Li Huai'an was both ashamed and angry, and stormed off.

As soon as he left, Bai Wei instructed Bai Lian to call Bai Yunxiang from Li Huai'an's room to her.

"Yunxiang, I know you've always been a sensible person. There's something important I need you to do for me," Bai Wei said bluntly.

Bai Wei leaned closer and listened attentively as Bai Wei explained, nodding frequently.

“If this matter can be accomplished, I can also raise the issue of making you a secondary wife with your mistress. Do you understand?” Bai Wei asked.

Bai Yunxiang smiled and nodded: "Don't worry, Madam, Yunxiang will definitely handle this matter properly."

As night fell, Bai Yunxiang deliberately took the same petal bath as Zhao Yun, wore the same nightgown, and sat on the bed early, waiting for Li Huai'an.

"Master, you've arrived." Hearing Li Huai'an's unsteady footsteps, she hurried to greet him and gestured for Yu Ming to light incense.

"Yunxiang, I've missed you so much!" As soon as Li Huai'an got close to Bai Yunxiang, he reached his large hand into her nightgown.

Bai Yunxiang deliberately gave a coquettish cry, pushed Li Huai'an onto the narrow couch, and swiftly began to undress him.

Taking advantage of this moment, Zhao Yun climbed onto the bed, while Bai Yunxiang quietly withdrew.

So this was Bai Wei's idea.

Substituting one beam for another.

Li Huai'an felt that Yunxiang was acting strangely today; no matter how he teased her, she remained silent.

"Yunxiang, why aren't you saying anything?" he asked softly. "Are you angry because I haven't made you my secondary wife yet?"

Upon hearing Li Huai'an's words, Zhao Yun's throat tightened, and she felt annoyed with Bai Yunxiang.

It turns out that this concubine, who seemed docile and honest on the surface, was actually plotting something like this!

Li Huai'an felt the person beneath him stiffen for a moment, and changed the subject, saying, "Today, Mother wants me to consummate my marriage with Zhao Yun, but I refuse. But I don't want to upset Mother. Yunxiang, tell me what to do?"

Zhao Yun remained silent, and Bai Yunxiang, who stood silently to the side, dared not utter a sound.

Gradually, the incense that Yu Ming had lit took effect.

Li Huai'an's breathing became heavy and rapid.

He seemed to be venting his resentment and grievances on Zhao Yun as if he were going to kill her.

Zhao Yun was in so much pain that she dared not scream or cry.

She never imagined that the pleasure between husband and wife would be so unbearable for her, bringing her no joy whatsoever except humiliation and embarrassment.

After an unknown amount of time, with a muffled groan from Li Huai'an, Zhao Yun was finally relieved.

Yu Ming and Bai Yunxiang helped her back to the bedroom, and then, following Bai Wei's instructions, made her keep her legs against the wall for about half an hour.

"Young Madam, please hold on a little longer. Madam says this will make it easier to conceive."

Seeing that Zhao Yun's legs were trembling and she could no longer hold on, Bai Yunxiang quickly reminded her in a low voice.

"Okay." Zhao Yun listened to Li Huai'an's snoring as he slept soundly coming from the side room and silently shed tears.

What kind of mistress would do something like this, wanting a child, sharing a room with her husband, and then resorting to a sleight of hand, relying on a concubine to get by?

As dawn broke, the pale sunlight filtered through the carved wooden window, casting dappled patterns on Zhao Yun's pale yet still gentle face.

She lay quietly on the couch, her whole body aching, unable to get out of bed.

Bai Wei came to see her, and Bai Lian stood to the side, holding a steaming bowl of tonic.

Her eyes were filled with tenderness and guilt: "Yun'er, I know that doing this has wronged you, but An'er... I had no choice."

Zhao Yun forced a smile. She knew that Bai Wei had already done too much in this complicated family relationship.

“Mother-in-law, you flatter me. Yun’er understands your good intentions; it’s all for a better future for Huai’an and me. Yun’er will remember this kindness.” Her words were polite, but they were also sincere.

"Good child, I'm relieved that you think this way. You should rest well, your health is the most important thing." After saying this, Bai Wei patted her hand reassuringly, exchanged a few more pleasantries, and then left.