After Rebirth, My Aloof Husband Can Hear My Inner Thoughts [Transmigration & Rebirth] - Chapter 5

As spring deepened and greenery flourished, the purple magnolias beneath the corridor of Tangli Residence were in full bloom.

Lin Shengshen stretched lazily against the Arhat Bed, watching the maids tend to the flowers and plants outside the gauze window. After watching her fill, she lowered her head to glance at the account books, feeling utterly content.

If she remembered correctly, in her previous life at this time she had been bustling about—arranging the courtyard, preparing banquets, selecting clothing and jewelry—

Because Xie Zhizhou’s birthday was just five days away.

But now…

Lin Shengshen yawned, finding herself so idle she was almost bored.

“Peilan, bring out the lychee shells I stored in the glass jar last year.”

The deep red lychee shells gleamed brilliantly in the sunlight. Lin Shengshen set aside the account books, rubbed her slightly throbbing temples, and took the small mortar from Peilan.

“Miss, be careful of your nails. Let your servant do it.”

Lin Shengshen skillfully swept out the freshly ground powder, then placed a few more high-quality lychee shells into the mortar to continue grinding.

“I’m not that delicate. Go fetch some borneol and white sandalwood. Let’s try a new scent this time.”

After sifting the powdered lychee shells, Lin Shengshen took the weighing scale and began measuring the borneol.

Peilan turned to wash her hands and said, “Miss, do you remember the realgar we bought last year? I accidentally touched it just now when fetching the white sandalwood, and even after washing my hands I can still smell the pungent scent. It shows your excellent judgment—that piece of realgar is truly fine.”

Lin Shengshen was holding the scale in one hand and a jade brush in the other to record the weights. Hearing this, she replied casually, “Oh… that is indeed good material. I was saving it to mix into some summer-heat repelling Scented Pills when the weather gets hot, for…”

“For whom?”

“Of course for us. I’ll give you extra when the time comes.” Lin Shengshen said without changing her expression. Giving them to the unappreciative Xie Zhizhou would be a waste.

Peilan said, “I haven’t heard much about summer-heat repelling Scented Pills. Are they a new creation of yours, Miss?”

Lin Shengshen nodded. “I drafted a few formulas last winter, and now they’re being sold at Baoxiang Pavilion—”

Before she could finish, Lin Shengshen suddenly stood up. “It’s the summer-heat repelling Scented Pills that caused the problem!” Long-buried memories suddenly flooded her mind.

At this time in her previous life, a young lady had bought some summer-heat repelling Scented Pills from Baoxiang Pavilion. Yet, just a few days after bringing them home, her skin became ulcerated and swollen.

For some reason, the incident of the toxic incense ruining someone’s appearance was suppressed, and no outsiders knew about it—not even Manager Zhu of Baoxiang Pavilion was aware.

However, nothing in this world remains hidden forever.

Soon, the matter spread through the inner chambers, and by the time Baoxiang Pavilion learned of it over two months later, they had no chance to defend themselves and were forced to swallow the loss.

From then on, rumors spread with exaggerations. Baoxiang Pavilion was accused of bullying with its influence, and its reputation plummeted, while the rival Xiangyun Pavilion grew increasingly powerful.

Peilan asked in confusion, “What happened? Why are you so tense, Miss?”

Lin Shengshen sat down again and murmured to herself, “The summer-heat-repelling beads have a well-balanced blend of various fragrances with extremely light dosages. How could this happen…”

No matter what, she had to find this woman.

All the mysteries could only be unraveled from the woman who had purchased the summer-heat-repelling beads and suffered skin ulceration.

“Baidou, go to Baoxiang Pavilion and instruct Manager Zhu to provide me with a daily copy of the list of customers who purchase the summer-heat-repelling beads. Do not slack off.” She had to find this woman promptly.

Seeing Lin Shengshen’s serious expression, Baidou dared not delay and hurriedly called for a carriage to leave the Xie residence.

After giving this order, Lin Shengshen’s chaotic heart settled somewhat.

Calming herself, she lit the lychee four-combination incense and declared, “This time, no mistakes are allowed.”

Peilan carried the incense burner and placed it on the hexagonal incense table, saying, “Miss, you must be exhausted these past few days, otherwise why would you be so suspicious? Why not have someone bring the meal? After eating, you can take a nap.”

