I Transmigrated and Already Had a Wife - Chapter 45.2

Back at the General’s residence, Lin Muwan’s mother was walking in the garden with Old Madam Zhao. Jiang Zhou glanced at them and knew that Old Madam Zhao must have already learned about the Mingpin Building and was waiting there for her.

She instructed the maid to deliver one package of the wrapped pastries to the Old Madam’s room and another to Lin Muwan’s mother.

“These are specially packed by Wanwan from the Mingpin Building for Grandmother and Mother. You can’t get them anywhere else,” Jiang Zhou said.

Old Madam Zhao waved her hand. Jiang Zhou was quick to understand and stepped forward to support her arm. Lin Muwan supported her on the other side. Old Madam Zhao smiled kindly, like a loving elderly woman who doted on her grandchild. She spoke with some emotion, “I heard you went out for a walk today. That’s good. It’s great to be young; you can go wherever you want.”

“Grandmother isn’t old at all; you look very young,” Jiang Zhou said. Sweet talk? Who can’t do that? It comes naturally to me!

“You’re such a sweet-talker,” a few words from her made Old Madam Zhao laugh heartily.

Jiang Zhou couldn’t help but roll her eyes inwardly. Sure enough, every woman likes to be complimented, regardless of age.

Jiang Zhou’s sweet talk flowed easily, thanks to her cheerful personality. She had been close with her mother since she was little, her tongue as sweet as honey.

In contrast to her personality, Lin Muwan’s expression changed repeatedly, her eyes growing darker and darker.

This person’s words are so sweet. If she were to go out and charm young girls, she would definitely have many admirers.

Thinking of this, her previous good mood suddenly vanished.

She gave Jiang Zhou a resentful look, then looked away, her heart swelling with anger.

?!

What’s going on?

Jiang Zhou habitually scratched her head, splitting her attention to observe Lin Muwan. She didn’t dare to neglect Old Madam Zhao either, who intentionally or unintentionally revealed everything about the Mingpin Building.

At dinner, Zhao Mao lived up to expectations and finalized the arrangements for Jiang Zhou to participate in the martial arts champion competition.

This family is truly efficient at handling matters.

That night, after washing up and dismissing the maids, Lin Muwan casually picked up a book from the table and said casually, “Husband, do you find Chun Tao and Ru Xia to be very good?”

Jiang Zhou’s heart jumped. She quickly admitted her mistake. “I was just saying that to go along with Grandmother’s words. How could I possibly think they are good?”

“Is that so?”

Jiang Zhou was afraid she misunderstood and quickly swore, guaranteeing that everything she said was true.

What is this about? Lin Muwan can’t just accuse me unfairly, Jiang Zhou felt uneasy, her puppy eyes fixed on her.

Lin Muwan nodded, walked over to the round table and sat down, casually flipping through the book pages, as if her previous words were just a casual question.

Seeing her remain silent, Jiang Zhou felt like she was being roasted over a fire. She couldn’t sit still, bit her lip, and feeling truly wronged, she pouted. “Wife, everything I said is true. You know why I said those things…”

Yes, she naturally knows that Jiang Zhou was forced to do it, but her heart is still blocked. Jiang Zhou should be hers alone. Even if it was just casual talk, she cared a lot about such words—very much.

She had heard it. Grandmother intended to give the maids by her side to Jiang Zhou, but because she and her mother were present, she didn’t say it outright, but tested Jiang Zhou with a few words.

Why does this person have to be so likable?

Lin Muwan blamed Jiang Zhou again in her heart.

After a moment of silence, “I don’t disbelieve you.” Her voice was faint, but the speaker’s heart was exceptionally bitter.

Jiang Zhou secretly glanced at Lin Muwan. Seeing no abnormality in her expression, she dragged the round stool closer, sat next to her, and whined pitifully, “You scared me just now.”

Keeping such a cold face is so frightening.

Lin Muwan turned her head, faced the aggrieved puppy, and ultimately softened. She reached out and pinched her cheek. “I don’t distrust you,” she emphasized.

