Chapter 118: Concubine Lingxue: He Is Not Him... - Ah? The Wives I Abandoned Turned Out to Be Real

Chapter 118: Concubine Lingxue: He Is Not Him... The snow on the rooftop had gradually started to melt, turning into droplets that fell rhythmically from the eaves. Huang Qingwan sat at the window, dressed in a white blouse, a look of melancholy gracing her features as she gazed into the courtyard. Mourning clothes on a youthful beauty. Sorrow accentuated her distinct aura. Just yesterday, Guo Lin had unceremoniously changed her form of address to call her "Auntie," also suggesting that she needn’t keep mourning for her father and could remarry as she wished. Who knew where she learned to say such things? Inadvertently, an image of Su Mo appeared before Huang Qingwan. Su Lang. When will it just be the two of us left in this world... ... In the tavern's kitchen. Perhaps due to the righteous energy radiating from Su Mo, Guo Lin, held in his arms for a while, noticed her strength gradually returning. "Brother Su, it seems my illness is almost gone." "That fast?" Su Mo found it hard to believe, then reached out to feel her forehead, which was now just softly warm and no longer scorching. "But regardless, you should rest for a bit in my bed." He then disregarded Guo Lin's protests, lifted her gently, and carried her towards his room. Inside, Chunzhu had already fallen back asleep. Seeing Chunzhu and Su Mo sharing a room didn't surprise Guo Lin. Since her mother had entrusted Chunzhu to Brother Su, it was her duty to attend to his daily needs. Su Mo offered a soft explanation. "Chunzhu got injured yesterday and needs a few days to recover." "After the meal, she went right back to sleep." Guo Lin nodded in understanding. "Yes, she should indeed rest." Then, Su Mo tucked Guo Lin into his bed, placing the Xuan Iron cleaver by the bedside. Although spring had begun, the air was still chilly. The righteous energy imbued in the cleaver could warm the room. Guo Lin, exhausted, fell asleep before Su Mo could say more. Seeing both women asleep, Su Mo headed to the distillery to gather his bedding. With Guo Lin around, he and Chunzhu would need to behave for the next few days. He'd have to stay in a separate room for now. Thus, Su Mo planned to finish tidying up and then head to the market to acquire some nourishing wild game for them. Ever the optimist, since being with Chang'e was no longer a possibility, he cherished those currently with him. The woman harbored feelings for him, and he couldn't remain indifferent. Having prepared his things, Su Mo donned his coat and left the tavern for the marketplace. ... Seeing Su Mo leave, Xiao Qing hurriedly woke Bai Suzhen, who was meditating. "Sister, your beloved has gone out." Hearing this, Bai Suzhen shot a glare at Xiao Qing. "Xiao Qing, there's no need to bother me for such trivial matters." "Hurry with your practice. I can sense Fahai has yet to leave Linjiang City." "Oh." ... Presently, Su Mo, brimming with vigor, arrived at the market. Though the bustling crowds had thinned, many stalls remained open. Even amidst the demon troubles, commerce must persist. Without income, they'd starve long before demons claimed them. Suddenly. A rhythmic "clip-clop" echoed faintly from a nearby street, the sound suggesting a group of five or six horses galloping together. Su Mo was puzzled. Who could be riding through town so early? Could it be newcomers from the martial world? This possibility set his thoughts in motion. The Black Bear Demon on Black Wind Mountain had influential backing. Eliminating it could incur the wrath of its backer. Not knowing who this backer was, Su Mo didn’t dare take chances. His own welfare wasn’t a concern, but he dreaded implicating Madam Huang or Guo Lin. Just then, Su Mo caught sight of a stall selling jade. Though labeled jade, it was mainly cheap serpentine. Rough stones intermingled with blank jade plaques, beads, hairpins, and bracelets. If he could carve characters onto these plaques, might he hand them to those martial folk itching for a fight? Let them deal with the demon, sparing him the blame from its backer. This realization spurred Su Mo into action; he approached the jade stall directly. Its owner, a rugged middle-aged man, beamed when he saw Su Mo. "It’s Mr. Su! Are you buying?" Business had been absent for a week or more; failure to sell would leave his family destitute. Su Mo nodded silently, picked up a blank jade plaque, and inquired. "How many of these plaques do you have?" The jade seller was quick to respond. "These blanks are made from leftover bracelet cut-offs. There are twelve, usually priced at two wen each, but for you, all for twenty wen." Su Mo nodded. "Got any carving knives?" "Yes." "Including the knife, it's fifty wen." Upon agreeing, Su Mo handed over fifty wen and bundled up twelve blank jade plaques and a carving knife. He then moved to explore other stalls for fitting ingredients. With the newfound coin, the jade vendor immediately packed up, buying thirty cornbread from the vendor nearby. The cornbread seller settled his debts with the woodsman. The woodsman hastened to the general store for a new hatchet. And the general store owner used their earnings to buy his son a candied haw stick... ... In front of Linjiang Spring Tavern. Xu Miaoyin and Concubine Lingxue arrived with their entourage. Finding the tavern doors closed surprised Xu Miaoyin. "Why isn't it open?" "I’ll knock." She dismounted and started knocking. However, after a long time, no one came to the door. Concubine Lingxue's gaze grew cold. "Xu Miaoyin, I hope you’re not deceiving me!" Xu Miaoyin sighed, powerless. She had no notion where Su Mo had gone. Just then, a joyous voice rang out from nearby. "Miaoyin, you're back?" Su