Chapter 29: Night Invitation

Chapter 29 A Night Summons

Xin He’s world came crashing down after her afternoon nap.

"Say that again!" Still groggy, Xin He wondered for a moment if she had misheard.

Qiong Hua stood outside the bed curtains, carefully explaining, "Mistress, while you were napping earlier, Feng Mo came again. He said the young master believes that studying and practicing calligraphy require perseverance. Although you don’t need to go over today, you must not slack off. The young master said you’ve been learning the *Thousand Character Essay* for half a month now and wants you to memorize half of it today. Feng Mo will come at 3:45 p.m. in the young master’s stead to check."

Upon hearing this, Xin He immediately lay back down, stiff as a board.

"When Feng Mo comes, just tell him I haven’t woken up from my nap yet." With that, Xin He pulled the quilt over her head, cocooning herself tightly.

Qiong Hua took her words at face value, replied "Yes," and turned to leave.

But she had taken only a few steps when she heard a soft rustle. Qiong Hua turned back to see Xin He throw off the quilt, sitting up with an angry expression.

"How can he go back on his word!!!" Xin He fumed. It had been clearly agreed that she would have the day off today.

Qiong Hua also felt that Wei Mingjin’s actions were out of line. But as a maid, she naturally wouldn’t dare question her master’s decision and could only quietly suggest to Xin He, "Perhaps I could tell the young master that you’re not feeling well today and put off memorizing the *Thousand Character Essay* until tomorrow?"

Xin He wanted to stand her ground, but she didn’t dare.

Yesterday, she had used Liang Wanying as an excuse to shirk her duties, which had already displeased Wei Mingjin. If she feigned illness again today, she would be the one to suffer for it later.

Moreover, Xin He understood better than anyone that after that thin veneer had been pierced, the only reason Wei Mingjin had kept her was because she had promised never to betray or deceive him.

To Wei Mingjin, she was no better than a pet.

If she repeatedly challenged him, Wei Mingjin could change his mind at any time and take her life.

"No," Xin He took a deep breath and said resignedly, "Go get the book. I’ll memorize it sitting on the bed."

But after reciting it only a few times while sitting on the bed, Xin He began to doze off, nearly falling asleep with the book covering her face.

This wouldn’t do.

Xin He moved to the daybed by the window, opened one of the windowpanes, and sat there reciting while bundled up against the cold wind and holding a hand warmer.

At 3:45 p.m., Feng Mo arrived on time.

The first time, Xin He got stuck halfway through and had to pick up the book to review it again.

The second time, she got past the previous stuck point but stumbled at another place.

Xin He picked up the book once more.

She recited in segments, getting stuck repeatedly, and it took almost an hour before she finally managed to stumble through to the end.

"Mistress, you’ve finished reciting, but…"

Before Feng Mo could finish, Xin He had already turned her head away, feigning distress.

Qiong Hua immediately interjected, "The young master said Mistress could rest today, so she napped a little longer and didn’t wake until nearly 2 p.m. After learning that the young master sent you to check on her studies, Mistress has been reciting ever since she woke up. It’s already quite an effort for her to have memorized it. Feng Mo, don’t be so nitpicky."

Feng Mo, who had been nitpicking: "…"

"Qiong Hua, why say all that?" Xin He randomly wiped her face with a handkerchief, then turned back and forced a smile. "Not reciting well is my own problem. I’ve troubled Brother Feng Mo to stay with me—I’m truly sorry. I’ll recite it again."

As she spoke, Xin He reopened the book she had just closed.

Just then, a cold wind blew in from outside, and Xin He, sitting by the window, shivered from the chill. Her face had turned pale from the cold, but her attitude toward studying remained diligent.

Feng Mo felt a twinge of sympathy and said, "It’s getting late today. I must return to report to the young master and won’t disturb you further, Mistress. When you have time tomorrow, you can recite it a few more times to get it down."

"Thank you, Brother Feng Mo." Xin He was overjoyed.

Feng Mo bowed and left.

Xin He personally saw him to the door. Once Feng Mo’s figure disappeared beyond the courtyard gate, she immediately leaned against Qiong Hua. "I’m exhausted."

Qiong Hua, also feeling sorry for Xin He, quickly helped her to the daybed to sit down.

"Mistress, rest for a while. I’ll have someone bring ginseng soup."

