Chapter 7.2

Now, while things seemed chaotic, in reality, this was the tail end of the plan, and there wouldn’t be any major problems, so she wasn’t worried. What worried her was Bingyan’s situation. True to his word, within three days, Tianlei had news about Bingyan. A letter from Chang’an mentioned that Bingyan had gone missing a few days after marrying into the General’s household. The Yuan family had secretly searched for her in Yangzhou, and her father had already fled with his precious gold as soon as he got wind of it. That was typical of her father. But… Bingyan was truly missing now! No one knew where she had gone!

Bingyan didn’t become the General’s wife, so where would she go? She should have returned home! Tianlei speculated that Bingyan might be hiding with relatives or someone had helped her escape. To keep Yuhu from worrying too much, her husband remained optimistic, almost to the point of self-deception!

She didn’t argue or impulsively want to search for Bingyan herself, knowing that Tianlei needed to focus at this crucial moment. She couldn’t distract him any further. She would bear her fears alone! Moreover, the Du family would surely mobilize everyone to find Bingyan, making the situation much better than before. At least they could learn more facts from Matchmaker Zhang. At this moment, she couldn’t help with anything! A few days ago, she had a minor fall that disturbed her pregnancy slightly, but it didn’t cause any problems. However, she began to experience morning sickness, spending her days eating plums as her main meal, sleeping a lot, and feeling lethargic. Fortunately, she didn’t vomit much, or she would have been even more miserable!

A perfectly good morning was interrupted by the sudden appearance of a mother and daughter in the garden. Aunt Ke and Ke Mudan, who hadn’t interacted with her for ages, were approaching.

Lately, the servants had been busy, and no one was guarding the gate, leaving the New Garden open for anyone to come and go!

“Oh! Cousin, you’re so leisurely, while everyone else is busy. You’re just relaxing here.” Ke Mudan greeted her insincerely as the mother and daughter sat down unceremoniously. Ever since they found out Yuhu wasn’t a noble lady but a martial artist’s daughter, their disdain was palpable even from ten miles away! Today, they were clearly here to cause trouble. With everyone else out of the house, they felt emboldened.

Aunt Ke was even more scathing, “A martial artist’s daughter must have burned incense for eight generations to have such good fortune today. Rising to such heights, we should all learn from her! Impersonating someone else to marry into our family, relying on that successful womb! Whether she’s a chicken or a dog doesn’t matter.”

“So, Aunt and Cousin came today to congratulate me? I am honored. Alas! Our Qi residence is not large, and it’s getting crowded with so many people. Once the child is born, I wonder where we will stay! Last time, Tianlei invited a feng shui master, who said the best place is in the north of the residence. The ‘Ji Garden’ where you live is ideal for the child. I was thinking—”

“How dare you! You think you can evict us!” Aunt Ke slammed the table and stood up, almost ready to strike. “You, a lowly woman, should be grateful for your days of wearing gold and silver, yet you dare to dream of controlling everything!”

Yuhu clutched her chest theatrically, speaking softly, “Oh, Aunt, what’s wrong? I meant that ‘Ji Garden’ where you’ve lived for five years is getting old. Why not move to the south, to ‘Morning Rain Pavilion,’ and we can renovate ‘Ji Garden’ for the child. I am just a junior, and I don’t have any say in the Qi family. The Old Madam and Lady Qi will live long lives, and I am without talent or ambition, so I wouldn’t dare have wild dreams.”

Ke Mudan snorted coldly, “Stop pretending! Everyone knows it was you who got rid of Chun Ya, Fang Auntie’s family! Abusing the Old Madam’s favor to do as you please! You better understand, the Qi family giving you a bite to eat should be enough. Stop stirring up trouble!”

“That’s a reversal of the truth, Cousin,” Yuhu said lightly. “I married Tianlei and am the Third Young Mistress of the Qi family. No matter what, I am part of the Qi family, and my children will bear the Qi name. But as for you, Aunt, forgive me for being blunt, you may be the Old Madam’s daughter, but you are still married into another family. You bow to the Ke family ancestors, not the Qi family. In this household, the Ke family is merely a guest; once Shizhao starts his own family, there’s no reason for you to stay here. Cousin, you’re not young anymore, you should have married by now. Aunt, if you want to stay here, I don’t mind, but make sure to distinguish between host and guest.”

