Chapter 28: Study

Chapter 28: The Study

As dusk deepened and night frost settled on the roof tiles, lights began to illuminate the Wei residence.

Xin He, wrapped in a cloak, moved through the lantern-lit corridor, making her way to Wei Mingjin’s courtyard.

The sprawling courtyard was silent, save for the cold wind rustling branches that occasionally tapped against the shadow wall.

Upon entering, Xin He saw Wei Mingjin seated behind his desk.

He leaned back in an armchair, the lamplight spilling onto his robes, yet his face remained obscured by the shadows, making it difficult to discern.

Uncertain of Wei Mingjin’s purpose in summoning her so late, Xin He approached cautiously. “Earlier, the young master was receiving a guest, so I thought it best not to interrupt. These are the characters I practiced today. Please critique them.”

She handed over her writing.

But instead of taking it, Wei Mingjin abruptly grasped her wrist, pulling her to his side.

“Young Master,” Xin He’s heart fluttered as she stumbled onto the soft cushion beside him.

Wei Mingjin said nothing, merely lifting her chin with his cold, jade-like fingers.

“He Niang, you are as cunning as ever,” Wei Mingjin’s voice was low, a blend of sigh and reproach. With his face hidden in the lamplight, Xin He couldn’t discern his expression.

Her heart trembled; she knew he was referring to the day’s events.

She had indeed tried to use Miss Liang’s visit to secure a day of leisure, but naturally, she couldn’t admit that to him.

Xin He immediately leaned into him like an obedient cat. “Miss Liang has feelings for the young master, and I, knowing my place, dared not interfere.”

She was shifting all the blame onto him.

Wei Mingjin chuckled softly, his jade-like fingers moving to her ear, idly toying with her delicate, translucent earlobe.

Xin He felt ticklish and wanted to pull away but dared not.

“Weren’t you quite adept at interfering before?” Wei Mingjin spoke again, his tone unreadable.

Unsure if he was being sarcastic, Xin He lowered her eyelashes and replied in a soft, uneasy voice, “It is all my fault. Please punish me.”

She didn’t know why he had called her here tonight, but apologizing was always the safest option.

Wei Mingjin gazed down at her.

She sat beside him, the lamplight casting a glow on her porcelain-like skin, giving her an innocent, uneasy, yet delicate appearance.

But Wei Mingjin knew it was all an act.

Xin He was cunning by nature, skilled at using sweet words and feigning vulnerability to win sympathy.

He remained silent, simply watching her, his fingers lingering and moving over her face.

Xin He’s unease grew.

She would have gladly accepted a scolding or punishment from him.

But his silent, intense gaze filled her with a dread of the unknown, a pressure that grew heavier with each passing moment.

She leaned closer once more, softening her tone. “Young Master, I was wrong. Please punish me.”

A faint smile touched Wei Mingjin’s lips.

This admission sounded far more sincere than the last.

“What exactly were you wrong about?” he asked casually.

“Everything,” Xin He replied. Sensing his hand pause on her cheek, she quickly added, “I should not have presumed to make decisions on your behalf.”

Satisfied, Wei Mingjin nodded slightly.

“If you dare try such tricks with me again…”

“There won’t be a next time,” Xin He cut in quickly, nuzzling her warm cheek against his palm and looking up at him with wide, pleading eyes.

Wei Mingjin paused, swallowing the rest of his words. He pinched her earlobe lightly. “Since you admit your mistake, today’s lesson will be doubled as punishment.”

“What?!” Xin He stared in disbelief.

It was already dark, and she wasn’t studying for the imperial exams—why should she have to burn the midnight oil?

Wei Mingjin’s cool gaze swept over her, and she quickly changed her tune.

As Wei Mingjin withdrew his hand, Xin He rose from the cushion.

But having knelt for so long, her legs had gone numb. Unsteady, she stumbled forward and fell directly onto Wei Mingjin.

Wei Mingjin had been adjusting his sleeves with downcast eyes when suddenly everything went dark.

Before he could react, he was pushed backward, his back hitting the chair firmly. A fleeting warmth brushed against his neck and vanished.

