Suddenly, a cool sensation spread in her chest. Sensitive as she was, she immediately recognized the feeling of a weapon piercing flesh, blood flowing profusely.
This was a nightmare she had experienced countless times, and today, it replayed once more.
The person causing this sensation was still her kin, the only one she truly recognized as family. She did not look at her own chest, but instead at the man who had been intimately entwined with her moments ago. His eyes were filled with hidden tears, which overflowed and streamed down his face. Discovering her body unable to move, she laughed—a laugh both stunning and bone-chillingly cold. So that’s how it is…
Author’s note:
“Intention?” Xiao Lian took out the embroidered handkerchief that Jin Mo had helped her make. She learned men’s needlework but struggled to do it well, growing annoyed with herself for not learning properly from her brother. Helpless, she gathered her supplies and shyly approached Yun Mei, saying, “Can you teach me how to make a sachet?”
Yun Mei was stunned, “Who are you going to give it to?”
Xiao Lian’s face turned red as she lowered her head and replied, “Don’t worry about it, just teach me.”
Yun Mei laughed, picking up the needle and thread to teach her slowly, remarking, “It seems Xiao Lian is experiencing her first crush.”
Xiao Lian’s face burned, her head lowered, “Don’t tease me anymore.”
Yun Mei, watching Xiao Lian, remembered her own shyness when she liked Jin Mo. Xiao Lian likely had similar feelings for Su Xi. Su Xi was accustomed to Xiao Lian’s behavior, while Xu Yi remained unaware of her occasional petulance. Yun Mei, in a sensitive state, paid close attention to Xiao Lian, wishing to keep her feelings hidden while seeking the attention of the object of her affection.
That night, Xiao Lian lay in bed, waving an embroidered handkerchief that reminded her of an annoying person. She grew lost in thought, eventually tossing the handkerchief aside and taking out the mandarin duck sachet that Yun Mei had taught her to make. She giggled, rolled on the bed, laughed until she cried, then calmed down, before finally sobbing.
Su Chenbi really liked it here. Although confined to the mansion, he could explore freely. The tranquil scenery offered relief unlike his previous experiences in the flower house.
Although Su Chenbi and Jin Yu didn’t live in the same place, they eventually met in the same mansion.
One day, while wandering, Su Chenbi encountered Jin Yu and asked, “Who are you?”
Jin Yu looked at him and replied flatly, “Who do you think I am?” She felt bitter that he would ask about her identity since they had brought him here.
Su Chenbi looked at her suspiciously. Soon, Heng Ziyuan approached and bowed to Jin Yu, saying, “Mistress, the meal is ready. Several masters are waiting for you.”
After Jin Yu left, Su Chenbi remained in a daze. Mistress? He had been redeemed a month ago and brought here. She seemed to be the owner, but it appeared she wasn’t the one who redeemed him; otherwise, why would she ignore him?
Heng Ziyuan followed Jin Yu, leaving Su Chenbi in the courtyard, where he rarely ventured out again. Although he sometimes thought of the woman, he preferred solitude.
Soon, Su Chenbi’s quiet life was disrupted when Jin Yu ordered him to join the others for a meal. He was stunned to see everyone else at the table sitting comfortably.
Xu Yi tightly gripped Jin Yu’s clothes, while Su Xi covered her swollen belly and Yun Mei lowered her eyes silently. Xiao Lian, dissatisfied with the new male guest, angrily ate her rice. Noticing Xiao Lian’s mood, Yun Mei offered her some food to comfort her. Aggrieved, Xiao Lian looked at Yun Mei with moist eyes before returning to her meal.
As the New Year approached, the mansion brimmed with joy, making it feel like a festive occasion. Everyone, especially Xiao Lian, was happy. Previously, only she and Su Xi were together, creating a cold atmosphere, but this year was lively. Su Xi’s pregnancy was evident, and Xiao Lian increasingly loved to touch her belly.
Xu Yi cut paper for red character paintings to celebrate the New Year. Despite being unable to see, he felt delighted thinking about the joyful red surroundings. Su Xi spent more time with him, assisting in cutting paper, and Xu Yi often touched her belly, showing envious expressions as he became comfortable with the gesture.
Feeling restless, Xiao Lian complained to Jin Yu about being idle while everyone else was busy. Jin Yu, though helpless, responded warmly, suggesting that Xiao Lian could visit the market down the mountain to play.
Xiao Lian’s eyes widened with excitement. She happily wanted Su Xi to accompany her but felt conflicted seeing Su Xi cutting paper with Xu Yi and occasionally smiling. They all enjoyed complicated needlework and paper cutting. Ultimately, Xiao Lian decided to pull Jin Yu down the mountain and invited Yun Mei along, who blushed and quickly agreed.
On the way in the carriage, Xiao Lian and Yun Mei were joyful, while Jin Yu’s expression was gentle, occasionally lifting the curtain to look outside.
Su Chenbi dined daily with Jin Yu and got to know her companions. His gaze often fell on Su Xi’s swollen belly, Xu Yi’s shy and sweet face, and he sometimes looked confusedly at Jin Yu’s gentle expression. Her doting eyes reminded him of someone who used to look at him lovingly.
On New Year’s Eve, he reflected on a woman he had betrayed for the sake of family, ending up in a miserable state. Su Chenbi mostly spent his time alone in a deep courtyard, staring blankly at the distant mountains. Occasionally, he placed his hand on his flat stomach, painful memories flashing in his eyes, and upon regaining his composure, his face turned cold.
He thought he would never cry again, but he still had tears.
#
During the New Year’s Eve dinner, Jin Yu ate with them for the first time in a long while. It was his first experience of New Year’s. Xiao Lian’s eyes reddened, Su Xi’s eyes were sour, and Xu Yi leaned into Jin Yu’s embrace, caressing her face and calling out, “Wife.”
After the meal, everyone felt warm and happy, wishing time could stop.
#
In Shi Li Town, the front of Smoke Flower Drunk was quiet, but the backyard was lively. Ning Chi spent New Year’s with the young attendants, forgetting previous unpleasantness.
After the meal, Ning Chi was slightly drunk. Fei Er prepared a sobering soup. His flushed face cleared as he sat alone by the bedside, his long black hair surrounding him with loneliness. Despite the warm surroundings, he felt no warmth, always alone.
He didn’t understand how passionate promises could turn into being lured into a world of pleasure, ridden by countless men. Once in this world, he could never escape. His impure body had been used so many times that he lost the right to seek happiness.
Thinking of others was useless. He couldn’t show it, could only remain indifferent, putting on a smile to do what a brothel keeper must do. Not wanting to be hurt again, he didn’t want to see disgust in that person’s eyes. He could only silently look from afar, hopelessly guarding his memories, always alone in cold isolation.
He had long wanted to end his life but met her when deciding to die, being saved from a fire. Because of her, he wanted to continue living, enduring any suffering, his heart eroded by despair and desolation.
“Young master,” Fei Er heard Ning Chi’s suppressed sobs and gently nudged him, wanting him to come to his senses.
Ning Chi looked up, brushing his hair behind his ear, tears rolling down his face. He smiled wearily, “Fei Er, no guests will come this time. Let’s rest well and gather our strength. Next year will be busy.” The big master had left, but he felt the master would return, at least to see him. He would continue as Smoke Flower Drunk’s brothel keeper, making it profitable for the Jin family.
