Chapter 6.4

Old Lady Du came forward. “We’ve had a doctor check her pulse; fortunately, everything is fine. She just fainted from exhaustion. She appeared at our door half an hour ago, pale-faced, and collapsed. Unfortunately, we don’t know where Li Shengming has moved, so we can’t trace him…”

Bingyan gently interrupted her mother’s anxious rambling.

“Where is she? Has she regained consciousness?”

“She should be waking up soon. I’ve placed her in your room.”

Yuan Buqu nodded, understanding his wife’s thoughts.

“You go in and check on her first. If she’s coherent and fit to see visitors, I will come in afterward.”

“Alright.”

It had been half a year since she last saw Yuhu at the land temple. Meeting again, Yuhu had transformed from a youthful and spirited girl into a graceful young woman. But her prominent brows still showed her indomitable spirit, though her face had lost its previous color.

Wasn’t she supposed to be happily married and affectionate with Young Master Qi? Why did she come back to Yangzhou alone and pregnant? What happened?

Bingyan sat on the edge of the bed, gently wiping the sweat from Yuhu’s face with a handkerchief and sighed softly. Could it be that her father said something inappropriate to the Qi family?

Li Yuhu’s faint groans brought Bingyan’s thoughts back. She quickly brought a glass of warm water, propping up Yuhu’s body. “Yuhu, wake up and drink some water.”

Li Yuhu slowly opened her bright eyes, still not fully awake, feeling parched and gulping down several sips of water before finally seeing who was before her.

“Oh! Miss Bingyan…” She grasped Bingyan’s sleeve tightly, sitting up and looking at her, expecting someone who should be distressed and emaciated.

“Be careful, don’t forget you’re at least five months pregnant!” Bingyan smiled, curiously looking at Yuhu’s prominent belly. In five months, she would look like this too! Quite spectacular! But Yuhu seemed quite thin; her body needed good nourishment.

Tears streamed down Li Yuhu’s face, feeling ashamed before Bingyan. How could she deserve such kind treatment from Bingyan? Didn’t she take Bingyan’s happiness away?

“I’m sorry…”

Bingyan was stunned, unsure how to respond to her tears. “What’s wrong? Don’t cry! Let’s talk properly. Yuhu, what happened? Is it… that Young Master Qi treated you poorly?”

Li Yuhu shook her head vigorously, her nose red from crying, wiping her face with her hand and speaking intermittently, “Really! I didn’t intend to take your husband. I—I thought he was going to die soon—And, and the matchmaker Lin was so pitiful! I thought, the matchmaker Zhang would definitely send you back—So I—So I stayed at the Qi family—thinking I could go home once he died and save you trouble—I didn’t expect him to live so long, and I ended up falling in love with him—wah…”

“Well—That’s good! Why are you crying? Does Young Master Qi know you’ve returned? How could he let you come back alone?” Bingyan tried to grasp the key points of Yuhu’s words but found herself still confused.

“He doesn’t know!” At the mention of the man she both loved and hated, her tears suddenly stopped, her mouth forming a pout as she replied stubbornly.

Bingyan was taken aback and gasped, “Heavens! So you sneaked back on your own! No wonder you risked your life riding here! Did you have a fight with Master Qi?”

She remembered that the Qi family had been so desperate for a child over the past few years that they’d resorted to almost any means. So, with Yuhu leaving while heavily pregnant, the Qi household must have been in total uproar!

“He doesn’t even have the guts to argue with me! For half a year, whenever I tried to start a fight, he wouldn’t even respond!” Yuhu’s reply was tinged with a hint of regret, her face blushing slightly as she recalled his unwavering patience every time she threw a tantrum. Sigh, he really had her under control.

It seemed they were getting along well as a couple, so why had Yuhu chosen to leave on her own?

“What on earth happened that made you come all this way, risking danger, to find me?”

Li Yuhu bit her lip gently, her gaze dropping. After a moment of struggle, she lifted her head resolutely and looked at Bingyan.

“I—came to fulfill something for you.”

“Fulfill?” Bingyan was momentarily puzzled by the meaning of those two words. If it were about fulfillment, that had already happened six months ago when the matchmaker united both couples. So what did “fulfill” mean now?

Li Yuhu nodded even more seriously, taking Bingyan’s hands in her own.

