After Rebirth, My Aloof Husband Can Hear My Inner Thoughts [Transmigration & Rebirth] - Chapter 57

Lin Shengshen was awakened by a dull, aching pain.

The early morning light was faint. Outside the window by the dressing table, a few maids were moving flowerpots, pausing intermittently. Their deliberately hushed voices were still audible in the crisp air.

“Be careful, these hosta flowers are quite delicate.”

“I heard the young master specifically picked them for the Young Madam. Is that true?”

“How could that be? Why would the young master do such things?”

…

The voices from outside drifted in intermittently. Lin Shengshen dared not make a sound. If she could hear them, surely they could hear what was happening inside the room…

The morning was too quiet.

Lin Shengshen pressed the back of her hand against her lips, forcing herself not to make any strange noises, and glared fiercely at the instigator.

Xie Zhizhou had stayed awake all night, lost in unknown thoughts. Now, his gaze was heavy, like stagnant water, yet his hands continued their movements relentlessly.

Another wave of stirring made Lin Shengshen gasp softly. She quickly pressed her fingers against her lips.

Her lips were pressed against her teeth, and a faint, sweet taste of blood seeped into her mouth.

Lin Shengshen was covered in a thin layer of sweat. The only undergarment she wore clung tightly to her graceful curves.

“Xie Zhizhou, have you gone mad…”

The man seemed not to hear her, only growing more relentless as he added another finger.

The jade ring on his index finger—Lin Shengshen had seen it before. Pure warm white jade, it appeared to be Xie Zhizhou’s favorite accessory, one he never took off.

Now, that jade ring pressed against her, cool at first, startling her into retreating again and again. But there was no escape, for her shoulders were held firmly in Xie Zhizhou’s embrace.

Fortunately, it wasn’t long before the jade ring absorbed her body heat and grew warm.

Xie Zhizhou’s fingers were long and slender, with distinct but not prominent knuckles—truly elegant. Lin Shengshen had once secretly watched him write, and even the jade brush seemed to gleam with grace in his hand.

He often practiced with short blades, his physique agile and nimble, leaving thin calluses along the sides of his fingers.

First the calluses, then the jade ring—adornments that made those elegant fingers feel uneven and rough. They quickly found their target, alternating between light and heavy pressure, until Lin Shengshen’s tears began to fall with each movement.

“Shengshen…”

He called her name again.

He always called her like this.

Lin Shengshen didn’t know what madness had seized him today, tormenting her like this so early in the morning.

But in the end, her spine tingled, her mind ablaze with fireworks about to ignite. Lin Shengshen softened and responded, “Xie Zhizhou, don’t…”

As she spoke, she reached out to push his arm away.

Xie Zhizhou kissed the fingers she had pressed to her lips, then moved to her palm.

Seeing that she still refused to let her voice escape, he wasn’t impatient. Instead, he spoke to her gently, “Shengshen, the wound on my hand has healed so well you can’t even see it anymore.”

“This way, I won’t wrong you.”

Lin Shengshen gasped for breath, sensing something shifting within her. Her mind was too overwhelmed to dwell on Xie Zhizhou’s wound or what he meant by “wronging” her.

Her hands clutched tightly at Xie Zhizhou’s arm, her arched body trembling and shaking in rhythm with his movements.

“…Don’t.”

Xie Zhizhou’s expression remained unchanged, save for the sudden turbulence in his deep, still eyes.

His voice was low. “Do you want to see it?”

Lin Shengshen shook her head at first, then nodded.

See it—yes, she wanted to see. If she looked, would he finally withdraw?

A faint smile finally touched Xie Zhizhou’s sullen face. “Good.”

In that instant of acceleration, Xie Zhizhou lowered his head and captured Lin Shengshen’s lips, silencing any sound that might escape.

Unable to control herself, Lin Shengshen bit his lip, the stifled sounds transforming into tears that streamed down her face.

Soon, Xie Zhizhou released her, then gently, soothingly, kissed her once more before pulling away.

Through tear-blurred eyes, Lin Shengshen watched as Xie Zhizhou withdrew his hand and held it before her. “Look, it’s healed. Do you like it?”

In the faint light of dawn, his slender fingers resembled bamboo stalks adorned with morning dew.

Weak-limbed and breathless, Lin Shengshen couldn’t clearly see whether his wound had healed. All she felt were a few drops of moisture trailing from his wrist onto her undergarments.

Xie Zhizhou seemed pleased. He gathered the limp Lin Shengshen into his arms, nuzzling his chin against the sweat-dampened strands of hair at her temples, and carried her to the bathing chamber.

