? I’ve never interfered in your life, and you shouldn’t interfere in mine either.”

Xie Zhizhou shook his head. She had interfered, thoroughly and completely.

But she refused to admit it.

A gentleman values virtue over desire.

He shouldn’t complicate the simple bond of marital affection.

Yet for some reason, he felt that the marital bond he had once believed to be unshakable was now like flowers in a mirror or the moon reflected in water—a kite on the verge of snapping in a fierce wind.

Xie Zhizhou actually wanted more than just a marital relationship with Lin Shengshen, a challenge more daunting than the most difficult case he had ever handled.

“Sister-in-law, Brother… you two…” Xie Zhenhuan gasped for breath, having rushed over in a hurry.

Xie Zhizhou withdrew his gaze from Lin Shengshen’s face and said coldly, “Let’s go home.”

[My wrist hurts so much! That wretched Xie Zhizhou!]

Xie Zhizhou slowed his pace but ultimately did not look back.

The carriage jolted its way down the mountain, the three inside silent.

Xie Zhizhou sat stiffly with a cold expression, Lin Shengshen dozed off intermittently, and Xie Zhenhuan glanced nervously from one to the other, not daring to make a sound.

When they reached the foot of the mountain, Xie Zhizhou finally spoke. “Zhenhuan, go to the carriage behind.”

Xie Zhenhuan naturally didn’t dare to ask any questions. She knew her brother all too well—if he was truly angry, even ten of her wouldn’t be able to handle him.

She still remembered how, not long after their mother passed away, their father had rushed to elevate Concubine Jin to the main wife. Before her brother had even taken off his mourning clothes, he had swiftly and ruthlessly ended the child in Concubine Jin’s womb and cut off their father’s ability to have more heirs…

That was why no more children had been born in the household all these years. Their father, believing it was due to his own old age, had been urging his brother to expand the family and strengthen their lineage, unaware that he himself was incapable.

What her brother wanted to do, no one could stop.

Xie Zhenhuan cast a concerned glance at Lin Shengshen, who had just woken from a doze and was yawning. Lin Shengshen waved her off casually before leaning back against the cushioned seat, completely unbothered.

Xie Zhenhuan got out of the carriage.

The interior suddenly felt much emptier. Lin Shengshen sat opposite Xie Zhizhou, having just yawned, a few tears still glistening at the corners of her eyes. She wiped them away carelessly with her fingertips.

Before she could finish wiping, she noticed the handkerchief Xie Zhizhou had handed over.

Lin Shengshen pushed his hand away. “No need, thank you.”

Xie Zhizhou withdrew his hand, his thin eyelids drooping slightly, concealing an inscrutable expression. Unlike his usual aloof indifference, today he carried a rare sense of closeness.

“As husband and wife, we are one. Do not behave like this again in the future,” he said, his tone relatively calm compared to his earlier anger.

Lin Shengshen suddenly laughed. “What behavior are you referring to, Young Master Xie? Is it my alleged affair with Wen Lingzhou or elopement? Neither seems to have happened.”

Xie Zhizhou’s brows furrowed slightly, his sharp aura returning. “How can you speak so recklessly!”

Lin Shengshen replied, “Wen Lingzhou and I grew up together as childhood friends from the same hometown. Even when we meet, we maintain proper boundaries without overstepping. Perhaps you’ve handled too many cases, Young Master Xie, and have grown suspicious. First, you dragged me along, and now you’re lecturing me. Have you forgotten the agreement we made on our wedding day—to stay out of each other’s affairs?”

“I haven’t interfered in your matters with Third Miss Zhou, so don’t meddle in mine.”

With that, Lin Shengshen instructed the coachman, “Stop the carriage.”

She rose and stepped out, heading to the carriage behind where Xie Zhenhuan was seated.

Unwilling to share a ride with him.

Even less willing to ask how he felt inside.

Xie Zhizhou watched Lin Shengshen’s figure flutter away like a butterfly, not once looking back.

A warm sensation flowed into his palm. Looking down, he realized the wound on his arm had reopened unnoticed. The freshly healed, gruesome injury now bore new cracks, and warm blood seeped out quietly, much like the fleeting emotion that had just passed.

Outside the carriage, Yuan Qing trembled with anxiety, thinking to himself how his young master could be so harsh as to drive the Young Madam out of the carriage. Just as the young couple seemed to be warming to each other, they had taken a step back to how things were before. What could be done?

After calming Xie Zhenhuan along the way, they arrived at the Xie residence late into the night.

