Chapter 5: Lie

Chapter 5: Deception

As soon as Xin He returned to Cuiwei Courtyard, Madam Zou followed close behind.

Though Concubine Hua had been dealt with, Wei Jingyao still needed to maintain propriety. Finding it inconvenient to visit Xin He himself, he sent Madam Zou to offer some comforting words.

These "comforting words" were merely a veiled attempt to persuade Xin He not to act impulsively and to remain with the Wei family for her future security.

"Your parents are deceased, your uncle and aunt are unkind, and you have no siblings. Now that you are pregnant, where else can you go if you leave the Wei family?"

Madam Zou sat before Xin He, earnestly pleading, "Don’t be foolish. Although your husband is no longer here, my husband and I are still around! You are carrying his child, which makes you a great asset to our Wei family. My husband and I will handle all matters for you. Just rest assured and focus on your pregnancy here in the mansion. Once the child is born, you will have support for the rest of your life."

Xin He was annoyed by her words. After a few perfunctory replies, she sent Madam Zou away.

These two were shallow-minded fools, happily believing they had gained the upper hand while being used as pawns. If she were to rely on their protection, the grass on her grave would likely grow as tall as a person by next year.

She had to rely on herself.

As Xin He reclined on the daybed, deep in thought, Qiong Hua entered with the maids, beaming with joy: "Yiniang, these were sent by the young master. He said you were startled today, and these are to help calm your nerves."

Xin He’s gaze swept over the items, noting nourishing tonics and several ornamental pieces.

Noticing Xin He’s eyes on the ornaments, Qiong Hua explained, "The messenger said these are red coral and agate, known for their calming and soothing effects during pregnancy."

A mocking smile touched Xin He’s lips.

Wei Mingjin had just set a trap to kill her, and now he was making such a grand gesture of sending her calming gifts. His superficial performance was truly impeccable.

Xin He said languidly, "The young master has gone to great trouble. Please convey my thanks to him."

Qiong Hua acknowledged, carefully placed the ornaments, and then led the maids out.

Light and shadow danced in the room as Xin He’s gaze settled on the red coral bonsai beside her.

The red coral bonsai was not large, but its vibrant, warm color was striking.

Through this red coral, Xin He seemed to see Wei Mingjin—outwardly gentle and kind, yet inwardly calculating.

Earlier, when Wei Mingjin had sent people to care for her meticulously, Xin He had wondered if she was being overly suspicious, misjudging a gentleman.

Although Wei Mingjin was two-faced, perhaps, out of familial affection, he would keep his father’s "posthumous child"?

It was only today that Xin He realized her mistake.

Wei Mingjin had acted that way merely for the sake of his reputation.

After all, the entire Wei clan knew about her pregnancy. If anything happened to her unborn child, others would suspect Wei Mingjin first.

So, Wei Mingjin had directly delivered a fatal blow.

If Concubine Hua had succeeded today, the child in her womb would have been deemed illegitimate, and he would have been justified in dealing with her.

Xin He’s hand rested on her still-flat abdomen, and a wicked thought flashed through her mind: If Wei Mingjin knew this was his child, how would he react?

But in an instant, she dismissed the thought.

Wei Mingjin cared so much about his reputation that if he found out, she would be the first to die.

For now, the only way to save her life was to feign weakness and seek peace.

Wei Mingjin could not tolerate this child simply because he believed that if the child were born, it would compete with him for the Wei family’s wealth.

But if she could make him believe that she had no intention of coveting the Wei family’s assets and was willing to abort the child, he might let her leave the Wei family.

Having made up her mind, Xin He went to see Wei Mingjin.

Their courtyards were separated by only a wall. When Xin He arrived, Wei Mingjin was lost in a dreamlike state.

A heavy night rain poured down, and the curtains fluttered.

Downstairs, a songstress sang a soulful, melancholy tune, interspersed with occasional clamor.

He was trapped within a brocade canopy, as if engulfed by flames. Noise and desire clamored and tore within his body.

He resisted, fought, and ultimately yielded.

With a clatter, the window was blown open, and wind and rain poured in, tangling and tossing the room’s curtains.

The brocade canopy was dimly lit. He couldn’t clearly see the other person, but his palm grasped a slender, jade-like waist.

