I Transmigrated and Already Had a Wife - Chapter 36

Jiang Zhou cast a resentful glance. Seeing this, the man immediately swung a fist at her, and the two instantly began to fight.

The man was clearly trained as well, and being a man, he always had an advantage in strength over a woman. He used full force in his blows several times.

Lin Muwan was anxious, fearing that Zhao Shigao would hurt Jiang Zhou. She rushed forward to stop them. Fists and feet were flying blindly. Jiang Zhou hadn’t expected Lin Muwan to intervene and quickly held back her strength, but as a result, she took a solid punch to her right shoulder from Zhao Shigao.

“Jiang Zhou!” Lin Muwan supported her, shielding her behind her back, and glared at the man in front, “Cousin, she is my husband.”

Zhao Shigao was startled. He quickly pulled back his fist, scratched his nose. His aunt had mentioned his cousin’s marriage, but he had left in a hurry the day before and hadn’t met the person.

Seeing him today, he frowned, inwardly disapproving. Jiang Zhou was thin, and her right arm was injured and dangling. How could someone so skinny protect his cousin? Tsk…

Then he thought again. His cousin probably liked this kind of frail scholar. When they were in the capital, some of his good brothers were interested in his cousin, but she never even looked at them. Now that he thought about it, most of those brothers, like himself, were from military families.

He suddenly understood. That was the crux of the issue.

His cousin simply liked this weak-looking type who seemed to need protection.

On second thought, it was a good thing his cousin was married. Otherwise, his father was always trying to push the two of them together.

It was quite annoying.

He immediately put on a smiling face, “Uh, brother-in-law, are you alright?”

Jiang Zhou frowned. She had heard everything the man in front of her was thinking moments ago and immediately understood that there must have been a misunderstanding.

However, her expression remained gloomy. So what if it was a misunderstanding? Taking someone’s wife away without a word was certainly not the mark of a good person.

Especially when she heard that his father wanted to bring him and Lin Muwan together, Jiang Zhou’s face darkened further.

She forced a smile, “I’m fine, it doesn’t hurt at all.”

Tsk…

Zhao Shigao raised an eyebrow. ‘I didn’t expect this brother-in-law to be quite stubborn. I used full force, so she’s lucky to be standing here.’

Zhao Shigao: “Since everyone is fine, it’s already noon. Let’s go into the post station for lunch.”

Then he said to Lin Muwan, “Cousin, you stay with brother-in-law. I’ll go help Auntie down from the carriage.”

After speaking, he strode towards the carriage. Mother Lin had heard the commotion outside the carriage earlier. She poked her head out and saw the two fighting. She was extremely anxious but couldn’t move her legs easily, so she could only watch helplessly.

Now that she saw her nephew coming over, she felt relieved.

She was then helped into the post station by Zhao Shigao.

Outside the post station.

Lin Muwan sighed, “Didn’t I tell you not to follow me?”

Jiang Zhou straightened up, wincing from the pain. She glanced at her, then turned her face away, feeling angry, and spoke bluntly, “You left with my child. Shouldn’t I come after you?”

“You…” Lin Muwan knew that leaving without a word was wrong, and it was understandable that she was angry. But at the moment, there was no better solution. She was an offender’s relative; taking Jiang Zhou back to the capital would only pull her into danger.

Besides, she was also a woman. Lin Muwan closed her eyes. “You should go back first. I’ll come back for you when I’m done.”

Jiang Zhou: “……”

She frowned heavily, not because of what Lin Muwan said, but because she hadn’t heard a single thought from Lin Muwan despite standing there for so long. She couldn’t help but stare at Lin Muwan’s eyes.

Could it be that what Lin Muwan said was exactly what she thought?

Impossible. Her eyes clearly held melancholy, confusion, and unspoken words.

What was going on?

Had her cheat ability failed?

At the moment, that seemed to be the only possibility.

She had better stabilize Lin Muwan first, and then figure things out later.

She looked left and right. There was still a man standing next to the carriage. She nudged her lips and asked, “Why isn’t he going in?”

Lin Muwan followed her gaze and frowned, “He is my cousin’s attendant.”

Jiang Zhou nodded. She raised her right shoulder, which Zhao Shigao had hit. A sudden chill of sweat broke out on her forehead. Hiss… she thought inwardly. He hit her hard.

She managed to straighten up. Without letting Lin Muwan support her, she walked towards the post station, saying, “Let’s go eat first. I’m hungry. Besides, even if you want to send me away, you should let me eat my fill.”

As she passed the carriage, Jiang Zhou stopped, secretly scrutinizing the attendant. She smiled and said, “What’s so interesting about this carriage? Why not come eat with us?”

Hearing Jiang Zhou’s words, Lin Muwan’s face tightened, and she said in a deep voice, “He only listens to my cousin.”

Jiang Zhou turned to look at Lin Muwan, asking in confusion, “Who is he?”

“He has been with my cousin since childhood and only takes orders from him.”

Jiang Zhou nodded as if she understood but still wasn’t quite clear.

