After Rebirth, My Aloof Husband Can Hear My Inner Thoughts [Transmigration & Rebirth] - Chapter 56

After finishing the chicken soup, Lin Shengshen picked up a pastry while listening to Xie Zhenhuan share amusing anecdotes from recent days.

“A few days ago at the poetry gathering, Young Master Qi of the Qi family was so moved by the surging lake that he spontaneously composed a poem. Several esteemed scholars immediately praised him profusely, practically begging him to take the seat of honor.”

Lin Shengshen took a sip of tea. “It seems the Qi family has a profound scholarly tradition. Qi Xin is a talented woman, and the Qi sons are all gifted scholars too.”

Xie Zhenhuan scoffed. “Though I’m no poetry expert, even I could tell Qi Yan’s verses were just flowery words piled together – completely artificial and pretentious. How can he be called a talented scholar?”

Lin Shengshen understood. “The Qi family holds great influence. It’s natural some would rush to flatter them.”

“Sister-in-law, you should have seen how he strutted about, his tail practically reaching for the clouds!”

Lin Shengshen studied Xie Zhenhuan meaningfully. “I’ve never seen you pay such close attention to these matters before. Why are you so indignant today?”

Xie Zhenhuan made a pained face. “It’s all because of that scoundrel Qi Yan! After the poetry gathering, he actually intercepted me among the flowers wanting to speak with me…”

Lin Shengshen straightened up.

In her previous life, Xie Zhenhuan had been betrothed early to Xu Wulin and was peacefully preparing for marriage at this time, naturally avoiding such unwanted admirers. But now things were different – if Qi Yan had truly taken a liking to Zhenhuan…

Lin Shengshen’s expression turned serious. “You didn’t respond to him, did you?”

Xie Zhenhuan said, “How could I? He’s ugly to begin with, completely talentless, and lacks even basic gentlemanly manners. In my opinion, he’s not even as good as Wen Zhaoya.”

She added, “At least the poems Wen Zhaoya composed at the gathering weren’t bad.”

“…” Lin Shengshen tilted her head. “During my absence, you’ve met with Wen Zhaoya again?”

Xie Zhenhuan explained, “I didn’t seek him out! We happened to meet on the street some days ago and exchanged a few words through the carriage window.”

That day she had carefully inquired about the general’s schedule, only to learn he would depart on July 13th. She had been counting down the days, barely enduring until General Wen was about to leave Yunjing. Who would have thought he would attend the Yong’an Marquis’s wedding banquet on his final day?

Lin Shengshen nodded.

“What do you think of Wen Zhaoya?”

Xie Zhenhuan exclaimed, “Sister-in-law! General Wen isn’t enough, and now… you think Wen Zhaoya is acceptable too? Brother has been very attentive to you lately. At least… at least remember the affection between husband and wife. Please give him more chances.”

Lin Shengshen was so angry she wanted to pinch her. “What nonsense are you thinking all day? Wen Zhaoya is around your age – how could I possibly have designs on him? I’m making plans for you!”

Xie Zhenhuan first breathed a sigh of relief, but before she could fully relax, her heart tightened again. “What? Wen Zhaoya and me? How is that possible?”

She waved her hand, repeating, “Absolutely impossible.”

Lin Shengshen said urgently, “Don’t say I didn’t warn you. With Consort Qi currently ruling the harem and Prince Su manipulating the court, the Qi family’s power is at its peak. If Qi Yan insists on having you, it would probably take just one word from him.”

Lin Shengshen leaned closer to Xie Zhenhuan and said quietly, “Do you really think your father would follow your wishes instead of climbing onto the Qi family’s powerful tree?”

After hearing this, Xie Zhenhuan grew anxious in her heart.

Lin Shengshen continued, “The Wen family at least has a renowned general holding down the fort. If the Qi family wants to snatch someone from the Wen family, they’ll have to consider His Majesty’s stance. If you settle things early with Wen Zhaoya, you can rest easy.”

Xie Zhenhuan’s face flushed slightly. “I…”

Lin Shengshen said gently, “I know you’re still nursing a broken heart, but the times are such that we have little control. I’ve noticed Wen Zhaoya isn’t entirely indifferent to you. If you get along well in the future, live harmoniously. If not, you can always discuss separation.”

Xie Zhenhuan was naturally aware of Wen Zhaoya’s intentions. Ever since their encounter at Baoxiang Tower, they would inexplicably cross paths. Sometimes he infuriated her so much she wished she could tear him apart; other times, he kindly sent her amusing trinkets to lift her spirits.

