Chapter 60: Indenture Contract

Chapter 60: Contract of Servitude

"Third Brother..."

Wei Jin's heart sank, her hand instinctively resting on her belly.

"She sneaked out on her own, violating the household rules. I was just teaching her a lesson on your behalf..."

Wei Xun's eyes grew colder, his face darkening like storm clouds. Wei Jin shrank back, hiding behind Shen Qiuyu.

Shen Qiuyu's expression froze, cursing her inwardly, but she had no choice but to face Wei Xun's wrath.

"Crown Prince Wei, please don't blame A Jin. She's pregnant. If anyone is to blame, it's me for not stopping her."

With that, she reached out to pull Wei Jin. "A Jin, hurry up and apologize to the Crown Prince."

Wei Jin stood her ground, not feeling the least bit at fault. "She was the one who messed up first. Why should I apologize?"

Besides, she's pregnant, and her third brother was being so harsh with her. Wei Jin felt a wave of grievance.

The concubine in his arms was as pale as a ghost, her fingers digging into his robe, her body trembling from the cold.

Wei Xun pulled the cloak tighter around her, his heart filled with rage, feeling disappointed in his sister for the first time.

"Mother and I have spoiled you rotten, allowing you to develop such a selfish and cruel nature. Even if she messed up, it's my job to handle it. What business is it of yours?"

Wei Jin shrank back from the scolding, muttering softly, "I'm her boss..."

"Now that you're married, the Marquis's household is none of your business. Since you have so much time on your hands to boss people around, maybe I should have Li Huai take some time off to accompany you in enforcing the rules to your heart's content!"

Wei Xun was seething with anger this time. A Yuan was his weak spot. He had sent her to the estate to avoid the turmoil in the Marquis's household, never expecting his sister to chase her there and humiliate her.

"Third Brother! You can't be serious!"

Wei Jin's face turned pale. Although she had always flaunted her status as Wei Xun's sister in the Marquis's household, outside, people only cared about her husband's family.

Li Huai, a lowly seventh-rank Director of the Imperial Academy, was of no consequence in the capital, where officials were everywhere.

Wei Jin had been pulling strings everywhere to help her husband climb the ranks, but with Wei Xun's words, Li Huai's position would be stripped. If Li Huai and her in-laws found out, they would surely blame her.

Wei Jin rushed forward to grab his hand, pleading, "Third Brother, I won't pick on A Yuan anymore. Please forgive me this time..."

Wei Xun pushed her hand away, his expression still grim.

"I've given you plenty of chances. This time, you'll learn your lesson and understand who you shouldn't provoke!"

"Third Brother..."

Wei Jin stumbled, nearly falling to the ground, but the maids beside her caught her.

Wei Xun walked past her without even a glance. Wei Jin's heart turned cold. Her third brother meant it this time; he really was going to strip Li Huai of his position.

"A Yu, what should I do? You're always so clever. You must have a solution, right?"

Shen Qiuyu, whose hand she grabbed, flashed a look of impatience, inwardly cursing her as a fool, but on the surface, she maintained her gentle and magnanimous demeanor.

"Don't panic. Crown Prince Wei is your own brother. Once his anger subsides, everything will be fine."

But Wei Jin wasn't reassured. Her third brother never went back on his word. Li Huai's position couldn't be lost!

"Then you tell Shen Daren to protect my husband. Even if my third brother insists on suspending him, if Shen Daren disagrees, this matter won't go through!"

Shen Rui is Li Huai's direct superior, and with his guarantee, it would be difficult for Wei Xun to intervene beyond his authority.

However, Shen Qiuyu does not have such capability.

Since the exposure of the mistress, Shen Rui has completely broken ties with her and her mother, focusing all his attention on that mistress. Shen Qiuyu can hardly even see him, let alone ask him for favors.

But she still has to handle Wei Jin.

"Don't worry, I will definitely have a good talk with my father."

"That's good, that's good..."

"Mrs. Shen."

The man who had reached the main hall entrance suddenly turned around. Standing in the night, his ink-cold eyes looked at Shen Qiuyu.

"If you fail to keep your promise, I wouldn't mind marrying someone else."

His only bottom line is to protect A Yuan. As for who the legal wife is, he doesn't care.

Shen Qiuyu felt a chill run down her spine, as if she had fallen into an ice cave.

She also knew that she was too hasty this time. No matter how much she resented A Yuan, once she entered the mansion, there would be plenty of ways to control her. Now she risks arousing Wei Xun's suspicion.

Shen Qiuyu forced herself to stay calm, bowed to Wei Xun, and said, "This time it was my fault for not stopping A Jin. It won't happen again."

She shifted the blame to Wei Jin, clearing herself. Wei Xun stared at her for a moment, but her gentle face betrayed no flaws.

It was unclear whether she was pretending or truly as she said, had not stopped Wei Jin.

"Master, A Yuan is in pain..."

Before Wei Xun could press further, the concubine in his arms cried out.

A Yuan was in such pain that she was dazed. After kneeling for so long, she had lost all sensation below her knees.

Hearing Wei Xun's intention to call a doctor, all her grievances seemed to pour out. People are always more fragile when they are sick. A Yuan grabbed his lapel and sobbed.

Wei Xun's heart felt as if gripped by a large hand. He held the concubine tightly, no longer bothering to scold Wei Jin and the others, and carried A Yuan into the inner room.

"Chang Yuan, fetch the doctor!"

"No... don't fetch the doctor!"

The man's words rang in A Yuan's ears. Hearing Wei Xun's intention to call a doctor, she struggled to wake up.

"Master, A Yuan is fine. Don't call a doctor, okay?"

The concubine looked frail, and her fingers clutching his lapel trembled slightly.

Wei Xun's face darkened, "You've been kneeling for so long, what if your knees are injured? Be wary of the pain later."

"I'm not afraid of pain." A Yuan smiled at him pleadingly, "A Yuan doesn't want to see a doctor. If the master rubs it for A Yuan, it will be fine."

She was pregnant, and the doctor would be able to diagnose it by taking her pulse. A Yuan dared not let the doctor see her.

Wei Xun was protecting her now, but if the child's existence was revealed, could Wei Xun really protect her?

He could reprimand Wei Jin, but Madam Wei would not stand for it.

She could understand that Wei Xun was caught in a bind, but resentment still grew in her heart.

After a moment of resistance, Wei Xun finally gave in.

"If it gets worse tomorrow, you’ll have to see a doctor."

"...Very well, A Yuan will listen to you."

Wei Xun removed her wet clothes, revealing her two swollen legs.

The flawless jade-like skin was now blemished, and the man's tightly pursed lips clearly showed his anger.

He warmed the ointment in his palm, rubbing it between his hands and gently applying it, speaking in a deep voice, "If they bully you again in the future, don't take it lying down. Even if you hit them, I will back you up."

A Yuan lowered her head, her fragile appearance evoking pity.

"I am, after all, a slave and dare not disobey the master's orders."

"Why belittle yourself! You are practically a mistress of the Marquis's household, and no one can bully you."

After applying the medicine, Wei Xun let her legs air out while holding her in his arms to comfort her.

A Yuan rested her small face against his chest, listening to the strong and steady heartbeat, and quietly clenched her fists.

"But my position is still not legitimate, merely that of a maid. If you truly care for A Yuan, would you give me the deed of sale?"