Time Traveling: the Only Beloved Husband

Seeing how much importance her master placed on the newcomer, He Xin quickly responded, “Master, please don’t worry. The guest has already been arranged in the front hall.”

Upon hearing this, Xia Rong felt slightly relieved and hurriedly made her way to the front hall with her entourage. As soon as she entered the room, she saw a man sitting to the side, dressed in a crimson long robe adorned with golden cloud patterns, giving him the appearance of a newlywed groom. Although his attire was vibrant, his demeanor was cool, giving off an aura of contradiction that somehow seemed fitting for him.

Upon seeing the man, Xia Rong affectionately called out, “Big Brother Gu.” Although Gu Chen’s appearance made it difficult for people to feel close to him immediately, Xia Rong knew from their childhood friendship that he was a very gentle person at heart.

Upon hearing the voice, Gu Chen turned his head and saw the slightly flushed and breathless young man who had rushed over in haste. Seeing the originally cold-faced visitor, he couldn’t help but smile. After Xia Rong took her seat, he spoke, “Rong’er, I just returned with my husband and heard about the marriage arrangement by the Xia family. I came to find you without even sending a formal invitation. Seeing you now, you seem better than before you were married.”

Looking at the young man sitting across from him, with his rosy lips, fair skin, and fluttering eyelashes as he lowered his head to drink tea, he still looked as cute and obedient as before he got married. However, his complexion was obviously much better than when he was at the Xia residence.

“You made Big Brother Gu worry. Rong’er is doing well at the Shen family, and my husband treats me very well.” Xia Rong smiled and felt a bit embarrassed to praise her husband in front of Gu Chen. “How have you been these past two years, Big Brother? Are you still traveling this time? How is your husband’s health?” Gu Chen married his childhood sweetheart Lu Tingsheng two years ago, and they got along quite well. Lu Tingsheng had been frail since childhood, and despite having achieved the status of a scholar, he had no ambitions for officialdom. After they got married, they lived on a farmstead to take care of Lu Tingsheng’s health.

Gu Chen could tell that Xia Rong was trying to change the subject, but he didn’t mind. “You know about your brother-in-law’s health. Though not in the best condition, the doctor said it’s manageable with proper care. I came back this time because Tingsheng’s younger sister is getting married in a few days. As her older brother, he must come back to see her off.”

With a serious expression, Gu Chen continued, “But what about you? What happened with the Xia family? Wasn’t Xia Ji the one betrothed to the Shen family? How come you ended up getting married instead?” Xia Rong was three years younger than him. At the age of fourteen, how could the Xia family bear to marry him off so young?

Xia Rong knew he would ask about this, so she didn’t hide anything. She explained how her mother persuaded her father and how she was sent off in a bridal sedan without considering whether he agreed or not. She recounted the incidents at the Buddhist temple where her mother’s scheming backfired and ended up ruining Xia Ji’s reputation.

“Big Brother Gu, I know you’re concerned about me, but I should thank the Xia family, to be honest. I’ve been living well since I got married, and my husband treats me well. After all, the Xia family raised me all those years. Though I don’t hold any grudges against them for what happened, I’d rather not dwell on it.” Xia Rong was just a bit naive, but she wasn’t entirely ignorant. When her father disregarded her feelings and sent her off in the bridal sedan, she had already lost any attachment to that family.

Hearing Xia Rong speak like this, Gu Chen couldn’t help but feel sorry for her. What kind of upbringing was that, locking someone in the courtyard and ignoring them? Even a servant would have a higher status than Xia Rong. She was lucky to marry into a good family and not mind it, but if Shen Xiangyan held a grudge against Xia Rong for the Xia family forcing his twin daughters to marry, what would happen then? Xia Rong would be the one suffering.

Thinking about this, Gu Chen couldn’t help but worry about Xia Rong. Shen Xiangyan wasn’t home this time, and he hadn’t seen the man Xia Rong married. Xia Rong seemed to be doing well now, but Gu Chen didn’t know if it was genuinely good or just a facade.

Thinking about himself, Gu Chen couldn’t help but sigh. It had been two years since he married Lu Tingsheng, but still, there was no sign of pregnancy. His mother-in-law had previously wanted to find some maidservants to attend to his husband, and it didn’t take much guessing what kind of service she meant. Fortunately, his husband had always had a good relationship with him and refused those people recommended by his mother-in-law. Otherwise, his life wouldn’t have been so comfortable now. The issue of not being able to conceive had always been a burden on his heart. If he could conceive a child, he wouldn’t have to worry about any dissatisfaction from his mother-in-law anymore.

Xia Rong had some of Rong’er’s freshly made snacks brought over. As they ate and chatted, they talked about many things that had happened to them over the past two years. Xia Rong didn’t realize how much she had eaten until He Xin couldn’t help but cough softly as a reminder.

