Quick Wear: Cousin, Come to the Bowl Quickly

The couple enjoyed a period of happiness in the early days of their marriage.

In the morning, he would try to draw Lin Xi's eyebrows. Because of his clumsy and unskilled movements, her originally beautiful eyebrows, which were perfectly proportioned, would always be drawn unevenly by him, sometimes dark and sometimes light. She was not annoyed, but just smiled with her lips pursed.

He would practice calligraphy in his study, and she would sit beside him, either grinding ink and handing him paper, or quietly reading a book.

He wasn't a talkative man, but he would share with her some interesting passages from the Book of Changes or alchemical texts he was reading.

She always listened attentively, watching him quietly with clear and focused eyes. When their eyes occasionally met, he couldn't help but feel his heart skip a beat, his ears turn slightly red, and he would awkwardly look away.

She couldn't sleep well because of the spring thunder, so he specially prepared a calming incense for her and secretly drew a calming talisman based on an ancient recipe, which he secretly placed under her pillow, but never brought it up.

The small moments of warmth during that time became the only source of comfort for him in the long years that followed, when he was emaciated and alone with the lamplight.

However, pearls and rotten wood are ultimately two different things.

After the initial excitement of marriage wore off, the fundamental differences in their personalities gradually surfaced.

She was a woman of exceptional talent, and even after marriage, her brilliance remained undiminished.

She loved reading and making friends. When the mood struck her, she could discuss classics and literature with others, burning the midnight oil. She also loved going out to enjoy the scenery, flowers, and water. She even had a broad knowledge of the Six Arts of a Gentleman.

Her clothing and appearance were always in line with the times, sometimes rich and luxurious, sometimes elegant and graceful, always original and eye-catching.

At gatherings large and small, she is not flamboyant, but whenever she speaks, she quotes extensively from classical texts and speaks wittily, easily becoming the focus of attention.

She is lively, vibrant, and always full of energy.

But Wang Zhuo was the exact opposite of her.

He was taciturn and mediocre in the six arts. Apart from practicing calligraphy day after day and becoming increasingly immersed in metaphysical discussions and Taoist practices, he had few other hobbies.

Although he was invincible and could command the wind and rain in his meditation, in reality, his world was introverted, quiet, and even somewhat dull.

Lin Xi's vibrant and lively personality was like an overly bright beam of light, illuminating his mediocrity and incompetence so clearly that he had nowhere to hide.

After the initial sweetness of their honeymoon faded, the two, with their vastly different personalities and interests, gradually began to fall silent in each other's company. This situation became even more pronounced after he took her to his post in Kuaiji.

The literary atmosphere in Kuaiji was also thriving, and Lin Xi's talent and demeanor quickly earned him the respect of local scholars and officials.

Those who came to visit him, whether they were scholars or officials under his command, all spoke of the "Prefect's wife" with genuine admiration and praise.

On one occasion, he overheard two clerks talking in hushed tones under the eaves.

"Madam's poem about orchids the other day was truly exquisite and elegant. The allusions were used without leaving a trace, and the meaning was profound. I recited it repeatedly and felt that the fragrance lingered on my teeth and cheeks."

"Yes, what's even more remarkable is Madam's wisdom in handling affairs. I heard that the Prefect was slightly unwell a few days ago, and several backlogged official documents were all reviewed and processed by Madam. She handled them swiftly and efficiently, with clear organization. Such talent and competence, coming from a woman's quarters, is truly admirable."

"The prefect was also a refined scholar, with exquisite calligraphy and a tranquil temperament..."

"Alas, the Prefect is certainly a good man. But a woman like the Madam... is ultimately..."

Their voices gradually faded, and their next words were swallowed up by a meaningful sigh.

But Wang Zhuo understood the unspoken meaning in those words.

He stood silently behind the pillar, feeling the coldness in his fingertips. The strange yet familiar, icy and scorching jealousy in his chest flared up again.

This time, however, the object of his affections was no longer his illustrious father and brothers, but his wife, who was close at hand and shared his bed.

The more beautiful and dazzling she is, the more it reveals his mediocrity and powerlessness, as well as all the unbearable things he tries to hide.

Her existence was like a spotless mirror, constantly reflecting the humble, timid, and jealous soul deep within him.