She still didn’t quite understand these ancient customs. Logically, those who grew up together must have deep affection, but they also had to maintain the so-called master-servant relationship and not overstep.

She had thought about trying to talk to the man in front of her, but he ignored her. She looked at him, then stepped into the post station, following Lin Muwan.

Zhao Shigao and Mother Lin had found seats and were sitting across from each other, chatting. Seeing them enter, Zhao Shigao waved and called out, “Cousin, over here.”

Jiang Zhou frowned.

He called her so intimately. Even if he had no romantic intentions, he should be more mindful in public to avoid misunderstandings.

Lin Muwan sat down next to Mother Lin.

“Why is brother-in-law so slow? Is it still hurting?” Zhao Shigao asked with concern. As a military man, his words were straightforward. Jiang Zhou was stunned, and then she heard his thoughts.

‘Sigh, it’s all my fault for hitting too hard and injuring my cousin’s husband. What am I going to do?’

Jiang Zhou looked at Zhao Shigao, then at Lin Muwan. She had heard Zhao Shigao’s thoughts clearly just now.

So, her cheat ability had not failed.

Zhao Shigao saw her standing next to him. He shifted over, sitting to the left of Mother Lin, making room for Jiang Zhou.

Zhao Shigao: “Brother-in-law, tell the waiter what you’d like to add.”

Jiang Zhou glanced at the dishes on the table. They were all Lin Muwan’s favorite flavors. It seemed this cousin knew Lin Muwan very well. A hint of sourness arose in her heart.

Before she could pick up her chopsticks, she heard Mother Lin’s thoughts: ‘I didn’t expect Ah Zhou to follow us. Seeing how nervous my daughter was just now, it doesn’t seem like they lack affection. On one side is Shigao, and on the other is Ah Zhou. How is she to choose?’

After hearing her mother-in-law’s thoughts, Jiang Zhou felt speechless. It was all that Zhao Shigao’s fault for offering unnecessary attention and causing everyone to misunderstand.

The attention-seeker.

Wait, did Lin Muwan also misunderstand that her cousin liked her?

Jiang Zhou swallowed, warily looking at Zhao Shigao. He was currently eating heartily, looking as if he were starving. After staring for a moment, her gaze turned to Lin Muwan. Lin Muwan’s demeanor was cool and reserved. She picked up a bite of food, eating gracefully, a stark contrast to Zhao Shigao.

She didn’t spare Zhao Shigao a single glance.

It seemed Lin Muwan didn’t have such thoughts about him either. Before she could breathe a sigh of relief, she suddenly remembered that she still hadn’t heard any of Lin Muwan’s thoughts.

It had been almost half an hour since they met. It was impossible for Lin Muwan to not be thinking anything, right?

Or could it be that she could only hear the thoughts of others, and “others” excluded the female protagonist?

Jiang Zhou was startled.

So?

She had been fooled by the unreliable system. What was the use of wanting this cheat ability if she couldn’t hear the female protagonist’s thoughts at all?

Jiang Zhou felt utterly desolate inside. She subconsciously called out to the system a few times in her mind, but after a moment, the system still gave no response.

“Ah Zhou, why aren’t you eating? Is it not to your liking?” Mother Lin asked, setting down her chopsticks.

Jiang Zhou shook her head. The moment she raised her hand, “Hiss~”

“What’s wrong?” Lin Muwan frowned.

“Nothing.” That Zhao Shigao had hit too hard. She couldn’t lift her right arm, but she didn’t want him to look down on her. Enduring the pain, she forced a smile, “I’m just not very hungry.”

Lin Muwan pursed her lips. How could she not know why she wasn’t eating? She glared at Zhao Shigao across the table. She took a pair of chopsticks from the bamboo holder, picked up a piece of food, and brought it to Jiang Zhou’s mouth.

Jiang Zhou’s expression froze. “Wifey.”

“Silence. Eat.”

“Oh,” Jiang Zhou suppressed her inner surprise, her eyes sparkling. She glanced at Mother Lin, then at Zhao Shigao, opened her mouth, and took the food.

Under Lin Muwan’s watchful eye, she chewed the food and swallowed it.

‘Can’t watch this. Cousin is being so intimate? She has no regard for me, her unmarried cousin.’ Zhao Shigao mumbled.

‘It seems I’ve been mistaken all this time. This is not dislike; this is clearly being madly in love.’ Mother Lin was relieved.

Listening to their thoughts, Jiang Zhou’s pride was evident.

Lin Muwan was a reserved person. Feeding her in front of others was already unexpected. Although her expression hadn’t changed, Jiang Zhou, with her sharp eyes, still caught a glimpse of her slightly red ear tips.

She couldn’t help but inwardly scream, What should I do? My wife is too cute!

She wanted to kiss her so badly.

Jiang Zhou used her left hand to pull Lin Muwan’s sleeve. “Wifey, you eat too. Don’t just focus on me.”

Lin Muwan pursed her lips, turned her face away, and clipped another piece of food for her.

