After Rebirth, My Aloof Husband Can Hear My Inner Thoughts [Transmigration & Rebirth] - Chapter 35

For several days in a row, the room was consistently filled with the faint scent of medicinal herbs.

The slight bitterness of danshen root was practically marinating Lin Shengshen – this was the smell emitted by the ointment Xie Zhizhou diligently applied every morning and evening.

Danshen root, mutton fat… scar removal?

To think Xie Zhizhou was carefully applying scar removal ointment every day…

Lin Shengshen looked at her reflection in the mirror, tilting her head as she said, “Not this hairpin, it’s too plain.”

Peilan smiled and opened the jewelry case to search inside. “This servant remembers that the young lady has an eight-treasure pearl cluster hairpin – the pearls are as big as grapes, quite heavy in hand. Shall we wear that one today?”

Lin Shengshen thought for a moment and shook her head. “Today we’re going to help Zhenhuan with her matchmaking viewing, not for me. Why would I need something so extravagant?”

“Just pick a gold hairpin.”

Peilan acknowledged and began searching through the full box of jewelry.

Before she could find one, Xie Zhenhuan walked in, holding a pearwood box with a beaming smile.

“Sister-in-law, open it quickly and see!”

Seeing how happily she was smiling, Lin Shengshen felt somewhat puzzled. “What is it that has you so delighted?”

As she spoke, she opened the box to find two gold filigree phoenix-and-peony hairpins, paired with two gilded ruyi side ornaments, two gold-inlaid jade peach-shaped centerpieces, and two pearl earrings lying inside.

Without even picking them up, she knew the box must be quite heavy – filled with nothing but gold, jade, and pearls, how could it not be?

Lin Shengshen’s eyes lit up. “Did we strike it rich? Such extravagance.”

Xie Zhenhuan asked with a smile, “Aren’t they beautiful?”

Lin Shengshen nodded. “Good choices, you have excellent taste.”

“Sister-in-law, I’m glad you like it! Put it on quickly.” Xie Zhenhuan eagerly set down the box and picked up the hairpin to place it in Lin Shengshen’s hair.

Lin Shengshen dodged slightly, “What are you doing? What’s with this sudden kindness? Where did this jewelry come from?”

Xie Zhenhuan replied mysteriously, “My brother asked me to give it to you!”

Lin Shengshen glanced at the items in the box, then at Xie Zhenhuan, “Your brother? Giving me this?”

“Absolutely impossible, unless he’s gone mad.”

Xie Zhizhou had always looked down upon gold and silver ornaments. In her previous life, he had even scolded her for wearing bright, lavish accessories. Not only would Xie Zhizhou never give her gifts, but these items were definitely not something he would have chosen!

Xie Zhenhuan said, “Brother told me not to tell you, sister-in-law. Please don’t let him know I was the one who told you. Just pretend I gave it to you.”

Lin Shengshen touched her hair bun, “Come on, put it on for me.”

Watching Xie Zhenhuan bustling behind her, a warm feeling flowed through Lin Shengshen’s heart.

In her previous life, whenever she felt sad or lonely, it was always Zhenhuan who accompanied and comforted her. Naturally, she had often done things like today—giving her gifts on Xie Zhizhou’s behalf.

Xie Zhenhuan was soft-hearted, sensitive, and thoughtful. Having lost her mother at a young age and lacking close female relatives, she treated Lin Shengshen like her own sister.

Zhenhuan was genuinely worried about the discord between her and Xie Zhizhou.

This child had really splurged this time—how much must this box of jewelry have cost?

Lin Shengshen picked up a gold filigree bracelet with intertwining floral patterns from the table, took Xie Zhenhuan’s hand, and slipped the bracelet onto her wrist.

“You have a matchmaking meeting today, there’s no harm in dressing more brightly.”

Feeling the weight on her wrist, Xie Zhenhuan blushed, “Sister-in-law, I don’t want to go.”

“The Qi family has put considerable effort into organizing this flower appreciation banquet. The invitation was sent directly to our household—how could we not attend?”

Xie Zhenhuan looked somewhat dejected, “Brother Wulin hasn’t sent any messages these days…”

Lin Shengshen curled her lips slightly. Good child, give up hope—Xu Wulin will soon be matched with Xie Yunshuang!

“If he hasn’t sent any messages, then he’s not anxious about this marriage. Why should you worry if he isn’t? Why not take this opportunity to relax and have fun, and maybe look at other young gentlemen? Perhaps you’ll find someone better?”

The sisters-in-law took a carriage to the Qi residence.

The summer flowers had bloomed and gone, leaving only green shade. The Qi family had planted a pond of lotus flowers, and in the waterside pavilion, elegant women in light dresses chatted and laughed. From a distance, the lotus leaves swayed in the breeze, accompanied by soft voices—a breathtakingly beautiful scene.