While everyone in Cuiwei Courtyard was busy attending to Xin He, Feng Mo returned to report to Wei Mingjin.

Feng Mo truthfully recounted the events of the day, including, of course, the fact that Xin He had stumbled through the recitation.

Others might not understand, but Feng Mo, as Wei Mingjin’s personal attendant, had a vague idea of the underlying reason.

Originally, Wei Mingjin had given Xin He the day off. But after Wei Mingxuan left, Wei Mingjin had scoffed and said inexplicably, "She has it easy," before suddenly changing his mind and ordering Feng Mo to relay the message for Xin He to memorize the text.

Feng Mo understood immediately.

The important thing today wasn’t whether Xin He could recite it perfectly—the important thing was making her memorize it.

So even though she had struggled through the recitation in the end, he had turned a blind eye and let her pass.

Wei Mingjin listened without comment.

Seeing that he had no further instructions, Feng Mo withdrew.

After studying all afternoon, Xin He was mentally and physically exhausted. After dinner, she bathed hastily and went to bed.

That night, Xin He was so tired she didn’t even dream, sleeping straight through until dawn.

After waking, dressing, and having breakfast, Xin He prepared to go to Wei Mingjin’s courtyard as usual to report. But before she could leave, Feng Mo arrived again.

"This is the study assignment the young master has set for you today, Mistress. Please take a look."

Xin He took it blankly, glanced at it, and looked up at Feng Mo. "Does the young master mean for me to study and learn characters here in Cuiwei Courtyard instead of going to his place?"

Feng Mo nodded.

Wei Mingjin was unpredictable. Every time she was in his presence, Xin He had to tread carefully, afraid that one misstep would anger him and cost her her life.

Now that he was assigning her lessons to study in her own courtyard, it was incredibly welcome news for Xin He.

But her happiness lasted less than two days before she began to sense something was off.

Although Wei Mingjin still assigned her daily lessons and had Feng Mo supervise her completion, he never showed up himself.

Moreover, he assigned so much work each day that aside from eating and sleeping, Xin He spent all her time studying and learning characters. She even felt that scholars preparing for the imperial exams probably didn’t work as hard as she did—to the point where she sometimes dreamed of reciting texts at night.

One day, while taking a short break after finishing a page of calligraphy, she couldn’t help asking, "Brother Feng Mo, does the young master intend for me to sit for the imperial exams and become a *zhuangyuan*?"

"Mistress, you’re overthinking it. With our young master around, the *zhuangyuan* title would never go to anyone else."

Xin He: "…"

Since Wei Mingjin didn't intend for her to become the top scholar, why was he forcing her to study and read all day? He could memorize everything after one look, but she couldn't!

Xin He slumped at the desk, staring at the pile of books in front of her, then turned her head and asked with a plaintive expression, "Did I do something wrong to upset the young master?"

Otherwise, why did she feel like Wei Mingjin was deliberately taking revenge on her?

Feng Mo raised his hand and touched the tip of his nose. "This lowly one doesn't know."

Just as Xin He was about to say more, a maid announced from outside the door, "Concubine, the Second Young Master's page is here."

What was Wei Mingxuan's page doing here?!

Xin He was puzzled but still had him shown in.

Wei Mingxuan's page entered carrying a box.

After paying his respects, he explained his purpose: "My young master asked me to deliver this to you, Concubine. He said it's for you to pass the time when you're free and hopes you won't think them too humble."

Qiong Hua took the box and opened it in front of Xin He.

Inside were various small toys—shadow puppets, nine-linked rings, Chinese puzzle locks—all kinds of trinkets, each one different.

Xin He was taken aback, then remembered that she had casually mentioned to Wei Mingxuan the other day that she was bored staying cooped up in the mansion all day.

She hadn’t expected Wei Mingxuan to take her words to heart and even gather so many little toys for her.

She felt a surge of gratitude. "Your young master is very thoughtful. Why hasn’t he come by these past few days?"

"The young master has been made to stay home by his father to study."

Xin He recalled this and said, "In that case, please thank your young master for me. Tell him I really like these gifts and appreciate his trouble."

After speaking, Xin He had Qiong Hua give the servant a string of coins.

The servant thanked her profusely before leaving.

Seeing Xin He still engrossed in the toys Wei Mingxuan had sent, Feng Mo’s eye twitched, and he reminded her, "Concubine, you’re busy with your studies now. You probably don’t have time to play with these, right?"

