After Marrying The Paranoid God of War (Rebirth) - Chapter 23.3

As dusk approached, vibrant koi swam joyfully in the lotus pond, and the lotus flowers in the pond were ready to bloom. Since the morning return to the courtyard, Ruan An had sent a servant to inquire about the whereabouts of Huo Xi. She learned that he was indeed at Huo Lang’s place.

She hadn’t seen her son for several days and wanted to see him as soon as possible. However, hesitant about Huo Lang’s authority, she didn’t dare to go alone to Huo Lang’s residence to bring Huo Xi back.

Contemplating whether to send a servant first to gather information at Huo Lang’s place, she coincidentally met Huo Leshi on the arched bridge over the lotus pond, who had just returned from school.

“Hello, sister-in-law.”

Huo Leshi, wearing a moon-white robe, had a lively and healthy demeanor, quite different from Concubine Jiang’s frail appearance. His youthful spirit and warm smile made him seem approachable.

Ruan An, as the eldest sister-in-law, noticed the servant boy behind him carrying a book box and asked with concern, “Younger brother, are you tired from studying at the Imperial Academy?”

Upon hearing Ruan An inquire about his studies, Huo Leshi cleared his throat and replied gently, “It’s okay, it’s okay.”

With only four words in response, he quickly changed the subject, asking Ruan An, “I heard that Big Brother won’t be returning home until late. It’s not yet time for dinner. Where is the elder sister-in-law going?”

Huo Leshi, who always considered himself carefree as a collateral son of the marquis, was quite satisfied with his identity and situation. Unlike his diligent older brother Huo Changjue, he was content with his ease, knowing that his elder brother’s excellence was innate and unmatched by anyone’s efforts.

While his second brother’s efforts were driven by their mother Gao, who had high expectations since he was her only legitimate son. Huo Leshi, as the youngest collateral son, felt relaxed and indifferent to things that were not his concern.

His enjoyment of attending the Imperial Academy every day did not come from the knowledge taught by the teacher but from the gossip he gathered from various noble youths.

Apart from gossip, another source of enjoyment for Huo Leshi was writing popular fiction. His fondness for writing was a secret shared only with his elder brother Huo Pingxiao. He confided in him because he believed that his big brother wouldn’t mock him.

Whenever his monthly allowance fell short, a simple mention to Huo Pingxiao ensured that Wei Yuan would fetch silver from his private treasury to cover the deficit.

However, Huo Leshi’s feelings were somewhat complex when facing Ruan An. He had always been interested in Ruan Gu, the female physician from Jiannan. He planned to make her one of the protagonists in his fiction set in Chang’an.

Coincidentally, his elder brother had been saved by the female physician before. Huo Leshi obtained a lot of material from Huo Pingxiao, and the recent popular fiction circulating in Chang’an was written by him.

He admired the female physician Ruan Gu and knew that his older brother distributed the fiction to storytellers in various taverns to announce to the world that there was a somewhat ambiguous relationship between him and the female physician.

He originally thought that Huo Pingxiao would marry the female physician with the surname Ruan. Unexpectedly, he ended up marrying a distant cousin from the Fang family and even had a child with her. While others might say it’s normal for a man to have one wife and two concubines, Huo Leshi always believed his elder brother Huo Pingxiao would be faithful and not engage in extramarital affairs like other playboys.

However, reality proved otherwise, and Huo Leshi couldn’t help feeling disillusioned. His elder brother had a loving wife and children at home, yet outside, he still had a romantic entanglement. Despite this, it was his elder brother’s private matter, and he had no right to interfere.

After seeing his elder brother’s wife, who seemed gentle and kind, and having born him a son, Huo Leshi couldn’t help but sigh, feeling even more sympathetic towards his sister-in-law.

Before Ruan An could respond to Huo Leshi, she noticed the young man’s expression changing unpredictably, unable to figure out what was bothering him.

“Younger brother, I want to ask if you’re willing to accompany me to Lord Prime Minister’s place. Huo Xi has been there, and I haven’t seen him for several days,” Ruan An said softly.

Huo Leshi, showing relief in his eyes, nodded repeatedly, “Convenient. Perhaps father hasn’t reviewed my studies for a long time. It’s a good opportunity for my sister-in-law to accompany me.”

In reality, Huo Leshi was quite afraid of his stern father, Huo Lang. However, the thought that there was finally an opportunity to help his sister-in-law eased his apprehension. He couldn’t let this unfortunate woman be further discontented in such matters.

*

“Love your family, and do not harm others.”

“Love and respect your family, extend virtue and education to the people, and uphold justice throughout the four seas.”

After returning to his private residence, Tongjian Garden, Huo Lang took a short nap following his usual routine. Upon waking up, it was already mid-afternoon.

Huo Xi, neatly dressed, held the Book of Filial Piety in front of a desk, reciting its contents with a childish and melodious voice. The boy’s clear voice, earnest expression, and adorable pronunciation while reciting made an impression on Steward Su and Huo Lang.

These days, both Steward Su and Huo Lang noticed that Huo Xi was exceptional, even compared to the intelligence Huo Pingxiao displayed at a young age. However, Huo Xi possessed an astonishing photographic memory.

Steward Su, couldn’t help but think that a child of Huo Xi’s age wouldn’t voluntarily delve into scholarly pursuits. Such a young child was expected to be mischievous. Steward Su wondered if Huo Xi’s diligence was imposed by his mother.

Yet, the image of Ruan An’s gentle and easily influenced demeanor made Steward Su find this unlikely. Regardless, observing the affectionate scene between the lord and his grandson was quite amusing.

