Chapter 7: Applying the Ointment

Chapter 7: Applying the Ointment

Wei Xun took the ointment and pulled back the quilt.

Her jade-like legs lay on the bright red brocade quilt, making the swelling on her knees appear even more severe.

He pursed his lips tightly, his face as cold as ice. A Yuan tried to close her legs, but he held them down with a stern look.

"What are you hiding? There's no part of you I haven't seen."

"Heir Apparent!"

A Yuan was so embarrassed that she wanted to bury her face in the quilt. Her almond-shaped eyes sparkled with a coquettish charm that was utterly endearing.

Wei Xun's throat tightened, and his grip on her ankle subtly tightened. With a tug, he pulled her into his arms, and his warm hand lightly patted her bottom. "Don't move, I'm applying the medicine."

Though his touch wasn't forceful, A Yuan was so embarrassed she nearly cried.

How... how could he hit her there!

Wei Xun looked at his little concubine's resentful and shy gaze, and the corner of his mouth secretly curled up. Her look made him want to tease her even more.

But afraid he might truly scare her, Wei Xun held back his mischievous impulses.

He lowered his head and opened the porcelain bottle, scooping out a bit of milky white ointment.

This ointment was something he had sent over earlier.

A Yuan's body was delicate, and she had endured pain for hours on her first night in the Jade Clear Courtyard. Though Wei Xun had no affection for this concubine thrust upon him, seeing her cry pitifully, he had personally applied the imperial white jade ointment.

A Yuan didn't know what Wei Xun was thinking. Both her knees were treated with the ointment, but the bruising between them needed to be massaged out. He pressed her legs down and used his warmed palm to massage the area.

"...Hmm... it hurts..."

A Yuan, who hated pain, tugged at Wei Xun's sleeve with her small hand, pleading pitifully, but this time Wei Xun didn't relent.

"Bear with it."

Wei Xun massaged for only a short while, but to A Yuan, it felt like an eternity. Only when his hand left did she feel like she could breathe again.

Wei Xun stared at her sweat-drenched forehead, his expression still cold.

"Stay in the courtyard these days and don't visit Mother. If you disobey again, I'll punish you myself."

"...Yes."

Although Wei Xun's expression was still cold, a secret sweetness filled A Yuan's heart. She nodded obediently, and for the first time, her gaze held a hint of admiration for Wei Xun.

Wei Xun nearly lost control under her gaze. With a stern look, he tucked her into the quilt. "Don't tempt me."

A Yuan blinked in confusion, her fan-like eyelashes hiding the grievance in her eyes. She was truly innocent of his accusation of temptation.

But Wei Xun didn't listen to her explanation. After wiping the ointment from his hands with a handkerchief, he opened the door and left.

Chang Yuan had been waiting outside. Seeing his master come out, he quickly handed over the food box.

"Master, breakfast and ginger soup are inside."

"Mm, call that maid over to serve."

"Yes, Master."

Wei Xun had official duties to attend to today, and helping A Yuan with her medicine was all he could manage. As Chun Tao entered, Wei Xun was just finishing feeding A Yuan the ginger soup.

"Master... the Heir Apparent..."

She called out nervously, still shaken from the earlier scolding.

Wei Xun put down the bowl, stood up from the bedside, and made room for her, instructing in a deep voice, "Your master's legs must not get wet. Take extra care of her these days, and only let her go out once she's fully recovered."

"Yes, I remember."

Chun Tao nodded earnestly. Seeing their serious expressions, A Yuan felt a warm sweetness in her heart.

"Why all this fuss?"

"Of course, it’s important! The Heir Apparent cares deeply for you."

After Wei Xun left, Chun Tao finally relaxed, not forgetting to refute A Yuan's words.

A Yuan curved her lips slightly, avoiding the topic, "Bring the breakfast. Has the Heir Apparent eaten yet?"

"Chang Yuan brought two servings. The Heir Apparent’s was sent to the study."

"Hmm, good." Knowing that Wei Xun wouldn't go hungry, A Yuan felt at ease.

In reality, these matters were beyond her concern. Everyone in the Marquis’s household vied for Wei Xun’s favor, and his daily needs were attended to by dedicated servants.

Without Wei Xun’s protection, A Yuan would struggle to even get a hot meal.

Before they could finish their breakfast, Bi Wu from the second household showed up.

Like A Yuan, she was from Chun Yan House in Yangzhou.

However, Madam Wei had assigned A Yuan to Wei Xun, while Bi Wu had become the concubine of the second master, Wei Cong.

In some ways, she was better off than A Yuan, but the women of the second household would rather remain nameless and follow Wei Xun than be a concubine to a sickly man.

So, Bi Wu was jealous of A Yuan.

"Oh, Sister A Yuan, are you so badly hurt you can’t even get out of bed?"

Bi Wu and the others had seen Wei Xun carry her back earlier.

A Yuan had only been made to kneel for half an hour; how could she not walk? She must be playing the victim to gain sympathy.

Bi Wu secretly cursed, wishing she were the one lying in bed.

A Yuan finished the last sip of porridge, placed the bowl on the table, and glanced at Bi Wu, "What brings you to the Yuqing Courtyard, Concubine Bi?"

The title "Concubine Bi" was particularly grating to Bi Wu, who forced a smile despite her jealousy.

"What else? The second madam sent me to see how severe your injury is and to ensure the embroidery she requested isn't delayed."

It was said that A Yuan's skill in Su embroidery had been spread by the two of them. Zhao Wan had a harsh and petty nature. When they were taken into Wei Cong's household, Zhao Wan had gone out of her way to make things difficult for them, and tasks like tailoring and embroidery became routine.

Both of them were unaccustomed to hardship, and the little embroidery they had learned was long forgotten. After being punished by Zhao Wan a few times, they thought of A Yuan.

A Yuan's embroidery was renowned at Chun Yan House. The madam had once said that if it weren't for her striking looks, she could have made a living as an embroiderer.

With the instigation of the scheming maids, Zhao Wan naturally wouldn’t let her get away with it.

Originally, she was worried that Wei Xun would protect A Yuan, but with the busy official duties at the government office, Wei Xun couldn’t come to Yuqing Courtyard more than twice a month. A Yuan was also a silent type, not knowing to speak up even if she was bullied to death.

In the end, the embroideries of the second branch fell into her hands.

Bi Wu glanced at A Yuan with disdain, certain that she would obediently hand over the embroideries as Zhao Wan had instructed, just like before.

But A Yuan just slightly curved her lips, rubbed her delicate and fair hands, and spoke in a gentle tone.

"Unfortunately, the Heir Apparent specifically instructed me not to strain myself during my recovery. The embroideries for Madam Zhao might have to be assigned to someone else."

She wasn’t a pushover; she didn’t refuse before just to avoid causing trouble for Wei Xun.

But from Wei Xun’s attitude today, it seemed she could afford to be a bit stubborn.

Madam Zhao made her kneel in the ancestral hall; if she still handed over the embroideries, it would be a direct insult to Wei Xun.

"You!"

Bi Wu didn’t expect her to dare to refuse and stood up abruptly from the stool.

"Aren’t you afraid Madam Zhao will come down on you?"

"If she can convince the Heir Apparent, then I’ll accept it."

A Yuan’s charming face turned cold, taking on a bit of Wei Xun’s authoritative air. Bi Wu was taken aback, standing there not knowing how to retort.

This meek woman, how had she suddenly changed her tune?