After Marrying The Paranoid God of War (Rebirth) - Chapter 23.2
The next morning.
The Prime Minister’s residence is located in the Yongxing district to the east of the imperial city. Though not as grand as the Forbidden Palace, it surpasses the ordinary mansions of nobles or the residences of powerful officials in terms of size. The residence is surrounded by double gates and four doors, with three deep courtyards inside. Every brick and stone reflects the splendid atmosphere of a top-tier aristocratic family.
In the flourishing spring, the flowers and trees in the residence are lush, and the towering cypresses on either side of the main path seem to reach the sky, even taller than the cypresses on the imperial street.
Wei Yuan came to the courtyard where Ruan An and Huo Pingxiao were temporarily staying this morning. He mentioned that the Marquis Dingbei’s residence is still under renovation, and the lotus pond they excavated before has been blocked by silt over the years. Craftsmen are busy digging it out and bringing in new flowing water.
As for the pavilions and waterside structures given by the emperor on the previous day, they have also been eroded and destroyed in large areas due to the rainy season in the past two years.
This time, Huo Pingxiao has a family and naturally wants the best for his wife and child’s residence.
Wei Yuan brought many design drafts for Ruan An to review, whether it was flowers and trees, pavilions, halls, corridors, or artificial mountains and lake rocks—all were entrusted to Ruan An to decide, following her preferences.
Not well-versed in landscaping, Ruan An had Wei Yuan create the garden in the most fashionable styles of the prominent families in Chang’an City. She thought, at least this way, there would be no mistakes.
Once she and Huo Pingxiao officially move out of the Prime Minister’s residence and establish their own residence, as the Madam of Marquis Dingbei, she might have to invite other noble women from nearby families for gatherings. As long as the estate’s scenery doesn’t disgrace the marquis’s reputation, it should be fine.
On the day Huo Pingxiao returned from Qianzhong Road, he promised Ruan An at Duke Pei’s residence that if she wanted to open a medical clinic after they moved out of the ancestral mansion, he would support her.
However, the establishment of their household was still some time away, making the prospect of the medical clinic even more distant.
Ruan An still lived in the Prime Minister’s residence for now, so on the second day after the grand wedding, she had to go to the main hall of the mansion to offer tea to her in-laws.
Three days before her marriage, Huo Pingxiao discussed with her about taking Huo Xi to meet his grandfather, Huo Lang. After Huo Xi was taken away, Ruan An hadn’t seen her son for several days and missed him dearly.
Thinking she would see her child in the main hall, Ruan An was disappointed when she didn’t find Huo Xi there. However, she maintained a cautious attitude, respectfully offering tea to Madam Gao and Huo Lang seated in the main positions.
Everything proceeded smoothly as Ruan An calmly served the tea and took her seat. Madam Gao, sitting in the main position, hadn’t taken her eyes off this new bride since Ruan An entered the hall.
Due to Ruan An’s appearance, which was pure and somewhat youthful, even when dressed as the 18 or 19-year-old cousin from the Fang family, with a few years subtracted to mask her age, others couldn’t discern anything unusual.
At a glance, Madam Gao saw Ruan An in a light green silk dress, her dense, jet-black hair fashioned into a married woman’s updo. The demeanor of this Fang family cousin was gentle, beautiful, and pure, just as Madam Gao had initially thought – someone seemingly timid and easily influenced.
However, this young cousin’s appearance was undeniably outstanding.
Madam Gao couldn’t help but sigh inwardly, thinking that the Fang family must be a lineage of beauties.
When she first entered the Huo family as Huo Lang’s concubine, Huo Pingxiao’s birth mother had passed away nearly three years prior. At that time, Madam Gao, in her prime, had seen the appearance of the first wife at a family gathering.
The vivid and moving face left an unforgettable impression, making others feel inferior.
Yet, this distant cousin from the Fang family possessed a different kind of beauty.
The delicate features, the tender willow-like eyebrows, the cute apricot cheeks, the snow-white skin reminiscent of thin ice and smooth snow, and the refined yet innocent eyes and nose…
Truly a face that could easily evoke pity and tenderness in a man.
Like a soft and easily approachable little white rabbit.
Thinking of this, Madam Gao took a sip of tea.
She couldn’t help but feel that this little cousin’s appearance was the type that the living Yama might appreciate.
