Chapter 95 – Rebirth: The Poisonous Concubine (36)
After leaving the capital, the schemes and conspiracies seemed to fade away as well. The Bai family traveled together with the Yu family—just as the emperor had previously anticipated.
The Yu family served as a protective talisman for the Bai family, deterring anyone who might have considered making a move against them along the way.
Meanwhile, Madam Yu, being an older pregnant woman, had Yu Yushi—now properly addressed as Master Yu—constantly on edge, fearing any mishap during the journey.
Fortunately, Madam Bai had some knowledge of medicine and was the first to recognize Madam Yu’s pregnancy. The two women, being of similar age, always had endless topics to discuss, and Madam Bai’s presence reassured Master Yu significantly.
“Let’s return to town first, then send a letter to Mo Mo,” Madam Bai instructed Master Bai, but soon, worry crept into her voice. “I wonder if Mo Mo has reached the Northwest yet… and whether Zhu’er will be able to leave…”
With the rest of the family now safe, only their eldest son remained serving in court, and Madam Bai couldn’t help but worry.
Since ancient times, whoever holds military power also wields greater influence. Bai Zhu was now a prime target for multiple factions, all seeking to win him over. And if they failed? He would become a thorn in their side—a threat that needed to be eliminated.
Madam Bai sighed multiple times. Though she tried to suppress her concerns in front of Madam Yu to avoid stressing a pregnant woman, Madam Yu could still sense the weight on her heart. It also triggered her own longing for Yu Chenyi.
She had no idea how Chenyi was doing now. As an imperial envoy, people might still hesitate to act against him. But once that title was stripped away, if he was left outside the capital, what if someone plotted against him?
A pregnant woman’s greatest enemy was overthinking. The moment her mind started spiraling, it was unstoppable—Madam Yu suddenly felt as if the sky was crashing down. This journey back to the ancestral home felt like she was sending her eldest son off for the last time.
Emotions were contagious. The sound of Madam Bai and Madam Yu sobbing inside the carriage drifted outside, startling their husbands.
What’s going on? What happened? Is someone feeling unwell?
Three questions fired off in quick succession—but none of them hit the mark. Their only response was two dramatic eye-rolls.
It took a great deal of coaxing before they finally got the truth out of their wives. Now, instead of just two people worrying, there were four. Their sons were their greatest weakness. All they could do now was hope that they would be safe.
…
Northwest Border
The little snow ferret was born for freedom. Though the capital was grand and prosperous, it was also full of rules. Bai Mo had always had to carry himself properly. But now, everything was different.
The Northwest might not be as bustling as the capital, but it offered unparalleled freedom.
With vast open lands stretching as far as the eye could see, the little snow ferret could run wild.
Today, he climbed trees. Tomorrow, he’d dig pits to catch prey. Bai Mo was bursting with energy, and both Yu Chenyi and Bai Zhu often joined in on his antics, making him even more delighted.
With Bai Mo’s arrival, Bai Zhu’s smiles became more frequent as well. After training the soldiers, he often rewarded them with extra meals.
The troops were deeply grateful to Bai Mo—not just because of his liveliness, but because he never meddled in military affairs. As long as he didn’t interfere or dictate orders, he was already considered a good man. That was far better than the so-called deputy general who had been parachuted in a year ago by the Prime Minister’s faction.
Speaking of that universally despised deputy general, now that was another story.
A year ago, the Prime Minister had tried to establish influence within the military by inserting a newly recruited but utterly incompetent general into their ranks. Though the man barely lasted three months before being driven out by Bai Zhu due to his complete inability to adapt, those three months had been a nightmare for the soldiers.
The man deliberately opposed every single order Bai Zhu issued, often creating absurd situations where orders were given and retracted almost immediately. His erratic decision-making left the troops exhausted and resentful. It was only through Bai Zhu’s superior strategy that they finally got rid of the deputy general.
After that, although the Prime Minister tried to send another person, the Emperor refused to approve it.