Lin Shengshen had little interest in lotus flowers and merely sat in the pavilion making conversation with various noblewomen.

“Have you heard? The eldest Miss Zhou was actually chosen by Consort Qi to become Prince Su’s liangdi.”

“Tsk tsk, in my opinion, although the Zhou family are just minor officials without firm footing, they excel at maneuvering. Look, now they’ve climbed up through the Qi family—their future prospects are limitless.”

“Since they’ve formed a marriage alliance with the Qi family, why don’t we see Madame Zhou at today’s flower appreciation banquet?”

Several noblewomen covered their mouths with their fans and chuckled, “Don’t you know? She’s just a liangdi. Even when elevated, she’s merely a tool for bearing children. The Zhou family lacks refinement—why would the Qi family associate with them over a mere tool?”

“Oh my, in the future if… even as just a liangdi, her prospects would be limitless.”

“That depends on her fortune. I’ve heard Prince Su’s main wife rules with strict discipline. Just this year alone, many beauties have been carried out horizontally from the prince’s residence. The Zhou girl wants to rise rapidly? Let her survive first before talking about that.”

Lin Shengshen overheard the conversation and shook her head to herself.

To be honest, Prince Su was truly not a good match.

Prince Su was sinister, and Princess Su was ruthless. With these two in charge, life in Prince Su’s Mansion was likely extremely difficult.

But… she wondered how Zhou Qiong was doing. Had she managed to marry herself off as she wished?

While Lin Shengshen was lost in thought, a nearby noblewoman spoke up again. “In my opinion, you get what you deserve. If the eldest Miss Zhou were as sensible as Third Miss and married a scholar, she might still have a chance to strive for something in the future. Though life would be hard, at least she wouldn’t lose her life.”

Some noblewomen nodded in agreement, while others from prominent families disagreed. “What future is there in marrying a poor scholar? Do you really think everyone can have the smooth official career like Chancellor Lin?”

Lin Shengshen suddenly looked up. What? How did the conversation suddenly turn to her?

The noblewomen weren’t familiar with Lin Shengshen, having only heard some amusing anecdotes about her. Though they looked down on her in their hearts, they didn’t dare disrespect her due to Lin Zhiping’s status, so they all began flattering her.

After dealing with them for a while, Lin Shengshen picked up her fan and went to the flower corridor.

“Baidou, go find out when Zhou Qiong is getting married.” She touched her hair ornaments and realized she was wearing all the jewelry Zhenhuan had given her today, so she simply took off a high-quality jade bracelet from her wrist and handed it to Baidou.

“Also, take a land deed from my Official skin box – the fifty-acre paddy field in the outskirts of the capital.”

Baidou looked puzzled. “Miss, this is…”

Lin Shengshen said, “Consider it my wedding gift to her.”

Peilan said, “Miss, this bracelet alone is valuable enough. Why add a land deed too?”

Lin Shengshen smiled. “You’re still holding a grudge because she almost became a concubine in the Xie residence. Don’t think about those things anymore.”

“Marrying a poor scholar might seem fine, but most wives who endure hardship with their husbands don’t end well. They waste their youth on men, and when the men finally achieve success, flocks of admirers swarm around them. How many men actually remember the hardships they shared or the bond forged through adversity?”

Thinking of all the inner household matters she had heard about in her previous three years, Lin Shengshen continued, “If the scholar remembers their past affection, that’s one thing. But if he turns out to be heartless, this land deed will at least allow Zhou Qiong to support herself.”

“Go ahead.”

Baidou left to carry out the orders, while Peilan stepped forward to fan her. “Miss, why have you become…”

“Become what?”

Peilan couldn’t quite put it into words. Whether it was arranging accommodation for Zhou Qiong last time or giving the land deed this time, she always felt that Lin Shengshen had changed – she seemed to have lost interest in romantic love and was now observing it with cold detachment.

Peilan sighed softly. “Miss, this time I truly believe that you don’t like Young Master Xie anymore.”

Lin Shengshen tapped Peilan’s forehead. “Why are you sighing about such a good thing?”

Before the mistress and maid could continue their conversation, they heard noisy voices coming from behind the flower bushes.

“It was clearly you who bumped into me first. Why are you holding your arm like that now?”

“Xie Er, you look so delicate, but why such a temper? Not only do you refuse to apologize for bumping into someone, but you’re even acting self-righteous about it.”

“You, you, you scoundrel! It was clearly you…”

“Me, me, what about me?”

“Wen Zhaoya, you’re going too far!” The tone sounded thoroughly enraged.

“Oh? Who exactly is going too far here?” The words ended with a hint of laughter.

“Don’t think you can use this trick to see my sister-in-law. Don’t think I don’t know what you’re up to.”

