“…”
If the young master hadn’t brought it up himself, Jiang Yin would have almost forgotten about this matter entirely.
Although her current fragile constitution made pregnancy seem unlikely, given that she had already encountered the misfortune of a malfunctioning System, becoming pregnant was not entirely impossible.
Thinking this, Jiang Yin felt a shiver run through her heart.
If she were to become pregnant, it would mean that even if the System reappeared, she would have to reconsider leaving this world.
After all, if she left, this body would die…
No.
Absolutely not.
…
In front of the young master, Jiang Yin said nothing, only humming in acknowledgment before continuing to eat her meal.
But in her heart, she had already made a decision.
The meal was eaten with a heavy heart, and when it was finally over, the young master left the house, citing official business to attend to.
Jiang Yin remained in the front hall, where a young maid with twin buns entered, placing a lacquered tray before her.
Under the bright candlelight, the two bowls of medicine on the tray looked identical.
Before Jiang Yin could ask, the maid explained, “The young master instructed that the bowl on the left is for preventing pregnancy, while the one on the right is a common calming tonic. Please choose one to drink, then place the other bowl in the center of the tray.”
After speaking, she knelt down and turned her back.
“…”
Jiang Yin glanced at her and, without a moment’s hesitation, picked up the bowl on the left and drank it in one gulp, then placed the other bowl in the center of the tray.
“Done.”
“…Yes.”
Hearing this, the maid turned back, collected the empty bowl, but did not leave. Instead, she said to Jiang Yin again, “The young master instructed that you follow me to bathe.”
Jiang Yin was taken aback. “…Huh?”
“It’s just a regular bath, no need to worry. Please.”
“…”
At some point, hot water had already been prepared in the side room. After the maid helped Jiang Yin undress, she assisted her into the bathtub.
The bathtub was filled with medicinal herbs, giving off a bitter yet refreshing scent. The maid’s movements were gentle, and the water temperature was just right, allowing Jiang Yin’s tense nerves to gradually relax.
She remembered that in another world, when she was a young lady, she had also received such treatment.
But unfortunately, too much time had passed, and experiencing it again now felt unexpectedly overwhelming.
…Indeed, one’s environment could change one’s state of mind.
Thinking this, Jiang Yin sighed quietly to herself.
…
After the bath, the maid helped her into fresh undergarments, then left directly with the discarded clothes and the lacquered tray.
The door closed, and the room fell silent once more.
Jiang Yin withdrew her gaze, silently placing a hand on her abdomen, her feelings somewhat complicated.
Although she believed it was unlikely to be so coincidental—that a single encounter would lead to pregnancy—many things could not be taken for granted, and she couldn’t help but worry…
Just as she was lost in thought, the young master returned.
As she stepped forward to assist him, Jiang Yin noticed he carried a heavy chill with him. Wondering where he had been, she guided him to sit on the floor by the low table in the inner room and offered him hot tea.
But the young master did not take the tea. Instead, he grasped her wrist along the hand holding the teacup, his voice low. “…A Yin, I’m so cold.”
The hand holding her wrist was indeed icy. Jiang Yin paused, using her other hand to take the teacup before cradling his hand between both of hers, gently rubbing it.
But he seemed unsatisfied, shaking his head. “Cold.”
“…”
Driven by a service-oriented mindset to alleviate her patron’s troubles, Jiang Yin pondered for a moment before simply loosening her sash and placing his hand against her skin, tucking it into her embrace.
Freshly bathed, her body was warm and dry. The contact with the young master’s icy hand sent a shiver through her, and she let out a muffled groan.
But she resisted the urge to pull away, taking a deep breath instead and drawing even closer to him.
This time, the young master did not shy away as he had before.
He stiffened only for an instant before slowly tightening his fingers, turning the tables as he gripped her waist and pulled her into his embrace.
…Aside from the effects of the secret medicine, the young master was typically aloof and distant when sober. The most intimate gesture he had ever made was merely holding Jiang Yin’s hand.
Now, with him so close, Jiang Yin felt somewhat uneasy.
She quietly shifted into a more strenuous posture, trying to avoid resting her full weight on the young master’s legs. But with a slight exertion of force, he pulled her back into place, holding her tightly. “Don’t move.”
“…Alright.”
Jiang Yin dared not resist further and could only obediently lean into the young master’s embrace, allowing him to slip his hand beneath her clothes, gradually drawing warmth from her body.
Though the hand resting on her waist was cold, the position was undeniably comfortable. Before long, Jiang Yin began to feel drowsy.
Having slept the entire day, it felt wrong to grow sleepy again. She forced herself to stay alert, struggling to remain awake.
She hadn’t held out for long when the young master spoke.
He called her, “A Yin.”
Jiang Yin responded groggily, “…Hmm?”
“If I hadn’t agreed to save you yesterday, what would you have done?”
“…”
After a brief moment of thought, she answered truthfully, “Jumped from the building and taken my chances.”
Upon hearing this, the hand resting on her waist tightened slightly before gradually relaxing, then sliding upward along her waistline to gently caress her injured area.
The young master did not continue the previous topic, instead asking her, “…Does this hurt?”
Jiang Yin had seen the injury herself—a patch of dark bruising, with blood pooled beneath the skin. The only fortunate thing was that her ribs were unharmed.
Even such a light touch was painful.
But Jiang Yin shook her head. “It doesn’t hurt.”
The young master nodded, releasing her as he said, “There’s medicine on the table by the window in the front hall. Go fetch it.”
“…Alright.”
Jiang Yin adjusted her clothing and went to retrieve the medicine. Just as she was about to sit down, the young master extended his hand. “Give it to me, A Yin.”
“…”
She hesitated for a moment but still handed over the slender-necked white jade bottle in her hand.
The young master took the medicine and gestured toward his lap. “Come up here.”
“…Huh?”
His expression remained unchanged, as if he were speaking of the most ordinary matter. “Sit here.”
“…”
Somehow, those words didn’t sound quite right.
Jiang Yin knelt down, inching closer hesitantly, unable to resist making an attempt. “It’s just a minor matter. A Yin can manage it herself. There’s no need to trouble the young master…”
The young master remained unmoved. “Change how you address me. Sit.”
“Yes… But, but such behavior is truly improper…”
“What etiquette exists between you and me? Come up here. Don’t make me repeat myself, A Yin.”
This time, he emphasized the name “A Yin,” carrying a faint hint of coercion.
“…Alright.”
Thinking of the stack of banknotes that would allow her to idle away the rest of her life, Jiang Yin relented. She leaned forward, carefully sitting down while supporting herself on the low table, and scooted as far back as possible to avoid unnecessary contact.
Thus, her back could only press tightly against the edge of the table, aching from the hard surface.
As if sensing Jiang Yin’s discomfort, the young master wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her toward him. He casually placed a soft cushion behind her back and said calmly, “Untie the sash.”
“…”
Though she knew the young master couldn’t see, and Jiang Yin was no inexperienced young girl, the situation still made her uneasy.
After hesitating for a moment, Jiang Yin tried once more, “Such a trivial matter truly isn’t worth the young master’s personal attention. A Yin…”
“A Yin.”
The young master spoke, cutting her off.
His unfocused gaze fell upon her slender neck. Without expression, he removed the bottle stopper, dipped his finger inside, and stirred gently, his tone steady and composed:
“If I truly had ill intentions, you wouldn’t be able to resist… Just listen to me obediently. Once this period passes and I’ve handled everything properly, I can give you whatever you desire.”