I Transmigrated and Already Had a Wife - Chapter 40

With jade tiles and scarlet eaves, the place was packed with guests. A two-meter-high stage was surrounded by beautiful flower arrangements. On the second floor of the Yuhuan Brothel, Jiang Zhou sat upright, being extremely cautious. Every now and then, she glanced at the cold-faced woman beside her. In direct contrast to her nervousness, Lin Muwan casually fiddled with the teacup in her hand, her gaze fixed on the stage, her expression indifferent. She seemed out of place here, yet like a Celestial Maiden from the Nine Heavens, making everything around her appear dim and colorless.

Jiang Zhou was mesmerized by her. After swallowing hard, she finally managed to tear her gaze away.

What are we doing here?

Why did we come here?

She closed her eyes, deeply regretting not having properly appeased the woman at home. Otherwise, wouldn’t it be wonderful to have her beauty in her arms right now?

She gritted her teeth. If they left now, they could go for a walk, and she could hold her wife’s small hand. That would be far more comfortable than sitting here. So, she opened her mouth and said, “My dear wife, what’s so great about this place? Let’s go back.”

Lin Muwan lifted her eyelids, her gaze sharp, her expression unchanged. Her voice was cold as she countered, “Why go back?”

Jiang Zhou: “…”

Why else?

Naturally, because she didn’t want these irrelevant matters to interrupt the time she could be intimate with her wife.

Moreover, she didn’t even know this Ru Yi girl. Who knew why she was invited to a place like this? Heaven knew, she absolutely did not want to come.

Little did Jiang Zhou know that her cautiousness, in Lin Muwan’s eyes, was a sign of a guilty conscience. Her eyes grew colder and colder.

Jiang Zhou couldn’t help but shiver.

Zhao Shigao, who was standing beside them, naturally also felt the chill and couldn’t help but cover his mouth. Taking his wife to a brothel—his sister’s husband was truly unique.

He probably couldn’t find a second person like him in the whole of Baisheng.

Looking at his cousin, this was the calm before the storm.

Tsk…

Before he could think further, a gong suddenly sounded downstairs, and the originally noisy Yuhuan Brothel immediately fell silent. A short, middle-aged man walked onto the stage. The man was all smiles, his face full of wrinkles. He cupped his hands and announced loudly: “Thank you all for attending the Yuhuan Brothel’s triennial courtesan election! As per the old rules, the girls of Yuhuan Brothel will perform on stage in succession. The esteemed guests may reward them as you wish. The girl who receives the most money at the end will be crowned our courtesan for this year!”

As soon as he finished speaking, the audience below immediately erupted.

“I vote for Miss Ru Yi!”

“I want to vote for Miss Yu Niang!”

The noise was overwhelming.

The cheers for Miss Ru Yi downstairs drowned out the others. Jiang Zhou subconsciously looked at Lin Muwan. The woman’s eyes were icy as she stared downstairs, seemingly lost in thought.

Jiang Zhou bit her lip and muttered, “My dear wife…”

Lin Muwan glanced at her, then shifted her gaze back to the stage.

Jiang Zhou felt very uncomfortable being ignored.

The man on the stage waved his hand, signaling the audience to be quiet. Then, a girl in pink gracefully walked onto the stage, waving her sleeves and performing a beautiful, flowing dance.

Servers carrying trays shuttled between the tables below.

Zhao Shigao looked excited and said, “Cousin, Brother-in-law, you two enjoy yourselves upstairs. I’m going down to take a look.”

With that, he winked at Jiang Zhou and couldn’t wait to take Zhou Huo to the first floor.

Jiang Zhou couldn’t help but roll her eyes inwardly. His departure actually suited her; with such a large lightbulb next to them, it was inconvenient for her to say certain things.

Compared to the first floor, the second floor was much quieter. Since Lin Muwan refused to leave, Jiang Zhou moved closer to her, took her hand, and repeatedly kneaded and played with it in her palm.

Lin Muwan watched the performance; she watched Lin Muwan.

When Jiang Zhou leaned in, Lin Muwan’s body tensed. Just as she was about to open her mouth to scold her, her hand was already held in Jiang Zhou’s palm.

Lin Muwan’s face suddenly flushed. How could she still focus on the performance? It was as if all her senses were focused on that hand, her heartbeat accelerating with every movement of Jiang Zhou’s hand.

This lecher!

