Although it’s necessary to treat Liang Jue better, Shen Meng’s inherent nature is cold, so the possibility of her suddenly becoming tender or passionate is low. She hasn’t made significant changes and continues to live her life according to the trajectory of her past life.

However, because of this second chance, she has managed to avoid troubles caused by external factors, distanced herself from some petty people from her previous life, and seized opportunities more promptly. So far, apart from making some changes regarding Liang Jue, her life hasn’t undergone significant alterations.

Actually, Shen Meng has also thought about it. Because she’s starting over, Liang Jue in this lifetime hasn’t had his heart broken by her, and doesn’t need her compensation. However, she couldn’t bring herself to hurt Liang Jue’s heart as she did in the previous life, so she struggled for a long time before finally coming to terms with it.

Her wish before reincarnation was to treat Liang Jue better. As long as Liang Jue remains the same, she can’t hurt him again for the sake of the past. That wouldn’t be compensation; it would be putting the cart before the horse.

Shen Meng spent two days coming to terms with this and was about to temporarily set aside her affairs to improve the relationship between husband and wife with Liang Jue when her newlywed husband came looking for her.

He came in carrying soup. It was late autumn, slightly chilly, but not cold enough to see white air in his breath. The bowl was tightly covered, but steam seeped out through the cracks.

Liang Jue carefully placed the tray with the soup bowl in front of Shen Meng on the table, then delicately removed the green porcelain bowl cover, releasing a fragrant aroma.

Shen Meng lowered her eyelids, glanced at the creamy soup, and naturally took the bowl and spoon from the other’s hand. After finishing it, she complimented, “The taste is quite good, did you make it?”

She felt that the taste was somewhat unfamiliar, definitely not something the household chef usually made.

Seeing her relaxed expression while drinking, Liang Jue knew her compliment was sincere. He felt a bit ashamed and explained, “This is five-grain fish powder. I thought the soup was more delicious, so I only brought some soup over. I didn’t make this soup; it’s the skill of my servant, Ban Xia. If you like it, I can learn to make it.”

Liang Jue was a clever person, so he never told easily debunked lies.

Mentioning Ban Xia, Shen Meng had a faint impression. He was the young man waiting outside on their wedding day, quite likable but slightly chubby. In the previous life, Liang Jue had also brought her heartwarming meals like this, but she mostly ignored them, letting them escape the fate of being poured out.

Later on, Liang Jue became lazy, and his servants also changed. After reaching marriageable age, most of them were sent out of the mansion to marry, including Ban Xia. Naturally, she hadn’t tasted his cooking.

Thinking about it, Shen Meng shook her head. “The chef’s cooking at home is decent. If my husband isn’t used to it, we can set up a small stove in our yard. There’s no need to learn these things. If you find yourself bored, there’s a heap of family businesses under my name that need your attention, not to mention your dowry. Managing those will be enough.”

Every household has its own trivial matters, and being the master of the house entails a lot of worries. Managing this household isn’t easy, especially in her situation. Liang Jue wouldn’t find it easy either, especially since Shen Li wouldn’t be able to teach him anything, and he would likely cause trouble instead.

Liang Jue nodded continuously. “I understand. I will definitely take care of these matters and ensure you have nothing to worry about.”

Shen Meng reached out to hold his chin, feeding him a mouthful of delicious fish soup and watching him swallow naturally before withdrawing her hand with satisfaction. “Alright, stop nodding. Your head might fall off. So, what else do you have to discuss coming here today?”

Although Liang Jue had intentions of getting closer to her, this soup could be brought to her anytime. It would be more appropriate for her to deal with her current affairs first before going back. She bluntly broke through this thin layer of paper, making Liang Jue a bit uncomfortable.

However, being raised in the Duke’s household, he quickly regained his composure and looked at Shen Meng’s face, cautiously asking her, “Do you remember what day tomorrow is?”

Shen Meng paused for a moment, various dates flashed through her mind: Emperor Dan Cheng’s birthday, major festivals, and the Empress’s birthday, but none matched. It wasn’t a special day either.

Liang Jue, seeing her reaction, couldn’t help but remind her, “It’s been two days since we got married.”

In the capital, it’s customary for the newlywed groom to return home on the third day. However, the day of returning home doesn’t include the day of marriage itself. They were married the day before, and the next day is when the groom returns to the bride’s home.

Shen Meng slightly lowered her head and met Liang Jue’s gaze, indicating for him to continue.

Liang Jue persisted, “I want to ask you, can you come back with me tomorrow?”

No one forces the wife to accompany the newlywed groom when he returns home, but if she does, it indicates the satisfaction of the bride’s family with the groom and suggests that the couple’s relationship is harmonious.

In the previous life, Liang Jue had returned home alone because Shen Meng had found an excuse to be busy with something else. If she truly wanted to make amends, Shen Meng would definitely accompany him, but in this moment, she hesitated.

—

¹”Putting the cart before the horse” – means getting things in the wrong order or focusing on the outcome before addressing the cause.