Chapter 13 The Iris Hairpin

Chapter 13 The Iris Hairpin

Wei Xun never ended up calling for a doctor.

The charcoal brazier warmed the room, and the man's large hand gently massaged her. A Yuan felt so cozy she was nearly dozing off, and her years of menstrual cramps weren't as bad.

His concubine, curled up like an obedient kitten, buried her face in his chest. If he looked down, he could see her delicate and charming face.

Wei Xun's heart softened, and he held her even tighter in his arms.

"Mmm... something's poking me."

A Yuan suddenly felt something hard against her lower back. She blinked her sleepy eyes open and reached back to investigate.

Wei Xun picked her up, remembering what he had bought.

With one arm around A Yuan, he produced a finely carved wooden box from his chest. "Here, try this."

"What... is this?"

A Yuan accepted it, puzzled, looking up at Wei Xun.

The man clenched his fist and placed it by his lips, coughing lightly, his expression a mix of pride and awkwardness.

"I happened to pass a jewelry shop and picked up a hairpin. If you don't like it, you can give it to a maid to wear."

The noble Wei Crown Prince would not just casually enter a jewelry shop. After a moment's thought, A Yuan understood that this was a gift Wei Xun had specifically bought for her.

She sat up, kneeling in the man's lap, and opened the box, overwhelmed by his thoughtfulness.

The iris came into view, and A Yuan's heart felt as if it had been brushed by a feather, tingling and warm. She suddenly clenched the golden hairpin in her palm.

This hairpin, symbolizing her name, could not have been casually bought by Wei Xun.

Her chest tightened with emotion. Leaning on the man's thigh, she leaned forward and pecked his cheek. "Thank you, Master. A Yuan likes it very much."

His concubine spoke softly, delicately, her tone still carrying a hint of flattery. Wei Xun's stern expression softened into a smile.

"Here, let me help you with it."

Wei Xun naturally did not know how to style hair, but his strong learning ability and good memory allowed him to manage a simple updo after just hearing A Yuan describe it once.

The iris hairpin nestled in her black hair, catching the light as she moved.

Wei Xun nodded in satisfaction. Turns out doing hair isn't that hard.

He wouldn't mind doing her hair every day.

"How does it look, Master?"

A Yuan knelt in front of the man, unable to see the finished hairstyle, and craned her neck to catch a glimpse in the mirror.

Wei Xun didn't let her get out of bed and instead fetched a bronze mirror for her.

In the mirror, A Yuan's eyes sparkled, her face bare and beautiful, the golden hairpin adding a touch of nobility to her appearance.

"It looks good."

She whispered to herself, her face lighting up with genuine delight.

Wei Xun's mood grew even more cheerful. He looked down and pinched the soft nape of her neck, as if teasing a kitten he had raised.

"If you like it, keep it on. I’ll get you more jewelry later if you want."

"This hairpin is perfect as it is, Master. Please don’t trouble yourself."

A Yuan was truly panicked. Wei Xun’s growing kindness unnerved her; she preferred his earlier indifference.

Seeing his concubine's obedient and cautious demeanor, Wei Xun chuckled softly, "What? Are you afraid I can't afford to keep you?"

A Yuan didn’t dare answer that. She tugged at Wei Xun's sleeve and shook her head repeatedly, "A Yuan doesn't mean that."

"Relax, I’m only teasing."

Wei Xun backed off, worried he might upset her. If she cried, he’d be the one to console her.

He stood up, but unexpectedly, his sleeve was still in A Yuan's hand. As he rose, the pouch tucked in his sleeve slipped out.

A Yuan was still a little irritated by Wei Xun’s teasing, but when the pouch landed in front of her, her face instantly turned pale.

It was the very pouch A Yuan had given to Chun Tao’s mother to sell. She couldn’t fathom how it had wound up in Wei Xun’s possession.

A Yuan's heart raced. She had kept her embroidery sales a secret from Wei Xun. It was her secret, the money she had prepared to search for her family. If Wei Xun asked about it, what should she say?

Wei Xun didn’t miss A Yuan’s unease. He glanced at the pouch on the bed and narrowed his eyes.

He naturally didn’t know anything about embroidery, but A Yuan’s embroidery pieces had a common characteristic—she liked to embroider auspicious patterns.

He hadn’t noticed before, but seeing A Yuan’s expression, it suddenly clicked for Wei Xun.

This pouch had to be A Yuan’s work.

At the thought of the missing Liu Niangzi, Wei Xun’s expression grew serious.

Was A Yuan somehow connected to her?

A Yuan’s heart tightened. She wanted to ask but didn’t have the courage, so she just watched as Wei Xun tucked the pouch away.

“Sir...”

She stammered, and Wei Xun waited, eyes downcast, but she didn’t say anything more.

Realizing she was keeping something from him, Wei Xun’s face hardened.

“Rest now.”

“Your Highness...”

Even as Wei Xun reached the door, A Yuan still couldn’t muster the courage to ask.

Outside, the man’s steps hesitated for a moment, and the pouch in his hand showed the marks of his tight grip.

However this pouch ended up with Liu Niangzi, A Yuan was clearly keeping something from him.

Wei Xun went back to the outer study, his face cold. Chang Yuan, noticing his expression, felt a twinge of worry. Did Mistress Xie not like the golden hairpin the master had given her?

Wei Xun ignored the question and threw the pouch to him.

"Find out where Liu Niangzi obtained this pouch, and also check if A Yuan has had any recent contact with outsiders."

"Master, are you implying Mistress Xie is involved..."

Chang Yuan was shocked, and the pouch in his hand felt like it was burning.

How could Mistress Xie be connected to the case of missing married women in the capital?

"Quickly!"

Wei Xun gave him a sharp look, and Chang Yuan dared not delay any longer.

Although he was a bit naive, his abilities were outstanding. In under half a day, he had unraveled the entire story behind the pouch.

"This pouch was bought by Liu Niangzi at Jinxiu Pavilion three months ago. The money she earned from selling tofu was usually taken by Wang Cheng and his mother. Fearing Wang Cheng would accuse her of wasting money, she claimed it was a gift from a customer. However, Wang Cheng didn’t believe her and even suspected her of having an affair."

That’s why Wang Cheng reported the pouch to the authorities.

"Jinxiu Pavilion?"

Wei Xun raised his eyes, "How did A Yuan’s embroidery get to Jinxiu Pavilion?"

He already had a suspicion, but he couldn’t bring himself to accept it.

Chang Yuan gulped and nervously glanced at his master, "Mistress Xie had Granny Zhu sell them in secret..."

"When did this start?"

Wei Xun’s face was eerily calm, but Chang Yuan, having followed him for so long, could see the turmoil beneath the surface.

"Two years ago..."

So long ago.

"Crack!"

Wei Xun crushed the teacup in his hand, and bright red blood seeped from between his fingers. He forced a bitter smile, "Understood. You may go."

"Master, perhaps Mistress Xie is in a tough spot. Please don’t be upset..."

Chang Yuan’s heart raced. He never imagined A Yuan would dare to sell her embroidery in secret.

After all, she belonged to the master. Could the master possibly lack money for her?

"Tough spot, huh!"

Wei Xun sneered, his chest felt like a heavy stone was crushing it, causing a dull pain.

Recalling A Yuan’s usual submissive behavior, Wei Xun’s bitter smile deepened.

Maybe it was all a facade. Who knows what else she’s been keeping from him.

"Get out."