Chapter 6.2

It seemed her pregnancy had ruined many people’s plans! Yuhu, mischievously clinging to the Old Madam, said, “Old Madam, you wouldn’t believe it, but Tianlei’s health has greatly improved recently. When we went to Daiyun Mountain, we encountered a strange person who gave us a miraculous herbal medicine. Since returning home, Tianlei has seldom been bedridden! He might be fully recovered by the end of the year. In recent years, we’ve relied on Cousin Shizhao to handle outside affairs, but now that Tianlei is well, Cousin won’t have to work so hard anymore!”

The Old Madam looked at her grandson in surprise and delight, “Really? Tianlei?”

Qi Tianlei secretly kicked Yuhu but still smiled, “I’ve been feeling better, Old Madam.”

Lady Qi was moved to tears, but Ke Shizhao shot a cold arrow, “So, Cousin is in good health now. No wonder he was able to impregnate Sister-in-law so quickly! Usually, only robust men can easily make a woman pregnant…”

“What do you mean by that!” Qi Tianlei suddenly stood up and grabbed Ke Shizhao by the collar, causing everyone to gasp, especially since he appeared to be on the verge of fainting from anger.

The Old Madam was the first to shout, “Shizhao! Apologize immediately!”

Seeing the situation, Yuhu immediately pinched her thigh to squeeze out tears and cried, “Is Cousin implying that I’m unfaithful? Oh heavens! I don’t want to live anymore! I’ll take my child and die—”

“No! No! No! Bingyan, don’t do anything foolish! Be careful of the child… Ke Shizhao! Kneel down!” The Old Madam was frightened, pulling Yuhu to her and yelling at Ke Shizhao.

Seeing the situation turn against him, Ke Shizhao immediately dropped to his knees, realizing that his cousin-in-law had outmaneuvered him this time, and he had lost.

Qi Tianlei coughed dramatically, indicating his anger had taken a toll on his heart. Yuhu rushed to him, shouting, “Tianlei! Tianlei! Are you alright? Old Madam, Mother, I’ll help him back to the New Garden! I don’t understand what Cousin meant by slandering my reputation and making Tianlei so angry. Old Madam, I have Tianlei’s child; I will never have another man in my life. Please stand up for me! Otherwise, how can I continue as the Third Young Mistress of the Qi family?”

“I understand! I understand! It’s because the Old Madam has spoiled Shizhao too much! The Old Madam will discipline him! Now, you help Tianlei back to his room!”

“Thank you, Old Madam!”

After the couple withdrew, the remaining people in the hall had varied expressions; some were genuinely happy, probably only the Old Madam and Lady Qi.

Ke Shizhao knew that after this incident, the Old Madam would not agree to him taking Du Bingyan as his wife! Moreover, with Qi Tianlei’s improving health, her plans might change. The empire he had worked so hard to build over the past four years might be handed to someone else! He had to see what Qi Tianlei was capable of! As for Du Bingyan, he wouldn’t let her go easily!

A month could accomplish many things, especially when one is favored! Within a month, Li Yuhu had arranged marriages for Chun Ya and Xiang Ping, who were originally supposed to be her sisters-in-law. She also suggested that the Old Madam reward Aunt Fang’s family for their hard work with a house, thus elegantly kicking them out while earning a good reputation. Aunt Ke and Ke Mudan posed no threat anymore. Now wasn’t the time, and they were wise enough to keep quiet, understanding their precarious position. A slight misstep, and the Old Madam would expel them immediately.

Aunt Ke and her daughter found some relief in the fact that Qi Tianlei, dragged into the business by the Old Madam, was a hopeless case! No matter how you compared, Ke Shizhao was far superior! He strutted around all day with great pride!

The next day, Yuhu invited several servants to pick plums in the garden to make wine, while Tianlei was called to the study by the Old Madam. As long as there was a glimmer of hope, the Old Madam would never let the family’s business fall into the hands of another surname. Lady Qi personally made nourishing soups for the couple every day. As the sun grew stronger, Yuhu planned to return to her room for a rest, but she saw Ke Shizhao’s figure swaying at the main entrance. Since all the servants were in the plum grove, no one guarded the front door. Yuhu was on alert.

“Do you need something?”

“Just came to see how my beautiful cousin looks pregnant. It’s normal to show some concern for you!” He seemed to have had a bit to drink, his tone incredibly frivolous. He stepped into the tea hall and walked toward her.

“Is that so? If you’ve seen enough, please leave. Tianlei doesn’t welcome idle people in the New Garden.”

