Xia Rong looked at Yun Mei, contemplating how her master, reborn as a commoner’s daughter, ended up with an unfilial man. In another carriage, two individuals showed genuine care for the master, contrasting her previous husband. The master seemed to reciprocate that care.

Lowering her head, Xia Rong stopped talking, following Yun Mei’s instruction not to wake Jin Yu, as her task was to protect Yun’s master.

When Jin Yu woke up, she was stunned to realize she had fallen asleep again. Previously, she had never dared to sleep so deeply. She considered finding a doctor for Xu Yi’s condition and wanted to check her own, as she wondered if she was getting sick or simply more relaxed while traveling with them.

Seeing Jin Yu wake up, Yun Mei knew she was about to leave. He rubbed his numb arm, and Jin Yu surprised him by reaching out to massage it.

“Is your arm numb?” Jin Yu asked gently.

“Yes,” Yun Mei replied, lowering his head.

“When did it go numb?” she asked, raising her eyebrows slightly.

A hint of warmth grew in her heart as she remembered how she sometimes endured Su Xi’s weight without moving to avoid waking her.

Yun Mei’s face turned slightly red. “Just now, it’s nothing.”

After massaging Yun Mei’s arm, Jin Yu sat and chatted for a while. As she prepared to leave, Yun Mei anxiously called out, “When will wife master come to see Yun Mei again?”

Jin Yu turned back, stunned, then smiled softly and said, “Often.” She hoped they would see each other frequently, unlike in noble families where wives rarely met their servants.

After Jin Yu left, Yun Mei stared blankly at the swaying curtain, pondering how often “often” meant—was it a few months or half a year? Previously, the wife master had promised to visit but would sometimes take months to appear, exchanging only a few words before leaving. Yun Mei recalled Jin Yu’s promise to be together daily after marriage, but now he felt a sad anticipation for what once felt disgusting.

When Jin Yu returned to the carriage, Su Xi, Xu Yi, and the others were still asleep, likely due to their weak bodies and inability to adapt to travel.

Su Xi stood up, looking at Jin Yu with a worried expression. Her voice was timid, “I want to see Xiao Lian.”

“I’ll accompany you,” Jin Yu comforted her.

Su Xi smiled softly, relaxing as she stroked her belly, and they went out together.

#

Yun Mei sat quietly inside the carriage, which had stopped, lost in thought.

A respectful female voice called from outside, “Young Master Yun, the master requests that you join him for a meal.”

Yun Mei was stunned and looked at Xia Rong, “Is she talking about me?”

“Yes,” Xia Rong replied with a slight bow.

Yun Mei was uncertain, “Is she saying I can eat with the mistress?”

“Yes,” Xia Rong confirmed.

Yun Mei was dazed. Had he misheard? He had been married to the mistress for over two years but had never shared a meal. Was this invitation real?

“Young Master Yun… Young Master Yun?”

Only after Xia Rong called several times did Yun Mei come to his senses, laughing at himself for being lost in thought.

“Young Master Yun, we can go down now,” Xia Rong reminded him.

Yes, he was going to see the mistress. Yun Mei quickly straightened his clothes and hair, “Xia Rong, help me tidy up. I can’t let the mistress see me like this…” A shy smile appeared on his face, filled with sweetness and joy.

Xia Rong stared at the busy Yun Mei, surprised by his flustered demeanor instead of the calmness expected of a young master.

A respectful female voice interrupted his thoughts, “Young Master Yun, the master is waiting for you.”

“Coming,” Yun Mei replied, looking outside to see a female servant waiting. A sourness rose in his eyes; he sensed that the servants of the Jin family did not genuinely like him, merely bowing out of necessity.

As Yun Mei prepared to go out, Xia Rong handed him a warm stove and helped him into a thick cloak. “The master said not to let Young Master Yun get cold.”