How was she supposed to say it? To say that she didn’t like others paying attention to her, to say that she was too popular and she wanted to lock her up?

She couldn’t say such things.

The aggrieved puppy rubbed her head against her shoulder and said softly, “I’m sleepy.”

“Mhm, go to sleep early.”

The puppy frowned, dissatisfied, and stated very displeasedly, “I can’t sleep without holding you.”

Lin Muwan curved her lips and chuckled lightly. Her previous gloom instantly vanished.

She put down the book and nodded.

Since that day, during the day, Jiang Zhou, in addition to practicing archery and martial arts with Zhao Shigao, had to study and practice calligraphy. She had a high aptitude for martial arts, and her instructor often praised her. However, her literary cultivation was severely lacking, often causing the instructor headaches.

Not only did the instructor have a headache, but Jiang Zhou herself did too. Since signing up for this martial arts champion examination, the time she spent with her wife decreased at a visible rate.

After finally finishing a day’s lessons, she was still required by Lin Muwan to recite books upon returning to the room.

Jiang Zhou was on the verge of tears.

Fortunately, this kind of life didn’t last long, and the date for the prefectural competition arrived. That day, she and Zhao Shigao entered the venue under the leadership of Zhao Mao.

In the first round, archery, Jiang Zhou achieved an excellent third place. Zhao Shigao only got tenth place.

“Do you feel confident about the next round, martial arts? I’m a little nervous,” Zhao Shigao leaned over and whispered.

Zhao Mao sat in the examiner’s seat, but his gaze was fixed on their area. He was very dissatisfied with his son’s results in the first round. I put so much effort into training him, why isn’t he good enough? His talent truly follows mine—mediocre martial arts. Even if he works hard, it’s useless. Among those with excellent talent, he can’t even lift his head.

If it weren’t for the Crown Prince’s secret manipulation back then, how would he have the position he has today? A trace of gloom flashed in his eyes at the thought.

Since I could succeed, my son will definitely become an outstanding figure too.

“What’s there to be nervous about? When you go up on stage later, just imagine it’s your usual practice match. Don’t worry about winning or losing.”

The martial arts competition was Jiang Zhou’s strong suit. She was a world champion; she was confident about taking first place this time.

In the second round, Jiang Zhou was the 12th to appear. Her opponent was a burly man with thick, muscular tendons and a heavy beard. He looked especially fierce. As soon as he entered the stage, he shook his fist at Jiang Zhou. Who knew he wasn’t very effective? Jiang Zhou knocked him down with one move. He screamed and thrashed on the ground, and didn’t manage to get up even when the match time was up, causing a burst of laughter from the audience.

In the second round, Jiang Zhou successfully took first place. Zhao Shigao took eighth.

The third round was mounted archery, which, as the name suggests, was shooting arrows while riding a horse. Two people pushed targets that moved on the riding field. Participants had to ride a horse and shoot the bullseye. Like the first round, the closer the shot was to the center, the higher the score. This was also the most difficult event of the three.

Qingzhou belonged to the borderlands, and horse riding should have been their specialty. Jiang Zhou had little exposure to it, and barely managed to get fifth place. Zhao Shigao was still eighth.

After the three rounds, both Jiang Zhou and Zhao Shigao secured spots for the capital competition.

Next was preparation to go to the capital. The matter of stealing the ledger hadn’t been resolved yet. Zhao Mao felt uneasy and was reluctant to let Jiang Zhou and Lin Muwan leave right now. The arrangements for going to the capital were thus delayed again and again.

They hadn’t even left yet when bad news came from the capital: the ledger had somehow fallen into the Emperor’s hands, catching Zhao Mao completely off guard. He constantly sent messages to the Crown Prince, but the Crown Prince completely ignored him now.

At this moment, the Crown Prince needed someone to take the blame. Since the ledger was lost while in his care, he naturally became the best candidate.

Zhao Mao was unwilling. How could he be willing? He hadn’t restored the Zhao family’s former glory, and he hadn’t returned to the capital. For all these years, he had been the Crown Prince’s pawn, a sword in the Crown Prince’s hand. Countless people had died by his hands. Laughably, the people a general killed were not enemies of the state, but stumbling blocks for the Crown Prince.

