“Haven’t I treated you well enough, Mian’er?”
This was the second time she had brought up leaving him.
He wrapped his arm tightly around her waist, pressing her body against his chest, his thumb stroking her cheek.
He had allowed her to keep this child, promised her a position, kept her by his side, ensured she lacked nothing in food or clothing—what more could she possibly want? Yet she continued to defy him, repeatedly asking to leave.
It seemed that ever since she became pregnant, something had changed.
The cat he had raised had, without him noticing, grown claws that scratched at him, making him uneasy and uncomfortable.
But he had the patience to pluck them out, one by one.
Ming Ying stiffened; with every inch his fingertip slid, she trembled—a mix of fear and resistance.
Treated her well?
Treating her well meant not seeing her as human; treating her well meant punishing and humiliating her at will, trampling her into the dust, never letting her raise her head; treating her well meant cruelly forcing her to drink the abortion medicine.
Since things had come to this, why wouldn’t he let her go?
Her resistance only deepened Pei Xiaoyun’s displeasure. His expression darkened as he gave her a final warning: “Rest well and don’t dare run off again.”
Ming Ying knew all too well that provoking him would lead to no good end.
His methods were cunning; even with her pregnancy, he had countless ways to humiliate her. In that suffocatingly warm bed, the chill cut to the bone.
Her head spun, and she let out a low sob, her words slurred and indistinct.
She didn’t know how much time had passed when the cold rim of a bowl touched her lips. Dazed, she took a sip of water and quickly spat it out, as if rinsing her mouth.
Then, an arm pulled her down into the bed, his steady breath brushing against her ear.
She didn’t look at him but stared calmly at the bamboo pattern on the bed curtain, her eyes blinking with difficulty. Her hand, resting at her side, seemed to find guidance as it slowly moved to her abdomen, and her gaze gradually softened.
Both she and the child in her womb were burdens to Pei Xiaoyun. In the future, he would not treat her or the child kindly.
Grinding away in this sunless courtyard, there was no end in sight.
She was truly exhausted.
“Young Master, when will you send this servant to the estate?”
If he wouldn’t let her leave, could she not seek another way out? She couldn’t leave the mansion, but perhaps there would be opportunities at the estate.
She would never forget the vast landscape painting by Master Lin.
The boundless rivers, the misty waves—she, too, wanted to set foot in every corner of it.
Fortunately, she still had the child.
This child would be her only family. By then, she could also go to Suzhou with Ling Shuang. There were so many things a person could do—living a simple, free, and ordinary life, no longer anyone’s servant.
Just thinking of this, a warmth slowly spread through her chest, completely dispelling the earlier chill.
“This is not something for you to worry about. Just focus on resting and nurturing the pregnancy.”
Pei Xiaoyun cupped the back of her head, forcing her to meet his gaze. In the darkness, her watery eyes seemed drained of all spirit.
Her initiative to bring up going to the estate naturally displeased him.
Ming Ying, afraid he might glimpse her still-forming plan, felt a thin layer of sweat form on her palms. “This servant is only worried that the delivery might coincide with your wedding date. It wouldn’t look good if word got out. Perhaps it would be better if I went a month or two earlier, to make room and allow the mansion to prepare properly.”
Pei Xiaoyun was pricked by her words, feeling an inexplicable strangeness. He sneered coldly, "Fine. Since I'm getting married, it wouldn't be proper for you to stay. Prepare yourself—I'll send you there a month early."
He had spoiled her, spoiled her to the point where she didn’t know what was good for her. Once he truly gave her the cold shoulder for two months, she would understand how unpleasant it felt.
Ming Ying slowly unclenched her tightly balled fist and exhaled softly.
Sending her away early would make things easier.
The next morning, when she rose, Ming Ying realized he had indeed kept his word. He said he would punish those around her, and not a single one was spared.
Yu'er had been beaten with a few strokes of the cane and driven out of the courtyard. The other maids she could speak with, except for Ling Shuang, had all been dismissed by him.
Those who remained were there to watch over her, like guards overseeing prisoners in a jail. She was even more hidden from the light than those prisoners.
She sat in her room all day, opening the window to watch the sliver of sky shift from bright to dark, day and night alternating.
Had it always been this dull here before? She had never noticed.
Ling Shuang brought her the usual fetal tonic, but lost in thought, her hand slipped, and the bowl of medicine crashed to the floor, snapping Ming Ying out of her wandering thoughts.
Startled, Ming Ying hurriedly checked if Ling Shuang’s hands were scalded. "What’s wrong with you? You look so pale."
Ling Shuang stammered an excuse, saying she hadn’t slept well.