"It’s fine, I’ll find time to play," Xin He murmured, unable to tear herself away from the toys in the box.

Feng Mo: "..."

Soon, the matter reached Wei Mingjin’s ears.

Moreover, Wei Mingjin learned that while it was true Wei Mingxuan had been confined to the mansion by Wei Jingyao to study, the day before, Wei Jingyao had suddenly become furious and had Wei Mingxuan’s doors and windows nailed shut.

The person Wei Mingjin sent to investigate reported that Wei Mingxuan had sneaked out and was caught by Wei Jingyao, who, in his anger, had taken such measures.

Wei Mingjin was silent for a moment before suddenly asking, "What did Mingxuan go out to do?"

Chi Yan, who was reporting, paused, then stammered, "The Second Young Master went to buy a lot of small toys."

Hearing this, Wei Mingjin immediately understood.

The next day, Xin He looked at the assignments Wei Mingjin had set for her.

After her first glance, she thought she must have misread.

She rubbed her eyes and looked again, confirming she hadn’t made a mistake. Xin He felt her heart sink.

Why were today’s assignments double yesterday’s amount?

She would have to spend the entire day, aside from meals, focused on this to finish.

Feng Mo stood to the side, keeping his eyes down, saying nothing.

He had subtly warned Xin He the day before, but she hadn’t listened. There was nothing more he could do.

After her initial shock, Xin He now finally realized Wei Mingjin was punishing her deliberately.

"Brother Feng Mo, what exactly did I do to offend the young master?" Xin He turned to Feng Mo for help again.

Feng Mo shook his head. He couldn’t say more. "Concubine, you should think about it yourself."

So she really had offended Wei Mingjin?

After thinking hard, Xin He suddenly remembered that night in the study when she had accidentally knocked into Wei Mingjin.

But that night, when she left, Wei Mingjin clearly wasn’t angry anymore. How could he have had a change of heart after sleeping and started settling scores?

Besides, she hadn’t done it on purpose. How could he be so petty?

Though shocked by Wei Mingjin’s pettiness, Xin He knew she had to submit to her circumstances. Reluctantly, she decided to go on her own initiative to Wei Mingjin and apologize.

Seeing this, Feng Mo thought his daily task of supervising Xin He was finally coming to an end. But as he escorted her to the study and was about to leave, he heard Xin He say pleadingly, "I didn’t mean to do it that night, young master. Please don’t be angry with me."

Feng Mo stumbled over his own feet, nearly falling flat.

Hearing the noise, Xin He turned her head slightly and saw Feng Mo staring at her in astonishment. Only then did she suddenly realize that she might have misunderstood the reason for Wei Mingjin’s anger.

The next moment, Wei Mingjin’s chilly voice came: "So in He Niang’s heart, I am this petty."

Xin He: "..."

This was bad.

Seeing the situation, Feng Mo immediately slipped away.

"Of course not!" Xin He quickly turned back, smiling brightly at Wei Mingjin and praising him extravagantly. Finally, she added, "After returning that night, I felt very uneasy about having offended you but forgetting to apologize. So today, as soon as I saw you, I hurried to apologize. I hope you can forgive my recklessness that day."

Xin He’s dark eyes sparkled, and as she looked at Wei Mingjin, they were filled with deep remorse.

But Wei Mingjin knew clearly that this was all an act, deliberately put on by Xin He to win his sympathy.

Wei Mingjin said dismissively, "Don't mention it."

Xin He: "..."

The study window was open, and a cold wind blew in, making the pages of the book on the desk rustle.

Xin He went over to close the window, then walked to Wei Mingjin’s side, kneeling on the cushion beside him. She leaned in slowly, pressing her face against his sleeve like an abandoned cat, her voice uneasy: "Does the young master find me too foolish, so you refuse to teach me yourself anymore?"

"Was it not you who wanted to choose a new master?" Wei Mingjin looked down at her, smiling faintly, his gaze lingering on her slender neck.

Xin He was startled, then immediately understood the problem.

"Is the young master referring to the Second Young Master? Since entering the mansion, I have met him a few times. That day, while I was strolling in the garden, I happened to run into him coming to see you. It so happened that the tea I was brewing was ready, so I politely asked if he would like a cup. That was all. If the young master suspects me because of this, then I am truly wronged."