Mo returned, bags full of groceries, ecstatic to see Xu Miaoyin at the tavern entrance. He had thought he might never again encounter the bombshell martial artist. Assuming the figures facing away were Miaoyin's disciples, he didn’t take a closer look. Upon hearing Su Mo, Concubine Lingxue's group turned around instantly. As her eyes met Su Mo's, Lingxue caught her breath, her full figure heaving dramatically. Yet, upon closer inspection, doubt seeped into her heart. Though this man before her brimmed with righteous energy, mirroring her beloved Su in appearance, Concubine Lingxue knew better. He wasn’t Su Mo. His aura, his gaze—they were different. An entirely different person! The realization rose like a tide, sorrow deepening in her eyes. The world she once knew could never be reclaimed... ... Initially failing to recognize Lingxue’s group, Su Mo merely observed, noting the breathtaking beauty of the woman in front: skin as smooth as a freshly peeled egg. Her exaggerated curves were hard to ignore. Her waist was so slender, it seemed it could be gripped with two hands. Having forgotten much from the virtual reality twenty-year past, Su Mo felt a sudden jolt upon recognizing the women behind her. Concubine Lingxue! Leader of the Blood Garment Pavilion! A chill ran down Su Mo’s spine. A deadly martial artist, a remorseless killer. Stunning to behold, yet inherently a deadly rose. Devoid of conventional morals or alignment. Xu Miaoyin’s allure likely intrigued Lingxue, prompting her to follow Miaoyin here. Damn it, I haven’t even made my move; how can I let you swoop in first! Spurred by the thought, Su Mo’s mind raced. He wasn’t sure if he could face Lingxue herself right now. But he couldn't allow Xu Miaoyin to be taken by Concubine Lingxue. Feigning ignorance of Lingxue's group, Su Mo approached Xu Miaoyin, greeting her warmly. "Miaoyin, you're back?" "These are your disciples, I presume?" "I just went out to buy some ingredients. You must have come here so early without breakfast. Let me whip up something delicious for you all shortly." "Come on in." With that, Su Mo swung open the tavern door and carried the groceries to the kitchen. Seeing that Su Mo didn't recognize her, Concubine Lingxue's eyes filled with a profound sense of loss. No matter how much she wanted to deny it, she had to face the harsh reality. He wasn’t him! In this world, her Su Lang didn’t exist at all! Standing at the tavern's entrance, Concubine Lingxue watched as Su Mo disappeared into the kitchen, her feet stubbornly refusing to move even a fraction. She was struggling to accept this reality. Xu Miaoyin, observing Lingxue’s demeanor, immediately understood what was on her mind. Having gone through her own internal struggle before accepting Su Mo, Xu Miaoyin knew that no one else could provide solace in such matters. Thus, she chose not to say anything. After a while, Concubine Lingxue sighed softly. "Miaoyin... Lady Xu, you should stay here." "Perhaps it was all just a dream." "Sujin, Lanxin, Ningyue, let’s go." With those words, Concubine Lingxue and her group mounted their horses and departed from Linjiang City, leaving a desolate silhouette in Xu Miaoyin's eyes. Seeing that there was no longer any trouble, Xu Miaoyin realized that Lingxue might have truly given up on Su Mo. Which, in a way, was for the best. After all, who wants to share their beloved? Just then, Su Mo emerged from the kitchen, noticing that only Xu Miaoyin remained, with no sign of Lingxue and her companions. "Miaoyin, where did those four women go?" Xu Miaoyin shook her head. "It’s nothing. They’re just my disciples, here to send me off." "With me settled, they left." Su Mo was a bit surprised but figured that, given Lingxue's persistent nature in the simulations, she might have just left because she saw no immediate opportunity. Xu Miaoyin probably hadn’t explained to avoid worrying him. Considering this, Su Mo asked, "So, where do you plan to go next?" With a playful glint in her eyes, Xu Miaoyin stepped closer and wrapped her arm around Su Mo's. "Mr. Su, is there a need for a tavern guard here?" "I’ll handle any troublemakers." "I don't need a salary, just meals." Hearing this, warmth surged in Su Mo’s heart. He had felt quite down when she left, and now that Xu Miaoyin had returned of her own accord, he had no intention of letting her go. "You said it." "Though you have quite the appetite, it’s manageable." At this, Xu Miaoyin playfully punched Su Mo’s chest. "What do you mean, quite the appetite?" "Practitioners need their sustenance." Feeling the soft breeze and the subtle tickle on his chest where she punched, Su Mo chuckled. "Just kidding, I can afford to keep you well-fed." "However, the back courtyard isn't yet built, so you’ll have to bear with staying in the distillery for now." "The second young lady of the general’s residence and Chunzhu are staying there." Curious, Xu Miaoyin looked at Su Mo with her large eyes. "What about you?" "Me? Oh, I'll just make do and stay on the second floor for now." "The inn is closed for business, so no one will occupy those rooms." "Alright." "So, can you cook me something? My stomach is already growling." "Of course! How about I make you a pot of braised beef tendon stew? It’s very nourishing!" "Nourishing in what way?" "It'll help fill out the right places..." "Mr. Su!" ... On the roof beam, Xiao Qing watched the pair bickering flirtatiously and wanted to call her sister to witness the scene. But turning back, she noticed Bai Suzhen deep in meditation, seemingly at a delicate juncture. Xiao Qing decided against interrupting. She couldn’t help but feel a sense of indignation for her sister. Her sister's beloved... His romantic luck is truly extraordinary... (End of Chapter)