Chapter 30: Gentleness

Chapter 30: Gentle Compliance

The moon was cold and desolate, the wind biting.

When Xin He arrived, Wei Mingjin’s courtyard was empty, with only the lanterns under the eaves swaying in the chilly wind.

Xin He instinctively headed toward the study but was stopped by Feng Mo.

"Lady, Master Wei is waiting for you in the bedchamber."

Xin He’s heart tightened abruptly.

In the middle of the night, Wei Mingjin had suddenly sent for her and was waiting in his bedchamber? Could it be that he…

The moment this thought arose, Xin He immediately dismissed the terrifying idea.

It had been some time since the barrier between them had been broken, and Wei Mingjin did occasionally treat her with a certain intimacy. But that intimacy felt more like a master teasing a cat, devoid of any hint of romantic or physical desire.

Moreover, Xin He remembered clearly how resistant Wei Mingjin had been to her touch that night at Drunken Moon Pavilion.

Later, whatever transpired between them seemed more like him succumbing to the effects of the drug.

She also recalled how angry Wei Mingjin had been when another concubine had tried to sneak into his bed at night. Judging by his behavior, it seemed he was quite averse to matters of intimacy.

"Lady, please hurry," Feng Mo urged.

Xin He composed herself with effort, gathered her skirts, and ascended the steps to push the door open.

But the moment she stepped inside, the door was slammed shut from the outside by Feng Mo.

Xin He turned abruptly to look at the closed door, her heart growing even more uneasy.

"Come in," Wei Mingjin’s voice came from the inner chamber.

The room was unlit, with only the faint glow from the corridor lanterns seeping in, casting the space into semi-darkness.

Now that the door was closed from the outside and Wei Mingjin knew she had entered, Xin He had no choice but to brace herself and walk toward the inner chamber.

A lone lamp burned in the inner chamber.

Wei Mingjin sat on the couch. Usually well-groomed and tidy, he now had his dark hair disheveled, the wide collar of his robe slightly open, revealing his enticing collarbone.

Xin He had never seen Wei Mingjin like this and was momentarily stunned.

"Come here," Wei Mingjin spoke, his voice slightly hoarse.

Xin He cautiously moved closer. As she approached, she noticed an unnatural flush on Wei Mingjin’s face. When he lifted his gaze to look at her, a blaze burned in his eyes.

Xin He was suddenly alarmed and immediately tried to flee.

But just as she turned, someone grabbed her by the waist from behind and pulled her back. Before she could react, she was lifted into his arms and carried directly toward the bed.

As their skin touched, Xin He realized with a start that Wei Mingjin’s body was frighteningly hot.

"Master Wei, are you ill? Put me down, and I’ll send for a physician," Xin He struggled incessantly.

Wei Mingjin said nothing. He laid her horizontally on the bed and immediately covered her. With one hand, he began to undress her, while burying his face in the curve of her neck, inhaling her faint fragrance, his lips tracing a path along her neck.

This was all too sudden for Xin He. Anxious and angry, she felt not a trace of arousal.

But as their bodies pressed together, she clearly sensed Wei Mingjin’s arousal.

Xin He did not want this. She was afraid.

In that moment, a surge of courage welled up within her, and she pushed against Wei Mingjin with all her might.

Caught off guard, Wei Mingjin was indeed pushed away.

Xin He immediately clutched her clothes and scrambled to the corner of the bed, her face filled with panic. "Master Wei, let someone else attend to you, please?"

Her voice was already pleading.

Wei Mingjin was talented, handsome, and immensely wealthy. Countless maids in the Wei household would be willing to serve him if he so desired.

Hearing her words, Wei Mingjin, who had been pushed away, felt a storm gather in his dark eyes.

"Do you think I would accept just anyone?"

Earlier that day, Wei Mingjin had gone out to celebrate his tutor’s birthday. The tutor, free-spirited and eccentric, had repeatedly raised his glass to toast him during the feast.

Unable to decline, Wei Mingjin had no choice but to drink several cups with him.

The wine they drank was a medicinal brew made by the tutor himself, seemingly infused with deer blood and other stimulants.

After returning from the banquet, Wei Mingjin had felt increasingly heated, though he had not paid it much mind at first. But as time passed, the heat within him grew unbearable.

He had tried to suppress it by bathing in cold water, but it proved futile. Left with no other option, he had summoned Xin He.

"No, that’s not what I meant. I, I…" In her panic, Xin He accidentally touched her stomach and quickly seized upon the excuse. "I am with child and not in a condition to serve you."

Wei Mingjin could see her reluctance and knew she was using her pregnancy as a pretext.

Though the heat within him was nearly unbearable, he would not force himself upon her like a beast.

He stood by the bed, his gaze icy as he watched her for a moment. Then, his thin lips parted, and he spoke impatiently, "In that case, get out."

Xin He felt as if she had been granted a reprieve. Flustered, she climbed down from the bed, hastily gathered her garments, and stumbled toward the door.

But after taking a few steps, she suddenly stopped.

