Chapter 61: Having Triumphed Over All Mortal Challenges

Lu Jin stood up and took a step forward, gently drawing Shen Yanxi’s head into his embrace. His fingers brushed through her silky hair, and memories once again surfaced in his mind.

“Many things and people from before—I can barely recall them anymore. When I truly came to my senses, I found myself a son-in-law in the Shen household, bewildered and lost, with no idea how I got here or why. I hadn’t even seen my wife.”

“I’m sorry!” Shen Yanxi, nestled in his arms, sobbed uncontrollably.

“In this Shen mansion, I was like someone easily overlooked, dispensable. I wanted to know who I really was, where my home lay, why I had married into this family—but no one would tell me. The day I saw you, I had never encountered such beauty, but you called me ‘husband’…”

“Yet, I wasn’t joyed—rather, doubts plagued me. However one looked at us, we were not a normal newly wedded couple. Why would such a lovely woman be my wife? That’s why I tried to probe you that day, hoping to find an answer.”

“In the end, it was my recklessness, suspecting you with the worst intentions, that angered you into leaving. Later, my father punished me without investigation. Already frail, I nearly lost my life this time.”

“In this splendid Shen mansion, I was like a stray dog cast aside, unsure of my way home, unable to see the road ahead.”

“I’m sorry!” Shen Yanxi clung tightly to his waist, her tears unstoppable.

Several maids had already become tear-stained themselves; at the time, their worry was solely for the young mistress, furious at the son-in-law’s ignorance. Yet no one cared for him, not realizing he too had been helpless and pitiable.

“This vast Shen mansion is like a cage, pressing so hard I can hardly breathe. I wanted to escape.”

“You told me the whole story afterwards, and I ought to have hated you, but looking at your face, I couldn’t muster any hatred. Still, I resolved to leave—you are so good, but I cannot be humble.”

Lu Jin’s voice was like a gentle breeze, softly explaining why he was leaving the Shen household.

“I’m sorry—it’s my fault, I never understood how bitter your heart was,” Shen Yanxi choked, barely able to speak.

Lu Jin gently patted her back to comfort her, but the conversation could not end here; simply clarifying the reasons was not enough to remove the thorn in Shen Yanxi’s heart.

“After I was kidnapped by bandits, I realized that the girl I had once tried so hard to resist and avoid had already taken root deep within me, blossoming into the most beautiful flower in this world. But I understood too late; my chance was gone.”

“You have a chance—always, but you refuse to return…” Shen Yanxi sobbed.

“I knew you would see that letter eventually. As a son-in-law, I thought you wouldn’t care much for me, nor would the Shen family come looking. Even if I wanted to return, there was no home left for me.”

“When Xiao Bai and the others came searching for me, I realized there was a foolish girl in this world who cared so deeply. Hearing you had fallen unconscious, my heart ached as if pierced by needles.”

“I regretted it. With such a devoted woman treating me so, those things I once thought important became trivial…”

Before Lu Jin finished, Shen Yanxi stood up and tightly embraced him.

Lu Jin wrapped his arms around her in return, listening to her soft cries, feeling the heat in his embrace, finally allowing his heart to relax. That thorn between them should be gone now.

“Husband, I didn’t realize you resented marrying into the family after losing your memory. I went to tell Father I wished to marry out…”

“None of that matters now, so long as you are here. Why, I just returned to the Shen house, ready to enjoy a good life, and you no longer wish to support me?” Lu Jin laughed.

He spoke the truth. Having decided to be with Shen Yanxi, he could not possibly avoid the Shen family. To refuse an easy life and insist on hardship—wouldn’t that be foolish?

“Hmph, I only worry you can’t stomach it,” Shen Yanxi replied, her smile radiant and bashful.

The maids around watched their mistress and the son-in-law, feeling content. Though misunderstandings and distance had existed, they had always kept each other in their hearts. To reach this day was a sort of fulfillment.

“Huayan, is there paper and brush?”

“Please wait a moment, young master. I’ll have someone fetch them at once.” Hearing his request, Huayan knew what he intended; earlier that morning, they had discussed his poetry.

In a short while, ink, brush, and paper were all prepared.

Lu Jin patted Shen Yanxi’s arm, stood up, and walked to the desk. Without hesitation, he picked up the brush and wrote a line in fluid, effortless script upon the paper.

Setting down brush and paper, Lu Jin returned to Shen Yanxi’s side, drawing her up to the desk: “May I exchange this sheet for the one you hold?”

Shen Yanxi glanced at the table and saw written: “Through life and death, we make our vow. Holding your hand, we grow old together.”

Having just steadied her emotions, Shen Yanxi’s tears once again burst forth, and she threw herself into Lu Jin’s arms.

This fool—where did he learn such charming tricks!

…

For several days, Lu Jin devoted himself to accompanying Shen Yanxi. When free, he obsessively wrote “Dream of the Red Chamber,” narrating the story to her as he went.