As Xin He fell, her sleeve accidentally knocked over a stack of books on Wei Mingjin’s desk.

For a moment, the study was filled with the sound of clattering and chaos.

Feng Mo, who was on duty outside, rushed in anxiously calling, “Young Master!”

But when he looked up and saw two figures tangled together behind the desk, he froze in shock.

“Get out!”

Wei Mingjin’s sharp command snapped Feng Mo out of his daze. He hastily retreated, even thoughtfully closing the door behind him.

Wei Mingjin: “…”

Xin He, who had fallen on top of him, was also stunned. It wasn’t until Wei Mingjin’s angry shout that she came to her senses. Flustered, she scrambled to her feet, not daring to look at his face.

Wei Mingjin sat in the armchair, his expression dark enough to drip water.

When he turned and saw Xin He’s frightened face, his anger only grew. “Why are you still standing there? Do you expect me to do today’s lesson for you?”

Trembling with fear, Xin He hadn’t expected his first words to be about her lesson.

“I’ll do it, I’ll do it right now,” she hurried to the desk where she usually practiced her writing, took out paper, dipped her brush in ink, and began to write.

Originally, there had been only one desk in Wei Mingjin’s study. But after Xin He started coming daily to read and practice writing, he had another one placed by the front window for her use.

But just as she was about to begin writing tonight, Xin He suddenly realized: Wei Mingjin had only told her to do the lesson; he hadn’t specified where she should write.

Her hand paused mid-air, and she stole a glance at Wei Mingjin.

Wei Mingjin was currently sitting in the armchair with a livid expression. Seeing this, Xin He immediately swallowed her suggestion of returning to Cuiwei Yard.

Having known Wei Mingjin for so long, she had only seen him truly angry twice.

The first time was when a concubine had tried to climb into his bed; he had her dealt with overnight and replaced everyone on duty in the courtyard that evening.

The second time was now.

Someone who usually maintained a gentle and jade-like demeanor was now livid, looking every bit like he had been molested by a rogue. Xin He was both shocked and amused.

But she knew how vigilant Wei Mingjin could be. Afraid of being caught and suffering the consequences, she quickly suppressed her smile and focused all her attention on her lessons.

Wei Mingjin sat with a cold expression for a long while before taking out a handkerchief and wiping his neck expressionlessly.

Xin He happened to see this and was instantly infuriated.

Her lips had only accidentally brushed against that spot earlier, and yet he was so disgusted. But who was it that held her waist tightly without letting go that night at Drunken Moon Pavilion?

Although the little voice in her head was already kicking and punching Wei Mingjin, she didn’t dare show any of it on her face. She could only sulk and finish the day’s assignments.

The winter night was exceptionally quiet, with two lamps in the study shining from opposite ends.

Wanting to finish early and be free, Xin He poured all her focus into practicing her calligraphy.

The characters she usually struggled with flowed with unusual ease today.

After finishing the last page, she blew on the ink to dry it and brought it to Wei Mingjin for review.

Wei Mingjin scanned each one but didn’t nitpick as usual, pointing out where her writing fell short.

Xin He knew her writing was up to standard tonight. She stole a glance at his expression and cautiously said, “It’s getting late, so I’ll take my leave now. You should rest early too, Young Master.”

After a brief pause with no objection from him, she bowed and quietly withdrew.

As soon as she lifted the windproof felt curtain, a gust of cold wind hit her, making her shiver.

“Madam,” Qiong Hua hurried over with a cloak, draping it over Xin He and handing her a hand warmer. “You must be exhausted, my lady. I’ve already asked the kitchen to prepare your late-night snack in advance. Please go back and have some to warm yourself.”

Xin He acknowledged with a nod, pulled on her hood, and left with Qiong Hua.

Feng Mo stood under the corridor for a moment before mustering his courage again to ask through the door, “Young Master, would you like the kitchen to bring you some late-night snack?”

When no answer came from the study, Feng Mo knew he was overstepping his bounds and awkwardly retreated.

