The reason was actually quite simple.
When Mrs. Wei was purchased all those years ago, she was already pregnant.
But she didn't hide it from Ji Lianbai, nor did she force him to marry her. After all, given her circumstances, she felt she was unworthy of her savior. She only asked for a place to live, willing to serve as a slave or a maid.
But simple farming families had no custom of keeping slaves or maids. Ji Lianbai brought her home anyway, hiding the truth and marrying her.
Not long after they married, Ji Lianbai told his family that Mrs. Wei was expecting. Soon after, Ji Huan was born prematurely. The story they told everyone was that it was caused by a fall Mrs. Wei had taken while working.
Given the medical standards of the time, premature babies rarely survived, let alone a baby like Ji Huan, who was born nearly three months early.
Aunt Kang had given birth to five children and was experienced in such matters. There was no hiding the real situation from her.
