16
Behind the screen, Concubine Fang said gently. “Ah Ran, your cousin, the Marquis of Dingbei, has come. He wants to see you.”
Upon hearing this, Ruan An instinctively clenched her fists. She calmly considered the matter. Although she had given birth to their child behind Huo Pingxiao’s back, she and Huo Pingxiao had had little interaction in recent years. Even if the man recognized her, and they casually chatted about this and that, there was no way he could know of Ruan Xi’s existence.
But even though Ruan An had figured out how to handle the situation, her racing heart still trembled with panic.
Fang Ran’s eyes were shadowed with dark circles when a sudden, unbearable urge to cough overwhelmed her. She coughed dryly a few times with her fist covering her mouth. The attendant standing by quickly brough some clean water and helped her drink it.
Just then, the man’s calm, deep voice came from the behind the screen—
“Since Cousin is unwell, I won’t intrude by entering the room.”
At these words, the lingering anxiety in Ruan An’s heart finally settled. She breathed a sigh of relief, yet knowing that she would take the child back to Jiazhou in a few days, she still felt a trace of regret.
In her previous life, she had suffered from a sever eye disease. Although Huo Pingxiao had found her before she died, she hadn’t been able to see his face, only heard his anxious voice.
Perhaps this unexpected encounter at the Duke of Pei’s mansion in this life would be her final meeting with Huo Pingxiao.
The course of events remained the same as in her previous life, she could only hear his voice, but not see his face.
Though Ruan An was somewhat disappointed, she reminded herself to be content and not greedy.
As long as Ruan Xi was safe, she shouldn’t ask for too much.
At the shen hour (3-5PM), Ruan An returned to the Li Mansion from the Duke of Pei’s residence and, as usual, took the pulse of Madam Li.
She and Ruan Xi had been staying as guests at the Li Mansion for several days. The Li estate was not large, and a child as young as Ruan Xi was most prone to feeling cooped up. Previously, when they were in Jiazhou, Ruan An and Sun Ye would often taken Ruan Xi out to the streets and alleys to expose him to new things.
Although Ruan An had asked the Li family’s servants to buy the child a few illustrated storybooks and toys, Ruan Xi still rested his chubby little face in his hands, always looking dejected.
Ruan Xi was a very endearing child. After arriving in the new environment, he neither cried nor threw a tantrum, and Li Yifang got along with him extremely well.
Today, Li Yifang happened to need to patrol the West Market, so he mentioned to Ruan An that he would take the child there for a stroll. He also reassured her that four Imperial Guard Street Enforcers would follow behind them, and he would keep the child safe.
Meanwhile, after Ruan An finished taking Madam Li’s pulse, she felt that Madam Li had been sizing her up. The color of Madam Li’s eyes had shifted from a bluish-white back to a normal dark brown, and her expression had also cleared up.
But as Ruan An observed her, although Madam Li’s brows and eyes appeared gentle and kind, there always seemed to be a hint of shrewd calculation beneath them.
Feeling a bit uncomfortable under her gaze, Ruan An couldn’t help but ask, “Madam Li, do you have something you wish to say to me?”
Madam Li smiled slightly and said warmly, “Miss Ruan, how old are you this year?”
Ruan An answered truthfully, “Twenty-one.”
She had just turned eighteen when she became pregnant with Ruan Xi. Time had passed quickly—four years had gone by in the blink of an eye.
Madam Li lowered her voice and said softly, “Two years younger than Yifang. Quite a suitable age difference.”
The more Ruan An listened, the more she felt that Madam Li’s words carried an undertone she didn’t quite like. A suspicion gradually formed in her mind, and she was about to speak up and clarify the situation, hoping that Madam Li wouldn’t misunderstand.
But before she could, Madam Li took hold of the hand that had been taking her pulse and said warmly, “Miss Ruan, you are a good girl. You even saved this old woman’s life. Although your family background is a bit humble and you have a child, I can see that my son Yifang likes you.”
