Chapter 6.1

In the plum forest, Liu Ruoqian played his flute, merging with the spring breeze to create a picturesque scene; the mature plums swayed with the wind, exuding an enticing fragrance. By the stone table, Third Young Master Qi was drinking fragrant tea with his wife. After confirming that she “should” be pregnant, Third Young Master Qi no longer forced wine on his wife, regretting that he wouldn’t see her charmingly tipsy for at least ten months. He missed it dearly!

For days, she had been by the Old Madam’s side, achieving nothing significant. However, the Old Madam was stubborn; once she chose someone, she would use them fully. Even Aunt Fang’s deliberate exclusion couldn’t shake the Old Madam’s decision. Meanwhile, the quick-witted manager of the business had already come to ingratiate himself.

To be honest, she found it overwhelming! Today, she finally found a chance to hide in the new garden and accompany her husband. She wouldn’t dare complain about boredom anymore! Being a “mother pig” focused on reproduction was far better than being a merchant! Good heavens! Ke Shizhao was already impatient to “work” with her! Tomorrow, no less!

“I think we should have lunch with the Old Madam and tell her the news of your pregnancy,” Tianlei raised his eyebrows, seeking her opinion.

“Isn’t it too soon? I haven’t even had morning sickness.”

“Mother is already eager to bring in Chun Ya and Xiang Ping. You think it’s too soon? I thought the Old Madam had resigned herself to believing you were infertile!” he laughed, watching her eat the sour and astringent green plums. She was adorable, fearful of the sourness yet unable to resist eating them.

Yuhu quickly made a cup of tea and said, “Please, I’ve only been married for a month, and they’ve already decided I’m infertile! They’re just afraid you might die at any moment! Chun Ya and Xiang Ping’s hearts aren’t set on you. If they come in, it’ll be Brother Liu who suffers.”

Liu Ruoqian coughed, his flute notes going off-key and stopping abruptly. He shook his head and sat back on the stone chair.

“Why involve me? This is your family matter.”

Qi Tianlei shook his head. “They are not my family matters. My only ‘family matters’ are this vinegar jar and the little one in her belly.” He pointed at his beloved wife, who unexpectedly bit him, making him cry out in pain. “See! She is a vinegar jar! How dare I have any improper thoughts? Brother Liu, you can have them for yourself!”

“Brother Liu’s standards are too high; ordinary flowers can’t catch his eye,” Yuhu laughed. For a dashing and handsome wanderer like Liu Ruoqian, marrying him would mean a lifetime of suffering! He was inherently unstable, which woman could hold on to him? Moreover, he was terrified of deeply devoted women! Any woman with strong possessiveness, jealousy, or deep affection would make him flee! But no matter how carefree a woman is, once involved in love, how many can remain detached and without any demands? Hence, he dared not get entangled in love.

“Yes! So I am destined to wander the four seas, alone!”

“Don’t forget the fiancée your parents arranged for you back home!” Qi Tianlei retorted.

“Enough!” He waved his hand, not wanting to discuss it, and changed the subject. “I want to send Huang Jingtang to Aunt Shu.”

However, this couple wasn’t planning to let him off, both resting their heads on their hands and looking at him innocently, without saying a word.

Liu Ruoqian had no choice but to face the topic he had been avoiding for four or five years.

“That girl should have married and had children long ago! We never even met back then. It was just because of our parents’ words that we were bound for life, not even engaged, and then I disappeared. Calling her my fiancée is too much! Can we not bring this up again? The most important thing now is to reform the Qi family’s conduct.”

“But what if that girl has been waiting for you all this time? You’re twenty-eight! And after five years, she’s no longer young. What then?” Yuhu argued for the girl.

“A girl that clingy, I should stay even farther away from.”

“You’ll get your comeuppance someday!” Yuhu said angrily.

Qi Tianlei hugged his wife’s waist. “Don’t be angry! Don’t be angry! We’ll talk about the future when it comes. Brother Liu, you’re setting off for Daiyun County tomorrow. Take that boy with you. He has potential, but his hatred won’t dissipate quickly. He needs some cooling off! The next plan is in your hands!”

“Brother Liu is leaving?” Yuhu’s eyes widened.

“Yes! It’s about time! I can’t let them run rampant any longer,” Liu Ruoqian replied nonchalantly.

Yuhu jumped up. “But—but—if you leave and someone harms Tianlei, poisons him or something, what will we do?” She still worried about the time Tianlei was poisoned.

