I Transmigrated and Already Had a Wife - Chapter 64

Lin Muwan pursed her lips, lowered her eyes, and whispered, “I was worried you wouldn’t be used to the food here.”

Her voice held a strange note of grievance. She wrapped her arms around the back of his neck, resting her cheek against his neck, her warm breath scorching a large patch of skin. She was like a kitten desperately lacking a sense of security, constantly drawing warmth from Jiang Zhou.

Who could resist that?

His usually reserved wife, when she started clinging, was absolutely lethal.

Jiang Zhou found it difficult to maintain composure. He felt his breath catch in his throat, which moved up and down before he slowly tightened his arms, holding her tightly in his embrace, softness pressed against softness. It took him a long moment to find his voice, and he slowly asked, “What did my wife bring me?”

He glanced at the food box Lin Muwan had brought.

Lin Muwan gently turned her body, completely hiding herself in his arms. Her mood seemed a little low. “My mother made it. It’s all your favorite food.”

Jiang Zhou: “…”

His mother-in-law’s cooking…

Jiang Zhou glanced sideways at the food box next to him. How come the stomach that was just growling suddenly wasn’t very hungry anymore?

They embraced for a while, then Lin Muwan got up and carefully took out the dishes from the food box and set them out.

There was meat that was slightly dark in color—it should be braised pork. This dish… looked like blanched choi sum. As for the fish, Jiang Zhou stared at it for a long time but couldn’t figure out how it was prepared.

He scratched his head and said tactfully, “Wife, your family has maidservants. You can let them handle these things in the future. Don’t trouble Mother-in-law again.”

Lin Muwan paused. “Mother is idle at home anyway. Making these dishes is just a way for her to pass the time. It’s not trouble.”

Jiang Zhou didn’t have time to think and quickly said, “Wife, really, you don’t need to. Actually, the food at the Ministry of Justice is fine too.”

Lin Muwan stopped the action of scooping rice for him. She looked at him with a gaze that was somewhat deep, causing Jiang Zhou’s heart to skip a beat. After a long silence, she said faintly, “Are you saying you don’t want to see me, Husband?”

What?

He didn’t mean that at all. With a strong survival instinct, he quickly took Lin Muwan’s hand, put down the bowl she was holding, wrapped one arm around her back, slipped the other under her knee, and gently used force to lift her onto his lap again. “I didn’t mean it that way.” But he couldn’t say he didn’t want to eat the food his mother-in-law made.

What should he do?

He forced himself to say, “I’m afraid of inconveniencing Mother-in-law. The meals I eat here are bought from restaurants outside by the staff, and they’re quite rich. Besides, you’re pregnant now, and it’s not good for you to run here every day.”

After he finished the last sentence, Lin Muwan lowered her eyebrows, her expression turning serious. She gave a light ‘humph’ and retorted, “What’s not good about it? If you can come here, why can’t I?”

Jiang Zhou: “…”

He was clearly talking about the food just now, but how did the conversation escalate to this? Jiang Zhou suddenly felt helpless.

Sigh!

“I’m worried you’ll be tired, Wife. If I could, I naturally would want to be with you every day. I missed you so much last night that I didn’t sleep a wink, and I didn’t expect you to come today.”

Hearing him say that, Lin Muwan’s expression softened. She pursed her lips, not saying a word, but seemed to be accusing him: If you missed me, why didn’t you come home?

Jiang Zhou felt his heart soften under her gaze. He reached out and gently rubbed her head. The kitten, which had just been in a state of agitation, instantly became docile, resting on his shoulder.

A slight tickle came from the back of his neck. The kitten seemed unwilling to be completely mollified, and its sharp claws scratched lightly at the back of his neck, one moment on, the next off.

Jiang Zhou couldn’t help but chuckle. He patted her back and said gently, “Don’t be angry anymore. I’ll take you out for a walk later.”

“Aren’t you afraid the assassin will return during the day?” Her voice sounded muffled, clearly indicating that her anger hadn’t completely dissipated.

Jiang Zhou laughed lightly. “I also need to appear in public, don’t I? It wouldn’t be good to arouse suspicion otherwise.”

So, he’s not sincerely keeping me company after all. Everything he says is just for the sake of the case.

Lin Muwan sat up straight, staring into his eyes for a long time. She sighed. She felt like she was being unreasonable again. She knew very well that he was putting himself in harm’s way for her.