When she was wrapped snugly and placed at the corner of the bed, Lin Shengshen finally regained her senses. Leaning against the bedpost, exhausted and listless, she watched as Xie Zhizhou personally changed the bedding at the foot of the bed.

“How come I remember Xie Zhizhou was never enthusiastic about these matters…”

“That night of our wedding, he said not to fantasize about love, yet now he’s tormenting me early in the morning. It seems he was just making excuses to reject me back then!”

The more she thought about it, the angrier she became.

“Xie Zhizhou is utterly shameless, a complete madman! Scoundrel! Bastard!”

Xie Zhizhou, holding the soaked sleeping gown, suddenly let out a soft chuckle upon hearing this. He hung Lin Shengshen’s sleeping gown next to the primrose-colored floral skirt on the clothes rack, then turned and pressed closer to the inner side of the bed.

Lin Shengshen shrank back in fear, recalling the events of that night. Xie Zhizhou was an insatiable, vulgar ruffian. If he went mad, it would surely be worse than before. If… if he wanted it again, wouldn’t she die on this bed this morning!

Wrapped tightly in the soft quilt, Lin Shengshen struggled but couldn’t free her hands. Losing her balance, she tumbled toward the foot of the bed. She let out a gasp, only to be immediately shielded by Xie Zhizhou, who protected her head and lifted her up.

“Don’t be afraid.”

Xie Zhizhou loosened the quilt around her.

Lin Shengshen hurriedly grabbed the corner of the quilt to cover her front—she wasn’t wearing anything!

Fortunately, Xie Zhizhou behaved properly. After placing her on the inner side of the bed, he embraced her over the quilt, his tone a stark contrast to his earlier gloominess.

“Sleep a little longer. It’s still early.”

Holding each other, they drifted back to sleep.

In the courtyard, Concubine Jin was pacing anxiously. When she saw Xie Yunshuang approaching, she quickly pulled her by the arm into the inner room.

“How did it go? What did Prince Su say? You’re so bold—sneaking back and forth at night was one thing, but how dare you return only this morning? Aren’t you afraid of being seen?”

Xie Yunshuang lifted her chin. “What is there to fear? Now that I’m carrying Prince Su’s child, it’s our assurance. Even if someone sees me, they can’t do anything to us.”

Concubine Jin quickly glanced around, then went to the window to check outside. After closing the window, she approached and whispered urgently, “Keep your voice down!”

Xie Yunshuang sat casually on the Rose Chair, sipping a cup of red date tea slowly.

Concubine Jin, still anxious, leaned in and asked, “What did Prince Su say?”After the Mid-Autumn Palace Banquet, I will become Prince Su’s secondary consort.“”

“Really? What about the Xu family—”

“Him? He’s long dead.”

“Dead?! Why hasn’t anyone mentioned it?”

“If Prince Su handled it, how would anyone else know?”

Concubine Jin clutched her chest and slumped into a chair. “Then… your pregnancy, has Prince Su’s wife found out?”

Xie Yunshuang frowned. “She doesn’t know.”

Concubine Jin repeatedly said that was good.

“Today is the celebration banquet at the Yong’an Marquis’s residence. The invitation has your name on it. Why don’t you plead illness and not go… After all, these social interactions are useless to you. Avoid them to prevent others from noticing anything amiss.”

Xie Yunshuang lost her appetite and set down the teacup, her feelings a mix of joy and melancholy.

If Xie Changxing hadn’t mismatched her marriage, if her mother hadn’t been suppressed by Xie Zhizhou in the position of a concubine for years, she would surely be like Xie Zhenhuan now—happily picking out a dress for today’s banquet, preparing to meet noble young masters through proper channels…

But this was the best outcome now. She was about to become a secondary consort, and not just a secondary consort. When Prince Su ascends the throne in the future, she would climb step by step—to consort, noble consort, even empress.

As for Xie Zhizhou and Xie Zhenhuan, may they both die miserable deaths!

“I certainly won’t go today.” She whispered a few words into Concubine Jin’s ear.

Concubine Jin’s face instantly turned pale with fright. “You… Yunshuang, this… this absolutely cannot be! You’re surnamed Xie, and she’s also surnamed Xie! That Lin girl is your sister-in-law! How could you… You must persuade Prince Su, this absolutely cannot happen!”

“If Xie Zhizhou finds out, he’ll surely tear us to pieces! You know how sinister he is. I’ve heard the prisoners in the Dali Temple prison fear him most of all!”

Xie Yunshuang remained calm. “It’s not that I want to target them, but they’ve offended Prince Su. This is just a small punishment.”

–

By noon, Lin Shengshen still couldn’t muster any energy. Xie Zhenhuan, observing her expression, tentatively asked, “Sister-in-law, are you not in good spirits today?”

