Xiao Lian was confused. Those words seemed to work on women, so why didn’t they with Jin Jiazhu? Was she ignoring him because of his impolite words? He decided never to speak to her like that again.
Su Xi handed the handkerchief back to Xiao Lian, saying, “Help me carry the vegetables to the kitchen.”
Xiao Lian took the handkerchief, an eager expression replacing his troubled look. “I’ve finished the embroidery. Can I skip men’s work for a while?”
Su Xi eyed him suspiciously, confirming the handkerchief was indeed embroidered with their home’s needlework. “You can skip men’s work, but you cannot go out.” He wanted to take Xiao Lian away quickly, for the sake of the baby in his belly and Xiao Lian. They couldn’t stay in the brothel and risk the baby’s first words being like Xiao Lian’s “walk slowly” or “come again” to Jin Jiazhu.
After Jin Mo left, Su Xi felt sleepy and quickly fell asleep without dwelling on Jin Mo’s purpose, often resting his hand on his belly even while asleep.
Xiao Lian sat frustrated in the courtyard, holding Jin Mo’s embroidered handkerchief.
Xiao Lian, confined at home, wished to get married soon to escape his boredom.
One afternoon, he fell asleep under the warm sun. When he awoke, he saw a striking man in a brocade robe standing in the courtyard, accompanied by an ordinary-looking servant who seemed uncomfortable.
Xiao Lian rubbed his eyes and asked, “Who are you?”
Yun Mei, drawn from looking at the courtyard wall, smiled warmly and inquired about Su Xi’s whereabouts.
Yun Mei was taken aback by Xiao Lian’s tone but quickly composed himself, saying, “Then I can wait until he wakes up.”
The servant, Dao’er, expressed concern, “Young master, the little widow is just sleeping. We should wake him up.”
Yun Mei gently replied, “It’s fine for me to wait.”
Dao’er hesitated but lowered his head, displeased with the young master’s decision.
Xiao Lian overheard their conversation, growing agitated. “My brother is pregnant; how can you wake him?” he exclaimed, ready to defend his brother and the baby.
