I Transmigrated and Already Had a Wife - Chapter 60

“No, you—” Jiang Zhou put a hand to her forehead, sinking helplessly back into the armchair. She hoped this Miss Xu wouldn’t pay any attention to her, otherwise, wouldn’t this girl want to crawl into a hole when she sobered up?

Although Xiao Qi (Seventh Prince) appeared calm and composed on the surface, Jiang Zhou knew she was actually very timid. If she hadn’t been reborn, she would probably be hiding in the Prince’s residence living a peaceful life. How could she dare to ask the Emperor for a marriage decree? She’d rather hide as far away as possible.

Before long, Xu Yuning arrived at the Ming Pin Lou, led by a guard. The moment the private room door was pushed open, Jiang Zhou was stunned for a moment. The woman had beautiful features and a cold, aloof demeanor. Unlike Lin Muwan’s cool distance, the woman in front of her had cold indifference in her eyes, as if detached from the world, everything around her having nothing to do with her. Jiang Zhou swallowed, looking sympathetically at her best friend.

If Miss Xu knew her best friend’s true identity…

She couldn’t help but worry for her friend.

Xu Yuning’s finely arched eyebrows furrowed slightly. Her gaze swept across the room and finally settled on Xiao Qi.

She hurried forward to support Xiao Qi, who was swaying precariously in the armchair. A trace of tenderness flashed in her eyes. “Your Highness, allow your subject to help you.”

Xiao Qi: “You are?”

She tilted her head, scrutinizing the woman. After a long pause, she burst into a mournful, sobbing cry. “I don’t want to die, I don’t want to die.”

Seeing Xu Yuning, Xiao Qi felt as if she was back on the cold, gloomy execution ground of her previous life, and the grievances in her heart instantly erupted.

She wanted to cry her heart out.

She hugged Xu Yuning and wept as she spoke.

Her crying grew louder. Fortunately, their private room was isolated, and surrounded by guards. Even if people outside heard the crying, they wouldn’t suspect it was the Seventh Prince.

Finally, the crying showed no signs of stopping.

Jiang Zhou: “…”

She saw Xu Yuning’s face growing paler and quickly stepped forward to pull Xiao Qi away. Just as she reached out, Xu Yuning pulled the person closer into her arms. Jiang Zhou’s hand grabbed nothing and froze in the air.

Miss Xu’s protective gesture was…

If she hadn’t known from Xiao Qi’s inner thoughts that the two didn’t know each other, she would have suspected their relationship.

Xu Yuning nodded to her, saying faintly, “Lord Jiang, I will take her away first.”

Jiang Zhou: “Your Highness, going out like this might lead to her being seen.”

Xu Yuning frowned, looking slightly troubled.

Jiang Zhou: “I happen to have something else to attend to. You stay here and keep her company. Don’t worry, no one will disturb you here.”

Xu Yuning thanked her and said goodbye to Jiang Zhou.

At this moment, Xiao Qi suddenly looked up. Seeing Jiang Zhou about to leave, she let out a tearful hiccup and reached out to grab her. “Where are you going?”

Jiang Zhou: “…”

She pursed her lips, realizing her best friend was quite sharp even while drunk. She looked at Xu Yuning, feeling a bit awkward.

Xu Yuning supported Xiao Qi, a soft expression surfacing on her face. Her beautiful, clear eyes seemed to instantly become more dazzling. “Be a good girl, Your Highness. Lord Jiang has important matters to deal with. Will you let me keep you company here?”

She no longer referred to herself as ‘your subject’ but used ‘I.’

This immediately brought the two closer.

Xiao Qi stared intently at her, her eyes fixed on the beautiful woman. She giggled, having completely forgotten about Jiang Zhou.

Jiang Zhou pouted, shook her head with a look of ‘I can’t even watch,’ and mentally filed her best friend under the category of prioritizing romance over friendship.

Although she hadn’t heard anything from Xu Yuning’s inner thoughts, her actions showed she was quite attentive to Xiao Qi. With all of Xiao Qi’s people outside, Jiang Zhou felt reassured. She opened the door and left with a flourish.

Jiang Zhou walked along the street, shopping and buying. Before long, her hands were filled with bags, mostly containing small snacks. Lin Muwan was pregnant, and the bigger her belly got, the bigger her appetite became. Yet, she always worried about her figure and restrained herself from eating too much.

