After Rebirth, My Aloof Husband Can Hear My Inner Thoughts [Transmigration & Rebirth] - Chapter 52

Chen Yuying spoke up at the right moment, “Yuzheng, make sure to consult your brother-in-law more often in daily matters. We’re all family here.”

Xu Wei forced a smile, nodded, and said nothing more, focusing on his meal instead.

He could tell that Lin Shengshen seemed disinterested during today’s gathering, though he wasn’t sure if it was because of Xie Zhizhou or because she was about to return to the Xie household soon.

Or perhaps, it was both.

As early as the wedding banquet at Wu Zhen’s house, Xu Wei had noticed the change in Lin Shengshen. Wherever she went before, her gaze always followed Xie Zhizhou, and her conversations were filled with mentions of him. But now…

During today’s meal, Lin Shengshen hadn’t given Xie Zhizhou a single lingering glance.

It was clear she had grown tired of him.

Xu Wei curled his lips into a smile and said to Xie Zhizhou, “Brother-in-law, if you don’t mind this younger brother, I’ll bring gifts to visit the Xie residence another day. If I have any questions to ask, it would be more convenient.”

Just as Xie Zhizhou was about to refuse, Lin Shengshen suddenly said, “Just come. We’re all family.”

“…” Watching the smug expression on Xu Wei’s face across from him, Xie Zhizhou felt this meal had been utterly unsatisfying, leaving his chest tight with frustration.

He took a sip of tea and set down his chopsticks, no longer eating.

Lin Shengshen’s appetite remained unaffected, and she was completely unaware of Xie Zhizhou’s unusual behavior. After all, in her eyes, Xu Wei was one of the first friends she made after coming to Yunjing. They were young then, with fewer restrictions, and had genuinely spent a year playing together. Moreover, since he studied under Lin Zhiping, he often visited the Lin residence. Though not related by blood, they were very close.

She had no idea why the person beside her was angry and had no intention of probing further.

Once in the carriage, Lin Shengshen was pulled by the hand to sit beside Xie Zhizhou. Even after both were settled, he didn’t let go.

Lin Shengshen, thinking of that chest of toys, asked, “Did you bring along those little trinkets Yuzheng brought back from Jiangnan for me?”

Xie Zhizhou pretended to think carefully and replied, “I forgot.”

[I knew it! How could Xie Zhizhou possibly bother with packing things?]

Lin Shengshen’s tone turned sharp. “What about the pearl headpiece?”

Without a moment’s hesitation, Xie Zhizhou answered, “I brought that.”

Lin Shengshen studied his expression closely, trying to find any hint of guilt on that utterly unapologetic face.

Yet Xie Zhizhou’s expression remained indifferent, his eyelids slightly lowered, even the corners of his mouth were flat—identical to his usual dismissive demeanor. The only difference was that he was also watching her intently.

“You were lying to me, weren’t you?” Lin Shengshen withdrew her hand from his grasp. “You never intended to bring back those trinkets for me, did you?”

Xie Zhizhou’s hand now empty, he rubbed his jade ring with his thumb and admitted calmly, “You guessed right.”

“Why?”

“Xu Wei…” Xie Zhizhou paused, uncertain whether to speak further. If he laid this matter bare and made Lin Shengshen aware of Xu Wei’s affections, wouldn’t that be helping Xu Wei instead?

He wouldn’t do something that would only bring him losses.

He said, “Those trinkets aren’t interesting. I’ve sent someone to Jiangnan to find new ones for you—they’ll arrive tomorrow.”

Lin Shengshen asked, “Oh? And the ones you picked will be more interesting?”

“Of course. I put more thought into it than he did.”

“Where is the thought? I didn’t see you personally go buy them for me.”

“…” Xie Zhizhou covered his mouth and coughed lightly. “I bought all the novel ones for you without being picky.”

“But what if I insist on choosing them myself?”

Xie Zhizhou fell silent for a moment before taking Lin Shengshen’s hand again. “Once the matter with Prince Su is resolved, we’ll go to Jiangnan together to pick them out.”

Lin Shengshen tried to pull her hand back but found it firmly held. She muttered, “Who wants to go to Jiangnan with you?”

She added seriously, “Yu Zheng is naive and pure, at that age where young men are full of reckless energy. You mustn’t bully him.”

Naive and pure? From the age of thirteen or fourteen, he’d been fixated on Lin Shengshen, using his youth to cling to her, playing pitiful and acting sweet. Women might not see through such tactics, but how could he, as a man, not recognize them?