She couldn’t help but shoot her a sharp glance and tried to withdraw her hand. However, she stopped the movement, seemingly having thought of something. She pursed her lips and ultimately did nothing.

Fortunately, the light on the second floor was dim, and everyone’s attention was drawn to the performance on the stage, so no one noticed what was happening on their side.

Lin Muwan felt a thrill in her heart, like she was secretly having an illicit affair.

Seeing that she didn’t object, Jiang Zhou couldn’t resist gently pinching her white, jade-like fingers.

She felt a wave of joy in her heart.

As for why she brought her wife to a brothel, it all started with that letter.

Jiang Zhou unfolded the letter. She didn’t recognize many characters, but she did recognize the words: “Sincerely invite Young Master Jiang for a gathering at Yuhuan Brothel,” signed “Ru Yi.”

Jiang Zhou froze, a little confused. Who is Ru Yi?

She didn’t know her at all.

Subconsciously, she pinned the blame on the original host; after all, the original host used to frequent places like this. But she hadn’t been to such places and wasn’t interested.

However, a guilty conscience got the better of her, and she instinctively looked at Lin Muwan, only to see her face cold and her gaze fixed on the signature on the letter.

?!

“My dear wife, please let me explain.”

What is that look? Doesn’t she believe her?

Does she really think Jiang Zhou is that kind of person?

But her name was indeed written in black and white on the paper. She couldn’t deny it.

At this moment, she hated the original host so much. So much time had passed, and she still had to clean up the original host’s mess. Right now, she seemed to have no way to clearly explain things.

Should she say she wasn’t the original host?

She immediately rejected the thought. That would be disastrous; Lin Muwan would surely think she was a monster.

As soon as she looked up, she met Lin Muwan’s deep gaze.

No, I didn’t…

Jiang Zhou felt anxious and tried to grab Lin Muwan’s wrist, but Lin Muwan turned sideways and dodged her.

It’s over. These two words were all that was left in her mind.

Jiang Zhou: “My dear wife, I really don’t know this Ru Yi. Truly, I won’t go tonight.” She promised.

“Why won’t you go?” Lin Muwan’s expression was cool, no different from usual. “I am actually quite curious about this Yuhuan Brothel. Why don’t I accompany my husband to take a look tonight?”

No, she won’t go. She wouldn’t go even if it killed her.

What’s so great about that kind of place?

In her anxiety, her movements became rough. “Hiss~”

She accidentally pulled her wound. The pain wasn’t particularly bad, but she just wanted to act pitiful now to gain sympathy and hope that Lin Muwan would listen to her explanation properly.

She was truly afraid of Lin Muwan’s expression!

There was also an inexplicable sense of guilt mixed in.

Lin Muwan pursed her lips and didn’t say a word. She lowered her eyes, her gaze dark, resting on Jiang Zhou’s wrist before turning her face away.

She did believe Jiang Zhou, but she felt uncomfortable. Her lips were tightly pressed together, and she just wanted to escape from this place.

“I will go accompany Mother first. Husband, don’t forget to take me to see the world tonight.”

Jiang Zhou: “…”

What is going on?

Jiang Zhou stopped pretending to be in pain and reached out to pull the person who was about to leave back. She picked her up, carried her sideways to the bed, bent down to take off her shoes and socks, then took off her own. She pulled up the quilt, covering both of them, and said somewhat forcefully, “In the future, don’t talk in that passive-aggressive way. I didn’t lie to you; I really don’t know her. If you don’t believe me, we’ll go together tonight, but you can’t ignore me, and you can’t distrust me.”

Lin Muwan pursed her lips. Her hands were restrained, and she couldn’t break free. She turned her face away and remained silent.

Jiang Zhou turned her face back, making her face her. Her beautiful, clear eyes were brimming with water.

Jiang Zhou’s heart tightened. Faced with Lin Muwan’s tears, she was immediately flustered. She said with distress, “Why are you crying? Be good, don’t cry.”

Lin Muwan didn’t want to talk to her. Being held by Jiang Zhou, she was forced to look at her, her lips pressed into a straight line.

Jiang Zhou gently coaxed her, “There, there, don’t cry, don’t cry. Crying like this is not good for the baby.”

Lin Muwan lifted her eyelids and looked at her. After a long pause, she said with a hint of grievance, “You only care about the child.”

She was truly being wronged.

