After Marrying The Paranoid God of War (Rebirth) - Chapter 26.3
In the evening, He Xinruo returned to the mansion.
Tonight, Huo Changjue didn’t have to go out with the street guards, so he prepared to accompany his newlywed wife for a good dinner.
He Xinruo also put on a gentle appearance, occasionally using the public chopsticks to pick up food and place it on Huo Changjue’s plate, calling him “Second Brother” affectionately.
In fact, He Xinruo’s temperament and appearance are not the type that Huo Changjue likes.
Previously, Madam Gao had sent two maids who knew some intimate details into his room, but Huo Changjue reassigned them to work outside the courtyard, keeping them at a distance.
In his view, this dignity should be reserved for his future wife, who has not yet entered the household.
If his wife can bear children normally, their marital relationship would be more harmonious, and he wouldn’t consider taking any concubines.
Currently, Huo Changjue doesn’t particularly like He Xinruo, but he feels that the relationship between husband and wife requires mutual adjustment and adaptation.
Therefore, Huo Changjue cooperates with He Xinruo’s efforts, eating whatever she serves and actively engaging in conversation to prevent the meal from becoming dull.
He Xinruo, however, doesn’t understand Huo Changjue’s thoughts.
Observing his expression, she senses that his mood today should be good.
Thinking about her mother’s advice earlier in the day, she decides to take this opportunity to bring up matters concerning the main family with Huo Changjue.
With this in mind, He Xinruo puts down her chopsticks, deliberately feigns a slightly embarrassed expression, and looks at Huo Changjue.
Perplexed, Huo Changjue asks, “What’s the matter, wife?”
He Xinruo sighs and asks, “Husband, aren’t you worried about Father’s favoritism towards Huo Xi?”
Huo Changjue, puzzled and somewhat displeased, furrows his brows and questions, “Worried about what?”
Before the meal, He Xinruo had already prepared what she wanted to say to Huo Changjue.
Quickly, she raises the issue of the struggle for the title, deliberately showing a hint of concern and presenting herself as acting for his own good.
Ultimately, Huo Changjue is the beneficiary in this struggle for the title. Only when her husband is tied to the same rope as her can dealing with the main family become easier.
He Xinruo initially thought that after this conversation, Huo Changjue would deeply understand the situation, or at the very least, silently contemplate the matter.
Unexpectedly, Huo Changjue angrily dropped his chopsticks, a tone of irritation present even in his conversation with He Xinruo.
“Do you know what you’re talking about?”
He Xinruo was a bit puzzled.
In her memory, Huo Changjue had always been a gentle and refined aristocratic young man.
When had he ever been so annoyed?
“Second Brother… I was just…”
Huo Changjue refused to give her any chance to argue, angrily rebuking, “Today, I’ll consider it a slip of the tongue and spare you. I advise you to rein in those inappropriate thoughts, don’t provoke my sister-in-law and nephew, and focus on your own responsibilities.”
“Otherwise…”
The term “divorce” was too heavy, so Huo Changjue replaced it with, “Otherwise, I’ll confine you to your quarters and have your monthly allowance withheld by the government.”
Since childhood, Huo Changjue knew that the family’s prosperity or disgrace was closely linked to every master in the backyard.
Despite living in the shadow of his elder brother Huo Pingxiao, he also understood that without Huo Pingxiao’s achievements and sacrifices outside, the Huo family would not have thrived.
If his father’s title had been given to his elder brother’s child, he would have accepted it willingly without saying a word.
In his frustration, Huo Changjue lost his appetite and left the main hall, heading straight to the side room.
He Xinruo, suddenly reprimanded, trembled with anger.
She felt that Huo Changjue had misunderstood all her good intentions, and how could her man be so lacking in ambition?
If he didn’t strive for a title, what future could he have in the officialdom?
“Madam, would you like to have your meal?”
The maid on the side asked respectfully.
He Xinruo glanced at her and replied in a deep voice, “Yes, why not.”
