I Transmigrated and Already Had a Wife - Chapter 37.1

Last night, because of Xiao Qi and his gang, she was worried sick and didn’t sleep well. The moment her head touched the pillow this time, her eyes wouldn’t open, and she immediately fell asleep. When Lin Muwan returned, she saw the person wrapped tightly in the quilt, with only a small face exposed.

Fair skin, delicate eyebrows, long lashes, a high nose bridge, and thin lips—she was clearly a charming young woman, yet she had to live as a man.

Lin Muwan felt a pang of pity for her.

She wondered how Jiang Zhou used to live and what she looked like before. One thing was certain: this person must have been a radiant girl.

As she pondered, a hint of melancholy arose in her heart. Will she share her secret with herself someday?

Lin Muwan raised her hand and gently stroked Jiang Zhou’s brow. Why did she follow her? It made her both joyful and conflicted. Joyful because she knew the danger yet still accompanied her without hesitation; conflicted because she knew the danger yet still allowed her to get involved.

In the evening, Jiang Zhou woke up. After a good sleep, she was visibly more energetic, and the pain in her arm wasn’t as severe. She could even manage to put on her own clothes.

But she didn’t really want to. She preferred Lin Muwan to help her, ideally like she did during lunch, feeding her.

She shook her arm slightly. It still hurt a bit. Perhaps…

She glanced at the person sitting at the round table, swallowed hard, and thought, Perhaps I should act pitiful again. “Wife, my arm still hurts a little. Could you come and help me?”

She wasn’t lying; it did hurt, but not so much that she couldn’t dress herself.

Hearing this, Lin Muwan immediately got up and walked over, frowning as she looked down at her. After a moment, she reached out and pulled the quilt down slightly, revealing the bruised and swollen skin. Although it wasn’t as frightening as at noon, it was still quite shocking to look at.

She lightly touched it with her fingertip and asked softly, “Does it hurt very much?”

Jiang Zhou hesitated, then forced herself to nod, gazing at her with clear, unblinking eyes and a pitiful expression.

She looked like a little puppy waiting to be petted.

Lin Muwan’s heart felt stung by something, and her expression became uncomfortable.

Did she have to help her dress after all?

She bit her lip and asked seriously, “Can’t you put on your clothes yourself?”

Seeing her embarrassed expression, Jiang Zhou suddenly regretted deceiving her. She spoke honestly, “Actually, it doesn’t hurt that much; I can dress myself.”

She stared at Lin Muwan, suddenly wanting to tell her her true feelings. “Wife,” she called.

Lin Muwan lowered her eyes and looked at her.

“We are married; we are husband and wife. You can tell me anything. Although there are many things I don’t understand, I will try hard to learn. I will—” Here, she felt a little nervous, but since she had started, there was no point in stopping halfway. She forced herself to continue: “—I will be a good husband, a good father.”

I don’t want you to push me away when things happen, preferring to seek help from others rather than speaking to me.

Furthermore, Lin Muwan is carrying her child in her belly, so I should stand in front of her and protect them both.

How could I watch her go on a dangerous venture?

Lin Muwan slightly pursed her lips, remaining silent. She turned and sat back on the stool, poured herself a cup of tea, and subtly sipped it, using the act of drinking to avoid Jiang Zhou’s gaze.

After much consideration, she said, “Father’s case was personally ordered by the current Emperor. Although many in the capital know Father was wronged, no one dares to speak up. Knowing this, do you still want to follow?”

Jiang Zhou raised an eyebrow. “What do you take me for? Am I the kind of person who would hide behind you?”

Lin Muwan curled her lips, put down the teacup, and looked into her eyes. “Then let’s go together.”

“Huh?”

“You must stay by my side always and never leave. And you must listen to everything I say. But if you cannot do this, you can leave immediately.”

“Who said I regretted it?” Jiang Zhou sprang up from the bed. The abrupt movement pulled her injury, and she hissed, drawing a sharp breath.

“Don’t move recklessly,” Lin Muwan’s brows furrowed. She rose and returned to the bedside, placing one hand on Jiang Zhou’s left shoulder to steady her. Pursed lips, her eyes fell on the loosened strips of cloth. She closed her eyes briefly, gently lifted Jiang Zhou’s arm, and carefully unwound the cloth strips, her face flushing, then placed them aside. “We’ll re-tie them tomorrow. You still need to bathe later.”

