Chapter 15: Confrontation

Chapter 15: Confrontation

Xin He had fallen ill.

Since becoming pregnant, Xin He had maintained a very regular daily routine, typically resting around 亥时 (9-11 PM) and rising around 辰时 (7-9 AM).

But this morning, when Qiong Hua came in to attend to her, she found the bed curtains still drawn, and Xin He seemed to be still asleep.

Seeing this, Qiong Hua initially intended to withdraw. But after taking two steps, as if remembering something, she tiptoed back.

Pulling aside the bed curtains, she saw Xin He lying in bed, eyes tightly shut, her face flushed with an unnatural redness.

The entire Cuiwei Courtyard was immediately thrown into a panic.

Soon, the doctor arrived.

Zou Shi heard the commotion and came as well.

After examining Xin He’s pulse, the doctor said to Wei Mingjin and Zou Shi, "The autumn wind has been growing cooler these past few days. From her pulse, the concubine has caught a cold. I will prescribe some medicine. She should keep warm and avoid exposure to cold and wind. She should recover within three to five days."

At this point, the doctor paused, seemingly hesitant.

Wei Mingjin said, "Dr. Wu, please speak freely."

"Additionally, while examining the concubine's pulse, I found it wiry and long, which indicates pent-up emotions and excessive fear. It seems the concubine suffered a fright previously, and it still weighs heavily on her heart. Besides medicinal treatment, she should be encouraged to relax and ease her mind."

"Very well, thank you, Doctor." Wei Mingjin nodded and had someone escort the doctor out.

Zou Shi, upon hearing that Cuiwei Courtyard had suddenly called for a doctor, rushed over in a panic, fearing something might be wrong with the fetus in Xin He's womb.

Now that she knew the fetus was safe, Zou Shi began to lecture: "Mingjin, it’s not that your Second Aunt is criticizing you, but you dealt with the old-timers at the shops so decisively. Why are you so soft-hearted when it comes to managing the women's quarters? Look what that wretched woman, Fang Xu, has done to Lady Xin. If anything were to happen to the fetus in her womb, how could you face your father’s spirit in heaven?"

"Second Aunt is right."

Wei Mingjin responded with outward humility, but after leaving Cuiwei Courtyard, he immediately summoned Nanny Dou.

The elder Master Wei's death was sudden, and at that time, Wei Mingjin was away in the provincial capital taking exams. Uncle Ming had no choice but to ask Wei Jingyao to temporarily take charge. Wei Jingyao seized the opportunity to secretly place many of his own people in the main branch.

Wei Jingyao thought he had done this unnoticed. Little did he know, Uncle Ming had long been aware of it.

Wei Mingjin also knew about it.

Previously, Wei Mingjin didn't bother dealing with it and simply pretended not to notice. But fleas buzzing around every now and then eventually become annoying.

Xin He didn't know how long she had been sleeping in a daze. When she woke again, sunlight was already streaming onto the tables and chairs in the room.

Zou Shi sat by the bed, stirring a bowl of brown medicinal soup. Seeing her awake, Zou Shi dramatically clutched her chest and said, "Lady Xin, you're finally awake! You really scared me to death."

Xin He listlessly lowered her eyelashes, a flicker of annoyance in her heart.

Why was she here again! She was like a piece of adhesive plaster—once attached, hard to remove.

"There's chicken soup simmering in the kitchen, and rice porridge is ready too. Have something to eat to settle your stomach before taking the medicine." Without waiting for Xin He to respond, Zou Shi turned to call for someone when hurried footsteps were heard outside.

Shortly after, Qiong Hua came in to announce: "Lady Xin, Nanny Dou is here to see you."

"Please, invite her in quickly."

Nanny Dou was the housekeeper of the inner courtyard of the main branch and also Wei Mingjin's wet nurse.

Master Wei had never appointed a formal wife during his lifetime, and Wei Mingjin was not yet married, so all inner courtyard matters were handled by Nanny Dou. In the past, even the most favored concubines had to show Nanny Dou respect.

Some time ago, Nanny Dou had injured her leg and was taken home by her daughter to recuperate.

"Is Nanny fully recovered now?" Xin He leaned against the soft pillow, asking with concern while motioning for Qiong Hua to bring a stool for Nanny Dou.

"Thank you for your concern, Lady Xin. This old woman is fully recovered."

Nanny Dou was efficient and blunt. Though stern, she was always fair in her dealings, so those in the inner courtyard both feared and respected her.

