Chapter 2: Double Rebirth (2)

Lu Zheng didn’t even know what he was thinking.

It was just an instinct—not wanting to wrong her.

But he still didn’t believe her words. The betrayal from his past life had been enough; in this life, he would never trust anyone so easily again.

“What is it you admire about me?” Lu Zheng asked. “A legitimate daughter of the Prime Minister’s residence—marrying any normal prince should be more than enough, no?”

Jiang Jiang looked into his eyes.

This male lead was deep and calculating. Understandable, given that he had endured over twenty years in the previous life and was now reborn. She probably couldn’t fool him.

They had barely met. Saying it was love at first sight felt fake.

A slight shyness passed over Jiang Jiang’s face. “Because you’re good-looking. And my father said, if I marry you, you’ll treat me well.”

Lu Zheng looked at her. It didn’t seem like she was faking it.

She was telling the truth.

Which made things even more of a headache. Who would marry a cripple just for these two reasons?

Forget it. He could treat her like a decorative plant in the house. She didn’t seem malicious—he wouldn’t mind keeping her around.

Lu Zheng was about to leave when Jiang Jiang stopped him. Her already shy face flushed deeper. Lu Zheng heard her whisper, “Don’t we… don’t we need to consummate the marriage?”

Lu Zheng raised an eyebrow and chuckled. “In my condition… Miss Jiang, why don’t you teach me how?”

He was just teasing her, but didn’t expect her—though appearing bashful—to climb onto him directly.

And with actions rather than words, she proved to him: some things didn’t require legs.

Lu Zheng fought the urge to move. He couldn’t let anyone outside of his most trusted confidants find out his secret.

Yet after a while, he heard the girl on top of him sound slightly disappointed: “I’m so tired… I want to sleep now.”

Lu Zheng: “……”

He couldn’t take it anymore. His hands gripped her waist, pulling her down.

---

Before marrying in, Jiang Jiang had assumed Lu Zheng’s residence must be completely barren and miserable—enough for Jiang Yun to loathe it so much.

But from her perspective, it was simply less refined than the Prime Minister’s manor. The space was vast, with fewer items, making it feel somewhat desolate.

The maid she brought blushed as she helped her change clothes, then happily said, “Your Highness seems to like you a lot.”

Jiang Jiang fell silent at the thought of last night. He must’ve been triggered—like a mad dog, refusing to let her go.

“Where is His Highness?” Her voice was still a bit hoarse.

A nearby matron replied, “His Highness went out early this morning. He said he’d be back soon to dine with you.”

Jiang Jiang nodded, then went to the dressing table after washing up, letting her maid do her hair.

Lu Zheng entered the room to see this scene—

Morning light streamed through the carved windows, casting a soft glow over the dressing table. Jiang Jiang wore a pale lotus-pink inner garment, her long black hair cascading like a waterfall, setting off her slender neck like jade.

The maid held an ivory comb, gently styling her hair. The strands flowed through her fingers like ribbons of ink.

His wheelchair paused. He forgot to speak.

Sensing something, Jiang Jiang tilted her head slightly. In the bronze mirror, her delicate features were reflected—along with Lu Zheng, leaning by the door.

A lazy morning smile played on her lips. “Your Highness is back?”

Lu Zheng finally snapped out of it. His eyes landed on her reflection. He said in a low voice, “Mm. I finished my business and hurried back.”

Seeing her master return, the maid quickened her pace and soon finished the hairstyle.

Lu Zheng picked up a pearl hairpin from her jewelry box and inserted it into her hair. After examining it, he nodded with satisfaction. “That looks better.”

His current demeanor toward her resembled that of a true husband and wife.

He recalled the sight just now—she had seemed like a wife waiting for her husband to return. For the first time, he felt a sense of belonging in this otherwise shameful courtyard.

“Let’s eat.”

Breakfast was served in the side hall—just a few dishes: plain porridge, some pickled cucumbers, a few pastries. So simple it didn’t even compare to what she would have in the Prime Minister’s residence.

Lu Zheng glanced at Jiang Jiang, hiding his expectation of her disdain.

After all, she was a pampered noble daughter used to luxury—how could she be okay with this kind of simple fare?

He remembered in the previous life, it was Jiang Yun sitting across from him. She had immediately thrown a tantrum and overturned the table, accusing him of mistreating her.

But Jiang Jiang calmly sat down, picked up some pickles, and gently took a bite. Her brows relaxed. “These pickles are great—sour, crisp, refreshing. Perfect with porridge.”

Lu Zheng was slightly stunned. “You don’t think this is too plain?”

Jiang Jiang looked up at him, a hint of amusement in her eyes. “Your Highness thinks I should dislike it?”

Lu Zheng was silent for a moment, then said in a low voice, “I thought you wouldn’t be used to it.”

Jiang Jiang took a slow sip of porridge and said, “Even the finest delicacies are just food if eaten alone. But like this—it’s comforting.”

Her tone was calm, yet it stirred something in Lu Zheng.

He took a sip of porridge. Strangely, it tasted better than usual.

Perhaps humans are just strange creatures.

Jiang Jiang’s adaptability made Lu Zheng feel like he owed her.

Fine. Even if this marriage was just for show to deceive his brothers, there was no need to make her suffer.

Jiang Jiang ate gracefully. Her maid, watching, felt indignant. If not for her young lady’s filial piety—refusing to make things hard for her father—how could this life have fallen on her instead of the eldest daughter?

She kept that thought until they returned to the room—then voiced it aloud.

Jiang Jiang turned to her. This maid had grown up with the original Jiang Jiang—like sisters. It was only natural she felt upset for her.

But—

Jiang Jiang’s eyes turned sharp. “You must never say such things again. Since I chose to marry His Highness, then I’ve made my choice. No more complaints.”

“Besides, this life isn’t bad. We have enough to eat and drink, the residence is peaceful, no concubines, few rules. Being content is a blessing.”

In the original story, Lu Zheng was already extremely vengeful—and now reborn, he was even harder to read. If he overheard such talk, who knows how that maid would suffer?

---

“Did she really say that?” Lu Zheng asked, after hearing his subordinate’s report. Thinking of Jiang Jiang’s recent behavior, he felt moved.

The subordinate smiled, glad for his master. “Your Highness, the Princess Consort truly seems to like you. If I may speak frankly—your current position is difficult. Having a consort who genuinely cares is a rare blessing.”

Lu Zheng raised a hand to cut him off. His eyes were dark. “I know what I’m doing.”

Once the subordinate left, he stood alone by the window, his fingers tapping the wooden frame.

Since his rebirth, he had grown used to distrusting everyone. Even this marriage was initially just for revenge.

But Jiang Jiang…

Jiang Jiang was an exception.

A rare and beautiful accident in both his lives.

PS: This small arc belongs to the later madness part =w=