Unfortunately, she wasn’t very skilled at dressing up.
While the material of her silk dress was good, the style was too ordinary. Moreover, her hairstyle seemed somewhat outdated in Chang’an.
Although Madam Gao’s family background was not as illustrious as the first wife, her father held the position of Minister of Personnel. Even though she had aged a bit, her character retained the arrogance of her younger years. She enjoyed the finer things in life, insisting on exquisite food, clothing, and everything else.
Therefore, she felt that Ruan An’s appearance was beautiful, but inexplicably exuded a rustic charm.
Indeed, being a distant cousin from Shu, she lacked the grace and magnanimity of the noble ladies in Chang’an!
However, as the mistress, she still, in front of Huo Lang and Huo Pingxiao, inquired about Ruan An with concern: “Is the new bride comfortable in the mansion?”
Ruan An noticed that Madam Gao’s gaze had been on her all along but remained composed. She smiled gently at Madam Gao and replied, “Thank you for your concern, Mother. Both my cousin and I are living very comfortably.”
When she called her cousin, Ruan An felt that Huo Pingxiao seemed to glance at her sideways, his sharp eyes carrying unpredictable emotions.
Madam Gao replied with a smile, “That’s good. After you establish your household, remember to visit often. Anyway, we are all family.”
Ruan An respectfully nodded.
In her previous life, although she was in the harem, she had seen many examples of the seemingly harmonious relationship between mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law, who, behind each other’s backs, played tricks on one another.
If the relationship between a biological mother-in-law and daughter-in-law was like that, what about her, as a step-in-law?
Given Huo Pingxiao’s personality, although he hadn’t lived in Chang’an for long, every time he returned to the mansion, he would be domineering and arrogant.
Madam Gao’s tone seemed polite in conversation, but it also revealed a sense of distance. She didn’t like Huo Pingxiao, her stepson, and naturally, she wouldn’t favor Ruan An either.
Ruan An understood this very well. After all, her life in the Prime Minister’s residence would only last a month. Once He Xinruo married into the Huo family, she would no longer live under Madam Gao’s watchful eyes.
As long as Madam Gao didn’t trouble her, she would respect her as the mother-in-law.
Thinking of this, Ruan An took a sip of tea, calming her mind. While still at the Duke of Pei’s residence, Concubine Fang briefed her on the situation of the Huo family. Besides remembering not to mention Huo Pingxiao’s birth mother, she vaguely recognized the people sitting on both sides after entering the main hall.
The delicate-looking woman, who appeared sickly, should be the birth mother of the third son of the Huo family, Huo Leshi – Concubine Jiang.
It is said that Concubine Jiang bears some resemblance to Huo Pingxiao’s birth mother, especially in the eyes. However, Concubine Jiang came from a humble background. Her biological mother was a servant girl from another branch of the Huo family. Despite this, Huo Lang favored her and elevated her to the status of a concubine.
Perhaps curious about this new wife, when Ruan An unintentionally glanced at Concubine Jiang, she found Concubine Jiang looking back at her.
After their eyes met, Ruan An smiled warmly at Concubine Jiang.
Concubine Jiang was momentarily stunned, and after a while, she nodded slightly in response to Ruan An.
Ruan An averted her gaze and glanced at the woman seated closer to Madam Gao, who appeared somewhat ordinary with a slightly sallow complexion, despite wearing luxurious silk garments and adorned with exquisite accessories. Her demeanor, however, seemed to carry a hint of timidity.
Ruan An speculated that she must be another concubine —Concubine Zhang.
Originally a maid of the main wife, Madam Gao, Concubine Zhang was chosen by Madam Gao to balance the power dynamics in the inner courtyard after Huo Lang took Jiang as a concubine. Despite her modest appearance, Concubine Zhang held a higher status in the mansion than Concubine Jiang, partly due to Madam Gao’s deliberate suppression of Concubine Jiang and also because of Concubine Zhang’s brother’s rising influence in the imperial palace.
In Ruan An’s past life, she didn’t pay much attention to Concubine Jiang and Huo Leshi. However, Concubine Zhang’s elder brother was the close attendant of Li Shuying’s husband, the current crown prince—Zhang Yong.
