Chapter 13: See

Chapter 13: The Sight

The sweat-stained cloth bearing the imprint of a man's footprint was hardly evidence, let alone enough to convict Xin He.

On the contrary, Fang Xu's maid, seeing her mistress's cause was lost, spilled everything, revealing how Fang Xu had previously manipulated Yiniang Hua and Yiniang Hu to frame Xin He.

Fang Xu, with surprising resolve, admitted to this on the spot. However, she adamantly denied pushing Xin He down the stairs.

Yet, her denial changed nothing, for a monk had witnessed her pushing Xin He.

Wei Jingyao and his wife had initially intended for Wei Mingjin to severely punish Fang Xu, but recalling Xin He's earlier words, they fell silent, their displeasure evident.

Wei Mingjin, seated regally at the head of the table, asked Xin He with a leisurely smile, "Since this is the case, Xin Yiniang, as the aggrieved party, how would you like to see her punished?"

This was his way of ceding the decision-making power to Xin He.

Far from feeling pleased, Xin He sensed Wei Mingjin was deliberately putting her in a difficult position.

She was indeed the victim when Fang Xu used Yiniang Hua and Yiniang Hu to frame her. But as for the true circumstances of her fall down the stairs this time, Wei Mingjin had likely already surmised them.

Any answer she gave now would be problematic, so Xin He reiterated her earlier stance: "This matter rests entirely with you, Young Master. I have not the slightest objection."

Wei Jingyao fumed inwardly but dared not interject.

A flicker of amusement crossed Wei Mingjin's eyes as he sat in the main seat: "Although Yiniang Xu was at fault, no great harm was done. How about confining her to her quarters for reflection, and having her copy Buddhist scriptures for three hours daily to pray for Yiniang and the child's well-being until Yiniang safely delivers a son?"

Fang Xu's head snapped up, her face instantly alight with surprise and joy.

Xin He, however, was stunned. Fang Xu had repeatedly sought to end her life, yet Wei Mingjin was not expelling her from the estate, merely making her copy scriptures daily to pray for her and the child. What kind of punishment was this?

Wei Jingyao and his wife also found Wei Mingjin's decision utterly preposterous.

But given Xin He's earlier inclination to side with Wei Mingjin, the couple now decided to remain aloof. They believed that only by letting Xin He suffer a little would she truly understand who was on her side.

Xin He clearly perceived Wei Mingjin's move as both a test and a warning.

A warning that her actions today had not met with his approval.

Though she was unwilling to let Fang Xu remain in the estate, Xin He dared not show the slightest hint of dissatisfaction.

Xin He lowered her head, her reply soft and submissive: "Excellent. It shall be as you say, Young Master."

Wei Jingyao and his wife stared at Xin He, dumbfounded.

What sort of spell had Wei Mingjin cast upon her? How could she agree to such a lenient punishment?

Since Xin He, the aggrieved party, had no objections, Fang Xu's punishment was thus decided.

Wei Jingyao and his wife naturally perceived Xin He's forced compliance, so as soon as Xin He left, Zou Shi followed after her.

But Xin He was physically and mentally exhausted and had no energy to deal with Zou Shi, so she had her dismissed.

"Yiniang, the pregnancy tonic is ready." Qiong Hua entered with the tonic, finding Xin He seated by the window, her back appearing solitary and frail.

Without turning her head, Xin He said, "Set it down there."

Qiong Hua placed the tonic on the side table, then heard Xin He add, "Go keep watch outside. If the Young Master returns, come and tell me."

Qiong Hua acknowledged and departed. Xin He picked up the bowl and poured all the pregnancy tonic into a potted plant.

A short while later, Qiong Hua entered to report: "Yiniang, the Young Master has returned."

Xin He immediately hurried to the adjacent room to see Wei Mingjin, intending to explain the day's events. But she had barely begun when Wei Mingjin interrupted her: "Yiniang should focus on resting well."

Wei Mingjin's brow showed a faint trace of impatience, and Feng Mo and Chi Yan were peeking in from outside the door, clearly indicating that Wei Mingjin had other matters to attend to.

