“No,” Yun Mei interrupted, his body trembling. He didn’t want a divorce. The thought of divorce papers had haunted him in nightmares, waking him in cold sweat. Since their marriage, she had always approached him with divorce papers. If she didn’t want him, why marry him? For two years, he felt neglected, perhaps out of sympathy, not wanting his fate to worsen.
Seeing Yun Mei upset, Jin Yu felt little emotion. She had always prioritized those she cared about. Calmly, she said, “I have prepared to hand over the Jin family business to Jin Mo. In the future, she will be the family head. If you…”
“Wife,” Yun Mei’s voice trembled, tears in his eyes, “No, please don’t abandon me. I’ve been married to you for over two years. Although I’ve done some absurd things, I have not betrayed you. Please do not write those divorce papers…”
Yun Mei lowered his head.
Jin Yu couldn’t see Yun Mei’s eyes, only the tears rolling down his face. After Yun Mei’s emotions settled, Jin Yu asked, “Do you really want to leave with me? Understand that I will no longer be the Jin family head. If you regret this later, you’ll have no way back.”
“No, I won’t regret it,” Yun Mei responded, shaking his head. “I will never wrong the wife again. I have forgotten her; in the future, my heart will only have the wife…” Yun Mei’s tears reflected his fear of being abandoned again. He longed for love and happiness, not wanting to end up with nothing.
Jin Yu observed Yun Mei and said, “I don’t care about past events, but I don’t want any more arguments in my home.” With Dao’er around, it was difficult for Su Xi to remain calm. Soon, Xu Yi would arrive, and given Dao’er’s history of bullying Xiao Lian, grievances were inevitable. Dao’er had been troublesome not only in the Beauty Pavilion but also at the Jin residence; he could not be kept.
Yun Mei remained silent and added, “I hope the mistress will not punish Dao’er.”
“I’m just not letting him serve you; he won’t be leaving with us.”
Yun Mei felt relieved. Given Dao’er’s recent behavior, this outcome was already quite good. He was grateful to Jin Yu. In a typical wealthy household, a servant who made such a mistake would likely be beaten. Looking at Jin Yu, a slight blush spread across his face. He realized she was better than he had imagined, and suddenly, he laughed through tears, joyfully grabbing her clothing, “Mistress, are you going to take Yun Mei along?”
Jin Yu said nothing, but he looked at her happily, “Where are we going? When are we leaving? I’ll pack our things.” Perhaps things weren’t as bad as he had thought.
Jin Yu, surprised by Yun Mei’s excitement, smiled casually, “Just in these few days. We’re going out of town. Bring only the important things.”
“Okay,” Yun Mei nodded, smiling and leaning into Jin Yu’s embrace, pressing close to her, fingers gripping her waist, “Mistress, hold me too.” He had never thought the mistress’s embrace would be so warm.
Jin Yu stiffened, not used to such intimacy, and instinctively raised her hand to push him away.
But when it reached his arm, she paused, then wrapped her arms around his back, holding him close. The unfamiliar scent and breath did not repulse her. He might be her person, and she couldn’t let the poison in her body continue to grow.
Yun Mei buried his head in her embrace, his face slightly flushed. This feeling was new for him. He rubbed his face against her and said, “Mistress, can you give me a child? I want one…” His voice was full of expectation. He remembered she once said she wanted a child from him. If his body hadn’t resisted then, he might have already been hers, with a baby in her belly. He recalled seeing Su Xi’s slightly protruding stomach in the Beauty Pavilion, reflecting their baby. He wanted one too. If he were to be neglected again, at least he would have a child for company.
Jin Yu held Yun Mei without speaking. He thought she was refusing, and his brightened eyes dimmed. “I am the mistress’s legitimate husband, aren’t I? We’ve been married for two years. I beg you not to neglect me anymore.” His voice carried melancholy and guilt. If he had known earlier how it felt to be held by her, he might not have been so stubborn. Now he hoped for mistress, child, and love.
“Do you really… want a child?” Jin Yu’s voice was soft.
Whoever he married back then, he was already her husband. If he could accept it, she wouldn’t mind.
Yun Mei’s dimmed eyes flickered with a glimmer of light. “Yes, I want to give the mistress a child,” he declared, not wanting to miss this opportunity again.
Jin Yu gently twirled a strand of her hair, feeling its soft texture. “How was your visit home? Did anything happen?”
Yun Mei’s eyes grew moist as he lowered his head in silence. Jin Yu knew he must have suffered many grievances over the past two years, having been neglected and facing cold sarcasm upon his return home.
He quietly leaned into Jin Yu’s embrace, contemplating their future. “After we leave, you will no longer be the head of the Jin family. What will you do next?” Even without being the family head, she would have endless wealth, but idling away her days was not her desire.
“I’ll handle those matters. You just need to follow me; don’t worry. Although I’m no longer the Jin family head, ensuring that you and our future children never lack for anything is easy for me.” Su Xi’s identity and Xu Yi Yun Mei’s story had spread throughout the town, with her identity as ‘Jin Yu’ known even to outsiders due to business reasons.
If they continued living here after she was no longer the family head, outside rumors might harm them. Jin Yu had considered changing their identities and starting anew but felt uneasy about losing their names. She just wanted to live peacefully with her family, free from worldly gossip.
Hearing this, Yun Mei felt reassured, leaning into Jin Yu’s embrace. He found it amusing that he had worried. He was no longer the woman who spent family assets frivolously. Since becoming the Jin family head, she had transformed into a steady and reliable partner. This version of her made him feel secure enough to entrust his life to her and envision a future together.
After Jin Yu left, Yun Mei told Dao’er about his wife’s departure and that he would follow her, but Dao’er couldn’t come along. Remaining silent, Dao’er lowered his head, filled with sadness. “Young Master, let Dao’er serve you for a few more days, help you pack, and see you off.”
Yun Mei looked at Dao’er, who had served him since childhood, and felt reluctant. “Dao’er, in the future, when I’m not around, you must not speak so carelessly.”
He worried about Dao’er, who had never suffered before and might struggle without him, uncertain if his wife would return to the Jin family.
Dao’er lowered his head, trembling. Yun Mei grew concerned, “Dao’er?”
Dao’er trembled again and broke into tears. “Young Master, I was wrong. I shouldn’t have looked down on the young widow and provoked them, causing the family head to want to send me away.” Tears rolled down his face as he sobbed.
The narrative continues with emotional exchanges between Yun Mei and Dao’er, exploring themes of loyalty, love, and personal transformation.
Yun Mei looked at Dao’er, confusion in his eyes gradually dissipating. “I have loved the Second Miss for many years, and I’m exhausted. Her letters have only contained trivial matters. She hasn’t even asked how I’ve been doing. Sometimes I wondered what purpose her correspondence served after she abandoned me. But I still wanted to give myself a chance, thinking perhaps she still cared a little about me. I was willing to risk being discovered, being divorced, and falling into a more miserable situation, just to try.”
Yun Mei trembled as she spoke, her voice quivering. “But when my wife told me she would write a divorce letter upon her return, I was terrified.”
