After Rebirth, My Aloof Husband Can Hear My Inner Thoughts [Transmigration & Rebirth] - Chapter 49

Lin Shengshen watched by the window and saw Peilan move quite nimbly, catching Yuan Qing right at the door of the dowry shop. Yuan Qing politely bowed.

Then Yuan Qing hid a red pouch behind his back, making Lin Shengshen even more suspicious.

She didn’t know what Peilan said to Yuan Qing, but he answered calmly, and they bid each other farewell before Yuan Qing strode away.

Fortunately, Peilan was clever. As soon as Yuan Qing was out of sight, she slipped into the dowry shop.

Seeing this, Lin Shengshen relaxed and turned to Zhenhuan, saying, “No need to watch any longer. We’ll find out soon enough.”

As she spoke, she continued examining the pair of coral earrings. After a few glances, she closed the box and handed it back to Zhenhuan, saying, “Thank your brother for me, but I won’t be keeping these earrings.”

Xie Zhenhuan’s expression changed dramatically. “If I’d known you wouldn’t accept them, I would’ve said I bought them myself! My brother specifically told me not to tell you. I thought your relationship had improved a bit, so I let it slip…”

“Sister-in-law… please take them.”

Lin Shengshen smiled and pushed the box back again. “Xie Zhizhou and I keep our distance. I dare not accept anything from him.”

Realizing the earrings wouldn’t be accepted, Xie Zhenhuan reluctantly put the small box away and tugged at Lin Shengshen’s sleeve. “Sister-in-law, when are you coming to stay at the Xie residence?”

Lin Shengshen raised an eyebrow. “I estimate that within three days, your father will definitely send someone to the Lin residence to ask Xie Zhizhou to return. When that happens, I’ll have no choice but to go back with him.”

Xie Changxing valued the family’s reputation highly. With his son staying at his father-in-law’s house for several days without returning, he was bound to grow anxious.

Moreover… judging by last night’s situation, Xie Zhizhou’s injuries were almost healed. Staying at the Lin residence every day was inconvenient—many of his books were at the Xie residence, and he usually discussed cases with his colleagues from the Dali Temple in his study there.

Xie Zhenhuan couldn’t tell whether Lin Shengshen actually wanted to return or not. She didn’t press further, and just then, Peilan ran upstairs, out of breath and avoiding eye contact. She glanced at Xie Zhenhuan several times but said nothing.

“…” Xie Zhenhuan’s heart leaped into her throat. “It couldn’t be about my marriage, could it? No one discussed it with me…”

“Sister-in-law, you have to save me! I don’t know which family Father has randomly chosen for me—it definitely won’t be a good match! Did Brother and Father decide this hastily without consulting me?”

Lin Shengshen tapped her forehead with a smile. “You’re always overthinking things. For one, your mother came from a prominent family and surely left you a substantial dowry, so there’s no need to shop for one on the streets. And now, your brother is in charge of the Xie residence—what are you afraid of? Do you really think he’d marry you off without a word?”

“Peilan, out with it. What’s really going on?”

Peilan stammered, unsure how to begin.

Lin Shengshen frowned. Could it really be about Zhenhuan’s matter? How outrageous! How could Xie Zhizhou treat Zhenhuan’s marriage so carelessly?

That’s right—Xie Zhizhou was cold-hearted and detached, wholly devoted to his official duties. All these years, he had never treated Zhenhuan like a young girl, either scolding her or lecturing her sternly whenever issues arose. How could he genuinely care about her marriage?

Furious, Lin Shengshen slammed the table and stood up. “I’m going to confront him!”

Xie Zhenhuan, unwilling to let Lin Shengshen and Xie Zhizhou argue, quickly grabbed her sleeve. “Sister-in-law… forget it, just let it be…”

Peilan, seeing the situation, grew anxious and didn’t care whether Xie Zhenhuan was present or not, hurriedly saying, “Miss, don’t worry, don’t worry! It’s a fire-avoidance manual! A fire-avoidance manual!”

The surroundings instantly fell silent.

“…” Lin Shengshen quickly turned her back, fiddling with her hair.

“…” Xie Zhenhuan froze, her eyes wide and round.

“Ahem, Zhenhuan, it’s getting late, you should go back now.”

