Volume One, Chapter 18: Madam Zhou Pays a Visit to the He Family

She instinctively looked up toward the window—the pale yellow moon hung high in the sky.

Yun Xi’s heart sank with it.

Fortunately, there was still time to return.

Listening to the breathing beside her, she gently lifted the blanket and quietly slipped out of bed.

Just as her foot was about to touch the floor, a burning sensation radiated from a wrist resting on the edge of the bed.

“Madam, where are you going in the middle of the night?”

Startled by the voice, she trembled instinctively but forced herself to steady her nerves. “I’m just going to the restroom. Did I disturb you, husband?”

The pounding of his heartbeat echoed in her ears, and for a moment, she even forgot to breathe.

While Yun Xi’s mind raced with countless thoughts, the warmth on her wrist suddenly vanished. Realizing this, she quickly pulled her hand back and got dressed.

Opening the door, Yun Xi hurried toward the restroom, appearing genuinely anxious.

She was certainly cautious enough.

Ji Yu’s eyelashes drooped as he let out a soft, amused snort.

Meanwhile, in the side pavilion beside the main house—

“Mother Li, tell me, has Yun Xi ever met with the master?”

Yun Xiang’s sharp eyes fixed on Mother Li, a bead of cold sweat trickling down her forehead.

“No... no, madam,” Mother Li replied, slightly stooped, covering one hand with the other.

Recalling the events of the day Yun Xi returned home, she nervously rubbed her fingers together.

The eldest young lady had always been suspicious and quick to punish, even toward her, the wet nurse who had cared for her since childhood.

In truth, she was just a servant with a bit more dignity than others.

If the eldest young lady learned that she had punished Yun Xi’s attendants out of selfish desire and had been threatened by Yun Xi herself, it wouldn’t just be a matter of losing face—it would mean facing Yun Xiang’s severe punishment.

Had Yun Xi not insisted on bringing that little vixen Hong Ying along to the Hou residence, Mother Li would have found countless ways to deal with her long ago, never needing to be threatened by Yun Xi.

Mother Li’s heart was full of resentment, but she shivered at the thought of Yun Xiang’s brutal methods.

“Mother Li, you’ve been with me for a long time,” Yun Xiang said, examining the bright red mark on her hand, lifting it up as if admiring it, without even glancing at Mother Li. “You must report every detail to me without omission. Do you understand?”

After speaking, she lifted her eyes, revealing the whites beneath, a chilling sight.

Mother Li looked up and, seeing that expression, immediately knelt down in nervous composure. “Madam, you are wise to see through all. I have watched you grow since childhood; how could I ever betray you? Whatever I have done, you know well. I would never dare deceive you.”

As she spoke, the oily sweat from her forehead trickled into her swollen eyes, stinging painfully, yet she did not dare to wipe it away.

After professing her loyalty, silence fell briefly over the room.

Mother Li swallowed hard, her heart trembling, when a voice came from above: “Mother, I was only speaking casually, not blaming you.”

Mother Li lifted her head slightly and saw Yun Xiang’s cold gaze soften. She stepped forward to help her up, concern showing on her face. “It’s just that something the master said today made me suspicious.”

Helping Mother Li to her feet, Yun Xiang then leisurely returned to her chair, embodying the poised elegance of a noble lady, as if her earlier outburst had never happened.

“Yes, yes,” Mother Li finally dared to raise her sleeve to wipe the sweat from her forehead, bending over to pour a cup of tea for Yun Xiang.

Yun Xiang’s eyes narrowed, her gaze fixed intently on the swirling tea leaves.

When would that illegitimate daughter become pregnant?

If it dragged on any longer, she would rather tear her apart herself.

After their conversation, they waited inside for some time, but no one appeared.

“Mother Li, go take a look,” Yun Xiang said, growing restless.

Usually, though it took a while, it was never this late. If she weren’t afraid that Mother Li going out would arouse suspicion, she would have sent her sooner. But now, with no sign of her return, there were no more concerns about appearances.

Mother Li had just opened the door when she saw Yun Xi stepping in to push it open.

“Why are you only back now?”

Hearing the question, Yun Xi showed no panic. She had already prepared an explanation on the way.

“The eldest young master was delayed tonight, perhaps because it’s been a while since he last came.”

“Is that so?”

Upon hearing this, Yun Xiang, standing behind Mother Li, stepped forward with a suspicious expression, her sharp eyes fixed on Yun Xi’s lowered head.

“If the elder sister does not believe it, she may verify it herself,” Yun Xiang said, lacking the wit to inquire about Ji Yu and unwilling to risk asking him now. She was being cautious.

Sure enough, upon hearing this, Yun Xiang’s furrowed brows relaxed, and her gaze shifted away.

“Let’s go.”

After the two left, Yun Xi lay back in bed.

Her mind was burdened with secrets, and she couldn’t sleep peacefully; her right eyelid twitched incessantly.

Previously, on the carriage, she had dared to openly seduce Ji Yu because she relied on his dislike for Yun Xiang, certain he would never mention her to him.

He was wild and unruly, the type to hate explaining himself to others.

But the question Ji Yu had asked her...

Yun Xi turned over, her teeth lightly biting her lip, her left hand instinctively touching her right wrist—the very spot Ji Yu had grabbed tonight.

Could it be that he had already started to suspect?

Moreover, why had he asked Yun Xiang about her at the banquet earlier?

If he had developed feelings for her, she could proceed to the next step. But the truth was, his attitude toward her on the carriage had been ambiguous and vague.

Thinking of the scoundrel she had encountered a few days ago, Yun Xi’s heart raced again. She wondered if her hurried claim of identity back then would truly lead him to chase after her. If...

She took a deep breath. No, even if he came after her, as long as she stubbornly denied it, there was nothing he could do.

Yun Xi sighed and gradually fell asleep.

The next morning, Madam Zhou came to visit Madam He.

Madam He sat on an intricately carved chair, forcing a smile at the unexpected visit.

Who knew what wind had blown the Zhou family here?

She had originally planned to feign illness and avoid visitors, but recalling the banquet scheduled for the afternoon, refusing the visit would seem deliberate. The Zhou family was not one to form close ties with, but neither could they offend them openly.

“Coming to visit Madam Yun without a formal invitation, I must apologize for my impertinence,” Madam Zhou said immediately, taking the blame with impeccable grace.

“Not at all. Though our families seldom interact, guests are always welcome…” Madam He rested one arm on the low table, an orange handkerchief dangling from the edge. “Madam Zhou, since you came unannounced, the servants were unprepared with tea and refreshments. Please forgive any shortcomings.”

Of course, Madam Zhou had deliberately avoided sending an invitation in advance: first, since the families rarely mingled, any excuse such as flower viewing to deliver an invitation might be declined; second, by arriving suddenly at the Yun residence, Madam He would be uncertain of her intentions and would naturally welcome her in for a look.