Xin He felt fortune was smiling on her and tactfully withdrew.

"Thud!" As soon as Xin He left, Feng Mo and Chi Yan simultaneously knelt before Wei Mingjin, speaking in unison: "Your subordinates are incompetent. Please punish us, Young Master."

Feng Mo and Chi Yan had been confident that by invoking the grand banner of the Prayer Leader for the Prayer Buddha Festival, finding the woman would be a certainty.

But who could have imagined that ten days had passed since Ciyun Temple announced this year's criteria for the Prayer Leader, yet only fraudsters had appeared—not a single genuine candidate.

Seeing their Young Master's expression growing increasingly chilling, Feng Mo and Chi Yan had no choice but to proactively seek punishment.

Wei Mingjin's gaze fell on Feng Mo. His tone was calm, but his eyes were piercingly cold: "Who was it that so confidently told me we should find her soon?"

Feng Mo inwardly groaned.

This wasn't even his responsibility! Why was the Young Master directing all his anger at him now?

Though miserable inside, Feng Mo could only repeatedly apologize.

Chi Yan, ever loyal, immediately took all the blame upon himself: "Feng Mo only came up with this idea because he saw I was making no progress and was anxious for me. Ultimately, it's my incompetence. Please punish me, Young Master."

Wei Mingjin said nothing, merely leaning back in his armchair, eyelids slightly lowered, his long, pale fingers idly tracing the teacup. His face showed no trace of anger.

But Feng Mo and Chi Yan had been with Wei Mingjin since childhood, and they knew better than anyone that when Wei Mingjin fell silent, it meant his patience was running out.

If they could not provide him with a satisfactory answer before his patience completely vanished, they would become worthless.

Suddenly, cicada chirps came from somewhere—clear and pleasant at first, but gradually becoming shrill and desperate before fading away.

The moment the cicadas fell silent, a light "clink" sounded as Wei Mingjin's fingers released the teacup lid. It struck the cup, splashing emerald green tea onto the huanghuali wood desk.

Feng Mo's eyelid twitched violently, and he said urgently, "Half a month. If I still can't find her in half a month, I will offer my head to you."

Before Wei Mingjin could mete out punishment, Feng Mo made a military pledge.

Without hesitation, Chi Yan added, "I am the same as Feng Mo."

Wei Mingjin leisurely wiped his hands with a handkerchief, his thin lips slightly curving: "Ten days."

Feng Mo and Chi Yan shuddered and could only kowtow: "Yes."

Though it was nearly late autumn, when Feng Mo and Chi Yan emerged, their backs were soaked with sweat.

Chi Yan looked full of guilt: "I'm sorry, this time I've dragged you down."

"At a time like this, let's not bother with empty words," Feng Mo said as if mourning his own parents. "Let's hurry and search. If we can't find her this time, we'll really have to twist our heads off for the Young Master to use as stools."

"Alright, you're the clever one. I'll follow your lead. Where should we start looking?"

Feng Mo gritted his teeth and squeezed out three words: "Drunken Moon Pavilion."

"I already looked into it but found nothing. And some time ago, Drunken Moon Pavilion had a fire and a death. It's now sealed, with people arrested or scattered. There are even fewer clues now," Chi Yan said despairingly.

Feng Mo replied, "If there are no clues, we find clues. You go find the madam of Drunken Moon Pavilion. Leave no stone unturned if you have to, but find her."

After the fire at Drunken Moon Pavilion resulted in deaths, it was further uncovered by the authorities that the establishment had long colluded with gambling dens to coerce innocent women into prostitution. The madam of Drunken Moon Pavilion, catching wind of it early, had already fled.

"I will go to the county jail to meet with those arrested from Drunken Moon Pavilion and see if I can get any useful clues from them."

Once they had agreed on the plan, the two of them went their separate ways.

At this time, Xin He had no idea that Feng Mo and Chi Yan were searching for her as fast as they could. Leaning against her bed, she was contemplating her current predicament.

