After Rebirth, My Aloof Husband Can Hear My Inner Thoughts [Transmigration & Rebirth] - Chapter 6

The sky was dim with light rain. On the damp West Street, oil-paper umbrellas overlapped, young ladies brushing past with wafts of fragrance, adding a pleasant touch to the humid air.

Lin Shengshen lifted the carriage curtain, hearing the lively calls of street vendors.

“Stop the carriage.”

The carriage pulled over by the roadside. Baoxiang Tower was bustling with crowds coming and going, while Xiangyun Tower was nearly deserted, with only the shopkeeper standing at the door enthusiastically soliciting customers.

Soon after, an elegantly dressed young lady in plain green emerged from Baoxiang Tower. Her maid’s bamboo basket contained many Scented Pills, showing a fruitful haul.

However, the young lady in green had barely stepped out when she was eagerly intercepted by Xiangyun Tower’s shopkeeper. Though she waved him off, the shopkeeper persisted until the young lady was persuaded to enter Xiangyun Tower.

Lin Shengshen lowered the carriage curtain. Peilan, beside her, took a handkerchief to dry the rainwater from her hands, her expression disdainful. “I heard Manager Zhu say Xiangyun Tower does this every day.”

“The shopkeeper of Xiangyun Tower is quite diligent.” Lin Shengshen dismissed the thought and called for the coachman to continue.

Peilan worried, “Young Miss, returning to the Lin residence this time without Young Master Xie accompanying you… won’t people gossip?”

Lin Shengshen closed her eyes to rest. “Oh? Did he accompany me when we returned three days after the wedding? What does it matter whether he accompanies me now or not?”

“Back then, the young master said he was busy with official duties…” Peilan sighed and said no more. Whether it was official business or simply unwillingness to accompany her, everyone knew the truth. Why deceive themselves?

Young Master Xie’s repeated disregard for the young lady’s dignity eventually wore down her patience.

“What others say is beyond my control. I only know that my parents and brother will be happy as long as I return home. We’ll be even more at ease without Xie Zhizhou around.”

The Lin residence had known since morning that Lin Shengshen would be returning, practically ready to hang lanterns and set off firecrackers in celebration. Several young maids stood waiting eagerly at the side gate.

Lin Shengshen was surrounded and ushered into the Lin residence. No sooner had she sat down beside Chen Yuying then Lin Zhiping pulled her up to examine her from all sides.

Chen Yuying shot Lin Zhiping a reproachful look. “I’ve already checked—not an ounce of flesh missing, not a single hair out of place. Our daughter is perfectly fine!”

Lin Shengshen had specifically chosen to return to the Lin residence today so she could appear before her father and mother after calming herself, avoiding any emotional outburst that might make them worry about her at home.

But despite spending these past days steadying her emotions and repeatedly reminding herself on the way not to cry, her eyes still reddened now.

Chen Yuying knew that Lin Shengshen had been pampered since childhood and never suffered hardship. Having married into the Xie family, she had likely endured some grievances. Chen Yuying’s own eyes welled up as she complained, “I told you before—even though it was an imperial decree, there was no need to rush the marriage. I wanted you to stay home another two years, but you wouldn’t listen!”

Lin Zhiping sighed. “Madam, didn’t we agree not to mention such things? Shengshen is still young—how could she have known better?”

Knowing that Xie Zhizhou still hadn’t returned with her, Chen Yuying said, “That Xie family’s young master is truly outrageous. You should speak with Xie Changxing. It’s not as if we insisted on this marriage—if not for…”

Lin Zhiping sighed. “If not for His Majesty’s sudden decree, I never would have wanted Shengshen to marry into the Xie family.”

Recalling how joyfully she had married into the Xie family in her previous life, Lin Shengshen shook her head. She had been so naive back then, making her parents watch their daughter leap into a pit of fire.

After the three caught up for a while, Lin Zhiping was summoned to the palace by His Majesty to discuss matters, leaving only Chen Yuying and Lin Shengshen.

Chen Yuying dismissed the maids and asked quietly, “Has Xie Zhizhou consummated the marriage with you?”

She had heard Lin Shengshen complain about this during her last visit home and had been concerned ever since.

Lin Shengshen stiffened, then calmly shook her head with a smile. “Mother, don’t worry about such matters. Your daughter has grown up—I know what I’m doing.”

Chen Yuying fretted, “Could it be that young master Xie has some hidden ailment?”

Lin Shengshen laughed. “Mother, what are you thinking?”