Lin Shengshen was wearing lilac-colored robes today, which she had hastily found before going out. The originally prepared outfit had been dampened by her sleeping garments. She silently cursed Xie Zhizhou for his carelessness, then yawned and ate a few melon seeds from the golden plate, chewing vigorously to barely perk up.

She couldn’t explain the real reason – just thinking about this morning’s situation made her blush with embarrassment. She only said vaguely, “I’m exhausted. Had I known, I wouldn’t have come today.”

Xie Zhenhuan looked delighted upon hearing this. “That’s good, that’s good!”

Several other ladies came to greet them. Lin Shengshen forced herself to respond with enthusiasm. They mainly asked about Zhenhuan and Yunshuang’s marriages, to which Lin Shengshen gave ambiguous answers. Someone also asked whether Baoxiang Tower would sell new Scented Pills this autumn.

“This year’s heavy rainfall has affected spice production, driving up prices. We’ve already sent inquiries around Yunjing, but it seems we can only produce three new types of Scented Pills this autumn. The others will continue as usual.”

The ladies, who usually spent their time admiring flowers and drinking tea, had also heard about the spring floods followed by summer inundations in many places. They all sighed and prayed with hands clasped.

“While Yunjing’s surroundings don’t have them, I’ve heard the northern regions produce abundant spices. Since Madam Lin’s maternal family is from the north, I wonder if there are any connections?” someone suggested.

Lin Shengshen had considered this too, but with the unresolved matters in Yunjing, she naturally didn’t dare travel far. Selecting spices required personal attention – usually when purchasing from nearby areas, she would have trusted aides bring the spices for her personal inspection before sending them to make the purchase.

She sighed lightly and replied evasively, “Though there are only three new varieties, they will surely refresh everyone. I hope you ladies will come support us then.”

Her words were modest. Nowadays, the Lin family were rising stars in court, the Xie family were centuries-old aristocrats, and the Chen family were extremely wealthy. Someone more arrogant would have been throwing their weight around Yunjing, but Lin Shengshen remained this composed.

Although the ladies privately treated Lin Shengshen and Xie Zhizhou’s marriage as a joke, they flattered her excessively to her face, showering her with compliments before dispersing.

After everyone left, Lin Shengshen leaned her forehead against the cloud-patterned chair. “So sleepy.”

But she still had important matters to attend to today and couldn’t afford to linger here.

“Zhenhuan, let’s go for a walk.”

She thought finding Wen Lingzhou wouldn’t be easy, but unexpectedly, as soon as they entered the flower garden, they encountered Wen Zhaoya.

Wen Zhaoya first looked at Xie Zhenhuan, then bowed to Lin Shengshen.

Xie Zhenhuan moved to stand in front of Lin Shengshen, cautiously scanning their surroundings. Only after confirming no one was around did she relax.

“What are you doing here?” Xie Zhenhuan asked.

“Why can’t I be here?” Wen Zhaoya retorted.

Xie Zhenhuan snorted lightly, “Since there’s nothing important, sister-in-law, let’s go.”

“Wait, there is something, there is something,” Wen Lingya hurriedly said.

Ever since learning about the potential marriage arrangement between her and Wen Lingya, Xie Zhenhuan had suddenly become somewhat shy. Without turning her head, she merely stopped and asked, “What is it?”

Wen Lingya inquired, “Have you been suffering from headaches lately? Why didn’t you come to the Wen residence to admire the lotus flowers these past few days? I had someone bring a remedy for headaches from the southwest. Please take it back with you.”

Lin Shengshen’s eyes lit up. Headaches? She had only learned this year that Xie Zhenhuan developed headaches whenever she was upset. How did Wen Lingya know about this?

She glanced at Xie Zhenhuan, then at Wen Lingya, thinking to herself, What a perfect match.

Xie Zhenhuan blushed, “I—I don’t have headaches! I’m leaving!”

Without waiting for Lin Shengshen to follow, she dashed off alone behind the flower bushes.

Wen Lingya made to follow but was stopped by a look from Lin Shengshen.

“Young Master Wen, it wouldn’t be proper if someone saw you. If you’re truly serious, why not have your elders come to propose marriage?”

She instructed Peilan, “Go after her and make sure she doesn’t run off.”

Wen Lingya bowed, “Thank you, sister-in-law.”

Lin Shengshen took the prescription he offered and smiled, “You’re quite thoughtful.”

“Do you know why Zhenhuan gets headaches?” she continued.

Wen Lingya fell silent for a moment before replying, “Because of Xu Wulin.”

Lin Shengshen raised an eyebrow, surprised that he knew so much. It seemed he had thoroughly investigated Zhenhuan’s background recently. But that alone wasn’t enough—if they wanted a harmonious relationship, they needed to resolve these conflicts early on.

