After Rebirth, My Aloof Husband Can Hear My Inner Thoughts [Transmigration & Rebirth] - Chapter 33

Tonight’s moon was a warm yellow. Lin Shengshen had been gazing at it in the mirror on the table for a long time when she suddenly looked up and realized Xie Zhizhou had already come out of the bath chamber at some point.

He stood at the bath chamber door, staring intently at her, his eyes filled with complex emotions that were hard to decipher under the lamplight.

[It can’t be that serious… It’s not like I deliberately sprinkled that powder on his hand…]

Xie Zhizhou snapped back to reality, steadied his breathing, and walked up to Lin Shengshen.

“Lin Shengshen, my hand still hurts a lot.”

He stretched his hand out in front of her.

[…What can be done about it?]

Lin Shengshen said, “You’re not lying, are you? If it hurts so much, how could you bathe yourself without showing any sign of pain? On the way back just now, I didn’t see you acting strangely.”

Xie Zhizhou frowned. “It’s true.”

Lin Shengshen waved her hand dismissively. “Fine, just bear with it. There’s nothing else to be done right now. Once Peilan finishes brewing the medicine, drinking it will help ease the pain.”

With that, she stood up and headed toward the bath chamber, yawning as she walked. “Be careful when you sleep tonight—don’t bump it.”

“Lin Shengshen…”

But Lin Shengshen was too tired to hear him and went straight into the bath chamber without looking back.

Xie Zhizhou remained standing there for a long time.

Was it because Wen Lingzhou was going off to war that she had lost all interest, not even giving him a chance to talk a little more?

What else had Wen Lingzhou written to her?

Had she written back?

And what had she written in her reply?

Xie Zhizhou obsessively dwelled on these thoughts.

“Brother…” Xie Zhenhuan poked her head in cautiously.

She entered and, spotting a quilt on the small couch where Xie Zhizhou was sitting, widened her eyes in disbelief.

She had heard that her brother and sister-in-law had started sharing a room some time ago, so why was there a quilt on the small couch tonight?

Xie Zhenhuan had no time to ponder further, first startled by the injury on Xie Zhizhou’s hand—a bloody, mangled mess that looked excruciatingly painful. Her eyes involuntarily reddened, “Brother, what exactly happened? And sister-in-law? Is she unharmed? Sister-in-law fears pain the most; if she were to suffer even once, she would surely cry.”

A barrage of questions, yet Xie Zhizhou had no answers ready. His thoughts drifted to how Lin Shengshen truly dreaded pain—just last month, she had fainted from menstrual cramps. In their past life… during their consummation, he had failed to restrain his strength, causing her great pain and frequent nightmares.

A wave of dread washed over Xie Zhizhou. Had he carelessly allowed Lin Shengshen to come into contact with that medicinal powder today…

The image of Lin Shengshen’s tears flashed through his mind, his heart twisting as if stabbed by a dagger.

“Brother?”

Xie Zhizhou snapped back to reality, “Your sister-in-law is fine, and so am I.”

Xie Zhenhuan pressed on, but Xie Zhizhou cut her off, “It’s late. Your sister-in-law is very tired and will be going to sleep soon. Come back tomorrow.”

It was a clear dismissal.

Xie Zhenhuan was taken aback for a moment, then reflected that although Xie Zhizhou remained as cold as ever today, he had shown unusual patience, even speaking so many words in succession.

Still, she mustered the courage to stay put and whispered, “Is sister-in-law still unwilling to…”

“…” Xie Zhizhou’s voice turned icy, “Get out.”

Without needing to hear his answer, Xie Zhenhuan knew her sister-in-law must still be unwilling. She inwardly mocked Xie Zhizhou—see, I told you to treat her well, but you wouldn’t listen. Now you regret it.

She pouted, “Brother, sister-in-law has a soft heart. Whenever I need something, if I beg her, she always agrees. Why don’t you also…”

“Get out.”

Xie Zhenhuan ducked her head and scurried away.

When Lin Shengshen emerged from the bath, her nightgown was neatly fastened. She sniffed the air, catching a faint scent of ze lan, “Did Zhenhuan come by just now?”

