After Marrying The Paranoid God of War (Rebirth) - Chapter 26.1
Chapter 26: Kiss Me
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As the maids’ voices fell silent, a loud “clang” echoed from the stable, accompanied by the spirited neighing of horses, as if a heavy object had suddenly fallen to the ground.
The expressions of the two maids changed abruptly, and they saw a tall and imposing figure striding aggressively in their direction.
They fixed their gaze and saw that the person approaching was none other than Marquis Dingbei—Huo Pingxiao.
With tightly pursed thin lips and sharp ink-black eyes, he incredulously asked, “What did you say? Lady Fang is pregnant again?”
One of the maids respectfully bowed to Huo Pingxiao and said, “This servant… this servant cannot be certain, but everyone in the mansion is saying so. This morning, Lady Fang showed signs of early pregnancy in Madam’s courtyard. She has a strong craving for sour foods, and on the path in the West Garden, several passing servants heard Lady Fang saying her belly has grown, and that she was fatter than before.”
After the two maids left the stable, Huo Pingxiao remained still on the spot, his expression complex and unpredictable.
His thoughts were in a state of extreme confusion, and the strange and chaotic feelings in his heart were something he had only experienced once in his life.
It was when he learned that Ruan An had secretly given birth to a son behind his back.
Thinking of this, Huo Pingxiao furrowed his brows lightly, gripping the bones of his palms and pressing them firmly against his forehead.
It had only been a little over a month since Ruan An married him, and they had only consummated their marriage once on the wedding night. How could she be pregnant again?
As he contemplated, Huo Pingxiao thought of how Huo Xi had also arrived in this world so hastily.
So, it wasn’t impossible for Ruan An to become pregnant with his child again so quickly.
But how was it possible?
Could Ruan An’s body withstand it?
Huo Pingxiao rarely found himself caught in such emotional turmoil, but the thought of his little wife’s belly possibly swelling soon, and Huo Xi having another brother or sister, made him sigh with a touch of helplessness.
He was going to have another child.
As evening approached, darkness enveloped the surroundings.
When Huo Pingxiao entered the room, Ruan An had just walked out of the bedroom.
On the side, the candlelight on the huanghuali lampstand was flickering gracefully. The beauty stood beneath the warm yellow glow, making her complexion appear even more fair and supple.
Sensing that Huo Pingxiao’s gaze was somewhat unusual, Ruan An was about to inquire when the man swiftly walked up to her, using his cold and sharp eyes to scan her from head to toe.
“Husband, what’s the matter?”
Ruan An’s voice was gentle as she asked him in puzzlement. Huo Pingxiao, however, carefully pulled her into his arms without saying a word. He simply kissed the soft corner of her eye and whispered, “Have you gained weight recently?”
Indeed, she had gained weight.
Ruan An felt a bit embarrassed, lowered her eyelashes helplessly, and even thought about reproaching Huo Pingxiao for a moment. However, she didn’t know how to respond to him.
Nevertheless, she couldn’t let him feed her various delicious things like this anymore.
This time, as he brought up the matter, she needed to talk to him about it.
“I can’t keep eating like this; I’m getting a little belly.”
Huo Pingxiao smoothly placed his well-defined fingers on her stomach, squinted slightly, and asked in confusion, “It’s only been a little over a month; can you have a belly already?”
As he spoke, he lightly patted it.
Suddenly, Ruan An felt that her belly didn’t seem to have changed from before.
Her heart felt complicated.
Clearly, it was he who had been searching all over the Western market for delicacies and feeding her various rare ingredients every day.
How could he now start to find fault with her for gaining weight?
Ruan An didn’t want to argue with him, so she explained patiently, “A month is considered long; some people can puff up their faces just by indulging for a few days. And once you gain weight, it’s not easy to lose it, so let’s reduce the number of dishes for each meal from now on. I’ll also try to control my appetite; I can’t eat as much as I used to.”
After saying this, Huo Pingxiao finally sensed that something was not quite right.
He glanced slightly, and asked softly, “Aren’t you pregnant?”
“Pregnant?” Ruan An looked utterly astonished.
She had just had her period today; how could Huo Pingxiao think she was pregnant?
