As Madam Ruan crossed the threshold of her home, a chorus of excitement greeted her. Her eldest daughter, Ruan Di, a radiant beam of happiness, rushed forward with arms outstretched, her eyes sparkling with joy. "Mother, the gods have heard our prayers! I'll have a new sibling now!" Ruan Di's words were like music, filling the space with warmth and anticipation.
Throughout the household, the news spread like wildfire, igniting hearts with joy and gratitude. Servants bustled about, preparing a feast fit for royalty to celebrate the precious life growing within Madam Ruan's womb. Fragrant dishes filled the air with tantalizing aromas, a testament to the abundance of blessings bestowed upon the household.
"Congratulations, Aunty Ruan. My mother will be so happy when she heard this."
"Thank you, Bai Lu," Madam Ruan remembered her childhood friends with a little melancholy. They were good friend and encountered the hard problem of conceiving. "Take my letter to your mother before you left, alright?"
"Yes, Aunty."
As day turned to night, only Ruan Di and her father - Ruan Cheng gathered around Madam Ruan, their laughter mingling with the soft glow of lantern light. They shared stories of generations past, weaving dreams for the future that now held the promise of a new member. Madam Ruan basked in the warmth of their love, her heart overflowing with gratitude for the gift of motherhood bestowed upon her.
In the quiet moments before sleep claimed them, Madam Ruan rested her hand upon her swelling belly, feeling the gentle flutter of life within. With each beat of her heart, she whispered silent prayers of thanks to the gods above, knowing that their blessings had truly transformed her home into a sanctuary of love and joy. And as she drifted into dreams filled with visions of the child yet to come, Madam Ruan knew that her journey through pregnancy would be guided by the unwavering support and boundless love of her cherished family.
Another part of the house was full of opposite emotion.
In the dimly lit chambers full of expensive vases, whispers of envy and resentment danced like shadows upon the walls. The news of Madam Ruan's pregnancy had spread like wildfire, igniting a fierce storm of emotions within the heart of her youngest daughter, Ruan Shu, and the jealous first concubine - Mrs. Li.
Ruan Shu, usually a beacon of joy and warmth, now stood in the center of the room, her features contorted with anger and disbelief. "How dare she," she spat, her voice trembling with fury. "How dare Mother bring another child into this house, stealing what little attention we have left."
Beside Ruan Shu, Mrs. Li, her once serene countenance twisted with jealousy, clenched her fists in silent rage. The realization that Madam Ruan's pregnancy would solidify her status as the primary wife, casting Mrs. Li and her own child further into the shadows, fueled the flames of envy burning within her heart.
Their whispers of discontent drew the attention of their conniving lackey, a sly servant who had long harbored ambitions of his own. With eager ears, he listened as Ruan Shu and Mrs. Li plotted to rid themselves of Madam Ruan and her unborn child, their words dripping with malice and deceit.
But unbeknownst to Ruan Shu and Mrs. Li, their treacherous schemes had not gone unnoticed. In the depths of the household, hidden from prying eyes, a loyal spy watched and listened, his allegiance unwavering in the face of betrayal.
When news of Ruan Shu and Mrs. Li's plans reached the ears of Ruan Di, she sneered.
The next morning, Ning cousins invited Ruan Di for an outing. They won't be hunting, but riding horse was indispensable. Even if An Wangyi won't be there, she could met another noble sons and find a prospective husband.
She cleaned herself and went out of the inner room. Wearing only a lotus-colored bellyband, she ran to the suitcase and picked up some clothes.
The lavender Sian brocade dress looked good, but it was a spring dress, and it was too early to wear it in February; the pink cloud-filled coat was clean, but there was a stain on the front and couldn't even wash it off...
That pink butterfly dress was the same one she saw Ruan Shu wearing not long ago.
Ruan Di squatted on the ground with some frustration, flipping through it boredly, and suddenly she found a vermillion short coat. It feels quite thick and looks brand new.
She happily asked Miu to help her put it on, with a moon-white skirt underneath, covering her thick breeches.
She then asked Lyo to dig out a wide belt from the suitcase and tie up her slender waist tightly.
Ruan Di looked at her small waist in the bronze mirror and smiled proudly.
She sat obediently in front of the dressing table, raised her face and said to Miu:
"Miu, I can't wear my hair in the usual bun today, just tie up my crown."
Miu responded crisply and took out the makeup box. He took out a white jade crown, tied her hair up high, and tightened it with the jade crown.
The excess hair hangs naturally on both sides of the cheeks, adding to the hazy beauty.
