Chapter 32: Slap

Chapter 32: The Slap

Though Xin He had an inkling of Wei Mingjin's decision, she remained unsettled until he gave her a clear answer.

On this day of sleet, Xin He wrapped herself in a fur-lined cloak and went to see Wei Mingjin.

Wei Mingjin was seated behind his desk. His cold, jade-pale face seemed to mirror the gloomy weather outside, veiled in a somber shadow.

Wei Mingjin was in a foul mood today.

But this foul mood wasn’t due to any particular incident—it was simply because of the rainy, snowy weather.

After spending more time with Wei Mingjin, Xin He had gradually noticed that he seemed to detest rainy and snowy days.

Whenever it rained or snowed, a faint, menacing aura would cling to him, and he became even more difficult to serve than usual.

Xin He paused at the door to compose herself, then took off her fur-lined cloak and handed it to Qiong Hua before gathering her skirts and stepping inside.

Wei Mingjin heard Xin He’s footsteps, but he neither spoke nor turned around. Instead, he stared gloomily at the book in front of him.

Until a pair of soft hands suddenly rested on his knees.

Wei Mingjin looked down and saw Xin He’s hands on his knees, gently massaging them.

Some time ago, Xin He had noticed that although Wei Mingjin usually appeared normal, whenever it rained or snowed or when the cold was particularly harsh, he would unconsciously frown and rub his knees with his large hands.

He must have an old injury in his knees.

“Is your knee still bothering you, young master? Why not call a physician to take a look?” Xin He asked concernedly as she gently massaged his knees.

“It’s an old injury; calling a physician won’t help.” With that, Wei Mingjin suddenly grabbed Xin He’s wrist and yanked her up.

Xin He lost her balance and tumbled into Wei Mingjin’s lap.

Startled, she immediately tried to stand up, but Wei Mingjin wrapped an arm around her waist: “Don’t move.”

Xin He instantly froze.

Wei Mingjin inhaled the faint fragrance from Xin He’s body, and only then did the raging fury inside him subside a little.

Xin He’s body stiffened for a moment, but when she realized Wei Mingjin was merely holding her without any other intentions, she relaxed and wrapped her arms around his waist and back, gently comforting him.

Not only did Wei Mingjin have an old injury in his knees, but he also seemed to have old scars on his back.

Xin He recalled that night at Drunken Moon Pavilion when she had felt rough, raised scars on Wei Mingjin’s back.

But Wei Mingjin was Master Wei’s only son, praised by everyone in Qingyuan County as the reincarnation of the Literary Star. Everyone always spoke highly of him—how could someone like him have so many old scars?

Though curious, Xin He kept these questions to herself.

Wei Mingjin was already in a bad mood because of the weather; if she asked him about this, she would be courting death.

Xin He obediently leaned against Wei Mingjin’s chest, trying to distract him with idle chatter.

But Wei Mingjin’s responses were curt, and it felt like Xin He was performing a monologue. Moreover, she keenly noticed that Wei Mingjin’s agitation was growing, and his dark pupils were becoming even deeper.

Xin He glanced down at the sachet at her waist and said softly, “Young master, I learned some massage techniques from my grandfather to help relax. Why don’t you lie down, and I’ll massage you, alright?”

Wei Mingjin shot her a sidelong glance.

Xin He tugged at his sleeve and shook it, her pleading meaning obvious.

Wei Mingjin irritably closed his eyes for a moment before lying down on the couch, resting his head on Xin He’s lap.

Xin He bent her head and began massaging Wei Mingjin’s temples with gentle motions.

Whenever it rained or snowed, the beast inside Wei Mingjin’s heart would always stir up trouble. Before, during such times, he would lock himself in his study and read book after book, refusing to let himself be distracted.

But ever since Xin He entered his study on a rainy day last time, reading no longer worked for him.

Xin He massaged his temples with just the right pressure and asked softly, “Do you feel better, young master?”

“No.”

Xin He: “…”

Xin He pretended not to hear Wei Mingjin’s response and continued massaging him while chattering on: “I also hate rainy and snowy days. My uncle’s roof was too leaky—every time it rained, it would pour outside and drip inside. During the day, it was manageable, but at night, my younger siblings refused to sleep where the rain had leaked, so they pushed me to sleep there. That spot was right by the window, and I often spent the entire night shivering from the cold, unable to sleep…”

Xin He rambled on, not caring whether Wei Mingjin was listening or not.