Xie Zhizhou raised an eyebrow—Lin Shengshen’s sense of smell was truly sharp, no wonder she had instantly identified the poison at Wu Zhen’s house.

“She did. She said she was worried you were hurt and was very anxious.”

Lin Shengshen smiled softly, like a spring breeze.

“She’s just a child.”

Xie Zhizhou’s gaze lingered on Lin Shengshen’s lotus-like face. Her smile was so gentle and kind, yet it seemed she had never smiled at him that way.

He averted his eyes, feeling an emptiness in his heart. He drank his medicine alone and tended to his wound.

That night, Lin Shengshen slept soundly—first, because the worries that had plagued her these past few days were finally resolved, lifting a weight off her chest and allowing her to rest peacefully.

Second, because Xie Zhizhou spoke very little and did not disturb her sleep by coming to the bed, which was truly comforting.

The next morning, the bedding on the small couch was neatly arranged, and Xie Zhizhou was nowhere to be seen—likely having left early for the palace again.

Upon waking, Lin Shengshen felt a dull ache and heaviness in her lower abdomen. She thought to herself how remarkably accurate Xie Zhizhou’s predictions were—where had he learned to calculate menstrual cycles? Logically, only young women would bother learning such things.

Peilan prepared menstrual pads and brought a bowl of warm brown sugar water, “Miss, since you’re uncomfortable these days, perhaps you shouldn’t go to Baoxiang Tower.”

Lin Shengshen nestled under the covers, sipping slowly.

“Never mind, I’m truly not feeling well. Going would only be a hassle,” she said. “Baidou, take these banknotes to Wanjin Tower and tell them we’re delivering the deposit we agreed upon the other day.”

“By the way, don’t rush to present this portion yet. If Wanjin Pavilion still insists on raising prices, stall them a few times before bringing it out.”

“Remember, that’s all. If they make exorbitant demands again, just turn and leave without another word. I’ll handle the negotiations later.”

Baidou nodded, took the money and left.

Peilan said resentfully: “The shopkeeper of Wanjin Pavilion is truly cunning. Does he really think we can’t find another jewelry shop to cooperate with?”

The pain gradually intensified, making Lin Shengshen gasp sharply a few times.

“Enough. Recently Shopkeeper Zhu has been distracted, and I have many matters to attend to as well. I truly don’t have the energy to seek out another shop. If Wanjin Pavilion knows what’s good for them, it’s fine to let them have a bit more profit.”

Peilan recalled how Lin Shengshen had fainted from pain last time and asked anxiously, “Miss, should I call the residence physician?”

Lin Shengshen shook her head, “No need. I haven’t eaten anything cold recently, so it’s much better than last time.”

“Go instruct the kitchen to prepare some hot soup for lunch.”

After giving these instructions, Lin Shengshen wrapped herself in the quilt, hugged the hot water bottle, and drifted into a drowsy sleep.

When Xie Zhizhou returned to Tangli Residence at noon, the main room was quiet. The doors and windows were tightly shut, making it rather stuffy. As he walked further in, a faint scent of sweet soup lingered in the air.

[It hurts so much…]

Lin Shengshen had gotten her monthly courses.

He strode to the bedside and saw her curled into a small ball against the inner side of the bed. Though it was early June and quite humid, Lin Shengshen was sweating profusely, with strands of black hair clinging to her cheeks.

She frowned, her face pale.

Though slightly better than last time, she still looked as fragile as porcelain about to break.

Xie Zhizhou’s brows knitted together. He leaned down and reached out to wipe the sweat from Lin Shengshen’s forehead.

[Ever since getting caught in the rain that day, the pain has been this bad. It’s all Xie Zhizhou’s fault! It’s all his fault!]

Even in her drowsy state, Lin Shengshen couldn’t stop her resentful internal monologue.

The sweat in his hand felt cold, like tears. Xie Zhizhou’s heart felt as if pierced by a knife. If only he hadn’t assumed that Lin Shengshen had conspired with Xie Zhenhuan to drug him on his birthday, if only he hadn’t been blinded by desire, Lin Shengshen wouldn’t have to suffer like this today.

She was right—it was all his fault.