You don’t know how bad something is until you have a comparison.
Though Yu Chenyi was also technically a “connected” official, rumors had it that he was an imperial envoy assigned by the Emperor himself—a man tasked with eliminating corrupt officials. If something didn’t sit right with him, he had the authority to step in, even bypassing the chain of command.
When he arrived at the military camp, everyone expected him to interfere with management.
But he didn’t.
He genuinely seemed to be there just to visit his spouse.
…
The little snow ferret, accustomed to running wild, soon noticed the hardship of life in the Northwest. The locals struggled to get enough food in the harsh winters.
Inspired by this, he took the initiative to introduce greenhouse farming.
With Xiao Bobao in hand, there was no need to worry about food anymore.
Giving a man a fish is not as good as teaching him to fish. Bai Mo, who considered himself well-read, believed that teaching the people survival skills was the best way to help them.
Greenhouse farming was not a modern invention—it had existed in ancient times as well, though the technology was far less advanced. Xiao Bobao had already checked: this alternate world lacked the technique, which left the people in remote areas struggling with poverty.
They barely managed to put food on the table, and sometimes, even money couldn’t buy necessary supplies.
Bai Mo was a man of action. He immediately enlisted Xiao Bobao, the most knowledgeable source, to draft a plan and then approached Bai Zhu for support.
The idle soldiers were assigned to help Bai Mo with the project.
The same soldiers who had just praised Bai Mo for not causing trouble suddenly found themselves put to work.
And it stung.
They didn’t believe in the so-called greenhouse farming. After all, they had tried winter farming before, and it had failed every time. In the end, it had only wasted manpower, resources, and money.
Yu Chenyi, unwilling to let Bai Mo be underestimated, knew exactly what the soldiers were thinking. He personally funded the construction of the greenhouses and paid the soldiers who helped—on a daily wage.
The soldiers who had been secretly doubting Bai Mo found themselves slapped in the face as they received their wages.
However, relying on the soldiers for hard labor every day wasn’t sustainable. Yu Chenyi’s true goal was simply to use the Northwest Army’s influence to gain the trust of the people.
The locals, upon hearing about the project, remained skeptical.
They had been deceived too many times.
Every past scheme had started with grand promises, only to end in failure. Time was wasted, their money was taken, and in the end, they were always blamed for not investing enough.
This time, they were sure it would be the same. Right now, it was “free,” but sooner or later, they’d claim there was a funding shortage and demand money. Then, when it failed, they’d just blame the people again.
Still, not everyone was doubtful. Some enthusiastic young people eagerly joined the project, full of hope for the future. With the Northwest Army backing it, surely this time would be different from what the elders feared.
Bai Mo didn’t waste time arguing.
Words meant nothing—only results mattered.
He laid out the plans, Yu Chenyi led the execution, and soon, a primitive version of the greenhouse was built.
From sowing seeds to controlling temperature and keeping records, they carefully monitored every step—adjusting immediately whenever an issue arose.
To earn others’ trust, one must lead by example.
The usually lively and playful youth set aside his mischievous nature, dedicating himself to the greenhouse project. Every day, he ran back and forth between the fields, working alongside the farmers despite his noble upbringing. When he didn’t understand something, he was humble enough to ask for guidance. Over time, the voices of opposition gradually faded.
The vegetables thrived—visible proof of success. Unlike those who had made empty promises before, Bai Mo personally oversaw the process, further solidifying his credibility.
One day, Yu Chenyi arrived to bring Bai Mo his meal, only to find the boy crouched in the vegetable patch, pulling weeds.
“Mo Mo, it’s time to eat,” Yu Chenyi called out.
He wholeheartedly supported Bai Mo’s ambitions but couldn’t help feeling distressed at how much effort the young master was putting in every day.
“Coming!” Bai Mo yanked out the last weed, clapped the dirt off his hands, and turned around. His usually fair face was now smudged with dust—anyone who didn’t know better might have thought he’d just crawled out of a cave.