Wei Mingjin remained alone in the study a while longer before extinguishing the lamp and returning to his bedroom.

He didn’t light a lamp, relying on years of practice to navigate through the darkness directly to the bedside. He removed his outer robe and lay down.

The moon shadows shifted westward, and frost fell silently.

Wei Mingjin woke up feeling hot.

He could see nothing, but everything he touched was soft.

Like clouds in the sky or dense sponge cake. But when his palm pressed down, he felt a warm, soft throbbing.

A faint, familiar fragrance lingered at the tip of his nose, stirring a secret and burning desire within him.

Warm lips wandered over his neck, accompanied by a woman’s light gasps.

The beast that had long been suppressed within him rammed against its cage upon hearing these light gasps.

It wanted out.

At first, Wei Mingjin could still restrain it.

But when soft, warm jade was in his arms and their skin touched, it was like encountering nectar after a drought. He could no longer refuse, and the caged beast burst forth.

He abandoned reason and let himself sink.

He felt the woman’s breath against his skin, mingled with soft, faint moans.

His large hand gripped her slender willow-like waist tightly, wishing he could press her into his body.

Even pressed together without a gap, it still didn’t feel like enough.

He wanted more.

He was tireless and insatiable.

He lost count of how many times they turned over until a blinding white flash crossed his mind, and his eyes flew open.

The faint light of dawn streamed in, and the room was chilly and silent.

His clothes were soaked, and the bed was in disarray.

Wei Mingjin sat up, the corners of his eyes red, his lashes veiling his expression.

After a moment, he called out to Feng Mo through the door and gave instructions.

Feng Mo was taken aback but quickly assented and went to do it.

Meanwhile, Xin He was still sound asleep.

Back in her uncle’s house, Xin He had to work from morning until night every day, without rest even in the harsh winter. If she slowed down even a little, her aunt and uncle would berate her, calling her a parasite.

Now, she no longer had to work from dawn to dusk, and no one berated her anymore. Xin He slept until she woke naturally every day.

Qiong Hua came in as usual to help her dress and wash up. While helping Xin He into her outer robe, Qiong Hua couldn’t help but glance at her belly again.

She had seen other pregnant women who quickly grew rounded after conceiving. Yet Xin He, already over three months along, still had slim limbs and only a slight bulge in her belly. With her outer robe on, she didn’t look pregnant at all.

Xin He didn’t notice Qiong Hua’s gaze and simply slipped on her outer robe, asking, “Is Doctor Wu coming today for my regular examination?”

“Yes!” Qiong Hua replied, gently pulling Xin He’s hair out from her collar. “Feng Mo also came earlier. He said the Young Master is excusing you from lessons today, so you don’t need to go for reading and writing lessons.”

Xin He couldn’t quite figure out what Wei Mingjin was up to.

Yesterday, even though it was already late at night, he had insisted she go for her lessons. Why would he suddenly send someone early in the morning to give her the day off?

Could it be that Wei Mingjin had realized he’d been too excessive yesterday?

But the thought vanished from her mind as quickly as it came.

Wei Mingjin was not the kind of person to reflect on his actions! Most likely, he was busy with other matters and couldn’t spare time for her, hence the day off.

Regardless, Xin He was delighted she didn’t have to report in to Wei Mingjin today.

After eating her breakfast, about half an hour later, Doctor Wu arrived carrying his medical kit.

Xin He extended her hand for Doctor Wu to take her pulse. In the meantime, Doctor Wu asked about Xin He's daily diet, and Qiong Hua answered each question in detail.

"The Aunt's pulse condition has improved slightly compared to the last time. It would be best to continue taking the pregnancy tonic, and remember to avoid excessive worry or extreme emotions like overwhelming sorrow or joy."

Xin He agreed and instructed someone to respectfully escort Doctor Wu out.

Since she didn't need to check in with Wei Mingjin today and the weather was unusually pleasant, Xin He suddenly felt like taking a stroll in the garden.

At this time of year, there wasn't much to see in the garden.

But Xin He, holding a hand warmer, ambled slowly along the path, delighting in the sight of pine trees, green bamboo, withered trees, and swimming fish along the way.

