Rebirth: Making a Fortune in Ancient Times

Xia Yu looked at the dishes on the table, many of which were Shen Jingheng's favorites, and couldn't help but feel a little jealous.

"Mother, you treat him better than you treat me now. The table is full of his favorite dishes."

Madam Liu gave her a reproachful look, then placed a piece of her favorite dish on her plate and said...

"This isn't your favorite, so don't eat it."

As she spoke, she secretly glanced at Shen Jingheng, looking like she wanted to say something but didn't know how to start.

"Mother-in-law, is there something you want to say to your son-in-law?"

"Well, it's nothing. I just... I just wanted to say that everyone gets sick sometimes, it's normal. If you're sick, get treatment as soon as possible, don't avoid seeking medical help. Do you understand what I mean?" Madam Liu asked very cautiously, afraid of touching on the other person's sore spot.

“Yes, Mother-in-law is right, that’s how it should be.” Shen Jingheng put down his chopsticks, swallowed all the food in his mouth, and then spoke.

"Yes, yes, it's best that you think that way. You must seek treatment as soon as possible while you're still young..." Madam Liu murmured.

“Mother-in-law, I had some hidden ailments before, which caused the princess a lot of suffering over the past six months. Now my illness has been cured, so please rest assured, I will definitely make it up to you. Don't worry, you might even become a grandmother next year. Princess, do you agree with what I'm saying?”

Shen Jingheng revealed two rows of gleaming white teeth as he looked at Xia Yu and asked, "What did he just say?" Xia Yu was so shocked that she dropped her spoon into her bowl. Looking at his unusually gentle smile, she was speechless. Had he heard something? Xia Yu wondered to herself.

Hearing Shen Jingheng say this, Madam Liu beamed with joy. It turned out her illness had been cured. All her worry for the past half day had been for nothing; she should have just told him directly.

Throughout the rest of the meal, Liu was overjoyed, constantly piling food onto Shen Jingheng and Xia Yu's plates. Shen Jingheng was also in a very good mood. Although he had been branded as 'incapable,' at least some things had been laid bare. What did losing face matter? The real benefits were what mattered. Xia Yu, however, was less cheerful. Their relationship had progressed rapidly over the past six months, and she felt happy seeing him, but she felt they weren't ready to have a child yet.

After dinner, Madam Liu urged them to return to the manor, but Xia Yu dawdled and refused to leave. Shen Jingheng smiled and didn't urge her, letting her have her way. Even if she wanted to stay at the Marquis's manor today, aside from others, her mother-in-law would be the first to object.

Xia Yu lingered at the Marquis's residence until dinner. Just as she was about to stay the night, Madam Liu glared at her and said...

"Go back to your own home quickly, the important thing is to give me a grandson next year."

Although Zhang Youtie found it strange that his wife was talking to their daughter like that—she usually longed for her daughter to come home and keep her company—he couldn't help but chuckle when he heard Liu Shi say she wanted their daughter to give them a grandson, and imagined himself holding a fair-skinned baby.

Thus, amidst the anticipation of her entire family, Xia Yu was packed up and sent onto the Shen family's carriage.

Inside the carriage, Shen Jingheng stood with his arms crossed, leisurely watching the person opposite him who was looking down guiltily.

"My wife, I've heard that I am impotent!"

"..."

"It seems that I have been at fault for the past six months. I failed to understand my wife's feelings. Don't worry, I will make up for the losses of the past six months after we go back today!"

"No, no, you don't have to force yourself. I was just saying it in front of Mother. You don't have to take it seriously," Xia Yu quickly waved her hand and explained.

"Hehe, not at all, not at all. Besides, I've already taken it seriously."

In the darkness, Xia Yu felt as if the other person was gritting their teeth as they spoke. It seemed that no matter what kind of man it was, they couldn't stand being told they were 'incompetent.' Most importantly, one shouldn't talk about others behind their backs. How come she hadn't even noticed when he entered the yard today! For a moment, Xia Yu felt a pang of regret, unsure whether she regretted speaking ill of him behind his back, regretted lying to her mother, or regretted being so careless as to let the person in question overhear her ramblings.

The atmosphere inside the carriage was somewhat strange. Finally, the carriage stopped in front of the Shen residence. Without waiting for Qingmu to set out the stools, Xia Yu jumped down and ran into the mansion as fast as she could, ignoring everyone. Although they knew she was skilled in martial arts, they were still startled by her actions. Shen Jingheng tried to grab her but missed, grabbing nothing at all.

Aoki watched his master stroll leisurely down from the carriage, then glanced at the princess who had already disappeared, and scratched his head in confusion. What were these two up to?!

Just when Xia Yu thought she was doomed, Shen Jingheng didn't go back to the main courtyard to sleep, but instead sent Qingmu over to deliver the message.

"Princess, the master said he still has a lot of official business to finish today, so he will be resting in his study. Please rest well and do not wait for him."

Hearing Aoki's words, Xia Yu finally breathed a sigh of relief, but along with that relief came a touch of disappointment. She didn't know if she was afraid or looking forward to that day. As she thought about it, Xia Yu's face began to burn, and she covered her face with her hands, hoping that her cool hands could cool down her burning cheeks.

As he lowered his hands and looked up, he happened to meet Da Niu's dark eyes. Da Niu was staring at Xia Yu's face with a hint of confusion.

"Miss, why do you look so shy? What are you thinking about?"

Looking at Da Niu's innocent yet clueless expression, Xia Yu thought helplessly that it was time to find her a husband.

In the study, Shen Jingheng wasn't doing any official business. Instead, he was practicing calligraphy, trying to calm his mind. Today, he could have taken this opportunity to consummate his marriage with Xia Yu, but he was afraid that rushing things would frighten her. So, he made an excuse to stay overnight in the study, giving her time to process things and allowing himself to calm down as well.

But my mind was unsettled, and no amount of calligraphy practice could calm my somewhat agitated emotions.

"Young master, it's late, you should rest!" Aoki pushed open the door and came in to persuade him.

"Has the princess rested?" Shen Jingheng asked without looking up.

"I just went to check, and the lights in the main house are already off."

"Sigh, you never thought to bring me a midnight snack." Shen Jingheng sighed, putting down his pen, taking the lantern from Qingmu, and saying to him...

"Go and rest, I'll go back to the main courtyard to settle down."

“But the princess has already gone to bed.” Aoki didn’t understand why his master wanted to go back to sleep now.

"I know, I just won't wake her." With that, Shen Jingheng walked out, carrying a lantern, and headed towards the main courtyard.

Those who were taking care of him in the hospital did not expect him to come back at this time, and they opened the door for him quietly.

"The old man is back?"

"Okay, you guys go to sleep, I don't need anyone to wait on me."

Gently pushing open the door, Shen Jingheng used a lantern to illuminate the room and tiptoed into the bedroom, careful not to accidentally wake Xia Yu. He lifted the bed curtains and saw the person on the bed, fast asleep, wrapped in a blanket, her face flushed. He wondered what she was dreaming about, a smile playing on her lips.

"He's still so young!" Shen Jingheng murmured softly, carefully washed up in the bathroom, and then got back into bed. He pulled the person into his arms and slowly drifted off to sleep.