Now, he was being kicked away by the Crown Prince, to whom he had been wholeheartedly loyal.

He wants to kick me away? Don’t even think about it. At this moment, his eyes were bloodshot, and he had completely lost his mind.

“Go contact General Li at the border.”

Since they were forcing him to rebel, he would show them a rebellion.

In a few days, the Imperial Commissioner sent from the capital to investigate him arrived in Qingzhou. As soon as the person entered the city, they were seized by Zhao Mao’s men. Without giving him any chance to speak, Zhao Mao had the Commissioner’s head chopped off in front of the assembled army to boost morale.

Jiang Zhou was burning with anxiety. She had witnessed Zhao Mao’s insane behavior these past few days. If they didn’t leave soon, they might all die here or become rebels.

At that point, things would be beyond explanation.

Go. They must go, and they must leave quickly.

She had sent people from the Mingpin Building to scout for several days. The imperial court had already dispatched troops westward, and they would arrive in Qingzhou soon. Zhao Mao was busy deploying forces in the military camp every day and had no time to manage her.

Therefore, she had to take this opportunity to leave quickly.

“The carriage is ready. You go and spend time with Mother later, and find an opportunity to bring her out. I’ll start a fire. While the fire is raging, you go straight out the back gate. Someone will be there to meet you,” Jiang Zhou instructed, squeezing Lin Muwan’s hand to comfort her.

“What about you?” Lin Muwan frowned; her face serious. Panicked, she grabbed Jiang Zhou’s hand.

Why wasn’t Jiang Zhou going with them?

“You go first, and I’ll follow right behind,” Jiang Zhou said, affectionately pressing her forehead against Lin Muwan’s, soothing her softly. “I’ll be fine. There are just some things I still need to arrange.”

She was comforting not just Lin Muwan but also herself. How could she bear to be separated from Lin Muwan?

But…

“What things?” Lin Muwan urgently asked.

The General’s residence was some distance from the city gate. If they left together, Zhao Mao would inevitably send people to chase them. It would be a question whether they could safely leave the city then. It was better for her to stay behind to buy some time, ensuring their safe departure.

Since the first snow, Qingzhou had welcomed another heavy snow. Snowflakes danced everywhere, but a large, bright full moon hung in the sky, casting an eerie glow through the haze.

The people in the General’s residence all stood in the courtyard watching. Anxiety flickered in everyone’s eyes.

Was this phenomenon an omen of good or ill fortune?

Suddenly, someone shouted, “Fire! Fire!”

Everyone looked and saw that the fire was in Old Madam Zhao’s courtyard.

“Hurry and put it out!”

The fire grew fiercer and fiercer. By the time the crowd ran over, the fire had already spread throughout the courtyard. Even if the fire was extinguished, the things inside would have long turned to ashes.

Fortunately, everyone in the courtyard had gotten out, and no one was injured.

Old Madam Zhao watched her residence swallowed by the sea of fire, and with a rush of blood to her head, she fainted.

“Quickly find a doctor!”

“The Old Madam has fainted!”

“Where is the doctor? Why isn’t he here yet?”

The General’s residence was ablaze and in complete chaos.

In the city, a carriage sped along the desolate street, occasionally passing a pedestrian.

“Stop! Who goes there?”

The coachman pulled a General’s residence token from his sleeve. “I am acting under the General’s orders to handle business outside the city. Dare you stop me? Mind your dog’s life.”

The soldier looked at him, returned the token, and said, “Open the city gate! It’s someone from the General’s residence.”

The tall city gate slowly opened, and the carriage rushed off.

“Don’t worry. Since Ah Zhou told us to go first, she must have made all the arrangements. She will be fine,” Lin Muwan’s mother patted her daughter’s hand. Who can say for sure about certain things? At this moment, she needed to be strong and be her daughter’s rock. If even she lost her composure, what would her daughter do?

Lin Muwan lifted the curtain, constantly looking back. The carriage sped on, and the shadows of trees flashed past in the dark night.