Pushing Huo Lang’s wheelchair toward Huo Xi, Steward Su approached the boy. Seeing the steward, Huo Xi hastily put down the book, slightly opening his surprised little mouth. He was about to stand up from the desk, softly calling, “Grandfather~”

However, Huo Lang gestured for him to stay seated and asked, “Haven’t seen you take a break. Don’t you want to find some peers to play with?”

Huo Xi shook his little head. Despite missing his mother, he had naturally developed an affection for his grandfather, Huo Lang, during his stay at Tongjian Garden. 

Trusting Huo Lang, he expressed his thoughts with his innocent voice, “Because I want to take the Child Exam, so I can serve in the government!”

Upon hearing this, Steward Su, showed a surprised expression. 

For a child over three years old, aspiring to serve in the government was indeed rare. 

Huo Lang remained calm but furrowed his brows slightly, asking, “Why do you want to serve? Is this your mother’s request?”

Huo Xi innocently shook his little head and replied with a mellow tone, “No, my mother still doesn’t know about my thoughts.”

Huo Lang’s furrowed brows eased slightly as he calmly continued, “Even if you don’t become an official in the court, you will still inherit the title in the future.”

Huo Xi, however, responded with determination, “No, Grandfather, I still want to become an official…”

Because only by becoming an official could the man claiming to be his father write a letter to release his mother!

Meanwhile, servants led Huo Leshi and Ruan An into the main hall. Before they passed the folding screens, Huo Leshi heard a familiar male voice. Soon, he stopped in his tracks, astonished.

His mouth was agape in disbelief, the faint laughter he just heard seemed like…

His father’s?!!

His father actually laughed!!!

Still in shock, Huo Leshi, since the day he was born, seemed to have never witnessed Huo Lang smile.

It was Ruan An’s first time visiting Huo Lang’s residence. Naturally, she felt a bit nervous but made an effort to remain composed. She had heard the child’s voice earlier and would soon meet Huo Xi.

As the servants outside the screen guided Ruan An and Huo Leshi into the inner room, Huo Lang had already restrained his smile. His face, however, no longer resembled the frosty demeanor from before; it now carried a touch of humanity.

After Ruan An and Huo Leshi paid their respects to Huo Lang, they hadn’t yet mentioned taking the child back.

But Huo Lang spoke first, his tone subdued, “I really like this child and want to raise him by my side. You don’t mind, do you?”

Ruan An’s expression subtly changed. Although phrased as a question, his words carried a forceful undertone, leaving her unsure of how to respond.

Huo Pingxiao, despite appearing at odds with Huo Lang, seemed oddly similar to his father in certain aspects. Today, both father and son essentially uttered the same question, seemingly seeking approval but, in reality, issuing a decree.

Seeing Ruan An’s uneasy expression, Steward Su, hurriedly reminded her, “Madam, Sir would personally raise the young master. This is a favor that ordinary people can’t even dream of. You must understand that back when the Lord wasn’t yet prime minister, young talents from various supervisory offices in Li Kingdom were eager to become his followers. You should quickly express your gratitude to Sir.”

Ruan An quickly furrowed her brows. Huo Lang continued to scrutinize her calmly, while Huo Xi seemed hesitant, evidently wanting to say something to Huo Lang.

She knew that under the guidance of someone like Huo Lang, who possessed remarkable political insight, Huo Xi could learn much more than from an ordinary tutor. However, judging by his words, it seemed he intended to keep Huo Xi with him. 

If that were the case, would she lose the chance to see Huo Xi whenever she pleased once he and Huo Pingxiao established their own residence? 

*

The night deepened, and Ruan An found herself uninterested in her usual task of organizing medical manuscripts. 

Not fully accustomed to being a mistress, she still preferred dressing herself. Standing alone behind a screen adorned with embroidered hibiscus branches, she only removed the aqua-colored robe draped over her.

Unbeknownst to her, it had already slipped down her fair body, landing on the plush rug at her feet.

However, the matter of raising Huo Xi was not solely her decision. The child’s father, Huo Pingxiao, had not yet agreed to it. She believed that the decision should be made jointly by the couple after careful consideration.

Outside the room, when Huo Pingxiao returned from the military camp to the residence, he didn’t inform the servants and instead, in a lowered voice, asked Fu Ling about Ruan An’s whereabouts.

After Fu Ling replied in an even softer tone, the man walked straight to their bedroom.

The room was well-lit, bathed in an orange glow from the candles. When Huo Pingxiao saw the petite figure reflected on the screen, he halted.

On the screen, the silhouette of the beautiful woman extended two slender hands behind her, seemingly delicately untying the knots on her garment. Despite her nimble fingers, she struggled to find the right buckle.

The side profile reflected on the silk was exquisite, maintaining a delicate and serene charm. 

Though in her twenties, Ruan An exuded a youthful innocence and charm, especially when she lowered her eyes, casting elongated shadows from her eyelashes. 

Unbeknownst to Ruan An, Huo Pingxiao, with half-lowered eyes, concealed his unclear emotions.

Unaware of the gaze outside the screen, now a madam, her attire was far more intricate than her previous simple dresses. Ruan An decided to call for a maid to assist her.

Before she could speak, she felt a familiar and refreshing breath above her head. 

The tall figure of the man descended onto the carpet, gradually enveloping her. His slow and gentle exhales ruffled the loose strands of hair by her ears, tickling the skin around her neck.

Her hand, still behind her, had not yet withdrawn when her delicate fingertips unintentionally brushed against the man’s right hand. Their audible breaths filled the air, and for a brief moment, his distinct finger joints hesitated, prompting her to quickly retract her hand.

Ruan An’s slender body suddenly stiffened, her breathing becoming more erratic.

“I’ve helped you,” Huo Pingxiao said.

Using his fingers, Huo Pingxiao lifted the straps behind her jacket and softly asked near Ruan An’s blushing ear, “Do you want to help me too?”

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