After Transmigrating, I Gained a Wife - Chapter 9

When Luo Yan went out, she saw her mother and father chatting; she smiled and joined them.

The rain had let up a bit—just a tiny bit. The pitter-patter of raindrops was still quite dense as it fell, giving the cow and the donkey in the yard a continuous bath. Hahaha…

The little chicks had a coop, so they weren’t getting soaked; otherwise, they would truly be “drenched chickens” (a pun on the Chinese idiom for “sopping wet”).

Inside the room, Li Hanxue took quite a while to freshen up and get ready. When she reached the living room and saw her father and mother-in-law, she hurriedly stepped forward to pay her respects and serve tea.

Father and Mother Luo drank the tea happily. This girl Hanxue was truly a sensible and well-mannered child.

After serving tea, Li Hanxue sat down next to Luo Yan. “The rain is so heavy~” It drummed on the roof without pause, and she could feel the damp chill of the rain even inside.

Luo Yan: “Mhm. The rain should let up a bit by noon.”

After Wen Liang returned home yesterday, he locked himself in his study. He stayed there until evening, not emerging even after his father, Wen Zhengye, returned from outside.

Wen Liang’s father was curious. His son had gone out for one day and then shut himself away upon returning. This had never happened before; even after his previous tutor finished a lesson, Wen Liang had never stayed in the study like this.

Entering the room, Wen Zhengye saw Wen Liang in the middle of a painting. He stepped closer and saw his son was painting a house—and it looked like their own house? Wen Zhengye was perplexed. Why paint a house for no reason? “You spent the whole afternoon just painting a house? Use that time to read more books! This year, your priority should be striving to pass the provincial exam.”

“I see this ‘Master’ you mentioned is nothing special if he just has you painting a house.”

Wen Liang didn’t dare talk back while his father was lecturing. He waited until his father finished before directly handing over the painting his Master had done. Wen Zhengye took the painting and was shocked. How could a simple house be painted so exceptionally well? This level of artistry was worthy of being kept as a family collection! “This was painted by that young master you mentioned?”

“Yes, Father!” Who else would it be? Sigh, I want to retort but I can’t.

“Impressive. With skills like this, did you succeed in becoming his disciple today?” It would be a tragedy to miss out on such a Master!

Wen Liang: “I did. Master even left me homework. He said there’s no rush and to ask him if I have questions.”

Wen Zhengye: “Good. Paint well then!”

Wen Liang: “Father, this Master of mine is actually two years younger than me!” At this, Wen Liang felt quite ashamed!

“What?! Younger than you?” He had thought it would be some hidden sage of great age. He hadn’t expected a young lad. If he’s this good now, the future is unimaginable!

“Then you must study hard. Um… if you have time, invite your Master to sit at our house. I want to meet him and see for myself.”

Wen Liang: “…Father can go visit him instead. Master hasn’t even asked me for tuition fees yet. He said if I can persist for half a year, then I’ll pay. According to Master, if I can’t stick with it, there’s no point in continuing to learn anyway.”

This was unexpected. Two years younger than his son, yet so disciplined and principled! It seemed a formal visit was indeed necessary.

“Then let it be. Have your mother prepare gifts. Tomorrow, I will go with you to pay our respects.”

Wen Liang: “Alright, Father. Let’s take Bai Ting along as well tomorrow.”

“What’s with bringing a woman along? What are you thinking?” Who brings their wife along when going to a place of learning? It’s unseemly!

Wen Liang: “Master allowed it.” He said it with total confidence!

“What? Your Master allowed it?” What kind of business is it to bring a wife?

Wen Liang: “Master said he will give me guidance regarding the imperial examinations. He wants Bai Ting to go because he thinks she can help me in the household in the future.”

So that’s how it is. Thinking this way, the son’s Master seemed like a visionary! He was already thinking so far ahead for his son right after taking him as a disciple. “I see. Then we shall listen to your Master. Let’s go eat.”

“Mhm,” Wen Liang said.

The next morning, Wen Liang and his wife, Bai Ting, got ready and waited for his father. When Wen Liang’s mother heard they were all going, she wanted to follow as well. Wen Liang figured Master wouldn’t mind and let his mother come along too.

The rain was heavy, so Wen Liang had the carriage driven slowly.

When the Wen family arrived, it was nearly noon. Luo Yan had the carriage parked inside the courtyard.

Wen Liang looked at his Master with some embarrassment; he had actually brought the whole family. “Master, this is my father, my mother, and my wife.”

Luo Yan internally shouted, Holy crap. The whole family really came. If there was an unmarried sister, she probably would have come too. “Hello everyone, I am Luo Yan. Please sit, don’t just stand there.” Once everyone was seated, Luo Yan continued: “This is my father, this is my mother, and this is my wife.” The situation felt a bit tense.

Wen Zhengye: “Today’s visit is a bit abrupt. I hope you don’t mind.”

Father Luo: “It’s no trouble.” He had no idea what Xiao Yan had done to make an entire family show up.

Li Hanxue poured tea for everyone. When she sat back down next to Luo Yan, the latter said, “Thank you for your hard work, Wife.”

Li Hanxue gave Luo Yan a shy glance, feeling a bit embarrassed.

When Bai Ting noticed this, she felt a trace of envy in her heart.

Wen Zhengye: “Yesterday in the study, I saw the Young Master’s painting. I was amazed; it was exquisitely done.”

Luo Yan: “Uncle can just call me by my name, Luo Yan. I don’t deserve the title of ‘Young Master’.” You aren’t even the one studying, yet you’re calling me that.

