He blinked, clearing the moisture from his eyes, and turned to return to the inner room.
When he raised his eyes, he suddenly trembled, “Young, young miss, how did you come……”
Yun Mei, half-awake, heard Dao’er’s panicked voice and became alert, “Dao’er, what happened?”
Dao’er looked helplessly toward the inner room and then anxiously at Jin Yu, tears welling up in his eyes, “Miss, I, I, the young master……”
Jin Yu spoke flatly, “I’m just here to take a look. You can go now.”
“Miss……” Dao’er reluctantly looked toward the inner room, worried, “Can I tell the young master?”
“Mm, go ahead.”
“Thank you, miss.”
Watching Dao’er’s panicked back as he ran to the inner room, Jin Yu shook her head and glanced at the fire basin. She had seen Dao’er throwing letters into the fire earlier, and now the fire was dying down with most letters burned. Jin Yu noticed a fragment with the character “念,” which she recognized as Jin Mo’s handwriting.
Although she had long known about Yun Mei and Jin Mo’s secret correspondence, seeing the letter still made her uncomfortable. Jin Yu didn’t mind divorcing Yun Mei and letting him be with Jin Mo, but their secret communication felt like a significant insult.
After Dao’er nervously left the inner room, Jin Yu walked in. After her rebirth, she had seen Yun Mei several times and remembered his appearance from their last meeting half a year ago. Yun Mei was much thinner now.
Although he had been neglected for two years and was well-provided for, his emaciation was clearly from lovesickness. Jin Yu knew he wasn’t pining for her, and everyone in town knew who had caused his heartache.
“I’ve instructed the steward to prepare for your return home. You can go back whenever you want,” Jin Yu’s flat voice filled the room.
“Thank you, wife… mistress.” Before their marriage, Yun Mei had always called Jin Yu “young miss.” Now, the term “mistress” felt unfamiliar.
Jin Yu felt uncomfortable at the strange address, which brought back painful memories. Her voice remained flat, “If you need anything, tell the steward. If there’s anything, send someone to find me.”
Yun Mei’s eyelashes trembled as she looked at Jin Yu before turning away, “Yes, Yun Mei understands.”