Xie Zhizhou’s temple throbbed, and his chest tightened again. Him bullying Xu Wei? Wasn’t it Xu Wei who was bullying him instead?

To even set his sights on the Xie residence—such wolfish ambition, utterly shameless and despicable.

Gritting his teeth, Xie Zhizhou gently rubbed Lin Shengshen’s palm and said softly, “I’ll guide him properly.”

“That’s more like it.” Lin Shengshen sobered and asked, “You’re in a hurry to return to the Xie residence—has something happened?”

A vague unease stirred within her.

“Don’t be afraid.” Xie Zhizhou’s expression darkened. “Xu Wulin is dead.”

A chill ran down Lin Shengshen’s spine. “Dead? He was safely imprisoned in the Dali Temple prison—how could he die?”

“Prince Su’s influence is everywhere. The Dali Temple prison isn’t entirely filled with His Majesty’s people.”

“Was he poisoned? How could no one else have noticed?”

“Beaten to death.” Xie Zhizhou chose less frightening details. “His tongue was cut out, his throat crushed, and then he was kicked and punched until he stopped breathing.”

“This was clearly a vengeful killing—an act of fury!”

The carriage curtain lifted in the wind, allowing a few beams of sunlight to dance across the back of Lin Shengshen’s hand, glowing with a warm golden hue. Yet Lin Shengshen felt only a pervasive cold, as if icy water had seeped into her bones.

Xie Zhizhou pulled her into his embrace. “He died yesterday evening.”

Lin Shengshen suddenly remembered something important. “What about Zhenhuan? Does Zhenhuan know?”

Xie Zhizhou replied, “Aside from you, me, and a few trusted aides, no one else knows.”

Lin Shengshen let out a sigh of relief. Just last night, she had told Lin Xunen that Xu Wulin would live until winter, and yet…

“I originally thought the Mid-Autumn Palace Banquet on the fifteenth of August would mark the end of this matter, but I never expected Prince Su to be so insane. I’m afraid… this is only the beginning.”

Xie Zhizhou grasped her cold hand. “Don’t be afraid. This time, we have complete certainty.”

His gaze was serious and calm. “Moreover, once this matter begins, I will make sure it ends swiftly.”

Lin Shengshen suddenly thought of something. “Since Prince Su is determined to frame the Crown Prince, he must have prepared a thorough plan. I’m wondering… could it be that Prince Su has long been in contact with the northern enemies, or perhaps—”

Xie Zhizhou curled his lips, his eyes bright as he looked at Lin Shengshen. “Exactly. The northern envoys might already be in the capital.”

“If we can find these people, would His Majesty be able to safely close the net?”

Xie Zhizhou nodded. “We can’t alert the enemy by acting openly, yet we cannot afford to be negligent. This matter has been under investigation for several days, but unfortunately, there’s been no progress.”

Rarely, Lin Shengshen returned his grip. “Alright.”

Xie Zhizhou was taken aback, both delighted and helpless.

He was delighted that Shengshen wasn’t entirely unresponsive, yet helpless because she only responded to practical matters.

Regardless, Xie Zhizhou tightened his hold on her hand.

The Xie residence was no different from previous days—orderly and strictly regulated from top to bottom. Though Xie Zhizhou wasn’t present, his authoritative presence lingered.

Xie Changxing’s study was unusually free of incense. Lin Shengshen breathed a sigh of relief. It had to be said that Xie Changxing had terrible taste and even worse incense-burning techniques, yet to affect refinement, he never delegated the task to others.

“You’ve been away for so many days. If I hadn’t sent someone, how much longer would you have dragged this out?”

Xie Changxing’s face was pulled long. “This is utterly improper! Do you want all of Yunjing to laugh at the Xie family?”

[Is staying at my parents’ home for a few days considered a scandal? I’d say it’s more honorable than you taking in a courtesan…]

Lin Shengshen couldn’t be bothered to respond. She had endured too many such reprimands in her previous life. If she had to retort seriously every time, not only would Xie Changxing likely faint from anger, but she would also find it unlucky.

Suddenly remembering that Xie Zhizhou could hear her thoughts, she glanced at the man beside her.

[This is outright defiance… I’m afraid Xie Zhizhou will be so angry with me he might faint too.]

However, Xie Zhizhou’s expression remained unchanged. He even secretly took her hand from under his sleeve and held it in his palm.

“Father, if there’s nothing else, we’ll take our leave. The physician is waiting at Tangli Residence to change my bandages.”

Xie Changxing, who had intended to assert his authority, paused, feeling somewhat frustrated. This son of his took after his mother—outwardly cold, but truly sentimental at heart.