After lunch, Lin Muwan stopped Zhao Shigao, “Cousin, let’s stop here for the day. We’ll continue tomorrow. Please ask Zhou Huo to send her back to Jiang Family Village.”

Jiang Zhou: “I’m not going back.”

Zhao Shigao looked at Jiang Zhou, then at Lin Muwan. He was undecided for a moment and looked towards Mother Lin for help.

Mother Lin sighed and wiped the corner of her mouth with a handkerchief. How could she say anything? After all, it was her daughter’s own business.

The way of a husband and wife emphasizes mutual support. It was understandable that her daughter didn’t want Jiang Zhou to go because she feared for her safety. If they had any other relationship, it would be fine, but they were husband and wife. How could one stay out of trouble when the other was in danger? If her daughter kept pushing Jiang Zhou away, over time, they might become a resentful couple.

“Wanwan, Ah Zhou is worried about you too. My legs aren’t good, and I will stay at your uncle’s house when we reach Qingzhou. I can’t accompany you to the capital. Let Ah Zhou go with you; then I can rest assured.” Mother Lin said.

“Mother.” Lin Muwan hadn’t expected her mother to say that. Her mother knew her thoughts. Why would she still want Jiang Zhou to stay?

She was returning to the capital with the determination to die. How could she bear to let Jiang Zhou join her in meeting her death?

Lin Muwan’s attitude was firm. “I’ve troubled you with this matter, Cousin.”

“Oh, alright.” Zhao Shigao agreed.

“Alright what? I’m not going back,” Jiang Zhou interrupted him. “Whoever wants to go back can go back. I’m not going back, anyway.”

Lin Muwan’s face was cold and severe. She said sharply, “Go back. You won’t be able to help in your current state, you’ll only be a burden.”

Jiang Zhou bit her lip. She knew in her heart that everything Lin Muwan said was the opposite of what she meant. She was secretly anxious. In the dream, Father Lin was eventually acquitted and reinstated to his official position.

The prerequisite was finding the evidence. In the dream, Lin Muwan spent a long time, suffered much hardship, and once almost lost her life because of it.

Others didn’t know who had the evidence, but she did. She could quickly find the evidence and rescue Father Lin.

Jiang Zhou stood up, took her hand with her left hand, and comforted her, “Wifey, I know you’re worried I’ll be in danger. Likewise, knowing there’s danger, I can’t just watch you go and face death. I can’t do that. I will be very careful in the capital. My arm isn’t seriously hurt; it will be fine after a day of rest. Truly, believe me.”

Lin Muwan’s brows were tightly knitted.

Mother Lin finally showed a relieved smile. Fortunately, Ah Zhou understood Wanwan’s difficulty. If the two developed a rift over this matter, even if they rescued the master, she wouldn’t be at peace.

Little did she know that Jiang Zhou had gathered all this information from her thoughts.

Lin Muwan couldn’t persuade Jiang Zhou and finally compromised. Her expression softened a little. She pursed her lips and asked Zhao Shigao to go buy medicine for Jiang Zhou. She booked three rooms at the post station for the night, deciding to continue the journey the next day.

Once the medicine was purchased, Lin Muwan sternly took off Jiang Zhou’s clothing, exposing her right shoulder. She saw that the normally fair skin was now covered in alarming bruises, a shocking sight.

Lin Muwan’s brows were tightly furrowed. She opened the porcelain bottle, which released a strong, pungent scent of traditional medicine. The ointment was brown. She scooped some out with a bamboo stick, put it on her fingertip, and gently touched it to the bruised skin.

At the cool touch, Jiang Zhou instinctively recoiled, but then heard Lin Muwan gently scold, “Don’t move.”

Jiang Zhou swallowed and sat up straight. Lin Muwan applied the ointment to the bruise. Bruises on the shoulder needed to be rubbed to heal quickly.

Jiang Zhou bit her lip, enduring the pain. Her forehead was covered in fine sweat. She didn’t utter a sound. Lin Muwan felt her heart ache and couldn’t help but lighten the pressure of her hand. By the time the application was complete, Jiang Zhou’s inner clothes were soaked with sweat.

Lin Muwan took a cloth to wipe the sweat from her face. Looking at her wife, Jiang Zhou forced a faint smile onto her pale face.

“I’m fine. Didn’t you say the bruise would be better tomorrow once it’s rubbed out? Don’t worry.”

Lin Muwan put away the medicine, pursing her lips. Her gaze fell on Jiang Zhou’s chest. The white cloth binding was slightly loose, and the distinct curves of a woman were faintly visible. She closed her eyes, her voice hoarse, “Put your clothes on properly.”

“Oh,” Jiang Zhou tried to lift her arm, pouting pitifully, “Wifey, it hurts a lot right now. I can’t put them on.”

Lin Muwan took a deep breath. Her eyes fell again on the loosened cloth binding. If she helped her put on her clothes, she would inevitably touch that area. Her fingers clenched and unclenched. After a long mental struggle, she pulled the thin quilt over her, her face cold and silent. She turned and went to the outer room to wash her hands.