After Rebirth, My Aloof Husband Can Hear My Inner Thoughts [Transmigration & Rebirth] - Chapter 62

Xie Yunshuang’s back stiffened, and she left with a pale face, departing Tangli Residence without even observing proper etiquette.

Lin Shengshen watched her retreating figure, shaking her head with a faint smile.

Xie Zhenhuan, who had been holding back her questions for a long time, finally let them pour out like a floodgate opening.

“Sister-in-law, you must have remembered wrong. That Qi Yan clearly…”

Lin Shengshen said, “Don’t worry about such matters, child. You should go back and properly prepare for your engagement with the Wen family.”

Hearing Lin Shengshen tease her again, Xie Zhenhuan blushed and glanced at Xie Zhizhou. “Brother…”

Although Xie Zhizhou disliked the Wen family immensely, he had to admit that Wen Zhaoya treated Zhenhuan well. Moreover, the Wen residence was peaceful with simple family relations, and the elderly Wen couple were kind and amiable—most suitable for an innocent and simple girl like Zhenhuan.

And… the Lin family was planning to sever ties with the Xie family. What plans would they make for Lin Shengshen then?

If Chancellor Lin and Lady Chen wanted someone stable and obedient, they would choose Xu Wei. If they wanted someone responsible and promising, they would choose Wen Lingzhou.

His gaze swept over the dressing case on the vanity, where a Heart Lock Pendant lay clearly visible—it belonged to her and Wen Lingzhou. It seemed Lin Shengshen preferred Wen Lingzhou. If Zhenhuan married into the Wen residence and Lin Shengshen did as well, the two would have each other for company.

Lin Shengshen must be pleased with Zhenhuan’s engagement, since she had been concerned about it from the beginning.

That was good.

That was good.

Countless thoughts flashed through his mind in an instant. Xie Zhizhou’s expression remained calm as he nodded slightly, indicating his approval of the marriage.

Xie Zhenhuan hung her head, unsure whether she was happy or sad—perhaps more hesitant and apprehensive. Being pushed along by circumstances left her feeling somewhat lost.

Lin Shengshen didn’t keep Xie Zhenhuan much longer. The wound on her back was too painful, making it impossible for her to continue leaning against the soft pillow.

Xie Zhizhou seemed to have known this all along. Without waiting for Zhenhuan to continue chattering, he already saw the guest out. “Your sister-in-law is tired. You should return early.”

The room quieted down again. Lin Shengshen was helped by Xie Zhizhou to lie prone on the bed. The bed curtains were let down, concealing the scene inside.

Although they had been intimate before, it had always been at night. Now, with the bright daylight illuminating everything clearly inside the curtains, Lin Shengshen felt somewhat shy.

Xie Zhizhou was much more proper than in previous days, not letting his eyes wander and keeping his breathing steady. Gently, he pushed Lin Shengshen’s sleeping robe down to her thighs, revealing her back, then fetched the ointment and bamboo spatula to carefully apply the medicine.

Red marks covered her back like red plum blossoms blooming in snow. Xie Zhizhou felt no hint of desire, only knowing how much it must hurt—the gravel had cut through the fabric harshly.

“Hisss—” Tears welled in Lin Shengshen’s eyes.

Xie Zhizhou lightened his touch again and asked softly, “Is this better?”

Lin Shengshen sighed. “Never mind, it hurts no matter what. Just get on with it quickly. I’ll endure it.”

Xie Zhizhou leaned closer to her back, gently applying the medicine while softly blowing on it.

“How about now?”

Lin Shengshen’s back instantly tensed. Xie Zhizhou’s actions felt like a kitten’s paw scratching at her heart—ticklish, and the pain truly faded.

But why did she feel so warm?

Lin Shengshen felt her breathing grow somewhat erratic. She tried to distract herself by changing the subject. “How did you notice something off about Xie Yunshuang?”

Xie Zhizhou said, “Before Xu Wuling died.”

“That early?”

“I shouldn’t have let my guard down. Shengshen, I’m sorry.”

Lin Shengshen felt her heart soften. “No one could have predicted this. Prince Su truly lives up to being a madman with the Qi family bloodline—reckless and audacious in his actions, completely disregarding the consequences.”

Xie Zhizhou continued blowing on her wound.

A tingling sensation spread across Lin Shengshen’s back, followed by cool air tracing the curve of her spine. She suddenly imagined what Xie Zhizhou must be seeing at this moment, and her cheeks grew even hotter.

“If Prince Su dared to openly attempt killing me out of spite, he must have made thorough preparations. Have you uncovered any movements from the northern enemies recently?”