The smoke from the alchemy furnace grew thicker and thicker. He began to spend more time in the quiet room, no longer engaging in intimate conversations with her, discussing scriptures and academic papers, and even intentionally avoiding her gaze.

The dynasty in his meditation grew ever larger, with tens of thousands of ghost soldiers under his command, each possessing great supernatural powers. There, he was the most powerful, uncompared to others, unignored, and never overshadowed by his wife's excellence.

……

In the third year of their marriage, a rebellion broke out in Kuaiji, and war broke out suddenly.

When news arrived that the rebel army was advancing rapidly and had reached the city gates, the entire prefectural government was thrown into chaos. Officials were panicked, and the people cried and fled.

The aide rushed into Wang Zhuo's quiet room, breathless and trembling, and said, "Prefect! The rebel army is already thirty miles outside the city! Please give the order immediately to deploy troops to defend the city."

Wang Zhuo sat cross-legged in front of the statue, his eyes closed. Hearing this, he didn't even flinch, but simply twirled the prayer beads in his hand.

"What's the panic? I fasted and prayed last night, and my prayers were answered. The Immortal Master has already dispatched tens of thousands of ghost soldiers to guard all the passes and key roads. The rebels who come here will surely walk into a trap and never return. You should all stay in your positions and not disturb my peaceful cultivation."

The panting staff member was stunned, almost unable to believe his ears. He moved his lips, wanting to persuade him again, but Wang Zhuo already showed impatience and waved his hand, telling him to leave.

Then, the scene that shocked everyone in Kuaiji occurred—the lady guarded the city gate, while the prefect sat in a quiet room.

Lin Xi, clad in armor, climbed to the top of the city wall. Although she did not understand military strategy, she relied on her extraordinary insight and courage to command the remaining soldiers and the spontaneously organized young men to repel several fierce attacks by the rebel army. She even personally killed several people and held out until the reinforcements arrived.

When the reinforcements finally broke through the encirclement and defeated the rebels from within and without, the crowd, with tears in their eyes, carried the blood-soaked, exhausted, and unconscious Lady of the County back to the County Governor's Mansion in a sedan chair.

The staff were surprised to find that their prefect was still kneeling motionless before the statue in the quiet room, just as everyone had left.

The incense in the burner had long since burned out, leaving only cold ashes. His eyes were tightly closed, his lips moved slightly, and he repeatedly chanted incantations that no one could understand. He seemed oblivious to the tragic scene of the world turning upside down outside and his wife's exhaustion and unconsciousness.

The news spread like wildfire, flying back to Jiankang.

At the Duke of Anguo's residence, Xie Lingyi, upon hearing her trusted maid's trembling report, was so enraged that she smashed the teacup in her hand to pieces with a "crack".

"Within the vast expanse of heaven and earth—there dwells a prince!!"

……

Xie Lingyi acted swiftly, and a team of elite guards from the Duke of Anguo's mansion quickly arrived in Kuaiji. In addition to medicine and supplies, they also brought a pre-prepared, strongly worded letter of divorce.

Lin Xi, lying on her sickbed, was as pale as paper. After listening to her aunt's arrangements, she turned her gaze to the silent, thin figure in the porch. After a long silence, she finally nodded gently. Her once lively and bright eyes were now completely devoid of any emotion.

Wang Zhuo was "invited" to the study. The head of the guards handed him a pen with a blank expression. He looked at the silk scroll spread out in front of him, and the fierce words on it stung his eyes.

Wang Zhuo raised her head and looked out the window. The courtyard was deserted. The flowers and trees where she used to stop and admire them were still lush and green, but that light green figure would never appear again.

He recalled a scene from many years ago when he nestled in his mother's arms, pointing to the words "Alas, we share the same bed, yet our aspirations have not been the same" on a book.

He recalled feeling ashamed of himself, like a reed standing beside his exceptionally handsome brothers.

I recall the utter despair I felt when my mother, after burning countless candles practicing calligraphy, pointed out the character "之" with a smile.

He recalled the first time he saw her, her radiant face illuminating the dimly lit pavilion; the way she drooped her neck as she ground ink on their wedding night; the brilliance in her eyes when she spoke of poetry—a radiance he could never reach…

All the beauty ultimately remained in her pale, blood-stained cheeks when she was carried back...