I Transmigrated and Already Had a Wife - Chapter 23

Lin Muwan’s hands were fixed above her head by Jiang Zhou, who looked down from above. Their eyes met. The beauty’s face was like a hibiscus, her brows like willow leaves, and her clear eyes held a hint of cherry-red, a portrait of a delicate, naturally formed beauty. Jiang Zhou bit her lip, gave a cold snort, and said, “Speak.”

Speak what?

Lin Muwan pursed her lips, her expression stubborn as she slightly turned her face to the side.

Heh~

Playing amnesia, are we?

Jiang Zhou leaned down, purposely drawing close to her ear. The warm breath fanned Lin Muwan’s ear, and she clearly felt the person beneath her tremble slightly. She said, “I’m asking you one last time, are you going to speak or not?”

Lin Muwan pressed her lips together. Just when Jiang Zhou thought she wouldn’t open her mouth without some special coercion, her usually cool voice was soft and gentle, like a cat’s paw, scratching at Jiang Zhou’s heart. “You get up first.”

It was a tickle, an exasperating itch that couldn’t be relieved.

Jiang Zhou tightened her grip on the jade-like wrist, her breathing heavy. A person who was usually so aloof could be fatally provocative.

Who could bear this?

Jiang Zhou stared intently at her porcelain-white side-neck. Because of the twisting motion, her neck hollow was deep, as if holding a cup of fine wine.

She silently admitted that she was no Liu Xiahui (a legendary figure known for his virtue and restraint).

She controlled herself, took a deep breath, filling her nostrils with Lin Muwan’s natural fragrance. Only after satisfying her perverse desire did she release Lin Muwan’s wrist. What else could she do? If she had actually kissed her just now, forget about getting anything out of her mouth—Lin Muwan probably wouldn’t speak to her for several days.

Jiang Xiahui (a playful variation on Liu Xiahui) got up and leaned back against the headboard. After calming herself for a while, she let out a long sigh. “Speak now. What exactly happened with your mother-in-law?”

Lin Muwan climbed off the bed and sat down beside her, looking well-behaved. She fixed her gaze on Jiang Zhou, twisting her fingers as she silently considered whether Jiang Zhou was trustworthy. After a moment of silence, she calmly recounted the general events of the Lin family’s incident.

Of course, it was only a simple explanation. She remained silent about other matters.

This was the extent of what she could tell Jiang Zhou.

“Are you saying your mother-in-law might still be at the state-run kiln?”

“Mn.” Lin Muwan paused, lowering her gaze, her spirits not very high. “I don’t know. I was bought by my mother before we even reached the state-run kiln. Only my birth mother and clan members were left there.”

Jiang Zhou frowned. Lin Muwan definitely wouldn’t know the subsequent events. She worried that the mother-in-law might also have been bought by a wealthy person, just like Lin Muwan.

If that were the case, things would be difficult.

It was forbidden to sell the family members of criminal officials like them. The court had sent them into exile to punish the criminals by forcing their families into hard labor.

Due to the arduous journey, most of these people, being accustomed to a life of luxury, had delicate bodies. Suddenly becoming prisoners, some couldn’t handle it psychologically, and others physically. Countless people died of illness along the way.

Therefore, very few people survived to reach the place of exile. This led some of the escorting soldiers to start a human trafficking business. They would simply make a mark on the list of criminals; who would know if the person was truly dead or faked it? Superiors would not inquire.

Lin Muwan was lucky to encounter Jiang’s mother. Some women with good looks were bought by local madams, truly becoming a sight of “a swordsman’s hawk on the ancient path, and a beauty selling smiles beneath the weeping willows.”

However, given Lin’s mother’s age, she probably wouldn’t have been sold to such a place. It was possible she was sold to a wealthy family to work.

Regardless, this matter needed to be resolved quickly. She had already decided to go to the mine tomorrow to inquire.

Jiang Zhou sighed, pulling the tearful Lin Muwan into her arms. She patted her back, softly comforting her, “It’s alright. Leave this matter to me.”

The person in her arms trembled lightly and responded with a muffled sound that escaped through her clothes. She quietly lay still in Jiang Zhou’s embrace, obedient like a kitten. Jiang Zhou, who couldn’t resist small pets, felt her heart melt entirely at this moment.