With that, she picked up an undergarment, helped her put it on, and then turned and went out the door.

A while later, the waiter delivered the meal, with Lin Muwan following behind.

So she had gone to order food. Jiang Zhou’s eyes brightened, and the corners of her mouth curved up into a smile.

After the two finished eating, Lin Muwan went to Lin Mother’s room, leaving Jiang Zhou alone to bathe.

Jiang Zhou sighed. If we don’t sleep together, so be it. Although she felt a little regretful, she at least knew that Lin Muwan cared for her. There’s always tomorrow.

Above the bathtub, a white mist curled up, carrying a faint scent of mugwort. Parting the mist, she could see some green mugwort floating in the water.

Jiang Zhou smiled. Mugwort baths had the effect of dissolving stasis. Who else but Lin Muwan would prepare this for her? The sweetness in her heart was almost overflowing. She undressed and stepped into the tub.

The warm water soaked her skin, instantly washing away the fatigue of the past two days.

She couldn’t help but sigh: “This is truly comfortable.”

After her bath and the waiter had removed the tub, Lin Muwan returned, carrying a slight warmth, indicating she had already bathed.

Jiang Zhou was delighted. She had thought Lin Muwan would stay in Lin Mother’s room, but she came back. She grabbed Lin Muwan’s clothes, shook them playfully, and called out pleasingly, “Wife.”

Lin Muwan’s heart softened. She looked up at her, and after a pause, said, “Go sit on the bed. I’ll apply the medicine for you.”

More medicine?

The memory of applying the medicine earlier that day, and the pain involved, was still vivid. She blinked, clinging to a sliver of hope, looking at Lin Muwan pitifully, and pleading playfully, “I just finished bathing, and I smell nice. I don’t want to use that medicine; the smell is too awful.”

Lin Muwan’s hand holding the porcelain bottle paused. She looked back into Jiang Zhou’s eyes, pursed her lips, and then said, “Didn’t you say you would listen to everything I say?”

“No, I will listen, I will! It’s just that the smell is too strong, and I’m worried…”

In Lin Muwan’s cool gaze, she saw a hint of gentle affection. Jiang Zhou couldn’t resist. Whatever she said, she would do. Even if she had to die the next second, she would go happily.

Jiang Zhou closed her mouth.

Fine, just apply it.

Fortunately, the bruising had been massaged open at noon, so it didn’t hurt now. Moreover, Lin Muwan’s touch was light and gentle; she only felt a cool sensation on her skin. Once the ointment was evenly applied, Lin Muwan withdrew her hand and got up to wash it. “When we reach Qingzhou, we will first settle Mother at my uncle’s house. You will come with me to visit my maternal grandmother.”

Maternal grandmother? Is Lin Muwan introducing her to her family?

Jiang Zhou clenched the bedding with both hands, feeling both nervous and happy. She sat cross-legged on the bed, her bright, clear eyes following Lin Muwan.

As soon as Lin Muwan approached, Jiang Zhou pulled her into her arms, just like she had in Jiang Family Village. Lin Muwan was startled by her sudden action and instinctively hugged her neck. Jiang Zhou felt a mischievous impulse to tease her, so she quickly pecked her white, jade-like cheek.

A brief touch and then pulled away.

Lin Muwan froze, her face visibly turning red at a speed noticeable to the naked eye. Embarrassed and annoyed, she was about to push her away when she suddenly heard Jiang Zhou’s muffled voice by her ear: “Stay away from your cousin from now on.”

Jiang Zhou pouted. Hearing others trying to pair you two up makes me jealous.

Lin Muwan paused, then pushed her slightly. “My cousin and I grew up together. I don’t have siblings at home, so my cousin is like an older brother to me. He treats me the same way.”

“I know,” Jiang Zhou grumbled, her voice low. She didn’t want Lin Muwan to see her current expression. She tightened her arms, embracing her face-to-face, resting her chin on Lin Muwan’s shoulder, and gently rubbing against it. “I still feel uncomfortable.”