Chapter 9: He Desires a Daughter

Chapter 9: He Desires a Daughter

Wei Xun sat behind his desk, with a thick stack of case files on the table.

Recently, a disturbing incident had occurred in the capital: young women were frequently disappearing, and the perpetrator was still unknown. As the Assistant Magistrate of Jingzhao Prefecture, Wei Xun had been busy with this case for several days.

Time was of the essence; every day delayed meant another potential victim.

He had already been somewhat impatient when Su Yingxue visited earlier, and now that someone else had entered, Wei Xun didn’t even look up as he sharply ordered, “Get out!”

“Sir...” Chang Yuan paused, wanting to explain, but Wei Xun was already fully absorbed in the documents.

A Yuan shook her head at him, signaling not to disturb Wei Xun further.

The two of them stepped out, and Chang Yuan looked somewhat embarrassed.

“Lady Xie, the Heir Apparent is swamped with work today. He didn’t mean to drive you away.”

Afraid that A Yuan might misunderstand, he quickly explained.

A Yuan smiled gently, her expression compassionate and gentle. “I know. Please deliver this robe to him for me.”

With that, she gestured for Chun Tao to pass the robe she was holding to Chang Yuan, who nodded and took it. “Ah, Lady Xie, why don’t you wait in the parlor for a while? The master might be done soon.”

“That won’t be necessary.”

A Yuan shook her head. “The Heir Apparent often overlooks his well-being when he’s busy. Please remind him to take care of himself.”

“Yes.”

Chang Yuan took her words to heart. When Wei Xun was busy, he would even forget to eat. As a servant, his reminders were often ignored, but now he would listen to Lady Xie’s words.

Chang Yuan wished A Yuan would give more advice, but at this moment, A Yuan struggled to keep her smile. Supporting herself on Chun Tao, she made her way out unsteadily from the outer study.

Chun Tao had heard everything Su Yingxue said earlier. Seeing her mistress’s face as pale as paper, she felt nothing but heartache.

“Mistress, don’t dwell on it. That girl is haughty and overbearing. The Heir Apparent would never develop feelings for her, nor would he marry her.”

He might not marry her, but he would marry someone else. The position of the Heir Apparent’s wife would eventually be filled by someone.

A Yuan stood there in a daze, looking up at the vast blue sky above the Jade Clear Courtyard. It felt as though something inside her was about to shatter.

No matter who Wei Xun married in the future, it was not something she could interfere with. She was merely a small concubine, surviving at the whim of her master.

If the master favored her, she could live comfortably. If not, as Su Yingxue had said, she could be sold off without a second thought.

She was nothing more than an insignificant pawn.

A Yuan blinked, the sting in her nose nearly bringing tears to her eyes.

“Don’t say such things in the future. If word gets out and someone hears, I won’t be able to protect you.”

“...Yes.”

Chun Tao sulked, feeling somewhat indignant. What she said was true—her mistress was the one most suited to the Heir Apparent. Su Yingxue was nothing but a girl with a good family background.

......

Wei Xun’s work continued until evening. The courtyard was lit with lanterns, and he looked up, massaging his aching shoulders. He called out to Chang Yuan, “What time is it?”

“It’s just past 7 PM (Xu hour). Would you like to have dinner, Master?” Chang Yuan lighted the lamps in the study and poured a steaming cup of tea for Wei Xun.

"Bring it in," Wei Xun nodded, feeling quite hungry after a long day.

Chang Yuan went out and soon returned with a food box, along with the robe made by A Yuan in his hand.

"Who sent this again?"

Wei Xun recalled Su Yingxue coming to deliver soup during the day, his brows furrowing in displeasure.

Could there be someone else bringing gifts?

The news of his impending marriage had just spread, and already someone couldn't sit still.

Wei Xun didn't mind strengthening family ties, but Su Yingxue was not suitable.

He would never marry a willful woman.

"It was sent by Mistress Xie. She left it and went away while you were busy."

Chang Yuan finally spoke up after holding it in for a while.

Though he spoke vaguely, Wei Xun, as the Deputy Magistrate of Jingzhao Prefecture, had an excellent memory and immediately recalled scolding someone earlier that day.

So, that person was A Yuan?

Wei Xun's face suddenly darkened, "Why didn't you say so earlier!"

Chang Yuan shrunk his neck, looking aggrieved, "You said no one was allowed to disturb you..."

He didn't get a chance to speak.

"Go and take your punishment!"

Wei Xun didn't listen to his explanation. The little concubine was so timid and scared; he wondered if she had cried secretly after being scolded.

He had no appetite now, only wanting to check on her.

In the past, Wei Xun rarely visited Yuqing Courtyard more than twice a month, but this month he was already stepping in for the third time.

A Yuan had no formal status; only she and Chun Tao, her maid, lived in Yuqing Courtyard.

At this moment, the room was illuminated, and A Yuan was hunched over, embroidering a pouch.

Chun Tao's parents were in charge of the front courtyard's purchases, and A Yuan sometimes asked her to sell some of her embroidery.

Her skills were excellent; a pouch could sell for several taels of silver. Combined with her monthly salary, she had saved a considerable amount over three years.

But it was still far from what she had hoped for.

She wanted to erect a memorial for her parents and light an eternal lamp. If possible, she also wanted to return to her hometown.

When the Xie family was slaughtered, her brother was fortunately not among them. What if he was still alive?

A Yuan wiped the corner of her eye, a glimmer of hope igniting in her heart.

If her brother was still alive, she wouldn't be alone in this world.

Wei Xun entered just as the little concubine was wiping her tears, his heart ached slightly as he hurried over.

A Yuan heard the footsteps and instinctively raised her head.

Tears welled up in her eyes, giving her a fragile charm that was both pitiful and endearing. Wei Xun felt his heart melting.

"My bad, stop crying."

Wei Xun was naturally aloof. Even when comforting someone, he was gruff.

A Yuan didn't mean to cry. She had already come to terms with her status, reminding herself not to want what wasn't hers.

But Wei Xun, humbling himself to comfort her, made A Yuan's grievances pour out like a breached dam.

"I didn't mean to cry."

She said this, but tears still fell.

Wei Xun's usual indifference showed rare panic. He gently wiped her tears with his fingertip, patiently soothing her.

"Next time, just come in without announcing yourself."

A Yuan didn't dare. The outer study was his office. If anything went missing, she'd be blamed.

She couldn't cross the line.

Especially with Wei Xun about to marry.

But she couldn't say it outright. A Yuan nodded obediently, "I understand."

"Then stop crying, you'll hurt your eyes."

Wei Xun pinched her nose, his tone affectionate.

A Yuan had always been obedient, and he couldn't help but dote on her a little more. Even after his official wife entered the household, he would never let her feel neglected.

Thinking about the impending marriage, Wei Xun's expression turned serious.

"Before summer, the mistress might enter the household. She is tolerant and magnanimous, she won't mistreat you."

It was already the beginning of spring, and summer was only two or three months away.

A Yuan clenched her hands, obediently responding, "Master cares for A Yuan, A Yuan understands. In the future, A Yuan will serve Master and the mistress well."

"You've always been proper, I naturally trust you. Once the mistress enters, we'll stop your contraceptive medicine."

Wei Xun's heart stirred. He wrapped his arm around her waist and led her to the bed.

"Then, A Yuan, give me a daughter..."