In the next moment, a soft, delicate figure pressed against him.

Gradually, the singing downstairs faded, and the wind and rain outside grew distant.

The lowered bed curtains shut out everything else, enclosing them in their own small world.

Breaths intertwined, blending like water and milk.

Suddenly, lightning flashed across the night sky, dispelling the darkness within the brocade canopy.

In that brief moment of brilliance, Wei Mingjin saw the person beneath him—a slender waist and delicate bones, a fair neck with a grain-sized red mole, adorned with a bead of sweat about to fall.

He didn’t know if it was his or hers.

Wei Mingjin abruptly opened his eyes, and the panting and entanglement vanished in an instant.

Outside the window, the autumn breeze rustled, and the plantain shadows swayed under the corridor. He was still sitting in his study, with an open account book before him.

"Young Master," Feng Mo reported in a low voice from outside the door, "Aunt Xin is here."

Wei Mingjin snapped out of his earlier daze, closed his eyes, took a few breaths, and instructed, "Invite her to the side hall."

Feng Mo acknowledged and left.

The servant served tea and then withdrew, leaving only Xin He sitting uneasily in the side hall.

This was her first time setting foot in Wei Mingjin’s courtyard, but she had no mind to appreciate it. Instead, she rehearsed in her mind what she would say later.

Xin He was not confident about this matter, but she had to give it a try.

It wasn’t until the tea on the table had gone cold, and the servant outside came in to ask if he should bring Xin He a new cup, that Wei Mingjin finally arrived, fashionably late.

He was no longer wearing the same robes from the morning, and his temples were slightly damp, as if he had just bathed.

But it was only just past 3 p.m., neither early nor late. Why would Wei Mingjin bathe at this hour?

"I was handling business matters earlier. I apologize for keeping you waiting, Aunt," Wei Mingjin said as soon as he stepped into the hall, offering his apologies.

Xin He immediately stood up and replied awkwardly, "It was I who came uninvited and disturbed you, Young Master."

Xin He was usually socially graceful, but in front of Wei Mingjin, she couldn't help but feel nervous.

"You need not be so formal, Aunt. Since you're with child, you should focus on resting well. If there is anything, you could simply send a servant to inform me—why come yourself?"

Xin He bit her lip. "No, this is something I have to do myself."

Her words piqued Wei Mingjin's curiosity.

Since his return home, Aunt Xin had been deliberately avoiding him.

"Please dismiss your attendants, Young Master."

On paper, they were mother and son, yet close in age. To avoid gossip, Wei Mingjin had brought Feng Mo along when he entered the room.

Wei Mingjin glanced at Feng Mo, who took the hint and left.

Though only the two of them remained in the hall, the doors and windows were wide open, and servants were milling about in the courtyard.

Their conversation would neither be overheard nor give rise to gossip.

"Please allow me to leave the Wei household," Xin He mustered her courage and stated her purpose.

Wei Mingjin was taken aback, then sighed helplessly. "Are you still upset about what happened before?"

Xin He said nothing.

"Aunt Hua has been sold off, and Aunt Hu has been expelled from the household. If you’re still displeased..."

"I’m in love with someone," Xin He interrupted him.

Wei Mingjin looked at her, puzzled.

Xin He clenched her hands hidden in her sleeves, struggling to steady her voice. "I entered the household against my will. Now that the master has passed away, I beg you to do me this kindness and allow me to leave so I may reunite with the one I love."

Having said this, despite her pregnancy, Xin He attempted to bow to Wei Mingjin.

With a flick of his wrist, Wei Mingjin used his folding fan to support her arm. "Aunt, you mustn’t."

Unable to bow, Xin He could only look at him pleadingly, hoping he would agree.

Xin He had very beautiful eyes. At this moment, as she gazed up at him, those lovely eyes were filled with entreaty, complemented by her delicate, flower-like features, making it hard not to feel sorry for her.

Wei Mingjin averted his gaze and sighed softly. "It’s not that I’m unwilling to grant your wish, but you are now carrying my father’s child."

"I will not give birth to this child."

Wei Mingjin was stunned again.

As their eyes met, he saw both desperation and resolve in Xin He’s gaze.

