Feeling somewhat more at ease, her spirits lifted a little. So Jiang Yin poured another cup of wine and handed it to the young master, saying obediently, “A Yin offers another toast to the young master.”
This time, the young master followed the cup to her hand, gently pulling her. “Come sit here.”
Jiang Yin was taken aback for a moment, then quickly put on a smile, rising respectfully and moving from across the young master to his side.
But the young master still didn’t let go. He applied a little more force, indicating, “Come closer to me.”
“…”
Jiang Yin froze mid-sit, hesitating as she spoke, “…The young master’s body is precious. A Yin fears she might offend you…”
“It’s fine,” the young master interrupted her, repeating, “Come here.”
She had been worried that getting too close might reveal her injuries and complicate things.
But refusing again now would make Jiang Yin seem ungrateful.
After some internal struggle, she obediently moved closer, offering the wine cup again and saying softly, “Please, young master.”
The young master accepted it but only took a small sip before setting it aside.
He reached out to Jiang Yin, asking gently, “Your hand.”
Though puzzled, Jiang Yin didn’t ask further and obediently placed her hand in his.
Unexpectedly, the young master removed the ring from his own index finger and slipped it onto her middle finger.
Jiang Yin was startled and instinctively refused, “Young master, this is too valuable. A Yin cannot accept it.”
But the other applied a slight pressure, stopping her from removing the ring, and instead asked her, “Your hand is so cold… Are you chilly?”
“…”
It wasn’t really the cold.
…It was guilt.
She was still scheming against him, yet he was giving her something precious.
Jiang Yin pressed her lips together and shook her head.
Remembering he couldn’t see, she then spoke up, “A Yin is not cold.”
Only then did the young master release her hand, pick up the wine cup again, finish the remaining wine, and place it on the side away from Jiang Yin.
He remained silent for a while before asking Jiang Yin, “I heard you were once a maid to the daughter of Minister Li?”
Considering this young master’s connection with the owner of Zui Xian Ju, Jiang Yin wasn’t too surprised and admitted, “Yes.”
The young master nodded and asked further, “I heard Minister Li’s only daughter is gentle and kind, treating her servants with great generosity. Why would she sell you off to a place like this?”
“…”
The difficulty of this question was no less than being asked by the HR of a new company why you left your previous job after being fired for seducing the boss’s man.
Jiang Yin was momentarily stunned.
She couldn’t very well say that she did it just to follow the plot, to fan the flames of the main couple’s relationship development… Who would believe that?
But if she didn’t tell the truth, what could she say?
Her hands, resting on her knees, clenched bit by bit. Jiang Yin’s mouth went dry, her heart racing as she stammered, “I…”
“Never mind.”
Those two light words made Jiang Yin’s tense heart drop back down.
The finely dressed young master tilted his face slightly toward her direction and said amiably, “If you don’t want to say, then don’t.”
“…Thank you, young master.”
Although Jiang Yin had tried her best to steady her voice, that barely noticeable tremor still caught the young master’s attention.
He frowned slightly, a hint of confusion appearing on his face. “What’s wrong? Were you mistreated at the Li Residence?”
“I…”
“You needn’t be reserved, miss. I have some acquaintance with Minister Li. If you suffered any injustice, I could speak on your behalf. It might even be possible to send you back.”
Jiang Yin had just opened her mouth when she was cut off, momentarily stunned. “That really isn’t necessary…”
“Truly unnecessary?”
…Of course not.
The only daughter of Minister Li was the female lead of this book, and her brother cherished his younger sister above all else.
Back when he learned that Jiang Yin had angered the female lead into falling ill, he nearly dismembered Jiang Yin and threw her into the mountains to feed the wolves.
If she were to go back again…
Thinking of this, Jiang Yin’s tone grew firmer. “Unnecessary.”
Fortunately, the young master did not insist. “Then let it be.”
After saying this, he handed the empty wine cup that had been set aside to Jiang Yin, speaking calmly. “You are unwilling to speak of your own affairs, but would you be willing to listen to mine?”
Jiang Yin glanced at him, took the cup, and replied while pouring wine. “Please speak, young master.”
Unexpectedly, the young master’s first sentence made Jiang Yin’s heart tremble violently:
“…Today is the anniversary of my mother’s death.”
“…”
Jiang Yin had lost her parents at a very young age and could deeply empathize, momentarily speechless.
The young master didn’t care about her reaction, instead stroking his now-empty index finger, his gaze vacant, his voice low.
“…Before meeting you, I had planned to get thoroughly drunk alone and retire early… With many matters weighing on me recently, toiling day after day, I’ve been unable to sleep peacefully. It has been a long time since I last dreamed of my mother.”
“I…”
“No need to apologize,” he anticipated her words before she could speak. “Saving you was my own choice.”
Jiang Yin curled her fingers slightly, feeling the ring begin to grow hot, making her entire body uncomfortable.
After much hesitation, she cautiously spoke. “If the young master is troubled, I can accompany you out for a walk to clear your mind.”
“…”
The young master fell silent for a moment, then shook his head slightly. “What can a blind person do outside… It’s dull and exhausting, and only invites disdain. No need.”
“…Alright.”
Perhaps sensing that his tone had been too cold and harsh, leaving Jiang Yin at a loss, he paused, then groped for her tightly clasped hands and said calmly, “I’m not blaming you… Today’s wine is intoxicating. I’m tired—help me to the bed.”
Only then did Jiang Yin notice that the young master’s hand resting on hers was somewhat feverish, a faint flush showing beneath his originally pale skin.
Her heart stirred, thinking to herself, this young master looks tall and sturdy, how did he get drunk so quickly?
With the slight pity and guilt that had just been stirred within her, Jiang Yin helped the young master up and moved toward the bed.
However, though he appeared slender, he was still tall and well-built. Leaning half against her, his weight made her steps unsteady.
By the time she finally helped him to the bed, the young master’s hand resting on Jiang Yin’s shoulder was already burning hot.
—For the first time in her life sharing a room with a man, Jiang Yin’s heart began to race wildly.
But she still wanted to earn some favor from the young master, hoping he would help her leave this place, so she couldn’t simply abandon him now.
After careful consideration, she gently helped him lie down, reached out to touch his flushed cheek, and tentatively called out softly, “Young master?”
“…Hmm.”
The young master’s breathing gradually grew heavier, but he still managed to maintain a calm response. “It’s fine… just drunk, no need to mind me… Take my waist token and go out, someone will arrange a place for you…”
By the end, his words became somewhat slurred. His Adam’s apple bobbed heavily, and he fell quiet, breathing heavily.
Jiang Yin hesitated for a moment but still did not leave. Carefully, she untied the young master’s waist sash, then leaned in to wipe the thin layer of sweat that had seeped from his forehead.
But as soon as she touched his forehead, her hand was seized.
The man beneath her looked dazed, pulling her hand to press against his cheek, gently rubbing it back and forth as if in reliance, his tone unconsciously tinged with a hint of ambiguity:
“…A Yin… I’m so hot.”