Late October was already approaching winter, and the weather turned colder; even in the bright sunlight, the breeze carried a chill.

Huanhuan had been pregnant for over three months now. To be cautious, Ye Zhi intended to take a sedan chair, but was met with opposition. The other party adamantly insisted, "It’s fine, I’m not that delicate. Back then, when the Palace Master of Yihua Palace, Hu Xiaomeng, was eight months pregnant, she single-handedly slew 86 members of the Black Wind Village, which had been wreaking havoc in the area. It became a celebrated tale in the martial world."

It’s important to know that back then, the bandits of Black Wind Village were fierce. The Court had tried multiple times to eliminate them without success, and being far from the Capital City, the local officials were helpless.

This bunch of bandits could have lived comfortably for a few more years, but who knew they would overreach and dare to rob the Palace Master of Yihua Palace? In a fit of rage, the Palace Master decimated them.

Normally, killing them wouldn’t have mattered, losing some soldiers was no big deal.

However, two lucky small-time bandits escaped and returned with more than thirty comrades...

Undoubtedly, they were just delivering themselves to death!

The result was predictable; they were utterly annihilated.

In those years, Black Wind Village suffered a severe downfall, simply because all the experts in the village had been killed...

Listening to Huanhuan recount stories of the martial world’s storms, Ye Zhi’s mind was diverted from thoughts of her husband, becoming more cheerful, with a lively expression, no longer drooping her head.

The streets of Jingzhao Shangzhou were bustling, filled with handsome men and beautiful women in groups, chatting and laughing as they walked through the prosperous long street.

Upon arriving at the gorgeously decorated Phoenix Pavilion, Ye Zhi and the three of them entered inside.

The shopkeeper who greeted them was handsome, about in his early twenties, lively and spirited, with a charming smile. He warmly approached Ye Zhi, flattering, "Madam, you’re here."

"Yes. Manager Zhou, have you gotten any new arrivals? The more expensive the better, I want to send them to Huanhuan," Ye Zhi gestured to her friend beside her.

Rather than letting her husband spend money on another woman outside, she might as well spend more on Huanhuan!

Suddenly, a thought struck Ye Zhi’s mind—why not transfer Shen Chen’s assets, ensuring some security if things went south in the future. It was originally his fault, so taking some money was only right. Register all the shops under her name, and claim all the profits, yes, excellent idea. Ye Zhi couldn’t help but smile with satisfaction.

What comes from Phoenix Pavilion is certainly a treasure, and Huanhuan, being a woman, of course loves it, her face beaming with joy, "Ah Zhi, you don’t have to give me these, you and Xiao Chen have your own challenges, and need to maintain the household."

In her heart, Ye Zhi spat, maintain the household my foot; he’s been keeping a mistress in a gilded house, who knows how much silver he’s spent on that woman...

Still, she had to keep an impassive face, forcing a smile, "It’s no matter. Your mother is my master, and you are my senior sister; we make no distinction. Pick whichever you like; today, I’m determined to indulge."

Manager Zhou had already laid out several sets of jewelry such as the Silver Threaded Blue Gem Embroidered White Jade Peony Hairpin, Red Gold Lattice Rose Hairpin, and Twisted Gold Cloud Pattern Hexagonal Long Hairpin... in the VIP room, inviting the three to view.

This is a treatment reserved only for sufficiently high-status ladies and noblewomen.

As the hostess of the business, Ye Zhi essentially enjoyed these luxuries for free...

Finally, all the jewelry Manager Zhou displayed was swept into Ye Zhi’s possession. She gifted three sets to Huanhuan, personally putting them on her. She herself adorned four sets, appearing radiant and beautiful. Remembering how devoted Ming Yan was in serving her, she also gifted her two sets.