Chapter 28 Your Palm Is So Hot (No plot, just...)

Zhao Xian was full of questions, but Jiang Liangxu had already walked up to her and placed his hand naturally on her back.

Her summer clothes were thin, and the heat from the man's palm made her shudder. She took two steps to the side to avoid him.

Realizing that her movements were a bit too exaggerated and worried that someone would notice something was amiss, Zhao Xian spoke first: "Why did you suddenly come back? You didn't even mention going home to let us know so we could come and pick you up."

It suddenly appeared like a ghost; it was quite frightening.

If it were like Zhou's, knowing that someone was coming, she could send someone along the way to pick them up in advance, and there would be a process involved.

He, on the other hand, did it quietly, catching everyone completely off guard.

Jiang Liangxu, oblivious to her avoidance, pulled Zhao Xian into the main hall and sat her down, saying in a relaxed tone, "Isn't this to give Madam a surprise?"

'More like a shock,' Zhao Xian thought to herself.

Looking at Jiang Liangxu again, many memories of him flooded her mind. Zhao Xian pinched her thumb hard, not wanting to delve too deeply and see something she shouldn't.

Without thinking, he blurted out, "You went straight home? You didn't go to the palace but went to see the Emperor first?"

“I have already met him. His Majesty, considering my efficient handling of this matter, has granted me permission to rest at home for three days before returning to court.” After Jiang Liangxu finished speaking, he noticed that Zhao Xian’s eyes showed not surprise, but rather some nervousness.

Remembering the threat Princess Rongyang had overheard at the door, she asked, "What brings the princess here? What leverage does she have over the lady?"

Zhao Xian shook her head: "It's not considered leverage..."

Then, she briefly mentioned the incident at the Princess's residence where she damaged a peony plant while saving someone, speaking of it lightly, since the matter was already over, and no matter how thrilling it was at the time, the emotions dissipated after the event.

Upon hearing about the imperial gift, Jiang Liangxu frowned slightly, guessing the reason, and said, "I will handle this matter."

"No need. I've almost finished preparing everything. Besides, I promised the Princess, how can I go back on my word? It's just an item, I'll compensate for it."

As Zhao Xian was speaking, she suddenly remembered something: Princess Rongyang rarely visited the Jiang family in the past, or rather, she had never visited before.

But today he suddenly came, saying he was retrieving something for the princess.

Zhao Xian didn't believe a single word of it; the fact that she didn't destroy the things was because she was kind-hearted.

The two sat side by side, with Zhao Xian turning to the side and staring openly at Jiang Liangxu.

Seeing that she was relaxed and not bothered, Jiang Liangxu nodded: "Okay, if it's difficult to handle, let me know and I'll take care of it."

Being stared at for a while, Jiang Liangxu's gaze remained gentle and he didn't look away. He wondered if it was just his imagination, but he felt that Zhao Xian gave him a very different feeling this time he returned home.

The worry between his brows had dissipated, as if the knot in his heart had been untied.

That put his mind at ease.

Zhao Xian was extremely curious and couldn't help but ask, "What kind of bewitching drug did you give Princess Rongyang?"

He went to the palace before returning home. Could it be that Princess Rongyang got wind of this and came here specifically to stake out the place? And she's even using the name of the Eldest Princess.

Princess Rongyang is truly both crazy and lovable; how did he even manage to provoke her?

Jiang Liangxu took the tea brought by the servant, and before he could even take a sip, he heard Zhao Xian say something surprising.

"Cough cough." He quickly put down his teacup. "We don't even have enough of this medicine for our own family, why are we wasting it on others?"

"Lord Jiang, have some shame."

The words slipped out, and Zhao Xian paused for a moment. This was not her intention. Although she had the original owner's memories, Jiang Liangxu was a stranger to her.

But their tone was too familiar; it didn't sound like the kind of words an ancient couple would say.

Looking at Jiang Liangxu again, there was no surprise on his face; instead, he smiled gently.

Zhao Xian was somewhat dazed by that smile.

In that brief moment of distraction, Zhao Xian's hand was being held, the warmth of the man's palm burning her skin. Before she could pull her hand back, Jiang Liangxu had already taken out a carved and openwork bracelet from the small brocade box and placed it in her palm.

"This bracelet can be opened in the middle, and it has four compartments. You can hide things inside. Isn't that interesting?" Jiang Liangxu held the bracelet in Zhao Xian's hand and showed her the little mechanism inside.

