Chapter 7.4

One thing Yuhu didn’t understand, “Why did you believe Tianlei had no ill intentions back then? You should hate the Qi family to the core. How could you participate in his plan? You’re really bold!”

Shu Lianhong drank a cup of tea and said, “You should know, your husband’s face is enough to make enemies surrender without doubt; his sincerity is unquestionable. Plus, Liu Ruoqian and my husband vouched for him. You must understand, Qi Tianlei has a fatal charm that makes people believe he is kind and harmless. He also said he didn’t want any more early deaths in the Qi family, especially not his future children. He believes that those who commit too many wrongs will face retribution: ‘Heaven watches what humans do.'”

Gently stroking her belly, Yuhu lowered her eyes, feeling a bit teary. She believed her child would grow up safely as Tianlei hoped.

How could she deserve such a good man? Nothing made her more aware of her deep love for him than this moment! Could she be worthy of such a man?

“What are you thinking?” Ji Lianlian held her hands and asked softly.

“I’m not worthy of him. I’m not a noble lady.”

She frowned and tapped Yuhu’s forehead. “Who said you needed to be a noble lady? Tianlei just wants you to be you, and you love him!”

Yes, she loved him! How could she not? This inexplicable emotion had secretly grown, and by the time she realized it, her heart was already his, without understanding how it happened. But as long as there was no news of Bingyan, her peace and happiness felt unrealistic. How could she sacrifice another woman’s happiness to achieve her love?

She couldn’t! She would feel guilty forever.

It’s easy to imagine that “Hongtu’s” offer of help was like a slap to the Old Madam’s face! Especially when realizing that the person in charge was Ji’s maid, with the cooperation conditions meaning the Qi family’s business control would be handed over to outsiders, giving away the Qi family’s nearly hundred-year-old foundation!

Yuhu wasn’t clear on the results of the three or four days of deliberations in the study. However, she noticed that the Old Madam and Lady Qi’s expressions grew heavier each day. They still didn’t know this was Tianlei’s plan, and they might never find out. Because she was pregnant and the Old Madam didn’t want her emotions to affect the pregnancy, Yuhu wasn’t allowed to participate in the meetings.

Staying outside, she found some of the events quite amusing. The Old Madam had sent out numerous urgent summonses to recall Ke Shizhao to help clean up the mess. But he repeatedly responded that he was too busy with business and needed more time. The previously arrogant Ke mother and daughter were now silent, not only afraid of Yuhu’s martial skills but also realizing that Ke Shizhao had put the Qi family’s future in jeopardy. They had developed a sense of crisis and hadn’t left their house for days, sneaking out only when necessary. Yuhu guessed they were packing up to make a quiet getaway.

Good riddance! Yuhu pretended not to know, laughing to herself. The farther they went, the better! With fewer schemers around, the Old Madam wouldn’t make more wrong and domineering decisions, and the Qi family could finally find peace.

Those more worried about the Qi family’s situation were the second wife and Yansheng. Hearing rumors of the family’s troubles, they quickly gathered their scant jewelry, planning to pawn it to help out. This kind and neglected mother-daughter pair had been ignored for over a decade! Yuhu shook her head and refused to let them do so.

By the tenth day of discussions, no conclusion had been reached in the study. Some servants had started packing their bags, and those under long-term contracts sighed heavily—things didn’t look good. Especially after news spread that the Ke mother and daughter had taken a lot of valuables and left without saying goodbye, the entire Qi residence felt like it was covered in a layer of gloom, infuriating the Old Madam. However, this mass desertion made the once-dominant Old Madam see her situation more clearly, softening her a bit and possibly making her repentant. Yuhu believed that the tide had turned. Tianlei would get what he wanted, Aunt Shu would get her justice, and the Old Madam would realize the true nature of those she had trusted and adjust her imperious ways. Having wielded power for decades, it was time for her to rest and enjoy her old age.

Though Aunt Fang didn’t flee and tried to persuade the Old Madam not to give in, when news came that Ke Shizhao had borrowed a large sum in the Qi family’s name and disappeared, the Old Madam had no choice but to relent. Aunt Fang was even more devastated. She had helped Ke Shizhao so much, hoping he would marry her granddaughter, but now…

That evening, the Old Madam announced her retirement and sincerely repented for her past actions, locking herself in her room and refusing to come out.

