After Rebirth, My Aloof Husband Can Hear My Inner Thoughts [Transmigration & Rebirth] - Chapter 70

Lin Shengshen reached out to push him away, but Xie Zhizhou caught her wrist.

Warm water dripped from her fingertips to the back of her hand and wrist, then flowed onto the webbing of Xie Zhizhou’s thumb, forming a small puddle.

With Lin Shengshen’s movements, the puddle rippled and swayed, spilling and refilling.

“Shengshen…”

Xie Zhizhou was using his charms to bewitch her again!

Lin Shengshen tried to placate him, “Not today… I’ll be honest with you. That night, you were too unrestrained, and it left me looking unwell for days. Mother grew worried and prepared this medicinal bath for me.”

Xie Zhizhou froze for a moment, his nose twitching slightly as he carefully sniffed the warm water. Indeed, there were traces of nourishing herbs in it.

Lin Shengshen continued pleading, “You can bite me, but after that, you mustn’t do anything else.”

Xie Zhizhou’s breath brushed against her neck, causing Lin Shengshen to shiver and sending ripples through the bathwater.

Unexpectedly, Xie Zhizhou wasn’t in a hurry to bite. Instead, his lips lightly grazed her ear as he whispered, “How could I bear to bite you when you’re like this?”

Lin Shengshen’s voice trembled, “If you’re not going to bite, then leave quickly.”

Before she could finish, a tingling mix of numbness and pain spread across the small patch of skin on her earlobe. Lin Shengshen gasped, her arms splashing water in the tub.

The bitterness of the herbs blended with the faint scent of cold plum from Xie Zhizhou, all swallowed by the thickening steam.

“I said bite… not hold it in your mouth…” She couldn’t continue.

Only today did Lin Shengshen realize how sensitive her earlobes were.

What about Xie Zhizhou? Were his earlobes just as sensitive? That day at Zhonghua Gate, when she had bitten him, did he… also react?

Lin Shengshen clutched Xie Zhizhou’s lapel, her small fingers leaving damp marks on the dark black fabric.

“Don’t… don’t use your tongue—”

Suddenly, Xie Zhizhou bit down neither too lightly nor too heavily. A wave of numbness shot up Lin Shengshen’s spine and exploded like fireworks in her mind, drawing an involuntary sound from her lips. Whatever she had meant to say was forgotten.

Lin Shengshen frantically pulled him closer, but Xie Zhizhou today seemed unusually ascetic and gentlemanly—he neither kissed her offered lips nor touched her upper body that had unintentionally emerged from the water.

He merely leaned over Lin Shengshen, his gaze drifting across her shimmering eyes and pearly collarbones before finally settling on that tiny mole.

Lin Shengshen’s mind grew hazy with desire. She loosened his collar, hooked a finger under his chin, and asked, “Didn’t you once say this mole was beautiful? Would you like to taste it again?”

The man let out a rough, low gasp and said in a deep voice, “Lin Shengshen, you brought this upon yourself.”

With the last shred of her rationality, Lin Shengshen negotiated, “Just once, alright?”

Her gaze was tender and lingering as she traced the lines of Xie Zhizhou’s face. With such beauty before her, who could possibly resist?

Xie Zhizhou was stirred by her innocent gaze, a fierce wave of desire crashing over him. His breathing grew increasingly ragged. Without giving Lin Shengshen a chance to respond, he lowered his head and captured that sweet cherry with his lips.

Xie Zhizhou was always fierce in these moments, a stark contrast to his usual proud and restrained demeanor.

Lin Shengshen fumbled with his clothes, letting him move from her lips to the side of her neck, then to her collarbone, lingering at that tiny mole.

She pulled him into the bathtub. This bitter medicinal bath—let Xie Zhizhou taste it too.

Lin Shengshen was lifted by the waist, emerging from the water, yet she didn’t feel cold. Xie Zhizhou was even hotter than the warm water.

The tub had been seven-tenths full, but their movements had splashed half the water out.

“Tell me… how is this any different from drinking medicine for a cold while standing in a draft?” Lin Shengshen clung to his shoulders, catching her breath.