The openwork bracelet feels heavy in the hand, and its workmanship is exquisite and delicate.

"This happened when we were passing through Huyang Town..."

Jiang Liangxu's voice was gentle and unhurried, making people unconsciously listen to him.

"Mother, is Father-in-law back?"

The sound coming from the main hall entrance interrupted Jiang Liangxu's narration and also brought Zhao Xian back to her senses.

Jiang Liangxu put the bracelet on Zhao Xian's wrist, sat up straight, and drank his tea.

Zhao Xian was wearing a jade bracelet on her wrist, but it looked good with the outfit, so she didn't take it off. She looked towards the door and said, "Come in quickly, it's drying by the door."

As the two walked into the main hall, Zhao Xian glanced at Li Lianniang's flat belly and subconsciously said to Jiang Liangxu, "Lianniang went into labor at the end of January and gave birth to a daughter named Jiang Shuxiu. The full moon celebration has already been held. I don't know if you received the letter from the steward."

This matter was not mentioned in the travelogue sent back last time.

"Oh, right, I also had the eldest brother send you a letter. It's about adopting Tingyue as my goddaughter and registering her under my name. We're just waiting for you to come back so you can add her name to the family register."

Li Lianniang and Cui Tingyue stepped over the threshold and bowed to Jiang Liangxu.

"Father-in-law."

"Tingyue greets her godfather."

Jiang Liangxu glanced at the two of them and said to Zhao Xian, "I received your letters, but I was too busy to reply or send my blessings."

He was puzzled as to why it wasn't written to him by Zhao Xian herself.

He then turned to Li Lianniang and said, "Thank you for your hard work. The servants will deliver the gift for Xiu'er to Yunzhu Garden later."

He was busy at the time and had no time to pay attention. By the time he finished, he was already on his way back. Since it wasn't written by Zhao Xian, he never wrote back.

Li Lianniang curtsied again, "Lianniang thanks Xiu'er's grandfather on her behalf."

This was the first time Jiang Liangxu had met Cui Tingyue. He was usually too busy to wander around the backyard, but he had heard Zhao Xian mention her a few times, saying that her son bringing her home directly might cause trouble.

He couldn't interfere in the affairs of the inner quarters, so he only told his eldest son to be careful. At the time, he thought that if the Cui family had only one son left, it would be better to arrange him to work by Jiang Wei's side or send him to study.

However, he had no objection to Zhao Xian's decision to adopt the person as her goddaughter. "What are your plans for the family recognition banquet, Madam?"

"Hold it big."

Jiang Liangxu smiled upon hearing this and readily agreed: "Alright, it's been a long time since the manor has been lively."

Zhao Xian disagreed with this statement. When she first transmigrated, the Jiang family was incredibly lively. The plot of the angst-filled novel was chaotic, and later the sweet romance novel was also full of twists and turns.

Isn't this exciting?

On second thought, he realized he wasn't there when these things happened and didn't see them.

Li Lianniang pursed her lips and asked, "Mother, is Father-in-law going to have a welcome-back banquet tonight?"

It turns out that my father-in-law has been away for half a year. He left Jin'an before the Lunar New Year, leaving in the dead of winter, and has only just returned now that it's already summer.

Zhao Xian nodded: "We should have a proper welcome dinner. Go and make the arrangements."

Li Lianniang and Cui Tingyue greeted Jiang Liangxu briefly before heading off to the evening family dinner.

A servant came to report that the carriage had entered the manor.

These were originally items that Jiang Liangxu bought for his family.

The gifts sent back last time were all for Xiu'er's birthday and Cui Tingyue's first meeting, as we didn't know Xiu'er had already been born or that Cui Tingyue had become her goddaughter.

Because so many things were bought, it took the servants a long time to move boxes to each courtyard.

After summer arrives, it gets dark late, so the banquet is held in the flower hall.

Jiang Heng was the only one missing.

A meal lasted from the radiant glow of dawn until the twilight deepened.

The servants cleared away the dishes, and the group rinsed their mouths and wiped their hands.

"Father, I have something that's been troubling me lately..."

Before Jiang Wei could finish speaking, his foot was kicked several times. He looked at Li Lianniang with some confusion.

Li Lianniang didn't look at him, but smiled and got up to say to Zhao Xian and Jiang Liangxu, "Mother, Father-in-law, we've finished eating. Xiu'er looks very sleepy, so we'll go back first."

Cui Tingyue also got up and took her leave.

Jiang Wei was led away by Li Lianniang.

