Chapter 42 Divorce and Brothel
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In her past life, Lin Xihe was a purebred "face-obsessed" person. Having readily accepted this label, she further subdivided her breed: she was a "watchdog." She only dared to "virtually admire" celebrities through screens and posters. When she saw handsome men in real life, she only dared to admire them from afar.
After transmigrating, he thought he had a broader perspective. That time at the foot of the cliff, Lin Xihe took advantage of his vulnerability and boldly touched his chest.
It's just the contact area of two palms, so you can't really feel it.
The white horse galloped swiftly, but a withered tree blocked its path. Just as the horse leaped into the air, a deep, resonant voice reached his ears: "Don't be afraid."
Lin Xihe's arms were pulled tighter by him, her back pressed against his broad chest, and the green shadows of trees rushed into her peripheral vision. Her whole body stiffened, only her inner voice exploded, one after another, lingering in her ears.
She clung to the bag of snacks like a dried-out salted fish, until Wen Zhixu dismounted.
"Shall I help you up?" He raised his hand high towards her, the height of his arm suggesting more than just "helping".
Afraid he would pull her close again, Lin Xihe swiftly slid off the horse from the other side, her movements as smooth as if she'd been oiled. No kidding, before she transmigrated, she was the notorious slide tyrant of her neighborhood!
Wen Zhixu calmly withdrew his hand, noticing that the paper package of the sugar-wrapped snack in her hand was already crumpled and messy.
"You don't like dried peaches?"
"Who said that? I like it!" Lin Xihe protectively clutched the snacks.
"I'll bring you some more next time." Wen Zhixu mounted his horse.
Lin Xihe quickly shook her head: "No need to trouble yourself."
"I heard from the shopkeeper that the next batch will include candied apricots."
Dried apricots…that’s her favorite. Lin Xihe didn’t hesitate for even a second, replying quickly, like a pestle striking garlic: “Okay, okay.”
Wen Zhixu hadn't gone far when the girl's muttering drifted over: "...How did you know?"
He quickly reined in his horse: "I heard it from someone while I was in line."
"So," Lin Xihe tilted her head slightly, seriously imagining the scene of the young master standing in the long line, "you went to line up yourself?"
"..."
He wore a tea-white brocade robe, almost blending in with the white horse beneath him. The robe fluttered like snow, inexplicably drawing people's attention.
"I can't look anymore," Lin Xihe said, tossing out a "Goodbye," and darted inside—embracing Madam Lin head-on. The embrace was warm and soft, carrying a subtle floral fragrance. She unconsciously buried her face deeper, quietly inhaling the scent.
"What is He'er smelling?" Madam Lin gently stroked her hair.
"What's that fragrance on Mother that smells so wonderful?"
"It was just a matter of asking the old woman to buy a few radishes to offer before the Buddha."
Lin Xihe took a flower, but her thoughts drifted away: That guy smelled really good too, was it ebony? Or sandalwood?
I'll be staying for a few days.
Lin Zhaoheng used the excuse of visiting his daughter to actually see his wife. However, before he even reached the gate of the mansion, his daughter, who had caught a whiff of his presence, chased him away with a broom.
"If you dare harass my mother again, you can forget about being a father!"
"He'er, Father..."
"I'm going to the yamen to beat the drum!"
"Just take a look from afar, I promise I won't do anything."
Lin Xihe struck with extreme force, beating Lin Zhaoheng until he begged for mercy, using the same force she would use on a scumbag.
Wen Zhixu has not appeared since the day he delivered the dried peaches.
The already secluded courtyard became even more deserted.
That bag of dried peaches was already finished.
"Hmph, you promised to send dried apricots?" She lightly plucked a radish petal, the pure white petals fluttering down. "Send them, or not, send them..."
The flowers have been plucked bare; the answer is not provided.
Lin Xihe picked up another flower and muttered in a low voice, "Liar."
Inside the jade shop, a young man in fine clothes was mixed in with a group of rough-clothed craftsmen.
The young master, tall and slender, bowed his head and asked the old craftsman Li Qixing for advice: "Mr. Li, how should this flower bud on the hairpin be carved to make it look charming and lovely?"