“I’m sorry! I never expected Matchmaker Zhang to be so cowardly that she’d push you into the general’s household to take my place! When I found out two months ago that you were missing, I knew in my heart that you must have suffered in my place! Yuan Buqu was on the battlefield at the time and couldn’t marry you in person, leaving you without a proper title even after entering his household. All this was supposed to be my burden! And then you had to endure all those nasty rumors after returning to Yangzhou! Four days ago, when your father went to the Qi family to explain your recent situation, I hid nearby and felt so guilty listening! I’ve been too selfish! When I knew that Tianlei—Master Qi—was recovering well and was a decent person, I should have immediately revealed my identity and returned home. I had no right to use your name and enjoy the life of a first wife! But I didn’t! I selfishly allowed myself to fall in love with him, thinking I wouldn’t. But when I wanted to pull away, I realized I loved him too deeply… Oh, Bingyan, I don’t deserve how good you’ve been to me. I came to ask for your forgiveness! I can’t keep being selfish! It’s me who should face the rumors! It’s me who should be blamed! It doesn’t matter—I come from a humble background and am strong, I can handle the gossip of nosy women! If this marriage is a mistake, let me bear the consequences!”

It was still the same straightforward and gallant spirit. Li Yuhu had always thought of Bingyan as a delicate woman who needed protection, making her uneasy for the past six months. Bingyan sighed inwardly—she knew they had both endured the same torment, neither more nor less. Yuhu was even kind-hearted enough to consider marrying into the Qi family in Bingyan’s place, planning to wait until Master Qi passed away before coming back, sparing Bingyan the trouble.

Bingyan patted her hand, looking at Yuhu’s pale face, which she tried to make look determined.

“Thank you, Yuhu. But I still have to scold you! You really don’t take care of yourself! I can’t imagine what a panic you must have left the Qi family in! You’re carrying their most precious heir, yet you didn’t even think to be more careful.”

Li Yuhu looked down at her belly, guilt filling her face. “I hope you won’t mind if I have this child. My belly is already so big—there’s no way to undo it! But don’t worry, I’ll never appear before you two again, and I won’t demand recognition from the child when he grows up. No one will fight over the Qi family’s inheritance.”

Good heavens! Bingyan gasped, finally catching on.

“Are you planning to have Master Qi marry me?!”

“Don’t worry, he’s a good man and wouldn’t mind your past. Plus, my mother-in-law—oh, the Qi madam and old lady—agreed! They said they’d take you in as a concubine, but I can’t keep holding onto the position of wife! I’ve decided to step aside. What’s yours should be yours!”

“Oh, dear heavens! Whose idea was this? Was it my father?” Bingyan covered her face, feeling everything was in complete disarray. So that’s why her father went south! How could he do this? Even if it was with her best interests in mind, didn’t he worry about hurting others?

Li Yuhu held her hand tightly, speaking sincerely, “Master Qi is a good man; you don’t need to worry. And some members of the Qi family aren’t so pleasant, but just ignore them! You—”

“Yuhu! I’m already married! I can’t go fighting you for a husband! Don’t let my father’s one-sided view make you think my life was so miserable!”

Li Yuhu froze, not understanding what Bingyan meant at first.

Bingyan said gently, “I’ve fallen in love with Yuan Buqu! He’s not the terrifying man you imagine; he’s a kind and gentle person. All the rumors against him are lies. And he did give me a title—it’s just that he wanted to hold a proper wedding ceremony when he returned victorious, but due to certain reasons, it was delayed. Then my father forcibly brought me back in a fit of rage. Everything has now been resolved! And I’m carrying his child. Even if the Qi family truly wanted me, I don’t think he would allow it!”

“But—you—but—” Yuhu stammered, unsure what to say as she tried to process everything. Hope and light flickered within her heart.

“So you’re saying…Yuan Buqu loves you? You weren’t living a miserable life?” Yuhu asked, the strong sense of relief mixed with disbelief.

“Do I look miserable to you? I’m healthier than you! You, on the other hand, have lost all your color!” Bingyan replied with a teasing smile.

But Li Yuhu jumped up in alarm.

“What’s wrong? Be careful!” Bingyan exclaimed.

“But—but—your father is bringing a large wedding procession over to marry you off! To dispel the rumors, he’s asked the Qi family to arrange a grand ceremony to take you in!” He might already be on the way!

“What!” Du Bingyan’s mouth dropped open. She immediately turned and opened the door, spotting her husband waiting in the pavilion down the corridor. She called out to him, “Zi Ren! Come here!” For the first time, she had raised her voice like this.

