When the elephant in the room was addressed, life seemed even easier. Empress Quan made an excuse and moved herself to Ping An Town for the serene. Shao Shang often visited Empress Quan with Huo Yi.  Whenever Shao Shang was not at Empress Quan's place, Yuan Sheng would frequent Shao Shang's house.  Huo Yi would address Yuan Sheng as a teacher in public while back at Shao Shang's house, Huo Yi would address him as an uncle. Yuan Sheng often teased Huo Yi saying he could be his daddy if Shao Shang allowed. Huo Yi never failed to give him a doubtful look whenever he attempt to test the water. Day in, and day out Yuan Sheng visited, they worked closely together to rebuild the town, and they had meals together. When Shao Shang was tied up with work, Yuan Sheng would send and pick up Huo Yi from school. 

Within a month, so many things happened, the rebuilding went on as planned, and Merchant get a foothold in the market in both Xing Wang Town and Ping An Town. It took a while for Liang Qiu Qi to get back on track. There was no news of Shao Shang thus he decided to work on Yuan Sheng instead. He finally found Shao Shang. As usual, Liang Qiu Qi would send reports of Shao Shang back to Huo Buyi. Huo Buyi learnt not only what Shao Shang was into, her recent challenges or interest, but he also learnt about the child which Shao Shang adopted and how  Yuan Sheng had been buzzing around her. Nevertheless, he was glad that Shao Shang was not alone. 

In the evening, when everyone had turned in, Shao Shang had decided to take a walk in her own garden, under the beautiful moonlight. Unconsciously, she walked to the persimmons tree which she had planted. She rested under its luscious leaves, leaning against the trunk, she took out her flute and began playing. The music was melodious, it was so captivating. The music had woken Huo Yi from his sleep. He crept out of bed to follow the soothing music. He walked up towards his mother and lay down gently on her lap. Huo Yi began to stroke his mother's tummy. Huo Yi said, 'Mother, my brother is getting bigger inside your tummy. I love you both so much. Why are you here? Are you missing my father?' 

Shao Shang replied, 'How are you still awake at this hour? And how do you know the baby is a brother?' Huo Yi laughed, he said, 'I heard your music so I follow the music. I do not know but I am certain, we will be expecting a little brother. Come on, tell me more about my father, please, please, then in the future I can tell these stories to my brother.' Shao Shang gave in and shared stories of Huo Buyi with Huo Yi. Shao Shang shared the heroic deeds and dashing moments of Huo Buyi with Huo Yi. All the memories came flooding back, she was doing everything she could to hold back her tears. After sending the tired Huo Yi to bed, she finally broke down. Her heart could only manage so much pain. As much as Shao Shang hated to admit, deep down in her heart she missed Huo Buyi really very much. The pain seemed to be spreading from her heart, and not long after she started to feel a bit of pain in her tummy. Shao Shang cried herself to sleep. 

The next day, Shao Shang did not wake up as usual. Thus, Lu Sao went to check on her, Lu Sao hurriedly out of her room shouting, 'This is bad, Mdm is down with a very high fever! Quick, call for the physician!' Everyone was so worried, because the last time when she was down with a fever, Shao Shang almost lost her life. Empress Quan sponged Shao Shang while waiting for their own reliable physician to see her. The physician, together with Empress Quan, was by her bedside day and night, as Shao Shang slipped in and out of consciousness. It was the third day into the fever already. During those days, Yuan Sheng went to oversee everything at Merchant ensuring operation runs smoothly. He continued to do so as he was trying to find an alternate route for the medicine to be sent into town. The rebels on the outskirts of town did not make things easy for them. 

During those moments when she lost lucid, she had been calling out 'Zisheng, Zisheng, take me with you. Do not leave me behind.' Those who heard her cries felt heartbroken and their hearts went out for her. The physician shared that they really need to get the medicine at soon as possible. He instructed them to speak to her as often as possible. The remedy for treating the affairs of the heart often lies in the other person. Since the other person was not available, he supposed that having people close to her, was their next best bet to help stabilised Shao Shang's condition.