Li Qixing didn't give this young master a friendly look at all. He had been here for four whole days and had clumsily ruined several good pieces of material, which was a complete waste.
"How does Young Master Wen expect this old man to teach me?" Li Qixing's implication was that a person of such fine clothes and delicacies should be in brothels to listen to music and seek pleasure, or at most playing with jade artifacts in the front hall of a jade shop. Why bother coming to this workshop and getting covered in stone dust?
Moreover, such an exquisite hairpin.
Seeing Li Qixing's displeasure, Wen Zhixu quickly bowed solemnly and said, "I have been bothering you these past few days. It is my fault. It is because the birthday of the person I admire is approaching, and I carelessly caused her to lose a beloved hairpin. Making the hairpin myself shows my sincerity."
Li Qixing re-examined the young man in brocade robes before him, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes. Was the renowned Second Young Master Wen not just dabbling in this, but truly sincere?
Immediately, he picked up the carving knife and said slowly, "Do you really want to learn? Watch carefully."
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I finally made a friend I could chat with, but then this person just disappeared after feeding me snacks.
Does friendship not need nurturing? With this existential question lingering in her mind, Lin Xihe remained sullen for three whole days.
Early on the fourth day, she finally couldn't resist sending out intelligence agents.
In ancient times, travel was slow, and by the time news reached back, it was already nearly dusk.
Lin Xihe was having a meal with Madam Lin when a servant came to report: "Miss, as you instructed, I did not inquire with the servants of the Wen family, but instead asked the attendant of Young Master Xie."
"Hmm." Lin Xihe was satisfied. Wen Zhixu ignored her, and she couldn't let him know that she was probing.
What did Xie Qi say?
“Young Master Xie said, he said…” The servant was speechless, looking awkwardly at Madam Lin, then at her.
That's all.
Lin Xihe led the servant outside the house. It was dusk, with wisps of smoke rising from the chimneys, a scene straight out of an ancient painting. Yet, her heart sank deeper and deeper.
"real?"
"Young Master Xie's attendant said that Young Master Wen's whereabouts were secretive and he would not say anything when asked. Young Master Xie wanted to go with him, but was stopped instead. So Young Master Xie secretly followed him."
However, Wen Zhixu seemed to have noticed something, and after walking to Panxiang Street, he suddenly disappeared.
What kind of place is Panxiang Street?
"It is... a place where brothels gather."
"Hmph! I knew it!" Lin Xihe's knuckles clenched so tightly they turned white.
The servant hurriedly pleaded, "Miss, please calm down! Please calm down!"
Lin Xihe gritted her teeth: "What a fine preface! They didn't even invite me to the brothel? I also want to see the top courtesan!"
What kind of friend is this?!
The servant stared in disbelief: "???"
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The day before Lin Xihe's birthday, her parents finally divorced, thanks to her efforts.
She unfolded the document, her face beaming with joy.
“Mother, your name is so beautiful.” Lin Xihe poked the three characters “Liu Xuying” with her fingertip.
Madam Liu smiled and patted her head.
Lin Xihe slid her finger down to the seal: "Mother, if it's not stamped, will it be invalid?"
Madam Liu's expression tightened, and she quickly examined the seal: Lin Zhaoheng's seal was bright red and eye-catching.
“Your father,” Madam Liu said, her voice softening slightly, “even if he has a thousand faults, he would not do such a despicable thing.”
Lin Xihe didn't sleep a wink all night.
The letter of annulment that Wen Zhixu sent was only signed; it wasn't even stamped!
If that's the case, then the annulment letter is naturally invalid. She was so angry on the bed that she kicked the air repeatedly, yelling, "Despicable! Shameless! Scoundrel!"
Early on her birthday, she stormed back home in a carriage.
This is his daughter's first birthday after recovering, and Lin Zhaoheng is determined to hold a grand celebration.
As Lin Xihe stepped into the mansion, she was greeted by a blinding sea of red. The pillars were wrapped in red satin, the chairs were adorned with red flowers, and even the old trees in the courtyard were not spared, covered with bright red cloth flowers.
"..." Lin Xihe's vision went black. Help! This is so tacky it makes you want to dig your toes into the ground!
