In the evening, Su Xi prepared meals as usual, waiting for Jin Yu, but after a long time with no sign of her, Xiao Lian reassured him that there was no need to worry. After eating and washing up, she went to sleep, leaving Su Xi to sit alone with his thoughts. The flickering candlelight mirrored his unease as he reflected on Jin Yu’s question from the previous night: Did he like her? He did, but he was fearful of confessing his feelings, worried that their current happiness might vanish.

With her still absent, Su Xi’s anxiety deepened. Was she angry with him? Did she sense his secret love and decide not to return? His heart grew cold with panic.

After sending Xu Yi back, Jin Yu wandered for a while before preparing to return home, the street occasionally echoing with the sounds of night watchmen.

Jin Yu thought about how Su Xi always waited for her, sometimes sitting on the bed even when she came late. She wondered if he was asleep or still waiting for her. Suddenly, her footsteps towards the mansion stopped, and she changed direction.

Arriving at Su Xi’s place, the door was closed as usual, but Jin Yu knew the latch wasn’t drawn. When she entered the inner room, Su Xi was still sitting on the bed, looking desolate in the flickering candlelight. It made Jin Yu’s heart ache. This pitiful person was still waiting for her.

Su Xi looked up, smiled, and warmth filled his cold heart. “You’re here,” he said, his voice trembling, like hope born from despair.

Seeing him about to get up, Jin Yu hurried over and embraced him. Their bodies pressed together, warming each other. Su Xi hugged her back, resting his head on her chest, his eyes slightly moist. She hadn’t been angry or abandoned him. How wonderful. He would never speak carelessly again.

Suddenly, Su Xi’s face turned red, unable to look directly at Jin Yu. “I… I don’t know how to do this…” She wanted to get off him, but her waist was held in place.

“Do to me what I did to you,” Jin Yu said calmly.

“But…

I’m sorry, but I can’t assist with that.

He cried uncontrollably, more intensely than during his forced marriage into the Chen family or when he was cast out. His tears fell onto Jin Yu.

Jin Yu quickly flipped them, positioning herself underneath and tenderly wiping his tears. She regretted making Su Xi be on top; her dominant nature risked creating lasting resentment. Seeing him so grieved touched her heart.

How could she stop his large tears from falling?

Su Xi held a delicate porcelain bottle, his face flushed, embarrassed from the previous night. He had cried, and in the end, she had comforted him orally, even asking if he felt good.

How could he respond? He simply blushed, turning away shyly, letting out a coy moan.

He was a lowly male prostitute, and she was from a prominent family. That she would do such things for him was touching. Thinking of last night warmed his heart, filling him with happiness.

Rumors spread that the young master of the Xu family, disregarding shame, was harassing the master of the Jin family before marriage, similar to Yun Mei’s actions back then. Jin Yu paid little attention as she became increasingly busy with her work.

Xiao Lian, after hearing moaning sounds at night, no longer felt feverish. He sometimes broke out in cold sweats, anxious and afraid he was seriously ill. This constant worry distracted him from focusing.

After Xiao Lian accidentally broke the seventh bowl, Su Xi became increasingly concerned. He valued Xiao Lian’s well-being and regretted not consulting a doctor earlier, as advised by Jin Yu.

One day, Su Xi took Xiao Lian to see a doctor despite his objections. Pale-faced with fear, Xiao Lian felt relieved when the doctor diagnosed him with mere weakness.

Anxiously, Xiao Lian asked, “You’re sure I don’t have any other illness?”

The doctor assured him, “I’ve been practicing for decades. I wouldn’t make a mistake.”

Xiao Lian regained some color, realizing they should have seen the doctor sooner to avoid days of worry. Remembering Jin Yu’s suggestion to have the doctor check Su Xi’s pulse, the doctor paused and stared at Su Xi for a long time.

#

After finishing business at Yanhua Zui, Jin Yu watched as courtesans were taken into a room. She then went into Ning Zhi’s room.

Ning Zhi was grooming himself when Jin Yu entered. He greeted her: “The account books for Yanhua Zui this month have been sent to the mansion. What else can I do for you, master?”

“Yanhua Zui seems to be opening earlier than usual today,” Jin Yu remarked.

Ning Zhi, focused on styling his black hair, replied, “In a few months, it’ll be the twelfth month, and Yanhua Zui’s business will decrease. We want to earn more now. Isn’t that what you’re thinking too, master?”

As evening fell, Yanhua Zui opened, and customers began arriving, transforming the atmosphere. Before leaving, Jin Yu asked, “How is Ke He doing?”

Ning Zhi hesitated, “She’s on leave after giving birth. She might be away for days. Why are you asking?”

“Nothing,” Jin Yu replied, her gaze drifting, pondering motherhood.

Ning Zhi continued styling her hair, “She’s honest and hardworking. Even with days off, she can make up for it later. Don’t worry about losses, master.”

Later, while being intimate with Su Xi, Jin Yu noticed something different. Although Su Xi never refused her, he kept his hand protectively over his stomach. Concerned, she asked, “Is your stomach hurting?”

Su Xi gently shook his head, “No.”

“Was I too rough? Did I make you uncomfortable?”

“No,” he replied again.

“Are you worried about something?”

Su Xi nodded, then shook his head, saying, “I took Xiao Lian to see a doctor today.”

“What did the doctor say? Is Xiao Lian too weak?” Jin Yu noticed his teary eyes and comforted him, “Don’t worry, he’ll be fine.”

“Xiao Lian is fine,” Su Xi’s long eyelashes trembled, wet with tears. “I also had the doctor check my pulse.”

Jin Yu’s hand paused, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes. “Are you feeling unwell?” she caressed his collarbone. “You’re still too thin. We’ll need to nourish you more.”

“No,” Su Xi’s voice was choked. Timidly, he asked, “Did you send someone to bring me contraceptive medicine?”

Jin Yu was stunned, “No. Why would you ask that?”

Su Xi trembled, his face turning pale. The doctor’s words about contraceptive medicine echoed in his mind, along with the potential social stigma.

“What’s wrong, Su Xi?” Jin Yu asked, worried, “Did the doctor say something? Are you really okay?”

“No, no…” Su Xi shook his head repeatedly, unable to reveal that he was pregnant.

As long as he was fine, he could carry her child. Jin Yu’s warm hand lingered on his waist, caressing his smooth hand, “You’re a bit thin, but your waist seems to have gotten bigger.”

Su Xi’s body stiffened at Jin Yu’s words, and he timidly requested, “Can I keep my hand on my belly?” He wanted to feel at ease, even if the child wasn’t wanted by Jin Yu; he still wished to give birth to him.

“Hmm?” Jin Yu was stunned, then gently said, “As you wish.”

Su Xi’s eyes turned sour. “I’m sorry, I won’t do this again… slower… hmm…”

Jin Yu moved a few times below, then gently stroked Su Xi’s cheek. “Don’t worry, I won’t hurt you.”

“I’m fine,” Su Xi said breathlessly.

“Really okay?”

“I’m fine… ah… ah…” Jin Yu moved again, friction building as she enveloped him.

Jin Yu embraced his waist, feeling satisfied. “Su Xi, I’ll marry you. We’ll have a child as soon as possible.”

Su Xi stared blankly at her, his eyes misting over. “What if I’m pregnant?”

Jin Yu pushed a little harder, eliciting a gasp from Su Xi. “By then, you’ll already be my husband; what are you worried about?”