“Sister-in-law? Sister-in-law came with you today, right? I was just thinking of paying my respects.”

…

It had turned into a chaotic mess.

Lin Shengshen rubbed her forehead. Why were these two like sworn enemies? According to Zhuyu, they had met recently at Baoxiang Tower, where Xie Zhenhuan had chased Wen Zhaoya out with a feather duster.

If Zhuyu hadn’t sworn it was absolutely true, Lin Shengshen would never have believed that a gentle, amiable girl like Xie Zhenhuan would hit someone with a feather duster.

Now that the two had crossed paths again, they were quarreling once more.

What should I do? Lin Shengshen thought miserably. I was still hoping to match Zhenhuan with the young master of the Wen family, but it seems it won’t work out.

She used her fan to shield her eyes from the glaring sunlight and walked around behind the flower bushes. “Zhenhuan? Has something happened?”

As soon as Xie Zhenhuan saw Lin Shengshen, she quickly ran over and positioned herself in front of her.

Lin Shengshen took the opportunity to carefully examine Zhenhuan. Seeing that she wasn’t injured, she felt relieved.

Wen Zhaoya, wearing a pale green robe with cloud and water patterns, stepped forward with a clear, handsome face. The corners of his mouth lifted in a smile as he made an elegant bow. “Greetings, sister-in-law.”

Xie Zhenhuan said angrily, “She’s my sister-in-law!”

Lin Shengshen held Zhenhuan’s arm and smiled at Wen Zhaoya. “Young Master Wen, no need for formalities. I’ve known your elder brother since we were children – we’re all familiar with each other.”

Wen Zhaoya straightened up and winked at Xie Zhenhuan, making her stamp her foot in anger.

“I heard your brother will be leaving for the northwest in half a month. Please convey my message to him today – I wish him safety and a great victory upon his return.” After saying this, Lin Shengshen prepared to lead Zhenhuan away.

Wen Zhaoya said, “If my brother hears this, he will surely be overjoyed.”

Lin Shengshen paused. “That would be… very good.”

After they had walked quite a distance and circled halfway around the lotus pond, the previously silent Xie Zhenhuan finally spoke. “Sister-in-law, are you and General Wen old acquaintances?”

Lin Shengshen nodded.

“Just like me and Brother Wulin?” Xie Zhenhuan asked cautiously. She knew these matters weren’t for her to question, but she was truly worried…

Lin Shengshen nodded, then shook her head.

They were both childhood friends, but not quite the same. Between her and Wen Lingzhou, there was ultimately no affection to speak of.

Or rather, ever since Wen Lingzhou went off to war in his youth, casting aside all worldly matters in Lizhou, those youthful memories between them had been buried in the harsh northern winds.

Xie Zhenhuan looked as if facing a great enemy, hesitating to speak. After thinking for a long time, she suddenly said, “Sister-in-law, brother is different from before now, you…”

Lin Shengshen laughed. “Silly child, what nonsense are you thinking?”

“Did you have fun gathering with the young ladies from various families today? Did you take a liking to any young master?” Not wanting to continue discussing Wen Lingzhou, she smilingly changed the subject.

Xie Zhenhuan pouted. “I was having fun, until I ran into that rogue Wen Zhaoya.”

As she spoke, she plucked a blade of grass, tore it to shreds, and threw it on the ground.

That night, when Xie Zhizhou came out of his study and was heading toward Tangli Residence, he encountered Xie Zhenhuan halfway.

“What is it?” Xie Zhizhou asked, walking with his hands behind his back.

Xie Zhenhuan hurried to keep up with small, quick steps. “Brother, you and sister-in-law still haven’t…”

“If there’s nothing else, you should go back.”

“I gave all those jewelry pieces to sister-in-law today. They looked very beautiful on her.”

Xie Zhizhou rarely curved his lips into a smile. “You’ve done well.”

His footsteps quickened slightly.

Xie Zhenhuan grew somewhat anxious. “Brother, secretly sending gifts won’t work! You need to take the initiative and let sister-in-law know you’ve turned over a new leaf.”

“Adult matters are none of a child’s concern,” Xie Zhizhou said coldly.

“I’m no longer a child! Don’t say I didn’t warn you—if you keep putting on airs, be careful lest sister-in-law be snatched away by someone else!” With these words, Xie Zhenhuan ran off.

Only the clamor of cicadas remained, accompanied by the damp, stifling night breeze, making one feel irritable and suffocated.

Xie Zhizhou halted, his heart as if struck by a massive rock. He frowned, pressing his thumb hard against the jade ring on his finger.

Snatched away by someone else?

Xie Zhenhuan never spoke carelessly. What exactly had Lin Shengshen been doing at today’s flower appreciation banquet?