"This old woman came today firstly to congratulate Lady Xin. Secondly, to apologize. Lady Xin is now with child, so those serving in the courtyard should be clever and sensible. But the steward isn't familiar with the temperaments of everyone in the inner courtyard, and among those assigned to Lady Xin, a few are chronic slackers. This old woman will take them away and replace them with more diligent hands. Is that acceptable?"

As her mind worked, Xin He faintly guessed the purpose of Nanny Dou's move. She said softly, "Then I'll trouble Nanny with this."

"Lady Xin is too kind."

With Xin He's permission, the women brought by Nanny Dou immediately began calling out names outside.

When Zou Shi heard the names of those being replaced, her face twitched.

Among those called, the only one Xin He had any impression of was Qiao'er.

Back when she had first moved into Cuiwei Courtyard, feeling anxious and uneasy, this Qiao'er had quietly comforted her while handing her honeyed water, saying that Wei Jingyao would ensure the safety of her and her child.

And from Zou Shi's reaction now, these people must all be from Wei Jingyao's side.

After the replacements had been made outside, Nanny Dou turned to Zou Shi: "Second Madam, the doctor said our Lady Xin needs rest. Since Second Madam has already seen her, why don't you leave with me? Let Lady Xin get some rest."

"Thank you for your concern, Second Madam. I am fine. Second Madam, please attend to your own affairs; there's no need to spend time here with me." Xin He had long been weary of dealing with Zou Shi and immediately took Nanny Dou's cue to dismiss her.

With the two of them working in tandem, Zou Shi had no choice but to leave with a face dark with anger.

Xin He lay listlessly back in bed, neither eating nor taking medicine, just staring blankly at the canopy.

Was Wei Mingjin starting to suspect her?

Otherwise, why would he suddenly change his mind and want her to keep this child?

But she had clearly heard from Qiong Hua that this year's Prayer Leader had already been found. Why would Wei Mingjin still suspect her?

Just as Xin He was feeling anxious and uneasy, Qiong Hua came in and said, "Lady Xin, the Young Master is here."

What did Wei Mingjin want?!

Xin He panicked instantly. Subconsciously, she wanted to find an excuse not to see him.

But as the words reached her lips, she abruptly changed her mind: "Ask him to wait a moment."

She needed to probe why Wei Mingjin suddenly wanted her to keep this child.

After changing clothes, Xin He had Wei Mingjin invited in.

"I heard Lady Xin hasn't eaten yet. The kitchen made yam and red date porridge. Would Lady Xin like to have some?" Wei Mingjin asked with a smile.

Xin He shook her head, her expression weary. "I have no appetite."

Xin He had always been slight. Since becoming pregnant, she had never lacked tonic soups and medications, yet she remained thin.

Now that she was ill, her complexion was as pale as fresh snow, and she seemed even more like a spring willow—fragile and thin, evoking pity.

"Even if you have no appetite, you should try to eat a little. You may not care about yourself, but you must think of the child in your womb."

As Wei Mingjin finished speaking, maids filed in, carrying cups, bowls, and dishes to set the table.

"Please eat a little, Mistress," Qiong Hua also urged softly.

Though Wei Mingjin appeared gentle and smiling as he consulted her, his tone brooked no argument.

Xin He had no choice but to nod and let Qiong Hua help her to the dining table behind the screen.

Although only Xin He was eating, over ten dishes were laid out, all her usual favorites.

Having no appetite, Xin He only managed half a bowl of porridge before setting down her chopsticks.

The maids cleared the dishes and brought in medicine.

Wei Mingjin sat outside the screen, so Xin He had to brace herself and down the brown decoction in one go.

After rinsing her mouth, Xin He asked Qiong Hua to help her out.

But Wei Mingjin rose gracefully. "In that case, I won’t disturb you further. Please rest well."

With that, Wei Mingjin turned and left.

Xin He was taken aback. Had he come specifically to supervise her eating and taking medicine?

Since when did he have so much free time?

Seeing Wei Mingjin already at the door, Xin He quickly said, "Wait, Young Master."

Wei Mingjin turned back.

Xin He dismissed Qiong Hua. Feeling lightheaded and weak, she had no energy to play games with Wei Mingjin and went straight to her question: "Why did you suddenly change your mind?"

Hearing this, Wei Mingjin gave a helpless smile. "It seems you still don’t believe what I said last night."

His expression even held a hint of disappointment.

For a moment, Xin He hesitated.

Could it be that she had been overthinking all along?