“She’ll be fine,” Yuhu said, handing tea to her husband, who had just come in. These ten days had exhausted him. His face showed fatigue, indicating that everyone was worn out.

He took the tea, downing it in one gulp, and carefully pulled her onto his lap, feeling like it had been ages since they had been this close.

“She’ll be fine. The Old Madam is just tired. And after so many betrayals, Aunt Fang also asked to retire to the countryside. I think she’ll take her granddaughters and chase Ke Shizhao to the ends of the earth. For her lifelong service to the Qi family, I gave her enough silver to ensure she never has to worry about food and clothing.”

“You’re generous, thanking someone who tried to kill you! If it were me, I’d take at least half her life.” Yuhu spoke bluntly.

Qi Tianlei placed a hand on her belly, speaking softly, “Teaching the child bad things.”

She laughed and kissed him. “The Old Madam will be okay, right? Such an authoritative person deflating all of a sudden is worrisome.”

“The birth of a child will bring her joy. We need to work hard! I want to start with us, have ten or eight children, and greatly prosper the Qi family.” He began to dream contentedly about the future.

Yuhu chuckled, “We’d eat you out of house and home! This time, the Qi family’s finances have taken a big hit. The money is gone, and our reputation is ruined—truly, misfortunes never come singly.”

“Don’t worry. The most important thing is to rebuild the Qi family’s reputation. Money only leads to greed and evil; losing it can avert disaster. Being able to give up wealth brings fortune. The Qi family had too much wealth, turning everyone into misers. I don’t mind! As long as the next generation lives better, what’s wrong with spending a fortune?”

“Aren’t you afraid the Old Madam will be furious when she finds out ‘Hongtu’ is your business?”

“That doesn’t matter now! With the merger, why make distinctions? Right now, I’m more worried about what’s troubling you. I fear your worries will make you ill!” He looked at her with pity. Her pregnancy and morning sickness had paled her cheeks, and the issue with Miss Du had made her even more anxious. Afraid of distracting him, she kept her worries to herself, which must have been hard.

They usually bickered and played around, but in times of trouble, she was calmer and stronger than anyone, making everything go smoothly. His gratitude and love couldn’t be expressed in a few words.

“Tianlei—” she sighed, leaning on his shoulder, holding him tightly, drawing from his strength and warmth.

“In a couple of days, after the merger goes smoothly and we have a firm grasp on Ke Shizhao’s whereabouts, I’ll go to Chang’an to investigate…”

“Why look for Ke Shizhao? Just let him go. He won’t dare come back.”

He smiled slyly, carrying her to the bedroom. It was late, and she needed to stay warm in bed. After settling her in, he poured a cup of warm herbal tea for her. Yuhu couldn’t wait and asked, “Don’t keep me in suspense.”

“I can forgive him for everything, but no husband can tolerate his wife being harassed.” This was his real reason for not letting Ke Shizhao go.

Yuhu lay on her side, letting him lie beside her, finding a comfortable spot in his arms. “I’ve already taken my revenge; you don’t need to. And you’ve made him take the fall for everything, making sure he messed up. Isn’t that revenge enough? Now that he has a lot of money, thieves and robbers will target him, making him live in constant fear…”

“See how smoothly you guessed!” He laughed softly, shaking his head. “He’s not stupid. With a large sum, he’ll hire many guards. He won’t sit on dead money. He’ll start a business. Those favored by the Old Madam have some skills. Don’t underestimate him. As his cousin, I don’t want him to fall too far, but it would be unjust if he prospered.”

“Oh, playing the hero now? Planning to always undermine him, making sure he can’t succeed in business?” She asked eagerly, not caring about Ke Shizhao’s fate but wanting to prove her guess right.

“I can’t do that! He’ll have a few small businesses to live on. If he ever runs a legitimate business, I might even support him. But in the short term, I’ll interfere with any illicit business.”

She shook her head disapprovingly. “Telling a bad guy not to be bad? Too hard! What’s the point of living then? I don’t believe he’ll ever be a good person, just like I don’t believe a pig will turn into a dog.”

He laughed, kissing her neck, his hand deftly unbuttoning her under the covers. “Have I told you your scolding skills have improved?”

She gasped lightly, blushing. “No, but you can start now and never stop. We have the whole night…”

“Yes, the whole night.”

It felt like a promise as he pulled down the embroidered curtain, creating a romantic, warm space just for them, shutting out the cool night air.