Ruan An’s expression remained unchanged, but she gently pulled her hand free from Madam Li’s grasp. Her voice was soft, yet her tone carried a faint detachment as she politely declined, “Madam, you must be mistaken. Lord Li and I are not in the kind of relationship you think.”
Madam Li looked slightly embarrassed but continued, “Miss, I understand how you feel. My husband also passed away early. The year he died, our Yifang was only five. I know better than anyone how hard it is for a widow raising a child alone. Yifang needs a caring companion. I am willing to let you and your child stay in Chang’an. I’ll have Yifang arrange the legal paperwork and take you in as a noble concubine. Even if he marries a proper wife in the future…”
Ruan An frowned and interrupted Madam Li, “I’m returning to Jiazhou in a few days. I don’t know whether Lord Li has feelings for me or not, but I certainly have none for him. Let alone being a concubine, I wouldn’t even want to be his wife.”
This country girl actually looked down on her son?
Upon hearing this, Madam Li no longer felt the need to be polite with Ruan An. “Don’t be ungrateful,” she said. “Yifang’s official career is just taking off. Sooner or later, he’ll be a high-ranking court official. Being the concubine of a high-ranking official, isn’t that better than wandering around practicing medicine with an illegitimate child in tow?”
At the words “illegitimate child,” Ruan An’s warm and beautiful expression gradually turned cold.
She suddenly rose from the bedside, finally understanding Madam Li’s true thoughts. She had saved Madam Li’s life, yet Madam Li looked down on her background from the bottom of her heart. Worse, she had struck directly at her vulnerable spot by calling Xi’er an illegitimate child.
Madam Li was a patient, so Ruan An couldn’t directly retort with harsh words. However, she had no intention of letting this matter slide.
In her previous life, Ruan An had seen more than enough of the scheming tactics used by imperial consorts in the palace, so she understood the thoughts of a woman like Madam Li all too well.
As a fellow single mother, Ruan An did not want to become someone like her. She would not meddle excessively in Ruan Xi’s future marriage either—as long as the girl had good character, that would be sufficient. Nor would she interfere in her son’s future life.
“Madam, you are still unwell. You must rest more and avoid excessive worry. After I return to Jiazhou, when you begin searching for a wife for Lord Li, you should also understand that the daughter of a noble house is naturally different from a village quack like me. Those young ladies have been raised delicately in fine clothes and rich food—they cannot tolerate the slightest grievance.”
Madam Li’s eyes flickered, and a dull pain gradually rose in her chest.
Although Ruan An’s words were subtle, Madam Li could clearly read the implication behind them.
Ruan An was warning her: Your son may be outstanding, but marrying a noble daughter from a prestigious family would still be reaching above his station. For such a noble lady to marry him would already be a marriage beneath her status.
She had seen Madam Li’s strong desire to control Li Yifang and knew that it would inevitably lead to discord between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law in the future. At the same time, she was subtly telling her: Although she comes from a humble background, she was not someone who was easily manipulated. And the proper wife you have your eye on—the one you deem worthy of your son—will be even less willing to be controlled.
Having said this, Ruan An picked up her medicine box and left the inner chamber. A servant woman then brought in a bowl of medicine, only to hear Madam Li sneer softly: “Just a village girl from the countryside. A bit of looks, nothing more. Why is she so arrogant? She’s not young anymore and comes with an extra burden. If not as a concubine, does she really think she could become Yifang’s proper wife? She should think about it—after she returns to her hometown, where else will she find a man as excellent as my son?”
The servant woman looked somewhat awkward but merely nodded at Madam Li.
Though she was a servant of the household, she felt that Madam Li’s actions were not exactly honorable. Madam Li had seen that Ruan An appeared soft and easy to bully. Though she looked down on Ruan An’s status, she still wanted to keep a concubine nearby whom she could easily control.
That way, when a noble lady from a prestigious family eventually married into the household as the proper wife, Madam Li could easily manipulate Ruan An, using her as a pawn to counterbalance her daughter-in-law.
Thinking this, the servant woman couldn’t help but click her tongue in amazement.
Some people, even after nearly crossing the threshold of death and meeting the King of Hell, still refuse to let go of their schemes.
