Chapter 75 -

Chapter 75: Chapter

Morning came as usual, and the Bai Manor was already as busy as ever. Servants hurried back and forth through the stone hallways, carrying hot water basins, fresh linens, and heavy food trays to prepare the massive estate for the day ahead.

Yimei woke up early, not wasting a single second. She threw on a simple robe, gathered her silver needle pouch, and headed straight for Zhengyu’s chamber.

When she pushed the doors open, she found him already sitting up in bed, looking tired and slightly pale from the overnight effect of the herbal decoction. But true to his stubborn nature, the moment he saw her walk in, his soft expression instantly hardened back into his usual icy scowl.

"You’re early," he grumbled, watching her roll out her needle kit on the side table.

"And you’re still moody," Yimei replied with a calm smile, completely unfazed. "Hold still. The morning is the best time to stimulate your meridians before the chill settles into your legs."

She didn’t give him room to complain. Guided by her photographic recall of Grandmaster Zhang’s medical charts, Yimei worked with quiet, rapid speed. Her slender fingers moved smoothly, tapping the long silver needles into the precise acupuncture points along his lower legs and knees.

Zhengyu winced slightly as a sharp, warm sensation spread through his numbed limbs, but he kept his lips pressed into a tight line. He stared at her face, watching how focused her eyes were as she worked.

"Done," Yimei said after a short while, carefully pulling the needles out one by one and cleaning them. "That should keep your blood circulating through the morning."

She wiped her hands and turned toward the door. "I’m going back to my room to dress for breakfast. Don’t even think about skipping out—Liu Feng is under my strict orders to wheel you to the dining hall."

Before he could offer a witty comeback, Yimei slipped out of the room, leaving the First Young Master staring at the closed door with flustered annoyance.

Back in her own courtyard, Qinqin helped Yimei get dressed for the big family gathering. Knowing how hostile the other branches of the family were, Yimei picked a striking, elegant pale blue dress with silver embroidered flowers. Qinqin neatly styled her hair, adding delicate silver pins that matched her outfit. Yimei looked sharp, poised, and completely ready for battle.

By the time she stepped out into the courtyard, Liu Feng was already pushing Zhengyu out into the main walkway. Zhengyu was dressed in a dark purple silk robe, looking noble, cold, and imposing, even in his wheelchair.

Yimei walked up beside him, offering a sweet, artificial smile. "Shall we go pay our respects to the family, husband?"

Zhengyu gave her a dark look, muttering under his breath, "You are enjoying this far too much."

"Oh, absolutely," Yimei whispered back, winking at him as they turned down the long hallway toward the main hall.

It was time for breakfast, and the entire Bai family was waiting.

The big dining hall was quiet. The only sounds were silver chopsticks clicking against porcelain bowls as the Bai family ate.

Old Madame Bai sat at the head of the table. Her sharp eyes watched everyone while her hand rested on her heavy wooden staff. Right next to her sat Old Master Bai Tianming. He looked completely unbothered, giving all his attention and sweet smiles to his favorite concubine, Madame Chen.

The seats for the First Young Master and Young Madame were completely empty. Madame Bai sat nearby looking nervous and unhappy, her eyes darting toward the hall door every few seconds.

Suddenly, Madame Liu set her chopsticks down with a sharp clack. She wiped her mouth with a silk cloth and smirked across the table.

"It sure is lively today," Madame Liu said, her voice full of fake sweetness. "Though I’m surprised to see two empty seats at the table. Where are Zhengyu and Yimei? We all heard their little trip was a total disaster! They even had to sneak back home in the middle of the night like thieves hiding from trouble."

Across the table, her daughter Bai Xiuying giggled behind her hand, while her son Bai Ruizhe sneered out loud.

Old Master Bai Tianming stopped eating. He turned away from Madame Chen and looked sternly at his main wife.

"Is this true?" Old Master Bai asked Madame Bai, his voice cold. "Did Zhengyu and Yimei really come back last night? Why did nobody tell me? And why are they not at the table paying their respects?"

Madame Bai’s face turned pale. She sat up straight, shooting a fierce glare at Madame Liu before answering her husband.

"They arrived very late, Master," Madame Bai said, trying her best to sound calm. "It was too late to wake you and Mother, so I told them to rest and come pay their respects this morning instead. They are just finishing getting dressed and will be here shortly."

Madame Chen gave a soft laugh from her seat next to the Old Master, fanning herself lazily. "Oh, sister, don’t get so upset. We were just worried. After all, staying away for a whole week and then rushing back in the dark... anyone would think something bad happened to our poor crippled Zhengyu."

Old Madame Bai slammed her carved wooden staff onto the hard floor with a loud BANG!

The sharp noise echoed through the big hall, instantly cutting off Madame Chen’s fake laughter. Everyone at the table froze, pulling their shoulders in and keeping their eyes on their plates.

"Madame Chen!" Old Madame Bai snapped, her old, sharp eyes glaring across the table. "This is the breakfast table, not a town market for gossip. If you have time to wag your tongue about late-night carriage rides, go spend it sweeping the ancestral hall!"

Madame Chen’s sweet smile cracked instantly. She quickly pulled her fan down and bowed her head low. "Forgive me, Mother. I spoke out of turn."

Old Madame Bai let out a cold huff, resting both hands back on her wooden staff.

"Soon the winter cold will be gone," the matriarch said, her voice heavy and strict as she looked around the long table. "The family will need to pay our proper respects to the ancestors. Planting season is right around the corner, and our family farms must flourish this year. There is real work to be done."

"Mother is completely right," Second Uncle Bai Chengbang spoke up quickly, sitting up straight with a grand smile. "The family business must come first! Speaking of the farms, my branch has already been managing the southern fields. My son Ruizhe has been working so hard lately, he would be more than happy to take over full control of the main harvest funds this season to make sure everything runs smoothly!"

"Oh, brother, don’t strain your boy too much!" Third Uncle Bai Chenghao interrupted with a sneaky laugh, casually setting his cup down. "Ruizhe is still so young and hot-tempered. My branch’s affairs are much more stable. My wife, Madame Zhang, has already prepared a clear plan for the main estate’s spring budget. It would save the family so much trouble if we handled the ledger this time."

Both uncles flashed fake, polite smiles at each other, their words dripping with mischief as they openly tried to steal power and gain favor for their own branches.