Xu Yi’s hand gripped Jin Yu’s lapel. “Can you take me with you? I don’t care if you’re the head of the Jing family. As long as it’s you, I’m willing to marry you. I want to go with you.”
Jin Yu met Xu Yi’s gaze, deep emotions displaying on her face, like a flower blooming in winter. She lowered her head and gently kissed Xu Yi’s forehead, then softly kissed his lips, their tongues gently entwining.
Xu Yi closed his eyes, responding awkwardly, a blush rising on his face, his heart racing. He didn’t care about propriety or accusations of being shameless. As long as she would have him, that was enough.
The kiss carried subtle wet sounds, enchanting. Xu Yi was lost in the moment.
After the kiss, he collapsed weakly in Jing Yu’s arms, his head resting on her shoulder, breathing heavily, eyes filled with misty tears, and cheeks flushed.
Jing Yu wrapped her arms around Xu Yi’s waist, holding him on her lap. This made him slightly more alert. Embarrassed, he nuzzled into her neck, with stray hairs tickling her. When he saw Jing Yu make no further move, he felt disappointed. His cheeks burning, he hesitantly tugged at her clothing, “Don’t you want to continue with me?”
Jing Yu was taken aback. Such words were unexpected from Xu Yi. “We haven’t married yet. Let’s wait a bit.”
Xu Yi lowered his eyes, feeling turmoil. “But… I’m already yours. It’s fine.” He wanted to be hers, even if it made him seem shameless.
Seeing Jing Yu silent, he felt uneasy, trembling. “When will you marry me?”
“Soon. You must wait for me to marry you,” Jing Yu gently caressed Xu Yi’s cheeks, tucking stray hairs behind his ear. “Remember what you said – that you’d leave with me even if I’m not the Jing family head.”
“The Jing family meant nothing to her, but Xu Yi might be her future husband. If she survived, they would live together and possibly have children. She would naturally choose her devoted Xu Yi.
Xu Yi, still flushed, nestled in Jing Yu’s arms and softly responded, “Mm, I’ll wait.”
#
Jing Mo had settled in the Jing residence. Yun Mei was anxious day and night, often waking from nightmares. He worried about a potential divorce notice, fearing he might not see his wife again before being expelled from the Jing household.
Jing Mo had visited Yun Mei once, but she didn’t answer the door, nor did Dao’er open it. He stayed quietly while Dao’er hesitated between the door and Yun Mei, ultimately obeying.
That night, Yun Mei sobbed softly, trembling under the covers. She had loved him for over a decade, only to watch him fall for another woman and abandon him for her own sister. Powerless, he watched himself become another’s husband, struggling at the edge of despair for a glimmer of hope.
On his second visit, Yun Mei finally saw him. After some small talk, Jing Mo said, “I heard you’ve been married to my elder sister for two years but haven’t consummated the marriage. Is that true?”
Yun Mei’s hand tightened in her sleeve. Was she here to humiliate him? By what right did she question him? Yun Mei’s heart grew colder. Though trying to keep her voice flat, it still trembled, “What of it?”
Seeing the now-thin Yun Mei, Jing Mo felt guilty. When she left, Yun Mei had looked robust, but now… “You should know my elder sister has always liked you. Since you’re married to her, you should fulfill your responsibilities…”
“Enough,” Yun Mei’s body trembled. What was she saying? Neglected by his wife for two years, had this not been his intention? Yun Mei held back tears, asking with a trembling voice, “If you had the chance back then, would you take me away or choose him?” She blamed herself for being weak, for asking when she already knew the answer.
Jing Mo’s eyes flashed with guilt. “You should know my answer.”
She knew. In that moment, Yun Mei wanted to laugh, but her eyes held no mirth. “You gave up the Jing family headship for him, and now he’s about to marry your sister. Your decision led to your father’s illness and death. Is this what you wanted by abandoning me?”
“Yun Mei, I was wrong about what happened back then. If only…”
“Leave, and don’t come to see me again.”
Yun Mei turned away and closed her eyes, tears overflowing. Even though they hadn’t seen each other for two years, and he had missed her, he no longer wanted to hear her voice. He dared not tell anyone the truth about what happened back then, fearing mockery and realizing that deep love could be unrequited. He couldn’t let anyone know it was because his beloved leaked information, leading to his humiliation and loss of reputation. Those grievances he could only endure alone.
After Jin Mo left, Yun Mei couldn’t help but cry again. Dao’er beside her didn’t dare to speak, unable to offer comfort.
Su Xi rarely went out now. Jin Yu sent meals daily and sometimes cooked personally. Xiao Lian focused on the baby in Su Xi’s belly, touching her stomach and looking happier than Su Xi.
One day, Su Xi was picking vegetables in the courtyard, occasionally letting his mind drift to thoughts of what to do after the child was born. His belly was slightly protruding, though not visible under clothes, but it would eventually become obvious.
He hadn’t considered these things when he first learned about the pregnancy; his mind was full of joy. However, as his belly grew more noticeable, he became uneasy.
In the Beautiful Courtyard, Su Xi had seen pregnant courtesans before—some kept by wealthy young ladies, some accidentally pregnant and unwilling to abort, some abandoned and struggling to survive, and some who had special preferences for intimacy with pregnant men.
Su Xi contemplated his future, believing he wouldn’t be abandoned. Even if he were, he could raise the child together, having the baby for company.
Later, Xiao Lian entered from the courtyard gate. “Brother, it seems the neighbors have changed; there are unfamiliar faces.”
Su Xi casually responded with a “Hmm,” which displeased Xiao Lian. She took the vegetables from his hand. “Did you hear what I said?”
Coming to his senses, Su Xi helplessly asked, “What’s wrong?”
Xiao Lian bit her lip. “I said the neighbors seem to have all changed; they’re all strangers now.”
“Maybe the neighbors have moved.” Su Xi felt some reluctance thinking of those who had helped them but didn’t pay much attention.
“Really?” Xiao Lian pouted. “That woman seems to not have come for several days. Is she marrying someone else?”
Su Xi fell silent, recalling Jin Yu’s words from that night: “I might be quite busy these days.”
For the health of both her and the baby, she advised, “Just sleep and don’t wait for me…”
Despite her message, he was accustomed to waiting for her each night and could not sleep.
Xiao Lian, noticing Su Xi’s dejected look, felt indignant. “I knew she wasn’t a good person. You’re pregnant; how could she suddenly stop coming?”
Su Xi smiled, taking the vegetables from Xiao Lian’s hand. “No, she might be busy. Don’t say such things about her. She’s very good.”
“No, not good at all,” Xiao Lian insisted, growing angry. Since her arrival, he could no longer sleep beside his brother as before. He glanced at the vegetables in Su Xi’s hand, then at her face, looking disappointed. “Were you thinking about her again?”
Su Xi fell silent. Yes, she missed her deeply. He wished he could see her anytime, anywhere. His hand covered his belly, feeling its slight protrusion, and he found comfort in the baby.
Xiao Lian’s frustration grew. She had made his brother’s belly grow, but why couldn’t she grow her own? He envied his brother, always longing for a belly to touch like his.
Though she had never done anything wrong, she felt guilty towards Jinyu and Yunmei for the past two years.
