"Very well, I understand." Zagonnas nodded, his voice gentle as if the white jade he bestowed upon Cendrarsa enveloped her being.
"Go inside and start the class, do not keep the children waiting. I will return home."
"Understood."
Despite the mere few steps away, Zagonnas remained standing at the school's entrance, watching as Cendrarsa entered the courtyard of the cottage.
Listening to the cheerful sounds of studying emanating from the academy, Zagonnas found himself unusually restless instead of his usual calm demeanour.
Should he delay the class slightly, escort his newlywed wife to the clinic first, and then return?
Could they encounter venomous snakes, beasts, robbers, or lechers on the way?
His wife, so stunning and drawing the attention of many, delicate and soft-spoken, how could he feel at ease?
Yet as he was about to step inside to inform the students to study independently for a short while, it dawned on him suddenly.
He hadn't married just any feeble woman; he had married Cendrarsa, the Dark Sect's Mistress Cendrarsa.
In this world, the only one who could stand on equal footing with her was him, Zagonnas. In this rustic village, who could possibly harm her?
He had let his imagination run wild!
With a sigh, Zagonnas turned and entered the building.
Although he appeared as a scholarly gentleman, during classes, not a single student dared to misbehave. Even clad in the simplest coarse robe, he couldn't conceal the inherent aura exuding from him.
But the children were too young; they only perceived him as stern, unaware that the apprehensive feeling they experienced stemmed from Zagonnas' formidable presence.
Within the school, Zagonnas truly became Zagonnas, not the seemingly fragile schoolteacher to outsiders.
Meanwhile, Cendrarsa returned home.
Lifting the lid of the pot, she found two eggs and a bowl of plain congee inside. Beside the stove was a small jar, which upon opening revealed pickled radishes and green beans.
This simple breakfast, when tasted by Cendrarsa, transformed into the most delectable delicacy on earth.
Yet as she savoured the meal, Cendrarsa's mind wandered.
If Zagonnas were to discover her true identity, her days of bliss would likely come to an end. In their previous life, when they fought, he wielded his sword with deadly intent. When the blade pierced her heart, she cried out in pain.
Therefore, she had to tightly guard her secrets, no matter what happened, keeping him in the dark about her true self.
Furthermore, she needed to swiftly turn raw rice into cooked rice, and consummate their marriage as soon as possible. Once emotions were involved, even if he were to discover the truth later, he might not have the heart to harm her.
Yes, prioritize their intimacy.
Determined, Cendrarsa finished her meal, tidied up, and walked out into the morning light.
Maple Village and Maple Village were close, separated by a small stream. The women from both villages usually gathered at the stream's edge to wash clothes.
This spot served as a crucial site for cultural exchange between the two villages.
As the women washed and saw people approaching, they set down their washboards, lowered their voices, and began sharing fresh rumours.
"I have something interesting to tell you, but please keep it to yourselves."
"What is it, did your old man strike it rich?"
"No, listen here. Last night, the bed at Teacher's house collapsed."
"The bed collapsed?"
"How did that happen?"
"Are you foolish? It shook, can't you tell? The teacher is so slender, with a delicate waist, yet the bed could still be shaken."
"What? That's unbelievable, you must be joking."
"Why would it be impossible? My old man saw it while on night duty last night. The teacher and his wife came out in the middle of the night and went to sleep at the academy. The bed collapsing was confirmed by Teacher himself."
"Goodness gracious, who would have thought? The teacher is quite formidable indeed!" one woman exclaimed, even licking her lips in anticipation.
The village women from Maple Village were equally engrossed in the conversation.
At that moment, Cendrarsa happened to pass by the stone bridge over the stream.
"Good morning, ladies."
Cendrarsa's smile was especially radiant, and the village women nodded in response.
In a hurry to reach the clinic, she did not linger. After a brief greeting, Cendrarsa walked briskly away.
As they watched her retreating figure, the village women all cast envious gazes her way.
"Ah, it's truly a case of different strokes for different folks. My man at home, not to mention shaking the bed, doesn't make a sound."
"Who doesn't feel the same? If I had married later, perhaps I would have had such good fortune." One woman expressed a hint of regret for marrying early.
"It's just you? The teacher isn't even interested in you, hahaha."
"What's with that? I used to be the village belle a few years back."
The women chuckled and bantered, unknowing that their words were keenly heard by Cendrarsa, with her exceptional hearing.
If indeed, as they said, it was Zagonnas who shook the bed, she might have felt proud hearing this. Her husband was valiant and formidable. But in truth, she hadn't engaged in any intimate activities the previous night, which was rather unjust.
No, she needed to prepare a potion today. If she couldn't entice him, she needed a backup plan.
Yes, that's the way to go.
As the clinic opened, it was another bustling day, yet Cendrarsa didn't forget about preparing the potion.
This potion wasn't a poison or a life-saving elixir. Moreover, the dosage was tricky to estimate. While an ordinary person might just need a spoonful of Heshou powder, for someone like Zagonnas, with his formidable martial arts and profound inner energy, even a whole bottle might not have the desired effect.
Perhaps, a curse would be more fitting!
One that made him want to push her onto the bed the moment he saw her.
The mere thought made Cendrarsa's eyes light up, but as she unpacked the medicine chest brought from the Southern Frontier, she reconsidered this method.
No, if he were to discover later that she had cursed him, knowing his disposition, he would certainly be enraged.