Yuan Buqu saw his wife’s panicked face and took two or three quick strides over, gathering her in his arms. “What’s wrong? What’s wrong? Is it the baby? Or Miss Li…?”

“My father—he went to the Qi family to arrange a marriage, intending to send me off as a concubine to Master Qi. He’s brought a whole wedding party over now! Oh heavens, what a ridiculous affair! Now Yangzhou will be laughing at us!”

“I knew he was a fool!” Yuan Buqu shouted in rage. Just thinking about his father-in-law’s plan to give his wife to another man made his blood boil.

His outburst made Li Yuhu shake with fear. Heaven! He was as terrifying as she remembered! Bingyan loves him? How could that be possible?

“Ziren!” Bingyan called softly, patting his chest, and Yuan Buqu’s anger immediately softened! Yuhu couldn’t help but feel hopeful about their relationship. Still, she knew for certain that she could never handle a man like him.

Yuan Buqu looked at Li Yuhu but didn’t examine her too closely.

“Give me the Qi family’s address.”

“What are you going to do?” Yuhu asked, stunned.

“Obviously, I’m going to stop this joke from happening! Bingyan has already suffered enough unfair blame—are we supposed to add this to make her never want to return to Yangzhou again?” His voice was as sharp as a command, filled with intimidating authority, showing no warmth toward anyone but his wife.

Li Yuhu took two steps back and suggested, “There’s no need! I—I’ll just head back the way I came and stop them on the way. Since I no longer need to step aside, I should return anyway.”

“You’re pregnant! Stay put! The address!” He barked, and Li Yuhu immediately, obediently, handed over the address.

Bingyan supported Yuhu and looked at her husband reproachfully for being so intimidating, though she understood his protectiveness toward expectant mothers.

“I’ll set out right away—two days on horseback, and I’ll reach Quanzhou,” he said, his brows furrowing as he thought about the “talk” he intended to have with his father-in-law and meeting that Master Qi.

Bingyan instructed Yuhu to rest, then followed her husband outside.

“Don’t be angry! Father meant well.”

Holding her silently as they reached the main gate, where a groom was waiting with his horse, Bingyan took the cloak handed to her by a servant and draped it over him.

“When I bring your father back, we’ll head straight to Chang’an! I can’t stand staying here another moment!” Yangzhou made him very “angry.”

She nodded, smiling.

“And don’t forget to bring Master Qi; I’m sure he’s gone mad searching for Yuhu!”

He nodded. With the growing crowd around them, he couldn’t give her a proper kiss, so he could only gaze at her fondly and lightly caress her cheek.

“Take care of yourself. I’ll be back soon.”

“Mm!”

Her lovely face flushed under his intense gaze, her eyes full of unabashed love.

Suddenly, he pulled her into his arms, backing her against the horse to shield her from view, and kissed her passionately, pouring out the longing of their coming days apart.

They always seemed to be parting!

But this would be the last time, he vowed. From now on, he would spend every day and night with her, never wasting a single moment. He would show her mountains and oceans, the vast beauty of the world! He would give all he had to see her radiant smile of happiness.

“I’ll miss you and count the days until you return,” she whispered, blushing deeply as she buried her face in his chest, shy but uncaring of the household staff watching.

“No mishaps allowed. Understand?” he instructed domineeringly. When she nodded, he gently handed her over to her maid. Swiftly, he mounted his horse, gave her a deep look, then galloped away.

Bingyan watched him until his figure vanished in the distance, feeling completely at peace. She knew this would be their last separation.

Reflecting on the past six months of joy and sorrow, it seemed like fate’s gentle teasing. But it had also brought together two perfect couples. No matter what, she was grateful.

She looked up at the clear blue sky, with no shadows in her heart.

Ah, how happy she was!

Thinking of Yuhu, she felt certain that a beautiful love story awaited her and Master Qi as well. Heaven would surely not favor one and neglect the other!

In this beautiful world, everything was bound to be wonderful, wasn’t it?

(The End)

Sansukini: Their wedding will be in the final chapter of Getting on the Wrong Sedan and Marrying the Right Man

Thank you so much for sticking up and reading this novel. This was a spur of the moment translation after reading the sequel. Getting on the Wrong Sedan has the ending of the two series, but this one has the beginning. I have a bit of an OCD. I just have to finish something if I started it. But I hope you enjoyed this novel as much as I did. I really appreciate your visit and I hope you can check out my other works HERE

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