Emerging from the flower hall, Jiang Wei said in an displeased tone, "I have a question about my duties that I need Father to answer. Why did you interrupt me?"

Li Lianniang released Jiang Wei's hand and said in a soft and gentle voice, "Husband's doubts are not new, are they? And they don't necessarily need to be answered immediately, do they?"

Jiang Wei nodded, his tone still somewhat displeased: "This matter has been troubling me for quite some time now."

Li Lianniang looked at Jiang Wei and said, "Since you've been puzzled for so long, what's wrong with waiting another day or two? Look how dark it is. Father-in-law has been away from home for half a year and has only just returned. If it's a complicated issue, we'll talk about it endlessly and waste your rest."

They have no sense of propriety.

Hearing this, Jiang Wei felt somewhat embarrassed.

For some reason, my fingertips felt smooth and pink, and I missed the softness I had just felt.

He reached out and took that slender, soft hand back into his palm.

Li Lianniang was overcome with emotion as she tried to persuade her husband.

And her husband heard this.

In the flower hall.

Zhao Xian couldn't help but think of Li Lianniang. If Jiang Wei had something to ask, why not let him speak?

They have no sense of propriety.

How dare you give her a meaningful look? Can't you see she's having a hard time?

Jiang Liangxu put down his teacup, stood up, and reached out to Zhao Xian, "Madam, let's go back too."

Zhao Xian looked at the hand that was stretched out in front of her. The palm was large and the fingers were long. If this were posted online, it would surely cause a stir.

Zhao Xian reached out and grabbed Jiang Liangxu's sleeves as she stood up. "Let's go."

The flower hall was not far from the Begonia Residence, so the two of them did not take the sedan chair and walked back.

The moon is bright and the stars are few; cicadas and frogs croak in summer.

The daytime heat dissipates at night, and a cool breeze makes it very comfortable.

But Zhao Xian had no time to feel anything at that moment.

Jiang Liangxu is different from the rest of the Jiang family.

He was the original owner's husband, and the two slept in the same bed.

When she first transmigrated, she was worried for a while after learning that she wasn't a widow. But that worry had long since dissipated since Jiang Liangxu wasn't home.

She was enjoying her life so much that she started to wonder whether she should stay here and enjoy it instead of going back to be a beast of burden.

But Jiang Liangxu's sudden return caught her off guard, leaving her no time to prepare a response.

"Why are your hands so cold? Are you feeling unwell?"

Because Zhao Xian was distracted, she loosened her grip on his sleeve and slid down, but he caught her hand.

The scalding heat from her palm instantly warmed her skin, and Zhao Xian tried to pull away but failed.

She shook her head: "No, it's just that my husband's hands are too hot."

It struggled again, but still couldn't break free.

As Haitang Residence drew closer, Zhao Xian's mind raced.

He pondered whether he should tell him directly that he was not the original owner of the body.

But I'm also worried about being caught and burned; that would be so painful.

Still conflicted, I entered Haitang Residence.

Suddenly, a tall figure loomed over her, embracing her completely. One arm encircled her waist, while the other supported her back, and her neck was nuzzled against. "Ah Xian."

Zhao Xian was shocked and pushed the person away.

“You, me…” Looking around, there was no one else but them.

Jiang Liangxu was puzzled and reached out to pull the person in front of him. "What's wrong?"

What's wrong? Can Zhao Xian say she's not his wife?

Although I've taken over the original body, I can inherit the son and daughter-in-law, but there's no need for a man.

"I...I've started my period."

Zhao Xian made up a reason for herself.

Let's just get through these few days first, then find an opportunity to have a fight with Jiang Liangxu, ideally to the point where one of us ends up sleeping in Haitang Residence and the other goes to the study.

Princess Rongyang is a good excuse. Should we make a move now?

Jiang Liangxu's eyes flickered slightly. He took two steps back and sat down on the soft couch. He then pulled Zhao Xian onto his lap. Jiang Liangxu's chin rested on her shoulder, and his breath sprayed onto her neck, making Zhao Xian feel a little itchy.

However, Jiang Liangxu held her tightly, and she couldn't escape. She heard Jiang Liangxu say softly, "Ah Xian talked to me a lot today, and I was very happy."

Zhao Xian was stunned for a moment. Judging from the original owner's memories, they usually talked a lot.

"Why doesn't Ah Xian write me a letter home? Didn't we make a promise when we left home?"

Zhao Xian couldn't answer that; she didn't recall it.