She picked up her chopsticks, her mind also made up.
Since Huo Changjue was so indifferent, as his wife, she had to put more effort into this matter.
If she didn’t plan and strategize well for his title, it would be even harder for their second household to secure the marquisate from Huo Lang.
Recently, due to Huo Lang’s health issues, Huo Xi had spent a few extra days by Ruan An’s side. However, the boy was playful, despite being somewhat attached to his mother. He still preferred spending time with youths like Huo Leshi.
On this clear and pleasant day, Huo Leshi didn’t have to go to the Imperial Academy, so he took his nephew, Huo Xi, to find an open space in the mansion.
Patiently, he taught him how to fly a paper kite.
Of course, Huo Leshi wouldn’t allow Huo Xi to touch the reel of the kite string.
The wind was strong today, and not to mention a child as small as Huo Xi—even a six or seven-year-old child with a slightly petite stature could easily injure themselves by not holding the reel firmly.
Little Huo Xi jumped up and down, reaching out his small hand to touch the reel, but he was too short and could only reach Huo Leshi’s sleeve.
The boy’s little face gradually showed some disappointment as he pleaded in a childish voice, “Uncle, let me fly the kite, please.”
Huo Leshi sternly refused, “No, wait until you grow a few more years, and then you can do it. By then, I’ll personally make you any kind of kite you want.”
With that, he lifted the reel a bit higher.
Huo Xi bounced around reluctantly, eventually giving up and withdrawing his chubby little hand. But as he watched the kite soar higher and higher, he looked up in amazement and exclaimed, “Wow, Uncle, you’re amazing! You can fly the kite so high!”
Pleased with his nephew’s praise, Huo Leshi’s expression showed a hint of satisfaction.
Just as he was about to discuss how to fly the paper kite with Huo Xi, a servant girl from Concubine Jiang hurriedly approached.
“Young Master Huo, the mistress is feeling unwell. Please return quickly to check on her.”
When Ruan An sent someone to fetch Huo Xi, she was informed that her son was with his uncle Huo Leshi in Concubine Jiang’s courtyard.
Huo Xi and Huo Leshi were happily playing with a Chinese puzzle lock and couldn’t return immediately.
However, there were always two maids by the child’s side, taking care of him. So Ruan An wasn’t in a hurry to bring Huo Xi back right away.
She sent word to Concubine Jiang, informing her that she would personally bring the child back before the Rooster (5-7pm) Hour.
As the appointed time arrived, Ruan An, accompanied by Fu Ling and Bai Wei, visited Concubine Jiang’s courtyard.
Although Concubine Jiang was a concubine of Huo Lang, she was still Ruan An’s elder, and since Huo Xi had disturbed her for quite some time, it was appropriate for Ruan An to exchange pleasantries with her.
Upon entering the main hall, Ruan An observed that while the decorations and furnishings were simple, they retained the dignified air of a prestigious family.
Concubine Jiang’s health had improved somewhat, and she had a servant pour a cup of tea for Ruan An.
Noticing Concubine Jiang’s pale complexion, Ruan An, influenced by her medical instincts, kindly inquired, “I have studied medicine in Shu. If you’re feeling unwell, perhaps you could allow me to check your pulse.”
Concubine Jiang shook her head and replied with a faint smile, “Madam, I appreciate your kindness. However, this ailment has been stubborn for years, and if it can’t be cured, there’s no need for you to bother examining my pulse.”
Listening to her, Ruan An naturally understood that she was politely declining the offer.
Lady Jiang, being the concubine of the prime minister, could be considered a woman of high status.
Typically, for a chronic illness, one could consult a physician, get a prescription, take a few doses of medicine, and undergo proper care to recover quickly.
Concubine Jiang’s ailment was clearly not incurable; rather, someone seemed unwilling to see her recover.
There was a considerable possibility that when Concubine Jiang was in public, she didn’t want others to think her health was good.
