I Transmigrated and Already Had a Wife - Chapter 51

Lin Muwan’s figure was slender, and though she was four months pregnant, it didn’t show much. But the day it would show would eventually come.

Jiang Zhou was a little troubled, and the look in her eyes whenever she looked at Lin Muwan was somewhat resentful.

Knowing that the only two people who knew about Lin Muwan’s pregnancy were themselves, Jiang Zhou felt wronged.

“Wife, are we really not going to tell Mother and the others?” Jiang Zhou asked.

Lin Muwan looked up, her gaze meeting a pair of clear, slightly downturned, and somewhat aggrieved eyes. Her heart tightened.

How much longer would they have to hide it?

Her heart was filled with confusion.

Before, she hadn’t wanted to tell anyone. On the one hand, she had to go to the capital to save her father, and she was afraid her mother would worry and forbid her from going if she told her. On the other hand, her feelings for Jiang Zhou were not yet firm, and the arrival of this child made her feel confused about the future.

Now…

She touched her lower abdomen. It was noticeably rounder than before. Even if they didn’t say anything, it would probably be impossible to hide for much longer.

Would her mother-in-law believe that the child was Jiang Zhou’s?

If not, Jiang Zhou’s true identity would be exposed.

Her mother didn’t know that she had married a woman. If her mother found out about Jiang Zhou’s identity… Lin Muwan pursed her lips, her cold brows slightly furrowed, and she lowered her eyes.

Would her mother still agree to them being together?

Seeing that Lin Muwan remained silent, Jiang Zhou thought she was still unwilling to let others know. Although disappointed, she didn’t press the matter. She smiled and said, “If Wife doesn’t want to say anything, then we won’t for now. We’ll tell them when Wife feels the time is right.”

The time is right?

Lin Muwan pressed her lips together. What “right time” was there? This person’s tone was light, and she had already turned around and focused on driving the carriage.

Lin Muwan couldn’t help but wonder, was she really not worried at all?

She resisted the urge to speak, but finally, her clear voice broke the silence, “Aren’t you afraid Mother won’t believe the child is yours?”

Jiang Zhou laughed heartily, “What is there to be afraid of? Whether she believes it or not is her business. It’s a fact that the child in your belly is mine.”

She paused suddenly, a thought flashing through her mind, “Is Wife worried that others won’t believe it?”

Not worried?

No need to worry?

Why was this person so unconcerned?

Lin Muwan pursed her lips, raised her eyelids, and focused her gaze on Jiang Zhou’s lean back, lost in thought.

Snowflakes fell on the bamboo rain cape, only to be scattered by the wind in an instant.

“Wife, close the carriage door. The wind is a bit strong here.”

A reassuring voice came to her ears. Lin Muwan lowered her eyes and closed the carriage door, shutting out the wind and snow, but also shutting out the person outside. She immediately felt a little unhappy.

A rare rebellious feeling arose. She wasn’t afraid of the cold, and neither was he, but she did it anyway, feeling an inexplicable surge of anger.

Jiang Zhou heard the sound and turned around in confusion, asking anxiously, “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” the voice was cool.

Jiang Zhou frowned, looked at her for a while, and then turned back. Still uneasy, she worried that Lin Muwan would catch a cold again. The oncoming wind and snow blurred her vision. She squinted and shouted loudly, “Close the carriage door! Be careful not to catch a cold!”

Her voice was instantly swallowed by the wind and snow. Jiang Zhou waited for a long time but didn’t hear the sound of the carriage door closing. In this weather, she couldn’t keep turning her head back. The road was slippery and the snow was heavy; driving required more care than usual.

Lin Muwan remained silent. Jiang Zhou had no choice but to pull the carriage to the side of the road, turn around, and enter the carriage. Her fair cheeks were slightly red from the cold, and when she opened her mouth, a moist white mist appeared before her eyes.

“Are you feeling unwell anywhere?” Jiang Zhou asked.

“No.”

“Close the carriage door. The wind is blowing straight at us here. It will be better once we turn off this road,” Jiang Zhou explained.

“I’m not cold.”