"He'er, do you like it?" Lin Zhaoheng, whose straight male aesthetic was in its late stages, asked for praise.
“I like it,” Lin Xihe sighed, rubbing her forehead. “Father, it’s not necessary next time.”
Lin Zhaoheng shut his mouth: That means he doesn't like it.
Without saying a word, the young lady went straight to Tinghe Pavilion, and the first thing she did upon entering was to take out her makeup box.
She unfolded the letter of annulment and examined it closely. Sure enough, it only had a signature and no seal.
Lin Xihe suddenly realized: Isn't this the same as not signing a divorce agreement? The marriage is still valid!
I never expected that guy to pull this stunt!
This engagement must be called off! Immediately! Right now!
The door was pushed open, and with a rustling sound, the old woman and maid filed in.
Without a word, they pressed her down in front of the mirror and busied themselves with tasks. The maidservant combed her hair to the left, while the old woman slipped a jade bracelet onto her wrist. Lin Xihe paid no attention to her makeup, her mind preoccupied with figuring out how to argue with them.
When she inadvertently looked up, a beautiful woman in ancient costume was reflected in the bronze mirror.
"Is this me?" She couldn't see clearly in the bronze mirror, so she wiped the mirror with her sleeve.
The newly arrived maidservant asked anxiously, "Miss, is it because I did a bad job?"
The bronze mirror reflected two rows of gleaming white teeth. Lin Xihe said, "This makeup and styling team is something else!"
No one could understand her, but they saw her run out lightly, just as a ray of sunlight passed through the corridor. The hem of her skirt, lifted up, resembled a fragrant lily about to bloom. Anyone could see that she was extremely satisfied.
"Sister," Lin Pinyan called to her, "where are you going?"
Lin Xihe looked in the direction of the sound, her gaze meeting Lin Zhirou behind Lin Pinyan for a moment before looking away.
With Madam Min sent away, the siblings lost their protector. Lin Pinyan, being an only son, was somewhat spared, but Lin Zhirou's life became difficult. What servant would want to serve a difficult concubine's daughter?
Lin Xihe gestured with her chin, "Go find Wen Zhixu and demand an explanation."
Lin Zhirou's eyes dimmed.
"Huh? You want to play with your brother-in-law?" The chubby boy only caught the first half of the sentence.
"Don't shout nonsense, who's your brother-in-law?" Lin Xihe raised her hand and gave him a crisp flick on the forehead. When it comes to disciplining her younger brother, her mannerisms are more like those of an older sister than Lin Zhirou's.
A commotion arose from the front yard.
The Lin family steward and his servants greeted them, "Lord Wen, Lord Yan, Lord Xie! Please come in and take your seats!"
The three siblings turned around at the same time and saw that the vermilion gate of the Lin mansion was wide open, and the carriages of the various officials entered in order.
Because the Wen family residence and the Lin family residence were adjacent, Wen Hongyuan arrived on foot with only a few people.
Lin Zhaoheng: "Oh dear, Lord Wen, why such a generous gift?"
Wen Hongyuan looked at the gift box that was instantly taken by the butler: "Lord Lin accepted it quite readily."
Seeing that the two were about to start arguing again, Lin Xihe's eyes flickered, and she suddenly locked onto a spot in the crowd.
That person was also looking at her.
After a few days apart, those eyes, tinged with amber by the sunlight, seemed to have deepened even further.
The courtyard was bustling with noise, with people exchanging pleasantries or busy with their own tasks. Only he, through the shadowy figures, gazed directly at her, his expression straightforward and undisguised.
She was so engrossed in looking back that she dared not look back.
Lin Xihe was defeated.
She considers herself a looks-obsessed person.
Before time travel, I went to the gym to feast my eyes on handsome men and was diagnosed as an incurable muscle fetishist.
That day on horseback, I inadvertently caught a glimpse of the contours of someone's neck and wondered if I had some special preference for Adam's apples.
She's like a psychopath; calligraphy, voice, finger bones, even fragrance... can all affect her.
Only then did she realize the crux of the problem: she was simply lustful.
Wen Zhixu gave a forced smile, his eyes practically glued to Lin Pinyan even though he was asking her: "Am I not your brother-in-law?"
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