A few days ago, at a poetry gathering, she received a pair of Mohéle dolls from Wen Zhaoya. The dolls had sweet faces and wore tea-colored dresses, looking utterly adorable.

If not for the fact that few knew about her affair with Xu Wulin, she might have suspected Wen Zhaoya knew she had been feeling down lately and was deliberately softening his words to cheer her up.

Xie Zhenhuan, timid by nature, murmured, “Separation? How could that be possible?”

Lin Shengshen replied dismissively, “Society is more open now, unlike the previous dynasty where women were bound to their husbands. Not to mention your brother and I are capable of supporting you for life—even by current laws, if he treats you poorly, you can petition the authorities for separation and a share of property.”

Xie Zhenhuan whispered, “Actually, Wen Zhaoya isn’t a bad person—he just has a sharp tongue.”

Lin Shengshen laughed. “Your sister-in-law picked him for you—I’d never let you suffer!”

Xie Zhizhou, listening outside the window, felt a pang of discomfort as the two women chatted happily. Separation? To Lin Shengshen, it seemed such a casual matter…

Did that mean she was dissatisfied with her life in the Xie residence? Was she unhappy with him?

Suddenly, he recalled that night when Lin Shengshen, tears streaming down her cheeks, eyes blazing with vindication, had scrawled a separation agreement with furious strokes—like a volcano erupting after long suppression, eager to burn everything between them to ashes.

Xie Zhizhou’s heart clenched.

A sour, aching pain spread from his chest throughout his body.

The intimacy of the previous night felt like a bubble, an illusion. Lin Shengshen had only yielded half-heartedly; she had given him her body but never her heart.

He alone had been elated and joyful.

As Xie Zhizhou turned to leave, he overheard Xie Zhenhuan cautiously ask inside, “Sister-in-law… last night… how was it?”

Her tone was girlish and shy, yet brimming with curiosity.

Lin Shengshen, having expected Zhenhuan’s question, replied demurely, “It was alright. Average.”

Xie Zhizhou’s expression darkened, his jade ring-clad finger pressing so hard it nearly cracked. He handed the half-cooled food box to Yuan Qing and strode away.

By the time the box of appetizers and a bowl of fish porridge were brought in, Lin Shengshen had already eaten three pastries and had no room for more. She left the open food box untouched on the side.

Xie Zhenhuan chatted with her for a long while—now mentioning how Xie Yunshuang had been staying indoors lately, likely upset over the Xu Wulin incident; now remarking how Concubine Jin had been unusually subdued lately, seemingly troubled, probably scolded by their father.

It wasn’t until the sun dipped westward that Xie Zhenhuan reluctantly left Tangli Residence.

Lin Shengshen had slept late last night and had been kept awake for a long time. Though she did not wake until noon today, she still felt weary. Forcing herself to stay alert, she blended incense for a while and instructed Peilan, “Bring another half qian each of camphor and clove bark.”

Peilan hurried to fetch the spices. Upon returning, she leaned over the table and asked, “As the weather grows colder, we use less camphor and clove bark. What incense is the young lady blending now? Why use these?”

Lin Shengshen shot her a reproachful look. “You clearly understand perfectly well, yet you still tease me, don’t you?”

Peilan naturally understood. Over the past few years, Lin Shengshen had frequently blended this incense, deliberately adding an extra half-qian of camphor and clove bark each time.

“Young mistress, you’re so exhausted, yet you still think of making incense for the young master. Truly…”

Before she could finish, Lin Shengshen interrupted, “Don’t overthink it. It’s just a token of gratitude because he worked hard last night, and I enjoyed it too. Besides, I haven’t made incense for several days, so my hands feel rusty. Spring Message in Snow is simple to make, so I used it to practice.”

Peilan studied Lin Shengshen’s expression—earnest and composed, without a trace of shyness—and thought to herself that her young mistress guarded her heart as tightly as a fortress, more impenetrable than the armor of the generals on the northwestern front.

After instructing Peilan to take away the tea caddy containing the Scented Pills to dry in the shade, Lin Shengshen yawned repeatedly. Outside, the sky had deepened to indigo, yet Xie Zhizhou had not returned all day. Apart from sending over a meal, there had been no word from him.

She had no mind to dwell on it. After bathing, she lay down in bed and fell asleep within moments.

Perhaps because her emotions had been stretched taut like a bowstring at full moon by Xie Zhizhou the previous night, they now slackened all at once. Lin Shengshen slept unusually deeply, even dreaming of some youthful memories.

Xie Zhizhou returned to Tangli Residence only after working in his study until the sky was completely dark.