Qi Tianlei sighed. “You should worry about yourself! Take care of your body, the mother of my child.”

“But—”

“Yuhu, I promise I can live to a ripe old age!” He almost raised his hand to swear, deeply moved by her genuine concern. Such true emotion was a luxury for him!

Liu Ruoqian shrugged with a smile and quietly left the new garden, letting the couple enjoy their intimate moment. Maybe, after everything was resolved, he should go home and see if that girl had married; that would give him some peace of mind. After Yuhu’s words, he couldn’t ignore it anymore! Alas…

Qi Tianlei carried her back to the room and laid her on the bed.

“Was Ke Shizhao disrespectful to you when Brother Liu took in Huang Jingtang?” His tone remained gentle but had a frightening coldness.

“Did Brother Liu tell you? I will handle it myself.” She cupped his handsome face and kissed him lightly.

He shook his head. “No! It was Fang Xiaohong who spread the word. Do you know that those women now hate you?”

“I didn’t provoke them!” Yuhu protested softly.

“I know Shizhao tried to mislead you into thinking I had an affair with Brother Liu, but you weren’t swayed. Fang Xiaohong saw you talking with Brother Liu several times and assumed you were dissatisfied with your sickly husband and seduced the man she adored, thus harboring jealousy and hatred towards you. You should know that Fang Xiaoqiao is determined to become Shizhao’s wife. By stirring up those women, your life will be difficult, so I said you are in danger.” His expression was somewhat troubled. “So, it’s best to inform the Old Madam about your pregnancy early. Your status will be more respected…”

Yuhu wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him deeply. No, she didn’t think anything serious would happen! As long as her husband was safe, she could handle the rest!

“I hope you don’t mind if I arrange marriages for Chun Ya and Xiang Ping. I have my ways of dealing with things. Since those women dislike me, I’ll just send them away one by one! If I don’t show my strong side, they’ll think I’m a weakling! And I’ve always wondered how Aunt Fang and her granddaughters dare to act like they own the place. I must find a way to kick them out! As for Ke Shizhao and his ilk—”

“That’s my concern. Leave it for now; he needs to bear the consequences of his own misdeeds.” He smiled deeply, lying down on the inner side of the bed. “You’re really angry, aren’t you?”

She raised her eyebrows and said, “From a young age, I never let anyone bully me! I hate the current atmosphere in the Qi family. Since this is where I will spend my life, I can’t avoid it! So I have to clean house! It’s unreasonable for me to just stand there and take the blows. No matter how much I pretend to be a noble lady, I can’t keep it up. It’s better to show my true nature! I’m all in! I used to be afraid, but now, whether it’s exposed or not, I must take action! The business is your concern, but the household is mine! How about it?”

He laughed heartily, bowing deeply. “Yes, yes! All up to you! This little man dares not say much to avoid retribution! Now you can ‘command all the vassals with the emperor’s authority!'”

“Yes! That’s my advantage.” She was truly angry! Sometimes, being too kind-hearted didn’t work, especially not in the Qi family! Look at the kind-hearted Yan Sheng and Second Madam, both pushed to the sidelines, unnoticed! While she was still favored, she had to do something. As for her husband… “Hey! How long are you going to be ‘sick’?”

“I’m recovering. I can already walk on my own!”

“Just ‘walking’?” she teased him.

He raised himself in surprise to look at his wife; he was always the one teasing her! “You—”

“There are other things you can do, right?”

“Like what?” He had already lowered the bed curtains, kissing her delicate neck.

“Well… I think you’re almost fully recovered…” Her light laughter was silenced, and everything fell into unspoken intimacy.

Third Young Mistress Qi was pregnant! What a significant event!

After the official announcement at noon, the entire household celebrated, though they refrained from setting off fireworks for fear of disturbing the precious pregnancy of the Third Young Mistress. Boxes upon boxes of precious supplements were brought into the “Jichang New Garden” as if they cost nothing! Now, whatever Yuhu asked for, the Old Madam and Lady Qi would comply. Taking advantage of this, Yuhu requested that the Old Madam allow Yan Sheng and her daughter to move into the New Garden to accompany her, signaling to the snobbish servants that the second branch of the family was about to rise. Of course, it would be best to drive those women out all at once, but it couldn’t be too obvious. No rush; she had plenty of opportunities.

Aunt Ke hypocritically congratulated her, while Ke Shizhao’s eyes flashed maliciously with a mix of ill intent and anger. Ke Mudan’s voice was sharp enough to give anyone goosebumps.