Jiang Zhou sighed slightly. The wind and snow behind them intensified, roaring in her ears. She shook the snow off her rain cape, entered the carriage, pulled the red wedding quilt over Lin Muwan, and instructed, “Keep it on for now. If you get cold later, be sure to close the door.”

After settling Lin Muwan, Jiang Zhou kept looking back at the carriage compartment uneasily before turning back to drive.

How could anyone not be cold in this weather? She really didn’t know why Lin Muwan was trying to be so brave.

Fortunately, the carriage soon turned onto another road. The direction of the wind changed, and even with the carriage door open, not much wind blew in.

When she had a moment, Jiang Zhou turned her head to check the situation inside the carriage. Lin Muwan was covered in the quilt, revealing only a pair of cool eyes, which somehow gave her a sense of contrastingly endearing helplessness.

Jiang Zhou smiled. Well, she was quite obedient; she was just as she had left her.

She smiled contentedly and turned her head to continue driving.

Upon arriving home, Jiang Zhou drove the carriage directly into the courtyard before helping Lin Muwan alight. She called for Mother Jiang and Butcher Miao to help move the things into the house.

Lin Muwan’s mother also followed into the courtyard. She had already heard about the upcoming marriage between her in-law and Butcher Miao. In the days since she returned, she had somewhat sensed something different in their interactions.

However, when she heard them say it in person, she was still slightly stunned. Since ancient times, there had been tales of same-sex love. In the capital, wasn’t there also a princess consort who married a woman? That incident caused quite a stir at the time and was still a topic of conversation.

She never expected her in-law…

She didn’t want to comment on other people’s relationships. This kind of unconventional love was rare in the world.

Lin Muwan saw her mother and pursed her lips, walking over to stand beside her.

Her mother saw the joyful and happy expression on her in-law’s face and sighed slightly, “It’s already difficult for women in this world, and now they are two women marrying each other. I’m afraid they will attract a lot of criticism in the future.”

As she spoke, she glanced at Butcher Miao, who was looking at the woman with deep affection in her eyes. Lin Muwan’s mother’s face flashed with worry, “I wonder if this is a blessing or a misfortune?”

Lin Muwan’s expression stiffened. She lowered her eyes slightly and asked softly, “Mother, do you not approve of them being together?”

Jiang Zhou’s mother smiled and shook her head, “I don’t disapprove, but I just feel that this path is too difficult. If it were my daughter, I would definitely not agree to her taking such a path.”

She wouldn’t agree?

Lin Muwan’s hands, hidden in her sleeves, clenched tightly. Her lips were pressed together even harder.

Was that what her mother thought?

Then what about them…

A sudden bitterness spread in her heart, reaching her mouth.

Her mother looked at her and asked worriedly, “Wanwan, are you uncomfortable? Why is your face so pale?”

Lin Muwan recovered, forcing a bitter smile, “I’m fine. Maybe just a little tired.”

Her mother nodded, fully convinced. After all, her daughter and son-in-law had gone to the town early in the morning and bought so many things back. How could she not be tired?

She didn’t think much of it and said affectionately, “Are you really fine? Go rest for a while. Mother is here.”

Lin Muwan shook her head, “Mother, I’m fine. Let’s move the things back first.”

As she spoke, she walked over to Jiang Zhou, took a small item from her hand, and smiled at her mother.

Seeing her daughter’s determined attitude, her mother said no more, but a hint of worry was visible in her eyes. She also stepped forward to help carry some small items, occasionally glancing in her daughter’s direction.

They weren’t short of money now, so they bought everything they needed. The relatively spacious hall was piled high with things. With the items ready, the next step was to decorate the wedding hall. Tasks that involved climbing up and down naturally fell to Jiang Zhou and Butcher Miao. Jiang Zhou stood on a stool hanging decorations up high, while Butcher Miao assisted from below. The others were responsible for decorating the bridal chamber. Within half a day, the hall and courtyard were ablaze with red. The bridal chamber was also fitted with red sheets, red wedding quilts, a pair of dragon and phoenix wedding candles on the table, and large red “Double Happiness” characters pasted on the windows.