Xie Zhizhou blew softly into her ear, tightening his grip on her waist. More water sloshed from the tub onto the floor. “Distracted? You should be punished.”

The thrust brought tears to Lin Shengshen’s eyes. Bracing herself on his shoulders, she straightened up in his embrace and looked at him with glistening eyes. “Stop bullying me…”

Xie Zhizhou coaxed her, “How about you bully me instead?”

Lin Shengshen caressed his face and asked earnestly, “How do I bully you?”

“You move.”

“How do I move?”

Lin Shengshen learned quickly but tired just as fast.

She leaned against Xie Zhizhou’s chest, her chin resting on him, her breath uneven. “This was supposed to make you feel good… You lied… This isn’t bullying you at all.”

Xie Zhizhou kissed the thin sheen of sweat from her forehead and held her close, soothing her. “When you return to the Xie residence, I’ll teach you how to wield a short blade, alright?”

Lin Shengshen lazily agreed, but after a few moments, she realized what he meant. “Fine, teach me then, but no taking advantage of me.”

Xie Zhizhou merely smiled faintly before lifting her and turning her around.

With her wrists held from behind, Lin Shengshen finally saw the mess on the floor—the bitter, warm water had spilled everywhere, even flowing beyond the painted screen.

Before she could dwell on it, other intense sensations overwhelmed her thoughts.

It was only once, as promised, but why did it feel so long? And why was it so irresistibly addictive?

How did Xie Zhizhou even learn these tricks?

Early the next morning, Lin Shengshen opened her bleary eyes to find herself still held in the man’s embrace.

Xie Zhizhou lay naked, the muscles of his arms and sculpted back firm and sleek. A thin quilt covered his narrow waist, his long hair splayed out, half his face buried in the soft pillow. He resembled a tamed beast, lying obediently beside its master.

Lin Shengshen reached out and stroked him, sighing contentedly.

Just as she was about to pull her hand away, a large hand grasped hers and placed it back. Xie Zhizhou cracked his eyes open and mumbled, “Why did you stop?”

A little flustered, Lin Shengshen changed the subject. “The sun is already up. Why haven’t you left yet?”

Xie Zhizhou turned over and lay on his back, pulling Lin Shengshen up to pillow against his chest. The vibration of his voice through his chest made Lin Shengshen’s ears tingle.

“I’m not leaving. My clothes are completely soaked.”

Lin Shengshen quickly replied, “How can that be? What will you tell Father and Mother if they ask later? Will you say you climbed over the wall?”

Xie Zhizhou fell silent for a moment, seemingly seriously considering whether to say just that.

Lin Shengshen anxiously propped herself up. “No, no, that’s completely improper!”

Xie Zhizhou remained unfazed. “It’s not someone else’s wall I climbed, but my father-in-law’s. And I’m not here to see anyone else, but my own wife. What’s improper about that?”

He pulled Lin Shengshen back into his embrace.

Lin Shengshen was astonished by his reasoning. She sat up, pinched Xie Zhizhou’s chin, and examined his face from side to side. “Are you really Xie Zhizhou? He wasn’t like this before.”

Xie Zhizhou pressed her back onto the inner side of the bed. “Would you like to inspect me carefully, my lady? See if I’m really your husband.”

They played around for a while until Peilan called from outside, “Miss, are you awake?”

Flustered, Lin Shengshen answered, “No, no, I’m going back to sleep for a bit.”

Hearing the footsteps fade away, Lin Shengshen urged him, “Hurry and get dressed to go back!”

Xie Zhizhou had no choice but to get up. He found a thin linen gown he had left behind during a previous stay at Shuying Pavilion—summer-weight fabric.

He complained resentfully, “My lady, are you really willing to send me back like this?”

Lin Shengshen, her sleeping robe barely covering her fair skin, stepped forward on her toes to kiss the corner of Xie Zhizhou’s lips. “Hurry back. When you reach Xie Manor, remember to have Yuan Qing brew you a bowl of ginger soup to ward off the chill.”

Xie Zhizhou slumped his shoulders and bent down. “That’s not enough. I need another kiss.”

