"I'm too rash! I have nothing—and where will I even sleep? I've exhausted my strength…"Wan'er plopped down by the roadside, her hair a bird's nest of despair. She was on the verge of tears.
An old lady nearby, Gu Liu, looked at her with pity."Uhm… if you don't mind, you can stay at little Xian's house. After all… he's not here anymore."
Wan'er froze for a moment, realizing that she had just abandoned her mighty position in the palace to run off to a disaster zone with zero preparation. She sighed."Oh, sure. Thank you, Grandma Gu…"
She barely remembered lying down before she fell asleep on the old wooden bed, exhausted beyond words.
Knock, knock!
Wan'er stirred groggily. The sunlight streamed through the cracked window, and the faint smell of porridge filled the air. For a moment, she blinked around, confused.Then it hit her—oh right… I'm no longer in the palace.Her Empress gown was gone; her "chamber" was now a peasant's house; her mattress, a creaky plank bed.
"Umm… did we disturb you?" Old Lady Gu peeked in nervously.Wan'er sat up and smiled. "No, no. I'm awake."
"Miss… uh…" Grandma Gu hesitated, realizing they didn't even know her name.
Wan'er smiled. "Just call me Madam Xiang."(Well, I'm still Xiang's wife… right? Might as well use it.)
"Madam Xiang! We came early because the seeds you planted yesterday—they already sprouted! They're huge!"
Wan'er blinked, surprised. Then she laughed softly."That's good. Gather the women and children; we'll harvest them together. Oh, and make breakfast for everyone."
The old lady nodded enthusiastically and rushed off to spread the word.
Wan'er stretched and looked around. Little Xian's house was simple but tidy. A bit old, but cozy enough to shelter her from the rain and wind."Still… I should renovate this place later," she muttered.
After tidying herself, Wan'er went to find Grandma Gu again."Grandma Gu, are you here?"
A little girl popped her head out from behind a wooden post."Grandma's cooking, pretty lady!"
Wan'er blushed and gently pinched the girl's cheeks."So sweet~ Call me Madam Xiang, okay?"
The little one giggled and ran off. "Grandma! The pretty lady's here!"
Inside, Grandma Gu turned with a smile. "Madam Xiang, what brings you here? Do you need something?"
Wan'er rubbed the back of her neck awkwardly."Um… is there anyone here who can read a pulse? I… have a feeling I might be pregnant."
Grandma Gu blinked, then chuckled."Oh, no need to look elsewhere. I can do it. You know, everyone in this village knows a bit of medicine. Before the plague, our land was full of herbs, fruit trees, and fields of vegetables. It was beautiful here…" Her voice wavered slightly before she smiled again. "But since you came, it feels like life's coming back."
Wan'er scratched her head sheepishly."I'm just happy I can help… though I do wish I'd arrived sooner."
After checking Wan'er's pulse, Grandma Gu nodded, eyes shining."You're right, Madam Xiang. You're with child—and a very healthy one, from what I can tell."
Wan'er blinked, then chuckled softly, placing a hand on her still-flat stomach."Thank you, Grandma Gu."
"Call me Grandma like the others," the old lady insisted warmly.
Later, Wan'er went outside to inspect the land. Many trees were withered beyond saving, but some still had life left. She pressed her palm to their bark, channeling her Qi to revive them. The ground hummed faintly as new green shoots appeared.
"Madam Xiang is a cultivator?" a middle-aged man, Gu Yan, asked in awe.
"More or less," Wan'er said casually, wiping her brow. "Why, are you interested in cultivation?"
"Not me," he laughed. "My son is!"
"Well, I'll be staying here for a while. I can teach them the basics."
"Really?! Thank you!" Gu Yan bowed deeply, but Wan'er waved him off."Alright, enough formalities. I'm exhausted. I'm turning in early today."
She trudged back to the little house, plopped down on the bed, and sighed."I really need to fix this place up…"
Then the silence hit her.
"I feel so lonely…" she whispered, voice trembling. "I was so confident when I left the palace, but now I just feel… lost."
Her chest tightened."I miss my mom… my dad…"Memories from her old life rushed in—bright labs, late-night study sessions, the comforting scent of home-cooked food. Her throat tightened, and tears spilled down her cheeks.
"I can't cry… it'll affect the baby…" she murmured, and then cried harder until sleep finally claimed her.
Meanwhile, outside, a young boy came running."Grandma! There's a suspicious person outside asking for the pretty lady!"
Old Lady Gu hurried out, only to see a tall man in royal robes, his expression unreadable but eyes full of worry.
"Are you perhaps here to fetch your wife?" she asked.
Jun Xiang dismounted silently and nodded once. His heart was pounding.
"Madam Xiang is this way," Grandma Gu said, smiling.
When Jun Xiang heard that name, a faint smile tugged at his lips. She's been using my name even here…
Grandma Gu scolded lightly as they walked."It's dangerous for your wife to travel alone in her condition! Her life isn't just hers anymore, you know!"
Jun Xiang froze mid-step. "Condition?"
But before he could ask further, they reached the door."She's inside. Rest well, young man." Grandma Gu left them alone.
"Wan'er, you—" Jun Xiang stopped.His words died in his throat as he saw his little wife curled up in bed, eyes puffy, still sniffling in her sleep.
"She's been crying…" he whispered, heart aching.
He slowly climbed onto the bed and pulled her into his arms."Don't leave me," he murmured, kissing the top of her head.
Wan'er stirred, confused by the warmth around her. Huh? Who is this?She almost kicked him, but a deep voice rumbled near her ear.
"Already forgot your husband, Madam Xiang?"
Her eyes widened. "Jun Xiang?!" She burst into tears again."W-what happened? Did you get hurt? What should I do?!"
Jun Xiang could only blink. It was the first time he'd seen her cry this much—and all he could do was hold her tighter.
"Done?" he asked gently when she finally calmed.
Wan'er glared weakly, then buried her face against his chest."Let's talk tomorrow. I'm too tired…" Jun Xiang murmured, pulling her close until they both drifted off.
That night, peace finally returned to Wan'er's heart.
…Until her stomach growled loudly.
Wan'er peeked out from under the quilt. "Grandma Gu…? Are you awake? I'm hungry…"The old lady just laughed from the kitchen."Come eat, Madam Xiang! I saved some porridge for the pretty lady—and her big scary husband!"
Wan'er groaned, her face red."Grandmaaaa!"