“Young master?” Dao’er was confused by the young master’s gratitude.

Yun Mei smiled softly, “Dao’er, you can go out. I’m tired and want to rest.”

“Yes, young master.” Dao’er covered Yun Mei with a blanket and left through the pearl curtain. Although the young master loves the Second Young Lady, he has married the young lady. She had treated him well, and even after his misdeeds, she still married him. Despite being cold for two years, she wasn’t angry upon discovering his correspondence with the Second Young Lady. She must still love him. If only he could reciprocate her feelings, he wouldn’t be so sad.

After Dao’er left, the pearl curtain swayed, making a sound. Yun Mei’s gaze fell on the curtain, his eyes gradually unfocused…

“When she returns, I will write a divorce letter for you…”

“I tolerated your past actions, but that doesn’t mean I will continue to do so. I hope you take care of yourselves.”

Jin Yu’s words echoed in the room, freezing Yun Mei in place. When he returned to his senses, cold sweat had formed on his forehead.

If his wife had truly written a divorce letter, what would he do? He had married the Jin family’s eldest daughter and could never marry the Second Young Lady again. He would have nowhere to go. His wife had loved him for so many years, enduring his mistakes and marrying him despite his ruined reputation. How could she suddenly give up on him?

Her mention of a divorce letter was likely a warning against any behavior that would insult her or the Jin family’s reputation.

Feeling more at ease, Yun Mei considered the changes in Jin Yu. He casually glanced at the crystal curtain hanging by the bed.

“In the past, the young master focused entirely on the Second Young Lady and neglected the eldest daughter.”

Yun Mei closed his eyes. Perhaps he should start paying more attention to his wife.

#

After assigning the rent collection task, Liu approached and said, “Steward Zhao, I’m here to pick up a letter for the Second Miss.”

The housekeeper responded coldly, “You won’t need to pick up letters anymore.”

“Steward, what do you mean?”

Liu, close to the Second Miss and loyal to Jin Mo, had always delivered letters to Yun Mei and Jin Mo. She had just delivered one that morning and usually received a reply from Yun Zhengfu by afternoon.

“What’s going on? The Young Mistress knows about Yun Zhengfu and the Second Miss’s secret correspondence,” the housekeeper thought.

Liu was taken aback, “What did the Young Mistress say? Will she harm the Second Miss and Yun Zhengfu?”

The housekeeper put down the account book, “Don’t worry. Although the Young Mistress knows about this, she has no intention of acting against them.”

Liu hesitated, “The Young Mistress truly won’t do anything to them?”

“Yes, she hasn’t said she’ll deal with them,” the housekeeper replied with a hint of sarcasm. “In fact, she has always liked Yun Zhengfu. No woman would marry a man involved in such scandalous behavior. Despite knowing about his correspondence with the Second Miss, she kept him in the mansion. While she has been cold to him since their marriage, he is still well-fed and housed. If he were to be divorced, his fate would be much worse.”

“The Young Mistress is quite fond of Yun Zhengfu,” Liu acknowledged, recognizing the inappropriateness of the Second Miss’s secret correspondence.

The housekeeper’s voice turned sharp, “The Young Mistress loves Yun Zhengfu deeply, but he takes advantage of her affection, bringing shame to the Young Mistress and the Jin family. While she protects him in the mansion, he thinks of another woman and longs to leave her side. He doesn’t realize how he would survive without her. I was previously trusted by the Second Miss to care for Yun Zhengfu and help the Young Mistress manage the Jin family’s affairs, but I won’t assist them in their secret dealings anymore.”

Liu was shocked, “Steward, you were close to the Second Miss. Have you forgotten that you were on her side?”

The housekeeper stood up, “You’re wrong. I have always prioritized the Jin family’s interests. When the Second Miss refused family responsibilities and gave up her position, I expected her to return to manage the family. But more than two years have passed, and she’s still pursuing her own path, with no intention of managing the Jin family. The earlier conflict nearly destroyed our status and economy.”

In these two years, the Young Mistress has systematically managed the family, stabilizing its status and economy. She has the ability to manage the Jin family, and I will stand by her side. For her, the Jin family always comes first. Years ago, the Young Mistress saved her mother’s life, and she must fulfill her mother’s last wish.

“What about the Second Miss?” Liu frowned.

The housekeeper replied, “The Second Miss loves traveling and has no interest in the family business. As long as she doesn’t act too outrageously, we won’t interfere. Just tell her not to correspond with Yun Zhengfu in secret.”

Liu fell silent and eventually turned to leave. Although the Second Miss and Yun Zhengfu communicated, only they knew the content of their letters. When the Second Miss gave up her family position, no one knew what she truly thought. Did she ever regret it?

#

Ke He emerged from the Yanhua Drunken establishment, bought hawthorn and sour plum at the market, and hurried home. Her husband was pregnant and needed careful attention. She wanted to share the good news she had discovered.

The cold wind blew, but Ke He felt no chill. She held the food tightly, her heart soft, rushing home, eager to see her beloved husband.

An ordinary courtyard, slightly larger, not luxurious but better than average.

Cold winds howled outside, but inside was warm, with two charcoal stoves lit and thick window paper preventing any draft. A sky-blue bed canopy hung quietly on both sides.

A young, beautiful youth sat at the bedhead, embroidering a handkerchief, covered in warm blankets, with a protruding belly, clearly pregnant. The unborn child kicked occasionally.

Feeling the baby kick, the youth placed his hand on his belly, smiling happily. Hearing hurried footsteps outside, he smiled helplessly, knowing his wife always moved quickly.

Ke He gently pushed open the door to find her husband with his hand on his belly, his eyes shining with the light of impending fatherhood. The peaceful scene made her stare in a daze.

“You’re back, come sit,” Su Jin spoke softly.

Ke He smiled, lost in her husband’s gaze.

After closing the door, Ke He shared her news, “I went to work at Yanhua Drunken this morning.”

Su Jin put down the sour plum, looking anxiously at Ke He, “Is he there? How is he? Is he suffering?”

“Don’t worry, he’s fine,” Ke He reassured her, feeling heartache at her husband’s distress. “The owner of Yanhua Drunken is very kind, and the people there are welcoming. He probably won’t suffer too much.”

Su Jinwen felt a sense of relief as misty tears lingered in her eyes. Her eyelids drooped, and a few droplets clung to her long eyelashes. Emotions swirled within her. “Although he did something wrong and many people resent him, I understand he was forced into it. His heart is also in pain, and I hope he no longer endures such cruel torture, and that his punishment is sufficient.”

“Don’t worry, we will definitely save him,” Ke He comforted Su Jin. He felt heartbroken for her husband, who at a young age had to bear so much worry. Fortunately, the storm had passed, and their peaceful life was slowly approaching.

Ke He helped Su Jin lie down. “By the way, I’ll be working at Yanhua Zui every night and won’t be able to come home. I’m planning to hire two servants to take care of you. Please take good care of your pregnancy. After we rescue him, we’ll leave this Ten Li Town.”