After a moment, Wei Mingjin withdrew his fan and put some distance between them. "I will pretend I never heard what you said today."

Xin He said nothing more and took her leave.

Some matters didn’t require a definitive answer—it was enough to convey one’s stance.

Moreover, Wei Mingjin’s reaction was within her expectations. After all, as a gentleman, agreeing to such a request would tarnish his reputation if it became known.

But he hadn’t refused.

Lack of refusal implied tacit consent, though it could never be spoken aloud.

After all, someone like Wei Mingjin would always remain pristine and aloof, watching others dirty their hands while ensuring not a speck of dust touched his own robes.

After Xin He left, Feng Mo entered.

"What have you found out about Aunt Xin from the investigation I asked you to conduct earlier?"

"Aunt Xin was orphaned at a young age and raised by her uncle and aunt, who treated her poorly and even attempted to sell her several times. They were stopped partly by her grandfather’s intervention and partly because Aunt Xin knew how to take care of herself..."

After Feng Mo finished his report, Wei Mingjin asked, "Does she have someone she loves?"

"Someone she loves? Which one do you mean, Young Master?"

Wei Mingjin fell silent.

"Due to her beauty, Aunt Xin had many admirers in Shili Village before entering the household. From what I’ve uncovered, she accepted lotus seed pods from Zhang Sanlang, firewood chopped by Li’s youngest son, and even pork from the butcher Sun’s only son..."

As Feng Mo spoke, he noticed his master smiling and abruptly stopped.

Though Wei Mingjin always appeared gentle and smiling in front of others, Feng Mo, having served him since childhood, was well acquainted with his master’s hidden depths.

"This Aunt Xin is quite a remarkable woman."

Wei Mingjin’s tone was ambiguous, and Feng Mo dared not respond rashly, holding his breath as he stood by.

Fortunately, Wei Mingjin continued, "Send for Chi Yan to see me."

Soon, a man in black entered and bowed to Wei Mingjin.

"What progress have you made in investigating the matter at Zuiyue Lou?"

Last month, before Wei Mingjin departed for the provincial capital to take the imperial examination, his academy classmates held a farewell banquet for him at Zuiyue Lou, wishing him success in the exams.

But someone had tampered with Wei Mingjin’s drink.

By the time he realized, it was too late.

Instead of returning to his original room, Wei Mingjin mistakenly entered another chamber and spent a passionate night with a woman.

When he awoke, the woman had vanished without a trace.

Only the bloodstains on the bed and the scratches on his body confirmed that the events of the night were not a dream but reality.

Afterward, Wei Mingjin had to prepare for his journey to the provincial capital and left the investigation to Chi Yan.

However, knowing nothing about the woman made the investigation exceedingly difficult. To make matters worse, Zuiyue Lou had recently been sealed off after a fire and a death, with its staff arrested or scattered, making progress nearly impossible.

Chi Yan knelt in apology. "I have failed in my duty. I beg for your punishment."

Wei Mingjin massaged his temples.

Chi Yan expected to be punished, but after a long silence, Wei Mingjin spoke not of punishment but offered a clue.

"The woman had a slender waist, delicate bones, fair skin, and a red mole on her left shoulder blade."

Feng Mo waited under the eaves and hurried over when he saw Chi Yan emerge looking as if he had lost both parents.

The two had grown up together and were very close.

Previously, with no leads, Chi Yan was frowning in frustration; now, with a clue, he was even more troubled.

These days, women pursue a slender and graceful beauty. In their Qingyuan County, you could hit a dozen women with delicate bones, slim waists, fair necks, and snow-white skin with one thrown brick.

How was this any different from finding a needle in a haystack?

As for the clue about a red mole on the shoulder blade, Chi Yan was even more at a loss.

As a man, he couldn’t just approach every woman with delicate bones, a slim waist, a fair neck, and snow-white skin and ask them to disrobe to check for a red mole on her shoulder blade.

If he did that, he’d likely be labeled a pervert and hauled off to the authorities before he even found the right woman.

Seeing Chi Yan so anxious he was scratching his head and ears, Feng Mo was unconcerned. "What’s so difficult about this?"

Chi Yan looked at Feng Mo as if he were a lifesaver.

"I have an idea that’s sure to help you find her," Feng Mo said, beaming with confidence.