Chapter 90: The Abortion Medicine Incident

Chapter 90: The Truth About the Abortion Potion Comes Out

As soon as A Man woke up, she noticed there was someone new in the house.

The siblings sat in the front hall, and whatever A Yuan said made Xie Zheng’s lips curl into a faint smile.

"Mother."

The little girl held Chun Tao’s hand and dove into A Yuan’s arms.

"Who’s this uncle?"

Xie Zheng wore a black brocade robe, his face weathered to a deep bronze from years of exposure in the military camp, his expression cold and stern.

A Man buried herself in her mother's embrace, stealing cautious glances at him, afraid of being caught—she looked adorable.

A Yuan eased her daughter out and said softly, "This is A Man’s uncle."

"Uncle? What’s an uncle?"

She knew her father and the bad uncle, but she’d never had an uncle before.

"An uncle is Mother’s older brother. We’ll live with Uncle from now on, okay?"

Xie Zheng had come this time to take them away. Though A Yuan was reluctant to leave Osmanthus Lane and Brocade Workshop, staying meant being stuck dealing with Wei Xun forever, and she refused.

"But what if they come back and we’re gone?"

Zhou Yan had been away from Suzhou for months, but A Man often missed him, always talking about "Daddy." Though she hadn’t spent much time with Wei Xun, in her mind, he was already just as important as Zhou Yan—perhaps this was the natural bond between father and daughter.

A Yuan gave a bitter smile and hugged her daughter tighter. "Once we’re settled, we’ll write to Daddy. When he returns, he can come to Uncle’s house to find us. Sound good?"

A Man nodded. "Okay! We should write to the bad uncle too. I love the little bunny he gave me."

"What little bunny?" Xie Zheng scowled at Wei Xun’s name, his expression darkening.

A Man shrank back, a little scared of him, and turned to bury herself in her mother’s arms again.

A Yuan patted her daughter’s back and answered her brother, "He once had someone carve a little rabbit-shaped warm jade for A Man. She never takes it off."

"That’s it? Just some warm jade? Uncle has plenty of those. When we get home, you can have as many as you want. Pearls, agate, jade, gold—name it, and it’s yours."

Xie Zheng had served in the military for over a decade and had amassed countless spoils of war.

Apart from what he handed over to the court, he had kept some exquisite and valuable items, all for his sister.

Now, seeing how Wei Xun had won over his niece with just a piece of warm jade, he was eager to spoil her rotten with his treasures.

"Really?"

The little girl peeked out shyly, asking timidly.

"Really. Once we’re home, Uncle will bring them all to your room."

Xie Zheng’s face remained stern, but his voice was firm but kind.

A Man lowered her head and twisted her fingers, her desire for treasures eventually overcoming her fear. "Then... I’ll go with you."

A Yuan packed quickly. Osmanthus Lane was connected to the neighboring house, and she worried Aunt Li would catch on if they delayed too long.

The brocade workshop Jinxiu Fang was managed by Auntie Qian and Su Mengyun, while Osmanthus Alley (Huagui) was left in the care of Hui Gu. A Yuan took A Man and Chun Tao aboard an overnight passenger ship back to the capital.

Meanwhile, at the hot spring estate in the capital, Mute Maid found a note in the bedroom where A Yuan had once stayed.

...

Two weeks later, Wei Xun arrived in the capital after riding at full speed.

The Capital Office had piled up with official duties, and without even stopping at the marquis’ estate, he dove into work there for over half a month.

"My lord, something was sent from the hot spring estate—said to be left by Mistress Xie."

Finally catching Wei Xun as he emerged from the government office, Chang Yuan handed him an iris-embroidered pouch.

"Left by A Yuan? What is it?"

Rubbing his aching temples, Wei Xun took it. After half a month of relentless travel and several sleepless nights, even his iron stamina was beginning to falter.

Opening the pouch, he found only a scrap of paper inside. Frowning, he unfolded it to see a medicinal prescription.

