After Marrying The Paranoid God of War (Rebirth) - Chapter 16.1
Chapter 16: Blood Ties
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Behind that folding screen, Concubine Fang spoke gently, “Ah Ran, your cousin Marquis Dingbei has arrived. He wants to see you.”
Ruan An, upon hearing this, instinctively clenched her fists. She calmly considered the situation. While she had given birth to a child with Huo Pingxiao, they had not interacted much in recent years. Even if he recognized her, their conversation would be casual, and he likely wouldn’t know about Ruan Xi’s existence.
However, despite having a plan for the situation, Ruan An’s heart still raced with anxiety.
Fang Ran’s eyes showed a hint of bruising, and she suddenly had an uncontrollable urge to cough. She clenched her empty fist and coughed a few times. The maid quickly brought some water for her to drink.
At this moment, a calm voice from the man came from behind the screen—
“Since my cousin isn’t feeling well, I won’t disturb her in her chamber.”
As soon as these words were spoken, the heavy burden on Ruan An’s heart finally lifted. She breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that in a few days, she would take the child back to Jiazhou, and there was still some regret in her heart.
In her previous life, she suffered from a severe eye ailment, and though Huo Pingxiao had found her before her death, she couldn’t see his face, only hearing his anxious voice.
Perhaps this unexpected encounter at Duke Pei’s Mansion would be their last meeting in this life.
The situation unfolded much like in her previous life. She could only hear his voice but couldn’t see his face.
Although Ruan An was somewhat disappointed, she consoled herself to be content and not be too greedy.
It was enough for Ruan Xi to be safe, and she shouldn’t expect too much.
At the appointed time, Ruan An returned to the Li residence from Duke Pei’s mansion and, as usual, checked Li’s mother’s pulse.
She and Ruan Xi had stayed in the Li residence for many days. The Li residence was not large, and children like Ruan Xi were most afraid of being bored. Previously, when they were in Jiazhou, Ruan An and Sun Ye would often take Ruan Xi to stroll through the streets and alleys, exposing him to new things.
Although Ruan An had bought some picture books and toys for the child through the Li residence’s servants, Ruan Xi still held his chubby little face and always looked unhappy.
Ruan Xi, this child, is very likable. After arriving in the new environment, he neither cries nor fusses, getting along extremely harmoniously with Li Yifang.
Today, he happened to be going on a street patrol in the West Market and mentioned it to Ruan An, intending to take the child there for a stroll. Li Yifang also told Ruan An that four Jinwu Street enforcers would follow them, ensuring the safety of the child.
Meanwhile, as Ruan An finished the pulse diagnosis for Li’s mother, she noticed that Li’s mother had been observing her intently. Her pupils had changed from pale to normal brown, and her expression had become more clear.
However, Ruan An could sense that Li’s mother, despite her seemingly kind appearance, harbored some hidden calculations.
Feeling a bit uncomfortable under her scrutiny, Ruan An couldn’t help but ask, “Madam Li, do you have something to say to me?”
Madam Li smiled faintly and kindly inquired, “Miss Ruan, how old are you this year?”
Ruan An truthfully replied, “I’m twenty-one years old.”
The year she became pregnant with Ruan Xi, she had just turned eighteen. Time had passed quickly, and in the blink of an eye, four years had gone by.
Madam Li’s voice lowered slightly as she spoke, and she said in a soft, secretive tone, “You’re two years younger than Yi Fang, but your ages do match.”
The more Ruan An listened, the more she felt that Madam Li’s words were a bit off. She began to suspect something and was about to explain the truth to Madam Li to avoid any misunderstandings.
However, Madam Li took hold of the hand that had been checking her pulse and said gently, “Doctor Ruan, you are a good girl. You saved this old lady’s life. Although your background is a bit low, and you have a child, I can see that our Yifang likes you.”