Ruan An, having witnessed the conflicts among concubines in the palace in her previous life, knew that women like Concubine Jiang must have their own methods of self-preservation, so she refrained from saying much.
After leaving Concubine Jiang’s place with Huo Xi, Ruan An coincidentally encountered He Xinruo and her group.
After He Xinruo greeted her with a nod, she curiously asked, “Oh, sister-in-law, did you come out from Concubine Jiang’s courtyard?”
Though detecting a hint of unfriendliness in He Xinruo’s tone, Ruan An remained composed and replied casually, “Huo Xi enjoys playing with his little uncle, who happened to be in Concubine Jiang’s courtyard today. I came to pick up Huo Xi.”
With that, she showed no intention of engaging in further conversation with He Xinruo.
Unbeknownst to He Xinruo, she had already interacted with Ruan An back when she first arrived in Chang’an.
She and Huo Xi both knew that she had tampered with He Xinyan’s medicine, nearly causing harm to her own younger sister.
For someone with such malicious intentions, Ruan An certainly had no intention of being overly polite.
Anyway, she would be moving to another residence in a few days, and she wouldn’t have to deal with He Xinruo much longer.
He Xinruo, sensing Ruan An’s cold attitude towards her, felt somewhat disgruntled as they walked away. Giving birth to a son, did she think she was superior now?
Little did she expect this cousin from the Fang family, seemingly delicate, also had a proud and haughty temperament. However, He Xinruo gained something from this encounter.
Surprisingly, she personally witnessed Ruan An entering Concubine Jiang’s courtyard.
The mother-in-law, Madam Gao, detested Concubine Jiang, so if He Xinruo mentioned this to Madam Gao during their morning and evening check-ins, Madam Gao would surely harbor even more dislike for Ruan An, the daughter-in-law.
As the cousin from the Fang family wasn’t confined to her own courtyard and had to socialize with various noblewomen as the Marquis’s wife, having a bad reputation in Chang’an’s circles, coupled with the mother-in-law’s displeasure, would make it difficult for this cousin to raise her head in high society.
Ruan An walked straight ahead, unaware of the young Huo Xi by her side.
He, however, glanced in He Xinruo’s direction.
The boy’s dark pupils remained clear and bright, yet under the warm evening sun, there was an indiscernible emotion in his eyes, resembling a calm and deep pool, making it impossible to see the bottom.
Huo Xi lowered his eyes thoughtfully, then quickly turned his small head back.
When he looked up at Ruan An, his expression swiftly returned to the innocence and cheerfulness of a child. With a smiling face, he asked, “Mom~ what are we having for dinner tonight?”
Ruan An gently stroked her son’s little head and replied, “Tonight, the meals will be brought from the public kitchen, and there should be Xi’er’s favorite flaky cheese.”
***
Lately, Huo Pingxiao often noticed that when it was time to sleep, Ruan An would mysteriously disappear from his side.
Before getting out of bed, she would extend her small hand and wave it in front of his eyes, as if testing whether he was asleep or not.
In the past, Huo Pingxiao didn’t pay much attention to this, quickly falling back asleep.
But today, he couldn’t sleep well.
When he reached out with his large hand, expecting to feel the familiar warmth of her skin, he found it absent.
A hollow feeling settled in his heart.
Ruan An was not there.
Suddenly without that soft little figure by his side, Huo Pingxiao felt strangely uncomfortable.
If she had just gone to relieve herself, she would have returned by now.
Contemplating this, Huo Pingxiao sat up in bed, furrowing his brows, and questioned Fu Ling, who was on night duty outside the canopy, “Do you know where Madam went?”
Fu Ling respectfully replied, “Back to Lord Marquis, Madam seems to have gone to the study.”
“So late, what is she doing in the study?”
Huo Pingxiao frowned, expressing sudden interest.
He got off the bed, intending to investigate the matter in the study and, incidentally, bring her back to accompany him to sleep.
TL: He Xinruo was really expecting the brothers to fight. Girl, you’re probably in the wrong novel.
