Daxuan, the Duke's Mansion.
Several maids and servants were shoveling snow while whispering among themselves.
"Tell me, Liu Mei was forced to miscarry when she was pregnant before, but now Yun Xiang is pregnant, and the madam is making her stay. They were both concubines, but the difference is like heaven and earth!"
"When Liu Mei was pregnant, the young mistress wasn't pregnant yet. If she gave birth, it would be a blatant challenge to the mistress's authority. But Yun Xiang is different. Yun Xiang and the young mistress are pregnant at the same time, which is double happiness!"
Behind the artificial hill, Zhao Yun and Yu Ming coldly watched all of this.
"Miss, is Madam really planning to let Yunxiang give birth to the young master's child?" Yuming said, indignant on behalf of Zhao Yun.
“Yu Ming, Yun Xiang and I are pregnant at the same time, your chance has come.” Zhao Yun gently stroked her belly, looked up at Yu Ming, reached out and took her hand and said, “In this mansion, no matter who gives birth to the child, it is my child, and there will only be me as the mother. So, you must also work harder and give birth to a child before Liu Mei.”
Yu Ming's face flushed, and she lowered her head, saying, "Miss, I will try my best."
Zhao Yun sighed and stroked her belly, saying, "I don't know if this baby will be a boy or a girl."
Yu Ming recalled the physician's words and comforted him, "It's definitely a boy."
As the two were talking, Bai Yunxiang, arm in arm with Bai Wei, walked over from a distance, chatting and laughing. Zhao Yun quickly pulled Yu Ming and hid behind the artificial hill.
"Yunxiang, you must take good care of yourself this time. I'll also tell An'er not to do anything reckless again. We can't let something like what happened last night happen again," Bai Wei said earnestly, patting Bai Yunxiang's hand.
Last night, Li Huai'an couldn't resist and slept with Bai Yunxiang. This morning, Bai Yunxiang found that she had bleeding. She was scared and told Bai Wei.
"Madam, Yunxiang will remember this," Bai Yunxiang said, still shaken.
"Alright, the matter of elevating you to the status of a secondary wife will be settled in the next few days. Don't worry," Bai Wei said to her, and the two slowly walked away.
"Miss, does Madam really intend to elevate Bai Yunxiang to the status of a secondary wife?" Yu Ming asked angrily.
After a moment's thought, Zhao Yun thought to herself, "Since Li Huai'an and my mother-in-law have already decided to elevate Bai Yunxiang to the status of a secondary wife, I can't stop them anyway. I might as well bring it up myself; that way, Bai Yunxiang might get closer to me."
Having made up her mind, she whispered a few words to Yu Ming beside her. Upon hearing this, Yu Ming immediately obeyed and hurriedly returned to the room to retrieve a thick cloak.
As dusk slowly descended, a cold wind, carrying fine, scattered snowflakes, rose from the corner and then fell heavily back down.
Zhao Yun and Yu Ming wrapped their cloaks tighter around themselves and walked through the winding corridors to Bai Wei's courtyard.
Inside the room, the candlelight flickered.
Bai Wei lovingly held Bai Yunxiang's hand and told her about her parents' past, as well as the funny stories Yunxiang had with Li Huai'an when she was a child.
When she got to the happy part, Bai Yunxiang couldn't help but laugh and said, "Back then, I even got into a fight with the young master because I was favored by the madam!"
As Zhao Yun stepped across the threshold, she immediately saw this scene. A bittersweet feeling welled up in her heart, but a gentle smile appeared on her lips. She took a few steps forward and exclaimed in feigned surprise, "Yunxiang is here too? What a coincidence!"
After saying that, her gaze naturally turned to Bai Wei, she gave a graceful curtsy, and said, "Mother-in-law, the reason I've come today is to discuss something with you."
Upon hearing this, Bai Wei's gaze shifted between Zhao Yun and Bai Yunxiang before finally settling on Zhao Yun's face.
She smiled slightly and said in a gentle voice, "Yun'er, please speak freely."
Zhao Yun gently turned to the side, her gaze falling tenderly on Bai Yunxiang's swollen belly.
Then, she stepped forward and gently took Bai Yunxiang's hand.
“Sister Yunxiang,” Zhao Yun called affectionately, “you are now six months pregnant, and your contribution to continuing the Li family’s bloodline is invaluable. But you are still only a concubine, and how can I bear to do that? I think it would be better to take this opportunity to suggest to my mother-in-law that you be promoted to a secondary wife. That way, we can be sisters, serve our husbands together, and take care of this family. Wouldn’t that be more perfect?”
Upon hearing this, the room fell silent. Bai Lian looked down at her toes, while Bai Wei secretly observed Zhao Yun.
"Young Madam?" Bai Yunxiang was somewhat flattered and looked at Bai Wei with a blank and helpless expression.
"Good sister, please agree! Speaking of which, if it weren't for your secret help, I wouldn't have gotten pregnant so quickly, would I?" Zhao Yun's tone was filled with urgency and gratitude.
Upon hearing this, Bai Wei's eyes flashed with a hint of relief and approval. She nodded gently, her tone carrying a touch of solemnity and affection: "It is truly a blessing for the Li family that Yun'er has such a heart. Yunxiang, since you entered the manor, you have been diligent and gentle, and now you have even added a member to the Li family, your contributions are invaluable. Since it was Yun'er's suggestion, and you have won my heart, then I will grant your request and choose an auspicious day to formally elevate you to the position of secondary wife."
Bai Yunxiang's eyes instantly reddened, glistening with tears.
She immediately knelt down, clasped her hands in front of her forehead, and said in a trembling voice with gratitude, "Thank you for your kindness, Madam. Yunxiang will do her best to serve my husband, assist the young mistress, and protect the Li family together."
Zhao Yun quickly stepped forward, helped Bai Yunxiang up, and said softly, "Sister, get up quickly. From now on, we are sisters, so there's no need for formalities. I believe that with you joining us, our family will be even more harmonious and happy."
Bai Lian watched this scene coldly from the side, thinking to herself: Zhao Yun, this mistress, is quite the actress!
After returning from the palace, Li Huai'an heard the news from his mother and sneered, "Is she really that kind? She's just going with the flow since things are already a fait accompli!"
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