Jiang Zhou used her arms to lift her, making her lean half her body onto her own, and whispered close to her ear, “You are the most important, and only after that is the baby.”

Lin Muwan shrank her neck, avoiding her breath, and said with a slight nasal tone, “You let go of me first. You’ll squeeze her like this.”

“Then promise me you’re not angry, and I’ll let go.”

Lin Muwan pursed her lips, lowered her eyes, and looked at her. After a moment, she nodded. Under Jiang Zhou’s intense gaze, she said, “We still have to go see tonight. They sent you an invitation; it would be rude not to go.”

After speaking, she turned her face away, revealing a red earlobe.

She was incredibly adorable.

End of flashback.

On the stage, the girl in pink finished her song. The trays in the servers’ hands were full and were placed on the pre-arranged square table. The next girl came onto the stage.

The audience below burst into cheers.

“Miss Ru Yi!”

“Miss Ru Yi!”

This is Miss Ru Yi?

Jiang Zhou frowned. She found the girl on the stage somewhat familiar. Just then, a realization struck her—was she the Fourth Prince’s person?

In the dream, it was this Ru Yi girl who had always stood behind the Fourth Prince; she was one of the Fourth Prince’s confidantes.

Why would she be here?

Could the Fourth Prince be in Qingzhou?

Jiang Zhou frowned. The grip on Lin Muwan’s hand tightened. She instinctively looked around. The first floor was bustling, a mix of people. Someone like the Fourth Prince wouldn’t be among those people. So, there was only one possibility: he was on the second floor, very close to them.

Jiang Zhou’s heart hammered faster. She looked at Lin Muwan, just as she met the other woman’s scrutinizing gaze.

Lin Muwan pursed her lips, looking at her with resentment, attributing her sudden change in demeanor to Miss Ru Yi on the stage.

She had originally believed Jiang Zhou, but she hadn’t expected Jiang Zhou to become so tense the moment Miss Ru Yi came on stage.

She wasn’t so sure now.

As soon as Jiang Zhou saw Lin Muwan’s expression, she knew the other party had misunderstood. She quickly said, “I really don’t know her, but I know her identity is not simple.”

Lin Muwan frowned, staring into her eyes.

“Let’s go outside and talk,” Jiang Zhou said, taking her hand. She tugged but couldn’t move her. Turning back, Lin Muwan was staring straight at her.

Jiang Zhou sighed inwardly. This ancestor still thinks I have something going on with that Ru Yi person. She was speechless for a moment.

The one who had a relationship with others wasn’t me, okay?

It was you!

She patiently bent down and lowered her voice, “Ancestor, please come out with me first. I’ll tell you slowly, and I absolutely won’t lie to you.” She promised.

Lin Muwan’s face flushed. She turned her face to the side. After a moment, just as Jiang Zhou thought she wouldn’t come out and was about to sit down, Lin Muwan stood up, her face cold. The two descended the stairs and immediately got into the carriage.

“Speak.”

Jiang Zhou: “…”

She sighed slightly and dismissed the driver. “What I’m about to tell you, you might not believe, but it’s all true.”

Lin Muwan frowned.

Jiang Zhou: “I once had a dream, and I dreamt of that Ru Yi.”

“Hey, don’t misunderstand.” Jiang Zhou quickly grabbed Lin Muwan, who was about to get out of the carriage. She said, “Can you let me finish?”

Sigh. Everyone says pregnant women have big tempers, and she truly believed it now.

This ancestor in front of her, once her temper flared up, she couldn’t be stopped.

What to do?

She’s my wife, so I’ll just spoil her.

Seeing that Lin Muwan finally stopped trying to get out, she continued, “In the dream, she was the Fourth Prince’s confidante and also an assassin. I also dreamt of some other things.” She spoke while observing Lin Muwan’s expression.

She wanted to discern the truth from her face.

Lin Muwan’s face was solemn. She looked back at her and opened her mouth, “What things?”

Can I tell her?

She was leaving for the capital tomorrow. If she didn’t say anything now…

Even if she told her, would she believe it?

Jiang Zhou gritted her teeth. Under Lin Muwan’s gaze, she blurted out the matter of the evidence being in Zhao Shigao’s hands. Of course, she selfishly concealed many things about the original host, Lin Muwan, and the Fourth Prince.

Lin Muwan leaned against the carriage wall, her gaze distant, making it impossible to tell whether she believed her or not.