Lin Shengshen nodded in agreement and stood before the incense table, gently fanning the curling incense smoke. The fruity aroma mingled with a sweet fragrance, winding through the air, and she finally composed herself.

Peilan hurried over from behind, hesitating as she spoke, “Miss…”

Lin Shengshen asked, “What is it?”

“Young Master… Young Master is here.” ?

Lin Shengshen buried herself in eating, and the rice in her bowl was soon finished. To her right sat Xie Zhizhou, who ate slowly and gracefully.

[I casually asked if he had eaten, and he just picked up a bowl and started eating?]

[How come I never noticed before how thick-skinned Xie Zhizhou is…]

[So annoying, why isn’t he leaving? I can’t even enjoy my meal properly.]

……

Xie Zhizhou silently picked up food with his chopsticks. He hadn’t wanted to come.

In his mind, Lin Shengshen was cunning, rebellious, and unpredictable. The more she was like this, the more he couldn’t understand what she truly wanted.

Since she despised him in her heart, why did she insist on putting on such an elaborate act in front of others?

And she had been acting for four or five years…

Xie Zhizhou had served as the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review for two years, handling many perplexing cases and even interrogating a deposed prince. He prided himself on never having misjudged anyone, yet now he found himself stumped by Lin Shengshen.

When interrogating a suspect, if one couldn’t strike decisively at once, one had to lie low and wait for the right moment, probing for the opponent’s weaknesses.

Thinking of this, Xie Zhizhou’s expression grew even more somber, the pressure around him intensifying.

Lin Shengshen abruptly stood up. “I’m full. Make yourself at home.”

[I should find an excuse to step out for a while. What if he decides to stay for a nap later…]

[Wait, that’s not right…]

[No, this is my place. Why should I avoid him?]

Lin Shengshen resolutely sat down again, filled another bowl with rice, and continued eating without restraint. This time, free from inhibitions, she picked up dish after dish with her chopsticks.

……

Xie Zhizhou watched as her expression changed faster than the weather, leaving him momentarily speechless.

Behind them, the delicate fragrance of lychee incense wafted from the incense table, permeating the room with its refreshing scent. Xie Zhizhou absentmindedly inhaled the aroma, his brows relaxing.

In the past, he had always thought Lin Shengshen was a pampered young lady with an empty head, spending her days reciting poetry, admiring the moon, or lost in lovesick reverie—utterly dull.

But now…

[I won’t eat any dishes that Xie Zhizhou has touched with his chopsticks. I really wish I could call Peilan right now to clear them away.]

[I should make note of which dishes Xie Zhizhou didn’t eat. Next time he dares to come, I’ll specifically serve these exact dishes and see if he can still eat them.]

[Fine! So he won’t eat braised pork knuckle? From now on I’ll have it with every meal!]

Xie Zhizhou: “…”

[What’s going on? Why is he taking some pork knuckle now? If he eats it, then I won’t be able to!]

[Never mind, why fight over pork knuckle? Even though he took a bite from it… I’ll make do and just have one bite myself.]

Throughout the entire meal, Xie Zhizhou felt as if a nest of songbirds had taken residence in his ears.

The constant chattering never ceased. He had never realized before that his wife was such a talkative person.

Suddenly recalling how his father had been fuming with anger in the study recently, he thought it would be best to advise Lin Shengshen to visit the shop less frequently.

He had heard from Yuan Qing that if a new bride didn’t get along with her husband’s family elders, it would be difficult for her to establish herself in the household. Moreover… if she caused unrest in the Xie family, it would be truly improper.

Xie Zhizhou set down his chopsticks and said, “The Xie family has many rules. From now on, you should visit Baoxiang Pavilion less often.”

His gentle advice was meant for her own good.

However, in the next moment, Lin Shengshen’s previously calm expression suddenly twisted into a mocking sneer.

“If the young master is so noble, why did you cross the threshold of a merchant’s descendant?”

Lin Shengshen put down her bowl and chopsticks, her eyes cold as she said, “Your Xie family has been an aristocratic clan for centuries, living off imperial salaries and enjoying the offerings of common people. Naturally, you wouldn’t understand what it means to make a living.”