“On those sleepless nights, I would hug my knees and lean against the cold wall, thinking how nice it would be if I could suddenly be sixty years old. By then, I should have a house full of children and grandchildren, all the suffering would be over, and life would be nothing but enjoyment…”

Surprisingly, the violent agitation inside Wei Mingjin gradually subsided amidst Xin He’s rambling.

Wei Mingjin still didn’t open his eyes but abruptly asked, “What kind of life do you consider enjoyable?”

“No one scolds me, I have enough to eat and wear, a place to live, no need to struggle for a living, and no fear of being sold.” For Xin He, such a life would be enjoyment.

But after saying this, she added ingratiatingly, “For me, the life I have now is already enjoyment.”

In the past, Xin He wouldn’t have dared to dream of such a life.

The only drawback was that her life hung on Wei Mingjin’s whim.

Wei Mingjin scoffed: “Short-sighted.”

Xin He was already used to Wei Mingjin’s mockery. Since she couldn’t fight back, she pretended not to hear and asked curiously, “What do you think counts as enjoyment, young master?”

“Being born is suffering. Not being born at all is enjoyment.”

Hearing this, Xin He’s hands, which were massaging his temples, paused. She instinctively thought Wei Mingjin was referring to the child in her womb.

But a few days ago, Wei Mingjin had seemed inclined to keep the child. Could he have changed his mind now?

Xin He’s heart tightened suddenly. Just as she was about to speak, Wei Mingjin turned over and pressed his face against her abdomen, sniffing lightly: “What’s in this sachet of yours?”

“I haven’t been sleeping well lately, so I filled it with some herbs to calm the nerves.”

Xin He’s grandfather had been a herb gatherer. When Xin He was young, she often went herb gathering with him, and he taught her about the properties of many herbs.

Not long ago, when Xin He noticed that Wei Mingjin became emotionally unstable on rainy and snowy days, she quietly prepared some calming and sleep-inducing herbs and put them in her sachet.

“If you like the scent, young master, I can make one for you too.”

Wei Mingjin gave no answer.

Xin He continued massaging his temples. After a while, the person resting on her lap began breathing evenly.

He had finally fallen asleep.

Xin He let out a quiet sigh of relief, finally stopping to rub her sore wrists.

The room was silent, with only the incense curling upward.

Though sitting like this was uncomfortable, compared to being nervous and on edge in front of a conscious Wei Mingjin, Xin He would rather have him asleep.

Without disturbing Wei Mingjin, she grabbed a soft pillow and tucked it behind her back, leaning slightly backward to make herself more comfortable.

With Wei Mingjin asleep, Xin He didn't dare move, so she idly looked around at the room’s furnishings.

But she had been here many times and had already grown tired of the decor. Feeling bored, she lowered her eyes.

Wei Mingjin was sleeping soundly with his head on her lap.

His features were handsome and refined, with a kind and approachable appearance.

Unfortunately, his appearance did not match his true nature.

Just as Xin He was silently complaining to herself with a pout, Wei Mingjin suddenly opened his eyes.

In that instant, Xin He felt a sudden panic of being caught in the act. Fortunately, the newly awake Wei Mingjin was not as alert as usual. He lowered his eyelashes and slowly sat up, looking somewhat dazed.

He had actually fallen asleep.

Xin He obediently poured a cup of tea and handed it over.

Wei Mingjin took it and drank it in one swallow, then rested his pale, refined hand on the back of his neck, rubbing it absently for a while before waving his hand at Xin He, signaling that she could leave.

Xin He felt as if she'd received a pardon. After giving a curtsy, she gathered her skirts and left.

Afterward, Xin He’s days were peaceful. Aside from eating and resting, she still went to Wei Mingjin’s courtyard to check in daily.

On this day, the winter sun was warm, and Wei Mingjin was in the mood. After burning incense and cleansing his hands, he leisurely played the guqin under the corridor.

Wei Mingxuan, who had not come here for several days, suddenly arrived again today. As he reached the courtyard gate, he happened to hear the clear, melodious sounds of the guqin.

Wei Mingjin’s guqin skills were outstanding, but he only played when he felt like it.