Today's makeup was also much simpler, with only a pair of long, narrow and sassy eyebrows and a light red lip.
When the beauty was charming, even a little smile was intoxicating.
Miu stood behind her and couldn't help but said: "My Lady still looks so good in her military uniform."
They knew for sure tehir lady was dressing up very attentively. It was beyond the usual.
Then Ruan Di looked at the mirror for a long time.
Miu was right, after all, she had returned to her youth appearance, but it was difficult to truly find her past.
"Lyo, find those little leather boots for me. I'm going out to ride a horse today."
"Yes."
After Miu helped her put on her leather boots, Ruan Di left An-Han Pavilion to greeted her parent. They told her to be careful and listen to her cousins.
Without haste or delay, it was already noon when they arrived at Ning family's training ground.
Ruan Di was eating some snacks in the carriage and excitedly jumped before her maids could helped her out.
"Thunder!"
She patted the tall black horse and received its greeting happily.
The horse's whole body was as smooth and shiny as a black ribbon, and its limbs were slender.
The mane was clean and neat, it was tied into clusters of braids with red rope. It was very handsome.
In addition, there was a crescent-like birthmark between the horse's forehead, which was the reason she named the horse Thunder.
"Shouldn't you greet me first? Do you really regard a horse more highly than your brother?"
Ruan Di didn't even look at him, "I don't have a brother."
Dong Bae and Lu Han snickered while Ning Zi's face turned ashen.
Ruan Di mounted the black horse, then galloped out with the horse, "Let's ride already!"
It was her first time riding such a strong horse after her rebirth. She was careless with the speed and almost lost control a few times, she already lowered her body very low and still barely maintained her balance.
She held the horse's rein tightly and heard a violent whistling sound in her ears.
After a while, she seemed to hear someone catching up with her behind her.
Looking back it was a man.
He is wearing golden armor and a red battle robe and has handsome features, a rare appearance in this world.
She was stunned by his appearance.
'What is An Wangyi doing here?'
Her slow control of the horse made Thunder rush into the outer camp without thinking!
It was unable to dodge and was about to hit the fence outside the barracks when it jumped into the air and crossed briskly.
But Ruan Di lost her balance at this moment, leaned back, and was about to fall off the horse, but An Wangyi caught up with her at this moment and flew over to protect her without thinking.
Only a muffled sound was heard, and Ruan Di fell on top of someone.
She was frightened and wrapped her arms tightly around the man's waist.
Fu Qian groaned as if his injury was more serious.
Ruan Di was frightened, and quickly let go of his waist, knelt and whispered:
"An Wangyi, are you alright?"
"No."
"..."
Everyone followed them and the moment they dismounted, it was already late.
The Ning soldiers helped An Wangyi into the camp and invited military doctors to treat him.
After Ning Zi sent An Wangyi in, an elder man came out to look for Ruan Di.
Ruan Di saw him talk to the soldier who had Thuder, not knowing what the content was.
Ning Tao - Ruan Di's uncle walked over with a cold face and his voice was harsh: "Ruan Di! How can you be such a fool?!"
Ruan Di shivered in fright, and she dug her nail into her thumb. She was careless in the name of provoking Ning Zi, she also injured a high military officer like An Wangyi.
It made sense for her uncle to be mad, "I'm sorry, Uncle."
The anxious look and repentance posture calmed Commander Ning Tao's heart, but he was still afraid. An Wangyi was his friend's son and serve the nation with him. If anything happened to him, this old man was sorry to his friend and the country.
His voice softened, "Head there and apologize to him."
"Yes, Uncle."
When she walked in, she saw that the military doctor had just given An Wangyi medicine, and his right arm and shoulder were exposed. His honey-colored complexion and long and strong muscles were extremely well-proportioned and beautiful.
Everyone was startled when they saw Ruan Di suddenly barging in. Although the riding ground was near the military camp, but it was an open space and it's different from a tent when everyone was men.
An Wangyi put on his clothes haphazardly, with most of his chest still exposed.
Seeing that something was wrong, the soldiers and military doctor hurriedly retreated.
An Wangyi's face felt a little hot, and he felt that it was not good for him to lie down, so he could only grit his teeth and sit upright.
Ruan Di helped him propped his back, "Thank you for saving me."
"It's nothing."
The atmosphere was stagnant, the sound of bubbling potion and smell of medicine was somewhat alluring, confusing the two yet no one said anything.
Each had thought of their own, but Ruan Di was the first to wake up: "Then I'll let you to rest, Young Master An."