Xiao Lian, confined at home, wished to get married soon to escape his boredom.
One afternoon, he fell asleep under the warm sun. When he awoke, he saw a striking man in a brocade robe standing in the courtyard, accompanied by an ordinary-looking servant who seemed uncomfortable.
Xiao Lian rubbed his eyes and asked, “Who are you?”
Yun Mei, drawn from looking at the courtyard wall, smiled warmly and inquired about Su Xi’s whereabouts.
Yun Mei was taken aback by Xiao Lian’s tone but quickly composed himself, saying, “Then I can wait until he wakes up.”
The servant, Dao’er, expressed concern, “Young master, the little widow is just sleeping. We should wake him up.”
Yun Mei gently replied, “It’s fine for me to wait.”
Dao’er hesitated but lowered his head, displeased with the young master’s decision.
Xiao Lian overheard their conversation, growing agitated. “My brother is pregnant; how can you wake him?” he exclaimed, ready to defend his brother and the baby.
Dao’er was taken aback and blurted out, “Nonsense! The family master cares only for the young master and wouldn’t allow a little widow to become pregnant. He hasn’t even consummated with the young master, so how could he accept a little widow and her illegitimate child? The family master has already neglected the young master for two years and can’t let him suffer more.”
“Don’t call him that,” Xiao Lian retorted angrily. He hated the term “little widow.” It distressed his brother, whose face grew pale each time he heard it.
“What if I do? You are just little widows…”
“Stop calling him that…” Xiao Lian’s eyes filled with tears, recalling how that woman used to gently call his brother Su Xi.
Upon hearing that Su Xi was pregnant, Yun Mei felt a sudden, bitter pain. His complexion turned pale, and his body trembled. Was she carrying that person’s child?
Yun Mei closed his eyes. If that person entered the Jin residence, would the wife be happy? Would she stop neglecting him? He longed for warmth, wishing the wife would hold him while sleeping.
Once, he could have enjoyed her exclusive love, but now becoming her partner seemed difficult.
The sound of arguing nearby brought Yun Mei back to his senses; they were almost about to fight.
“Dao’er, do not speak nonsense,” Yun Mei interrupted the pair.
Hearing Yun Mei’s voice tinged with anger, Dao’er felt uncomfortable. “He’s the one talking nonsense. How could the family master allow another man to bear the Jin family’s heir? You are the legitimate spouse; even if he has a child, it’s just an illegitimate one. The family master cannot let them enter the residence.”
“Dao’er, stop talking,” Yun Mei’s voice grew louder.
“Young master…” Dao’er looked at Yun Mei, saw his angry expression, and lowered his head, not daring to continue.
Yun Mei was truly angry this time. Dao’er had been with him since childhood, never experiencing hardship, not understanding others’ bitterness. He knew Dao’er meant well, but the words were too harsh.
“Dao’er, without my permission, do not speak recklessly again.” Seeing Dao’er obedient, Yun Mei’s expression softened slightly. He needed to prevent Dao’er from continuing, or he would eventually harm himself.
Yun Mei turned to Xiao Lian, noticing his reddened eyes, and immediately felt apologetic, explaining: “We mean no harm…”
“You’re bullying people…” Before Yun Mei could finish, Xiao Lian interrupted, turning away with tears gathering in his eyes. He felt wronged, believing they were being bullied by the Jin family master’s legitimate spouse, who had betrayed the family and insulted his brother.
This woman, enamored by her handsome spouse, had refused to marry his brother, leading to their bullying. He had always respected her, thinking she was capable, but now she not only suffered in silence but also allowed him and his brother to be mistreated.
Yun Mei felt guilty and, seeing Dao’er about to speak, quickly stopped him. Dao’er was always too quick to speak and never learned.
Su Xi was having a nightmare, dreaming of people pointing and whispering cruel words about him.
“He actually thinks the Jin family master likes him, when she’s only interested in his body…”
“Even if the child is born, it’ll just be an illegitimate child, destined to be sent to a brothel…”
No, he was not that kind of person. He did not seduce her. It wasn’t like that.
He loved her, loved being with her, loved bearing her children, loved looking at her.
Su Xi’s forehead was covered in cold sweat, his heart aching. He tightly protected his belly, not wanting the baby to suffer like him.
Stop talking. Stop saying such things about him.
Go to Jin’s Mansion?
Suddenly, a suppressed scream came from inside the room, and the people outside stood stunned, looking towards it.
Xiao Lian reacted and anxiously rushed toward the door. Before reaching it, the door suddenly opened. Su Xi walked out, still not wearing outer clothes, with hair falling loosely around her ears.
Her lips were pursed, her face pale, with fine beads of sweat glistening in the sunlight, clearly having had a nightmare.
Dao’er muttered, “He’s not even that good-looking. He must have seduced the master to have such a nightmare.” Seeing Yun Mei’s displeased look, Dao’er closed his mouth, not daring to continue.
“Brother, are you okay?” Xiao Lian worriedly held Su Xi’s hand, seeing his pale lips, anxious enough to ignore the two people in the courtyard.
Su Xi comforted Xiao Lian, “I’m fine.” He had just awakened from a nightmare, drenched in cold sweat, and heard their arguments outside. Xiao Lian’s protection touched him deeply. Su Xi looked at the two in the courtyard, recognizing Yun Mei, Jin Yu’s official wife, from the previous argument. “Do you have something to discuss?” Su Xi asked, feeling nervous and unconsciously covering his belly protectively.
Yun Mei, slightly pale and weak, replied calmly, “I’m here to take you to Jin’s Mansion.”
The mistress might want to see you.”
Su Xi’s lashes trembled as he looked at Yun Mei. “Is she doing well?”
In the cold winter wind, Jin Mo, wrapped in a fur cloak, walked along the street to Yanhua Zui. The bright red lanterns were lit at the entrance, and several male attendants lounged at the door. At this time, the sky had not darkened, and only a few sparse customers were present.
Jin Mo entered Yanhua Zui. A sharp-eyed attendant recognized him, swaying his hips and calling out, “Second Master.” Several windows on the second floor opened, revealing beautiful men. Some were combing their hair, while others gazed down, sending flirtatious glances.
Ignoring the men upstairs, Jin Mo pushed away the clingy attendant and said, “Take me to see Ning Zhi.” He remembered the windless night and the man who had stood quietly in the darkness, eyes filled with sorrow.
“So Second Master is still an old lover of Father, coming directly to find him,” the man said with a coquettish smile, layers of rouge on his face. He lifted his skirt and walked upstairs.
Jin Mo followed the attendant upstairs, feeling no disgust towards her face dusted with powder. She stirred his thoughts, recalling Ning Zhi’s journey from a rising attendant to becoming Yanhua Zui’s top courtesan, and now perhaps the madam.
The aging attendant led Jin Mo to Ning Zhi’s door, where an anxious female voice emerged from inside.
“Boss, do you really not know who bought Shen Bi? Or could you tell me which direction the person who bought him went?”
Jin Mo was startled by the mention of Shen Bi, the eldest son of the former prime minister, once noble but now a courtesan—were the rumors true?
The attendant beside Jin Mo chuckled softly. “Who knew anyone would still care about Shen Bi? After all he’s suffered, he’s fortunate to have someone devoted to him.”