After Huo Pingxiao returned to the Prime Minister’s Mansion from the Duke of Pei’s residence, dusk was approaching.
The emperor had granted him a residence after conferring his marquis title, but the man had spent years fighting campaigns beyond the borders, never staying in one place for long. When he did return to Chang’an, he often lodged at the military camp on the outskirts of the capital.
Thus, Huo Pingxiao had never bothered to tend to this vast mansion. He had never commissioned furniture or decorations, never hired master craftsmen to prune the rocks and flowers and grass, nor built pavilions or waterside gazebos.
Recently, Madam Gao had visited the Marquis of Dingbei’s residence and found the scenery there desolate and dilapidated.
Madam Gao was the legitimate daughter of the Minister of Civil Appointments and Huo Lang’s second wife. She had borne Huo Lang a second son, Huo Changjue.
After taking her seat in the main hall, she could not help but urge Huo Pingxiao, who had just returned to the mansion: “If you have the time, you should repair your marquis residence. When I went to see it recently, it looked like it was nearly an abandoned house.”
Huo Pingxiao’s side profile was sharp and defined. He cast a faint glance at Madam Gao, his long, bony fingers holding a glazed porcelain tea cup. He did not reply immediately.
Madam Gao’s heartbeat faltered for a moment under his sharp gaze. Huo Pingxiao then set down his tea cup with a clink and said lazily, “Are you saying, madam, that you don’t want this marquis living in the Prime Minister’s Mansion?”
Madam Gao quickly shook her head and hurriedly replied, “Of course, I didn’t mean that at all.”
The Huo family was vastly different from other aristocratic clans. It was one of those rare, flourishing families where the son had already been granted a noble title while the father was still alive.
In Madam Gao’s eyes, this living devil of a stepson was less like her stepson and more like her living ancestor.
In fact, she feared Huo Pingxiao even more than she feared Huo Lang.
Huo Lang’s demeanor was undoubtedly sinister and overbearing, but after all, he was advanced in years and often bedridden with chronic ailments.
But this living devil before her was a true martial artist, his hands stained with the blood of countless men, having beheaded who knows how many. Just two steps closer from Huo Pingxiao, and Madam Gao would tremble with fear.
“I’m tired. I’d like to go back and catch up on some sleep. I won’t be joining you and the Prime Minister for the evening meal.”
Ever since Madam Gao became Huo Lang’s second wife, as far as she could remember, Huo Pingxiao had never once called Huo Lang “Father,” nor had he ever addressed her, his stepmother, as “Mother.”
He always addressed them as “Madam” and “Prime Minister,” his tone perfectly polite yet distinctly distant.
After Huo Pingxiao left the main hall, Madam Gao took a sip of tea to steady her nerves.
Why hasn’t this living devil taken a wife and settled down yet? If Huo Pingxiao would just get married, Madam Gao hoped he would promptly take his wife and move into his own marquis residence to live his own life, rather than staying as the eldest son’s household in the Prime Minister’s Mansion.
Given this living devil’s temperament, he would certainly never allow his wife to suffer the slightest grievance. And the woman he set his sights on would surely not be someone easy to manipulate.
Once Huo Pingxiao’s wife entered the household, with the man backing her up like that, where would Madam Gao, as the mistress of the Prime Minister’s Mansion, even put her face?
Madam Gao kept comforting herself in her heart.
At least the marriage between Huo Changjue and the eldest daughter of the He family was already settled. As the mother-in-law, she would have every opportunity to establish her authority before her daughter-in-law.
In the West Market, there was a medicinal tea shop. Although the beverages they sold contained several Chinese herbs, the flavor was well-balanced—not overly bitter, drinking more like a cool, refreshing herbal tea.
Originally, such medicinal tea shops were not uncommon in the West and East Markets. But ever since the common folk heard that Prime Minister Huo Lang visited this particular shop several times a year, its reputation took off. During festivals, if you wanted a bowl of their tea, you had to wait in a long line.
