Chapter 8.3

“I have to go back home later, maybe even go to Yangzhou. Liu brother, how are things on your end?” He asked without much hope.

“What news could there be in just three days? Currently, I’m focusing on finding Yuhu’s family. According to the information, Li Shengming is in Hangzhou, so we can only search along that route. It will take at least another ten days to half a month. Don’t worry, that girl won’t be bullied, and her morning sickness has stopped, so there’s nothing to worry about.” Liu Ruoqian comforted him. Then he thought, “Resolving Miss Du’s matter is the only way to truly bring this issue to an end. Otherwise, even if you find Yuhu, there will always be regrets.”

Qi Tianlei appeared somewhat indifferent. “I can’t be responsible for the happiness of any woman other than my wife. That’s not my concern.”

That was also true. Liu Ruoqian shrugged, changing the topic, “The situation in Chang’an is quite mysterious. I heard that General Yuan Buqu refused to marry the princess, claiming he already has a wife and doesn’t want to marry another woman.”

“Oh? Does that mean there’s a turning point?” Qi Tianlei’s eyes lit up. Perhaps this would be a perfect resolution.

Liu Ruoqian’s friends ranged from various social classes, few in number but of high quality, even including acquaintances in the imperial court. The information he obtained was reliable.

“So I’m closely monitoring the situation there as well, but a few days ago, news came out that General Yuan left Chang’an secretly, and his whereabouts have since been unknown. It’s said that the emperor issued an urgent order.”

“What could it be?” There was some connection here that made Qi Tianlei feel a hint of optimism. The next step was to keep investigating and uncover the solution to the whole matter.

He believed this was also what sparked Liu Ruoqian’s high interest.

Qi Tianlei set aside his worries, unable to help but think of his precious but foolish wife again. He asked, “She rode off on the fastest horse. She must have traveled quickly. Are you sure Yuhu’s body will be fine?”

Liu Ruoqian shook his head. “Your wife is either a tiger or a bull, very strong, don’t worry! On the contrary, be careful not to overwork yourself and end up collapsing.” If there was anything wrong, he wouldn’t dare say it and worry Tianlei. Moreover, he was stating a fact. Compared to the constantly vomiting Shu Lianhong, Li Yuhu was truly blessed.

Qi Tianlei nodded, standing up, “I’m heading back to Fulin County! Do you want to come along?”

“In a few more days! Dahong has been worried sick lately, insisting I stay with his wife. I have to prepare enough supplements for each month before I can leave. Also, maybe I can run into your runaway wife.”

Shu Dahong was so worried because his fierce wife didn’t even have the strength to hit him anymore, which was quite alarming! He didn’t know if he was feeling guilty for getting his wife pregnant or just restless, but he insisted on keeping Liu Ruoqian until his wife regained her fierce demeanor.

“Then I’ll head back first!” Qi Tianlei said goodbye, walking out of Shu’s house. Looking up at the sky, he wondered how long his wife planned to hide from him! But he was determined to find her before the child was born!

Where could Yuhu possibly go? Determined to hide from him, she wouldn’t appear anywhere familiar, making it hard to guess! Saying she was foolish, but not entirely so—at most foolish enough to think a husband could be given away, that emotions could be transferred! Sigh! That woman.

Originally, Yuhu didn’t quite understand the extent of the rumors, but after four days of fast travel, upon entering Yangzhou, she overheard some gossipy women loudly discussing “that shameless Du family woman.”

People are like this: envious of others’ wealth and disdainful of others’ poverty. Everyone’s strengths and weaknesses are topics of conversation, as if they have the right to criticize!

Currently, the most sensational news in Yangzhou was about Du Bingyan. If the rumors were this bad in the suburbs, she couldn’t imagine what it must be like in the city! Hastily paying for her tea, she climbed onto her horse, feeling the exhaustion of four days overwhelm her, almost making her unable to hold on. Her stomach ached slightly. But with sheer willpower, she rode towards the city, determined to see Bingyan immediately! Full of guilt, Yuhu didn’t know that Bingyan’s grievances had been fully redressed a few days ago, and Yangzhou now revered her as a saint, bringing glory to the city. Only those in the outskirts, who were less informed, continued to spread outdated rumors, misleading Yuhu into pushing herself despite the pain, racing towards the Du family.