After walking for a while and feeling a bit tired, Xin He found a gazebo to rest temporarily.

Qiong Hua, along with two older maids, quickly laid out a blanket. After helping Xin He sit down, they lit the charcoal in the small red-clay stove to brew tea for her.

Just as a pot of tea was ready, Xin He noticed someone approaching along the path.

The person initially looked troubled, holding a branch and swishing it through the air irritably.

When he saw Xin He sitting in the gazebo, he was taken aback at first, then delight spread across his brows, and he quickly walked toward her. "Why is Aunt here?"

"The room was stuffy, so I came out for a stroll to get some fresh air. Is Second Young Master here to see the young master?"

Xin He sat on the divan in the gazebo. Today, she wore a goose-yellow lined dress embroidered with pear blossoms, with a white fur collar that accentuated her dark brows and fair skin. She looked up at him with a smiling gaze, giving Wei Mingxuan a faint dizziness.

"Second Young Master?" Qiong Hua called out to him hesitantly.

Wei Mingxuan, as if waking from a dream, quickly snapped back to reality, lowered his eyes awkwardly, and stammered, "Um, yes."

"The young master is in the residence today!" At this point, Xin He paused before asking, "Is Second Young Master in a hurry? If not, the tea is ready now. Would you like to have a cup before going?"

Xin He's words were half out of politeness and half sincere.

Since returning from Ciyun Temple last time, Xin He hadn't left the residence, spending every day on edge, watching Wei Mingjin's moods. Today, for once able to relax outside and meeting the energetic Wei Mingxuan, Xin He, who hadn't spoken with outsiders for a long time, thought it would be nice to chat with him to relieve her boredom.

"It's nothing urgent. If Aunt doesn't mind, I'll gladly intrude." After saying this, Wei Mingxuan sat down opposite Xin He.

Xin He had someone pour tea for Wei Mingxuan and chatted with him amiably about everyday matters. "Second Young Master, it seems like you haven't visited in a long time?"

"Yeah, my father grounded me at home studying recently and didn't allow me to go anywhere." Wei Mingxuan was usually a very lively young man, but for some reason, he suddenly became awkward in front of Xin He, as if his hands and feet weren't quite obeying him.

After speaking, he actually picked up the scalding hot tea and was about to drink it straight away. Xin He couldn't help but remind him, "Second Young Master, this tea was just brewed and is still very hot."

"Oh, oh." Only then did Wei Mingxuan awkwardly set the cup down and ask Xin He, "Has Aunt been well lately?"

"I've been fine, just bored staying indoors all day, feeling extremely dull."

Hearing this, Wei Mingxuan immediately racked his brains to recall some interesting stories he had heard to share with Xin He.

His teacup was refilled several times. When Qiong Hua noticed the wind picking up and reminded Xin He, Wei Mingxuan, who had drunk a bellyful of tea, unwillingly got up to leave.

Xin He smiled and thanked him: "It's been a long time since anyone told me about news from outside. Thank you very much, Second Young Master, for today."

"Aunt, you're too kind."

Afterward, Xin He was surrounded by maids and matrons and returned to Jadegreen Courtyard, while Wei Mingxuan, feeling light-headed and unsteady, made his way to Wei Mingjin's courtyard.

But after entering, Wei Mingxuan didn't go to see Wei Mingjin first. Instead, he hurried straight to the restroom.

Feng Mo: "..."

Wei Mingjin, who had come out upon hearing the noise, happened to witness this scene.

A short while later, Wei Mingxuan was seated in front of Wei Mingjin.

Wei Mingjin handed him a teacup, his expression concerned. "Is something wrong with your health, Second Brother?"

"Not at all!" After saying this, Wei Mingxuan realized that Wei Mingjin must have seen him rushing to the restroom earlier, so he scratched his head somewhat sheepishly. "On my way here, I ran into Aunt Xin in the garden and had a few too many cups of tea while talking with her."

"I see." Wei Mingjin nodded and didn't say anything more, but his eyes darkened.