During a break from his duties, Li Yifang bought some biluo—Ruan Xi’s favorite snack. As they rested at the medicinal tea shop, Li Yifang watched the little dumpling eat with enjoyment and asked gently, “When you go back to Jiazhou, will you miss these Chang’an pastries?”
Ruan Xi nodded his little head. “Mm-hmm~”
The boy’s eating manner was delicate and refined, yet his cheeks still puffed out slightly as he chewed on the biluo. In a soft voice, he asked, “When Uncle Li comes with me and Mother to Jiazhou, will you stay there or come back to Chang’an?”
Li Yifang looked at the little dumpling’s innocent and adorable expression and couldn’t help but chuckle. He asked in return, “Well, what does Xi’er think? Does he want Uncle to stay in Jiazhou, or does he want Uncle to come back to Chang’an?”
Ruan Xi swallowed his biluo with a sip of the medicinal tea, leaned his little body closer to Li Yifang, and looked up at the man with his dark, clear, glossy pupils. In a small voice, he said, “Actually… you were supposed to be my father.”
After saying this, the boy lowered his eyelashes with a despondent expression.
Li Yifang asked in confusion, “What do you mean by that?”
Ruan Xi sat back down in his original spot, his little mouth slightly pouting, but he didn’t answer.
He remembered that Brother Sun Ye had mentioned that his mother once had a fiancé who was about to become the Prefect of Chang’an. This uncle’s characteristics matched exactly what Brother Sun Ye had described.
But his real father wasn’t him. The boy didn’t know who his father was, and he had once envied the neighbor children for having fathers.
However, Ruan Xi had now made up his mind—as long as he could live with his mother, that was enough.
Li Yifang sensed that the child was thinking of something sad and was about to offer some comforting words when he suddenly felt that the atmosphere around them wasn’t quite right. The bustling noise from beside the medicinal tea shop had abruptly ceased as well.
He looked up and saw Huo Changjue, the second young master of the Huo family, walking toward them. Behind the man followed more than ten sword-bearing attendants, an extremely grand display.
Huo Changjue certainly had no need for such a large escort. Upon closer look, Li Yifang realized that seated beside him in a wheelchair was none other than the current Prime Minister—Huo Lang.
Even with his legs disabled, Huo Lang’s every movement exuded the deep, reserved authority of a high-ranking ruler, making him impossible to look at directly.
The shop owner hadn’t cleared their table away, which likely meant the Huo family had approved of keeping them there.
Li Yifang and Huo Changjue held the same official rank, and their relationship was somewhat delicate. After the two exchanged a bow of equal courtesy, Li Yifang then made a deeper bow to Huo Lang: “This humble official pays his respects to the Prime Minister.”
After completing the formalities, Li Yifang prepared to leave with Ruan Xi.
But Steward Su, who stood beside Huo Lang, changed his expression slightly upon seeing Ruan Xi.
He had followed Huo Lang since childhood and had been his close servant for many years. He vaguely remembered what his master had looked like as a young child.
This child looked far too much like his master when he was young. In fact, his features resembled even more those of the eldest young master, Huo Pingxiao.
The eyebrows and eyes—they were practically identical.
How could such a coincidence be possible? It was truly strange.
He glanced at Huo Lang beside him and saw that his deep, sharp eyes had indeed narrowed slightly.
Just as Ruan Xi was about to turn away, still looking at Huo Lang with curious eyes, Huo Lang beckoned to him and said in a low voice, “That child, come here for a moment.”
Li Yifang couldn’t figure out why Huo Lang had suddenly taken an interest in Ruan Xi. Ruan Xi, however, lifted his little face, nodded at Li Yifang, and then hopped over to Huo Lang’s wheelchair.
The boy showed no fear whatsoever toward this imposing elderly man. Once he stood still, he called out in a clear, sweet, milky voice, “Hello, Officer~”
“You there, child. Which family do you belong to? What is your name?”
No sooner had Huo Lang’s words fallen than Steward Su and Huo Changjue exchanged startled glances, both at a loss for what to do.
The Prime Minister had always been stern and unsmiling, yet just now, they had heard an exceptionally rare trace of gentleness in his tone.
**