Her life was in Wei Mingjin’s hands. If she walked out tonight, whether she would live to see the sunrise tomorrow was uncertain.

Xin He bit her lip.

Back at Drunken Moon Pavilion, everything that should or shouldn’t have happened between them had already occurred. Her refusal now might seem like playing hard to get. But…

Xin He instinctively touched her slightly rounded abdomen.

She was already over three months pregnant. If Wei Mingjin were gentle, it should be fine, right?

She wasn’t sure. But at this moment, she had no other choice.

Xin He took a deep breath, quickly composed herself, and slowly turned back.

Wei Mingjin still stood by the bed, his eyes shadowed with gloom. Suddenly, a pair of slender hands encircled his waist from behind.

Wei Mingjin froze, turning his head to see that Xin He, who had left moments ago, had returned.

Before he could speak, Xin He pressed herself against his back, her arms wrapping around his waist in a gentle, meek, and timid manner. "I am with child. I beg you to be gentle, Master Wei."

Wei Mingjin snapped out of his thoughts, grabbed her wrist, pulled her close, and scooped her up into his arms before carrying her to the bed.

Xin He’s hastily tied clothes were stripped away once more, her dazzlingly pale skin like a shelled lychee, tender and quivering in Wei Mingjin’s palm.

Xin He had always been good at reading situations.

Since she couldn’t escape, she stopped resisting directly and instead chose to use softness to overcome hardness.

She molded herself pliantly against him, actively cooperating with Wei Mingjin while subtly guiding him.

The slick softness that met his touch, the quivering jade peaks, the woman’s passionate pants—all those dreams had now become reality. At this moment, Wei Mingjin no longer needed to suppress himself; he could take what he wanted.

Xin He’s pale lotus-root arms wrapped around Wei Mingjin, her snow-white neck arching high as someone imprinted crimson plum blossoms upon it.

Xin He was docile, but not just docile.

Just as Wei Mingjin moved to embrace her, to press her into his body, Xin He slipped away like an eel.

But before Wei Mingjin could grow angry, Xin He, her eyes shimmering with springwater allure, both shy and delicate, pushed him onto the brocade quilt. Then she docilely leaned in, meeting his lips while one hand loosened his belt and trailed downward.

Wei Mingjin’s core tightened suddenly.

A breeze slipped through the cracked window, snuffing the lone lamp in the bedroom.

The room plunged into darkness. Once sight was lost, the other senses heightened in an instant.

Outside, the wind moaned; inside, the room filled with intimate warmth.

At first, Xin He thought it would only be once or twice—once Wei Mingjin had his fill, she could escape unscathed.

But clearly, she had underestimated Wei Mingjin’s staying power.

Later, when her wrists grew sore, she began to slack off passively.

Wei Mingjin wasn’t angered; he simply let his hand slide slowly down her waist. Xin He jolted and didn't dare slack off again.

After what felt like an eternity, when Xin He was utterly exhausted, Wei Mingjin suddenly grunted lowly, pulling her tightly into his embrace.

Xin He was too tired to even keep her eyes focused, so she didn’t resist, allowing Wei Mingjin to hold her.

A moment later, Wei Mingjin released her, got out of bed, got fully dressed, relit the lamp, and called out the window for water to be prepared.

Xin He picked up the handkerchief from the corner, thoroughly wiped her hands clean, and was about to get dressed when a sudden knock sounded at the door.

Startled, Xin He hurriedly covered herself with the quilt.

Soon, a maidservant entered carrying a basin of water.

The maid kept her head bowed throughout, set down the basin, and then respectfully retreated.

Only after the door closed did Xin He, huddled in the bed, let out a sigh of relief. From beyond the bed curtains, Wei Mingjin’s voice sounded: “Once you’ve cleaned up, go back and rest.”

“Alright,” Xin He replied.

Wei Mingjin then went to the washroom to bathe.

Since there was no one left in the room, Xin He got out of bed, wrung out the handkerchief, gave herself a quick wipe-down, and then grabbed her clothes.

Fortunately, although Wei Mingjin had been eager earlier, he hadn’t torn her garments.

After dressing neatly, as she opened the door, she saw Feng Mo still standing under the corridor holding a lamp.

The night was deep; he stood like a stone statue under the eaves, only the orange glow from the lantern in his hand piercing the darkness.

Seeing Xin He emerge, Feng Mo immediately raised the lantern toward her: “The young master instructed me to escort you back, ma’am. Please mind your step.”

Xin He said nothing, only lifted her skirt and descended the steps.

Feng Mo escorted her all the way back to Cuīwēi Court.

Although Xin He’s departure hadn’t alerted others in the compound, Qiong Hua was aware.

Usually, Qiong Hua attended Xin He closely; earlier, she had intended to go along but was stopped by Feng Mo. Anxious about Xin He, Qiong Hua had stayed awake waiting for her.

Just as she was drowsing off, two figures appeared at the courtyard gate. Qiong Hua hurried over joyfully, whispering, “Ma’am, you’re finally back. Why did the young master summon you so suddenly in the middle of the night?”

