Chapter 16 Jin Hui’s Forgiveness

Chapter 16: Jin Hui's Lingering Grudge

Everyone chatted and worked while munching on corn on the cob, creating a rather cheerful and harmonious atmosphere.

Jian Ru had always had a small family, and later, it was just him. Sitting with the Li family, though still feeling a bit unfamiliar, he was happy. He also understood why Madam Li had specifically kept him there—to help him integrate into the family as quickly as possible.

However, there was one thing Madam Li was wrong about: her eldest daughter certainly *did* hold grudges.

As everyone sat together chatting, Li Qinglan wasn't particularly talkative, only exchanging a few more words with Jin He and Jian Ru.

Li Jinrong had put down her medical book, but her face remained mostly expressionless. Even though she was sitting face-to-face with Jian Ru, it seemed as though she was noticing him for the first time. She stared at the scar on his face for a long time, frowning with a somewhat displeased expression. When Jian Ru stood up to walk, she also stared at his limp leg for a while. However, she didn’t say anything unpleasant. She just looked, and Jian Ru didn’t mind.

Li Jinhui and her mother chatted easily, their personalities well-matched, and she often made her mother laugh heartily.

When Jian Ru stood up to refill tea for everyone, Li Jinhui glanced at him, coughed, and asked, "Now that Jin Tong is better, shouldn’t he accompany Jian Ru on the bridal return?"

Jian Ru responded with an "Mhm," saying, "We’ll go in a couple of days. Mother said we should spend the next couple of days preparing the gifts."

Madam Li smiled and said, "I’ve already spoken with Squire Li. Both sides have agreed on the day after tomorrow for the bridal return. I’ll have Jin Feng accompany them."

Jian Ru, for all intents and purposes, had no natal family left. This bridal return would be to Squire Li’s home. Although they had become oath parents for the convenience of the marriage, once the ceremony was done, it was done, and the customs still had to be observed. Moreover, Squire Li and his wife had been good to Jian Ru, so it was only right to visit them after the wedding.

Li Jinhui’s eyes darted, and she looked at Jian Ru with a smile, saying, "Speaking of which, Sun Yushuang, the husband of Second Uncle’s third son, almost married our Jin Tong before!"

"Jin Hui!"

Madam Li’s expression changed as she sharply stopped her. Li Jinhui turned her face away and fell silent.

Madam Li looked at Jian Ru, who was stunned beside her, and said awkwardly, "Don’t listen to her nonsense. That’s all ancient history…"

Hearing this, Li Jinhui turned back and said, "It was only a couple of years ago. How is that ancient history? Jian Ru," she narrowed her eyes at Jian Ru, "You didn’t already know about the two of them, did you?"

If Madam Li tried to stop her again, it would seem like she had something to hide. She could only glare sternly at Jin Hui.

Jian Ru coughed twice, his expression exceptionally calm, and said, "Jin Tong told me about it."

At this, everyone else showed surprised expressions. This matter had been a taboo in the family for a while; no one dared mention it in front of Li Jintong. Yet, unexpectedly, he had told his new husband about it.

Li Jinhui was also confused, unsure whether he truly knew or was just pretending.

Jian Ru brushed off his hands, stood up calmly, and said, "Mother, I need to go back to cook. Jin Tong needs medicinal porridge at noon, so I have to go back early to prepare it."

Madam Li observed his expression and, seeing nothing unusual, nodded to let him go.

Jian Ru bowed to the elderly lady, greeted his sister-in-law and the other sisters, then steadily walked out the door.

Outside, he faintly heard Madam Li scolding Li Jinhui.

Jian Ru maintained his composure and walked steadily, but inside, his emotions were in turmoil.

He finally found the source for the awkwardness he had felt every time he saw Sun Yushuang.

So, his newlywed husband had a past with Sun Yushuang. Jian Ru thought of that fair-skinned, elegant man, whose every move was full of charm—even Zhang Jiao, who had gone away, couldn’t compare. He couldn’t help but clench his teeth, feeling an indescribable emotion.

"Really…" Jian Ru stamped his foot in the snow. "Really what?" He couldn’t figure it out or put it into words.

The sun peeked out from the thick clouds. Jian Ru stared blankly at his shadow on the snow.

The second young master was born in spring and had already turned twenty this year. At that age, it was normal to have a past. Jian Ru himself had once liked that scoundrel Jiang Maocai.

But… Jian Ru really wanted to shout at the sky.

He admitted that Li Jinhui’s jab had hit the mark perfectly, successfully getting back at him.

It was so infuriating!