Ming Ying pulled her close and quietly shared the plan she had been keeping to herself: "…When the time comes, we can go to Suzhou together."
"That… that would be wonderful."
Ling Shuang had once hoped for this too, but now she could only force a smile.
She looked at Ming Ying’s increasingly gaunt face and slowly swelling belly, thinking it would be for the best if she could leave.
"And what about you?" Ming Ying asked.
Ling Shuang could only hide the truth, saying she would wait a little longer.
She had secretly taken the Eldest Master’s account books, copied them, and given them to the Madam. For many days, nothing had happened, and she had thought the Eldest Master hadn’t noticed.
But this morning, the Eldest Master had driven away many familiar faces, yet he hadn’t dismissed her. This singular exception filled her with unease.
Ming Ying, of course, didn’t know what was troubling her, assuming she was saddened by her mother’s illness, and comforted her a few more words.
For the next two months, Pei Xiaoyun gave Ming Ying the cold shoulder.
He didn’t come, and Ming Ying was content with the peace. She drank the nourishing fetal tonics but grew increasingly thin.
Counting the days, he would send her to the villa next month.
At night, she gathered the money she had secretly saved, preparing to take it with her when the time came.
Wherever she went, she would need silver to rely on.
Under the cover of night, Pei Xiaoyun returned to the estate.
As usual, Ming Ying was not there to brew tea and wait for his return as she once did. Entering the room, he didn’t find her sitting by the window, weaving knots or sewing sachets for him.
He had deliberately given her the cold shoulder for a few months to temper her disposition, to make her understand whom she should rely on and whom she should please.
But after two months, she showed no reaction at all. A flicker of irritation rose in his eyes.
An unfamiliar maid eagerly approached to help him remove his outer robe. He shot her a cold glance. "Get out."
The maid fled in terror.
He went straight to Ming Ying’s room and found her sitting at the table, counting silver, completely unaware of his footsteps.
She was not someone who loved wealth. When it came to food, clothing, and daily necessities, she accepted what he gave her but never actively asked him for anything.
It was precisely her gentle, soft-spoken, and uncompetitive nature that he had liked.
"What are you doing with the silver?"
He walked up behind her.
Ming Ying’s breath hitched violently. The money pouch fell to the floor, clattering as a few copper coins spilled out.
She absolutely must not let him find out.
She had rehearsed countless explanations in her mind, piecing together a sentence: "This servant has saved some money, thinking to buy some small trinkets for the child when it is born."
Pei Xiaoyun fixed his gaze on her and snorted coldly: "You certainly have time on your hands. Is this something you should be worrying about?"
She was cold toward him, and he felt equally disinterested, yet if he punished her on the bed, she would still cry until her eyes were swollen with tears.
It didn't matter. He had time to slowly wear down her temper, to soften her heart, to make her as obedient as she once was.
Ming Ying clenched her chilled fingertips, her heart pounding wildly.
"You never leave the house. What use do you have for such valuables?"
She listened to his words, each one striking heavily against her heart, making her dizzy and filled with despair.
Pei Xiaoyun gathered her belongings one by one: "I will keep this silver for you. You need not collect your monthly allowance either. If you want to eat or use anything, just say the word and someone will bring it to you."
Having said this, he did not look at her again, suppressing his full anger as he turned and left.
He had taken all her silver.
The hope that had gathered in Ming Ying's heart was extinguished by his blow.
Her vision blurred, and she could not speak.
By mid-May, the weather had turned warm, and the jasmine flowers in the courtyard bloomed brightly.
A servant fanned Lady Lan with a palm-leaf fan as she rested her head on her hand, dozing lightly.
Nanny Tian entered with a stack of papers and leaned close to Lady Lan's ear: "Madam, this is the account book of the Eldest Master, sent by that girl Ling Shuang."
Lady Lan slowly opened her eyes, took the papers, and glanced at them. A flash of ruthlessness passed through her eyes: "That little wench, trying to fool me with something like this! Go and tell her that if she doesn't bring useful information next time, she should watch out for her mother's life!"
She was determined to get hold of Pei Xiaoyun's weakness, to grasp it tightly and make his life difficult!
Nanny Tian turned to carry out the order.
"Wait."
Lady Lan stopped her, slowly straightening up: "How is that lowly servant he dotes on?"
Nanny Tian replied: "She will likely give birth in another two months."
"About to give birth?" Lady Lan tightened her grip on her handkerchief. "I told you to spread the news to the County Mistress. Did you do it?"
She had long ago forced the information from Ling Shuang that the bedchamber maid was pregnant.