Suddenly, her lips felt soft, and Zhao Xian was annoyed that this person always resorted to sneak attacks.

However, the kiss was fleeting, and Jiang Liangxu had already released her. "I remembered I have some things to take care of. Ah Xian, go to sleep first."

Even after Jiang Liangxu disappeared through the door, Zhao Xian was still somewhat dazed. Had she just gotten away with it like that?

"Hey."

Not having to share a bed with him, and not having to worry about certain things happening, Zhao Xian instantly breathed a sigh of relief.

-study-

Granny He looked puzzled. Wasn't the master in the madam's room? Why was he in the study?

"I wonder what business you have with me, sir?"

After writing the last few words, Jiang Liangxu put down his pen, looked up at Granny He, and said, "Granny, I would like to know what has happened to Madam in the past six months. She seems to be more cheerful than before."

The worry between his brows disappeared, which was a very good thing, and something he had wanted to do all these years.

However, Jiang Liangxu also discovered that Zhao Xian was rejecting him, and that her period was not in the last few days.

She also resisted his advances.

After thinking for a moment, Granny He said, "Since Xiu'er was born, Madam has become much more cheerful."

Previously, apart from caring about the two young masters, the lady didn't really care about anything else. She treated household affairs as a task, doing them only as needed each day.

However, since Xiu'er was born and the eldest young mistress took over the household affairs, the lady has become increasingly cheerful and vibrant.

"To be honest, apart from being angered by the second young master once in February, the lady has never been angry again, and she hasn't taken the medicine for treating depression for several months."

"Please tell me everything, Granny." Jiang Liangxu asked Granny He to recount in detail what had happened in the mansion since he left.

By the time Granny He finished speaking, it was already late at night, and they had drunk several cups of tea. Jiang Liangxu listened carefully and went through the story again, and there was no strange man present.

"Granny, go back and rest. You don't need to serve me tomorrow."

--

The next morning, when Zhao Xian opened her eyes and saw Jiang Liangxu, she almost cried out.

I had no idea when he went to bed; he was sleeping soundly.

To avoid embarrassment, she didn't wake anyone and tiptoed out of bed.

She was helped by her maid to wash up and then sat in front of the dressing table to do her makeup.

As if sensing something, Zhao Xian suddenly turned her head and saw that Jiang Liangxu had woken up at some point and was sitting by the bed watching her.

God knows how she felt seeing that scene.

Zhao Xian pursed her lips, and after holding back, she couldn't help but say, "Lord Jiang, you're a little scary."

Even just making a sound when you get up would be fine. Just staring at her silently can be quite terrifying at first glance.

Jiang Liangxu smiled instantly, his aura becoming gentle and refined in a flash: "Has Madam done something wrong?"

Zhao Xian's heart skipped a beat. Had she been discovered? But she said aloud, "Are you going to transform into a male ghost and knock on the door in the middle of the night?"

"I wouldn't dare, for I'm afraid I'd frighten the lady and she wouldn't let me in."

Jiang Liangxu got up, went to the table where the makeup box was placed, took the eyebrow stone, and bent down to draw her eyebrows.

His chin was lifted by his fingers, and the two were very close, so close that Zhao Xian could see his eyes when she looked up. She subconsciously looked away, but her gaze unintentionally fell on his pursed lips, and she couldn't help but think of the light kiss last night.

Zhao Xian's heart was racing for no reason.

'Sister, come out and take over the body!'

"Jiang Liangxu is barely mentioned in the book. Why don't you take over first, and then I'll come back when he's completely out of the story?"

Zhao Xian simply closed her eyes to discuss it, but although she could sense the original owner's emotions, she couldn't sense whether the original owner was still there.

"alright."

Zhao Xian opened her eyes and looked at herself in the bronze mirror.

Peony usually draws crescent-shaped eyebrows for her, but today it's a little different; the eyebrows at the outer corners of her eyes have a slight curve and are slightly upturned.

She's already a grandmother, why would you draw Qiu Niang eyebrows for her?

Zhao Xian wanted to say something, but seeing Jiang Liangxu looking at her intently, as if waiting for praise, she said, "Thank you, my husband."

Well, I've already drawn it. After looking at it a few more times, I'll get used to it. I must say, after drawing it like this, even my eyes feel a bit charming.

With a soft cracking sound, the eyebrow-painting stone in Jiang Liangxu's hand broke in two.

"It's not drawn well, I'll start over."

Zhao Xian: "?"