…

When Jian Ru returned to the small courtyard, the eldest young master had already left. Xiao Ning was stoking the stove in the small kitchen and greeted him when he entered, "Brother Jian, you’re back!"

"Mhm," Jian Ru responded listlessly. "Is the rice washed?"

Xiao Ning said, "It’s all done. The vegetables are prepared too."

Jian Ru said, "Alright, I’ll be there in a bit."

With that, Jian Ru entered the room. Inside, the second young master had just been sitting by the window, fiddling with the unfinished chess game he had played with his elder brother. Hearing them talking, he put down the chess pieces and came over.

A smile tugged at his lips as he looked at his little husband who had just entered. Seeing Jian Ru’s cheeks and hands red from the cold, he frowned and asked, "You were wearing a scarf and mittens when you went out this morning. Why are they gone now?"

Jian Ru looked down at himself and realized his neck and hands were bare. He lowered his eyelids and said, "I must have left them in the main house. I’ll ask Xiao Ning to fetch them for me after lunch."

Jian Ru took off his cotton robe and changed into a cotton vest he often wore for cooking.

His demeanor wasn’t obvious, so the second young master didn’t immediately notice his unusual mood. Instead, he was thinking about what his elder brother had just told him.

His elder brother had been married for over ten years, and the couple had never argued or fought. The second young master wanted to ask his brother for advice on how to be a good husband.

He genuinely wanted to treat his husband well but often felt useless. Jian Ru was too capable; there was little he needed help with. He also knew his own limitations—if he overexerted himself and fell ill, Jian Ru would have to take care of him, which would be more of a hindrance than help.

Hearing this, the elder young master suggested, "Jian Ru has just married into the family. He must have many adjustments to make. Talk with him more and offer him your support."

The second young master smiled wryly and said, "I’d like to support him, but before I can even say anything, he’s already resolved things himself."

The elder young master recalled what had happened earlier in the main house and couldn’t help but turn away and chuckle. Coughing lightly, he said, "Xian Yu has been spoiled rotten. It’s good to have someone like that to keep him in check."

The second young master also laughed.

The two brothers laughed for a while before continuing the conversation.

After careful thought, the elder young master realized that, despite being married for so long, he hadn’t had to give much thought to his wife’s affairs. Outside matters were his responsibility, while household matters were entirely handled by Li Qinglan, requiring no effort from him. On a daily basis, Li Qinglan managed everything—serving the parents, handling social interactions within and outside the family—without ever complaining to him.

If there was any imperfection, it was that they had been married for many years without being able to conceive. Since the family was full of doctors, they had naturally tried various methods, but to no avail. No one in the family said anything, but Li Qinglan often felt sad about this. Moreover, Madam Li spoke bluntly, which they were all used to and didn’t think much of, but Li Qinglan tended to take it to heart. Because of this, she had brought it up with her husband a couple of times. However, the elder young master would coax her behind closed doors and then buy her a bracelet or some fabric to cheer her up.

After much thought, the elder young master summarized for his younger brother: "As long as both partners care for each other, life will be good. You two have only been married for a few days and might still be somewhat unfamiliar with each other. Some things are hard to say now, but it’ll get better once you open up to each other."

As for how to bond deeply, the elder brother couldn’t explain it too clearly. After pondering for a while, the younger brother thought he should get closer to his husband.

At this moment, the second young master was still thinking about getting closer to his husband, so he followed him and helped straighten the rolled-up part of his vest.

When Jian Ru turned around, the second young master said softly, "Look at how cold your face is..." He raised his hand, intending to warm his husband’s cheeks, but Jian Ru took a step back, brushed the dust off his clothes, and said, "I’m going to cook," before heading out.

Even then, the second young master still didn’t sense anything amiss.

By that evening, Xiao Ning had banked the stove with coal mud, yawned, and gone to bed.

The couple had both washed up, pulled shut the bed curtains, and were lying side by side. The candle had been extinguished, and the bed curtains made it very dark inside. But the second young master, with his keen hearing and sight, could hear his husband’s soft, shallow breathing and catch a glimpse of his slender hand resting above the quilt.

The timing was right, and he was feeling at ease. As a husband, it was time to do what was expected of him.

The second young master turned over, about to lift the quilt and pull the person beside him closer. But just as he raised his hand, the slender figure in front of him suddenly turned over as well, with surprising force, causing the quilt to flap loudly with a gust of wind.

The gust made the second young master squint. When he tried to reach out and touch the other’s arm, his husband, with his back turned to him, said coldly, "I’m tired, let’s sleep."

The second young master’s outstretched hand froze. Finally, he realized that his husband was acting strange.