“Her bad expression is understandable,” Yun Mei said casually. “She knows about my secret correspondence with the second young miss.”
Dao’er looked anxious, “What? Young master, don’t scare me. How did the young miss find out? Did she do anything?”
Yun Mei shook his head. “Dao’er, don’t worry. She didn’t do anything to me.”
Dao’er sighed in relief. “That’s good. The young miss loves you so much. Even if you made a mistake, she won’t punish you.”
Yun Mei gave a bitter smile, “Won’t punish me?”
“Don’t worry, young master. The young miss is just angry now. Once her anger subsides, she’ll pamper you like before.”
Yun Mei closed his sorrowful eyes. Dao’er carefully asked, “Young master, did the young miss agree to let you return to your family?”
“Yes, she agreed.”
“That’s great!” Dao’er’s face lit up. “We haven’t returned to the Yun family for so long. This time, you’ll see your wife.”
“But what good will it do? They’ve probably long forgotten they have a son like me.”
Dao’er’s face turned gloomy, “Yes, young master.”
Yun Mei’s eyes slightly opened, though his gaze remained unfocused. His past actions had brought shame to the Yun family, and with constant rumors circulating, how could they acknowledge a son who had disgraced them? As an illegitimate son, he was neither favored nor completely ignored. His marriage to the Jin family was solely for familial interests, and now that the Yun family gained nothing from him, they would surely dismiss him.
Seeing Yun Mei’s sadness, Dao’er felt indignant. His young master did not deserve such an outcome. “Why didn’t the second young miss take you away back then? You begged her.”
Yun Mei trembled at the memory; he had set aside his pride, disregarded shame, and hoped she would rescue him. Yet, he did not succeed. He had long dreamed of marrying into the Jin family but ended up with a different sister.
“The young miss loves you so much, yet neglects you after marriage, not even accompanying you home. Although you made mistakes in the past, she could not have remained cold to you for over two years, barely visiting.”
She sent the second young miss away to a distant place, making you so thin. She should have shown you some compassion today,” Dao’er continued to complain.
Yun Mei took a deep breath, “Do you think she sent the second young miss away just because she was angry with me?”
Dao’er frowned, “Isn’t that so, young master?”
“No,” Yun Mei replied calmly, “So many things happened back then. The Lady of the House and the Principal Wife passed away in succession. When Concubine Wang was alive, they fought fiercely over the family estate. The Second Young Lady should have had the advantage, but ultimately, the Eldest Young Lady took control of the Jin family, sending her away. Concubine Wang fell ill and passed away soon after, and then the Wife married me. She had liked me for years, but on our wedding night, she didn’t come to our room.”
“Are you saying the Second Young Lady was sent away not just because of your relationship, but also because of the Jin family’s estate?” Dao’er’s eyes widened. “But how would you know all this?”
“At first, I thought I had implicated her. Later, I pieced together the events from that time and gradually understood.”
Dao’er remained confused. “But at the time, everyone thought the Eldest Young Lady was incompetent. Her father and the Lady of the House had just passed away. The Second Young Lady was respected, and Concubine Wang was still alive. How did the Eldest Young Lady win this struggle?”
“It wasn’t that she won, but that the Second Young Lady withdrew. Given her personality, she was unwilling to compete, so she gave up. After the Wife took over the Jin family, she feared the Second Young Lady would contest the estate, so she sent her away. For two years, she hasn’t returned to the Jin family.” Yun Mei closed his eyes. “I’m just speculating, but the Second Young Lady valued family relationships. She probably voluntarily gave up her position.”
“I see. Such a good person. How could she lose to the Eldest Young Lady?” Dao’er’s face looked bitter. “Why did she give up? If she hadn’t, you might have married her. Are you resentful towards the Second Young Lady?”
Yun Mei shook his head. “This was her nature. If she weren’t like this, I wouldn’t have been so attracted to her.”
“But you’re the one who’s suffering. Don’t you resent her at all?” She believed the Second Young Lady was largely responsible for his current state.
Yun Mei gave a bitter smile and shook his head.
“We grew up together. I love her more than anything. How could I resent her? Dao’er, don’t worry about me.”
“I understand, sir.” Dao’er lowered her head, then looked up seriously. “By the way, I’ve heard that the Young Lady has changed these past two years.”
Yun Mei frowned. “Changed?”
“Yes, everyone in the household thinks so. After taking over the Jin family, the business has improved, and even outsiders praise the Young Lady.”
Yun Mei furrowed his brow. He had heard about Jin Yu’s changes before but hadn’t paid much attention. The woman who used to squander the family fortune couldn’t have changed so dramatically. He had assumed Jin Mo was secretly helping her. Could she have truly changed in two years?
“I understand, young master. I won’t speak carelessly again.” Dao’er lowered her eyes, then quietly tidied up. “But even if the young lady has someone outside, she still loves you. She often visited the small widow but never brought him back to the mansion. She hasn’t married another man or written a divorce letter. I think no matter what you did wrong, she is merely angry and won’t blame you.”
In fact, the young lady has been cold to them for the past two years, but she seems more reliable than before. If the young master had even a bit of feelings for her, things might be different now.
Yun Mei froze at the mention of a divorce letter.
“When she returns, I will write a divorce letter for you…”
“I tolerated your past actions, but I will not continue to do so. I hope you take care of yourselves.”
The wife was genuinely angry and would no longer tolerate him. When the Second Young Lady returns, would she really write a divorce letter? Would she never dote on him again as she did before their marriage?
Yun Mei was at a loss. “Dao’er, what kind of person do you think my wife is compared to the Second Young Lady?”
Dao’er chuckled, “Young master, you’ve stumped me. What I think doesn’t matter; it’s what you think that counts. People outside praise our young lady for managing the Jin family’s affairs well. She is doing very well now, but she may never compare to the Second Young Lady in your eyes. Why do you ask?”
Yun Mei’s long eyelashes trembled, hiding his eyes. “I just feel that my wife has changed a lot, perhaps because we haven’t seen each other for too long.”
Dao’er put down her work and said, “I feel the young lady has changed a lot these past two years. Has the young master considered that perhaps it’s not just that we haven’t seen her, but rather that in the past, the young master focused solely on the Second Young Lady? Although you are husband and wife, you’ve only met a few times. When the young lady came today, you may have noticed her differently.”
Dao’er’s words made Yun Mei realize that he had never really paid attention to his wife. He didn’t even know her birthday and only remembered her as someone who brought him treasures, always following him and the Second Young Lady and claiming she wanted to marry him. He had never observed her truly.
Seeing Yun Mei in a daze, Dao’er quickly added, “Young master, I was just speaking casually. Please don’t take it to heart.”
Yun Mei shook his head, “No, Dao’er, you didn’t say anything wrong.”
Thank you for your words that made me think. I feel my wife has changed because I never paid attention to her.