Xie Zhizhou lifted her nightgown to cover her back. “I have.”

“Where?”

“At Xiangyun Tower.”

“Xiangyun Tower?”

The room fell silent for a moment before Lin Shengshen pieced together the complexities.

“It seems Prince Su and Consort Qi are each pursuing their own agendas. Not quite the picture of maternal devotion and filial piety as rumors suggest.”

Xie Zhizhou remarked, “Prince Su considers Consort Qi too soft-hearted, while she sees him as impulsive and rash. But in truth, there’s no real difference between them.”

“Consort Qi only cares about maintaining her present wealth and status, so she naturally wouldn’t want to invite northern enemies into the capital. She merely wants to fabricate some baseless suspicions to crush the Crown Prince under His Majesty’s doubt,” Lin Shengshen pondered.

“Whereas Prince Su aims beyond immediate power. By colluding with northern enemies and stirring border chaos to seize the throne, he seeks to destroy before rebuilding.”

Xie Zhizhou waited until the ointment on her back dried before lifting her up and settling her comfortably in bed.

The warmth of his embrace was fleeting. Lin Shengshen froze momentarily.

Xie Zhizhou sat upright beside her and said, “Prince Su is tyrannical, the Crown Prince is benevolent. His Majesty has always known who is right and who is wrong.”

“Don’t overthink anymore. Rest peacefully for a while.”

Lin Shengshen asked, “You haven’t slept for the past two days. Why not lie down with me for a bit?”

Xie Zhizhou seemed to struggle internally, glancing at the soft bedding beside her before lowering his eyelids to conceal his emotions. “There’s no need. I’ve accumulated much official business lately. I should attend to it first.”

Lin Shengshen frowned, feeling increasingly that Xie Zhizhou was acting strange today, though she couldn’t pinpoint why.

As Xie Zhizhou turned to leave, Lin Shengshen called out, “Xie Zhizhou.”

He turned back.

“Thank you for saving me.”

The words were too formal, almost like a farewell. Xie Zhizhou’s hand in his sleeve clenched and then relaxed. “It was my duty. I’m sorry I still arrived too late.”

Lin Shengshen extended her hand, holding a jade ring in her palm. “You left your jade ring with me.”

Xie Zhizhou said, “Keep it.”

It wasn’t until late at night that Xie Zhizhou returned, carrying the chill of the night. He removed his clothes, bathed, and lay down beside Lin Shengshen—all movements as silent as a ghost.

But Lin Shengshen hadn’t been asleep, so she clearly knew that Xie Zhizhou had returned and settled in. And then? Then he lay quietly beside her, breathing steadily as if asleep.

He wasn’t asleep—Lin Shengshen knew.

Otherwise, why would he gently caress her cheek in the middle of the night and then firmly hold her hand in his palm?

For over ten consecutive days, Xie Zhizhou grew increasingly silent and withdrawn. He stayed up later each night. Sometimes, as Lin Shengshen drifted off to sleep, she could feel him stroking her shoulder. When she woke in the early morning, she would find her hand placed over his heart.

Beneath her palm, Xie Zhizhou’s heart thumped wildly, unsettling her with its frantic rhythm. What was wrong with him?

On some days, he would return to Tangli Residence for lunch and even initiate conversations about whether the food suited her taste.

Perhaps due to his severe illness requiring many dietary restrictions, the more relaxed midday meals made Lin Shengshen feel the Xie family’s chefs had improved remarkably, almost matching the culinary skills of the Lin household.

Other days, Xie Zhizhou would be absent the entire day, seemingly occupied with urgent matters. Their only contact occurred during morning and evening dressing changes, where he remained restrained in both action and gaze, never overstepping.

Yet Lin Shengshen clearly caught glimpses of his unwavering attention when he thought she wasn’t looking—his eyes tracing her every movement relentlessly.

By the eighth month, the crisp autumn air brought clarity. Lin Shengshen’s right arm had healed sufficiently to steadily handle small scales for weighing spices and slowly begin crafting Scented Pills again.

The bruises on her neck had faded to near invisibility, the wounds on her back had scabbed over, and her leg injury had fully recovered, allowing her to move about freely.

After over ten days confined to bed, she had grown noticeably thinner, her complexion pale with a sickly delicacy. Her sharper jawline accentuated her features, lending them a more captivating allure.

Peilan fretted endlessly, urging, “Miss, please eat more. I heard Young Master Xie specially sought out this chef.”