Hearing He Xin’s deliberate cough, Xia Rong glanced at the peach blossom cakes she was holding and realized she shouldn’t eat more. She put the snacks back on the plate with a slightly embarrassed expression.

Gu Chen was a bit puzzled by what was happening. He Xin stepped forward with her head lowered and explained, “Madam Xia has a small appetite, and Young Master specifically instructed to eat snacks in moderation, or else she won’t be able to eat when it’s time for the meal.”

Gu Chen almost laughed when he heard this. “Your habit of being a glutton hasn’t changed. Your husband is quite interesting.”

Blushing deeply because of Gu Chen’s teasing, Xia Rong retorted with a bit of defiance, “If there’s something delicious, why wouldn’t I eat it? I’m not stupid!”

This time, Gu Chen couldn’t help but burst into laughter. “Alright, alright, you’re right, we’re both stupid.”

Later, Xia Rong insisted that Gu Chen stay for dinner. It turned out to be the day Xia Rong ate the most since Shen Xiangyan left. It wasn’t until Lu Tingsheng came to pick up Gu Chen personally, as he hadn’t returned home so late, that they reluctantly bid farewell. Luckily, Gu Chen had been staying in Furong Town recently, so they would still be able to meet a few times. Thinking of this, it didn’t feel so hard to part.

That night, Xia Rong lay in bed, covered with a blanket and hugging the pillow her husband usually slept on. She calculated that her husband had been gone for over thirty days now and might be on his way back. Satisfied with the thought, she snuggled closer to the pillow and drifted off to sleep.

Meanwhile, Shen Xiangyan was indeed on his way back on the ship, but the noise outside the cabin woke him from his slumber. Being accustomed to having someone in his arms while sleeping during these days away from home, he found it difficult to rest properly. Thus, any disturbance outside would easily rouse him. Soon, there was a knock on the door, and upon opening it, Shen Xiangyan found Shen An standing outside.

“Young Master, the night watchman saw someone floating in the water, apparently still alive, not far from our ship. Everyone is wondering if we should rescue the person.” Apart from the six guards he brought along and Shen An, there were seven or eight other men hired to transport goods on the ship. Everyone on board was under his command, so he had to make the decision.

“Bring the person aboard to check. After all, it’s a life at stake,” Shen Xiangyan said, throwing on a coat and following the gangplank. They found a man dressed in fine clothes, unconscious after being pulled from the water. Judging by his attire, saving this man might mean trouble. However, Shen Xiangyan wasn’t one to turn a blind eye to someone in need. Though hesitant, he prepared to assist.

There was no doctor on board, so they had the man change into clean clothes. Despite the potential complications, Shen Xiangyan decided to save the man’s life.

Two days later, Shen An reported to Shen Xiangyan that the man wanted to thank him in person once he woke up.

Upon seeing the man who entered with Shen An, Shen Xiangyan noticed that although he looked pale and weak, his inherent nobility was unmistakable. Shen Xiangyan didn’t inquire about the man’s background but warmly invited him to sit down.

“I am Murong Cheng. The debt of gratitude I owe requires me to express my thanks in person. I promise to repay this favor in the future.” Although these were words of gratitude, there was no hint of humility in his tone.

Shen Xiangyan waved his hand. “Saving a life is something I should do. There’s no need for repayment. May I ask, what are your plans for the future, Master Murong?”

Murong Cheng coughed twice due to lingering illness before answering, “In a couple of days, my servants will come to find me. I hope Lord Shen can accommodate me temporarily.”

“Of course, Master Murong, don’t hesitate to ask Shen An if you need anything,” Shen Xiangyan said, gesturing towards the man who had brought him over.

Over the next two days, Murong Cheng often sought out Shen Xiangyan for conversation, playing chess or just passing the time. They found they got along quite well and dropped the formalities, addressing each other by name.

On the third day, when Shen Xiangyan wanted to have breakfast together with Murong Cheng, he found that the latter had already left. In his previous room, Shen Xiangyan found a silver plaque about two fingers wide and a note. The note bid farewell, explaining that Murong Cheng had urgent matters to attend to at home and had left. The silver plaque was a token of gratitude that could be exchanged for one hundred thousand taels of silver at the Kaiyuan Silver Bank nationwide, a gesture of appreciation to be followed by further repayments in the future.

Shen Xiangyan accepted the silver plaque, feeling a sense of regret at parting ways with a like-minded friend. He wondered if they would have the chance to meet again in the future but didn’t take Murong Cheng’s words of future repayment seriously. He hadn’t saved the man with any expectation of being repaid.

Walking to the bow of the ship, Shen Xiangyan felt his chest tighten. Tonight, he would disembark, and after over four days of travel, he would be home. The thought of seeing his beloved husband soon made him impatient, and he couldn’t help but feel frustrated at the slow pace of the ship. He wondered if Rong’er was also thinking of him. He wished he could fly back home to her as soon as possible.