The Noblewoman's Carp

Chapter 5

Xu Mingzhi's return was so sudden that it brought an immense surprise to the Xu family.

As soon as Grandma Xu saw him, her face lit up with joy. "Old Four is back? Why the rush? Did you get the message I sent? Hurry, go inside and see your two chubby sons! They're both so adorable, and they're sleeping now after just having their feed. By the way, you're back so quickly, did you eat? I'll start cooking for you right away, just bear with it a bit longer..."

It was undeniable that Xu Mingzhi, the scholar, held an exalted position in Grandma Xu's heart and throughout the entire Xu household. No sooner had he appeared than Grandma Xu was bustling around him.

Seeing Grandma Xu about to head to the kitchen after her rapid-fire words, Xu Mingzhi promptly stopped her, handing her the bag he was carrying. "Mother, take this to the kitchen."

"What's this, Old Four? What did you buy?" Curious, Grandma Xu opened the bag and gasped, "Where did you get the money to buy fine rice?"

"I took on a job copying books." Xu Mingzhi didn't elaborate on the hardships and rarity of obtaining the rice, his tone remained flat.

"Copying books? With your exams around the corner, why are you still distracted by such work? Is the money not enough for your journey to Yuzhou Prefecture? This is just terrible!" Grandma Xu, a woman of strong character, felt particularly heartbroken and uneasy whenever she saw her fourth son worrying about both his studies and finances. She couldn't help but admonish a bit more, "You earned some money by copying books, why didn't you keep it for yourself? You could have bought some rice paper, an extra pen, anything. Why did you buy fine rice instead? When have we ever lacked food? No one in our family eats so finely..."

The conversation between Grandma Xu and Xu Mingzhi in the courtyard clearly reached Cheng Jin Yue's ears in the house, causing her to feel embarrassed.

She knew that the fine rice Xu Mingzhi brought back was specially for her, the "precious person." What the original owner would have felt upon seeing the rice, Cheng Jin Yue didn't know. But she herself felt quite ashamed at the moment!

Xu Mingzhi's exams were imminent, yet he still worked hard to copy books and earn money to buy her fine rice... How could the original owner have regretted marrying him? It must have been a (figurative expression for being blinded by greed).

"With such a good husband, what more could you want?" Obviously, Cheng Erniang thought the same way, even giving Cheng Jin Yue a slight nudge in annoyance.

Cheng Erniang didn't hit hard, and Cheng Jin Yue immediately offered (ingratiating smile). "Auntie, I already know I was wrong!"

Seeing Cheng Jin Yue's smile softened Cheng Erniang's heart. She sighed and spoke in a low, earnest tone, "Yue'er, when Old Four comes back this time, you must not act out with him again. You always complain that our Xu family doesn't match you? Once Old Four passes the imperial examination, your good days will come. Old Four is about to go to Yuzhou Prefecture for the academy examination, which is crucial and concerns your future as well. If you don't take it seriously, no one can help you. Listen to Auntie, stop causing trouble, and wait quietly at home for Old Four to bring you great fortune, remember?"

"Auntie, I understand. Didn't I just swear in front of you and my mother? I promise to be good and not cause any more trouble." Cheng Jin Yue didn't need Cheng Erniang to emphasize this repeatedly; she wouldn't revert to the original owner's behavior, so Cheng Erniang could rest easy.

To be honest, Cheng Erniang wasn't entirely at ease. If Xu Mingzhi hadn't returned, she might have believed Cheng Jin Yue this time. But listening to the conversation in the courtyard! What kind of situation was Xu Mingzhi, a scholar, driven to, that he would still find the time to copy books for money during such a tense period before the exams, just to buy fine rice for Cheng Jin Yue?

Cheng Erniang wasn't foolish. A little thought allowed her to understand Xu Mingzhi's painstaking efforts and to feel his helplessness. At the same time, she projected these complex and heart-wrenching emotions onto Cheng Jin Yue: "Anyway, it's up to you! I can't control you or influence you. Whether your future is good or bad depends on your own fate. I have work to do at home, so I'll leave first."

