Chapter 44 -

Chapter 44: Chapter

Yimei closed Zhengyu’s door and walked back to her room.

Inside, Qinqin had already left a basin of warm water before going to sleep. Yimei sat at her desk, unrolled a sheet of paper, and began writing down her recipe adjustments for Xiao Jun’s ingredients.

A blue screen flashed in her vision.

[DING!] Nine’s voice rang in her mind. [Host! Young Master Zhengyu’s hostility just jumped 40%! Why did you insult him? Aren’t you supposed to raise his favorability?]

Yimei didn’t stop writing. Sweetness doesn’t work on a man like Zhengyu, she replied mentally. He is suspicious and sharp. If I acted like a sweet, pitiful wife, he would suspect me instantly.

[So you called him a corpse-like cripple on purpose?!] Nine asked, shocked.

He expects people to use him or pity him, Yimei said, setting her brush down. Treating him with cold logic makes sense to him. He thinks I am taking him along to hide my shame from the Madams. As long as he thinks he understands my motives, he won’t look into my real plans.

[Logic confirmed,] Nine hummed. [Your fatigue is high, Host. You should sleep before meeting Old Madame Bai tomorrow.]

Nine’s blue light flickered softly in the dark room.

[Host,] Nine chimed in, its electronic voice curious. [Does your trip to the south have to do with the acupuncture master you asked Xiao Jun about today? The grandmaster who retired to the southern village and refuses to treat anyone?]

Yimei pulled the heavy quilt over her shoulders, her eyes looking into the dark.

"Yes," Yimei replied mentally. "I have to get his legs fixed. If I cure his legs, his favorability points will spike. I can use those points to get skills, and use him to get my revenge on the Bai family."

[Understood!] Nine hummed softly. [Target set: Locate Grandmaster in the southern village. Goodnight, Host.]

Yimei stood up to go get herself cleaned up and ready for bed as she closed her eyes, letting sleep take over as the cold wind blew outside her window.

...

The next morning, the snow had stopped, leaving the Bai estate covered in a thick blanket of white.

Yimei dressed in a simple, warm plum-colored cloak and walked to the main hall to pay her respects to Old Madame Bai.

Inside the main courtyard, Old Madame Bai sat on her raised wooden chair, holding her carved wooden staff. Madame Bai was sitting nearby, looking tired and anxious after yesterday’s argument, while Madame Liu and Madame Jiang were quietly sipping tea, watching Yimei enter with cold, mocking eyes.

Yimei stepped forward, dropping into a graceful, formal bow. "Greetings, Grandmother, Mother."

"Rise," Old Madame Bai said, her sharp eyes scanning Yimei’s calm face. Her voice was firm. "Yimei, about yesterday’s fire at the East Market... the family is looking into it. You do not need to worry about the loss."

Madame Liu set her cup down with a light smirk. "Yes, niece Yimei. You should stay in your courtyard and rest. Running around the market only brought disaster."

Yimei ignored Madame Liu entirely, keeping her gaze fixed on Old Madame Bai.

"Grandmother, I came today to ask for your permission to leave the estate," Yimei said smoothly, her voice clear and respectful. "I wish to take Zhengyu to the southern village for a week."

Gasps echoed around the hall.

Madame Liu laughed aloud, covering her mouth. "The south? In this bitter cold? Yimei, have you lost your mind? Zhengyu is a cripple! Dragging him out on rough roads will only freeze him to death!"

Madame Bai stood up, looking worried. "Yimei... Zhengyu’s health is fragile. Why would you take him all the way to the southern village now?"

"Mother, Grandmother," Yimei explained, her expression filled with quiet, obedient devotion. "The tea house fire was a heavy shock to my mind. Zhengyu has stayed locked in his room for years, and his health suffers from the damp air in the Northern Courtyard. The southern village has warm mineral springs and fresh air. I wish to care for my husband away from the noise of the city, so we can both recover."

Madame Jiang sneered softly. "Recover? Or are you just running away because you are too ashamed to face the capital after your shop burned down?" ℯℯ𝘭.

Old Madame Bai raised her wooden staff and slammed it against the floor with a heavy thud.

"Silence!" the Old Madame barked, glaring at Madame Liu and Madame Jiang until they lowered their heads.

Old Madame Bai looked back at Yimei. She saw a dutiful, dutiful daughter-in-law who wanted to care for her crippled husband and hide her shame away from cruel gossip.

"It is rare for a wife to show such devotion to a sick husband," Old Madame Bai said, her harsh expression softening slightly. "Very well. I grant you permission. Take four guards and a sturdy carriage. Leave tomorrow at dawn, and return in a week."

Yimei bowed deeply, her eyes cold beneath her lowered head. "Thank you, Grandmother."

Madame Liu and Madame Chen exchanged amused, victorious glances behind Old Madame Bai’s back. They were thrilled. With Yimei and her crippled husband banished to a rural village for a week, they believed they had won completely.

Madame Bai stood up abruptly, excused herself from Old Madame Bai, and hurried out of the hall. She grabbed Yimei’s wrist and pulled her into a quiet side corridor, away from the prying eyes of the other Madams.

Stopping near a stone pillar, Madame Bai turned to face her, her face filled with anxiety and confusion.

"Yimei, what are you doing?" Madame Bai demanded, her voice tight with concern. "Why would you suddenly ask to take Zhengyu to the southern village? You know his temper! He hates leaving his room, and his legs cannot handle a long journey in this freezing weather."

Yimei kept her face soft and calm, dropping her head in a quiet, dutiful bow. She had no intention of revealing her true plan to find the grandmaster or fix Zhengyu’s legs.

"Mother, please do not worry," Yimei said, her tone gentle and reassuring. "I am doing this for his well-being."

"For his well-being?" Madame Bai frowned, still unconvinced. "The south is cold and rough right now. How does dragging him out there help him?"

"The Northern Courtyard is cold and damp, and sitting in that dark room all day only darkens his mood," Yimei explained smoothly, weaving a flawless lie. "With the tea house burned down, Madame Liu and Madame Chen are watching us like hawks. Staying here will only invite more insult and stress for both Zhengyu and me. Going away for a week gives us peace, and the air in the southern hills will do him good."

Madame Bai stared at her daughter-in-law, searching her face for any sign of deceit. Seeing only earnest concern and quiet devotion, her motherly worry began to soften.

"Does Zhengyu even agree to this?" Madame Bai asked softly, letting out a long sigh. "You know how stubborn my son is."

"He knows it is for the best, Mother," Yimei replied with a small, reassuring smile. "I will take good care of him. You do not need to worry about a thing."

Madame Bai patted Yimei’s hand, feeling a wave of relief and sympathy. "You are a good wife, Yimei. Go, then. Take care of him, and take care of yourself."

"Thank you, Mother," Yimei bowed deeply before turning to head back toward the Northern Courtyard, her expression turning ice-cold the moment her back was turned.