Just then, a “crack” sound suddenly came from the courtyard.

Listening closely, it was the sound of a door opening.

Jiang Zhou turned her head to look out the window. The setting sun cast a long shadow on the ground through the window frame, stretching all the way to the bed.

She said, “I’m going out to see. It should be Mother returning. You lie down and sleep a little more. I’ll be back soon.”

Lin Muwan pulled back a little from her embrace, looked up at her, pursed her lips, and nodded.

The setting sun was half-hidden and half-visible over the western hills, and the courtyard was already somewhat dim. As soon as Jiang Zhou stepped into the courtyard, she saw Jiang’s mother fetching water and washing up.

“Mother, have you eaten?” Jiang Zhou asked.

“I have. I ate at the butcher Miao’s house. Haven’t you and Wanwan eaten yet?”

“Let’s invite them to our house for a meal another day. It’s not good to keep accepting their food. Favors should be reciprocated.”

Jiang’s mother considered this. “That’s fine. I’ll ask her tomorrow. She might not have time to come.”

Jiang Zhou choked. Why wouldn’t she have time? I think you’re the busy one, aren’t you?

Ever since meeting this female butcher, you’ve been running outside all day. If I didn’t know she was a woman, I’d genuinely suspect you were starting a second spring.

Hmm?

Wait, what about a woman?

Once the gap was opened, one question after another popped up.

What if her “cheap mother” meant exactly that?

Jiang Zhou couldn’t help but stare intently at her mother. She saw her mother’s eyes smiling and her tone gentle.

Isn’t that the crux of the problem?

When had Jiang’s mother ever been so gentle with her?

Of course, she couldn’t rule out the possibility that her “cheap mother” had simply made a genuine friend.

She could only observe carefully when they invited the female butcher over for dinner.

If they were truly in love and the female butcher’s character was fine, she wouldn’t oppose her mother pursuing her own happiness.

Must she keep grieving over that faithless father for a lifetime?

That would be truly undeserving.

After washing up, Jiang’s mother straightened up and waved her hand at Jiang Zhou, saying, “I’m going back to my room. Spend more time with your wife and don’t neglect her.”

Mentioning Lin Muwan, the smile on Jiang Zhou’s face couldn’t be suppressed. Her tone was a little proud, even a little boastful, “My wife and I have a very good relationship.”

Jiang’s mother glanced at her, her face full of disbelief, but she didn’t want to discourage her. She covered her mouth with her hand and yawned, perfunctorily saying, “Alright, I know you two have the best relationship. In any case, you must treat her well from now on.” As she spoke, she walked toward her room.

“Mother, I have something I want to ask you,” Jiang Zhou called out, stopping her.

“Hmm?” Jiang’s mother’s hand, which was about to push the door open, paused in mid-air. She lowered her hand, turned around, and looked her up and down suspiciously. “What is it? Speak quickly.”

“Mother, let’s talk in your room.”

So secretive.

Jiang’s mother glanced at her, straightened her sleeves, pushed the door open, and walked in. Jiang Zhou followed her in and then closed the door.

“Why close the door?” Jiang’s mother looked confused.

Jiang Zhou sat across from her, picked up the teapot, poured her a cup of tea, leaned slightly forward, and quietly asked, “Mother, do you still remember who you bought my wife from?”

Oh, is that all?

So nervous.

It made her nervous, too. She thought her old ailment had returned and that she had accumulated more debt outside and was afraid of her wife finding out.

As long as it wasn’t about debt, anything was easy to talk about.

Jiang’s mother took a sip of tea. Realizing that drinking tea at night might affect her sleep, she immediately put down the teacup, glanced at Jiang Zhou, and met a pair of expectant eyes. She cleared her throat and said, “I don’t remember anymore. Who can say for sure with the soldiers escorting criminals? They change from one day to the next.”

Jiang Zhou’s smile froze on her face. Unwilling to give up, she continued, “Then, who did you go through to buy her?”

“Just the old matchmaker in town,” Jiang’s mother answered without hesitation.

The Jiang Residence usually bought servants through that matchmaker. That time, she had unintentionally heard that the woman had a few young ladies from criminal officials’ families. Considering Jiang Zhou’s status, the best way to hide it was to get married, which is why she decided to buy her a wife.

