At the hour of Maoshi (between 5-7 am) the next day, Chun Mei carried a copper washbasin into the inner chamber, where Su Mi had already changed into a crescent-shaped, apricot-yellow silk Ruqun. Her slender waist was bound by a sash, and her graceful figure made Chun Mei blush inexplicably and even slow down her footsteps.
Her young miss was becoming more and more beautiful, and Chun Mei wondered who was fortunate enough to have her.
“You don’t need to wait on me; just go about your duties,” Su Mi said.
“It’s just a matter of changing a few clothes,” she added.
After putting the copper basin on the wooden rack, Chun Mei went out to get some green salt and toothbrushes. When she returned, she saw Su Mi gazing at the wardrobe.
“What are you looking at, miss?” Chun Mei followed Su Mi’s gaze into the wardrobe, where several cloaks and outer robes were hanging. “Do you want to wear another one?”
“Yes,” Su Mi replied. It was getting hot, and the thin clothes were a bit inconvenient. Although they had been travelling in a carriage all the way, they would still have to meet strangers eventually.
After finishing their grooming, Su Mi led Chun Mei to the entrance of the Su residence, where the carriage was waiting.
It seemed that Su Xian had just arrived, and Li Xiuyuan was standing next to her, supporting her waist.
Li Xiuyuan had seen Su Mi once, on the day of his marriage to Su Xian. Unlike Su Xian’s gentle and dignified demeanor, Su Mi had a more unconscious and charming manner that made him itch to get closer to her.
This time, because Su Mi had not yet married and there were many servants in the Su residence, he could only take advantage of this morning when he escorted Su Xian over to catch a glimpse of her.
Li Xiuyuan exchanged a few words with Su Xian while keeping an eye on the entrance. He caught sight of a dark figure, which he initially thought was a man, and paid little attention to it. However, as the figure approached, he realized it was Su Mi.
She was wearing a black cloak and a thin veil, walking gracefully, and her curvaceous figure was faintly visible under the cloak. This misty feeling made Li Xiuyuan feel dry-mouthed and unable to resist wanting to take a closer look. Fortunately, he didn’t have to wait any longer. Once he had the chance today, he would peel off her clothes and examine her closely.
“Mi’er is here,” Li Xiuyuan smiled and said.
“Hello, sister,” Su Mi ignored him and walked straight to Su Xian. Finally, she added in an indifferent tone, “Hello, brother-in-law.”
“Sister, I’ll get into the carriage first,” Su Xian said.
“Okay,” Su Mi turned to Li Xiuyuan and said, “You don’t need to send us off.”
“Okay, take care of yourself,” Li Xiuyuan said, then smiled and pinched Su Xian’s palm.
Su Xian watched Li Xiuyuan’s back as he left. She knew he was reminding her of something. Li Xiuyuan had advised her for half the night yesterday, but she was still hesitant. Whenever she thought of Li Xiuyuan’s tenderness towards her, her heart leaned slightly in his direction.
As the carriage travelled, Su Mi noticed that Su Xian didn’t seem very happy. She was afraid that the stress of being pregnant was getting to her, so she immediately told a few amusing jokes. Su Xian’s complexion slowly began to improve.
The Drunken Night Tower Building was located in a bustling position in the middle of the South Gate Street of Jiangling City. Even though it was only half past noon, the main hall downstairs was already fully occupied.
“Our Miss has reserved the most luxurious suite, the ‘Tian’ room. Here’s the receipt; take a look.” Su Yue and Chun Mei stood in front of the two young ladies, blocking the shopkeeper’s curious gaze.
The shopkeeper took the paper slip handed to him by Su Yue and carefully checked it before smiling and saying, “Ladies, please go upstairs.” “The wine and food have already been prepared for you.”
The ‘Tian’ room was located on the second floor to the right, and the window opened up to a view of the street, making it twice as expensive as the ‘Di’ room opposite.
The most famous thing about Drunken Night Tower Building was the first character in its name, ‘drunk.’ It was rumoured that their brewing technique was different from traditional families, producing a mellow and refreshing wine with a strong aftertaste. There were often guests who got drunk and passed out at the tables in the main hall, only to be escorted back to their rooms by their companions. Thus, the shopkeeper had instructed someone to prepare a bed in each suite, to be changed after each customer’s departure, just in case. This became one of the Drunken Night Tower Building’s unique features, and other taverns followed suit.
Perhaps an old tree outside the tavern was blocking the sun, but the air in their suite wasn’t stifling at all.
After the waiter left and closed the door, Su Mi took off her cloak, which Chun Mei promptly took from her.
“Sister, this suite you booked is really nice.” Su Mi didn’t bother being formal with her sister and took one of the empty seats.