After the crown prince ascended to the throne, Zhang Yong became the most influential eunuch in the Forbidden City. At that time, Ruan An heard that a favored concubine in the mansion received considerable protection due to Zhang Yong’s influence, but she didn’t know the exact circumstances of the mansion in her past life.
The favored concubine benefiting from Zhang Yong’s power should be Concubine Zhang.
In her previous life, it was only because of Zhang Yong’s calculation that she was almost scorned by the crown prince. Although Ruan An was a healer, she was not always a saintly figure, the grudges from her past life would prevent any favorable feelings toward Concubine Zhang.
She decided to keep her distance from her in the future.
Ruan An vaguely recognized the appearance of Huo Changjue. Moreover, based on the official attire resembling Li Yifang’s, she could identify his status.
However, she didn’t see Huo Jiang’s third son—Huo Leshi.
Seated beside her, Huo Pingxiao, in sync with her thoughts, lazily asked, “Where did the third brother go?”
Huo Leshi was born to Concubine Jiang. When Huo Pingxiao inquired, Concubine Jiang chose silence, seeming to take the role of not speaking in the main hall. It was Madam Gao who answered on her behalf, saying, “Your third brother finally passed the Imperial examination last year, three years later than other young gentlemen. Other noble sons entered the Imperial Academy at the age of thirteen, but the son born to Concubine Jiang entered at sixteen. It’s natural for the slow learner to take flight; let him study diligently at school early.”
As the words fell, Madam Gao suddenly felt a chill down her spine.
Huo Lang coldly glanced in her direction.
Madam Gao was greatly alarmed.
She has really become overly complacent today! How could she scold Concubine Jiang in front of Lord Huo?
This was a big mistake; she should never have mocked Huo Leshi’s academic achievements. Regardless of Huo Leshi’s abilities, he was Lord Huo’s child.
Lord Huo must be angry with her now!
Madam Gao was about to stand up to apologize to Huo Lang when he spoke with a calm tone but a subtle, threatening undertone, instructing Steward Su, “Take me back.”
“Yes.”
After Huo Lang, in his wheelchair, left the main hall, Huo Pingxiao, with a clatter, set down his teacup and whispered to Madam Gao, “Military affairs are pressing. I’ll go to the barracks first.”
Wearing a dark military uniform, exuding a heroic aura, Huo Pingxiao, upon standing, cast his slightly aloof and cold ink-like gaze toward Ruan An, still seated in the circular chair.
It seemed like an unspoken signal to her—I know you are tired of staying here, so you can leave with me.
This morning, the man did mention to her that the spring and summer seasons were the most suitable for training and nurturing the army, so his military duties would keep him busy, and he might return home very late.
Ruan An wasn’t particularly attached to his company. If he wasn’t around in the evening, she had plenty of things to do. She hadn’t had the chance to tell him that she needed to find a teacher to instruct her in calligraphy.
Moreover, when Huo Lang left abruptly with a gloomy expression, she didn’t get a chance to ask about the whereabouts of Huo Xi. However, she speculated that Huo Xi was probably temporarily kept with Huo Lang.
In the time spent making tea in this main hall, she once again experienced the feeling she had in her past life when serving in the Eastern Palace.
In Ruan An’s view, there were similarities between the Huo Mansion and the Eastern Palace.
Back then, the empress, in order to curb Li Shuying’s arrogance, also placed a well-bred lady-in-waiting by the crown prince’s side to serve as a counterbalance.
However, not long after, Li Shuying also arranged for a beautiful maidservant to be by the crown prince’s side, employing similar tactics to Madam Gao’s methods against Concubine Jiang.
In her past life, she was an outsider, but now it seems that even if she moves out of the Prime Minister’s Residence, she would still play as an insider.
As Ruan An rose under Huo Pingxiao’s gaze, intending to take leave, Huo Pingxiao spoke first, saying to Madam Gao in a casual tone, “I’d like my cousin to accompany me. Madam doesn’t mind, does she?”
Madam Gao chuckled lightly, concealing a subtle smirk at the corner of her eyes, and replied, “You’re newlyweds; how could I mind?”
However, in her mind, she thought that although the living Yama remained as unruly as ever, he seemed to speak more politely with his wife around. After all, after the Yama went to the military camp, he wouldn’t return until very late, and his young cousin would still have to stay in the mansion.
She had plenty of opportunities to spend time with her; there was no rush at the moment.