Ruan An’s expression remained unchanged, but she gently withdrew her hand from Madam Li’s grasp. Her tone was soft, yet there was a subtle distance in her words as she politely declined, “Madam Li, I believe there may be a misunderstanding. The relationship between me and Young Master Li is not what you think.”
Madam Li looked slightly embarrassed and continued, “Miss, I understand your feelings. My husband passed away early, and in the year of his death, our son was only five. I know very well how difficult the days of a widow with a child can be. If Yifang lacks personal care, I am willing to let you and your son stay in Chang’an. Yifang can handle the formalities for you, and I can make you a concubine. In the future, even if there is a legal wife…”
Ruan An frowned and interrupted Madam Li, “In a few days, I will return to Jiazhou. I am not sure if Mr. Li has any intentions towards me, but I have no interest in him. Let alone being a concubine, I have no desire to be even his legal wife.”
This village girl actually looked down on her son?
Upon hearing this, Madam Li no longer wanted to be polite with Ruan An and said, “Don’t be ungrateful. Yifang is on a good career path and will soon be a high-ranking official in the court. Being the concubine of a high official is surely better than wandering around as a traveling doctor with an illegitimate child, isn’t it?”
After hearing the words “illegitimate child,” Ruan An’s gentle expression gradually turned cold.
She suddenly stood up from the bedside, fully understanding Madam Li’s thoughts. She had saved her life, but Madam Li still looked down on her status and even directly pointed out her vulnerability by calling Ruan Xi an illegitimate child.
Madam Li was ill, and although Ruan An didn’t want to verbally provoke her, she wasn’t going to take this matter lightly either.
In her previous life in the palace, Ruan An had seen many tactics used by consorts and concubines. She understood Madam Li’s mindset as a woman and was clear about her thoughts.
As a single mother herself, Ruan An didn’t want to become like Madam. Li. She wouldn’t interfere in her son’s future marriage. As long as the young lady had a good character, it would be sufficient. She also had no intention of meddling in her son’s future life.
“Madam Li, you are still unwell; you must rest more and avoid excessive worry. When I return to Jiazhou, if you decide to find a wife for Mr. Li, please understand that noble young ladies from high-ranking families are very different from a country girl like me. They have been pampered and raised in luxury since childhood, and they can’t bear even the slightest hardship.”
Madam Li’s eyes flickered, and a feeling of discomfort began to well up in her chest.
Though Ruan An’s words were somewhat indirect, Madam Li understood their underlying meaning.
Ruan An was indirectly telling her that while her son was outstanding, marrying a noblewoman was reaching high, and the noblewoman marrying him would be marrying beneath her status.
She perceived Ruan An’s strong desire to control the situation regarding Li Yifang. In the future, there would likely be discord between the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law. At the same time, Ruan An was subtly warning her that, despite her humble background, she was not someone easy to manipulate. Moreover, the main wife that she favored would not be easily influenced.
After Ruan An finished speaking, she picked up the medicine box and left the room. The servant brought the medicine bowl, and Madam Li, speaking in a low voice, made a sarcastic remark, “She’s just a country girl, albeit with some looks. Is she so arrogant? At her age, she still brings along a ‘tag-along,’ does she think she can become the main wife of our Yifang? Has she ever thought that when she returns to her hometown, where could she find a husband as outstanding as my son?”
The servant appeared somewhat awkward and nodded in response to Madam Li.
Although she was a servant in this household, she felt that Madam Li’s actions were somewhat unkind. Madam Li saw Ruan An as gentle and easy to manipulate. Despite looking down on her status, Madam Li hoped to keep a concubine who could be easily controlled by her side.
In this way, when the daughter of a prestigious family entered as a wife in the future, Madam Li could easily manipulate her, using her as a pawn to balance her daughter-in-law.
Thinking of this, the servant couldn’t help but sigh.
Some people, even if they narrowly escape a visit to the gates of the underworld to see the King of Hell, still can’t let go of their schemes.