When Shen ng said this, Liang Jue didn’t quite understand her words’ aning. But no matter what Shen ng 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 sumr retreats and was quite far from the center of the capital. It was very inconvenient for Shen ng to live in such a remote place when she had to go to court early in the morning.
After just two days, Shen ng 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 ti Shen ng returned ho, he would prepare her favorite food, and their affectionate monts were inevitable. Shen ng beca his shadow as soon as she returned ho.
He wanted to stick to her, never wanting to be apart for a mont. Although Shen ng wasn’t very enthusiastic about such things, she was still a normal woman. Plus, she rembered 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 ng wasn’t ho, 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 ng’s study.
Sitting in the chair Shen ng 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 ssenger intercepted Shen ng.
Shen ng was surprised. Why would soone send her a letter at this ti?
“Perhaps it’s a mistake in the na. Let
see the envelope first.”
The ssenger 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 ng.”
She glanced at the letter handed to her. It was tightly sealed, and there was only one editor nad Shen ng at the Hanlin Academy. The handwriting looked familiar.
It seed familiar, but she couldn’t rember who wrote it for a mont. But it must be soone she knew.
Shen ng accepted the letter and tucked it into her sleeve. “This should be my letter. Thank you very much.”
As the letter was private, Shen ng, sitting in the Hanlin Academy, didn’t intend to open it. But having an unknown letter sealed on her person, with unknown content, seed 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 so dried flower petals, giving the paper a faint fragrance. Shen ng 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 rembered why the handwriting seed familiar; it was clearly the handwriting of her husband, Liang Jue. His handwriting was a bit different from his previous life, causing her a mont of confusion.
Was it because she missed him so much? Shen ng thought to herself, and her movents 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 so money left at ho. 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 sumr, 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 ng’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 excitent on the paper. Shen ng 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, seed 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 ng 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 ng refuse Jue’s request? When it ca ti 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 ng’s side, along with their luggage.
This ti, 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 ng’s usual belongings to their new residence. With experienced staff, the relocation was swift. By the ti Shen ng was ready to leave, Liang Jue was already waiting eagerly at the palace gate.
He had co all this way, and Shen ng 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 ng’s expression montarily turned complicated, and the smile disappeared from her face.
Liang Jue seed happy, but he was constantly attentive to Shen ng’s mood. As her mood fluctuated, he restrained his smile and asked, “Does wife not like it?”
Indeed, he had asked for Shen ng’s opinion in the letter and vividly described the place. But reality might differ, and there was a possibility Shen ng didn’t like it. He bit his lip, regretting his hasty decision.
In a few days, it would be Shen ng’s rest day. If he had waited a little longer, the situation might have been different.
Shen ng’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 pri 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 ng 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 rely to make her happy. He willingly compromised for her.
Shen ng 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 ti, he automatically yielded.
However, Liang Jue didn’t usually dwell on this compromise. He was willingly accepting of it, even if it ant suffering. Perhaps that was a form of love.
His own decisions shouldn’t make him feel upset, but today, for so reason, he felt very sad, and tears welled up in his eyes.
When Shen ng 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 ng’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 ng’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 sowhere else.”
Liang Jue felt even more aggrieved. “I am sad; there’s nothing wrong with being sad.”
Shen ng calmly placed her hand on his abdon. “You’ll see when we get there.”
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