Father Luo: “Since Wen Liang has joined as a disciple, Luo Yan will teach him well. You can rest easy, Father Wen.”

Wen Zhengye: “Of course I am at ease. Master Luo Yan, my son will take the imperial exams this year. Please take the trouble to guide him. My son is clever, he just hasn’t met a good teacher yet.”

Good grief, this old fox! If I guide him and he doesn’t pass, does that mean I’m not a good teacher? “I am his Master; naturally, I will do my best to teach him.”

Mother Luo: “Let’s all have lunch together.”

Luo Yan: “Yes, let’s have lunch. Wen Liang, if you have any questions, I’ll answer them this afternoon. And you’re Bai Ting, right? You can go to the room and chat with my wife.”

Father Luo: “Mhm. Hanxue, accompany Bai Ting for a chat.”

Li Hanxue: “Yes, Father.” As she stood up, Hanxue noticed that Lady Bai was a bit taller than her. Mhm, come to think of it, Husband is quite tall too. “Lady Bai, please follow me.”

Bai Ting: “Thank you for the trouble.”

Mother Luo glanced at Luo Yan. “Xiao Yan, let’s go cook first. Let your father and Father Wen chat.” With so many people, they had to prepare several dishes.

Luo Yan: “Yes, Mother.”

Mother Wen: “I’ll help too.”

“No, no. You are a guest, how can we let you work? Xiao Yan and I can handle it.”

Luo Yan cooked a dish of eggs fried with chilies, braised pork ribs, a vegetable dish, and potato stewed with meat, as well as an egg and green vegetable soup. She even slaughtered one of the chickens she bought—half went into a chicken soup, and the other half was braised.

When the food was served, the Wen family was stunned. They hadn’t expected that besides her extraordinary painting skills, Luo Yan was also such an amazing cook! The aroma alone made their stomachs growl.

Father Luo felt quite proud. He chatted a lot with Wen Zhengye, thinking that if his daughter started a business, Wen Zhengye would be a good contact to have.

Luo Yan: “Mother, go sit down first. I’ll go call Lady Bai and my wife to come eat.”

Mother Luo: “Alright, go ahead.”

Li Hanxue and Bai Ting were initially a bit awkward, not knowing what to say. Eventually, Hanxue broke the silence: “How long has Lady Bai been married?”

Bai Ting blinked, surprised by how direct Li Hanxue was. “A year… over a year. And you, Lady Li?”

“I’ve only been married a few days.”

Bai Ting: “I see.” That explained it—newlyweds were usually more affectionate.

“Mhm?” Li Hanxue was confused by Bai Ting’s words.

Bai Ting: “I saw just now that you and your husband are very loving. Since you said you’re newly married, I understand now.”

Emmm, understand what? Just now? “You noticed?”

Bai Ting: “Mhm. You two are very sweet.”

Li Hanxue: “…No, it’s just that when Husband saw me pouring tea, he said I worked hard, that’s all.”

…Is she boasting? “Master Luo is very thoughtful; that’s a good thing.”

Li Hanxue: “Mhm, Husband is very good to me. How does Wen Liang treat you?”

Bai Ting: “He… he was fine when we first married. But after he failed the exams, the concerned greetings from our early marriage stopped.”

“How can that be?”

“That’s just how it is. I suppose most men are like that. Once the novelty wears off, the affection fades.”

Li Hanxue: “…”

“However, I didn’t expect Master Luo Yan would let me come with my husband to the lessons.”

Li Hanxue: “Mhm, I didn’t expect it either. But I feel my husband’s intention is to make sure Wen Liang doesn’t neglect you because of his studies.”

“Really?” Bai Ting hadn’t expected the young Master to do that.

Li Hanxue: “Mhm. My husband told Wen Liang that only by growing together can a couple go further.”

“Lady Li, please thank your husband on my behalf.”

Li Hanxue: “Of course. No need to be so polite, Lady Bai.”

…

When Luo Yan arrived, the two were still talking. “Wife, Lady Bai, let’s go eat. You’ll have plenty of time to chat in the future.”

Bai Ting: “Thank you for the trouble, Master Luo.”

“No trouble. Let’s go.”

Seeing Luo Yan and the others arrive, Father Luo said, “Come, sit and eat.”

Father Luo looked at Wen Zhengye. “There isn’t much wine, so let’s just have a small drink.”

Wen Zhengye: “Splendid.”

Mother Luo: “Don’t be stiff, everyone, please eat.”

Luo Yan didn’t care how many people were there; she scooped some chicken soup for her wife first. Her wife was a bit embarrassed. “Try it, see if you like it.”

Father Luo didn’t mind. He looked at the surprised Wen Zhengye and smiled. “My son is very filial, and he’s exceptionally good to his wife.”

Wen Zhengye: “That’s good, very good.”

Luo Yan: “Please treat this like your own home. Wen Liang, you should also scoop a bowl for your wife and mother to taste.”

Wen Liang: “Ah, um, oh, okay.” Incredible. I’ve never done anything like this before. Is Master “whipped” (henpecked)?

Since Master had spoken, he had no choice but to comply.

Looking at the chicken soup in front of her, Bai Ting didn’t know whether to be happy or… well, happy.

Mother Luo, on the other hand, was delighted as she sipped the chicken soup her daughter had served her. It tasted wonderful!

Author’s Note:

Li Hanxue: The chicken soup is delicious!

Luo Yan: Of course, how could something your husband made not be good.

Author: Tsk.