As she spoke, she recalled that one painful experience in her previous life. Aside from the pain and perfunctory nature of it… everything else should have been normal, right?

Chen Yuying said, “Don’t think your mother is meddling. I’ve observed Xie Zhizhou coldly—he’s not easy to get along with. If you regret this, you must tell me. Your father holds a high position with substantial authority, and I have some resources of my own. Even supporting you until old age wouldn’t be a problem.”

Though Lin Shengshen had considered divorce, now wasn’t the time. She didn’t want her parents to worry, so she forced a light laugh. “How could it be that serious? Mother, set your heart at ease. I have plans for everything.”

As she spoke, she nestled into Chen Yuying’s embrace and changed the subject. “Why haven’t I seen brother?”

“Your brother has been busy at the Eastern Palace lately. I haven’t seen him for some time either.”

The Eastern Palace. So her brother had already joined the Crown Prince’s faction this early.

The current His Majesty has three sons. The eldest legitimate son, born to the Empress, is the current Crown Prince, who is gentle in temperament. There are two sons born to concubines, one from Consort Qi and the other from Consort Li.

Consort Qi’s son is one year younger than the Crown Prince and has been enfeoffed as the Prince of Su. The Prince of Su is skilled in warfare and has personally led troops to quell the rebellion in the southeast.

The Empress is in poor health and devotes herself to Buddhist practices, showing no interest in court affairs. Consort Qi, who manages the inner palace, is highly ambitious. Now that both the Crown Prince and the Prince of Su have come of age, the struggles between them will only intensify.

Taking sides early is like walking along a cliff edge at night—one misstep could lead to a fatal fall.

“The spring floods in the northern regions have left countless refugees. Your father will likely return very late, so stay here tonight and return to the Xie residence tomorrow morning,” Chen Yuying said, holding Lin Shengshen’s hand, reluctant to let go.

Lin Shengshen dined with her mother and slept beside her, just as she had in her childhood.

That night, Lin Shengshen tossed and turned, gazing at her mother’s serene sleeping face and feeling her warm breath. Only then did she realize with a start that she had truly been reborn. Everything she had once lost was now within her grasp, as long as she could hold onto it…

The next morning, while drinking tea after breakfast, Baidou rushed in anxiously. She glanced at Chen Yuying, hesitating to speak.

Lin Shengshen set down her teacup and stood up. “It’s fine, speak. Is it about the Scented Pills for summer heat relief?”

Baidou nodded. “Miss, we’ve found out!”

—

Urging the servants to prepare the carriage, Lin Shengshen hurried away. Chen Yuying watched her receding figure and paused in her steps.

The matron following behind asked with concern, “The young lady is still so young, could she…? Madam, should we follow and check on her?”

Chen Yuying recalled seeing Lin Shengshen secretly shed tears with her eyes closed late last night and sighed. “Let her go. Children must face storms as they grow up.”

Before long, Lin Shengshen’s carriage stopped in front of the Zhou residence. The gatekeeper, recognizing the Lin family carriage, hurriedly ran to the inner courtyard to report.

Magistrate Zhou held a minor sixth-rank position in the court, and his wife’s maternal family had no influential background. Thus, the Zhou family maintained a low profile in Yunjing. Walking through their residence, one saw only ordinary plants and trees, with no rare stones or gold and jade in sight.

Madam Zhou warmly received Lin Shengshen in the main hall, scrutinizing her carefully. She noted her delicate brows and almond-shaped eyes, which seemed to hold a clear, shimmering spring. Her elegant nose and red lips complemented cheeks tinged with a faint blush. Her dark hair was tied up, revealing the fair skin of her nape, and the hem of her snow-blue pleated skirt seemed to carry a hint of ethereal mist and flowing jade.

She resembled a celestial consort descending to the mortal realm—no wonder people in the capital said that the Lin family had a daughter worth ten thousand gold.

“Miss Lin, what brings you here? Look at me, I wasn’t properly prepared,” Madam Zhou said.

Lin Shengshen got straight to the point. “I heard that the Third Young Lady of your household developed skin redness and swelling after using our Scented Pills. I’ve come specifically to see her.”

Madam Zhou flustered for a moment before forcing a smile. “What are you talking about?”

“Please, Madam Zhou, take me to see your Third Young Lady,” Lin Shengshen said earnestly.

“It’s just a case of eating something wrong and breaking out in rashes. What does it have to do with your Scented Pills? You’ve misunderstood, Miss Lin.”

Feeling it wasn’t enough, Madam Zhou added, “We’ve already consulted a physician. She just needs to take some medicine to recuperate. There’s no need for you to worry, Miss Lin.”