Buying these was to keep her from starving herself.

Having been out for half the day without seeing Lin Muwan, Jiang Zhou was eager to return home. She carried the food and walked quickly.

“Lord Jiang, Lord Jiang!”

Suddenly, a shout came from behind. Jiang Zhou stopped and turned to see a slightly overweight young man jogging towards her.

“Lord Jiang, I’ve had a hard time finding you.” The man ran up and stopped about a meter away. He wiped the sweat from his face and bowed, panting heavily. “Your subordinate, Sun Pei, has been ordered by His Majesty to assist Lord Jiang in her duties.”

Assist her?

Jiang Zhou sized up the man in front of her. His slightly plump face was constantly beaming, which made him look a bit foolish. What was going on?

Jiang Zhou looked displeased and simply responded, “Mm, understood.”

“Lord Jiang, His Majesty said that I will follow you from now on and do everything you command.”

“What did you do before?”

“Your subordinate was an Imperial Bodyguard with a drawn sword.”

Look at that figure. Was the Emperor not kidding her? Imperial Bodyguard? He’d probably have trouble running away himself if an enemy came.

As if sensing her doubt, Sun Pei said with a proud tone, “Your subordinate is the most capable one among the Imperial Bodyguards.”

Jiang Zhou nodded half-heartedly. “I understand. You can go now.”

“But, my Lord, you haven’t given me a task yet. How can I just leave?” Sun Pei followed closely behind Jiang Zhou, acting as if he wouldn’t give up until he achieved his goal.

Stopping in front of the Jiang Manor gates, Jiang Zhou took a deep breath. “Guard Sun, I suddenly thought of a very important task I need you to do.”

“Oh?” Sun Pei looked eager to prove himself.

He was the legitimate son of the Sun family in the capital, but due to his size and simple mind, he was never taken seriously by his family. This time, receiving the Emperor’s trust to follow Jiang Zhou and investigate the case, he naturally couldn’t miss this opportunity to prove himself.

“I was in a hurry outside just now and forgot to buy snacks from the Shanjie Zhai pastry shop for my wife. Please go and run that errand for me.”

Anyone with a bit of sense would understand the implication, but Sun Pei was oblivious and ran off excitedly.

Alas!

Jiang Zhou returned to the manor and saw her mother sitting leisurely in the courtyard, cracking melon seeds. Next to her sat Butcher Miao, with a small pile of peeled melon seed kernels on the table—it was obvious who they were for.

Jiang’s mother turned her head to look at her. “You’re back.”

Jiang Zhou nodded and handed the bag of things in her hand to Butcher Miao. “I bought these on the way back.”

She then prepared to leave. She was thinking of Lin Muwan and truly didn’t want to stay here and watch the lovey-dovey scene, so she was in a hurry to depart. Jiang’s mother didn’t stop her, merely pouting and continuing to crack her melon seeds.

The spring breeze brushed past, scattering flower petals that lightly drifted to the ground. Leaves rustled softly.

The midday sun shone into the room through the open window, falling on the woman’s shoulder. The soft light added a touch of laziness to the scene.

The woman rested her elbow on the low table, half-reclined on the soft couch, holding a book, completely absorbed in reading.

Jiang Zhou gently closed the door, unwilling to disturb her. She set down the things in her hand and quietly walked over.

The woman raised her eyes from the book. Seeing the newcomer, she smiled gently, and Jiang Zhou felt a warmth wash over her.

“You’re back.”

Jiang Zhou took the book from her hand, closed it, and placed it aside. She sat on the edge of the soft couch. “Don’t keep reading; you’ll strain your eyes.”

Lin Muwan smiled, naturally leaning into her embrace, tilting her head slightly to meet a pair of bright eyes.

She couldn’t help but reach out and touch Jiang Zhou’s face. The pale skin was flushed pink, and a thin layer of sweat beaded on her forehead.

“Why are you sweating so much this season?” she said, taking a handkerchief from her sleeve pocket to carefully wipe Jiang Zhou’s face.

“The sun is strong outside.”

Jiang Zhou didn’t mind, narrowing her eyes and enjoying Lin Muwan’s tenderness.