She had temporarily gotten past Wei Mingjin, but there was still the greedy Zhou Shuisheng waiting for her.

This child absolutely could not remain.

Since the physician said that her pregnancy was already unstable, she had to seize this opportunity to be rid of the child.

Having made up her mind, Xin He threw off the covers and got out of bed.

Qiong Hua happened to enter from outside with an ointment. Seeing Xin He out of bed, she hurried over. "What are you doing up, Yiniang? The physician insisted that you must rest in bed during this time."

"Lying down is stuffy, and my whole body aches." Ignoring Qiong Hua's protests, Xin He insisted on putting on her outer robe.

Terrified, Qiong Hua’s knees went weak, and she dropped to her knees. "Yiniang, after you fell down the steps, the steward already scolded your servant. If anything happens to you or the child again, your servant fears her life won't be enough to atone. Please."

Qiong Hua, usually carefree and bright-smiling, was now crying, her face streaked with tears.

Xin He felt irritated and said impatiently, "Enough, get up. I won’t go out, then."

With that, she sat back down on the bed, in a huff.

Qiong Hua wiped her tears and stood up, saying meekly, "Yiniang, let me apply the ointment for you."

When she fell, Xin He had cut her forehead open and bruised several parts of her body.

After Qiong Hua applied medicine to Xin He’s forehead, Xin He said, "Leave the ointment. Have someone draw a bath for me; I want to bathe."

Soon, the servants had the water ready.

Xin He never allowed anyone to attend to her while bathing. Once the maids had prepared the water, they withdrew.

After her bath, Xin He stood before the mirror, her slender, luminous back reflected in the bronze mirror.

On the fair, smooth skin of her left shoulder blade was a red mole no bigger than a grain of rice.

Next to the red mole, a large bruise had bloomed.

Xin He dipped her fingertips into the ointment, turned her head to look into the mirror, and carefully applied the salve to the bruised area.

She was so focused that she didn't hear the knocking at the door.

Now that Xin He was pregnant, Qiong Hua was especially attentive to her. Usually, Xin He took only half an hour to bathe, but today, even after that time had passed, she still hadn't emerged. There was no response to knocking. Fearful that something had happened, Qiong Hua took the initiative to push the door open and enter.

Xin He, who was applying ointment while facing the mirror, was startled to see an extra face reflected behind her. She swiftly grabbed her robe and draped it over herself, barking, "Who told you to come in? Get out!"

Qiong Hua, frightened, scrambled out.

Xin He was in no mood to apply the ointment. She dressed quickly and went out.

Qiong Hua was standing anxiously outside the washroom.

Having served Xin He for nearly three months, this was the first time she had seen Xin He so furious. Qiong Hua was worried.

Seeing Xin He come out, Qiong Hua immediately explained, "Your servant didn't mean to offend you, Yiniang. It's just that you didn't respond for so long, and your servant was worried something had happened."

"Did you see anything just now?" Xin He’s damp black hair spilled down her back like a tangle of little snakes as she stared at Qiong Hua.

"No, your servant was immediately shooed out by you, Yiniang."

Qiong Hua had been assigned to serve Xin He shortly after Xin He entered the Wei household.

This girl was simple and a bit scatterbrained; her sudden intrusion today was likely truly because she was concerned.

Seeing the fear on Qiong Hua’s face, Xin He realized her earlier reaction had been excessive. Her tone softened. "You know I don’t like anyone around when I bathe. You startled me by bursting in like that."

"It was all your servant's fault," Qiong Hua quickly apologized.

Xin He waved a hand. "Enough. You were worried about me; I don’t blame you. But don’t be so impulsive next time."

After Qiong Hua acknowledged this, Xin He sent her away and called another maid to help dry her hair.

Qiong Hua returned to her room. Sitting at the table and drinking a cup of tea, she gradually calmed down.

Once settled, the scene she had unintentionally witnessed when she rushed into the washroom resurfaced in her mind—

Xin He, bare-backed, applying medicine in front of the mirror, with a red mole no bigger than a grain of rice on her left shoulder blade.