“Sister-in-law, I really should be going. You… you should head back early too.”

“Alright, alright…”

“Ah, sister-in-law.” Xie Zhenhuan’s face was blank as she grabbed Lin Shengshen. “You two…”

Lin Shengshen forced a smile, gritting her teeth. “We have nothing.”

“Oh… nothing is good, nothing is good.” Xie Zhenhuan immediately corrected herself, “No, no! There should be, there should be… study it well.”

Xie Zhenhuan drifted off to the carriage, utterly shocked. Who would have thought that her brother, who always seemed to have everything under control, would send someone to buy a fire-avoidance manual? And her sister-in-law actually said there was nothing between them! How could that be? Xie Zhenhuan absolutely refused to believe it.

“Back to the estate.”

A maid outside the carriage asked, “Miss, we received an invitation from the Wen residence a few days ago for a lotus-viewing event this afternoon. Are we not going?”

Xie Zhenhuan looked listless. “It’s still so hot outside, I’m not going. Besides, the Wen family is doing very well these days, so there will surely be many ladies and madams attending. I don’t have the energy to deal with them. Let’s just go home.”

After returning to the Lin residence, Lin Shengshen didn’t rush to Shuying Pavilion. Instead, she instructed Baidou, “Go to the Wen residence for me and let them know I won’t be attending today due to other matters.”

After saying this, she led Peilan to Lin Xunen’s quarters.

Lin Xunen had been busy these days. With Wen Lingzhou about to depart for battle, he needed to personally discuss the military deployment orders. The war had erupted suddenly, and the mobilization of provisions had become a challenge, keeping him occupied until today before he could return home.

He had heard that a few days ago, Lin Shengshen had returned home before dawn, covered in blood. Since then, his heart had been burning with anxiety. Although his mother had sent someone to report Shengshen’s safety, he still couldn’t set his mind at ease.

Just as he was thinking of going to find Lin Shengshen, the young lady herself came running to him.

Lin Shengshen let Lin Xunen circle around her, inspecting her several times, before she had a chance to sit down. “Brother, I’m fine.”

Lin Xunen’s expression was stern. “Get a divorce. I don’t think the Xie family is all that great. If you’re not comfortable staying there, come home. I can take care of you.”

Lin Shengshen smiled. “It hasn’t come to that yet.”

“Hmph.” Lin Xunen, who was usually gentle and cheerful, suddenly turned cold and rigid, the imposing aura of a battlefield commander emerging. “I heard Xie Zhizhou was injured? Did he dare lay a hand on you?”

He was convinced that Xie Zhizhou had struck first, and Lin Shengshen had only retaliated.

Lin Shengshen fell silent for a moment. “He didn’t lay a hand on me. I was the one who stabbed him…”

Lin Xunen was stunned.

“Brother, these matters are hard to explain in a short time. Let’s not talk about them for now.”

Lin Shengshen returned to the main topic. “Do you know why Xu Wulin was imprisoned?”

Lin Xunen’s expression darkened. “Him… I’m afraid it’s not just a routine inquiry.” There had been no movement for so many days.

Lin Shengshen nodded. “Brother, Xu Wulin is a man of deep cunning. He colluded with confidants in the southeast and enemy spies from the north, intending to poison the birthday gifts for the Imperial Consort.”

“How could that be?” Lin Xunen paused, then added, “Him… perhaps… but have you gathered the evidence?”

Lin Shengshen nodded—what further evidence was needed! She herself was the ironclad proof! In her past life, the Lin family had been brought down by the traitor Xu Wulin colluding with Prince Su. No one understood this better than her.

Lin Xunen pondered for a long while, then said gloomily, “Back then, he was covered in blood, collapsed at the entrance of the Lin residence. His eyes were as bright as pearls, and he kept crying out that he was wronged.”

“He was a promising talent—excelling in battle, winning over his subordinates—I had thought he was nearing the age for marriage and planned to recommend him to His Majesty next year. Perhaps then the old wrongful case could have been cleared up.”

“He was lonely and bitter in his youth, with a solitary and unpredictable temperament. Who would have thought…”

Lin Xunen had long been aware of Xu Wulin’s suspicious behavior. Now, piecing everything together, all of Xu Wulin’s subtle maneuvers became clear. Yet he still couldn’t comprehend the reason behind it all.

