Along the way, few servants were present. They bowed and continued their duties. Those on patrol kept patrolling, and those returning to their rooms did so without lingering. They didn’t quite like the Cloud Zheng Husband but plastered smiles on their faces, knowing he was beloved by their Mistress, despite being neglected for two years. They believed the Mistress still loved him and was merely angry.
Yun Mei was aware of their superficial flattery and hidden mockery. Though uncomfortable, he had no reason to complain. For the past two years, he had rarely gone out, wanting to avoid being pointed at and ridiculed.
Standing in Jingyu’s room, Yunmei lit the red candles, brightening the space. He walked around with a lantern, reflecting on the years since he last entered.
He had expected Jinmo to be a literary scholar, but he was surprised by the elegance of his wife’s room, which was delicate and free from vulgarity. On the yellow pear wood table lay a sheet of xuan paper and several brushes on the inkstone.
Approaching with the lantern, Yunmei noticed the topmost drawing—a man who wasn’t exceptionally handsome but had a comfortable presence. His eyes, slightly lowered, still revealed a hint of spirit, and he held his clothing belt shyly, appearing uneasy.
As Yunmei crouched down, the lantern fell and caught fire. He hesitated to extinguish it, instead hugging himself, his gaze fixed on the flames. Unknowingly, a few cold tears rolled down his cheeks, the candlelight flickering desolately across his face.
He realized he might have lost everything, including his wife. If he hadn’t cared deeply, how could he have captured such spirit in the painting that even made him feel inferior?
He came here thinking that if his wife wanted him, he would not refuse. Now, he realized she had lost interest in him, even physically.
For two years, he had believed his wife’s anger was temporary. Now he understood she neglected him out of indifference, only staying in the marriage out of slight sympathy.
As night deepened, the lantern’s fire gradually extinguished, leaving only a distant red candle flickering dimly.
Yunmei sat quietly in the candlelight for a long time before blowing it out and curling up in the bedding, feeling cold and forgotten.
He truly had nothing left.