She had one thought: she was guilty!

Several days later, both Qi Tianlei and Liu Ruoqian still hadn’t received more news. He decided to personally conduct a thorough search in Yangzhou. Perhaps Yuhu went to find Miss Du; he also clearly informed the Du family that he would not marry Du Bingyan, but didn’t mind taking her to stay at the Qi family until the rumors in Yangzhou died down.

Du Zhixiang, seeing the Qi family’s current situation, didn’t dare to say much. At least Qi Tianlei was willing to take Bingyan away, which was enough to salvage some reputation!

Everything was ready, just waiting for dawn to head to Yangzhou. Qi Tianlei and Liu Ruoqian stepped outside, unwilling to stay with the elders; Qi’s Old Madam and Madam Qi had become severely neurotic from worry over the past few days. They simply hid outside, under the pretext of checking items, but in reality to catch their breath.

Liu Ruoqian looked at the double happiness characters pasted on both sides of the gate and laughed.

“It looks as if there’s really going to be a wedding! Your beloved wife hasn’t come back.”

“No matter, I will still make good use of it.”

“How so?”

Qi Tianlei replied, “I’ll marry her again.”

In fact, he had always had this idea because last time he married “Du Bingyan”; now, with her true identity known, everyone knew he married Li Yuhu, but the grand ceremony didn’t belong to her.

Finally, with the Qi family’s affairs settled, it was time for some good news to lift the spirits! It was a good omen and would also give Yuhu peace of mind.

“Hey?”

Suddenly, Liu Ruoqian focused his attention, saying, “A fast horse is approaching.”

Qi Tianlei heard it too. “About two miles away.”

All around was silent; it was night, everything was still, no wind or sound, only the faint vibrations on the ground making them aware that an unusual fast horse was approaching.

Before long, a black horse, blending into the night and riding the wind, appeared within sight. In an instant, it stopped before them. A sturdy man deftly dismounted mid-stride, his sharp eyes scanning the plaque above the main gate. Confirming it was the Qi family, his gaze then fell upon the two outstanding men in front of him. He clasped his hands in greeting and said, “I am Yuan Buqu, here to inform the third young master of your household and to find my father-in-law, Du Zhixiang. I hope they are both here.”

His proud demeanor, cold and concise manner, combined with the weather-beaten look on his face, gave this man an air of commanding the world and holding everything in contempt. This was not derived from his high status and power, but from an inherent natural poise.

Liu Ruoqian and Qi Tianlei exchanged glances and returned the greeting. Qi Tianlei stepped forward and said, “I am Qi Tianlei. You must be the famed General Yuan, renowned on the battlefield for your many victories. It’s an honor to meet you.”

The two men regarded each other with a deep and thoughtful look. They were completely different types, and without any fortuitous circumstances, they would never have crossed paths.

One was a commanding general, while the other seemed like the perfect husband, never having any dealings with military men.

But they needed to understand each other, because they had mistakenly married each other’s intended wives. Fate had crafted two unions, giving them an inexplicable sense of camaraderie.

Yuan Buqu directly asked, “Is my father-in-law here?”

“Yes, please come inside,” Qi Tianlei intended to sit down and talk further, but Yuan Buqu stopped him.

“Wait!” He noticed several carriages ready for travel. “Bingyan is my woman.”

“I intend to be only Yuhu’s husband in this life. These carriages are to find my runaway wife! At least, your presence reassures me that I have no further trouble.”

Yuan Buqu took a liking to this refined and handsome man. After all, not all husbands were pretentious and fake; this man had sincere eyes. Qi Tianlei’s response made him happy enough to return another piece of good news.

“No need to search far. Your wife is currently staying at the Du residence, with my wife.”

Qi Tianlei sighed in relief. “She could only be there! If I couldn’t find her there, I would have no other place to look.”