Wei Mingxuan was delighted, feeling that he had come at just the right time. As he eagerly stepped into the courtyard, he saw Wei Mingjin, wearing plain robes, playing the guqin.

Just as Wei Mingxuan was about to call out to him, he noticed Xin He beside Wei Mingjin.

Today, Xin He was wearing a turquoise aoqun embroidered with plum blossom designs, her hair lightly styled and adorned with a jade hairpin. At that moment, she was sitting seriously beside Wei Mingjin, practicing calligraphy.

Wei Mingxuan stopped in his tracks, watching the two under the corridor.

They made a good-looking couple—one playing the guqin, the other practicing calligraphy. At first glance, they resembled a harmonious, loving couple.

But this thought lasted only a moment before Wei Mingxuan forcibly dismissed it: their social statuses were different; how could they be a harmonious couple?

“Elder Brother, Yiniang Xin,” Wei Mingxuan called out, breaking the peaceful harmony in the courtyard.

When Xin He saw Wei Mingxuan, she was momentarily surprised.

Wei Mingxuan had not come for several days, and she had thought he wouldn’t be coming today!

Wei Mingjin, however, showed no surprise. He placed his finger on the guqin string, and said calmly with a smile: “Second Brother, you haven’t come for several days. What, has Second Uncle stopped forcing you to study recently?”

“I’m not like you, Elder Brother. I’m just not cut out for academic studies. No matter how much my father pushes me, I won’t pass the exams.” Wei Mingxuan walked briskly over and turned to Xin He. “Yiniang, are you practicing calligraphy?”

“Yes, I’m not very good at it. Please don’t laugh, Second Young Master.” As she spoke, Xin He tried to put away the characters she had written, but Wei Mingxuan had already picked them up first.

Xin He had no choice but to pull her hand back.

Though Xin He’s calligraphy still carried a touch of naivety, it already possessed a distinct elegance. Wei Mingxuan praised sincerely, “If Yiniang says such good characters are not well-written, then my writing would truly be unsightly.”

Wei Mingjin always said her calligraphy was poor, making Wei Mingxuan the first to praise her.

Though Xin He was pleased inside, she replied modestly, “Second Young Master, please don’t tease me.”

“I’m not teasing you, Yiniang. Your characters are truly well-written!” Wei Mingxuan praised verbally, but a flicker of doubt passed through his heart.

Why did Xin He’s calligraphy resemble Wei Mingjin’s so much?

Wei Mingjin was not only very knowledgeable but also excelled in calligraphy, with a unique, elegant style. Many had previously offered large sums to copy his characters, but Wei Mingjin had politely declined. Now, he had actually taught his unique skill to Xin He. What was the relationship between them…?

Wei Mingxuan’s suspicious gaze subtly shifted between Wei Mingjin and Xin He.

Unaware of Wei Mingxuan’s thoughts, Xin He felt somewhat embarrassed by the praise and didn’t know what else to say. She shyly lowered her head.

Wei Mingjin naturally noticed Wei Mingxuan’s discreet scrutiny but only smiled gently. “Second Brother, you’ve come at just the right time. A few days ago, while organizing the storeroom, we found a precious sword. I know you’ve always liked weapons, so I was thinking of sending it to you for your appraisal.”

Upon hearing this, Xin He immediately excused herself, citing fatigue, and left.

Wei Mingxuan watched Xin He’s retreating figure, a trace of sorrow crossing his face.

Earlier, she had been alone with Wei Mingjin without avoiding suspicion, so why was she avoiding him like the plague?

“Second Brother?” Wei Mingjin’s voice sounded.

Wei Mingxuan snapped back to attention and quickly responded.

Wei Mingjin didn’t mind his distraction. As he led him toward the hall, he said, “If you like the sword, take it. Keeping it in our residence would only let dust dull its brilliance.”

A deep sense of guilt welled up in Wei Mingxuan’s heart.

His elder brother treated him so well, yet he had been speculating about his relationship with Yiniang Xin. He really shouldn’t have.

Noticing the young man beside him bowing his head in shame, Wei Mingjin curled his lips into a faint smile.

The sword had been stored in the storeroom during Master Wei’s time and had only resurfaced a few days ago during the reorganization.

When Wei Mingjin asked for it, the storeroom attendants immediately delivered it to him.