Having walked a great deal and ridden in the carriage for so long, Lin Shengshen felt sore and exhausted. She instructed Peilan to hurry back to Tangli Residence to prepare a tub of hot water—she needed a good soak.

In the dim, fragrant air, the subtle scent of orchids permeated the steam. As Peilan massaged Lin Shengshen’s shoulders, she worriedly said, “Miss, the young master seems truly upset. It’s so late, and he went straight to his study. In the future…”

Lin Shengshen, comfortably squinting her eyes, replied, “The future? The future will be much more carefree.”

“Xie Zhizhou cannot tolerate the slightest flaw. After this, he’ll surely despise me completely. Within a year, he will undoubtedly find a way to divorce me. Peilan, we’ll soon return to the Lin residence. Aren’t you happy?” If he could take the initiative to bring up the divorce with His Majesty, it would be best for both of them and the Lin family.

Peilan frowned with concern. “Miss, what will become of us in the future?”

Knowing Peilan was referring to life after the divorce, Lin Shengshen smiled. “Yes, it’s time to start looking for someone agreeable.”

Hearing this, Peilan was fully convinced that Lin Shengshen wasn’t just speaking in anger. She tentatively asked, “Miss, do you truly no longer care for the young master?” Just a month ago, she still…

Lin Shengshen fell silent for a moment, then slowly opened her eyes. Gazing at the vibrant orchids blooming on the flower stand and the lively Thrushes hanging outside the window, she thought how wonderful it was to be alive. This time, she would cherish her life.

“Since I am unworthy, naturally, I dare not care for him.”

Suddenly feeling disinterested and hollow, an overwhelming weariness set in. Lin Shengshen leaned back in the tub, drowsy. “Clear away all of Xie Zhizhou’s things and then rest. I’d like to be alone for a while.”

The study was silent. Yuan Qing tidied up the blood-stained silk cloth and stole a glance at Xie Zhizhou’s expression.

Xie Zhizhou appeared calm, seemingly unaffected by the day’s events. He held a brush in one hand while the other arm rested bare beside him, tightly wrapped in silk bandages that outlined the contours of his muscles.

“Any movement from Tangli Residence?”

Yuan Qing was growing anxious himself. In the past, the Young Madam would have been waiting tearfully at the study door to intercept the young master, but now…

“None. Perhaps she was too exhausted from today and retired early.”

“Dismissed.”

Shortly after, Xie Zhenhuan peeked in. “Brother, you summoned me…”

She hesitated at the doorway, not daring to enter.

“Sit.”

Xie Zhenhuan murmured acknowledgment and carefully entered to take a seat.

Without looking up, Xie Zhizhou asked in a low voice, “Last month you mentioned she spent a fortune on a fan pendant as my birthday gift. Have you seen it?”

It took her a moment to realize “she” referred to Lin Shengshen. Xie Zhenhuan nodded vigorously.

“That fan pendant was warm white throughout, smooth and translucent. It featured the Immortal Child Holding Lotus pattern—exactly the elegant, understated design you’d appreciate. Sister-in-law said it suited you perfectly.”

Xie Zhizhou didn’t look up, merely nodding slightly.

Xie Zhenhuan looked puzzled. “Why do you ask, brother? Didn’t you receive it?”

The study fell silent, filled only with the chirping of insects from the surrounding grass.

“I received it.” His voice was as faint as distant clouds.

Xie Zhenhuan brightened. “Well? Did you like it? Sister-in-law spent ages selecting it! Which fan do you plan to hang it on? Or have you already attached it? Show me quickly!”

Knowing her brother’s sudden interest in the pendant meant he liked it, she wondered if he might grow fonder of her sister-in-law too.

Her heart leapt with joy.

Xie Zhizhou set down his brush and cast a cool glance at her. “It’s late. Return to your quarters and rest.”

Not daring to press further, Xie Zhenhuan hurried away.

Beside the lamp stand lay a sapphire-blue hair ribbon, its end stained with a stubborn, unsightly blotch that refused to wash out.

His thoughts in disarray, his brush moved across the page, transcribing the elegant “Heart Sutra”:

“The mind is without obstruction, without obstruction therefore without fear.”

Lifting his gaze, he saw Lin Shengshen’s radiant smile, her lively charm, and the stinging slap that left his cheek tingling.

Lowering his eyes, he envisioned the Immortal Child Holding Lotus dangling from another’s fan, the fluttering butterfly alighting on another’s shoulder.

The lamp flame flickered suddenly within the pine-bamboo shade. Xie Zhizhou had already strode out of the study, heading straight for Tangli Residence.