His bright, almond-shaped eyes lit up the moment they landed on the opened food container.
Ah! Braised pork!
Just as Bai Mo eagerly reached for the fragrant dish with his chopsticks, a hand suddenly appeared out of nowhere, blocking his path to the meat.
“Mo Mo, wash your hands.”
Yu Chenyi sighed in amusement. When would his Mo Mo stop letting his love for meat override everything else? He was genuinely worried that someone might one day lure him away with just a plate of braised pork.
It wasn’t an unreasonable fear. Ever since leaving the capital, Bai Mo had become increasingly innocent and carefree. Now that they were in the straightforward and honest Northwest, he had even less sense of caution toward others.
Yu Chenyi lowered his gaze, gently taking Bai Mo’s hands and placing them in a basin of water. He carefully washed them, rubbing them clean with tender movements, splashing water up to his wrists, and finally drying them with a clean handkerchief.
It was such a simple and ordinary act, yet Yu Chenyi’s every motion carried a refined elegance, as if he were performing something far more intimate and meaningful.
His eyes were filled with nothing but Bai Mo—there was no room for anyone else.
Their bond was so deep and affectionate that onlookers couldn’t help but feel envious.
…
The villagers tending to the crops in the greenhouse couldn’t help but grow more envious of Bai Mo every time they saw Yu Chenyi. To be a husband to this degree—clingy even while washing hands—was truly remarkable.
They glanced at their own wives, who had come to bring them meals. While their wives were certainly virtuous and capable, they weren’t as gentle, nor as attentive. None of them had Yu Chenyi’s level of care.
Some of them even tried to imitate Bai Mo’s ways, acting spoiled toward their wives—only to be met with looks as if they’d seen a ghost.
“Did you take the wrong medicine?”
“Are you possessed?”
“Are you out of your mind?!”
People’s joys and sorrows are never truly shared. The imitators felt bitter, but they also came to understand something—their wives may not be as gentle and meticulous as Yu Chenyi, and they might even seem rough in comparison, but they were incredibly skilled at managing their households.
After all, if they had to leave home to find work for three to five days at a time, who else but their strong, capable wives would ensure that their elderly parents and young children weren’t bullied? The poor are often looked down upon—having a wife who could stand firm and protect the home was a blessing.
They say love is about mutual devotion. Yu Chenyi spoiled Bai Mo, but Bai Mo wasn’t just on the receiving end—he was just as considerate in return.
Knowing that his dear husband and elder brother were handling important matters, Bai Mo was always mindful of their needs. Perhaps it was because of his influence, but as the greenhouse crops began to show promising results, the farmers, seeing hope for the future, started to admire and respect Bai Mo more.
Naturally, he became the focus of much attention, and as people observed his attentiveness toward Yu Chenyi, they unconsciously began to imitate him.
Households became more harmonious, conflicts between in-laws lessened, children became more obedient, and with fewer worries at home, the farmers worked harder and earned more money.
It’s true what they say—when a family is at peace, all things prosper.
When the Bai and Yu families settled back in their hometown, they immediately sent word to the Northwest. By the time Bai Mo received the letter, it was early winter, and the first wave of vegetables was ready for harvest.
In past years, fresh fruits and vegetables were scarce during this season. But this year, they had pulled off a miracle.
If vegetables could be grown in winter, then other crops might be possible as well. With a stable supply, there would be no fear of merchants from other regions driving up prices. Many were so overjoyed that they cried.
The farmers, overjoyed by the success, ran off in all directions to spread the good news. Even the Northwest Army took notice.
In previous winters, they had always suffered from shortages of food and clothing. The grain sent by the imperial court often arrived late, and by the time it reached them, it had already been severely embezzled. There was never much left.
But if greenhouse farming proved successful, they would no longer have to endure hunger, nor would they have to hold back when enemy nations provoked them—out of fear of not having enough supplies to retaliate.
“As expected of the general’s younger brother and brother-in-law—what a pair of capable men!”