The sword’s scabbard looked unremarkable, but upon opening it and drawing the blade, the silver edge gleamed like frost. Wei Mingxuan lightly tapped the blade with his finger, hearing a crisp, resonant hum.

It was an excellent sword.

Wei Mingxuan liked it very much but felt undeserving, so he kept declining.

Wei Mingjin smiled gently. “To me, this sword is nothing more than scrap metal, but to you, Second Brother, it is a rare treasure. Rather than letting it rust here, it would be better for it to fulfill its true purpose with you. Please don’t refuse.”

In the end, Wei Mingxuan could not decline any further. After repeatedly expressing his gratitude, he happily carried the sword back to his residence.

Usually, the servants in his courtyard would immediately come to greet him upon his return, but today, it was an old maidservant from his mother, Zou Shi’s, side who came out to meet him.

“Young Master, the Madam is waiting for you in the hall.”

His mother often came to his courtyard to handle matters for him. Wei Mingxuan thought that perhaps another servant had been caught slacking off, and that was why his mother had summoned him.

Just as he feared, the moment he arrived, he saw his mother sitting on the main seat with a face like thunder, her chest heaving uncontrollably, clearly enraged.

Wei Mingxuan breezed in cheerfully and stepped forward to comfort her: "Which good-for-nothing in my courtyard has angered you again, Mother? You—"

Before Wei Mingxuan could finish, Zou Shi suddenly turned to glare at him.

Her eyes were filled with deep fury and disbelief.

Wei Mingxuan was stunned, looking utterly bewildered: "I’ve been very well-behaved lately and haven’t gone out to cause trouble!"

As soon as the words left his mouth, Zou Shi slammed an object on the table, furious: "Whose is this?"

When Wei Mingxuan saw what it was, his face instantly turned pale.

It was the jade hairpin he had secretly kept from Xin He.

He had hidden it inside his pillow—how had his mother found it?

"This is... this is..." Wei Mingxuan stammered for a moment before suddenly thinking of an excuse, "This is a birthday gift I intended for you, Mother. Isn’t your birthday coming soon—"

*Smack!*—a sharp sound.

Zou Shi slapped the armrest of her chair, the peony-patterned gold bracelet on her wrist clattering loudly.

"Even now, you’re still lying to me! Someone, bring in the young master’s personal manservant."

Wei Mingxuan turned and saw his manservant, bound and shoved into the room.

"That day when I came to see you, I noticed you spacing out at a jade hairpin. I thought you had taken a liking to someone. Since you refused to tell me, I called your servants to inquire. And what did I find out? You’ve actually got your eye on that little slut Xin He! For her, you’d even risk punishment to sneak out of the mansion to buy her little gifts to cheer her up!" Zou Shi’s face was pale with rage, her whole body trembling as if she were struck by a fit.

The nanny beside her was startled and hurriedly patted her back to calm her.

The manservant, who had been tortured, looked at Wei Mingxuan with both grievance and guilt, mumbling in a low voice: "Young Master, I didn’t want to say anything, but the mistress found the jade hairpin you hid in your pillow."

Wei Mingxuan was Zou Shi’s son, and she knew him like the back of her hand.

Since childhood, whenever Wei Mingxuan obtained something he cherished, he would secretly hide it in his pillow. Even now that he was older, this habit remained.

And that jade hairpin—Zou Shi had seen it in Xin He’s hair before.

Moreover, aside from staying in the mansion, Wei Mingxuan had only visited the first branch recently. Putting two and two together, Zou Shi pieced everything together.

"That little slut! Your father and I bent over backwards to help her before, and now she’s secretly seducing my son!" Zou Shi was furious, like an enraged lion, exuding wrath from head to toe.

Knowing his mother’s temper, Wei Mingxuan quickly knelt to admit his fault: "Mother, you’ve misunderstood. Concubine Xin did not seduce me. It was my one-sided affection for her. After she became aware of my feelings, she has been avoiding me."

"If she hadn’t deliberately seduced you, how could you, a man who reads the sacred texts, throw decency to the wind for her?"

Zou Shi refused to believe that her son, in the prime of his youth, would be attracted to a recently widowed concubine—and worse, his uncle’s concubine!

Moreover, Xin He had briefly sought refuge with their second household before. But later, for some reason, she suddenly distanced herself from them and grew closer to Wei Mingjin. Now she was involved with their only son in an improper manner. Already biased against Xin He, Zou Shi was convinced that all of this was the result of Xin He’s deliberate seduction.

