Ye Yunniang’s eyes were covered, and she screamed in terror, "What are you doing? Let me go!" She struggled violently, but the man held her too tightly—she could barely breathe.
"Let me go, or I’ll call for help!" Her voice trembled with fear. How had someone gotten into the Jiang Mansion?
Her clothes were being torn open… What would she do now? How could she face her mother-in-law?
The man ignored her pleas…
Apart from her two children, no one had ever… A mix of fear and an indescribable sensation surged through her.
Ye Yunniang tried to kick him away, but he pinned her down, immobilizing her.
"If I drink it, you won’t be engorged anymore."
Ye Yunniang thought bitterly, Hmph… Should I thank you for that?
"Let me go. Don’t touch me. Get away! You scoundrel, get away!" She wasn’t skilled at cursing, so she repeated the same phrases.
"If you keep shouting, I can’t promise what I’ll do next," the man threatened, his tone laced with warning.
"I won’t shout. Just let me go," Ye Yunniang bargained.
His voice sounded familiar—where had she heard it before? She couldn’t recall.
"Wait…"
……
When she opened her eyes, daylight streamed in.
It must have been a nightmare last night.
Ye Yunniang sat up, and as the blanket slipped, she looked down—her face paled in horror.
It was real.
All of it.
Last night wasn’t a dream. A man had truly entered her room.
Lately, she’d been dreaming of men at night—were they dreams, or…?
She didn’t dare think further.
Her heart pounded wildly. What should she do?
Then she remembered Cai Damei’s advice.
"Yunniang, don’t panic when something happens. The more flustered you are, the more mistakes you’ll make. Take deep breaths. Stay calm."
Deep breaths… deep breaths…
She repeated the action, forcing herself to steady.
Once her heartbeat settled, she pondered—Who was that man?
His voice was familiar, one she’d heard before.
But since coming to the Jiang Mansion, the only man she’d met was Fourth Master Jiang.
No, Fourth Master Jiang’s voice was youthful and clear.
That man’s voice had been deep and resonant—similar to the one she’d heard in the plum garden… Second Master Jiang’s voice.
Was it Jiang Mingzhe?!
No, impossible.
Ye Yunniang shook her head.
A man of his stature could have any woman he wanted. Why would he sneak into a wet nurse’s room in the dead of night?
All day, she was distracted.
That evening, she secured the windows and door, clutching her blanket as she waited.
Unknowingly, her eyes closed.
Her head jerked awake—and there, looming over her, was a dark, well-defined silhouette.
"Second Master?" Ye Yunniang voiced her suspicion.
The figure paused, then lifted his head—revealing sharp brows and striking eyes. It was indeed Jiang Mingzhe, Second Master Jiang.
"You—" Ye Yunniang stumbled over her words. "Second Master, if you… have such needs, there are many wet nurses. This milk is for your nephew."
Assuming he had an unusual craving, she suggested alternatives.
"He doesn’t finish it. I’ll pay you 100 taels per session." Jiang Mingzhe pulled out a silver note.
Ye Yunniang shook her head, backing away. She had never been this close to any man other than her husband.
"No. I have a husband. This isn’t right," she refused.
Jiang Mingzhe said nothing, merely studying her for a moment before rising and leaving.
Once he was gone, Ye Yunniang exhaled shakily and rushed to shut the window.
I hope I never see him again.
After recovering, she went to Fanghua Courtyard to hand over duties to Chunyao.
Having been away for days, she missed Jiang Tingjun dearly.
"Little master, did you miss me?" she whispered. "Did you? I missed you so much."
Jiang Tingjun babbled in response.
After the handover, Ye Yunniang returned to Zhiyu Pavilion to rest.
When she woke, Li'er entered with a food box.
"Sister, thank you for sending Nanny Shi to bring me meals." Li'er had been bedridden for two days, and Nanny Shi had cared for her under Ye Yunniang’s request.
Nanny Shi hadn’t hidden the truth—Ye Yunniang had paid her to help.
Initially, Li'er had resented being gossiped about because of their shared room, but now she felt only gratitude. She treated Ye Yunniang even more warmly.
Unaware of Li'er’s thoughts, Ye Yunniang simply noticed her sincerity and resolved to repay her kindness.
With an hour left before returning to Fanghua Courtyard, Ye Yunniang chatted with Li'er, probing about Jiang Mingzhe.
"Why are you asking about Second Master?"
"That day in the plum garden, if not for him, we might’ve suffered more lashes. I’m grateful and wondered how to repay him," Ye Yunniang explained.
Li'er admired Second Master Jiang and gladly shared his story.
Jiang Mingzhe was the Jiang family’s second son, a prodigy in business since age seven.
By thirteen, he took over the family trade, elevating the Jiangs from modest wealth to Jiangcheng’s richest household.
"They say Eldest Master’s smooth official career in the capital is all thanks to Second Master’s financial backing," Li'er said admiringly.
"He’s that remarkable?"
"Yes, but it’s a pity," Li'er sighed.
"What pity?" Ye Yunniang pressed.
"Second Master has been married twelve years but still has no heir."
Serves him right for sneaking into a widow’s bed, Ye Yunniang thought spitefully.
"But now Second Madam is pregnant. He’ll have a child soon."
Li'er glanced outside. "Whether this child will survive is uncertain."
"What do you mean?"
"After five childless years, Second Madam arranged seven or eight concubines, promising to elevate any who bore a child. Three got pregnant, but all lost their babies unexpectedly. Later, more were brought in, but the same tragedies repeated. Some in the mansion whisper it’s jealousy over Second Master’s wealth."
"Nonsense," Ye Yunniang scoffed.
"I agree. But that’s the rumor. If not that, why can’t the children survive? Eldest Master has four children, and now a Seventh Young Master. The Jiang fortune will likely go to him."
For a moment, Ye Yunniang pitied Jiang Mingzhe—then shook her head.
Mother always said pitying men leads to women’s suffering.
"I hope Second Master returns in time to see his son’s birth."
"Is he leaving?"
"Yes. Old Madam sent him to prepare dowry gifts for Fifth Miss." Li'er added that Old Madam Jiang and Jiang Mingzhe had a strained relationship—common knowledge in the mansion.
"Why? He’s so capable. Why doesn’t she favor him?"
Li'er shrugged. She only knew Old Madam Jiang doted on Eldest Master and Fourth Master, treating Second Master worse than even Third Master.
Ye Yunniang wasn’t surprised—in her village, elders often favored the eldest and youngest sons, neglecting those in between.
Learning Jiang Mingzhe would be away, Ye Yunniang felt nothing but relief.