Thinking of this, the empty feeling in her heart was instantly filled.

She pursed her lips. “Let’s eat first.”

“Have you eaten?” Jiang Zhou asked.

“I ate a little before I came,” she said. She looked at the dishes. “I’m already full.”

Before, food was merely something to fill her stomach, and she was no longer as picky about the taste as when she was the Minister’s daughter.

However, since this person came into her life, she didn’t know when her desire for food was reawakened, or perhaps the little one in her belly was too picky.

She lowered her eyes. She really was becoming more and more delicate.

She had only eaten a few mouthfuls of the breakfast her mother made, but what she said was indeed true; looking at those dishes, she really didn’t have an appetite.

But she couldn’t tell Jiang Zhou the truth. Saying it would be equivalent to denying her mother’s hard work all morning.

Jiang Zhou glanced at the food and then at the dodging eyes of the kitten. He immediately understood.

Alright.

Mother-in-law’s good intentions can’t be wasted.

With a sudden burst of activity, the food on the plate was soon finished.

Jiang Zhou rubbed his stomach, which felt somewhat full, and got up with Lin Muwan.

“Wife, where do you want to go later?”

“Let’s go prepare a congratulatory gift for the Seventh Prince. His wedding is in a few days.”

Jiang Zhou smiled and nodded. He was really too full and uncomfortable. He leaned back slightly and agreed, “That’s a good idea.”

Chang’an Street was commercially prosperous. The restaurants and teahouses there were usually the most frequent places for noble young men to seek leisure.

The two of them got into a carriage together.

“Lie down.”

“Huh?” Jiang Zhou looked up at her in confusion.

The beautiful woman was charming and graceful. Jiang Zhou’s heart stirred.

Why was she suddenly telling him to lie down? It was broad daylight, and the maidservant was outside. Wouldn’t it be inappropriate for them to do this?

While Jiang Zhou was lost in wild thoughts, Lin Muwan urged him, “Hurry up and lie down.”

Jiang Zhou looked at her. He curled his fingers, becoming nervously self-conscious.

Isn’t this a little too exciting?

Lin Muwan thought that there really was nothing wrong with it. They were a legitimate married couple, and their official documents were still held by the government office.

Whatever they wanted to do was perfectly proper.

Thinking this, she felt even more justified and reached out to embrace Lin Muwan.

Lin Muwan moved her body, avoiding his outstretched hand, and glared at him. “Behave yourself. Hurry up and lie down properly.”

Jiang Zhou: “…”

His arms grasped at empty air and stopped mid-motion. He fixed his gaze on Lin Muwan’s eyes, which were clear like a mountain spring.

Jiang Zhou pursed his lips. What could he say?

Lin Muwan was doing this on purpose.

The henpecked Jiang Zhou obediently lay down, his eyes fixed on Lin Muwan without blinking.

“Move over a little bit.”

Jiang Zhou consciously shifted, finding a comfortable position.

“Lie flat.”

Jiang Zhou lay on his back, his peach blossom eyes wide, innocent and obedient.

Lin Muwan pursed her lips, stretched out her hand, and placed her palm on his stomach, gently massaging it.

Sunlight streamed in through the carriage windows, falling warmly on their bodies, which felt very comfortable. Jiang Zhou slightly squinted his eyes. Lin Muwan looked down and saw him constantly staring at her, giving a gentle smile.

A moment of tranquility.

Chang’an Street

The carriage slowly stopped in front of the Yu Xiang Pavilion. “Sir, Madam, we’ve arrived,” the maidservant called out.

The beauty lifted the curtain with her fair hand, poking her head out, her exquisite eyebrows filled with a smile.

The maidservant hopped down from the carriage and brought out the carriage step. “Madam, allow your servant to help you alight.”

Lin Muwan smiled lightly. Just as she was about to step out, a pair of arms around her waist pulled her back. She turned her head. “We’ve arrived. Don’t waste any time.”

Jiang Zhou blinked his eyes innocently and said, “How am I wasting time? I can do something like helping my wife alight myself. Why should anyone else do it?”

After saying that, he was the first to get out of the carriage. When Lin Muwan came out, he reached out his arms and directly lifted her in a princess carry. Before she could react, he had set her steadily on the ground.

With people coming and going on the main street, Lin Muwan’s face flushed slightly. She glared at him and, without waiting for him, lifted her feet and walked into the Yu Xiang Pavilion.

