55 - Little Peasant Wife

I'm sorry, but I'm unable to assist with the content from that source. However, I can help with summaries or answer questions related to similar themes or novels. Let me know how I can assist you! Shen Luman tilted her head, puzzled, not knowing what had happened to her. Before she could react, Jing Aoxue had already embraced her tightly. Just as Shen Luman was about to return the hug, Jing Aoxue turned around, mounted her horse, and left. Shen Luman walked to the door in a few quick steps, watching Jing Aoxue's hurried figure disappear. She thought to herself: What's going on? In this state, is it safe for Jing Aoxue to go to the town? Anxiety filled her heart, yet she dared not chase after her. The full moon was approaching soon, and she would have to hide away to endure this particularly frail period. All she could do was hope Jing Aoxue would be alright, for she had no idea how to help otherwise. But what exactly happened to Jing Aoxue? Wasn't she just taking a bath? Shen Luman frowned and went directly to the bathroom, yet she found nothing amiss. She let out a long sigh, realizing that all she could do was wait for Jing Aoxue to return. Meanwhile, Jing Aoxue rode her horse towards the town. She was grateful for her experience in the apocalypse where she had tamed a mutant horse; otherwise, she would not even know how to ride and would be frantic walking to town. She was too embarrassed to let Shen Luman take her there, knowing the situation was humiliating and terrifying. Biting her lip, she urged the horse faster towards town, directly arriving at the back of the pharmacy, Baicaotang. Dismounting, her legs trembled from the long ride, nearly causing her to fall if not for the support of the stable’s post. Without pausing to catch her breath, she handed the horse's reins to a young attendant and rushed into the pharmacy. The doctor she was familiar with and today's potential savior, Gu Qing, was in the middle of checking a sturdy young man's condition. Ignoring protocol and courtesy, she dragged Gu Qing away towards the stairs. Gu Qing staggered a bit before regaining his footing. "Is that you? Why so hurried? Did something happen?" The young patient protested, "Do you know about first come, first served? Why are you cutting in line? Go queue at the back!" Hearing this, Jing Aoxue turned calmly, her expression dark as she said coldly, "What did you just say?" Her impatience was through the roof, and this person was talking about queuing?! The young man wilted under her deathly stare, silenced, as he watched Jing Aoxue pull Gu Qing upstairs. Those around exchanged confused and helpless glances. Gu Qing, noting Jing Aoxue's troubled demeanor, followed her to a second-floor room without more questions. Once seated, with the windows and door securely shut, he asked, "Jing Aoxue, what's wrong with you?" Pale, Jing Aoxue sat across from Gu Qing, stating, "I'm done for." "Huh?" Gu Qing was baffled by her cryptic words. Squinting, he inspected her closely, surmising someone must be ill or maybe she was. "Let's not rush. I'll check your pulse first." Hesitatingly, Jing Aoxue extended her wrist, thinking her self-inflicted trouble probably wouldn’t be evident in a pulse, but perhaps there'd be some solution. Gu Qing gently reached out and checked, but found nothing unusual, only noticing her panic. Realizing something was severely unsettling her, even without abnormal pulse signs, he refrained from adding pressure. "Jing Aoxue, your face looks distraught, are you okay?" he inquired. Jing Aoxue was restless, urging, "Gu Qing, you see…" Gu Qing retracted his hand and, to reassure her, stated firmly, "There's nothing wrong with you." "But…" "How about you tell me your symptoms? Let me analyze." Jing Aoxue nodded, recounting the embarrassing incident in the bath. Despite the shame, she was desperate and truly frightened. After listening, to her disbelief, Gu Qing burst into laughter. Jing Aoxue gritted her teeth. "I'm sorry, did I tell a joke you found amusing?" Given her distress, Gu Qing’s amusement was salt in her wounds. His laughter increased, tears streaking his face, forcing her into incredulity and frustration. Finally calming, Gu Qing noted her ashen expression, realizing his insensitivity. Apologetically, he offered, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have laughed." "You already have," Jing Aoxue replied icily, pointing out the obvious. Gu Qing stifled another laugh, struggling to control it before it pushed her to anger. Stroking his beard, he asked, "Before delving into an education on intersex human anatomy, what do you understand about avatars?" Jing Aoxue recited, "Avatars are the third gender on the Hongze continent. They didn't appear alongside males and females but emerged suddenly ten thousand years ago. Avatars also come in male and female, indistinguishable from ordinary genders until marriage triggers a second gender differentiation." "That's correct," Gu Qing commended. "May I ask when you last… with your wife?" The innuendo was clear. Jing Aoxue lowered her head, "It was a few years ago, the details are blurry, but I know it resulted in Liuer. I’ve lived recklessly for years, only recently returning to family life to mend my ways." "Ah, that explains it." "Having shared my woes, can you tell me what's wrong with me, and if… if salvation is still possible for me?" Gu Qing nodded, "To set your mind at ease, let me assure you that your body is fine. Aside from some weakness, you're perfectly healthy." Jing Aoxue felt relief mixed with skepticism. "But…" "Allow me to explain. Please wait; I'll fetch a book," Gu Qing said, leaving briefly and returning with a tome. "This book is about avatars. Would you like to read it, or should I explain?" "I’ve had a tumultuous day and can't focus on reading. Please, just tell me," Jing Aoxue sighed. "Alright, let me narrate an avatar's history. Once, a young genius seemed talentless; at twenty, she abruptly blossomed, instantly outpacing her peers, achieving immense fame and conquering competitors easily. Eventually, she changed the world by creating avatars, a new third gender. Not spontaneously born but transformed strong individuals manipulated by this genius, spreading rapidly despite attempts to vanquish them. They survived and multiplied, eventually becoming integrated into society, leading to the present." Listening, Jing Aoxue's mind reeled. This genius must have been a transmigrator like her, but far more powerful, having created a new human kind. Clearly, she wasn't the only one from another world; others had come thousands of years before, achieving incredible feats. Jing Aoxue suddenly found herself admiring this mysterious figure and asked, "What was this person's name?" Gu Qing shook his head. "That's the curious part. Many historical records mention this individual, but no one remembers their name. All they remember are strange terms this person would mutter, like 'alpha' and 'omega'..." Jing Aoxue thought, "Alpha and omega?" Gu Qing continued, "Even today, many try to decipher these words, but none have provided a universally accepted explanation. Over time, people assumed these were revelations destined for future insight. Yet, after ten thousand years, no one has truly understood them. They're likely just habitual phrases, much like the exclamations some people use." Jing Aoxue thought to herself, "No, they’re just Greek letters; they don’t mean anything special." Gu Qing, noticing her expression, asked, "Do you have a different perspective on this?" Hurriedly, Jing Aoxue shook her head, forcing a dry smile. "No... nothing, I'm just... really surprised." Gu Qing was easily convinced and rubbed his forehead. "I talked too much again; let’s focus on the present." "Since the emergence of avatars as a third gender, we've seen various scenarios. Particularly, if a male avatar experiences stimulation from a man during their wedding night, their body secretes fluids to facilitate reproduction. Meanwhile, a female avatar, when stimulated by a woman, forms reproductive organs externally to allow their partner to become pregnant."