Yun Mei’s tears had stopped, his eyes still glistening. Holding onto her clothes, he pleaded, “Don’t go…” His voice choked. He had made up his mind. She was his wife, and he could not be without her. He wanted to devote himself to her, with no regrets.

He wanted to satisfy her physically when she desired him, rather than seeking comfort elsewhere. No matter when, his heart would be filled only with her. It was difficult to make such a decision, but he had resolved to do so.

Jin Yu gazed at his pale body in the flickering candlelight. After a long time, just as Yun Mei was about to despair, she slowly spoke, “Give me a child.” She needed a child – a child between them.

Yun Mei was surprised. “A child?”

“Rest today,” Jin Yu sighed. If she wanted Yun Mei to bear her child, she would do so regardless of his willingness. But would she really do that?

Jin Yu felt a hint of self-mockery, though she wasn’t sure what exactly she was mocking.

As Jin Yu was about to leave, Yun Mei pulled her back again. Large tears rolled down his cheeks as he nodded firmly, “Okay, I’ll give you children. However many the wife wants, I’ll bear.” His voice was choked and fragile. His fingers gripped Jin Yu’s clothing tightly, afraid she might truly leave. If they had children, perhaps the wife would no longer be angry and would become gentle again like before. He could become a true husband. The wife allowing him to bear children—he should be happy.

Jin Yu looked down at Yun Mei in silence, feeling that her previous actions were too impulsive. As she turned to leave, Yun Mei again clutched her clothing, tearfully shaking his head and looking up pleadingly, “Don’t go…”

Yunmei recalled Jinyu’s desperate words and curled deeper into the bedding. “Daoer, I want to sleep early. I can’t let my appearance become haggard. Tomorrow, help me dress up nicely. I want to use the best rouge.” His voice was stubborn yet aggrieved. “I’ll wait for my wife. If she doesn’t come, I’ll keep waiting. She said she would come back; she can’t go back on her word.” In that moment, Yunmei seemed more like a wronged child than the elegant young master he usually was.

Daoer looked at Yunmei, who had closed his eyes. Wasn’t the young master always reluctant to dress up in front of the master? Worried, he wiped away Yunmei’s tears, cleaned his tear-stained face, and picked up the scattered clothes, noting that some were torn into rags. He thought the master was acting very strangely today.

Suxi stood at the door, staring outside the courtyard late into the night. Xiaolian came out holding a pillow. “Brother, don’t wait anymore. It’s so late. She might not come tonight.”

Suxi turned around dejectedly, his long eyelashes drooping. “I know, Xiaolian. You should go to sleep too.” After closing the door, he hugged his knees and felt empty inside.

Late at night, Xiaolian half-awake heard moaning outside and sat up, muttering, “She’s here again.”

“Then he lay back down and pulled the covers over himself, thinking he must be dreaming. She couldn’t possibly be here.

Jinyu traced her hand along Suxi’s buttocks, kneading while her other hand tugged at his nipples. Suxi’s body writhed, letting out moans that rose and fell.

Jinyu’s desire rose as she kissed his soft lips, grinding against him, her body touching his naked form with alternating light and heavy touches.

She was familiar with Suxi’s body, every inch marked by her touch. Her nimble hands caressed his pale legs, skillfully stroking his sensitive areas. Suxi parted his lips slightly, and Jinyu’s tongue slipped inside, intertwining with his as they kissed. Suxi’s forehead glistened with sweat.

Breathing grew heavier inside the tent, suppressed moans becoming louder.

At some point, Jinyu’s hand gripped Suxi’s lower part. They both felt a bone-melting sensation. Suxi let out an “Mm, ah” as Jinyu moved, his moans increasing with her rhythm.

Suxi panted, saying intermittently, “I… thought you… mm… wouldn’t come… ah… tonight…”

Jinyu stopped moving, caressing his burning cheeks and tenderly kissing his flushed face.”

She brushed away the damp hair from his face. “Don’t wait up so late in the future. Go to sleep when you’re tired.”

“Mm…” Suxi responded as Jinyu began moving again, his intermittent moans filling the air.

Their black hair intertwined across the bed, their bodies entangled, soft cries and gasps of pleasure echoing.

After taking Suxi multiple times, Jinyu finally stopped, both of them covered in sweat. Jinyu lay on top of Suxi, catching her breath and kissing his red lips before settling down to hold him.

Initially there to simply hold him, her hands slid under his clothes. Their breaths grew ragged, clothes scattered on the floor, her body pressed against his smooth, tender skin.

“Suxi…” Jinyu caressed his slick skin, her voice hoarse with desire.

“Mm…” Suxi hazily replied, “Want more?”

“Are you tired?”

“Not tired, I can… I can…”

Jinyu kissed his pale neck, moving upward, but found he had fallen asleep. She laughed softly, kissing his slightly swollen lips, “It’s so good to have you.” Holding Suxi close made her feel warm, as if her cold heart was being thawed.

Breathing in his clear scent, Jinyu finally fell asleep peacefully.

#

The night was ink-black.

In a room with a light floral screen, Xu Yi lay sobbing on the bed, large tears rolling onto the pillow, dampening it.

Huayan heard his cries and wished to comfort him but found herself at a loss for words. The young master had given his innocence to Miss Jinyu and even carried her child. If he could marry her, that would be best; otherwise, he would surely suffer in the future.

The young master had been in love with Miss Jin for six years, even wanting to abandon his identity as the young master of the Xu family and go to the Beauty Pavilion, hoping she would notice him and return his affections.

#

Darkness enveloped the sea, pitch black in all directions, with only a distant fishing lamp flickering.

Jin Mo stood at the bow of the ship, letting the cold wind tousle his hair. He had not slept all night and only lay down to rest at dawn.

#

Early in the morning, Jin Yu woke up, the day already bright. She hugged Su Xi, drowsily opening her eyes and kissing his face, her hand caressing his smooth skin, brushing over two erect red spots. “Are you awake?”

Su Xi’s face heated up, shyly lowering his eyes, his long eyelashes trembling. “Yes, I’m awake.”

“Brother, am I sick again, or are you sick? Your face is so red and hot, you must be sick. What should we do? Should we go see a doctor?” She forgot about the people in the courtyard and didn’t care if anyone overheard her.

“No one’s sick,” Su Xi suppressed his anger and embarrassment. Xiao Lian had forgotten there was someone outside, but he hadn’t forgotten. That person was the woman always in his heart. He was currently cooking for his beloved. Su Xi put down the dishes, “Xiao Lian, go wash up first.” He couldn’t let Xiao Lian say anything more embarrassing.

“No, brother, let me look a bit more…” Xiao Lian pulled at Su Xi’s clothes as he was pushed toward the door. Turning, he met Jin Yu’s almost-smiling eyes. His face instantly turned red, and he lowered his head in panic, hugging a pillow with one hand and clutching his collar with the other. How embarrassing.

Jin Yu glanced at Xiao Lian’s lowered head briefly before shifting her gaze to Su Xi. Momentarily stunned, a flash of desire quickly passed through her eyes before clearing. She asked warmly, “Does your body still hurt? Do you want me to come help?”

Su Xi’s face flushed. He shook his head repeatedly, “No, no need…” After speaking, he returned to the kitchen, leaving Xiao Lian alone facing Jin Yu.