𝐅𝐞𝐢┃18+

┃63┃

Fei read her mother’s letter, her eyes tracing each word with a mixture of sadness and understanding.

The letter expressed how proud her mother was of her, yet it also carried a message about the realities of marriage.

Her mother gently reminded her that making a marriage work often requires willingness from both sides.

She also acknowledged that wanting to have a child wasn’t selfish but rather a natural desire, one that Fei had every right to pursue for the sake of her family.

The letter continued, mentioning a casket of herbs her mother had prepared for her—a symbol of the knowledge she had passed down, ensuring Fei could bear a child even if her husband remained unwilling to fulfill those wishes.

The well-written letter also emphasized that she had taught her daughter the importance of compromise in marriage, but never at the cost of sacrificing herself or her love.

It was a delicate balance, one that required strength and wisdom, traits she knew her daughter, Fei, possessed.

After reading the letter, Fei’s hand instinctively moved to her barren womb, her fingers brushing against the emptiness she felt within.

A pang of longing and uncertainty gripped her heart as she wondered.

Did Mother know?

That her womb..

She closed her eyes, letting the words of the letter linger in her mind. Her mother’s message was clear, yet layered with meaning.

It wasn’t just about the herbs or the hope of conceiving a child—it was about Fei herself.

Her mother only meant one thing: Fei needed to nourish herself first, to nurture her own body and soul before she could ever hope to bring new life into the world.

The path to motherhood wasn’t just about fulfilling a duty; it was about ensuring that she was strong and whole, ready to give the love and care a child would need.

With that understanding, Fei felt a quiet determination settle within her. She would follow her mother’s advice, taking the time to heal and strengthen herself.

Only then could she embrace the possibility of becoming a mother, not just for the sake of her family, but for herself as well.

And then… she knew the next step would be the hardest.

She would have to convince her husband.

If he remained unwilling, if he continued to refuse her the chance to fulfill her deepest desire, then she would have to take the matter into her own hands.

...

One month later, at the base of the Sai Wai compound, a sense of tension hung in the air.

Yang’s expression remained impassive as Zhou Shwan, his trusted aide, relayed the troubling reports.

The lands that rightfully belonged to the common folk were being seized by ambitious merchants, all under the directives of his overreaching father-in-law, Lu Junting.

His eyes dimmed with a cold resolve as the gravity of the situation settled in.

That man’s reckless ambitions were not only risking the stability of the lands but also threatening the livelihood of the people.

Yang knew he had to act swiftly and decisively to curb this dangerous course of action, all while maintaining the delicate balance of power and pride.

His reputation and the honor of his family were on the line. But for now, he kept his cool, planning his next move with calculated precision.