Who knew that after buying the person back, Jiang Zhou, that mischievous child, didn’t like her and would constantly scold and hit Lin Muwan? It even made her feel like she had done the wrong thing. But now it was better; the mischievous girl had changed for the better, and it was a happy outcome.

“Wait a moment, why are you asking this?” Jiang’s mother scrutinized her.

Why was her unlucky daughter suddenly concerned about this? Suddenly, Jiang’s mother’s heart jumped. Did this mischievous girl want to buy another wife?

She would never agree to that.

Just as she was letting her imagination run wild, Jiang Zhou said, “Wanwan’s birth mother was also among those sent into exile.”

“What?” Jiang’s mother frowned, looking surprised. Then, upon reflection, it made sense that a criminal official’s family members would be sent into exile together. She straightened her back. “What do you plan to do?”

If it was truly as Jiang Zhou said, and Lin’s mother had already entered the state-run kiln, then once she was there, she would have been handed over to the officials in charge of the kiln, and the escorting soldiers would no longer have the authority to sell her.

The matter was a bit tricky.

Jiang Zhou glanced at the door and then at her “cheap mother.” “I want to go to the kiln tomorrow to check. Didn’t I save a kiln supervisor a few days ago? I want to inquire with him. Maybe there’s a way.”

Jiang’s mother pondered for a moment and nodded. “You should definitely find out. Wanwan’s parents fell into misfortune, and as her son-in-law, you should put in the effort.”

Jiang Zhou hadn’t expected her “cheap mother” to be so understanding. She was touched and didn’t know what to say. She pulled her stool closer, leaned her head against her mother’s shoulder, and cooed, “Mother, you’re so good.”

“Alright, all mushy like this. If you want to be mushy, go find your wife.” Jiang’s mother pushed away her rubbing head. Though she spoke with disdain, her face was full of smiles.

Jiang Zhou hadn’t acted coquettishly with her since she was thirteen or fourteen. How long had it been since she experienced the joy of being a mother? She thought about how unseeing she had been before, constantly forcing her to learn this and that, causing an estranged mother-daughter relationship, all to please that man.

Thinking about it now, she truly harmed herself and made her child suffer.

While she had been unaccustomed to acting coquettishly with her mother before, now that she had started, she felt no burden in doing so. After a rare exchange of intimate words, Jiang Zhou was shooed out of the room by Jiang’s mother.

She stood at the doorway, rubbing her ear, pouting. Shoving her out was one thing, but why hit her?

Indeed, not being related by blood made them less close.

She returned to her room in a huff. Lin Muwan was still sitting on the bed. Her graceful waist was faintly visible beneath the pale moonlight inner garment, and her eyes held a hint of confusion.

Seeing Jiang Zhou enter, she turned to look at her, a slight smile curving her lips. Perhaps it was what Jiang Zhou had just told her that made her unable to keep a cold face.

Jiang Zhou’s heart tightened. She quickly walked over, took one of Lin Muwan’s hands, and knelt on the edge of the bed, leaning slightly forward. A blush spread across Lin Muwan’s porcelain-white face. Her eyelids fluttered, her breathing became slightly erratic, and she turned her head away a little.

“Wife…”

Lin Muwan tried to pull her hand away, but Jiang Zhou held it tightly, clutching it firmly.

“You have to get up early tomorrow. Rest early,” Lin Muwan said, her body stiff as she pulled back slightly.

Jiang Zhou eased her grip a little, squeezed her hand again, and reluctantly let go.

Reluctantly, she sat up straight and said, “I won’t be setting up the stall tomorrow. I’ll go to the state-run kiln first to inquire. Once I find out, I’ll take you to see your mother-in-law.”

Lin Muwan’s hand clenched, and her thin shoulders trembled gently. She lifted her eyelids to stare at Jiang Zhou, pursed her lips, and remained silent for a long time.

Jiang Zhou couldn’t help but smile, then felt a little heartache. Although Lin Muwan hadn’t said a word, the surprise in her eyes was genuine. She couldn’t resist reaching out to stroke her head. The silk-like hair was as soft as she had imagined. “Alright, aren’t you tired? Hurry and sleep.”

Without waiting for her reaction, she forcefully tucked Lin Muwan into the blanket, then went to blow out the candle. Returning to the bed, she habitually pulled the person into her arms, closed her eyes, and fell into a deep sleep.