“The young master suddenly felt unwell, and Feng Mo and the others didn’t dare act on their own, so they called me over to decide,” Xin He used this excuse to brush off Qiong Hua before sending her to rest and returning to her room alone.

Xin He was actually very tired, but once in bed, she found herself unable to sleep.

In the end, she got up and washed her hands again, and only after lying back down did she finally fall asleep.

Meanwhile, Wei Mingjin had finished bathing. When he emerged, he saw that Xin He was already gone from the room.

The window was half-open, incense curled from the Boshan burner, and the bed linens had been changed.

Wei Mingjin was silent for a moment, then extinguished the lamp and lay back down, sleeping dreamlessly through the night.

Xin He slept as well, but due to the late-night activities, she woke an hour later than usual the next day.

Normally by this time, she would have already checked in at Wei Mingjin’s courtyard, but this morning Xin He was still leisurely sitting at the table eating breakfast.

Xin He ate quickly—a habit formed since childhood.

In her uncle’s house, there were many mouths and little food; if she didn’t eat fast, she wouldn’t get any. Moreover, her aunt and uncle were unkind, piling her with chores all day long. If she ate slowly, they would scold her for trying to slack off.

Although she was now in the Wei household where no one rebuked her, this deeply ingrained habit remained etched in her bones, impossible to shake.

This morning, however, Xin He ate slowly because she was using her left hand to hold the chopsticks.

Qiong Hua thought the breakfast simply didn’t suit her taste: “What would you like to eat, ma’am? I’ll have the kitchen prepare something else.”

“No need, I’m full.” Xin He rubbed her sore wrist and instructed Qiong Hua, “Go to the young master’s place and tell him I’m feeling rather tired today and would like to rest for the day.”

Qiong Hua obeyed the order.

Wei Mingjin listened, was silent for a moment, then nodded in agreement.

Afterward, Xin He used this excuse to rest for two consecutive days. During this time, Feng Mo came once—not to hurry her along, but to deliver a box of bruise and muscle ointment on Wei Mingjin’s orders.

Xin He verbally asked Feng Mo to convey her thanks to Wei Mingjin, but inwardly she thought: At least he has some conscience.

By the fourth day, although Xin He still didn’t feel like reporting to Wei Mingjin’s courtyard, she had no choice but to go.

After all, her wrist pain should have subsided in three days; if it hadn’t, she feared Wei Mingjin would run out of patience.

But to Xin He’s surprise, when she arrived, she actually encountered Wei Mingxuan in Wei Mingjin’s courtyard.

At first, Xin He thought Wei Mingxuan was there to play with Wei Mingjin.

To her surprise, Wei Mingxuan said, "My elder brother is exceptionally talented and knowledgeable. My father has instructed me to come here often to seek his guidance."

Wei Mingxuan disliked studying, but the thought of often getting to see Xin He at this residence made him agree immediately.

Due to the previous incident, Xin He felt it necessary to keep her distance from Wei Mingxuan. She smiled and said, "The young master is indeed erudite. If the second young master receives his instruction and guidance, you will surely excel in the imperial examinations someday, just like him."

Although Wei Mingjin was a hypocrite who presented a false front, his academic prowess was truly impressive.

A few days earlier, when Xin He noticed he was in a good mood, she randomly picked a few books from the shelf and tested him on their contents. Wei Mingjin answered fluently without hesitation.

"My elder brother is like the reincarnation of the God-of-Literature. I fear I will never be able to match his brilliance in this lifetime," Wei Mingxuan said, keenly aware of his own shortcomings.

Seeing the usually spirited young man looking downcast, Xin He was about to offer some words of comfort when a male voice suddenly came from behind her: "Is your wrist feeling better, Concubine?"

The two of them turned around simultaneously and saw Wei Mingjin standing at the doorway, though neither had noticed when he arrived.

Unaware of the underlying situation, Wei Mingxuan asked with concern, "Concubine, did you injure your wrist?"

"No," Xin He lowered her gaze, her earlobes turned crimson.

She knew Wei Mingjin was doing this on purpose. But with Wei Mingxuan pressing for an answer, she had no choice but to brazenly make something up: "I accidentally slept on it wrong a while ago, but it’s fine now."

"That’s good to hear," Wei Mingxuan believed her completely.

Although Xin He didn’t look in Wei Mingjin’s direction, she could sense his gaze fixed on her—amused, almost scoffing.

His ridicule now was undoubtedly because he thought she was telling a blatant lie.

Xin He’s defiance surged within her instantly.

Who better than him to know why her wrist was sore? What right did he have to mock her?

Besides, what happened that night involved both of them—why was she the only one feeling guilty?

Mustering her courage, she raised her eyes and saw Wei Mingjin stepping inside. Dressed in plain, wide-sleeved robes, he looked as pure and noble as the moon, a sharp contrast to the breathless and disheveled figure from that night.

Suddenly, Wei Mingjin’s gaze swept over her.

For some reason, Xin He felt her palms grow hot, and she hastily lowered her eyes again.

Wei Mingxuan, meanwhile, remained completely oblivious to the tension.