Chapter 6.3

Yuhu jumped up and began pacing. Indeed, something must have gone wrong! In the past two months, she had been so busy with Qi family affairs that she had neglected to consider her own situation. She had naively thought that as long as she ‘solved’ the husband issue for Bingyan, everything would be fine. But this wasn’t just about the two of them; it involved four families. It seemed… some link had failed, leaving Yangzhou still in a state of calm. A mistaken marriage was a significant matter. If anyone exposed it, Yangzhou would be in an uproar. But the current calm suggested that… Bingyan hadn’t returned to Yangzhou? So no one knew?

“Oh my! That’s terrible!”

Thinking she was so clever! Suddenly, she felt foolish. Why had she gotten involved in the Qi family’s power struggles and forgotten her own important matters? If something happened to Bingyan, she would be to blame!

No, she had to go to Yangzhou! Turning to rush to the main gate, she unexpectedly collided with Qi Tianlei, who was just entering. He firmly held her by the waist, steadying her.

“What’s wrong? Why the hurry?” He had just heard the new version of the ‘Young Master Afraid of a Rat’ story and suspected what had happened, so he returned to the New Garden immediately.

“I need to go to Yangzhou!”

“You’re pregnant; it’s not suitable for you to travel far! What’s so urgent?”

She waved her hand, “It’s nothing! I don’t have morning sickness, and I’m strong. I’m worried something might have happened to Bingyan!”

Qi Tianlei guided his beloved wife into the bedroom and poured her a cup of ginseng tea. He had long suspected something was amiss; otherwise, no one would have noticed by now. However, he didn’t think it would be anything serious, so he hadn’t been distracted enough to send someone to investigate. It was rare for Yuhu to think so far ahead, given all her worries. He said, “If something were to happen, it would have happened already. Rushing back now won’t change anything. If Miss Du hasn’t returned to Yangzhou, she’s most likely in Chang’an. Don’t worry; I’ll send a message tonight to someone in Daiyun County and have Brother Liu ask his friends in Chang’an to investigate. Acting rashly is not wise. Also, I won’t allow you to travel far in your condition.”

“But if I just sit here and wait for news, I’ll go crazy! How can I live comfortably as a Young Mistress in such a situation? If anything happens to Bingyan, I’ll be the one who caused it!”

“Yuhu, calm down.” He gently massaged her shoulders, soothing her, “Trust me. I’ll make the best decision and find out about Miss Du. My method is more reliable than you rushing to Yangzhou and finding no one. Also, consider that Miss Du might be like you, married to a man she can love.”

Yuhu shook her head. “I don’t believe Yuan Buqu would treat any woman kindly! Have I told you that the man I was supposed to marry is the great General Yuan Buqu? If Bingyan hasn’t been sent back home, she might… already be suffering under the General.”

He had never known that Yuhu’s intended was such a prominent figure, a mighty general feared by foreign tribes. Yuan Buqu’s name was legendary even in Jiangnan. Qi Tianlei thought for a moment, “Why do you say he’s terrifying? Why assume General Yuan wouldn’t treat Miss Du well? He’s currently fighting Xue Yantou; Miss Du must be safe in his household. How could a general at war harm her?” However, he could see his wife’s genuine fear of General Yuan. From what he knew, General Yuan was one of the most upright, unconventional military officers, a man of integrity, completely distinct from bureaucratic schemers. Such a man, proud and just, would not abuse a weak woman. Yuhu might be exaggerating!

“Don’t say optimistic things to cheer me up. I know that strong men are never good! And Bingyan…” She angrily slapped his hand, rejecting any positive words about Yuan Buqu. But her husband interrupted, “Your views are too biased! Aunt Shu’s husband is also strong, and Brother Liu is a martial arts expert. You can’t judge all strong men based on a few bad examples in Yangzhou. Besides, General Yuan is highly respected, never using his power to oppress others. If fate has brought them together, they will be a good match! Yuhu, I believe Miss Du is stronger than you think.”

“I’m worried about her! Especially because I took her happiness, her husband! If she’s not doing well, I’m truly guilty!”