Pei Xiaoyun had always doted on that little wretch. Back at the villa, he wouldn't even let her leave. If the news of the pregnancy were revealed to the County Mistress, the County Mistress would surely not let that lowly woman live, or she might even refuse to marry in anger.
Either he would lose his beloved, or his path to success would be cut off.
If he suffered, she would feel better.
Wasn't she living now just to fight for this breath of satisfaction?
"Madam, this old servant spread the news long ago," Nanny Tian muttered to herself. "The County Mistress should know by now."
As soon as she finished speaking, a maid came to report.
"Madam, the County Mistress has arrived."
Lady Lan was overjoyed: "Quickly invite her in! Brew a pot of good tea!"
Upon hearing the news of Ming Ying's pregnancy, Xiao Fuying had been so angry she couldn't eat. Unfortunately, she had also suffered an asthma attack and had rested at home for a few days to recover. Only today did she have the strength to come to the Guogongfu.
She wore a primrose-colored gauze dress embroidered with butterflies, her eyes sharp and fierce, showing none of her usual grace and dignity. When she saw Lady Lan, she only gave a perfunctory bow before sitting down.
"I did not expect the County Mistress's visit and failed to welcome you properly," Lady Lan said with a forced smile, quickly ordering the maid to serve tea.
Xiao Fuying said lazily: "You are too kind, Madam. No need for tea. I wish to see Brother A Yun."
“I’ve already sent someone to fetch him.” Lady Lan glanced at her expression and said nonchalantly, “The woman in my eldest son’s chamber is pregnant and nearing her due date. She’s been clinging to him tightly lately—even I, as his mother, have to send someone several times just to see him.”
Xiao Fuying’s face immediately turned cold. Pampered and accustomed to having her way, she had never held back her temper. Anger surged within her, and she overturned a cup of tea.
That wretched woman again! Time and again, she seduced Brother A Yun!
The room fell silent for a moment, everyone holding their breath.
Lady Lan withdrew her faintly probing gaze and put on a smiling face. “This matter is indeed unfair to you, County Mistress, and our family is at fault. Rest assured, I’ve already spoken to my eldest son and told him to send that seductress away as soon as possible.”
“How soon is ‘as soon as possible’?!” Xiao Fuying raised her voice sharply.
She knew Brother A Yun was reluctant to send that lowly maid away. Did he expect her to share equal standing with a servant in the future?
The atmosphere in the room grew tense, as if a layer of ice had formed.
It wasn’t until Pei Xiaoyun appeared that the stalemate was broken.
He had heard from Kong Qing that Xiao Fuying had arrived and came to the main courtyard to see her. As soon as he stepped onto the stairs, Xiao Fuying rushed forward in tears. “Brother A Yun, how long do you plan to keep this from me? Are you waiting until that maid gives birth to force me to drink her concubine tea?”
Pei Xiaoyun was momentarily stunned.
How did Xiao Fuying find out about this?
When his eyes met Lady Lan’s sharp and shrewd gaze, he understood everything.
His thin lips pressed into a tight line as he looked at Xiao Fuying and slowly spoke. “How could that be? Even if she gives birth, she’s still just a servant.”
Xiao Fuying refused to be placated today—she was determined to force him to settle things with that seductress once and for all. “Brother A Yun, I want you to deal with her immediately.”
“But she’s pregnant now,” Pei Xiaoyun conceded tacitly.
Xiao Fuying replied, “I’m not that heartless. The imperial physician says my asthma attacks are getting worse, and I may not be fit for pregnancy in the future. If you can’t bear to part with the child, Brother A Yun, you can keep it and raise it under my care. I’ve always loved children and will treat it as my own flesh and blood. But she cannot stay!”
A child was nothing—just feed it a few bites and raise it as it is.
Pei Xiaoyun fell silent for a moment, his tone inscrutable. “I will send her away.”
Xiao Fuying was direct and relentless. “That’s not enough. She has humiliated me like this—she doesn’t deserve to live in this world.”
Everyone knew that sending her away was just a pretense—she could always be brought back later. Only if she died forever would Brother A Yun forget her completely.
“Brother A Yun, we are to be married next month. Are you going to let a servant ruin our wonderful marriage and damage the harmony between Prince Yi’s household and the Guogongfu?”
Xiao Fuying was no fool—her words carried a warning for him as well.
Pei Xiaoyun looked at her, remaining silent for a long time, his eyes dark and turbulent.
If he didn’t deal with Ming Ying according to her wishes, it would create a rift between the Guogongfu and Prince Yi’s household.
With his grand plans still incomplete, he naturally couldn’t afford to fall out with Prince Yi.
His eyes sharpened as he made her a promise. “When the time comes, I will make a decision.”
Author’s Note:
Here we go [加油]