By the end, Xin He’s voice was choked with tears, which fell like broken pearls, her expression one of extreme grievance.

Wei Mingjin didn’t budge, he said with a faint smile: "With only a few encounters, my second brother not only gave you his favorite dagger but also went out knowing he’d be punished by his father, just to find little trinkets to cheer you up?"

Xin He stood frozen.

The dagger Wei Mingxuan had given her to soothe her was actually something he cherished?

And just because she had casually mentioned how dull it was to be stuck inside all day, he had knowingly risked punishment to personally seek out amusing little things for her?

"Are you touched?" Wei Mingjin's voice sounded almost tempting.

Xin He nodded, then lifted her head, meeting his gaze without flinching. "Young Master, you know what a hard life I’ve had. Second Young Master is the first person who has ever cared enough to give me gifts like this. I am deeply moved."

"If you are moved, then my second brother’s punishment wasn’t for nothing." As he spoke, Wei Mingjin raised his hand, his pale fingers tracing Xin He’s dark hair at her temple, like a little snake ready to strike, cold and ticklish as it traced along her hairline.

Xin He did her best to ignore the unease and continued, "But I have not forgotten my current status."

"Oh? And what is your status now?" Wei Mingjin’s fingers trailed from her temple, slowly moving downward.

"I am the master’s concubine in name only, and I am also someone who has vowed never to betray or lie to you, Young Master. As for what my identity truly is, that’s for you to decide."

By the time Xin He finished speaking, Wei Mingjin’s hand had already wandered to her neck. He looked down at her. "He Niang, you know I have always been particular about cleanliness. I’ve never even shared a cup or dish with anyone."

"I understand. I will not betray you now, and I will never betray you in the future." As she spoke, Xin He gently leaned her slender neck into Wei Mingjin’s palm, then closed her eyes. "If you do not believe me, I am willing to prove it with my life."

Wei Mingjin’s gaze fixed on Xin He’s face.

She lifted her delicate neck, her expression resolute and fearless, as if ready to face death.

Wei Mingjin watched her for a long moment, and the churning in his chest finally eased. He chuckled softly, released her neck, and then patted her head gently, like he was soothing a scared cat. "I was only joking with you. How could you take it so seriously?"

"Anything you say, Young Master, even in jest, I will take seriously." With these words, Xin He leaned obediently against him, secretly letting out a sigh of relief where he couldn’t see.

Later that day, back in Cuiwei Courtyard, Xin He sat quietly for a while holding the box Wei Mingxuan had sent her, then handed it to Qiong Hua. "Put it away."

"My lady, you clearly liked these little trinkets so much. Why are you suddenly asking to put them away?" Qiong Hua asked softly.

Xin He did not answer, only repeated, "Put it away."

It was true she liked them, but she valued her life more.

However, after this incident, she seemed to understand which tactic would work best when trying to survive under Wei Mingjin’s watchful eye.

From then on, Xin He resumed her daily visits to Wei Mingjin’s courtyard.

But within a couple of days, Feng Mo came again to say, "The Young Master is going out to visit guests today and specifically asked me to inform you, My lady, that you may rest for the day."

Because of what had happened last time, Xin He stayed in Cuiwei Courtyard this rest day, killing time laughing and chatting with Qiong Hua and the other young maids.

In the afternoon, when she heard that Wei Mingjin had returned, Xin He grew anxious, fearing he might suddenly summon her again to study and read.

Fortunately, he did not.

After dinner, Xin He took a short walk in the courtyard with Qiong Hua to walk off dinner, then turned in early.

But who could have guessed that in the middle of the night, she was suddenly shaken awake?

Qiong Hua stood by the bed, looking anxious. "My lady, Feng Mo’s here. He says the Young Master has asked for you to come over."

"What time is it?" Xin He asked drowsily as she sat up.

"Almost midnight."

Xin He instantly woke up.

Midnight was the time for sleep—what could Wei Mingjin possibly want with her at this hour? Surely he wouldn’t be checking her studies by candlelight in the middle of the night?

Somehow, a sense of foreboding welled up in Xin He’s heart.

That feeling grew even stronger when she stepped outside and saw Feng Mo standing under the corridor.

"It’s so late. What does the Young Master want with me?" Xin He tried to pry some information from Feng Mo.

But Feng Mo was tight-lipped. He avoided her gaze, only saying urgently, "You’ll see when you arrive, My lady."