Cheng Erniang left without giving Cheng Jin Yue a chance to persuade her, her face hardening again as it was when she entered the room.

Cheng Jin Yue was somewhat bewildered and more innocent. She was telling the truth, heartfelt words. Why didn't anyone believe her? Before Xu Mingzhi came back, she had successfully convinced Cheng Erniang and Grandma Xu, and the three of them had been chatting happily...

Before Cheng Jin Yue could make sense of the sudden change, she heard the exchange between Cheng Erniang and Xu Mingzhi in the courtyard. Just a few words, and then the door was pushed open, and Xu Mingzhi walked in.

In the original owner's memory, Cheng Jin Yue only knew that Xu Mingzhi was handsome but had never dared to look closely. Before coming here, she had never been in love. Suddenly having a husband and sons, Cheng Jin Yue was still in the process of adapting.

The two sons were fine; the chubby little buns couldn't speak yet and were born from her, so she felt a natural bond with them. But Xu Mingzhi, her husband... Cheng Jin Yue felt quite uncomfortable.

After entering the room, Xu Mingzhi didn't speak. He silently put down the book basket on his back and approached the bed.

Cheng Jin Yue watched Xu Mingzhi's every move with wide eyes. As he drew closer, she finally saw clearly what she had never dared to look at carefully in the original owner's memory.

Just one glance, Cheng Jin Yue's face turned red, and her heart began to race uncontrollably. At this moment, she suddenly understood why the original owner had quickly decided on Xu Mingzhi as her husband.

Xu Mingzhi was indeed very good-looking, so handsome that she could stare at him all day without getting bored, completely meeting her standards, with an extremely high level of attractiveness!

Due to her unexpected amazement, Cheng Jin Yue's gaze was very focused, almost burning. However, Xu Mingzhi didn't even glance at Cheng Jin Yue, completely ignoring her presence, only looking intently at the two children sleeping in the bed.

Cheng Jin Yue quickly noticed Xu Mingzhi's indifference. No, it was more than indifference; it was (coldness). He didn't even spare a glance from the corner of his eye, treating her as if she didn't exist at all.

Blinking, Cheng Jin Yue felt even more innocent. If she promised Xu Mingzhi now that she would listen to him in the future and never cause trouble again, would he believe her?

While Cheng Jin Yue was racking her brain to express her determination and loyalty to Xu Mingzhi, he had already** (withdrawn) his gaze and turned to leave. From beginning to end, he didn't say a word to Cheng Jin Yue, not even making eye contact.

Watching Xu Mingzhi leave like this, Cheng Jin Yue couldn't help but extend her hand: "Wait, wait..."

Cheng Jin Yue admitted that her voice wasn't very loud when she spoke to Xu Mingzhi for the first time. But the room was just so big; she could guarantee that Xu Mingzhi definitely heard her plea. However, Xu Mingzhi still didn't stop, leaving the room without turning his head.

Her outstretched hand froze in mid-air, and Cheng Jin Yue looked as if she had been struck by lightning, genuinely affected. She had an ominous premonition that the most difficult person in this family to please was definitely not the strong-willed Grandma Xu, but her husband who had just returned and had already consigned her to the cold palace!

Lowering her head silently, Cheng Jin Yue began to search the original owner's memories for any interactions with Xu Mingzhi, preparing to try to cater to his preferences.

However, no matter how carefully she searched, she couldn't find any useful information.

Before marrying Xu Mingzhi, the original owner had only seen him once, and it was a secret glance from the shadows. Apart from that, there was no interaction or contact between the original owner and Xu Mingzhi.

When the original owner finally married Xu Mingzhi, on the wedding day, she sat in the room under the red veil for most of the day, waiting for the slightly drunk Xu Mingzhi. They drank the wedding wine according to the custom and then went to rest. That night, there was no verbal communication either.

Then, from the day after the wedding, the original owner began her endless unreasonable tantrums and various indescribable actions.

With a bit of reluctance, Cheng Jin Yue searched back and forth several times but couldn't find any new insights.

After confirming, ensuring, and affirming that