*One gram of nux vomica (a toxic seed), two grams of raw arisaema, one gram of musk...*

Wei Xun was no physician and naturally couldn’t decipher it. Coincidentally, the Capital Office was investigating a poisoning case and had summoned an imperial physician from the palace.

Wei Xun passed the prescription to him, and the physician’s expression immediately darkened upon reading it.

"Lord Wei, who is taking this medicine?"

"Why? Is there something wrong with the prescription?" Wei Xun’s brow furrowed tightly.

"Not wrong, but this is a prescription for an abortion concoction."

"An abortion concoction?"

Wei Xun’s throat tightened, his eyes flashing red. "Are you certain?"

This imperial physician was a renowned specialist in women’s ailments, having treated imperial consorts since the previous emperor’s reign—there was no chance of error.

"If Lord Wei doubts my expertise, you may consult another." Offended by the skepticism, the physician’s face stiffened.

It wasn’t disbelief that troubled Wei Xun—it was the unthinkable possibility.

Why would A Yuan have sought an abortion concoction? Unless...

He hastily apologized to the physician before urgently turning to Chang Yuan.

"Who delivered this pouch? Bring them to the estate immediately!"

He needed to uncover what had truly happened... two years ago...

At the Anning Marquisate, Mute Maid was already waiting.

Unable to speak, she had remained at the villa after A Yuan’s departure. She had found the note beneath A Yuan’s bed. Illiterate, she assumed it was a message left behind and excitedly brought it to Old Lady Liu, who wasted no time in reporting it to Chang Yuan.

Wei Xun, still dust-covered and weary, strode straight into the main study. Mute Maid and Old Lady Liu stood trembling in the room, their fear deepening at his frosty expression.

"My lord..."

Before Old Madam Liu could finish her courtesy bow, Wei Xun raised his hand to stop her.

"Did Mistress Xie visit any herbalist's shop before she drowned?"

"No, she rarely went out. The only times she left were to buy Zhang's steamed buns from the front street..." Old Madam Liu pondered for a moment before answering cautiously.

"Zhang's steamed buns?" Wei Xun's instincts told him the abortifacient formula was linked to that bun shop. "Take me there!"

In front of Zhang's Steamed Bun Shop.

Qiu Wen had just sold a batch of buns when a figure stood before her.

Wei Xun's face was dark, his expression sharp and menacing. "So it was you."

The moment he saw Qiu Wen, the answer to his question became clear.

She must have been the one who helped A Yuan obtain the abortifacient formula.

"Does Young Lord wish to buy steamed buns? Our shop's pork and green onion, and leek and egg fillings are the most popular. Would you like to try a couple..."

Qiu Wen's palms were drenched in cold sweat. Wei Xun's aggressive demeanor meant he must have uncovered something.

But she had promised A Yuan not to betray her, so she could only feign ignorance in front of Wei Xun.

"Will you confess, or shall I have someone make inquiries?"

Wei Xun waved his hand behind him, and Chang Yuan immediately set off at his command.

Qiu Wen gave a nervous titter. "I don't know what Young Lord is talking about."

"Fine!" Wei Xun snorted coldly, crossing his arms as he stood in front of the bun shop. With this clue, the investigation would proceed quickly. Chang Yuan soon returned, bringing along the white-bearded doctor.

The moment Qiu Wen saw him, her face went ashen.

If Chang Yuan had found him, then the truth could no longer be concealed.

"Young Lord, this is the doctor who prescribed the medicine for Mistress Xie!"

Chang Yuan hauled the man before Wei Xun. Seeing the long swords at the waists of both master and servant, the doctor was already scared witless.

"Spare me, my lord! That abortifacient formula was ordered by the honored lady! I was just paid to do the job—I didn’t dare harm anyone!"

The street in front of the bun shop was now empty. Wei Xun stood on the empty street, his chest feeling as if a yawning void had been torn open. The icy wind rushed in, suffocating him with pain.

"So, she was already pregnant when she sought you out?"

The doctor prostrated himself desperately, answering truthfully, "Yes, she was already a month along."