“You imposter! That child in your womb may not even be a Qi! Everyone knows how close you’ve been to Liu Ruoqian these past months!” Aunt Ke, humiliated and furious, shouted. But her attack went only so far! In an instant, Yuhu grabbed her by the collar and dragged her onto the stone table, “Say that again if you dare!” She picked up a fruit knife and threateningly slid it across Aunt Ke’s cheek. With people like her, you had to scare them!

“You—You wouldn’t dare—Mudan, go call for help! Hurry—” Aunt Ke, terrified, screamed for help.

As Ke Mudan, shaking, tried to run, Yuhu flicked her wrist, and the fruit knife embedded three inches into the ground, pinning Mudan’s heel. Ke Mudan fainted on the spot!

Yuhu laughed coldly, “Don’t think only villains can use dirty tricks! Compared to you trying to kill my husband three years ago, this revenge isn’t even half of what you deserve. Aunt, you look down on me, thinking a martial artist’s daughter is illiterate, but it doesn’t mean she can’t fight. Do you understand? And let me tell you, the injuries your son suffered were the result of him trying to assault me! As a fellow woman, I won’t be polite to you! Tianlei respects you because you’re an elder and a woman, but I repay grudges tenfold! Don’t provoke me again, understood?”

Aunt Ke nodded frantically, tears and snot ruining her makeup as she crumpled to the ground, almost crawling away.

“Take your daughter and leave! You can cry and complain all you want, but don’t let it reach my ears, or else—”

“I—understand—” Aunt Ke picked up her daughter and fled, as if seeing a ghost!

Finally, peace and quiet! It was a relief to vent some frustration. She sighed. Would Bingyan be safe?

Her unease would only be alleviated once she knew Bingyan was well. Otherwise, no matter how happy she was, she would feel guilty for life. Bingyan, may heaven protect you!

“Yuhu, wake up!”

Early in the morning, Qi Tianlei gently called his wife, who was buried in the bed. Though he knew she was sleepy lately, today he had to wake her. She would be happy.

“Yuhu…”

“What little dog is barking? Someone, beat it to death!” Yuhu mumbled, turning over and almost smacking her husband out of the bed! Fortunately, Tianlei dodged quickly. When she wanted to sleep, anyone disturbing her would suffer.

Tianlei pulled back the blanket, sat her up, and dressed her. Once she was ready, he picked her up and carried her outside.

Yuhu groggily opened her eyes. With him pulling and tugging, her sleepiness had mostly faded. She pinched his arm in annoyance. “Where are you taking me?”

“To sell!” He kissed her.

“Don’t you have things to do today?” Recently, she never saw him when she woke up, and he only returned late at night.

“Nothing until the afternoon. I took leave from the Old Madam to take you to see the doctor.”

A carriage was already waiting at the gate. He helped her onto it.

“Am I sick?”

“Yes!” He instructed the coachman and got in.

“What’s so special today?”

He gently caressed her cheek.

“These past days I’ve neglected you, but soon everything will be resolved, and I’ll make it up to you.”

“That’s so strange! Saying this out of nowhere, don’t you know I can be quite content and enjoy myself even without a husband? I’m not sick or in pain, so why do I need you around? You’re just in the way!” She pretended to be annoyed, waving her hand, but her husband pulled her into his arms, clearly displeased with her words.

“Woman, don’t you know that a husband needs a little sweet talk? How can you expect a man to risk his life for you without a bit of charm?”

“Sorry, I like sour and spicy things, not sweet! Why don’t you teach me? What kind of sweet words can captivate a man?”

Finding a comfortable spot on his shoulder, she teasingly slipped her hand inside his shirt, gently stroking.

“I only have one wife, but she’s so dense that she doesn’t know how to speak sweetly to me. I have no example to follow. How about this? Next time I’ll go to the brothel and learn a version to show you… Ah!”

“You dare!” She grabbed his neck with both hands.

“I wouldn’t dare!” He removed her hands and mischievously kissed her neck, making her squirm from the tickles.

Yuhu, laughing and out of breath, covered his mouth. “Let me make you happy—Aunt Shu and her family have arrived! Let’s welcome them properly this morning. Brother Liu brought some precious herbs for your nourishment.”

“I’m happy they’re here, but why not invite them to our home? Why do it so secretly? Are we ashamed of them?” She felt it was disrespectful to their guests.