The atmosphere was festive everywhere.

Jiang Zhou held her waist and smiled contentedly. Butcher Miao also had a smile on her face. Her parents had died early, and for many years, she had lived alone, desolate and helpless. To avoid being bullied, she had to become fiercer and crueler than others. Gradually, the villagers became afraid of her, and no one dared to get close until A-Qing appeared. A-Qing didn’t dislike her, wasn’t afraid of her, would smile at her, and compliment her. Her life changed because of A-Qing’s appearance.

From now on, she finally had a family of her own—something she had never dared to imagine before.

Thinking of this, her eyes became slightly moist.

Butcher Miao looked at Jiang Zhou, and a strange feeling welled up in her heart, a feeling that seemed to radiate maternal affection.

Jiang Zhou: “…”

To avoid attracting attention from the villagers, the wedding ceremony was scheduled for the evening.

Since both were women, Jiang Zhou had prepared phoenix coronets and robes of rank. Before the ceremony, Jiang Zhou deliberately set off a string of firecrackers. Even if someone heard the noise, they wouldn’t specially come over to check in the middle of the night.

In the wedding hall, the two newcomers held a red silk ribbon, both wearing red veils. Lin Muwan’s mother and Lin Muwan stood on either side of the newcomers, supporting them.

Jiang Zhou acted as the master of ceremonies. Since neither side had parents present, they only bowed to Heaven and Earth and exchanged a bow as husband and wife before being sent directly to the bridal chamber.

Afterward, the two newcomers drank the ceremonial cup of wine and removed their head coverings. The family then gathered to enjoy a celebratory meal before retiring to their rooms early, ending a busy day.

Lin Muwan glanced in the direction her mother had left, her expression somewhat distracted.

“Wife, what’s wrong?” Jiang Zhou suddenly darted out from behind her, grinning as she briefly squeezed Lin Muwan’s hand, then released it and put her hands behind her back, watching her with bright, sparkling eyes.

Lin Muwan’s breathing hitched. She subconsciously tightened her grip, and there, in her palm, was a piece of candy. Her lips curved into a smile as she gazed at Jiang Zhou.

Jiang Zhou leaned forward slightly, drew closer, and whispered with a smile, “Thank you for your hard work, Wife.”

“Hm?”

“I’m sorry, I didn’t take good care of you today. But thanks to my mother-in-law’s reminder, I was too careless,” Jiang Zhou placed her hands on Lin Muwan’s shoulders, speaking sincerely.

She had been busy all day, so busy that she often neglected Lin Muwan and made her busy too. Lin Muwan had a baby in her belly; it would be strange if she weren’t tired.

Jiang Zhou internally reviewed her dereliction of duty once more.

When Lin Muwan heard that her mother had talked to Jiang Zhou, her heart tightened, and the bitterness she had managed to suppress welled up again, causing her eyes to turn slightly red in the end.

“Wife, what’s wrong?” Seeing her expression, Jiang Zhou’s heart clenched, and the force in her hands involuntarily increased.

“Hiss~”

Jiang Zhou quickly released her hands.

Lin Muwan frowned slightly, looked up, her eyes redder, “You hurt me.”

Jiang Zhou’s heart tightened, “I’m sorry, I’m sorry.” She quickly pulled Lin Muwan into her embrace, gently patting her back to comfort her, “Don’t be angry. I was too anxious. Why are you crying?”

Lin Muwan pushed her away slightly and looked up into her eyes.

How was she supposed to start the conversation?

Should she say that her mother didn’t approve of two women marrying? Should she say that her mother-in-law wouldn’t believe that two women could have a child? Should she say that she, too, was confused about their future?

If her mother’s attitude was already like this, what would her rigid father say if he found out?

Or would they have to hide it for a lifetime?

Her mother-in-law knew Jiang Zhou was a woman.

The child… would her mother-in-law believe it?

The clear and determined eyes of the person before her made her feel so secure.

Lin Muwan pursed her lips. After a long pause, she parted her red lips, as if having made up her mind. Her clear voice was filled with determination, “Husband, let’s tell Mother and the others about the child.”