After Marrying The Paranoid God of War (Rebirth) - Chapter 10.1
Chapter 10: Pregnancy
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Before Marquis Dingbei retired as the Military Governor of Jiannan, he achieved great success in Jiazhou. Not only did he successfully eliminate bandits, but he also rectified local governance. Soon, he will lead fifty thousand troops into Chang’an city to defend against the frequent raids of the Dongwan cavalry.
This morning, County Magistrate Tang, Tang Yi, and Steward Liu, who had their black gauze hats removed, along with other corrupt officials and gentry, were publicly shamed in the bustling market. Finally, the oppressed people had a chance to vent their frustration, shouting insults like ‘corrupt officials’ and throwing rotten vegetables and foul eggs at their grimy faces.
Madam Zhu had incurred a massive gambling debt earlier, and now, after relying on Steward Liu to engage in many underhanded activities, she not only failed to heal her severed arm but also received the devastating news that she would spend her life behind bars.
Despite being in prison, she had been inquiring about Ruan An’s situation. The bailiffs said that she not only received help but also, when Huo Pingxiao handed over his official duties, specifically instructed the local officials to take good care of the Ruan family’s medicine woman.
Of course, Madam Zhu knew that the Ruan family’s medicine woman was Ruan An. Now that she had saved the great Li War God, her reputation would surely soar. When she disguises herself as an old lady going down the mountain as a doctor again, she would have no shortage of patients or fees.
In Chang’an City, Ruan An, the medicine woman, was bound to become famous.
This girl effortlessly became a renowned physician.
Madam Zhu was on the verge of bursting with anger.
The time to part ways was approaching, and Huo Pingxiao had long since moved out of her thatched cottage. Ruan An still hadn’t figured out how to fulfill the two wishes he promised her.
She wasn’t a greedy person, and besides, Huo Pingxiao had already given her a thousand taels of silver in medical fees. This amount of money was something she wouldn’t have dared to dream of before. It was money she couldn’t earn in several lifetimes.
And her most worrying concern, the medicinal field, was being looked after by specialized officials appointed by Huo Pingxiao. They would regularly prevent any potential fires, and the medicine farmers could finally gather herbs there.
In addition, Huo Pingxiao had ordered the repair of the water systems and farming tools in Xinghua Village. The broken bridge in Mei Mountain had been rebuilt, making it much easier for the mountain people to travel, and they were all very grateful for the Marquis of Dingbei’s kindness.
On that day, Ruan An stood on the brand-new suspension bridge, clutching the railings entwined with ropes. There was a faint chill of early spring on them, gradually seeping into her palms.
She tiptoed and saw the murmuring stream flowing eastward, while the waterfall’s splashing water constantly cleansed the cliffs and rocks, creating continuous splashes.
Surrounded by the mist of the mountains and wilderness, Ruan An’s emotions also surged and fluctuated with it.
She looked to the northwest, but couldn’t see the bustling city of Chang’an.
Even more so, she couldn’t see the young man she secretly admired.
She only heard the plaintive cries of the partridges taking a rest in the woods, mixed with the melancholy of parting and a touch of sadness.
She finally learned that his courtesy name was Zhong Xun, but she couldn’t address him by it, even in her heart she felt unworthy and even a little guilty.
Ruan An was aware that her chances of seeing him again were slim.
That evening, the sky was adorned with a reddish sunset. She knew that she was as timid as grass in his presence, and she lacked the courage to chase after the sun like the mythical figure Kuafu1.
She couldn’t cross the Yellow and Wei Rivers, and even if she perished under the scorching sun, she couldn’t keep up with his pace.
But on that day, she still arrived at the city gate, dismounted from her horse, and, due to the intense sprint, couldn’t utter a complete sentence. Her heart and lungs felt like they were about to explode.
Ruan An was gasping for breath with big, ragged breaths, and her bitter tears were uncontrollable, streaming down her cheeks. But she could use her recent sprint to cover it up.
Huo Pingxiao rode on a pitch-black steed, dressed in elegant attire, exceptionally handsome. Upon seeing her, he halted his horse for her.
Ruan An gradually regained her composure, walked up to him, and clenched her teeth to hold back her tears.
The color of the man’s pupils had faded due to the evening sun, shedding his usual cold and arrogant demeanor and instead carrying a subtle and imperceptible warmth.
Huo Pingxiao didn’t perceive the young girl’s hidden concerns and leaned slightly from his horse’s back to make eye contact with her.
He looked into her eyes and asked softly, “Have you decided on the other two wishes, benefactor?”
The slender girl only shook her head.
The strong wind blew against their faces, and the supple reeds swayed. Although reeds could withstand the scorching sun, they could never chase after the sun.
Ruan An felt like she was the grass on the ground, separated by a vast expanse from him.
Jinwu was also patient with Ruan An. It wagged its tail and let out a soft call, not urging Huo Pingxiao but rather being affectionate.
Ruan An suddenly looked up and asked, “So, why did you come to find me?”
She adjusted her emotions, suppressing the surging thoughts within her, and forced a smile to her unrequited love, pretending nonchalance.
“Marquis Huo, I am called Ruan An. At the age of thirteen, I ventured alone to the Jiannan region and developed a remedy that relieves the people of Shu from rheumatic pain.”
“Many women in Guizhou suffer from infertility, but after taking my prescription…”
“The local commander once promised me a generous reward, even offered to build a temple for me…”
“Though outsiders call me Ruan Gu, I am not yet fifty. Marquis Huo once made two promises to me. I hope that, in the future, we can meet again, and you can fulfill today’s pledge.”
The girl appeared gentle and delicate on the outside, but her words were filled with the boldness of a hero.
Seeing her like this, Huo Pingxiao’s eyes couldn’t hide his unruly look, but he was slightly stunned. Soon, a hint of a smile appeared on his cold lips. “Sure.”
Perhaps because the young girl before him had spoken with such nobility, Huo Pingxiao’s next words were eloquent, unlike his usual cold and concise style.
“Thanks to Miss Ruan for saving my life. Although I paid a thousand taels of gold for the medical fee, it’s not enough to repay your kindness. We will meet again in the future, and I, Marquis Huo, will surely repay your great favor.”
The man’s words were solemn, but Ruan An had already made two wishes in her heart.
First, that Marquis Dingbei would achieve a great victory and return safely.
Second, that the Central Plains would be peaceful, with no more wars, and Marquis Dingbei would not have to fight elsewhere.
One man’s success could cost the lives of many soldiers, and Ruan An knew that Huo Pingxiao bore a heavy burden.
Those two wishes might seem unrelated to her, but they were closely connected. As a citizen of Great Li, her only role was to pray for the God of War who defended their homeland.
After making the two wishes, she watched the figures of the departing group in the fading sunset.
At that time, she did not know that this would be the last time she would speak with Huo Pingxiao.
Nor did she know that when they met again, a great divide would separate them forever.
Kuafu: According to the legend, Kuafu was a giant who was determined to catch the sun because he believed that by doing so, he could obtain great power and longevity. He set out on a journey to chase the sun, covering immense distances each day. However, the sun proved to be elusive, and Kuafu’s pursuit became increasingly difficult.