Though Lin Shengshen knew Xie Zhizhou cared little for culinary pleasures—suspecting Peilan invented this to coax her—she obliged by eating heartily. Casually, she inquired about Jinzhi Tower affairs: “I’ve heard there’s been quite the commotion lately. Did you instruct the manager to properly conceal the designs?”

Peilan grinned slyly. “Naturally. We’ve hidden them in the most obvious place.”

Lin Shengshen shot her an amused, chiding glance. “With Xiangyun Tower losing business these days while watching Jinzhi Tower and our Baoxiang Tower thrive, they must be itching to raid the place and snatch those designs.”

“What if they actually replicate them?” Peilan worried. “Wouldn’t they claim our achievements and seek rewards from the Imperial Consort?”

Lin Shengshen’s smile turned meaningful. “That’s precisely what we want—for them to produce the designs and seek favor. When the time comes, whether they receive rewards or punishment remains to be seen.”

The two shared a knowing laugh.

During another lunch, Lin Shengshen asked, “I heard Zhenhuan and Zhaoya’s marriage has been settled? When is the ceremony?”

Xie Zhizhou responded listlessly, as if half-asleep. “Next June.”

Lin Shengshen nodded approvingly. “That’s perfect. Summer flowers in full bloom, lush greenery everywhere—scenery at its finest.”

After a moment’s contemplation, she nearly asked about his earlier promise to take her to Jiangnan but stopped herself. Coldly observing his recent behavior, she recognized a familiar pattern.

Wasn’t this the same Xie Zhizhou from their early marriage? The only difference: now he maintained icy detachment outwardly while secretly watching and touching her endlessly. Late at night, his hands would trace her repeatedly, his gaze caressing every inch as if each night were their last embrace.

Yet he never crossed boundaries, his slender fingers resting only on her cheeks, neck, shoulders, and palms.

Though perplexed, Lin Shengshen didn’t know how to broach the subject. If she asked about Jiangnan now and received a cold rejection, wouldn’t she just be inviting humiliation?

She sealed her lips and focused on her meal.

Suddenly, Xie Zhizhou fixed her with a devouring stare.

“What were you thinking just now?” he demanded.

Lin Shengshen was momentarily stunned, feeling somewhat flustered. “Um… I was thinking how delicious today’s meal is, especially this soup.”

Xie Zhizhou abruptly stood up, his eyes filled with disbelief. He gazed deeply at Lin Shengshen, his breathing growing uneven and his brows tightly furrowed.

Lin Shengshen was startled by his demeanor. Lately, Xie Zhizhou had been staying up night after night, unsettling her mind.

“What’s wrong?”

Xie Zhizhou struggled to calm his emotions, opening his mouth as if to speak but hesitating. In the end, he only said, “It’s nothing.”

After that, Xie Zhizhou didn’t touch his chopsticks again. He silently watched Lin Shengshen finish her meal comfortably before quietly leaving.

The study was unlit. Xie Zhizhou personally lit a small piece of a Scented Pill—just a fragment of half a pill. Instead of placing the incense burner on the incense table, he set it right before him. A faint, wispy fragrance misted the air, and he took a deep breath.

In truth, he had lied to Lin Shengshen. Earlier, he had claimed to have found the last pill in a corner and used it to scent his clothes—that was false.

Back then, he had only used half a pill.

This was a Scented Pill Lin Shengshen had personally made for him. From now on, there would be no more. How could he bear to waste it?

Burning even this tiny amount today felt extravagant.

The refreshing scent of Spring Message in Snow cleared his mind, and Xie Zhizhou’s spirit finally relaxed a little.

Lin Shengshen’s injury was almost healed. Who knew when the Lin family would personally come to take her back? Once her dowry was moved back to the Lin residence in chest after chest, all of Yunjing would know that the two of them were separating. Those restless young masters, rubbing their hands in anticipation, had waited years for this opportunity. How could they let it slip?

Wen Lingzhou was far in the northwest—he probably wished he could return to the capital immediately, didn’t he?

What a bargain for him. Time and again, he had given up, forced to choose between Shengshen and his career, yet in the end, he could still reunite with her.

The incense burned out quickly, its faint fragrance swiftly dissipating in the vast study. Xie Zhizhou was once again plunged into darkness and emptiness.

Perhaps he and Lin Shengshen truly had no fate left. Otherwise, why had he suddenly lost the ability to hear her thoughts?

Maybe it had started fading gradually long ago, but he only realized it today when it vanished completely.

No matter what, the last thread connecting him to Lin Shengshen had been severed.

This world truly held no meaning. In the next life, could he be the one to retain his memories and seek out Shengshen?