Xu Yi woke to find Jin Yu absent, accompanied only by Hua Yan. He trembled with anxiety, tears streaming down his cheeks. Had he been abandoned again?

“Young Master, Miss Jin has not abandoned us. We’re at the inn, and she’ll come soon,” Hua Yan reassured him.

As Jin Yu approached the door, she heard soft sobbing and comforting words inside. Entering, she saw Xu Yi’s distress.

Hua Yan quickly exclaimed, “Young Master, Miss Jin is here.”

Didn’t I say she wouldn’t abandon us? You didn’t believe me, but now…”

#

When Jin Yu carried Xu Yi out, a shy blush appeared on his face, the tear marks already wiped away.

Jin Yu sighed, “Do you only feel at ease after I’ve claimed you?”

“Yes,” Xu Yi hugged Jin Yu’s neck, nestling shyly, “I’ll give myself to you.”

Jin Yu paused, laughingly kissing his slightly reddened cheek, “What if I want to claim you right here and now?”

Xu Yi blushed, burying his face in Jin Yu’s embrace, “This is an inn. People might hear or see us…”

Jin Yu looked at him seriously, “We have a few more days of travel. You’ll be mine eventually.”

“Okay,” Xu Yi smiled, “Let’s wait until we’re home.” He felt more comfortable only after closing the bedroom door and drawing the bed curtains.

Jin Yu laughed silently, the laughter reaching her eyes.

#

When Jin Yu carried Xu Yi into the room, Xiao Lian was happily stroking Su Xi’s belly, while Yun Mei sat nearby, glancing at them with envy.

Xiao Lian saw Jin Yu enter and looked enviously at Xu Yi, wishing she could hold him. But she shook her head, knowing that not being able to see was pitiful, and she wouldn’t want him to miss seeing her face or figure.

He would rather silently watch her.

Jin Yu helped Xu Yi sit at the table and sat beside him. Xiao Lian wanted to care for Xu Yi but chose to keep Su Xi company instead.

Yun Mei was shocked to discover Xu Yi’s blindness and looked at Jin Yu, who remained silent. Xu Yi had sacrificed much for the mistress, which explained her sudden wish to marry him. Any woman would be moved by his efforts, and Yun Mei now understood why Jin Mo loved Xu Yi. He felt heartbroken, sensing that his love for the mistress paled in comparison.

Jin Yu offered Xu Yi some food, causing Xu Yi to blush and eat shyly, gripping Jin Yu’s clothes tightly for reassurance. His unease was palpable, as he didn’t know which direction to look for her if she left.

Xiao Lian, enviously watching, glanced at their bowls before taking small, uncomfortable bites of his rice. Suddenly, he pointed at a dish in front of Jin Yu, demanding, “I want to eat that. You should scoop it for me…”

Jin Yu was taken aback, as was Su Xi.

Feeling uneasy, he tugged at Xiao Lian’s sleeve, “Xiao Lian, don’t make a fuss.”

Xiao Lian looked aggrieved, “I want to eat…”

Seeing Jin Yu staring blankly, Xiao Lian lowered his head and continued to eat small bites of rice.

Yun Mei scooped some food into Xiao Lian’s bowl, despite knowing that Xiao Lian didn’t like him very much. Xiao Lian glanced at Yun Mei, the food in his bowl, and the people watching him, then lowered his head conflictedly. Although he disliked the dish and Yun Mei, he had no choice but to eat it.

After the meal, when Yun Mei was leaving, he cast a meaningful glance at Xiao Lian before being led away by Xia Rong.

#

Jin Yu had wanted to sleep with Su Xi, as she was accustomed to holding her while falling asleep. However, she felt uneasy about Xu Yi, who had previously called for her in a nightmare and cried out for a while after realizing she wasn’t there. Jin Yu was also concerned about leaving Su Xi, who was pregnant, but she worried that Xu Yi might feel abandoned.

Yet, Xu Yi wasn’t married to her, and though she had kissed him before, sleeping together felt different.