After all, he had promised, and now that he had returned, he couldn’t renege.

Why call it obsessive writing, not obsessive rewriting? Because he hadn’t really read the original. Compared to “Romance of the Three Kingdoms” and “Water Margin,” he barely knew “Dream of the Red Chamber.”

But under the grandeur of such a famous title, telling a melodramatic love story to amuse the ailing Second Miss of Shen, and then letting the girls and young maids of Jianglin City spend a few coins and cry themselves into a frenzy—should pose no problem.

Shen Yanxi gradually regained her former brilliance, the Shen family beauty who dazzled the world had returned.

Yet the feelings between Lu Jin and Shen Yanxi did not surge forward as fiercely. Though married, they had yet to live together, their previous circumstances creating an awkward pause.

Lu Jin was uncertain about the household situation—what if there really was a wife? He didn’t want any cheap, fast-food romance like in his last life. His personality played a part as well.

The more he liked someone, the more timid he became.

Meanwhile, Shen Yanxi was still recovering. She hinted at Lu Jin, but he did not respond, so she let it be. She would wait until fully healed.

The more they cared, the more cautiously they interacted.

Staring at the chessboard, where his pieces were in imminent collapse, Lu Jin was distracted. Of the four arts—music, chess, calligraphy, painting—three were solid, but chess was his Achilles’ heel.

“By the way, Yanxi, some time ago I met an old classmate who told me I had a courtesy name—Nanqing. You may call me Nanqing.” Lu Jin’s thoughts wandered, and he suddenly remembered he had a courtesy name.

Shen Yanxi looked up at him, only to find him grinning at her. But how did he jump topics so quickly? Realizing he didn’t even recall his own courtesy name, her heart ached.

“…And is this how one addresses her husband? She wondered what went on in this fool’s mind, drifting from sky to earth, and yet, what happiness it brought him, as he spoke with such enthusiasm.

“Call me!” Lu Jin persisted, fixing his gaze on Shen Yanxi.

“Nanqing!” Shen Yanxi bit her lip and softly called him again, feeling a strange emotion blossom within her.

“Young master, the doorman says Master Gao the instructor is here to see you,” a maid announced, interrupting the tender moment.

Lu Jin stared at the maid, a bit dazed. Teaching? …Oh, heavens! It was Gao Da, the instructor!

“Why didn’t you let Master Gao in? He’s a teacher, after all. Is this how you uphold the family’s literary tradition?”

“Young master, Master Gao wouldn’t enter, so the doorman sent someone to fetch you.”

“Madam, I’ll go see him!” Lu Jin said, getting up to go outside.

He had promised to visit his mentor a few days ago, but then all these events occurred. Still, it shouldn’t warrant a special visit.

“Husband, go slowly. Invite Master Gao to the Pavilion of Standing in the Snow. I’ll arrange for maids to attend,” Shen Yanxi instructed, rising.

Lu Jin followed the doorman out the east gate, and sure enough, saw the thin old man, Gao Da, pacing anxiously outside.

“Master Gao, why won’t you come in?”

At the sound of his voice, Gao Da spun around, his eyes brightening instantly.

“These past days, the city has been plastered with your reward notices, saying you were taken by river bandits. The education commissioner and I have been beside ourselves with worry, but powerless to help. So I came to inquire, and was told you’d returned—thank goodness…”

Gao Da gripped Lu Jin’s hand, speaking jubilantly, his goatee quivering, wide eyes scanning Lu Jin up and down.

Lu Jin was taken aback. He and Master Gao had only exchanged a few words at the commissioner’s office; he hadn’t expected such concern.

“Thank you for thinking of me, Master Gao. I have returned. Does that mean the education commissioner has returned from Weizhou?”

“He returned several days ago. Now that you’re back, I must hurry to tell him…” The old man prepared to leave.

“Master Gao, wait! Now that you’re here, you must come in for some tea. How could I neglect my manners?” Lu Jin hurriedly held him back, surprised by how urgent the old man’s temperament was despite his frailty.

“Tea can wait! I only wanted to see you. Now that I have, I’m relieved—I must go inform the commissioner…” Master Gao would not enter, no matter what.

“Then please wait a moment, Master Gao. I’ll accompany you back and pay my respects to the commissioner,” Lu Jin said helplessly.

That was Lu Jin’s nature—the kinder others were, the more he feared disappointing them. When a teacher came to visit, how could he let him leave alone?

Lu Jin quickly arranged for a few gifts, informed Shen Yanxi, and then strolled off with Gao Da toward the commissioner’s office.

After crossing the White Stone Bridge, they spotted two beggars huddled against a wall at the street corner. Lu Jin had Xiao Bai toss them a few coins, then continued on.

“Was it him?” one beggar asked, clutching the coins.

“Yes,” the other replied softly, watching Lu Jin’s departing figure.