Knowing her brother valued loyalty deeply, Lin Shengshen didn’t press further and said gently, “Brother, for the sake of the Lin family and for your own sake, do not speak up for Xu Wulin.”

“Quietly replace that tribute gift. Remember to do it on the day of the palace banquet, so Prince Su doesn’t notice anything.”

Lin Xunen nodded.

He suddenly asked, “When… will he…”

Lin Shengshen replied, “No one else knows about this matter yet. His life can be spared until before winter.”

Lin Xunen nodded and said nothing more.

“Brother, the Incense Maiden Official from Lord Wu’s household, Xunniang, and the courtesan Ningxiang from Drunken Qiongrui—both were killed by Xu Wulin. A few days ago, I sent someone with some silver to bury them properly. Someone so ruthless and merciless isn’t worth pitying.”

What kind of twisted heart lay beneath Xu Wulin’s harmless facade? Lin Xunen couldn’t fathom it, for he and Xu Wulin had never been cut from the same cloth. All that gentleness and kindness from before had been nothing but pretense.

Lin Shengshen did not stay long, leaving behind only an air of desolation. Lin Xunen stood for a long time under the moonlight without moving, then instructed his servant, “Go and find the families of those two young women. Seal some silver and send it to them.”

With a soft sigh, many scenes flashed through Lin Xunen’s mind.

“My father was wronged! Brother Lin, won’t you help me?”

“Brother Lin, you have given me a second chance at life. Wulin will never forget it.”

Times had changed, and people’s hearts were no longer what they used to be.

During the day, Lin Shengshen had learned that Xie Zhizhou had bought some erotic albums. That night, she didn’t dare linger at the Golden Moon Pavilion to tease him.

The memory of last night’s stormy passion—her legs still weak, a lingering numbness along her spine—had not yet faded. If he were to refine his skills further, what would become of her?

In her past life, Lin Shengshen had glimpsed a few pages of such albums. The men and women in them were entwined intimately, barely clothed, and… there were many novel positions that made her blush just thinking about them.

Tucked at the bottom of her dowry chest was a thick volume with a gilded cover! She had heard from her mother that it was purchased at great expense in the northern regions, where customs were more liberal. Perhaps… the bedroom arts there were more varied?

Lin Shengshen grew restless. On her wedding day, full of anticipation, she had specifically brought that hefty volume to Tangli Residence and hidden it beneath her dressing case… imagining the day she and Xie Zhizhou would explore it by lamplight.

She had forgotten to retrieve and store it away!

Now, she wished she could rush back to the Xie residence immediately and bury that large book back at the bottom of her chest!

Just as she was lost in thought, she heard the door creak open.

“Peilan?” she asked.

“It’s me,” Xie Zhizhou said.

Lin Shengshen’s heart leaped in fright, her entire body tensing. Forcing calm into her voice, she asked, “What are you doing here?”

Xie Zhizhou’s voice drew nearer slowly. “Shengsheng, have you gone to bed?”

Lin Shengsheng hurriedly replied, “Ah, I’m asleep. Don’t come in.”

Footsteps approached closer. Xie Zhizhou lifted the curtain and entered, tilting his head with a smile playing on his lips. “Asleep?”

The room was brightly lit. Lin Shengsheng was still holding an ancient text, dressed loosely in tea-white sleepwear with water patterns, her cheeks slightly flushed and her figure graceful as she gazed at him timidly.

Xie Zhizhou’s heart softened, and his voice grew tender. “Shengsheng, Father sent someone today to ask when we’re returning.”

Lin Shengsheng thought to herself that her calculations had been too conservative—why wait three days?

Xie Zhizhou observed her expression as he sat beside her, his shoulder brushing against hers unintentionally.

“If you don’t wish to return, we can stay a few more days. I’ll go back to handle the matter with Xu Wuling and then return to accompany you.”

Hearing the first part, Lin Shengsheng was content and about to nod, but upon hearing the latter half—return? He would come back again? And remembering that booklet still hidden beneath her dressing case, which must never fall into Xie Zhizhou’s hands!

Lin Shengsheng shook her head. “I’ll go back with you.”