Moans and groans continued from the room as Xu Yi and Hua Yan slowly left, large tears rolling down his face. He knew what those sounds represented, recalling when she had pinned him down.
Wave after wave of those moans tore apart Xu Yi’s heart, echoing in his ears even after he walked away. His heart ached and felt cold.
The autumn wind grew colder.
In the delicate room filled with lingering sandalwood incense, the whistling wind could still be heard outside.
Yun Mei, having bathed and prepared to rest, lay on the soft bed covered with a light silk quilt, with two charcoal braziers lit in the room. Though it was meant to be warm, he felt no warmth at all. He laughed, a laugh tinged with sarcasm, melancholy, and despair.
Xu Yi had said he envied him, begging to enter the Jin household, even without status or title. But didn’t he also envy Xu Yi? How much he wished he were Xu Yi.
In the dim, exquisite room, candlelight flickered, casting shadows on the screen. Yun Mei seemed lost in darkness.
Suddenly, a glimmer of dawn broke through, and Yun Mei awoke. Dao’er immediately came to attend to him, “Young Master, what’s wrong?”
Yun Mei’s forehead was covered in sweat, his breath ragged, his voice hoarse, “Dao’er, what time is it?”
“Young Master, it’s still early,” Dao’er replied, wiping his sweat. “The household lights are about to be extinguished.”
“Is that so?” Yun Mei lay back down, wondering why he had fallen asleep so suddenly.
Dao’er stirred the charcoal fire, producing a soft crackling sound. “If Young Master is tired, you can rest early.”
“Dao’er, you go to sleep. It’s late autumn now, so you should rest well.”
“Dao’er is not tired and will stay with Young Master a while longer.”
Yun Mei casually responded with a “hmm,” the warm bottle providing brief warmth. He closed his eyes, unable to sleep, and turned to look at the man warming himself by the charcoal brazier. “Dao’er, do you think the Mistress will marry Xu Gongzi?”
Dao’er was taken aback, “Why does Young Master suddenly mention this?”
