Chapter 61: The Day Before the Wedding

Chapter 61: The Day Before the Wedding

For the first time, A Yuan used her wits on him.

If she had asked Wei Xun for her deed of sale without any reason on a normal day, his alertness would surely have made him suspicious.

But today, after being forced by Wei Jin and Shen Qiuyu to kneel in the snow for three hours—her legs nearly crippled—asking for her deed of sale would only make Wei Xun think she had been wronged.

A Yuan nestled in his arms, her eyes brimming with misty tears. She clutched the corner of his robe, her appearance utterly pitiful.

Wei Xun's heart ached; at this moment, he wouldn't hesitate to pluck the moon from the sky for her, let alone hand over a mere deed of sale.

"Alright, I promise you."

As soon as the man spoke, A Yuan's heart raced uncontrollably. The thing she had begged and hoped for over the years was finally within her grasp, her excitement and thrill eclipsing the pain in her legs.

A Yuan wept tears of joy, "Thank you, my lord."

The concubine lifted her head from his embrace, her delicate and charming face wet with tears, her look of dependence and gratitude softening Wei Xun's expression.

He gently wiped the tears from her cheeks with his thumb, doting, "What are you thanking me for? Even if you hadn't asked, once the mistress enters, the deed of sale would be abolished, and you would be registered in the family records of the Marquis's household."

Though a concubine is still a servant, she would at least have a legitimate status.

A Yuan's smile faltered. The Marquis's household? She never wanted to set foot in it again.

Her knees medicated, slowly regaining sensation, but the bones, soaked in snow, ached piercingly.

A Yuan had always feared pain, and at night, unable to bear it, she bit into the quilt and cried until her voice turned hoarse.

Suddenly, the room lit up, the quilt was taken from her hands, and the man's strong arms enveloped her, his fingers prying open her mouth to offer his own arm.

"Good A Yuan, if the pain is too much, bite here."

Wei Xun gently brushed aside her sweat-soaked hair, his lips pressing a tender kiss to her temple. He hadn't protected her, couldn't share her pain, and so he sought to punish himself in this way.

A Yuan opened her eyes in a daze, and as she saw the man's face, a trace of resentment flashed in her eyes. All her pain came from this man; Wei Xun always claimed to cherish her, but when had he ever truly done so?

The resentment in A Yuan's heart spurred her courage, and, as the man wished, she sank her teeth hard into his arm.

Wei Xun grunted, his fingers threading through the concubine's soft hair, his red-rimmed eyes brimming with pity.

A Yuan bit down with all her might, her tongue awash with the taste of blood mingled with salty tears, allowing her to vent all her resentment.

"My lord, A Yuan no longer wants you..."

The candle burned halfway as Wei Xun maintained his embrace.

A Yuan, spent from biting, fell asleep.

The concubine's mouth was smeared with blood, lending a touch of color to her pallid face.

Wei Xun watched her for a long time, his arms gradually tightening, enfolding her in his embrace.

This was the last time—he wouldn’t let her get hurt again.

......

Luckily, she didn’t develop a fever despite the severity of A Yuan’s leg injury.

Wei Xun stayed at the estate to care for her, neglecting both his official duties and his upcoming marriage. He personally took care of all her needs, from meals to daily care.

The maids and servants who had once treated A Yuan coldly now deeply regretted it. Had they known the young master cared for Lady Xie so much, they would’ve tried harder to win her favor. Unfortunately, it was too late now.

“My lord, A Yuan is fine. You don’t need to worry about me delaying your important matters.”

Wei Xun wiped her down with a warm towel, then gently massaged ointment into her knees.

A Yuan, hidden under the quilt, watched as he put socks on her feet. Softly, she asked, “What? Are you tired of me?”

The man pinched her soft foot and looked up.

A Yuan blushed and quickly pulled her foot back under the quilt, murmuring, “A Yuan wouldn’t dare.”

Wei Xun’s presence here made it impossible for her to carry out her plans. Moreover, his marriage to Shen Qiuyu was imminent, and if he stayed any longer, his mother would surely be upset.

A Yuan didn’t want any complications at this critical moment. After all, once she returned to the mansion, it would be impossible to escape.

“A Yuan is just worried about delaying your affairs.”

Her voice was soft, laced with concern for Wei Xun.

The man tucked the quilt around her and murmured, “Nothing is more important than you.”

Wei Xun wasn’t even thinking about his marriage to Shen Qiuyu.

A Yuan knew he wouldn’t leave any time soon. Though anxious, she focused on recovering.

Wei Xun’s marriage to Shen Qiuyu was less than two weeks away, and he’d have to return to the mansion soon.

Wei Xun stayed at the estate, and the two lived together. Maybe the child in her belly was protecting her, because while Wei Xun was there, A Yuan never felt nauseous.

Since she was injured, Wei Xun didn’t make any advances. One worked on official matters, while the other embroidered by the bed, like an ordinary couple.

A Yuan’s appetite was small, but to heal faster, she forced herself to eat more.

Finally, just three days before Wei Xun’s marriage to Shen Qiuyu, he had to leave.

A Yuan’s leg had healed enough to walk on. She wore a red fox fur cloak, her face hidden in the fur, only her watery eyes visible.

Wei Xun held her hand, his warm palm warming hers. “In three days, I’ll come to take you home.”

Once he was married, no one would dare prevent him from taking a concubine.

At that time, A Yuan would be able to follow him openly.

A Yuan looked up and softly replied, “Alright, I’ll wait for you, my lord.”

Wei Xun adjusted her felt hat and gently caressed her face. “Be good, go back inside. There’s no need to see me off.”

It had snowed again last night, and the man’s brocade boots made a rustling sound as his figure gradually disappeared beyond the courtyard gate.

The smile A Yuan had forced onto her lips slowly faded.

"Huh?"

The mute sister tugged at her sleeve, and A Yuan looked away, turning to her with a light smile. "Come on, let's go inside."

For the next three days, neither Wei Xun nor Shen Qiuyu would be coming back. This was her best chance to make her escape.

A Yuan lowered her eyes, hiding her thoughts.

The mute sister couldn't guess her plans. Even if she could, she wouldn't be able to say anything.

A Yuan spent the first two days in her room, quietly eating and working on her embroidery.

The servants in the manor didn't dare neglect her. They served her with care.

On the third day, she suggested taking a walk around the manor.

The maids and older women wanted to accompany her, but she refused.

"I'm just going for a walk around the manor. I won't go far, so there's no need to trouble yourselves."

"But the young master ordered us to look after you..." The servants insisted.

A Yuan lowered her eyes, her thick lashes casting shadows. Anyone could see she was sad.

"The young master is busy with his wedding; he won't blame you."

"This..."

The older women understood; Lady Xie was upset because the young master's wife would arrive tomorrow.

They dared not persuade her further. After all, A Yuan was in the manor, so nothing could happen.

Avoiding the older women's sight, A Yuan took the mute sister towards the back mountain.

"Huh?"

The mute sister, fearing she was cold, gave her an extra coat to wear.

A Yuan clenched the money bag in her hand, smiling as she let the mute sister help her dress.

It was good to wear more. It was cold outside, and she had to hold on.