Chapter 166 -

Chapter 166: Chapter

"Pregnant..." Madame Zhao whispered, her voice barely audible. A soft, weary sigh escaped her lips as she leaned back against her pillows, staring blankly at the blanket.

Bai Kang stood beside the bed, his jaw dropped in absolute shock. He looked at his mother, then at Yimei, his eyes practically bugging out of his head. Pregnant? At her age?!

Realizing that whatever conversation was about to happen next was definitely going to be private and women-oriented, Bai Kang scratched the back of his neck awkwardly.

"I... I will go check on the firewood in the kitchen," Bai Kang stammered out, backing toward the door. "Yimei, thank you."

Once the door clicked shut and Bai Kang was gone, Yimei pulled up a small wooden stool and sat down beside the bed. She looked at Madame Zhao with a calm, serious expression.

"You are probably about one month pregnant already," Yimei said softly, adjusting the blanket over Madame Zhao’s shoulders. "Haven’t you noticed any signs?"

Madame Zhao gave a bitter, helpless smile, shaking her head. "My pregnancies have always been quiet... no nausea, no morning sickness, no major cravings. I just feel much weaker and more tired than usual. But with the storm and the freezing weather, I thought my body was just fighting the cold. I had no idea there was a life growing inside me."

Yimei nodded slowly. "Your body is extremely weak right now. If Old Madame Bai had known you were pregnant, she never would have permitted you to travel all the way to the southeast in this freezing weather."

Yimei paused, watching the tired woman carefully. "If you still want to go back to the main house where it is warm and safe, I can have Mr. Shen deliver a message to Old Madame Bai today to come get you."

Madame Zhao’s eyes widened slightly, and she immediately shook her head. "No... no, Yimei. I want to stay here."

"Going back would be far safer for you and the baby," Yimei pointed out plainly. "The conditions here are rough, the food is limited, and the cold is harsh. Why stay?"

Madame Zhao looked toward the window, her expression softening. "If I go back, I will have soft beds and warm fire, yes... but I won’t be with my family. Kang’er and Shu’er are here. Being together as a family matters more to me than any comfort."

Hearing the word family, Yimei’s expression changed slightly. A subtle, complicated flicker passed through her dark eyes before she closed them, letting out a quiet sigh.

Family over comfort, huh? Yimei thought silently.

[Host, that’s what true mothers are like! Isn’t that touching?] Nine sniffled dramatically in her head.

Touchy-feely nonsense is going to get her baby killed if she doesn’t take her medicine, Yimei snapped back mentally, though her hands were gentle as she picked up the warm bowl of herbal tea and handed it to Madame Zhao.

Yimei stood up, smoothing down her robes. "Drink every drop of that medicine while it’s hot. It will warm your womb and settle your energy."

Madame Zhao took the bowl with both hands, looking up with genuine gratitude. "Thank you, Yimei."

"And one more thing," Yimei added, pausing near the doorway with a sharp look. "Tell Master Bai about this as soon as he returns this evening. You need proper food and rest, and he needs to make sure his concubine doesn’t collapse."

With that, Yimei stepped out of the room, leaving Madame Zhao to drink her medicine in peace.

After breakfast, Yimei stood in the main courtyard, wrapped tightly in her warm cloak. Beside her, Qinqin was carrying a large wooden basket filled with scrubbing rags, soap powders, and heavy brushes, completely prepared to leave for the shop.

Over by the front gate, Second Uncle Chengbang, Madame Liu, and Ruizhe were already standing together, shivering in the biting cold. They had come from their side of the compound looking bitter, miserable, and ready to go clean the shop down as promised.

Before heading out, Yimei turned to Bai Shu. "Stay home today and take good care of your mother," she instructed softly. "Bai Kang will handle whatever heavy lifting is needed around the house since he’s the only man at home today."

Bai Shu nodded obediently, while Bai Kang gave Yimei a firm nod of reassurance.

Satisfied, Yimei turned around, a sweet, wicked smile spreading across her lips as she strolled toward Second Uncle Chengbang, Madame Liu, and Ruizhe.

"Are you all ready to clean?" Yimei asked smoothly, her dark eyes sparkling with cheerful malice. "Today won’t be an easy day for any of you."

Second Uncle Chengbang puffed out his chest, trying to maintain his pride despite his pale, frozen nose. "Hmph! A simple shop cleaning is nothing to me! Don’t act so high and mighty, girl!"

Madame Liu, on the other hand, didn’t bother hiding her rage. "You little witch," she hissed under her breath, glaring daggers at Yimei. "Tormenting your elders like this... you will face retribution one day!"

Just then, Xinying finally stepped out of her room, her face pale and her brows pulled tight in a furious frown. She walked straight toward the group at the gate.

"Xinying?" Madame Liu gasped, her eyes widening as her daughter approached. "What are you doing out here in the freezing cold? Go back inside!"

Ruizhe reached out to grab her arm to pull her back toward the warm corridor, but Xinying sharply snatched her hand away from his grip.

Ignoring her family, Xinying marched right up to Yimei, stopping just a few inches away. She glared at Yimei with pure hatred.

"Since I am the reason why my family had to become manual cleaners for you," Xinying spat, her voice cold and trembling with anger, "I will be joining them today!"

Yimei tilted her head, a slow, amused smirk rising on her face.

[Oho! Look who decided to play the noble sacrifice!] Nine chimed in Yimei’s mind, practically popping popcorn. [Host, she thinks she’s being dramatic and brave! Are you going to let her join the manual labor squad?]

Yimei ignored Nine and looked Xinying up and down. "Oh? You want to work too, Cousin? I certainly won’t stop an extra pair of hands. Qinqin, hand her a scrubbing brush!"