He laughed arrogantly, pointing at her. “He’s a hopeless case! Even after a month of the Old Madam’s teaching, he still knows nothing. You actually want a husband like him! Was it really him who got you pregnant? Or was it Liu Ruoqian? Look at me—” He pulled open his shirt, revealing a muscular chest. “I’m the real man!” He then lunged at her, clearly intending to act out under the influence of alcohol!

But before he could touch a thread of her clothing, he sobered up halfway in fear! A dagger was pressed against his neck, drawing a line of blood.

“You—” His words were cut off by a slap.

“Trying to take advantage of me while Tianlei isn’t here?” She smiled coldly, pushing forward while he retreated until his back was against the door. “In your dreams!” She kicked him out the door, sending him tumbling down the steps!

“You—” He was stunned for a moment, his face flushing with anger. Gathering his courage, he convinced himself she had merely gotten lucky. With no one around, this was his chance! Without thinking, his lust drove him to charge again!

Li Yuhu lightly sidestepped, letting his stomach impale itself on her dagger. Since he dared to assault her, he couldn’t blame her for being ruthless! He reacted quickly, dodging slightly, causing the knife to pierce his side. As he screamed in pain, she unleashed a barrage of punches and kicks, treating him like a sandbag! The tea hall was left in shambles, and finally, she kicked him into the lotus pond as the servants, hearing the commotion, came running!

“Young Mistress, what happened?”

Yuhu, blushing, softly replied, “Cousin saw a big rat in the house and was so scared he ran around wildly, eventually falling into the pond. Quickly, help him back to his room to rest! It’s adorable how such a big man is afraid of a little thing!”

The servants stared incredulously at Ke Shizhao, pulling him out of the pond. By then, he was barely conscious.

“Hurry and get a doctor!” Yuhu waved them off with a smile. Surely, there would be new gossip among the servants tomorrow!

What satisfaction! She stretched her arms, feeling her long-unused muscles relax greatly! Let’s see if that scoundrel dares to have improper thoughts about her again! Ever since she drove those women out, the air had been much clearer! The servants, having no factions to align with, kept to their duties diligently!

Maybe she really was extraordinary! Li Yuhu couldn’t help but feel a bit self-satisfied. Once everything was settled, she would reveal her true identity to the Old Madam! If she had to remain as the Third Young Mistress of the Qi family, it would have to be as Li Yuhu, not Du Bingyan. And she had to visit Yangzhou to see Bingyan, who should have returned home by now! She hoped Bingyan could forgive her for taking Tianlei… Though her intention was to help Bingyan, it turned out she had benefited herself greatly, leaving Yuhu feeling a bit guilty. Fortunately, the complex internal affairs of the Qi family eased some of her unease. Without a strong personality, it would be impossible to navigate such turbulent relationships; Bingyan would surely have been bullied!

But—Tianlei was indeed a good man. Her unease stemmed from the fact that he was a good husband! It seemed she would only be at peace when Bingyan found a good husband and lived happily. So she had to find time to visit Yangzhou.

That mix-up with the bridal sedan chair, was it fate’s trick? What did it mean? If she was meant to be Tianlei’s wife, did that mean Bingyan might be suited for that terrifying Yuan Buqu?

She wasn’t a cowardly person; from a young age, she had seldom feared anything, even when her father chased her with a stick. In Yangzhou, everyone saw her as tough and fiery, not knowing that her heart was softer than tofu. Men who admired her beauty were deterred by her behavior; it was her protective color! But she feared Yuan Buqu! Though they had never formally met, she had once peeked at him from behind a door. Seeing a hulking giant, she couldn’t recall his facial features but his imposing presence was terrifying! At the time, she was just a ten-year-old girl, and he was already an adult. Even now, as an adult, she still regarded Yuan Buqu as the most frightening man she had ever encountered!

How could such a man be kind to women? Especially with the mysterious deaths of his previous two wives, which made him seem even more sinister. No! She didn’t believe fate would pair them together! Bingyan must have returned to Yangzhou! If nothing unexpected happened, Yuan Buqu should still be on the battlefield, and Bingyan would be safe!

A perfect beauty like Bingyan deserved a more outstanding man! Yuan Buqu, that brute… was not a match for her!

Two months had passed since the whole incident, and she still found it absurd. However, one thing puzzled her—if Bingyan had returned to Yangzhou, why was there no reaction at all? The Yuan General’s household had given the Li family a significant amount of wealth! Wouldn’t they come to claim their bride? If Bingyan’s father discovered that his daughter had returned home after marrying the wrong man, he would surely come to Quanzhou to clarify matters. Why was everything so calm?

Did the matchmaker and her party not say anything upon returning to Yangzhou? No, something was off!