Madam Zhou was inwardly panicked, unsure who had leaked the news. It was true that the Third Young Lady had developed skin redness and swelling after using the Scented Pills and was still bedridden, but so what?

Would they really risk offending the Lin family over such a trivial matter?

They usually couldn’t even find opportunities to curry favor with the Lin family, so how could they afford to offend them now that they’ve just become acquainted!

The third young lady was not her own child, but the daughter of a deceased concubine. Though raised under her care, their bond remained rather distant.

With this thought, she turned back and swept a warning glance over the maids behind her. The maidservants lowered their heads, not daring to speak further.

—

In the study of the Xie residence, Yuan Qing quietly entered, lit charcoal in the incense burner, placed a separator on top, then added the Spring Message in Snow scented pills given to him by Xie Zhenhuan.

Soon, a delicate and gentle fragrant mist slowly drifted out, filling the study with the refreshing scent of plum blossoms.

Xie Zhizhou was listening to Yuan Zhen’s report.

“Zhang Yin had secret dealings with Prince Su, but it was only about marriage alliances—nothing more.”

Xie Zhizhou seemed to have already known the outcome and responded absentmindedly, not even turning the page of the book in his hand.

After a moment of silence in the room, Yuan Zhen hesitantly spoke, “Recently, this subordinate has discovered that the young madam…”

Xie Zhizhou set down the book in his hand, lifted his head, and fixed his gaze on Yuan Zhen. “Speak.”

Though his tone was light, it carried immense authority.

“…discovered that the young madam sent someone to inquire about General Wen’s whereabouts…”

“What whereabouts?”

“Outings and leisure activities. It seems as though she intended—”

“Leave.” Xie Zhizhou’s voice was icy.

The study fell into silence once more. Yuan Qing stood by with his head bowed, not making a sound, hardly daring to breathe.

Xie Zhizhou rose and walked to the incense table, a faint, cold smile playing on his lips. “This is getting more and more interesting.”

Putting on a show of deep affection while secretly harboring resentment, determined to marry into the Xie family yet inquiring about another man’s movements.

“Come in.”

Yuan Zhen, who had been waiting outside the door without leaving, returned upon the command. Gazing at Xie Zhizhou’s tall, straight back from behind, he couldn’t help but shiver.

The young master usually appeared gentle and refined, but in truth, his methods were thunderous. Countless prisoners regarded him as they would the King of Hell.

“Investigate—find out exactly what background Wen Lingzhou has.”

The Xie family’s century-old reputation could not tolerate such filth.

Staring at the wispy incense smoke rising from the crane longevity incense burner atop the Taihu stone, Xie Zhizhou frowned and poured tea into the burner.

A sizzling sound came from within. Moments later, the fragrant mist dissipated, and the scent in the room grew much fainter. He turned and sat back at the desk, opened the book, flipped a couple of pages, then closed it again. Suddenly, for no reason, a clear, sweet fragrance rushed unbidden into his chest…

It was truly revolting.

The entire long morning passed in utter silence in the study. Just before lunchtime, Xie Zhizhou suddenly said, “Go to Tangli Residence.” Rather than waiting for Yuan Zhen to investigate, it would be better to go and hear for himself what she was thinking.

Yuan Qing replied, “The young madam returned to the Xie residence early yesterday morning.”

Hesitating for a moment, Yuan Qing continued, “After marriage, when a young lady returns to her maiden home, she must be accompanied by her husband. Otherwise, not only will she lose face at her family’s home, but she will also be reprimanded. Last month, for the bridal return, you did not go, young master. This time…”

Reprimanded? Lin Zhiping probably wouldn’t have the heart to scold her.

He still remembered when the marriage was first arranged—Lin Zhiping had personally sought out Xie Zhizhou, using both soft words and harsh ones, urging him to treat Lin Shengshen well.

Could Lin Zhiping have imagined what was truly in his beloved daughter’s heart?

Dissatisfaction with the marriage, inexplicable resentment toward him, disdain for the Xie family, and—

Thoughts of infidelity…

Xie Zhizhou stood up. “To the Lin residence.”

Yuan Qing had always wished to encourage the young master and young madam to live in harmony, but after being rebuffed with cold words time and again, he gradually grew too afraid to say more.

To his surprise, the young master actually took his advice this time. Overjoyed, he exclaimed, “If the young mistress sees you coming to fetch her, she’ll surely be delighted!”

Xie Zhizhou’s eyes darkened.

Delighted?

She’d better be.