Chu Yuan first instructed the servants to prepare a table of dishes that Song Tangyin liked. When it was almost time to leave the yamen, she wore a thin scarlet cloak and waited for Song Tangyin at the hanging flower gate.

In just over two weeks, her skin was as white as snow, her eyes were bright, and her lips were naturally red. Anyone who saw her would say that she had taken good care of herself during her postpartum period.

Chu Yuan was not saddened by the original owner's miscarriage, so her mindset was naturally excellent, and she was not afraid of anyone gossiping about it.

If she wallows in self-pity and drains herself like the original owner, how can she complete the mission?

From afar, Song Tangyin finally returned.

As the handsome, scholarly-looking man approached, Chu Yuan's heart fluttered. This man was so good-looking; he was exactly the aloof and ascetic type she liked.

"Husband." Chu Yuan called softly as he approached.

Song Tangyin slightly lifted her eyelids, her thick eyelashes drawing envy. "You... waited for me here on purpose?"

As they spoke, Song Tangyin had already noticed Chu Yuan's difference.

Beneath the delicate crimson cloak, Chu Yuan's small face, lightly powdered, resembled a peach blossom, as fresh and beautiful as when she was newly married, captivating anyone at first glance.

But she hadn't dressed like this in a long time. Even though she was still young, she always wore mature colors, which made her look several years older.

Song Tangyin knew that she was somewhat disheartened because of the lack of offspring, and after trying to persuade her to no avail, she stopped talking.

But today...

It was clear that Chu Yuan looked exceptionally well; the faint lines at the corners of her eyes seemed to have vanished in an instant, making her look like a young woman in her late teens.

Chu Yuan noticed Song Tangyin's surprise and smiled gently, "What's wrong? My husband has seen so much of his sister Chu Ping these days that he can't even recognize his real wife?"

It's one thing if Song Tangyin doesn't have any dirty thoughts, but Chu Yuan still has to give him a heads-up.

A playful and cute joke slowly stirred up a wave of surprise in Song Tangyin's previously calm eyes. "Yuan'er, you..."

He didn't know what to say; this Chu Yuan was so unfamiliar that he felt completely at a loss.

No, perhaps it's not so much unfamiliarity, but rather a long-lost feeling. Five years into our marriage, the initial tenderness and affection have gradually faded away.

Yes, but they just blamed each other.

"Look at how surprised you are, my husband. Your colleagues will definitely laugh at you. It's perfectly normal for a wife to wait for her husband to come home, talk to him, and eat with him." As she spoke, Chu Yuan took Song Tangyin's hand.

He could clearly feel the latter stiffen for a moment, but she didn't shake him off.

Chu Yuan boldly changed her approach from pulling to leading, seemingly without any reservations.

Song Tangyin became increasingly at a loss, letting Chu Yuan lead him like a foolish child.

Chu Yuan found it amusing, thinking to herself, "It's not that hard to coax a man, is it?"

Song Tangyin was led to the main courtyard by Chu Yuan in a daze.

Originally, since her mother and sister were visiting and it was her first public appearance since her miscarriage, a family banquet should have been held in the flower hall. However, Chu Yuan was busy trying to win back Song Tangyin's heart, so she didn't bother with that.

The two had just stepped into the courtyard when Chu Ping appeared out of nowhere and hurriedly followed.

Chu Yuan turned around and smiled, "My little sister is here? But it's not a good day. Your brother-in-law and I have some private things to discuss, so you should avoid any potential misunderstandings for now."

Chu Ping froze, unsure of how to lift her feet.

She couldn't believe it. Chu Yuan actually wanted her to avoid suspicion? Avoid what suspicion! Shouldn't she be warmly inviting her in to avoid an awkward situation with Song Tangyin?

Chu Yuan has always done it this way!

Chu Ping squinted, trying to figure out what was wrong with Yuan, but after looking for a long time, she couldn't see anything.

Chu Yuan had already led Song Tangyin into the house, and said in a calm voice, "Zhiyue, close the courtyard gate."

Chu Ping was turned away and felt extremely embarrassed and annoyed. She banged on the courtyard gate several times, but Zhi Yue dared not open it for her.

Zhiyue looked around and, seeing that no one was paying attention to her, whispered through the crack in the door, "Second Miss, you should leave quickly. Madam's emotions have been unstable these past few days. The miscarriage must have been a huge blow to her!"

"My sister has such a poor mental fortitude!" Upon hearing Zhiyue's words, Chu Ping's doubts dissipated, and she turned and left.

Little did they know that Chu Yuan had actually been replaced with a different soul.

"What's wrong with you today?" Inside the house, the aroma of food wafted out, bringing back the lively atmosphere to the courtyard that had become quiet and deserted over the years.

Song Tangyin finally came to her senses and spoke with a mix of surprise and astonishment.

Chu Yuan smiled and handed a pair of chopsticks to Song Tangyin, "Ayin, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have taken my anger out on you."

You are the child's father, and with your child having one accident after another, your sadness is no less than mine.

Today we've laid everything bare. Since we're husband and wife, and have bowed to our parents and heaven and earth, we can face any difficulties together. There's absolutely no need for us to blame each other, don't you agree?

Song Tangyin could no longer hear what Chu Yuan said.

All he could hear was Chu Yuan calling him affectionately—Ayin, Ayin… her voice was so gentle.

How long has it been since she called him that?

In a daze, everything seemed to have returned to the way it was before.

Five years ago, she was a bright and beautiful young woman, and he was a down-on-his-luck young man. They met by chance, their hearts first fluttered, and their love lasted forever.

He would always remember her stepping down from the carriage and placing a bundle beside him, so elegant and beautiful, like a fairy.

He worked tirelessly day and night, standing out from the many candidates and standing upright and dignified in the imperial court, all for the sake of giving her a magnificent wedding procession.

He announced to the world that he loved her, a love he had never dared to express before.

He kept the promise he wouldn't have made lightly!

He wanted her to be his wife, to stand beside him, so that the whole world could see her, know her, and love her as much as he did.

Chu Yuan noticed Song Tangyin's distraction and placed a braised lion's head meatball, his favorite, in his bowl. Her voice was as soft as a feather, "Tangyin, if you don't eat now, the food will get cold."

Song Tangyin took a beat to come to her senses, her eyes slightly misty, and she nodded instinctively, "Yes, yes, I'll eat now."

This was undoubtedly the most delicious meal Song Tangyin had eaten in recent years. It wasn't that the food tasted particularly good; his mind wasn't on it, so he couldn't really taste much of it. But the person in front of him, with every smile and gesture, was enough to captivate his heart. It was so pleasing to the eye that it gave him a wonderful, dreamlike feeling.

"Am I dreaming?" After dinner, Chu Yuan took a book and lay on her side on the chaise longue to read. She was still as beautiful and alluring as ever.

Chu Yuan didn't speak, but smiled slightly and patted the empty seat next to her. "Would A-Yin like to sit down and watch with me?"

Complex emotions resurfaced in Song Tangyin's eyes once again, and she unconsciously moved her feet to Chu Yuan's side.

Chu Yuan reached out and pulled him up.

As he sat down, Chu Yuan deliberately lost her balance and fell into Song Tangyin's arms. "Ayin, we can start over, right?"