Chapter 39

After recuperating for some time, Feng Aoshuang’s injuries had mostly healed. She was naturally hardy and, as a Qianyuan, recovered more quickly than most. However, the hideous scar left by the blade would probably remain with her for the rest of her life.

Whenever Ren Xuemeng helped wash her body, she would stare at the scar with a pained expression.

“It’s only a scar…” Feng Aoshuang would always reassure her in that unconcerned tone.

After Grandpa Li’s burial, peace returned to the village, and life gradually resumed its former rhythm.

During this period, Yang Lulong and the others rarely saw Xiaowen. The only time Wanniang encountered her was beside the river at the village entrance, where she was with Sister Fang.

The two appeared practically glued together, behaving so affectionately that Wanniang was too embarrassed to approach and greet them, afraid she might interrupt.

Yang Lulong had assumed Feng Aoshuang’s terrible temper would improve after everything she had experienced.

Yet once Feng Aoshuang recovered from her injuries, she returned to treating everyone as she had before. Ren Xuemeng was the only person toward whom she remained gentle.

Whenever Yang Lulong chopped firewood in the courtyard, Feng Aoshuang would carry over a reclining chair and act as her supervisor, criticizing one thing and issuing instructions about another.

Her behavior made Yang Lulong want to bury the ax in her face.

Not only had Feng Aoshuang’s irritating personality failed to improve, but she had become even worse by exploiting the fact that she was still injured.

Whenever Yang Lulong argued back, Feng Aoshuang would silence her with the same sentence:

“Don’t forget that I saved your life.”

It worked every time.

Yang Lulong could only suppress her anger and endure Feng Aoshuang buzzing around her ears like an annoying fly.

Things were better whenever Wanniang was present. At the very least, she would speak up for Yang Lulong, and Feng Aoshuang would obediently stop bothering her.

But the moment Wanniang was gone, Feng Aoshuang seemed to sniff out her absence and immediately returned to torment Yang Lulong.

The way these two rivals interacted left Wanniang and Ren Xuemeng torn between amusement and exasperation. Feng Aoshuang annoyed Yang Lulong, while Yang Lulong mocked her in return.

Then they discovered that the baby would inexplicably cry whenever Feng Aoshuang held her, yet remained perfectly obedient in Yang Lulong’s arms.

From that moment onward, Yang Lulong deliberately carried the baby around in front of Feng Aoshuang every day.

Feng Aoshuang watched enviously and tried to reclaim her own child, only for the little traitor to start crying whenever she approached.

Yang Lulong would even add fuel to the fire by soothing the baby in an exaggerated voice.

“You don’t want Mother to hold you? All right, all right… Auntie will hold you. No need for Mother…”

Seeing her baby refuse to let her hold her, Feng Aoshuang could not even lose her temper. She feared that [stolen content]her already poor image in her daughter’s eyes would become even worse.

Compared with the constant rivalry between those two, Wanniang and Ren Xuemeng behaved far more harmoniously.

The two women exchanged cooking techniques, discussed their knowledge, and shared advice about caring for children.

Meanwhile, Yang Lulong and Feng Aoshuang competed over chopping firewood, martial arts, and which of them the baby preferred.

The days passed one after another until it was finally time to part…

“I’ll miss you.” Ren Xuemeng hugged Wanniang goodbye, both women wearing reluctant expressions.

“I’ll miss you too.”

Wanniang lowered her head and gently stroked the tiny face of the baby in Ren Xuemeng’s arms.

“Auntie Wan will miss you too.”

“Remember to write to me,” Ren Xuemeng said with a smile.

“Of course.” Wanniang returned her warm smile.

Their farewell was exceedingly affectionate.

On the other side, however…

“Try not to miss me too much,” Feng Aoshuang said with an exceptionally irritating expression.

“I most certainly won’t,” Yang Lulong replied helplessly. “Make sure you don’t miss me either.”

“Tch. As if I ever would. Hopefully, we’ll never meet again.”

“That would be wonderful.” Yang Lulong folded her arms, refusing to be outdone.

Feng Aoshuang and Ren Xuemeng climbed into the carriage and departed with a crack of the reins.

Only after they had traveled some distance did Yang Lulong suddenly shout, “Damn it!”

Her outburst badly startled Wanniang.

“What happened?”

“I forgot to collect the rest of my payment from her!” Yang Lulong exclaimed resentfully. “Damn it! I lost money on that job!”

Wanniang could only look at her with a helpless smile.

Those two truly were…

Winter was approaching, and it had been raining constantly over the [bailiantales.com]past several days. The gentle patter seemed never-ending, continuing even after nightfall.

Candlelight flickered inside the room.

Wanniang narrowed her eyes as she carefully sewed the winter clothing in her hands. Winter would arrive before long, so she needed to finish everything beforehand.

Droplets of wax slid down the candle and solidified around its base. Its faint flame swayed continuously, casting a warm glow across Wanniang’s face and making her features appear even gentler.

Her eyes were lowered in concentration as she focused on her needlework. Despite the poor lighting, every stitch landed precisely where she intended.

When the rain outside gradually weakened, Wanniang raised her head and peered through the narrow gap in the window.

Perhaps the skies would finally clear tomorrow.

It had already been several days since she had last been able to dry her medicinal herbs beneath the sun.

“Snore…”

An unexpected noise caught Wanniang’s attention.

She turned toward Yang Lulong and found her sleeping soundly with one hand beneath her head. She had dozed off at the table and was even snoring.

Wanniang smiled indulgently at the sight and placed her sewing aside.

Resting her head on one arm, [stolen content]she lay sideways against the table so that she and Yang Lulong were facing one another.

Yang Lulong’s eyes were firmly closed, while her mouth hung slightly open. Rhythmic snores emerged one after another, sometimes loud and sometimes soft.

Amused, Wanniang made no effort to awaken her. She simply smiled and quietly watched her sleep.

The pale orange candlelight fell across Yang Lulong’s angular features. Half her face was illuminated, while the other half remained concealed in shadow.

Perhaps they truly shared an unspoken connection, because Yang Lulong awakened before Wanniang could call her.

She opened her tired eyes, and Wanniang’s face gradually came into focus.

Licking her dry lips, she asked in a slightly hoarse voice, “Are we going to bed?”

“Mm,” Wanniang answered gently. “Did you know you were snoring just now?”

“Huh?”

Still half asleep, Yang Lulong looked utterly confused.

“You silly fool.”

Wanniang’s voice was filled with affection. She cupped Yang Lulong’s dazed face and placed a kiss at the corner of her mouth.

It was only a light peck. Then she rose and walked toward the bed.

“Let’s sleep…”

Once in bed, Wanniang closed her eyes and prepared to sleep, but an uncomfortable sensation made her open them again.

She nearly jumped when she found Yang Lulong’s wide-awake face enlarged directly before her.

“Why aren’t you sleeping?”

“You sleep first. I’ll wait until you’ve fallen asleep,” Yang Lulong whispered.

“Why?”

“I’m afraid my snoring will keep you awake.”

“Even if I fall asleep first, your snoring will only wake me again.”

Wanniang helplessly pinched her foolish face.

“Hurry up and sleep…”

“I don’t remember snoring before…”

“It’s fine…” Wanniang smiled. “If you start snoring, I’ll simply cover your mouth.”