"Never mind," Wei Mingjin sighed softly, his gaze a mix of indulgence and resignation as he looked at Xin He. "If you don’t believe me, I can swear by my father."

He raised his hand as if to take an oath, but Xin He interrupted, "That won’t be necessary."

"Then do you believe me?" Wei Mingjin asked, clasping his hands behind his back as he watched her.

Xin He smiled faintly. Whether she believed him or not hardly mattered!

But since he insisted on an answer, she saw no harm in deceiving him: "I believe you."

After all, there had never been any sincerity between them. If a few words could smooth things over, why not?

Having gotten his answer, Wei Mingjin prepared to leave. "Then rest well. If anything comes up, send for me anytime."

Xin He agreed. As Wei Mingjin reached the door, he suddenly turned back and said with a smile, "By the way, in a few days, it will be the Buddha Prayer Festival at Ciyun Temple. If you’ve recovered by then, I’ll take you to see the festivities. I heard this year’s Prayer Leader is a woman!"

After saying this, Wei Mingjin left, but Xin He was left as startled as a bird startled by the mere twang of a bow.

Why had Wei Mingjin suddenly brought up the Prayer Leader again? Could it be that after Qiong Hua barged into the bathing room that day, word had leaked out, making Wei Mingjin suspicious of her?

Xin He immediately called Qiong Hua in to sound her out.

Qiong Hua was simple by nature, and Xin He’s questioning was subtle. Qiong Hua merely thought she was interested in the festival and said cheerfully, "Mistress, get well quickly so you can go to the Buddha Prayer Festival!"

Her eyes were clear and guileless, showing no sign of deception.

Xin He leaned back against the soft pillow, listless. "We’ll see when the time comes."

After that, Xin He stayed in Cuiwei Court to recuperate. But to her surprise, the next day, Wei Mingxuan came to visit.

"Is this for me?" Xin He looked at the small, exquisite dagger in her hand, somewhat uncertain.

Wei Mingxuan nodded.

The bright-eyed youth, usually willful and unrestrained, became inexplicably awkward and nervous around Xin He. "I heard that keeping a sharp object under the pillow can help calm fright."

"I’ve heard that too, but doesn’t it have to be a blade that’s drawn blood? Has this dagger drawn blood?" Xin He looked at Wei Mingxuan.

Wei Mingxuan froze, flustered. "Ah, no, I didn’t know that. Then I, I—"

"Pfft." Xin He laughed. "I’m teasing you."

In the vast Wei household, where Master Wei was lust-driven, Wei Mingjin was two-faced, and Wei Jingyao and his wife had ulterior motives, only Wei Mingxuan was like a blank slate, making her want to tease him.

Hearing this, Wei Mingxuan relaxed, slowly unclenching his grip on his robe. He was about to reply but paused when he saw the smile on Xin He’s face.

Visiting today, he realized Xin He had grown even thinner since last time. Though she still wore a smile, it seemed forced.

But now her smile was genuine.

"Are you angry?" Xin He asked, seeing Wei Mingxuan staring silently at her.

Wei Mingxuan snapped out of it and, meeting her gaze, quickly lowered his head, flustered. "N-no, I’m not." But the tips of his ears turned pink.

Just as Xin He was about to speak again, they heard maids outside greeting Wei Mingjin.

"Elder Brother!" Wei Mingxuan brightened upon seeing Wei Mingjin and hurried over.

Though Wei Mingxuan disliked studying, he greatly admired his scholarly older brother.

Wei Mingjin smiled. "What brings you here today?"

"I haven’t seen you in a while, so I came to visit."

"If you’re here to see me, then come with me. The mistress is unwell, and the doctor said she needs quiet to recuperate."

Wei Mingxuan agreed and left with Wei Mingjin.

Illness strikes like a landslide, but recovery is slow as spinning silk.

Since falling ill, Xin He had grown even more reluctant to move about, spending her days in Cuiwei Court, almost losing track of time.

One afternoon, Wei Mingjin came as usual to visit and chat.

They had barely exchanged a few words when a maid came to report: "Mistress, the gatekeeper says a man is outside claiming to be from your village. He says he was sent by your uncle to bring you something."

Xin He’s eyelashes fluttered sharply.

Xin Youzhi and his wife were eager to reconcile with her and wouldn’t have sent a villager to deliver something.

That meant the man claiming to be from her village could only be Zhou Shuisheng.

Before Xin He could devise a response, Wei Mingjin said, "Since he’s been sent by the mistress’s uncle, have him brought in at once."