“No, you can’t think that way. Are you happy? I’m not a perfect husband; you’ve had to endure a lot since marrying into this troubled household. We are happy today because you had the courage to change our situation. Even if I adore you, if you weren’t strong, you’d have been manipulated and bullied. I couldn’t protect you all the time. Take Ke Shizhao, for example. If Miss Du had faced his harassment, could she have escaped unscathed and even beaten him up? Yuhu, I believe there’s a reason for everything. And I love you because you are you, not just because you are my wife. You think I make you happy because you don’t find me lacking. If Miss Du had married into the Qi family, we might have ended up hating each other. I was drawn to you because you’re so lovely and lively. Don’t think I’m a man who falls for every woman I see. I’m not interested in that.” He confessed sincerely for the first time, expressing his deep feelings. Yuhu’s inability to accept that she might have taken advantage of Bingyan’s situation had always bothered her. But emotions couldn’t be forced. She couldn’t assume that if Miss Du married into the Qi family, he would treat her with the same affection. He wasn’t a man who loved any woman he married; she underestimated him!

She pitifully said, “I also thought Bingyan wouldn’t handle those nasty people well; but… it doesn’t justify letting her suffer under Yuan Buqu! I would feel guilty for the rest of my life! So I must see her safe with my own eyes!”

He nodded. “For now, I’ll discreetly ask someone to investigate Miss Du’s situation. As for visiting her personally—let’s wait a few months! I’ve already set everything up for the next step, which will take about two months. The Qi family will face a financial crisis, and we’ll deal with Shizhao first. Once everything is settled, I’ll go to Yangzhou with you, okay? Right now, we can’t leave.”

He had been planning this for years, and now was a critical moment. Adding her personal matters to his burden made Yuhu feel guilty. She nodded, full of remorse. “I’m sorry, Tianlei, for adding my problems to your burden! If possible, I would handle it myself…”

“Don’t say that!” He kissed her deeply. “If you continue to separate us, I’ll spank you! You’re carrying my child and still see me as an outsider. I’m scary when I’m angry, aren’t you afraid?” He tried to scare her with a fierce expression.

Yuhu laughed and spat at him. “You’re so silly! Why did I fall in love with you?”

“Because no one will compete with you for me! You’re a jealous woman who likes to monopolize her man.”

She cupped his face.

“When you were ‘gravely ill,’ there were those who would harm you, but now that Third Young Master Qi has ‘recovered,’ the ones who would hurt you are nearly gone. Living a long life is no longer a dream, and who knows how many ladies will secretly admire you! Look at that handsome face of yours; it’s no less charming than Brother Liu’s.”

“Is someone jealous? I thought you only got jealous over plums!”

“You really deserve a beating! When you get beaten to death one day, don’t go crying to King Yama because you deserved it!”

He laughed softly. His goal was to distract Yuhu, not wanting her to worry too much about Miss Du. Seeing her smile was his source of joy and vitality. Of course, he needed to find out about Miss Du’s situation quickly, or within three days, Yuhu would be clamoring to go back to Yangzhou again!

Yuhu sat up halfway and said seriously, “Three years ago, was it Aunt Fang or Aunt Ke who poisoned you?”

He raised an eyebrow, surprised. “I thought you would assume Shizhao was the culprit.”

Insulting her intelligence! She put her hands on her hips and said, “Why would he bother to harm you when he was sure you would die? Those who would be in a hurry are those with less brains than him. I can’t stand seeing women being so foolish! But it’s true that the most venomous hearts belong to women. Aunt Ke came back to rely on her maternal family, hoping to make her son the sole heir. As for Aunt Fang, she wanted to become the master, shedding her servant status, and aimed to marry Fang Xiaoqiao to Shizhao. She would naturally want to eliminate anyone in her way. Could there be a third possibility? I believe Shizhao was more focused on money. Over the years, he must have acquired quite a bit. But with the heirs of the Qi family meeting with accidents one after another, he just wanted to take over everything effortlessly.”

Her confident demeanor made him smile, but he had to nod in agreement; after all, she was right!

“It was Aunt Ke and Aunt Fang conspiring together. However, Aunt Fang’s resentment towards me goes back to Fang Xiaoqiao’s deceased parents. Years ago, Fang’s uncle and his wife accompanied my father to the north for business. They were killed in a bandit attack, which made Aunt Fang harbor a grudge. That’s why the Old Madam particularly favored their family.”

Yuhu asked in surprise, “Is that why you didn’t plan to expose her?” No wonder Tianlei hadn’t taken any action against the culprit, leaving her worried sick. It turned out she was worrying needlessly!

“They couldn’t achieve anything and didn’t have another chance to strike. The Fang family, whom you have already kicked out, combined with Aunt Ke’s loss of power, can do nothing now. Compared to this, everything else seems more like actual business.” He poured her another cup of ginseng tea. “Rest for a while. I promise you’ll know Miss Du’s situation within three days. Once things are settled here, I’ll personally take you to see her.”

Given the current situation, this was the best they could do. Yuhu grasped his hand and asked worriedly, “Will everything go smoothly?”

“I promise.”