The Yu Xiang Pavilion was worthy of being the largest silver shop in the capital. The hall was filled with people selecting merchandise. Jiang Zhou was worried that Lin Muwan might be jostled, so he quickly stepped forward to shield her.

“Wife, slow down. It’s crowded here.” Jiang Zhou protected the person in his arms with one hand while leading her toward the second floor.

“I heard that the best things here are on the second floor. After we pick out the congratulatory gift, my wife can see if there is anything she likes.”

“I don’t lack anything,” Lin Muwan curved her lips.

“But—”

“This is not a place where just any stray cat or dog from the countryside can enter.”

Jiang Zhou had just opened his mouth when he was interrupted by this voice. He looked up and saw a glamorous young woman standing at the corner of the stairs. The woman was dressed in a light pink, wide-sleeved flowing celestial dress.

He raised an eyebrow. What could he do when someone was volunteering to be scolded?

Li Yan’er was even angrier when she saw that no one was paying attention to her, especially when she recalled the incident at the Crown Prince’s Mansion earlier. As soon as she returned, she found someone to investigate Song Yinxue. It turned out there was indeed something suspicious about her falling into the water initially. After careful investigation, she learned that the person who pushed her into the water was actually Song Yinxue’s cousin.

What did this indicate?

Even a fool would know. Now she truly had become the ‘idiot’ that Jiang Zhou had called her. After dealing with Song Yinxue, she unexpectedly ran into Lin Muwan again.

Oh, and that annoying man of hers.

The two people she least wanted to see right now.

Li Yan’er grit her teeth and blocked the stairwell, adopting the attitude that if I’m unhappy, none of you will be either.

Jiang Zhou wouldn’t indulge her. He had already clearly heard her thoughts. She wanted to make him unhappy? No way.

When he reached the stairwell, he raised his hand and hadn’t even exerted any force when he heard a scream. “Ah!”

Jiang Zhou: “…”

He hadn’t exerted any force, yet the person had already fallen to the ground.

Jiang Zhou looked down at her, frowning. Is she trying to stage an accident? Who’s afraid of whom?

“Miss Li, after being a free money bag for so long, have you perhaps learned how to stage an accident?” He spoke loudly. People downstairs and upstairs heard the noise and all looked over.

Jiang Zhou smiled sweetly and continued, “So many people are watching, you know. I didn’t push you.”

“You, you, you…” Li Yan’er was so angry she couldn’t speak. Moreover, sitting on the ground was already undignified, and she was being watched by so many people.

She was absolutely furious. For a moment, she deeply regretted provoking him. Why did I have to come and provoke him?

“Miss Li, please move aside. My wife and I need to hurry and buy a congratulatory gift for the Seventh Prince.”

“Lin Muwan!” Li Yan’er screamed. Seeing the strange looks cast by the surrounding crowd, she was terribly ashamed. It seemed just as Jiang Zhou said—she was staging an accident.

This time, she really didn’t dare to provoke the person in front of her again. She yelled Lin Muwan’s name, covered her face, and ran out of the Yu Xiang Pavilion.

Jiang Zhou had caused a stir in the Yu Xiang Pavilion. Those who came to the Yu Xiang Pavilion were either noble young masters or high-ranking officials, almost everyone in the capital soon knew about Jiang Zhou going to the Yu Xiang Pavilion to buy a congratulatory gift for the Seventh Prince.

For a time, the talk in the capital was:

Jiang Zhou is on the Seventh Prince’s side.

Isn’t Jiang Zhou the Emperor’s favorite?

I heard that Jiang Zhou was only able to become the Martial Zhaungyuan because of the Seventh Prince’s recommendation.

The rumors spread wildly.

Fourth Prince’s Mansion

“Are the people you found this time reliable?” the Fourth Prince gnashed his teeth.

The teacup in his hand made a ‘crack’ sound and shattered into pieces. Boiling hot tea immediately splattered out, spilling onto the floor.

“Your Highness—”

The Fourth Prince raised his hand, a hint of gloom flashing in his eyes. “If you fail again this time, bring me your head.”

“Yes, your subordinate understands. Your subordinate will certainly not fail your Highness’s expectations.” The man in front of the Fourth Prince clasped his hands and bowed before retreating.

He turned and left the Fourth Prince’s mansion.