Xiao Lian remained silent. Su Xi looked at the old bedding, a complex emotion crossing his eyes, “It’s late autumn. Tomorrow we’ll go to the market to buy some household items and bedding. Winter is coming, and you will spend several nights here each month; I can’t let you catch a cold.”
“Brother,” Xiao Lian looked up.
“What do you want to say?”
“I want to work with you.”
Su Xi’s anger rose, firmly refusing, “No.”
“Brother.”
“Xiao Lian, I forbid you from saying such things again. You will marry with a pure body,” Su Xi said, truly upset by his brother’s words.
Tears welled up in Xiao Lian’s eyes, “But every time that woman comes, you fall unconscious. I’m afraid you’ll suddenly leave me. You always say it doesn’t hurt, but I know you’re in pain. If I can bear some of it, you won’t hurt so much.”
Su Xi’s eyes moistened, his tone softening, “Xiao Lian, I’ll be fine. Go do men’s work now, and don’t say such things again.” Though angry, he felt touched by his brother’s care.
As Xiao Lian was about to continue persuading him, the sound of wheels rolling outside interrupted them.
Xiao Lian emerged from Su Xi’s embrace and walked curiously outside, followed by Su Xi, who straightened his clothes.
A delicate carriage stopped outside, and a man in a goose-yellow robe stepped out. Although Su Xi didn’t recognize him, he recognized the carriage marked with Smoke and Flowers’ emblem.
“May I ask who you are?” Su Xi queried.
“I’m from Smoke and Flowers,” Ning Zhi stepped forward, studying Su Xi. His face was delicate and gave a comfortable impression, lacking any trace of worldly wear despite being a hidden prostitute.
At this moment, Xiao Lian frowned, glaring, “We don’t know you. Why are you here?”
Fei, behind Ning Zhi, stepped forward indignantly, “How rude! Our young master is here to deliver something, and instead of being grateful…”
“Fei,” Ning Zhi raised her voice to stop him, and though displeased, he stepped back.
“The master asked me to bring something over to you,” Ning Zhi answered unhurriedly, her words and actions elegant despite a dusty look in her eyes.
She instructed, “Take the items into the two young masters’ house.”
“Yes, boss,” several women dressed as servants began moving various goods inside.
Su Xi was slightly startled, but recognized the familiar faces and allowed them to proceed, as they had delivered items before.
Xiao Lian let out a cold snort. When she noticed Su Xi’s reproachful expression, she lowered her head, staring at her cloth shoes.
Ning Zhi took a small blue porcelain bottle from the attendant Fei’er and handed it to Su Xi. “This is from Boss Jin. She instructed me to give it to Young Master Su, saying he must take one pill daily since he is physically weak.”
Su Xi took the bottle, his eyes moist, and nodded. “I understand. Please thank her for me.”
Ning Zhi observed Su Xi’s expression and smiled softly. “As long as Young Master Su is in good health, the boss will be at ease.”
The carriage traveled through the main street, with vendors calling out. Fei’er handed a warm kettle to Ning Zhi and complained, “Why did the young master come personally? It was always fine to send someone. This morning, the boss only asked to send things quickly and didn’t say the young master needed to come in the afternoon. After being busy all night, he should be resting.”
Ning Zhi held the warm kettle, her sleeve covering both it and her delicate hand, leaning back casually. “I’m not tired. It’s nothing to come and check. Fei’er, calm down. They mean no harm.”
Fei’er frowned. “I’m concerned for the young master. It’s unfair that after being busy all night, you came personally, and they still don’t appreciate it.”
Ning Zhi laughed it off. Fei’er provided a soft cushion for her to lean on. “I thought that little widow would be beautiful, but he’s not impressive, not even half as good as the young master. The boss is just temporarily infatuated. Once she gets tired, she’ll stop visiting him so often.”
Ning Zhi scoffed. “The boss has been captivated by him for over two years, visiting several times a month. He must have something that keeps the boss interested.”
Fei’er pursed her lips. “Didn’t the boss used to like Young Master Yun? Sending good things to the Yun family daily to curry favor. We thought the bastard son was lucky to marry into the Jin family, but as soon as Young Master Yun entered, he was neglected. For two years, the boss never touched him, barely even looked at him. I don’t think this little widow will be favored for long.”
But it’s strange, don’t you think, young master, that since Young Master Yun entered the family, the boss has become much kinder to us?”
Ning Zhi smiled and shook his head, “The boss has changed indeed. Whether it’s related to Young Master Yun, I wouldn’t know.”
Fei’er felt angry, “But isn’t that prostitute also broken? Why can he be with Miss Jin? Previously, the young master was…” Realizing his gaffe, he hurriedly apologized, “Young master, I’m sorry, I spoke too quickly, please don’t take it to heart…”
Ning Zhi sighed, “Forget it, just don’t mention it again.”
Fei’er lowered his head apologetically, “Yes, young master.” He hoped the young master wouldn’t be sad.
Ning Zhi said casually, “Also, I have no feelings for the master, so don’t waste your thoughts.”
“Young master…” Fei’er was dissatisfied.
Ning Zhi closed his eyes, “That’s it, don’t bring this up again.”
Fei’er pouted, “I’m just concerned for you.”
“I know you mean well, but some things can’t be forced,” Ning Zhi pondered. “Do you really think that little widow is so lowly? Maybe his body has only been touched by the master.”
Fei’er’s eyes widened, “How is that possible? Young master, he’s a prostitute; how could his body have only been touched by the master?”
Ning Zhi recalled the dilapidated courtyard and the old, unlit lantern, suggesting it was never hung to receive clients.
“Does the master know that only she has touched that little widow? Could it be that she didn’t want to bring him to the mansion?” Fei’er speculated anxiously, worrying that if the little widow belonged to the master, the young master’s chances would be slim.
Ning Zhi shook his head, “He probably isn’t the master’s person. If he were, the master wouldn’t have him in this red-light district. She likely doesn’t know only she has touched him.”
“So the little widow isn’t taking other clients, thinking he might marry into the Jin family,” Fei’er looked at Ning Zhi worriedly. “Young master, you even gave that medicine to the little widow. Isn’t this helping him achieve his scheme?”
Ning Zhi laughed and patted Fei’er’s head, “What are you thinking about now?”
Fei’er replied, “I’m just thinking about you.”
Ning Zhi casually responded, “That little widow seems pure and likely just likes the master. By giving him that medicine, I’m helping him.”
Fei’er was stunned, eyes wide open. After a moment, he reacted, “Young master, have you gone mad? Why are we helping him?”
Ning Zhi sighed casually, “I’m not just helping him; I’m also helping the master.”
“Why would you do this?” Fei’er was discontent, wanting to assist the young master but finding him helping others instead.
Ning Zhi’s gaze was somewhat unfocused, “Fei’er, what do you think of the little widow and his brother’s looks?”
Fei’er responded, “Not good.”
Ning Zhi ignored the rudeness, “I want the truth.”
Fei’er frowned, “They’re quite good-looking, but compared to you, they’re slightly inferior. Why are you asking this?”
Ning Zhi queried, “Do you know what the Beauty Pavilion is?”
“Young master, who doesn’t know that it’s where the most concentrated group of prostitutes in the red-light district is?” Fei’er looked angrily at Ning Zhi.