Peilan didn’t ask why the bathroom was covered in water stains, nor why there was an extra large black robe on the clothes rack. She only stole a glance at Lin Shengshen, who was lounging on the daybed, and asked, “Miss… should we continue with the herbal baths next time?”

It seemed to have backfired…

Lin Shengshen shot her a glare without responding and called for Baidou. “There’s no need to lower the price for Xiangyun Tower anymore. Go to the treasury and get the money.”

Baidou asked, “What about the spices and camphorwood cabinets originally placed in Xiangyun Tower?”

After a moment’s thought, Lin Shengshen replied, “Destroy all the spices. Sell the camphorwood cabinets to a pawnshop.”

Baidou pressed, “Should the layout of Xiangyun Tower match that of Baoxiang Tower?”

Lin Shengshen had already planned it out. “Naturally. Hang the Baoxiang Tower plaque as well. Open it directly across from us on the main street—what a grand display!”

As Baidou was about to fetch the money, Lin Shengshen stopped her. “After you find the craftsmen, assign the supervision to Wan’er.”

Baidou hesitated, “Wan’er? She’s still so young. Is she capable?”

Lin Shengshen was confident. “She’s not that young anymore. Let her try.”

Peilan, having finished tidying up, peeked out from behind the screen. “Miss, is Yin Wei really not coming back?”

Lin Shengshen carefully recalled the news Xie Zhizhou had given her before climbing out the window.

Last night, Consort Qi suddenly fell critically ill. After miscarrying, she passed away. Prince Su, overwhelmed with grief, volunteered to guard the imperial tombs for ten years, going alone without any concubines.

As for Xiangyun Tower, the crime of poisoning the consort was unforgivable. Yin Wei was certain to be executed, and Xiangyun Tower had been seized by the authorities for resale.

The foreign individuals seized from Xiangyun Tower had vanished without a trace, with only personnel discreetly dispatched to several northern cities.

A disaster that had accumulated like a mountain flood was thus averted. The sun of a new day rose slowly, and the events of yesterday flowed away like an eastward river, never to return.

Lin Shengshen eagerly dressed and headed to the street to inspect her newly acquired shop.

Along the way, she encountered several ladies who greeted her with joyful congratulations, as if Lin Shengshen turning the perfume shop into the finest in Yunjing were a momentous occasion.

Though Lin Shengshen found it baffling, she humbly accepted their cheers.

Upon arriving at Baoxiang Tower, she found the long-unseen Shopkeeper Zhu had returned. Unlike her previous sorrowful demeanor, she now glowed with vitality, even wearing a jewel-toned long skirt—a departure from her usual gray-green or maroon attire.

Lin Shengshen’s eyes brightened. “Shopkeeper Zhu, you’ve recovered from your illness.”

Zhu Yu smiled faintly. “What illness? It was all unnecessary worry.”

Lin Shengshen smiled without responding.

Zhu Yu suddenly pulled her aside mysteriously. “I haven’t yet congratulated you on finally finding your match!”

Lin Shengshen blinked, not quite understanding.

Zhu Yu laughed. “I heard this morning, Young Master Xie went to the gambling den and wagered a thousand taels!”

“What?!”

“He bet that the two of you won’t divorce.”

Lin Shengshen took a moment to process this. “A thousand taels?! He… he’s gone mad.”

Zhu Yu said, “Now no one in Yunjing dares spread rumors about you and Young Master Xie divorcing!”

“…”

–

“A thousand taels! Have you lost your mind?!”

In the study of the Xie residence, Xie Changxing paced back and forth, fuming with anger.

Xie Zhizhou took a sip of tea and remained silent.

Xie Changxing, exasperated, snapped, “Your sister is still missing! How can you have the leisure to squander money at a gambling den?”

Xie Zhizhou sneered, “My sister? Zhenhuan is in her room embroidering wedding handkerchiefs. How is she missing?”

Xie Changxing pointed at him. “You unfilial son! Isn’t Yunshuang your sister too? Even if you share little affection, at least consider the Xie family’s reputation and find her! Quickly!”

From behind the screen, Concubine Jin’s sobbing could be heard.

Xie Zhizhou leaned back in his armchair, calm and composed. “Find her? If you have the ability, Father, send people to search. And the one behind the screen—she can join the search too.”

