Rebirth Of The Scum Girl (Female Dominant) - Chapter 53
When Shen Meng said this, Liang Jue didn’t quite understand her words’ meaning. But no matter what Shen Meng wanted to do, as her husband, he would always support her unconditionally.
But before “going to war,” they had another issue. The place they used to live was part of the Shen family’s compound. Now that they had separated from the Shen family, they couldn’t continue to rely on them. So, they quickly moved out and temporarily stayed at the estate Liang Jue brought as part of the marriage.
Although there were many servants here, this estate was originally used for summer retreats and was quite far from the center of the capital. It was very inconvenient for Shen Meng to live in such a remote place when she had to go to court early in the morning.
After just two days, Shen Meng couldn’t stand it anymore and decided to stay at the Hanlin Academy, waiting to reunite with Liang Jue on rest days.
As a considerate husband, Liang Jue naturally showed his thoughtfulness. Every time Shen Meng returned home, he would prepare her favorite food, and their affectionate moments were inevitable. Shen Meng became his shadow as soon as she returned home.
He wanted to stick to her, never wanting to be apart for a moment. Although Shen Meng wasn’t very enthusiastic about such things, she was still a normal woman. Plus, she remembered the child who didn’t survive from her past life. On these rare rest days, she always made Liang Jue exhausted.
But after nearly a month of this, Liang Jue couldn’t bear it anymore. When Shen Meng wasn’t home, he went to select several houses.
He wouldn’t make the decision about their future residence alone. When he finally found a house he liked, he went to Shen Meng’s study.
Sitting in the chair Shen Meng used to sit in, he carefully ground the ink she used. After a brief silence, he began to write on the paper, his hand moving smoothly.
Although the capital wasn’t large, Liang Jue’s letter was quickly sent out. The next day, just after morning court, a messenger intercepted Shen Meng.
Shen Meng was surprised. Why would someone send her a letter at this time?
“Perhaps it’s a mistake in the name. Let me see the envelope first.”
The messenger fished out the letter from his long sleeves. “I’ve been delivering letters for over ten years without a mistake. Moreover, the address on this letter is very clear, for the Editor of the Hanlin Academy, Shen Meng.”
She glanced at the letter handed to her. It was tightly sealed, and there was only one editor named Shen Meng at the Hanlin Academy. The handwriting looked familiar.
It seemed familiar, but she couldn’t remember who wrote it for a moment. But it must be someone she knew.
Shen Meng accepted the letter and tucked it into her sleeve. “This should be my letter. Thank you very much.”
As the letter was private, Shen Meng, sitting in the Hanlin Academy, didn’t intend to open it. But having an unknown letter sealed on her person, with unknown content, seemed like a potential threat.
She seized an opportunity, slipping into the library to borrow books. Half-hidden in a corner, she retrieved the letter and opened it. The letter was sealed tightly, and after opening the outer envelope, there was another one inside. After opening three layers of envelopes, she finally extracted a thin piece of paper.
The last small envelope contained some dried flower petals, giving the paper a faint fragrance. Shen Meng unfolded the letter and, besides the floral scent, recognized a familiar ink aroma.
Though faint, it was clearly the fragrance of the pine soot ink she often used. That’s when she remembered why the handwriting seemed familiar; it was clearly the handwriting of her husband, Liang Jue. His handwriting was a bit different from his previous life, causing her a moment of confusion.
Was it because she missed him so much? Shen Meng thought to herself, and her movements unconsciously lightened as she carefully unfolded the paper.
Since moving out of the Shen family, both she and Jue had endured the pain of separation. Though Jue’s love for her was known far and wide, he never asked when she would return.
Yet, there was still some money left at home. Jue thought, perhaps there was a way for them to be together without separation. Yesterday, with the clear autumn weather, he and the steward looked at several mansions in the capital. One faced east with sunshine, featuring a garden with a rockery pavilion and a winding corridor.
In spring, there were lush green grasses; in summer, vines entwined; in autumn, the pergola was laden with fruit; and in winter, there were plum blossoms against the snow, all beautifully picturesque.
Jue was very pleased and wanted to know Shen Meng’s thoughts on it.
As he wrote, he wasn’t as free and easy as usual; every word and line showed his cautiousness. Yet, amidst this caution, there was an unmistakable joy and excitement on the paper. Shen Meng could imagine his joyful expression when viewing the house and what he looked like writing the letter with his eyes closed.