As he entered, the usual warm fragrance of pear blossoms was faint, diluted by a crisp, cool scent. Wisps of sandalwood drifted in the air, and on the nearby clothes rack hung a primrose-colored floral-patterned skirt—if he remembered correctly, it was the very one she had worn that day when Wen Lingzhou met her in the rain outside the palace gates.

Was it for their encounter at tomorrow’s banquet? That final glance before parting, filled with worry and admonitions, and now she had even taken to scenting with an uncommonly used fragrance and prepared the dress she had worn during their past meetings.

Old dresses, old sentiments—how long would this lingering affection last? Once Wen Lingzhou returned victorious, would his role as the nominal husband come to an end?

Xie Zhizhou stepped forward, his hand brushing over the skirt. Soft, fragrant, but at that moment, he wanted nothing more than to tear it to shreds.

Not far away, on the table, a date-brown food box remained untouched. The fish congee and side dishes inside were specially chosen by him, yet Lin Shengshen had not taken a single bite.

Turning back to the bed curtains, he saw Lin Shengshen sleeping soundly, turned away from him.

Her dream…

Suppressing the restlessness in his heart, Xie Zhizhou parted the bed curtains, leaned down, and gathered his sleeping wife into his arms, kissing the corner of her lips.

The cheerful dream was interrupted by the familiar warmth, scent, and touch. Though asleep, Lin Shengshen trembled and pushed him away slightly, murmuring, “No… don’t do it again. It’s too swollen…”

The person in his arms was no longer dreaming but murmuring about him. Xie Zhizhou’s heart settled slightly, and he couldn’t resist deepening the kiss, their tongues meeting, lips moving against each other, until his restless heart finally found solid ground.

Only when Lin Shengshen frowned, as if about to wake, did he reluctantly release her. He tucked the dark hair at her temples behind her ears, pulled the brocade quilt snugly over her, and then headed to the bathing chamber.

Tonight’s icy water was harder to endure than usual.

Having tasted the marrow and savored the sweetness, greed surged within him, and the icy water felt like a prison.

After soaking for a long time until his distracting thoughts were dispelled, Xie Zhizhou lay back beside Lin Shengshen in his clothes.

Investigating cases required seizing the right moment, while judging cases demanded decisiveness. Over the years, Xie Zhizhou had been known for his resolute and unwavering adherence to justice.

But now, he was startled to realize his own indecisiveness.

He yearned for Lin Shengshen, yet he did not want to drown in the sea of pleasure. The sea of pleasure was illusory; without genuine feelings, how would he face himself once he awoke from the dream?

Wanting both body and heart, he inwardly cursed himself for being insatiably greedy.

But there was no helping it. These thoughts were like robust vines sprouting in spring rain, tightly entangling his heart.

Last night, during their intimacy, he had indulged in fantasies of countless future moments with Lin Shengshen—imagining her adapting, succumbing, and growing attached.

But now, it seemed it was all his wishful thinking.

Lin Shengshen had never invested her heart in it. Did her heart belong to Wen Lingzhou, Xu Wei, or that so-called cousin of hers? Or perhaps all of them?

Xie Zhizhou did not know. He only knew that after their passionate entanglement last night, Lin Shengshen found it merely ordinary…

He held Lin Shengshen in his arms, his sturdy chest pressed against her back. Though separated only by a thin layer of fabric, it felt as if a thousand miles lay between them.

Lin Shengshen was disturbed from her sleep. With drowsy eyes, she turned to face him, resting her forehead against his chest, and blurted out the thoughts that had surfaced in her mind: “Please pay attention to the matters concerning Zhenhuan and Wenzhao Cliff. I’ve heard that Qi Yan has taken a liking to Zhenhuan—we must be cautious.”

Xie Zhizhou responded in a low voice.

Listening as the breathing of the person in his arms gradually steadied, as if she were about to fall asleep again, Xie Zhizhou suddenly said, “Can we skip the celebration banquet at Yong’an Marquis Manor tomorrow?”

Lin Shengshen was so exhausted her soul felt as if it were falling apart. Hearing his words in her dazed state, she lacked the mental capacity to ponder his true meaning and replied, “I must go… I’ll feel uneasy if I don’t give my instructions in person.”

Prince Su held immense power. Though they were confident for now, the situation was perilous. The slightest mishap could lead to utter ruin. If Wen Lingzhou could intervene at a critical moment, there might still be a glimmer of hope.

But now, even though Xie Zhizhou understood this reasoning, he could no longer accept it calmly…

“Shengshen…”

Lin Shengshen turned away from him, shifting into a more comfortable position, and fell back asleep.