Xie Changxing erupted in fury. “You! You! Unfilial wretch!”

After a moment, Xie Changxing calmed down and negotiated, “She’s still your sister. She disappeared after leaving the palace last night, and it’s already noon with no news… You… Last time, when Zhenhuan and the Lin girl were kidnapped, didn’t you find them by midnight that very day?”

Xie Zhizhou’s gaze turned colder. “That day, your daughter and daughter-in-law were both abducted, yet I didn’t see you this anxious.”

Concubine Jin could bear it no longer. She rushed out from behind the screen and clung to Xie Changxing’s feet. “My lord! Save Yunshuang! She… she…”

Xie Zhizhou looked down at her disdainfully. “What about her? Don’t you know very well?”

Xie Changxing, kept in the dark, demanded of the woman at his feet, “What? You wretch, what have you hidden from me?!”

Concubine Jin confessed everything. “Yunshuang is with child…”

Xie Zhizhou scoffed.

Xie Changxing’s legs trembled, his vision darkening with rage. “With child? Since when? Whose is it? That harlot!”

Terrified, Concubine Jin shrank into a ball. “It’s… it’s Prince Su’s.”

She then declared with righteous indignation, “That is Prince Su’s child! He will become a royal prince in the future! My lord… you absolutely cannot abandon us now. Our daughter is destined to enter the prince’s mansion as a secondary consort!”

Xie Changxing collapsed onto the ground, pointing at Concubine Jin, “You… you fool! Consort Qi is gone, the Qi family has fallen, and Prince Su was discarded long ago and exiled to the imperial mausoleum for ten years! What pipe dream are you still having? Fool! Fool!”

Concubine Jin momentarily forgot her crying, choked for a moment, then suddenly her eyes turned red as she screamed wildly, “How is that possible? How is that possible? You’re lying to me… you…”

Xie Zhizhou curled his lips, “Prince Su’s consort cannot bear children, Prince Su has been deposed and has no heirs. Where do you think Xie Yunshuang is right now?”

Concubine Jin’s lips trembled, her face deathly pale, “Please, save Yunshuang… Prince Su’s consort is a madwoman.”

Xie Zhizhou said, “This is a dead end. Father, you decide for yourself.”

Xie Changxing slapped Concubine Jin to the ground, tears and mucus streaming down his face, “Guards! Jin Lianmei has gone mad, drag her away…”

Save her? How could they save her? Xie Yunshuang suddenly disappeared at this critical moment – the Crown Prince must have known the reason long ago.

If they saved her, wouldn’t they just be waiting for the Crown Prince to send someone to silence her? What if this ruined their relationship with the Crown Prince? What would happen to the Xie family’s reputation built over so many years?

Better not to save her! It would be best if she could… could… die at the hands of Prince Su’s consort.

Xie Changxing then felt a belated fear – what if Yunshuang had actually given birth to that child? How would he explain that to the Crown Prince?!

He stood frozen in place, and in a moment of carelessness, suddenly felt a sharp pain in the back of his neck. He turned sharply to find Jin Lianmei with bloodshot eyes, holding a golden hairpin, blood spraying like a spring onto her face.

“You bitch…” was all he had the strength to say, as the golden hairpin sank deep into the side of his neck.

—

Lin Shengshen, holding Xie Zhizhou’s hand, entered the carriage and waved to Chen Yuying through the lifted curtain.

As the carriage began moving slowly, Lin Shengshen asked, “Why did your father suddenly return to Dingzhou? If I remember correctly… he’s been on bad terms with your uncles for a long time.”

Xie Zhizhou said indifferently, “He was injured, aged ten years overnight, and suddenly missed the local environment of Dingzhou, insisting on going back to see it.”

Lin Shengshen nodded, “Returning to one’s roots is good.”

Suddenly remembering something, she climbed onto Xie Zhizhou’s lap and said angrily, “Who told you to go gambling!”

Xie Zhizhou held her waist and kissed the corner of her lips.

“Naturally, I had the confidence that we wouldn’t divorce.”

Lin Shengshen asked, “Who gave you that confidence?”

“My wife did.”

—End—