Perhaps because he loved the house so much, he even included a painting he made, vivid with flowers and birds. Even the tiny eyes of the birds, barely the size of beans, seemed to carry a sense of longing. It was as if Liang Jue was pleading with her with those affectionate eyes. Though not stunningly beautiful, Shen Meng fell for her husband’s charms.
Liang Jue’s dowry was generous, and the items she brought with her, inherited from her deceased father, were equally valuable. Since money wasn’t an issue, why would Shen Meng refuse Jue’s request? When it came time to reply, she hesitated for a while, then finally wrote just one word: “Approved.”
The second day after Liang Jue received the reply letter, he couldn’t wait to send his people to Shen Meng’s side, along with their luggage.
This time, he arranged a grand caravan for the move, just like the day they moved out of the Shen family’s mansion, transporting all of Shen Meng’s usual belongings to their new residence. With experienced staff, the relocation was swift. By the time Shen Meng was ready to leave, Liang Jue was already waiting eagerly at the palace gate.
He had come all this way, and Shen Meng cherished his efforts. Naturally, the two of them were affectionate in the carriage. However, out of consideration for Liang Jue’s hardships, she kept it restrained, showing only a glimpse of their affection.
When they arrived at the place Liang Jue had chosen, Shen Meng’s expression momentarily turned complicated, and the smile disappeared from her face.
Liang Jue seemed happy, but he was constantly attentive to Shen Meng’s mood. As her mood fluctuated, he restrained his smile and asked, “Does wife not like it?”
Indeed, he had asked for Shen Meng’s opinion in the letter and vividly described the place. But reality might differ, and there was a possibility Shen Meng didn’t like it. He bit his lip, regretting his hasty decision.
In a few days, it would be Shen Meng’s rest day. If he had waited a little longer, the situation might have been different.
Shen Meng’s complex expression was not for any other reason but because the house Liang Jue had chosen was part of the place she had lived in her previous life, Xue Ning’s Prince’s Mansion.
Back then, the Empress had specially built this mansion for them to ensure her son’s auspicious marriage, selecting a prime location and requisitioning several wealthy families’ houses.
The house Liang Jue chose was part of the Prince’s Mansion, designated by the Empress herself.
However, that was all from her previous life, and Liang Jue was unaware of it. The house was indeed excellent, which explained Liang Jue’s fondness for it. Shen Meng shouldn’t show any displeasure because of this. But just as she was about to think this, Liang Jue voluntarily suggested changing the location.
This wasn’t because he suddenly disliked the place; it was merely to make her happy. He willingly compromised for her.
Shen Meng reached out and touched his soft hair. “Didn’t you say in the letter that you really liked this place? If so, why the sudden change of heart?”
Liang Jue’s nose tingled. “But you don’t like it.” In this relationship, they were inherently unequal; he fell in love first, and his affection was deeper. Most of the time, he automatically yielded.
However, Liang Jue didn’t usually dwell on this compromise. He was willingly accepting of it, even if it meant suffering. Perhaps that was a form of love.
His own decisions shouldn’t make him feel upset, but today, for some reason, he felt very sad, and tears welled up in his eyes.
When Shen Meng looked at him again, she was startled by her usually steady and strong husband’s tears. “I didn’t say I dislike it. I was just surprised, considering the expensive location. I was just thinking, if we bought this house, our family might have to tighten our belts. I didn’t say anything, why are you crying?”
Liang Jue had indeed been different lately, with frequent and inexplicable mood swings, acting impulsively without considering the consequences, which was a far cry from his usual self.
Shen Meng’s words made Liang Jue even sadder. Choking up, he said, “I don’t know, I just suddenly felt very sad. And then my nose tingled. Actually, I don’t think I’m that sad inside.”
A small stone was thrown into Shen Meng’s heart lake, causing ripples of disturbance. Liang Jue’s emotional fluctuations were indeed not directly related to his own personality, but rather to another person.
Thinking of this, she instructed the coachwoman to turn around. “No need to go in yet; we need to go somewhere else.”
Liang Jue felt even more aggrieved. “I am sad; there’s nothing wrong with being sad.”
Shen Meng calmly placed her hand on his abdomen. “You’ll see when we get there.”