Ning Zhi put away his smile. “Nothing to laugh about. What brings the Second Young Master to Yanhua Zui this time?” He had been at Yanhua Zui for several years and knew that Jin Mo never visited for the courtesans.
Author’s Note: The internet is still not connected. The installer said it can only be connected tomorrow. I will reply to comments then. Seeking comfort~~
So few comments, reaching out for support, as Su Xi is really going to enter the Jin residence~~
Warm Feelings
Jin Mo’s expression became serious, “Did that woman mention Chen Bi, the eldest son of the former prime minister? How could he appear in Yanhua Zui?”
Ning Zhi’s smile faded. He had just overheard Jin Mo’s conversation with a courtesan outside the room. “Two years ago, the First Young Master bought him from a brothel in the capital for Yanhua Zui’s business. He was recently redeemed by someone.”
Jin Mo furrowed his brow, “Who redeemed him?”
Ning Zhi’s heart grew heavy. Was the Second Young Master suspecting the First Young Master? “I don’t know. It seems to be someone from out of town, someone I’ve never seen before. The Second Young Master need not worry. In these two years, Chen Bi has earned quite a bit for Yanhua Zui, far more than what the First Young Master spent on him. Yanhua Zui will be fine without him, still a famous brothel in town.”
Redeemed by someone from out of town?
Jin Mo’s expression turned grave. “Big sister, how many things are there that I still don’t know about? We grew up together, but now, I understand you less and less.”
#
The atmosphere in Yanhua Zui was thick with sensual energy. Ning Zhi looked at his reflection in the bronze mirror and felt desolate.
Fei’er took the bronze mirror from him and placed a warm stove in his arms. After Jin Mo left, Ning Zhi’s smile gradually disappeared, leaving him exhausted, which made Fei’er feel heartache. She wanted to speak but hesitated.
Ning Zhi shook his head. “Fei’er, you’re not thinking of matchmaking me with the Second Young Master again, are you?”
Fei’er placed the bronze mirror on the table and looked at the tired Ning Zhi. “Don’t you dislike the First Young Master?”
Ning Zhi’s grip on the warm stove tightened. “I don’t like the First Young Master, but that doesn’t mean I’ll like the Second Young Master.”
Fei’er was speechless. Ning Zhi added, “Don’t worry about me. I’ll just live my life like this.”
Fei’er’s eyes turned sour; she wanted to persuade Ning Zhi not to be so bleak but couldn’t find the words.
The young master always smiled brightly in public but secretly curled up in dark corners, lonely and licking his wounds.
On that windless night, Jin Mo felt guilt towards Yun Mei. Wanting to see Ning Chi, who was equally pitiful, he noticed the deep wounds on Ning Chi’s body, knowing that the client from the previous night had been rough. Jin Mo asked the madam to allow him to rest for a few days without entertaining clients. That night, Ning Chi did not return to his room but leaned against the corridor pillar, gazing at the pitch-black sky, wishing to escape this cruel world of courtesans.
His eyes were filled with sorrow and despair, with a hint of resentment. The moonlight scattered on him, accentuating his heartbreakingly beautiful appearance.
Jin Mo’s heart ached, wondering if Yun Mei knew she was sacrificing him and treating him cruelly, would she be as desperate and resentful as Ning Chi? Though her feelings for Yun Mei were not romantic, she had always been fond of him. Yet, compared to her elder sister and Xu Yi, Jin Mo ultimately chose to sacrifice Yun Mei.
That night, Ning Chi leaned against the corridor pillar, quietly gazing. Jin Mo stood in the darkness all night, leaving only at dawn.
Jin Yu learned that Jin Mo and Yun Mei had visited Su Xi, who then followed Yun Mei to the Jin residence. Despite sending her own people to protect Su Xi, anxiety drove her to rush back.
From a distance, she saw the housekeeper approaching with an anxious expression. Jin Yu interrupted her, asking, “Where is Su Xi now?”
The housekeeper lowered her head, replying, “Young Master Su Xi is currently in the master’s room.”
Jin Yu did not linger and walked toward her own room.
The housekeeper sighed, feeling helpless. The master had called back Xiao Wu and Xiao Zhou to the mansion, suggesting he was considering the little widow. However, Yun Zheng’s recent decision to bring Su Xi and her brother back had unsettled her.
When Yun Mei brought them into the mansion, the housekeeper’s face remained neutral, but she felt displeased. The master was to marry into the Xu family, yet Yun Zheng had brought Su Xi back at such a critical moment.
The housekeeper was about to refuse Su Xi’s entry when she heard Yun Zheng say that Su Xi was pregnant. Upon glancing at Su Xi’s belly, she felt relieved and even glad that the pregnant Su Xi was brought back to the Jin residence, ensuring the Jin family’s heir wouldn’t be left outside.
Although the housekeeper was dissatisfied with Su Xi’s lowly status bearing the Jin family’s first offspring, she now felt she could face her deceased mother and benefactor.
Jin Yu pushed open the door and saw Su Xi sitting in the room, hand resting on his belly, wearing a gentle smile. Jin Yu’s heart stirred.
Su Xi looked up as the door opened, his heart tightening at the sight of Jin Yu. Lowering his eyes, he said cautiously, “I just wanted to see you…”
Jin Yu walked over, held him on her lap, and kissed his forehead, “I wanted to see you too.” As Su Xi relaxed, Jin Yu felt more at ease. Noticing the faint blush on Su Xi’s face, she couldn’t help but kiss his tender skin.
Besides managing the Jin family’s business, Jin Yu had her own matters to address before leaving the residence, ensuring everything was handled properly with no traceable clues left behind.
She had already called back Xiao Wu and Xiao Zhou for Su Xi and stationed her people to protect him next door. Jin Yu learned about Jin Mo and Yun Mei’s visit to the Beauty House from those protecting them in the shadows.
Jin Yu had prepared a house elsewhere. Xiao Lian’s habits learned in the Beauty House caught her attention, and she must quickly take Su Xi away to nurture the pregnancy. She could not let them continue to live in such an environment.
Jin Yu let Su Xi lean against her, her chin resting on his forehead, occasionally kissing him. “How have you been lately? Are you feeling uncomfortable anywhere?”
“No,” Su Xi had grown accustomed to being held by Jin Yu, their bodies tightly pressed together.
“Are you eating well? Are you picky?” Jin Yu asked. Su Xi had been pregnant for several months and seemed to have never been picky, eating whatever she brought.
Thinking of Jin Yu’s kindness, Su Xi’s heart felt warm, and he whispered, “I’m not picky.” He appreciated her efforts in bringing food, enjoying it as her gifts to him and the baby.
Jin Yu caressed Su Xi’s belly.
The slightly protruding belly felt satisfying to touch. Their child was growing inside day by day. A faint smile appeared on Jin Yu’s face as she asked softly, “Is the baby causing a fuss inside?”
Su Xi looked up and met Jin Yu’s eyes, his heart stirred. Blushing and lowering his gaze, he replied sweetly, “Seems not yet. The baby is very well-behaved.”
Jin Yu expressed her concern, “But this is too well-behaved. I’ve heard that babies usually kick as the belly grows. Could it be due to the pregnancy drug affecting the child? I’ll have a doctor come to examine you tomorrow.”
Su Xi replied with a puzzled “En,” trying to comfort herself, “I’m fine physically; there won’t be any problems.”