On the other side, Huo Pingxiao still gazed at his little wife’s face with a puzzled expression.
On the other side, Steward Su happened to bring Huo Xi into Ruan An’s courtyard.
It was a day for mother and son to reunite.
After entering the room, neither Huo Pingxiao nor Ruan An noticed his arrival, but the boy heard his parents’ previous conversation.
Upon hearing the words “pregnant,” Huo Xi’s dark pupils lit up.
He immediately trotted towards Ruan An with his short legs, excitement evident in his voice, “Mom~ Am I finally going to have a little brother or sister? I’m so happy!”
“…”
“…”
***
Just past midnight, a fragrant calming incense burned in Madam Gao’s chamber.
A person had just come to Ruan An’s courtyard, explaining the situation and dispelling the suspicions surrounding the pregnancy in the main house.
At this hour, many people were already asleep.
After learning about Ruan An’s possible pregnancy in the morning, Madam Gao’s mood hadn’t been great. Therefore, she sent someone to bring Concubine Jiang to her.
Madam Gao lay on the reclining Buddha bed, absentmindedly twisting the Buddhist beads in her hand, her expression somewhat melancholic.
She sighed to Concubine Jiang, “Xin’s death anniversary is approaching. These days, I haven’t been sleeping well, and I often hear her crying in my dreams. In a few days, come with me to Daci Temple and conduct a ritual for her salvation.”
Daci Temple was a royal temple not open to commoners, and even the abbot had royal blood.
Rumors outside claimed that the abbot of Daci Temple was the illegitimate son of Prince Chen, who had gone to India for spiritual practice a few years ago.
Concubine Jiang nodded respectfully, replying, “So many years have passed in the blink of an eye. Even the Second Young Master is married now. If Miss Xin were still alive, it would be time for her to consider marriage.”
After these words, the tinge of sorrow in Madam Gao’s eyes deepened, and the movement of her fingers on the Buddhist beads paused for a moment.
Concubine Zhang lowered her eyes in an indiscernible manner and quickly assumed a flustered appearance of having said something wrong.
She repeatedly apologized to Madam Gao, saying, “My lady, I did not mean to bring up your sorrowful matter intentionally. Alas, why am I so indiscreet with my words… Please forgive me, my lady… I truly didn’t do it on purpose…”
Madam Gao lifted her eyelids and glanced at Concubine Zhang.
Her expression quickly returned to normal as she sighed faintly, “Why should I blame you? If there’s anyone to blame, it’s that despicable woman from the southern courtyard.”
Madam Gao emphasized the word “despicable” heavily.
Suddenly, unable to contain her emotions any longer, she sat up and furiously threw a lacquered plate from the small sandalwood table onto the floor.
“Clang—”
The sound startled Concubine Zhang and the maids standing by in the side hall.
Madam Gao almost hissed, “As long as that despicable woman lives, I will not have peace. If it weren’t for the Lord’s protection of her, and the fact that she bore him that disappointing illegitimate son, I would have drowned her in the pond long ago!”
“Madam, please calm down… Lady Jiang has been sickly and frail; she might not live much longer…”
Madam Gao’s eyes still held a sharp, fierce look, but she gradually calmed down.
After a deep sigh, she lay back down on the reclining bed and said, “This time, although that cousin from the Fang family didn’t conceive, given the Duke of Dingbei’s affection for her, it won’t be long before she does.”
Speaking of this, Madam Gao lamented, “Looking at Lady Fang’s face, she seems to be a woman of good fortune.”
The words “good fortune” sounded harsh to Concubine Zhang, but she dared not show any displeasure in front of Madam Gao.
Madam Gao continued, “However, the Lord is too indulgent with Huo Xi, his legitimate eldest grandson.”
If Huo Lang really decided to pass his title to Huo Xi, it wouldn’t be impossible.
Madam Gao understood in her heart that although Huo Lang’s attitude towards his three sons was indifferent, he must favor his eldest son, Huo Pingxiao, born to him and the main wife, more.
Naturally, he would also favor Huo Xi, his legitimate eldest grandson, following the principle of loving the house and its crows.
Thinking that Ruan An might give birth to another son for Huo Pingxiao in the future, Madam Gao felt a sense of crisis.
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