Chapter 12: Massaging Her Stomach

Chapter 12: Massaging Her Stomach

Wei Jin, Wei Xun's twin sister, married five years ago. Her husband, Li Huai, holds the position of Director at the Imperial Academy. Though handsome, his abilities are lacking, and his focus on indulging in pleasures has hindered his advancement in his official career.

Wei Jin is proud and headstrong. She married Li Huai primarily for his striking appearance, but the man turned out to be all show and no substance, hopelessly inept. Wei Jin's life with the Li family has been far from smooth.

Today, she went out shopping mainly to accompany the young lady beside her.

Shen Qiuyu's father, Shen Rui, is Li Huai's direct superior. While Li Huai is content with his current situation and lacks ambition, Wei Jin has been tirelessly working to advance his career.

When Shen Qiuyu brought up her brother, Wei Jin also turned to look.

On the first floor, Wei Xun had just stepped in and was personally welcomed by the shopkeeper.

"Lord Wei, what would you like to buy? Let me get it for you."

Wei Xun is not accustomed to such enthusiasm, especially since Jin Gui Fang primarily caters to female clientele. Facing the intense gazes of the ladies, his demeanor turned even more aloof.

"What jewelry would suit a young woman?"

He had never given A Yuan any jewelry before. Usually, he just thought of his concubine as obedient and well-behaved, but now it dawned on him how scant her wardrobe and jewelry were.

"Please wait a moment, I'll fetch it for you right away."

The shopkeeper swiftly returned in moments, bringing out a sandalwood box filled with the finest jewelry from Jin Gui Fang.

"My lord, look at this jade bracelet. It’s radiant with vibrant green, flawless and crystal-clear, perfect for a young lady. And these pearls are exquisite treasures sourced from overseas. Another strand is in the hands of a palace concubine. If you give this as a gift, it will surely delight the recipient..."

The shopkeeper's eloquence was unquestionable, but she couldn’t help but wonder about the woman who could make the esteemed Wei Crown Prince go out of his way to please her.

Not only the shopkeeper, but all the ladies in the shop were abuzz with speculation.

Could Wei Xun already have a woman in mind for marriage?

Behind the railing, Shen Qiuyu subtly clenched her handkerchief and glanced at Wei Jin.

"How come I haven’t heard about the Wei Crown Prince’s wife? With our relationship, are you still keeping it from me?"

Wei Jin cried out in innocence, "My mother has been looking at a few candidates these days, but my third brother hasn’t taken a liking to any of them. You know how he is, always focused on his duties. He only reluctantly agreed to consider marriage."

Hearing this, Shen Qiuyu's furrowed brow gradually relaxed, but she still didn’t let her guard down as she watched the man patiently selecting jewelry downstairs.

"What about this jewelry..."

Wei Jin scoffed, "He’s likely buying it for his concubine."

Like Zhao Wan, Wei Jin harbors a dislike for A Yuan as well.

As a wife, she feels a heightened animosity towards these alluring concubines.

Especially given Li Huai’s philandering ways, Wei Jin finds it even more intolerable.

"So it's just a concubine."

Shen Qiuyu twirled her handkerchief, her vigilance dissipating.

She's just a plaything, to be dismissed later.

"I’ll take this one."

Wei Xun picked up a golden hairpin adorned with an iris at its tip. Though it wasn't as striking as the box filled with pearls and jade, because it reminded him of A Yuan, Wei Xun was instantly captivated.

"Certainly, I'll have it wrapped up for you right away."

As the shopkeeper packaged it, Wei Xun glanced at the other pieces of jewelry, imagining how beautiful A Yuan would look adorned with them.

Though he adored A Yuan, he knew to keep his affection in check. Overindulging her would do more harm than good.

"Third Brother." Wei Jin came downstairs and called out to Wei Xun.

"What a coincidence, running into you here."

"Indeed." Wei Xun turned and responded.

Wei Jin was used to her third brother's reserved demeanor and didn't find it awkward. She brought Shen Qiuyu forward to introduce her.

"Third Brother, this is Miss Shen. We were just about to head out. Could you give us a ride?"

Wei Jin wasn't naive. Shen Qiuyu's earlier actions had been quite telling, and she could clearly see that Shen Qiuyu liked Wei Xun.

With Li Huai's advancement hinging on Shen Rui's support, Wei Jin was eager for Shen Qiuyu to marry her third brother.

There was no bond more dependable than a marital alliance.

Shen Qiuyu's cheeks turned pink, her eyes gleaming. Her usually plain features now held a touch of allure. "Wei Crown Prince."

Wei Xun, uncomfortable around unfamiliar women, gave a slight nod. "Miss Shen."

With that, he turned to Wei Jin and said, "I have official business to attend to. Let Changyuan escort you."

This was a polite but firm refusal.

A brief look of disappointment crossed Shen Qiuyu's face, but she also knew Wei Xun's temperament. Winning him over would take time and patience.

"It's alright, we'll manage on our own. We don't want to keep you from your duties." Wei Jin said understandingly.

"Alright, come home more often when you have time. Mother misses you."

Wei Xun took the wrapped hairpin and reminded his sister.

Wei Jin smiled and agreed, watching him leave.

The women in the shop looked at her with envy, and Wei Jin couldn't help but feel proud.

Though she had chosen a less ambitious man, her brother was formidable.

Shen Qiuyu reluctantly pulled her gaze away, her heart pounding.

Such an excellent man—she was determined to have him.

Shen Qiuyu's eyes narrowed slightly as she pulled Wei Jin, who was about to leave, toward the counter.

"What does your mother like? As a junior, I should pay a visit."

......

Official duties were merely Wei Xun's excuse for refusal. After leaving Jin Gui Fang, he had Changyuan drive him back home.

A Yuan was having her period and was resting in bed.

Her cycles were often irregular, and each time it was accompanied by severe pain.

Chun Tao moved the charcoal brazier to the bedside and made a pot of hot brown sugar water for her.

A Yuan took small sips, her complexion less pale than before.

When Wei Xun entered, she had just started to feel better.

Seeing Wei Xun for several consecutive days, even A Yuan felt he was visiting a bit too often.

Were the official duties so light that he had time to visit the rear courtyard?

A Yuan thought to herself but put on a surprised look, "Heir Apparent."

The concubine’s black hair was loosely hanging down her back, her face without makeup looking pale and sickly. Wei Xun’s heart tightened, and he stepped forward to hold her hand, "Are you ill?"

A Yuan shook her head, reassuringly squeezed his hand back, "It’s just my time of the month, don’t worry, Master."

Having served Wei Xun for three years, he had never known when it was her time, naturally never seeing her in pain.

Seeing the concubine’s face as pale as paper, his heart was already tied in knots.

"Chun Tao, go call the physician."

"Master, no!"

A Yuan anxiously sat up, quickly stopping the maid.

Menstruation was seen as unclean by men, and if a physician were called, what would the old lady think of her?

"No need to call the physician, I feel much better after having the sugar water."

A Yuan held Wei Xun’s hand, her delicate face filled with pleading.

"If Master pities A Yuan, just rub it for me, and the pain will ease."

Seeing Wei Xun’s cold expression and not relenting, A Yuan pressed his hand against her lower abdomen.

Though the man was usually cold, his palm was scorching hot. Through the thin nightgown, the warmth spread, and A Yuan’s complexion softened considerably.