Just as he softened his tone and was about to say something else, the door sounded, and Concubine Jin entered carrying a cup of medicinal tea.

“Zhizhou, your father has been unsettled by the assassin incident these past few days and has fallen ill. Please don’t argue with him.”

Xie Changxing’s brow smoothed as he took the medicinal tea and drank a sip.

Concubine Jin’s eyes darted between Xie Zhizhou and Lin Shengshen. “Shengshen, you and Zhizhou are growing closer—I can’t express how happy that makes me. You must hurry and produce heirs for the Xie family. If you find the duties of the mistress too burdensome, I have a few trustworthy, presentable house-born servants. Shall I send them to your quarters to be trained?”

“…” Lin Shengshen found it rather dull. Such inexplicable tactics were merely irritating without causing any real harm. Perhaps Concubine Jin hadn’t actually intended to force someone upon them, but simply felt stifled seeing their deep affection and wanted to create some discord.

Lin Shengshen smiled and said, “Someone personally trained by you, Concubine, would naturally be well-suited to be a concubine.”

She turned to Xie Zhizhou, “Husband, what do you think?”

Concubine Jin’s face turned green at the first part of the remark—was she implying that she was passing down her legacy, that having been a concubine herself, she was now skilled at training concubines?

When Xie Zhizhou heard her call him “husband,” his heart felt as if filled with sweet honey. He cast a cold glance at Concubine Jin and said to Xie Changxing, “The study is an important place; outsiders are not permitted to enter.”

Upon hearing this, Concubine Jin pretended she was about to cry. After toiling in the Xie residence for over a decade, was she now to be labeled an outsider by a junior? What was wrong with her entering the study? On the day that Wang, that shrew, died, she had been in the study intimately entwined with Xie Changxing!

Xie Changxing coughed lightly, “The medicinal tea is quite good. You may leave now.”

Concubine Jin looked at Xie Changxing with tear-filled eyes, but he remained unmoved. Ultimately, she had no choice but to retreat.

Lin Shengshen felt a surge of satisfaction. She stood up and said, “Your daughter-in-law will return to Tangli Residence to attend to some matters and will take her leave now.”

Xie Changxing waved his hand dismissively. Xie Zhizhou reluctantly let go, watching her as she left the room.

“Lin is too headstrong. If you truly care for her, you should rein in her temperament so that it can last,” Xie Changxing attempted to impart his wisdom once more. “Too much restraint makes one dull; too much leniency makes one unruly. You must find the right balance.”

It sounded less like managing a wife and more like training a dog.

Xie Zhizhou, who had eaten very little at noon, suddenly felt nauseous.

In their previous life, Lin Shengshen had endured numerous reprimands from Xie Changxing, listening to words far harsher than today’s for three years. How had she managed to bear it all?

“Father, do not interfere in matters between Lin Shengshen and me. From now on, everyone in the Xie residence must respect and honor her. As for how we, as husband and wife, interact, I have my own judgment.”

“If you are displeased, it matters not. She never wished to come here often anyway; we can simply see less of each other in the future.”

“…” Xie Changxing glared, his beard bristling, and after a long moment, he spat out dryly, “You unfilial son!” After all, he was the elder of the Xie family—what did this mean? Was he supposed to avoid confronting her? Preposterous! Yet, there was nothing more he could say.

“Your son takes his leave now.”

The lamps were lit in Tangli Residence, casting a warm, hazy yellow glow like a thin mist. Xie Zhizhou paused at the courtyard entrance, recalling the first time he had set foot here—the doors and windows tightly shut, the lamps extinguished, and even Peilan standing guard at the door.

But now…

He strode inside and saw Lin Shengshen bent over the desk, sketching and drawing. The peonies in the jade spring vase were exquisite, but they paled in comparison to her beauty.

“You’re back? I bet your father said something bad about me.”

Xie Zhizhou walked over and sat down beside her, looking at what she was drawing—some jewelry designs.

“He won’t say such things again.”

As he looked at the designs, Xie Zhizhou suddenly remembered, “I heard Zhenhuan bought you a pair of Exotic fragrant coral earrings. Why haven’t I seen you wear them? Don’t you like them?”

Lin Shengshen set down her brush and looked at Xie Zhizhou, her lips pressed together. “She gave them to me, the day before yesterday.”

Xie Zhizhou nodded and praised, “Zhenhuan may be timid at times, but she is kind-hearted, efficient, and meticulous—”

“But she said they were from you, so I didn’t accept them,” Lin Shengshen added.

Xie Zhizhou’s smile could no longer hold on his face. “Shameless, reckless, unreliable…”