“Not only will I continue going to Baoxiang Pavilion, I will develop it into the largest incense shop in Yunjing.”

“My Tangli Residence reeks of money. I’d appreciate it if Young Master Xie would visit less often.”

“Peilan, see our guest out.”

“I must have been blind before, thinking Xie Zhizhou was an elegant young master who was just somewhat arrogant due to his youth. It turns out his arrogance doesn’t come from youth—it comes from bearing the Xie surname!”

Xie Zhizhou hadn’t expected her to be so angry. Hearing this, he set down his bowl and chopsticks and stood up. Tilting his head slightly, his gaze lingered on Lin Shengshen’s face for a moment. Her almond-shaped eyes and vermilion lips were now devoid of their usual smile, making her appear completely unfamiliar.

Though he had meant well, she had twisted his intentions. Xie Zhizhou’s expression also turned cold. “Take care of yourself,” he said before turning and leaving in a huff.

“Spit out that pork knuckle you ate!”

His steps faltered slightly as he exited Tangli Residence, but only for a moment before Xie Zhizhou’s figure disappeared beyond the winding flower bushes. The faint, sweet fragrance of lychee that had lingered in the air gradually dissipated.

Lin Shengshen remained seated at the round table for a long time before finally standing up. With a despondent expression, she instructed, “Peilan, clear the table. I’m tired.”

“Miss, would you like to rest for a while?” Peilan had never seen her mistress quarrel so severely with the young master. No matter what happened before, the young lady had always been smiling, agreeing with the young master and staying close to him.

Lin Shengshen waved her hand. “No need. I’d like to be alone for a while.”

When Peilan entered the room again, she found complete disarray.

The official-style chest stood open, with some silver notes and two bright red corals scattered inside.

These were the rare fragrant corals that Lin Shengshen had asked her maternal grandfather to bring from the Western Sea when she was young, intending to gift them to Xie Zhizhou. But he had someone return them.

Books from the bookcase lay scattered across the floor, with dozens of letters piled haphazardly on the ground.

These were the letters Lin Shengshen had once written to Xie Zhizhou. He hadn’t accepted a single one, let alone opened them to read.

The fine silk depicting paired bluebirds on the mottled bamboo painting screen had been slashed with scissors. This was something Lin Shengshen had spent half a month painting after learning about their marriage arrangement.

“Young Miss?”

Lin Shengshen sat before the mirror and replied briskly, “Just throw them all away.”

Peilan felt her young miss had changed into a different person recently.

But if one were to say she had changed, it seemed she hadn’t really. Because the young miss now was no different from how she was before meeting Young Master Xie.

Regardless, Peilan was happy in her heart.

With her young miss’s goddess-like appearance, which young noble in the capital didn’t treat her with reverence and respect?

When she came of age, the marriage proposals almost wore out the doorstep!

Yet this Young Master Xie remained unmoved, and after marriage became even more cold and distant. The young miss sighed deeply every day, weeping countless nights away.

Now that the young miss could see things clearly, the master and mistress could finally rest easy.

While gathering the miscellaneous items, Peilan comforted, “Young Miss is still so young. Even if truly disheartened, there will be other opportunities in the future.”

“Opportunities?” Lin Shengshen caressed the matching jade pendant in her hand. “Right, I still have many opportunities. Whether for myself or for elder brother, there are still chances.”

In her previous life, at the final moment, Xie Zhizhou had severed ties with a divorce letter. How could she expect him to save the Lin family in this life?

She still had to rely on herself.

And if she wanted to uncover the conspiracy from her past life, she needed military connections. These connections…

“Shengshen, I know there’s someone else in your heart, but I’m willing to wait. As long as you change your mind.”

“The battle in the southwest will likely be perilous. Please accept this matching jade pendant, so that I… may have something to remember you by.”

“Shengshen…”

The matching jade pendant in her palm felt warm, the pure white jade gleaming, just like the starlight in the young man’s eyes beneath the fireworks that year.

Lin Shengshen carefully stored the jade pendant in the innermost part of her dressing case. “Peilan, send a reliable person to inquire about General Wen’s schedule.”

“General Wen?”

“The very Wen Lingzhou, General Wen, who pacified the southwest two years ago and returned victorious, personally welcomed by His Majesty.”