“But at that time, he was so young, didn’t even know about sex, and couldn’t satisfy her. Yet the master would often go to him and only touch him,” Ning Zhi said, leaning against the bedhead. “If it were about release, Yan Hua Lou has many skilled men. But the master specifically chose him.”
Fei lowered his eyes, “Perhaps the master likes young, fair-skinned, inexperienced men. Even the women at Yan Hua Lou prefer such tender young men.”
“As you said, there are more delicate and inexperienced men at Yan Hua Lou, yet the master hasn’t even glanced at them,” Ning Zhi replied, clutching the warm pot to his chest. “It’s been two years, and though Su Xi has grown up, the master’s visits have become more frequent.”
“The master seems to treat him differently.”
Fei fell into an unconscious silence. “Actually, young master still likes the master.”
“Fei.” Ning Zhi frowned, a hint of anger in his eyes.
“Yes, young master, I won’t say more,” Fei lowered his eyes. Although the young master never admitted his feelings for the master, he had some feelings; after all, the master had saved him years ago. He wondered what was truly in the young master’s heart.
Fei secretly glanced at Ning Zhi, saw the anger dissipate, and breathed a sigh of relief. He pulled the bed curtains and said, “Speaking of which, the young widow was only twelve when the master first took him and would frequently visit to release desires. The master seems quite cruel.”
“The master’s true cruelty is something you can’t see,” Ning Zhi lowered his eyes, pondering.
“Huh?” Fei looked at him, puzzled.
Ning Zhi came to his senses, realizing he’d said too much. He raised an eyebrow and smiled casually, “It’s precisely because the master visited him that he and his brother could survive to this day.”
“What do you mean, young master?”
Ning Zhi lazily leaned against the bedhead, “Fei, don’t you understand? If the master hadn’t been visiting him these past two years, how could he and his brother have survived? The master isn’t being cruel by visiting and releasing desires, but finding an indirect way to help them, allowing him to discreetly provide money and send supplies.”
Fei was stunned. The master wasn’t cruel, but helping them. He had thought the master behaved like a beast towards the young widow for two years. Ashamed, he lowered his head, “How does young master know all this?”
Ning Zhi smiled, a hint of sadness that made Fei’s heart skip a beat. He blurted out, “Young master, perhaps the master doesn’t love the young widow, but just pities him…” His voice trailed off, reflecting on the young master’s feelings.
Ning Zhi glanced at him, “If it were just pity, there are many ways to help. With the master’s status, she could help the young widow live well. Yet she chooses to visit and share intimacy with him every month.”
“Could the master have truly fallen in love with the young widow?” Fei asked, though he had dismissed the idea. Still, the master seemed to love the young man differently.
Ning Zhi lay casually, his gaze somewhat unfocused, “Perhaps the master doesn’t even know she might have fallen for Su Xi. Whenever we mention him, a different kind of gentleness appears in the master’s eyes.”
“How could the master not know she loves the young widow?” Fei was puzzled. How could someone be unaware of their own love?
Ning Zhi fell silent, pondering how the master might not realize her feelings for Su Xi.
“What could be the reason?”
“Young master,” Fei called carefully.
“…” Ning Zhi was slightly confused. “What is it?”
“Does young master really not love the master?”
Ning Zhi laughed. “Fei, I’ve said many times, I have no feelings for the master.”
“But what if young master has fallen in love with the master, just like how the master loves the young widow, without knowing it?”
Ning Zhi’s smile froze and quickly disappeared. He had never allowed himself to consider falling in love again. Could he have fallen for the master? No, that was impossible. The master was just his benefactor, the woman who saved him from the fire.
Seeing Ning Zhi silent and contemplative, Fei sighed. “If young master truly loves her without knowing, and is trying to help her give the medicine to the man she loves, isn’t that destroying his own happiness? What will young master do in the future?”
“Fei’er,” Ning Zhi’s voice was a bit hoarse, “I don’t like her, not at all. She is just my benefactor.”
“Young master?” Fei’er quickly patted Ning Zhi’s back. “Don’t take it to heart. I just can’t bear to part with the medicine you gave him.”
“What medicine?” Jin Yu suddenly entered, noticing Ning Zhi’s poor complexion and slightly raising an eyebrow. “Are you alright?”
Ning Zhi leaned back against the headboard. “I’m fine. But what about you, master? Aren’t you supposed to be with your little beauty?”
“I heard you discussing medicine. What does that mean?” Jin Yu ignored Ning Zhi’s attempt to change the subject.
“Why are you asking about that?” Ning Zhi laughed charmingly. “A client at Yanhua Drunken asked me for some medicine for his husband. They’ve been married for years without a child, so I gave him a bottle. What brings you to Yanhua Drunken at this hour?”
“I went to a few shops and happened upon it,” Jin Yu replied flatly.
“Is that so?” Ning Zhi laughed. “Aren’t you actually planning to visit Su Xi from the Beauty House and stopped by to question me about visiting him yesterday afternoon?” The Beauty House and Yanhua Drunken were on the same street; Jin Yu often visited both.
Jin Yu looked at him silently, her expression gentle but emotionless.
Ning Zhi chuckled, “No need to worry. I just wanted to see what kind of man could captivate you for two years. I also sent some supplies to his home as you instructed.”
Did the master spend the night with Su Xi?”
Jin Yu recalled Su Xi’s misty eyes from the previous night, his flushed face, slightly parted seductive lips, smooth skin, and heaving chest. A sudden surge of desire rose within her, prompting her to ask calmly, “What did you do to the bedding?”
“Nothing, just fumigated it with desire-inducing grass. What happened next, the master knows.”
It made sense that Su Xi had clung to her, writhing beneath her. The bedding fumigated with desire-inducing grass would provoke internal desire. Even when Su Xi was occasionally lucid, his body would press against hers.
A glimmer of water appeared in Jin Yu’s deep eyes, momentarily stunning Ning Zhi.
She closed her eyes, then opened them, her voice gentler, “You’re quite thoughtful for us.”
Ning Zhi lowered his eyes, “I have offended you. Please do not blame me.” The gentler Jin Yu became, the deeper she concealed herself – something Ning Zhi had realized over two years of interaction.
Jin Yu turned her head, her eyes black, “When Shen Bi receives guests, don’t use desire-inducing grass in his room.”
Ning Zhi was slightly stunned, a flash in his eyes, “Yes, master,” he paused, “Shen Bi’s health is poor.”
Can he rest and not receive guests these days?”
Jin Yu’s eyes dimmed, silent for a long time, finally responding, “As you wish.”
In the dark, Xiao Wu held a toothpick between his teeth. “That woman is here again.”
“Should we go in?” Xiao Zhou looked worried. “That woman used to just come to see the little widow, but now she’s touching him inappropriately.”
Xiao Wu bit the toothpick. “Let’s wait and see. That woman has liked the little widow for a long time. If the little widow could marry her, it would be better than being a hidden prostitute in this beauty house.”
“But the little widow belongs to our young lady. Didn’t she tell us to protect him and his brother?”
“The young lady just told us to protect them from being bullied. If the little widow is willing, we don’t need to intervene. She also said we can’t let him discover us.”