Ever since Lin Muwan became pregnant, Jiang Zhou had difficulty understanding her moods. One moment she’d be in a good mood, and the next, her face would darken, especially after the few times Xiao Qi had invited her out for drinks.

Whenever she came home, she would always find her wife looking sullen, which made her feel uneasy all day long. But it was hard to refuse the Seventh Prince’s invitation, which was truly frustrating.

The ironic thing was that her golden finger allowed her to hear everyone else’s inner thoughts but not the female lead’s.

Before returning today, she had been wondering how to appease Lin Muwan, but Lin Muwan said nothing today and was gentle and thoughtful towards her.

Jiang Zhou simply took off her boots and squeezed onto the soft couch with Lin Muwan. On the less-than-a-meter-wide couch, their bodies were pressed tightly together. Although they were still wearing heavy winter clothes, the heat of their bodies seemed to burn through the fabric, scorching their skin. The air felt warm. Lin Muwan pursed her lips, lowered her eyes, and snuggled into Jiang Zhou’s embrace, burying her face.

Jiang Zhou was already used to her wife being easily shy, so she pretended not to notice. She leaned against the soft couch, her bright, narrow peach-blossom eyes half-closed. The hand wrapped around Lin Muwan’s waist unconsciously rubbed back and forth.

With every rub, the ‘cat’ in her arms trembled slightly. After having her fun, she was about to hold her ‘cat’ and take a nap.

“Knock, knock.”

A knock sounded on the door.

“My Lord, there is a man outside claiming to be an Imperial Bodyguard who says he has an important matter to report to you,” the maid said through the door.

“Huh?” Jiang Zhou sat up slightly. “He’s back already?”

Lin Muwan got up from her, pushing her. “Hurry up and get up.”

As she spoke, a blush crept up her cheeks. She realized belatedly that she was lying on the couch with this rogue in broad daylight. She gave Jiang Zhou an annoyed look.

Jiang Zhou: “…”

“Go and see quickly.”

Jiang Zhou bit her lip, leaned over, and kissed Lin Muwan on the corner of her mouth. She reluctantly got up from the soft couch.

“Do you want to come out with me?” Jiang Zhou asked.

Lin Muwan glared at her. “You’re going to deal with official business; why would I follow you?”

Jiang Zhou scratched her head. “It’s not really official business. You’ll know when you get there.”

She casually brushed off the wrinkles in her clothes, took Lin Muwan’s hand without question, and they went to the front hall together.

As soon as Sun Pei saw Jiang Zhou, his eyes lit up. “My Lord, you truly are divinely clever! Your subordinate just saw the Fourth Prince’s personal guard and a suspicious man behaving furtively outside the Shanjie Zhai. Your subordinate followed them and saw them enter the Prince’s residence together.”

Jiang Zhou was stunned, but quickly regained her composure. “Do you recognize that man?”

Sun Pei: “Your subordinate does not recognize him.”

Jiang Zhou pondered. She hadn’t read the whole novel, and the dream she had was mainly centered around Lin Muwan, with little description of the others.

She looked at Lin Muwan.

Lin Muwan glanced at Sun Pei.

“He was sent by His Majesty to assist me.”

Lin Muwan nodded. “Since the three deceased officials were all the Fourth Prince’s people, why not have this Lord continue to monitor the Fourth Prince’s residence and all its movements?”

Jiang Zhou agreed. “Guard Sun, I will trouble you to continue monitoring the Fourth Prince’s residence and all its movements for the next few days.”

Sun Pei was confused. Shouldn’t they be monitoring the Crown Prince’s residence instead? Have these two gotten confused?

He nodded woodenly. “Your subordinate understands.”

Understands? He understood nothing, but Lord Jiang’s uncanny foresight had already convinced him. Who cares about the rest? Listening to Lord Jiang was surely the right way.

Sun Pei turned, took a few steps, and then came back.

Under Jiang Zhou’s confused gaze, he placed the pastries on the table, turned around, and with a leap, he was standing on the top of the wall.

Jiang Zhou: “…”

“My Lord, your subordinate takes his leave.”

The words faded, and the person was nowhere to be seen.

Jiang Zhou was momentarily stunned. Having ‘Qinggong’ (light-body martial arts) was indeed great. Although she was a Sanda athlete, it would be impossible for her to jump over this three-meter-high wall.

Maybe she could discuss it with him sometime.