“You don’t mind?”

“I don’t mind.”

“Good.” Lin Shengshen decided to trust him for now.

“Where’s your brother? I have something to discuss with him.”

Before Wen Lingya could respond, Wen Lingzhou emerged from behind the flower bushes. Dressed in a dark blue robe, he had detached the Immortal Child Holding Lotus jade pendant from his fan and now wore it at his waist.

“Shengshen.”

Lin Shengshen took two steps back, creating some distance, and smiled, “General Wen, I wish you a safe return from your journey.”

Wen Lingzhou paused, noticing the formality in her tone.

“There’s one more thing I’d like to mention. This autumn and winter, Yunjing might be unstable. If anything happens, no matter what decree is issued, you must proceed with caution. If you’re sent to the northern regions, remember not to trust anyone—especially those from Yunjing.”

Wen Lingzhou frowned slightly at her words, shadows deepening beneath his brow.

Having said her piece, Lin Shengshen knew Wen Lingzhou was no fool and would take her advice seriously. She turned and left.

Wen Lingzhou remained standing there for a long time.

Until Wen Lingya suddenly asked, “Brother, what about me and the Xie family…”

Wen Lingzhou’s voice was cold, “It’s acceptable. Proceed with the arrangements.”

“And what about you? What are your plans for the future?”

Wen Lingzhou turned away, no longer looking at the retreating lilac figure. “When I left Lizhou back then, I never thought about the future.”

The Wen family had been mediocre, rising to their current status and honor only through his military achievements. Back then, he had no choice in matters of loyalty or love.

He had already missed his chance back then. Now, covered in military glory, he finally had the confidence to speak up—but the beauty had already become another man’s wife. Perhaps even her heart had…

The carriage set off, swaying and jolting, and Lin Shengshen teased Xie Zhenhuan with a smile.

“What’s wrong? Did meeting him once make you wilt?”

Xie Zhenhuan hung her head. “I still think if this marriage is truly settled, it’s a bit rash.”

Lin Shengshen hummed in agreement. “If we’re to blame anyone, it should be Qi Yan.”

Xie Zhenhuan let out a long sigh, inexplicably troubled by many worries. Could she and Wen Zhaoya really become husband and wife? She had chased Xu Wuling for far too long, dreaming every night of living with him. Suddenly switching to someone else left her unsettled, even a bit resistant.

After the incident with Xu Wuling, she had even considered simply living a life of solitude with a green lamp and ancient Buddha. She might never be able to love anyone else in this lifetime—that failed romance had drained all her energy.

Xie Zhenhuan’s thoughts were a tangled mess. When she looked up again, she saw that Lin Shengshen had already fallen asleep, propping her head up.

Her thin eyelids, curled lashes, and delicate nose made her look like a fairy who had stepped out of a painting. Clearly exhausted, she had forced herself to stay awake until they were in the carriage back to the estate. Xie Zhenhuan sighed softly again. When would she ever be as capable and independent as her sister-in-law?

The journey back seemed endlessly drawn out. Xie Zhenhuan’s mind was full of worries, too chaotic to settle. With Lin Shengshen asleep and no one to talk to, she had no choice but to lift the carriage curtain and look at the scenery outside.

Peering out, she saw that the bustling streets had long been left behind. The road grew increasingly bumpy, and farmland gradually appeared around them.

She covered her mouth to stifle a gasp, then lifted the curtain on the other side. The maids who had been following the carriage outside were nowhere to be seen!

Xie Zhenhuan pressed a hand to her pounding heart and gently shook Lin Shengshen’s arm, lowering her voice as much as possible. “Sister-in-law, wake up!”

The moment Lin Shengshen was roused, she noticed the carriage was shaking violently, unlike the smooth ride on a flat road. Seeing the fear on Xie Zhenhuan’s face, her heart sank.

She tightened her grip on the small porcelain vial she had retrieved from her sleeve and pressed her hand against the short dagger hidden beneath her outer garment at her waist. Calming Zhenhuan, she said, “Don’t be afraid. This morning when we left, your brother asked when we’d be back. If he doesn’t see us return, he’ll surely come looking for us.”

Xie Zhenhuan trembled, her voice shaking. “Sister-in-law, what should we do? What if…”

“There are no ‘what ifs.’ We must buy time.” Lin Shengshen stuffed the vial into Xie Zhenhuan’s hand and lifted the curtain to look around again. The trees grew denser, and they had arrived in a desolate, uninhabited place!

The coachman must have assumed that even if the two of them noticed something amiss, they would be as helpless as frightened quails, allowing themselves to be led to slaughter. He drove boldly into the outskirts.