Xie Zhizhou sat on the edge of the bed, lifted Lin Shengshen from the inner side, rewrapped her in the quilt, and held her in his arms. Then he rubbed his hands warm, slipped them under the brocade quilt, and placed them over her lower abdomen through her sleeping gown.

The series of movements flowed smoothly, unlike the hesitation and clumsiness of last time.

“Lin Shengshen, I’m sorry.”

The words felt utterly inadequate. Looking at Lin Shengshen’s pale face, her perpetually furrowed brows, and her tightly bitten lower lip, Xie Zhizhou suddenly realized his own insignificance and uselessness.

What did it matter if he wore jade pendants and rose swiftly in official ranks?

Watching the person he loved suffer in agony, he wished he could bear the pain for her, but ultimately, he was powerless.

He held the person in his arms tighter and gently massaged her abdomen.

When Peilan returned with the meal and saw Young Master Xie sitting on the bed holding Lin Shengshen, she was startled.

“Young Master, this…”

Xie Zhizhou looked up, his eyes bloodshot. “Go, summon the residence physician.”

“But, the young lady said not to…”

“Go now.”

Just as Peilan ran out, a maid hurried along the corridor and called through the window, “Young Madam, the master and concubine request your presence.”

Xie Zhizhou replied coldly, “I’m not feeling well today. I won’t be going.”

The young maidservant never expected Xie Zhizhou to be in the room and quickly said respectfully, “Young Master, Concubine Jin has prepared a table of dishes and invites Young Madam to join. If she doesn’t go, I’m afraid…”

Xie Zhizhou’s patience had run out, but his voice remained calm, not wanting to disturb Lin Shengshen. He said, “She won’t go. If you dare say another word—”

The young maidservant felt a chill run down her spine. She bowed outside the window and hurried away.

[I’m thirsty…]

Xie Zhizhou looked down and saw Lin Shengshen’s lips moving slightly, her eyes tightly shut. She wasn’t unconscious but was sleeping fitfully from the intense pain.

He held her securely in his arms with one arm, got up to pour a cup of hot tea from the round table, then sat back down on the bed, slowly feeding her the tea sip by sip.

But he wasn’t skilled at caring for others. Though he tried his best to control the teacup, the tea still flowed too fast or too slow at times. Lin Shengshen choked once, and he quickly set the cup aside to wipe her mouth, then placed his palm back on her lower abdomen.

“Cough, cough… cough…” Lin Shengshen was jolted awake by the choking.

She groggily opened her eyes, feeling warmth all over her body, especially on her lower abdomen, where the pain had eased considerably.

Lin Shengshen met his cool, detached gaze. She shifted slightly and realized she was being held in his arms, his warm hand resting over her thin nightgown on her abdomen. !

“What are you doing!” Her hand moved faster than her mind, and she slapped him, using the very method Xie Zhizhou had taught her last time.

This time, she was practiced and swift—even the cramping pain in her abdomen didn’t hinder the force of her strike.

The main room fell so silent you could hear a pin drop.

Lin Shengshen shrank back as she watched the red mark slowly appear on Xie Zhizhou’s cheek. His expression was terrifyingly cold, but his hand remained on her abdomen, his arm still tightly wrapped around her shoulders.

Only then did it dawn on Lin Shengshen that Xie Zhizhou hadn’t been taking advantage of her vulnerability but was holding her and massaging her stomach to ease the pain. No wonder she felt so much better after waking up.

Her mind went blank. She couldn’t understand why Xie Zhizhou would do this, and now she had to worry about the consequences of misunderstanding him and slapping him.

When had he ever suffered such humiliation? From what Lin Shengshen knew of Xie Zhizhou, he might not hit her back, but he would surely rebuke her coldly, push her away, and storm off.

Her thoughts were in turmoil.

However, Xie Zhizhou was stunned for a moment, then chuckled lightly. “The force this time was just right.”

He continued massaging her without pause, his large hand transmitting steady warmth through the thin fabric of her nightgown to her skin.

[You’re insane!]

Lin Shengshen didn’t dare stay so close to a madman. She pushed Xie Zhizhou away, scrambled to the inner side of the bed, and put distance between them.