She stood before him with a serene expression, within reach, yet he felt she was so distant. He had restricted her movements, keeping her confined to the Huo mansion as before, but he couldn't grasp her heart. Fear pounded against every nerve in his body, yet he couldn't suppress the dread rising in his heart no matter what.

He didn't know what to do with her, really... All he could do was hold her tight and kiss her, trying to open her heart with countless acts of intimacy and tell her through his actions that he loved her!

But she just silently accepted it—no! To be precise, she silently "endured" it, without giving any response. Could it be that his enthusiasm could not melt the ice in her heart?

He kissed her more and more recklessly, and she subconsciously tried to push him away, but he wouldn't allow it. He fiercely locked her in his arms, and Shu Yao had no choice but to pretend to compromise and slowly kiss him back. Just when Huo Jingsha thought she had given in and let down her guard, she pushed him away. Compared to the desire in his eyes, there was only indifference in her eyes.

"Yao'er, I told you not to push me away. Isn't it good that we're like before? You can tell me anything that's on your mind, and I will do everything I can to help you and give you anything you want unconditionally."

She understood, she knew, but...

I'm so sorry, all her current distress comes from him, and he can't solve this problem at all. She doesn't want anything, since you can't take anything with you when you die.

However, she nodded, still smiling and politely saying to him, "Thank you, sir. I don't want anything. I am very grateful."

With a deep sigh, Huo Jingsha knew he was finished. Yao'er treated him like an outsider; she no longer fawned over him or held any hope. He was helpless and filled with anxiety. A thousand armies couldn't extinguish his lofty ambitions, but she… with just a cold smile and a word of rejection, could easily shatter all his confidence and certainty.

Doctor He came to take the wife's pulse every day and happened to overhear the couple's conversation outside the door. If he hadn't heard it with his own ears, he really wouldn't have believed that the fearsome Lord Huo outside could speak to his wife so humbly and try so hard to please her. But his wife didn't buy it at all and even put him in his place. He couldn't help but sigh that the young mistress was really good at managing her husband.

Seeing that the two were silent, he took the opportunity to knock on the door. After receiving permission, he entered the house. After checking Shu Yao's pulse, he said, "Madam's illness is no longer serious. As long as she stops overthinking and relaxes every day, she will be no different from a normal person."

Shu Yao felt relieved upon hearing this and thanked him with a smile, "Thank you, Doctor He. I'm grateful for your care these past few days."

"You're too kind, young mistress," Doctor He said, bowing slightly.

Huo Jingsha stepped forward to confirm again, "Are you really alright?"

"It's alright!" Doctor He replied solemnly.

"Well... given my wife's current health condition, is it suitable for her to get pregnant? I'd like to have another daughter." Huo Jingsha suddenly blurted out, her attitude quite sincere, as if she really wanted a daughter.

"Of course, I will add a few more conditioning herbs to your medicine tomorrow to help you conceive."

"That's excellent." Seeing that Shu Yao didn't object, Huo Jingsha's earlier displeasure largely disappeared.

Only Shu Yao herself knew that she didn't refute him for two reasons: first, she wanted to save face for him in front of outsiders; second, she was simply too lazy to pay attention to him. Anyway, the child was in her belly, and she could decide whether to have the child or not.

Doctor He got up to take his leave. Before leaving, he gave Huo Jingsha a wink. The two of them went to the outer hall one after the other. When they saw that there was no one else around, Doctor He said in a low voice, "Sir, you should be more tolerant of Madam. In my opinion, no fertility medicine is as good as a good mood. You must not force her to do what you want at this time."

"Is that so?" These words became Huo Jingsha's lifeline.

"Of course, after spending time with you these past few days, I have found that Madam is very gentle and never gives us a hard time. She speaks very kindly. Any woman would be uncomfortable if you took a concubine, especially since Madam is so devoted to you. But I think Madam is very intelligent and understands that she has married into the Huo family and has a young master. As time goes by, she will eventually understand your true feelings. Even if she doesn't care about herself, she will have to think about the young master. So please, sir, do not be too hasty in everything."

"I understand," Huo Jingsha said with a rare smile. "Doctor He has been my military doctor since I was fighting on the border, and it has been seven years since I became the commander-in-chief. I heard that you have a son. Tomorrow, have him go to the office to find Yue Ping and arrange a job for him. That way, he can be guaranteed a comfortable life for the rest of his days."

Upon hearing this, Doctor He was overjoyed! To secure a position in the Embroidered Uniform Guard with a royal salary was something countless people would fight tooth and nail for; it was both prestigious and dignified. Doctor He bowed repeatedly in gratitude.

Chunlu, who was guarding the door, heard all these words. A look of disdain appeared on her lips. After everyone in the room had left, she simply bolted the door of Biyue Residence and went into the inner room.

After taking the medicine, Shu Yao lay blankly on the bed, staring at the ceiling with empty eyes, without saying a word.

Now that she's fully recovered, there's no reason for her to stay. The only thing she needs to figure out is how to escape with Xiao Bao. But even on her own, she couldn't escape Huo Jingsha's inescapable net. Now, with a baby a few months old added to the mix, the chances of success are almost negligible. Should she leave Xiao Bao behind for now? At least in the manor, he'll have plenty to eat and wear, and there will be plenty of people to take care of him.

The thought of being separated from her son blurred her vision.

Just then, she heard someone push the door open and enter. She quickly wiped away the tears that had fallen from the corners of her eyes. Then, she heard a "plop" sound and turned her head in surprise to see Chunlu kneeling under the bed.

"Madam, please tell me honestly, what are your true intentions?"

Chunlu's words startled Shuyao. She slowly sat up and said with a bitter smile, "What other plans could I possibly have? You've all seen it, haven't you? I've accepted my fate."

“Madam, even if you can deceive others, you can’t deceive Chunlu. You have a strong personality. I don’t believe you’ve given up.” After saying that, she kowtowed heavily to Shuyao.

"Get up quickly, what are you doing?" Shu Yao got up and helped her up.

"Please forgive me, Madam. I have kept something from you. Actually... we met once before. It was at the ferry crossing on the Xiguan River. My father was going to sell me to a pleasure boat there. It was you who emptied your purse and gave my father six taels of silver, which made him give up the idea of ​​selling me. But after the six taels of silver were spent, he still sold me to the military camp as a camp prostitute without hesitation. In the end, it was Lord Huo who rescued me."

However, I am equally grateful for your past generosity, young mistress, but I have hesitated to reveal the truth for fear that you might think my devoted service is merely out of gratitude, which would be contrary to my true intentions. Now, to repay your kindness in saving me, if you have any plans in mind, please tell me, and I will absolutely do my best to help you.”