At the farewell pavilion, Bao Min, Tong Mo, and a horse-drawn carriage awaited Ye Yunniang and her family of four.
Upon meeting, Bao Min made a request that was quite unreasonable for the Li family.
"Our group consists of men, women, and children. Traveling as one family would draw less attention."
The moment these words left Bao Min’s lips, it was clear nothing good would come of it.
Cai Damei stepped forward, stopping Ye Yunniang from speaking. "Sir, I shouldn’t ask, but as a mere woman—what business do you have in Lincheng? My daughter-in-law is young, and my grandsons are still children."
"Madam, rest assured. There will be no danger on this journey," Bao Min replied earnestly.
"Sir, we won’t delay your travels any further." Cai Damei shouldered her bundle, took Li Pan’s hand, and turned to leave. She couldn’t risk exposing Yunniang and the children to even the slightest peril.
Ye Yunniang picked up Li An and followed Cai Damei.
But after only two steps, Tong Mo blocked their path.
"Madam, I swear on my life—neither you nor your family will face any harm," Bao Min declared again.
After some "amicable" negotiation, they reached an agreement.
Ye Yunniang, a widow, would pretend to be Bao Min’s wife, traveling with her mother-in-law and son Li Pan, while Bao Min played the role of a father with his own child.
The Li family had sent word—something was amiss with the graves of her late husband and father-in-law. Ye Yunniang needed to return with her mother-in-law and son to settle the matter.
Bao Min, unwilling to let his "wife" go alone, would accompany her with his son and attendant, Tong Mo, to her late husband’s hometown.
Their belongings stowed in the carriage, Ye Yunniang and Cai Damei sat inside with the two children. Bao Min and Tong Mo took the driver’s seat, guiding the horses forward.
Three days later, they arrived at a riverside dock.
A ship bound for Lincheng was set to depart that afternoon, with three cabins still available.
After paying for the passage and securing their tickets, Bao Min and Tong Mo left to attend to some business.
Ye Yunniang and Cai Damei found a restaurant. Worried the children might disturb others, they booked a private room for a meal and rest.
"Mother, are we really going along with this all the way to Lincheng?" Ye Yunniang remained skeptical of Bao Min’s promises.
"We’ll take it one step at a time." The situation was no longer in their control.
"Honestly, having Bao Min with us might be for the best." Ye Yunniang still remembered the predatory glares from her uncles and grandfather when they learned the family’s land and house had been sold.
If not for village chief Li Wenkuo and his men shielding them, they might never have left the village alive.
This time, Ye Yunniang feared what those men might do in secret.
"Mother, meat!" Li Pan tugged at her sleeve.
Snapping out of her thoughts, Ye Yunniang placed a piece of braised pork in his bowl, then turned.
Jiang Tingjun stared at her with wide, expectant eyes. "Meat!"
She picked out a piece of fish, carefully removing the bones before setting it in his bowl.
"An’er, you’re still too small for big pieces. Try the fish—it’s delicious."
Jiang Tingjun reached for it with his hands.
Cai Damei stopped him, pressing a spoon into his grip. "Use this. No grabbing."
He didn’t protest, clumsily scooping with the spoon—though more food ended up on the table than in his mouth.
Neither Ye Yunniang nor Cai Damei scolded him, letting him eat as he pleased.
"Mother, I want fish too!"
"Of course." She prepared another portion for Li Pan.
"Don’t just feed them—eat something yourself." Cai Damei placed a piece of meat in Ye Yunniang’s bowl.
"Thank you, Mother. You should eat too."
After the meal and a short rest, Bao Min and Tong Mo returned to escort them to the ship.
Cai Damei’s "family of four" shared one cabin—officially to care for the children. Bao Min and Tong Mo each took a separate room.
The first day aboard passed smoothly.
But by the second day, Ye Yunniang began feeling nauseous.
She suspected morning sickness—last time she traveled to Jiangcheng, she hadn’t suffered seasickness.
Afraid of revealing her pregnancy, she endured in silence.
The worse she felt, the harder it became to suppress.
Especially with the strong northwestern winds tossing the ship violently.
Finally, she rushed to the railing and vomited into the river.
"Madam, are you seasick?" Tong Mo, seeing her distress, ran to fetch the ship’s physician.
"No need—" But he was already gone.
Lying in bed, Ye Yunniang endured the physician’s examination.
After a long pause, the man stood and bowed to Bao Min. "Congratulations, sir. Your wife is with child."
"Pregnant?" Bao Min confirmed.
"Yes, about three and a half months along."
Ye Yunniang paled, fists clenched. How would she explain this?
"Thank you, Doctor. Tong Mo—" Bao Min signaled his attendant.
Understanding, Tong Mo ushered the physician out. "Please, tell me everything my mistress should avoid during her pregnancy."
Alone with Ye Yunniang, Bao Min spoke with certainty.
"The child is Jiang Mingzhe’s."
Her eyes widened. "How do you know? What are you planning?"
"What am I planning? I should be thrilled. My wife is pregnant—I’ll be a father again!" Laughing, he strode out. "Captain! Prepare a feast! My wife is expecting—we must celebrate!"
"Congratulations, sir!" The captain beamed.
Soon, passengers crowded around, offering their well-wishes.
"Thank you, thank you!" Bao Min grinned. "Captain, bring out the best wine and dishes. This noon’s meal is on me!"
By the time Cai Damei returned from the deck with the children, the entire ship knew:
A man named Bao was treating everyone to lunch—his wife was pregnant.
Back in their cabin, the table was laden with food.
Ye Yunniang stared at the spread, her face ashen.
"Braised pork! Fish! Mother, I want meat! Fish!" Li Pan’s eyes lit up.
"Fish! Mother, fish!" Li An fixated on the steamed fish.
"Alright, wash your hands first." Cai Damei guided them.
Ye Yunniang forced herself to pick up chopsticks, removing bones from the fish—until the smell overwhelmed her.
She handed the task to Cai Damei and fled outside, retching over the railing.
Tears and mucus streaked her face as she emptied her stomach.
Leaning against the ship, she wept quietly before wiping her face and returning.
The children had finished eating and were playing on the bed.
Cai Damei had cleared away the fish and meat, leaving only bland congee and pickles.
Ye Yunniang managed a bowl before pushing it aside.
As Cai Damei carried the dishes to the kitchen, she paused—then knocked on Bao Min’s door.
"Sir, this humble woman wishes to speak with you."