Su Xian’s expression changed drastically upon hearing her sister’s words, but unfortunately, Su Mi was too focused on the table full of food to notice.
Although the tavern was famous for its wine, Su Mi didn’t like drinking, and Su Xian was pregnant, so they ordered tea instead.
“Sister, why aren’t you sitting?” Su Mi poured Su Xian a cup of tea and poured one for herself as well.
They had forgotten to bring water on the carriage today, and her mouth was parched.
Su Xian sat across from Su Mi, watching her younger sister, who didn’t bother hiding her personality. She still couldn’t make up her mind. But as soon as Su Yue saw Su Xian sit down, she spoke up according to yesterday’s instructions. She appeared coy and said, “Miss, this servant rarely gets the chance to go out, so I would like to take a stroll.”
“Alright,” Su Xian said after a while. She had forgotten that she had to dismiss Chunmei first.
“Second Miss, can I bring Chun Mei along too?” Su Yue got the approval and turned to Su Mi, grasping Chun Mei’s hand with her left hand.
Su Mi smiled and said, “Go ahead, Chun Mei; didn’t you say last time that you wanted to buy jewellery for your younger sister?”
Chunmei was delighted at the news. Suyue had mentioned taking her to Jiangling City to shop on the way here, and she was just a young girl who loved to play.
But, Su Mi was alone…
She noticed Chunmei’s concern and said, “It’s fine; we’re in the city, and I’m with my sister.” “We also have our family’s guards downstairs.”
“Thank you, Miss.” Chun Mei happily pulled Su Yue’s hand, and they both stepped outside.
Now only Su Xian and Su Mi were left in the room.
Su Mi picked up her teacup again after being interrupted by Su Yue earlier.
“Mi’er…” Su Xian looked at Su Mi holding the teacup and suddenly exclaimed.
Su Mi’s hand stopped in mid-air as she smiled and looked at Su Xian. “What’s the matter, sister?”
“Mi’er, actually, I really don’t mind if you marry your brother-in-law.”
Su Mi smiled helplessly. “Sister, why bring it up again? I don’t want to get married. I even told mother that if I can’t get married, I’ll stay home with her.”
“How can that be possible?!” Su Xian was shocked.
“Sister, let’s not talk about this anymore. Try the food here at Drunken Night Tower, is it different from the ones in the capital?” Su Mi tried to change the topic.
Watching Su Mi’s relaxed demeanor, Su Xian felt even more that she was trying to hide something. Her husband was such a good person, and they were fated to be together; how could Mi’er not be happy? She remembered Li Xiuyuan’s advice from last night. If Su Mi didn’t speak up because she was afraid of upsetting her and couldn’t find someone suitable later on, wouldn’t she be harming her sister for a lifetime?
In fact, there was another reason Su Xian didn’t want to admit it. Since she had married Li Xiuyuan, she followed her husband’s words. If Su Mi entered the door, it would be better than having someone else come in without any roots.
Su Xian made up her mind, took a bite of the food, and slowly chewed it, watching Su Mi take a sip of tea.
“Well, this food is really authentic; there’s not much difference from the ones in the capital.”
Su Mi took another sip and smiled, “Let me try too.”
As she reached out to pick up a piece of vegetarian meat with her chopsticks, her hand suddenly went limp, and the chopsticks slipped from her grasp.
Su Mi’s smile froze on her face, and she felt a warm sensation surge through her limbs and gather in her abdomen—a feeling she had never experienced before.
“Sister, I feel a little dizzy,” Su Mi slumped over the table and grabbed onto Su Xian’s sleeve.
But Su Xian suddenly stood up, leaving Su Mi weakly staring as her sister’s sleeve slipped through her fingers.
Although Su Mi could no longer see Su Xian’s expression clearly, she could still hear her familiar voice.
“Don’t be afraid, Mi’er. Li Xiuyuan will come and watch over you in a moment. This is just for show. You’ll wake up after a nap, and then Sister will always be with you.”
Su Xian’s voice was as gentle as usual, but the implication of her words was too clear, making Su Mi’s back shiver even on this hot summer day.
“I don’t want it, Sister!” She cried out weakly, but Su Xian only glanced at her before turning and leaving.
The sound of her footsteps grew fainter, and then came the sound of the door locking.
Like a stone thrown into still water, Su Xian had cut off Su Mi’s only escape.
Su Mi didn’t have time to feel surprised or bitter about being betrayed by her own sister. She could only feel her body growing hotter and her consciousness becoming more and more muddled.
Thick darkness enveloped her, and Su Mi’s eyelids grew heavy. Was she really unable to escape?