"Mother, you’ve truly misunderstood. It’s not what you think..."

Wei Mingxuan kept explaining, but Zou Shi, seething with rage, would not listen.

Every word of defense from Wei Mingxuan only fueled Zou Shi’s rage further. She believed that Xin He had seduced her son, turned his head, and that he was now taking all the blame upon himself.

Clutching the hairpin, Zou Shi stood up abruptly and shouted angrily: "Someone, drag An Ping out and beat him to death."

"Spare me, Mistress!" An Ping, kneeling on the ground, trembled like a leaf and kowtowed frantically, begging for mercy. "Young Master, save me, please save me!"

Wei Mingxuan had not expected his mother to want to kill his manservant. He immediately scrambled on his knees to plead for An Ping: "Mother, I was wrong. I know I was wrong. Punish me however you wish, I’ll accept it. I beg you, don’t kill An Ping. He’s grown up with me since childhood..."

"If I don’t kill him, should I let him shout your shameful business for all to hear?" Zou Shi snapped. "What are you waiting for? Drag him out at once."

Two burly servants entered and immediately dragged An Ping away.

From afar, Wei Mingxuan could still hear An Ping’s cries for mercy.

"Mother, I beg you, please!" Wei Mingxuan kowtowed repeatedly to Zou Shi, trying to save his manservant’s life.

But Zou Shi remained unmoved and instead issued an order: "From today onward, you are to stay in your room and not take a single step outside. If you dare sneak out, none of those serving you closely would pay with their lives."

With that, Zou Shi pushed her son’s hands away and swept out, her face filled with anger.

"Mother..." Wei Mingxuan rushed forward, trying to stop Zou Shi.

But the servants guarding the door blocked him. No matter how desperately Wei Mingxuan wept and screamed, Zou Shi did not look back.

Only after Zou Shi had completely disappeared from sight did Wei Mingxuan stop struggling. The servants hurriedly helped him back to his room, half-dragging and half-supporting him, then swiftly locked the door behind them.

Under normal circumstances, these servants might have helped Wei Mingxuan. But today, Zou Shi had made it crystal clear: if Wei Mingxuan dared sneak out, none of them would be spared.

Though they were servants, they valued their own necks too. Naturally, they did not dare disobey Zou Shi’s orders.

After leaving Wei Mingxuan, Zou Shi went straight to the first branch.

Xin He had just woken from her afternoon nap and was leaning against a soft pillow, sipping bird’s nest, when a servant came to report that Zou Shi had arrived.

Since the incident when Nanny Dou had removed the second household’s plants from her courtyard, Zou Shi had visited a few times, but Xin He had always found excuses to avoid her. After several attempts, Zou Shi had stopped coming.

Why had she suddenly returned today, out of the blue?!

"Do you know why the second mistress is here?" Xin He asked.

The reporting servant shook her head.

After a moment’s thought, Xin He finally rose: "Help me get dressed."

Qiong Hua helped Xin He into her outer garments and wrapped her in a fox-fur cloak before supporting her as she went out.

The previously balmy weather had suddenly turned raw and gloomy. The biting wind felt like knives against the skin, as if it could flay the flesh.

The moment she stepped out, Xin He regretted it.

How comfortable it would have been to stay cozy in her room on such a day—why was she making herself miserable? But since she had already come out, she could hardly turn back now, so she braved the wind to meet Zou Shi in the main hall.

By the time Xin He arrived, Zou Shi had been waiting a good while.

As the maid lifted the heavy felt curtain, Xin He was all smiles even before she spoke: "It’s been so long since you last visited, Second Mistress! To what do I owe the pleasure—"

Before Xin He could finish, Zou Shi, who had been sitting, suddenly stood up, lunged forward, and struck Xin He hard across the cheek.

No one had expected Zou Shi to suddenly attack Xin He, so for a moment, everyone was too stunned to react.

Only Qiong Hua, who was supporting Xin He, moved swiftly. As Xin He staggered from the blow, Qiong Hua caught her, preventing her from falling.

"Second Mistress, what are you doing?!" Qiong Hua cried out, shouting loudly at the same time, "Someone, come quickly!"

Xin He also didn't expect that Zou Shi would suddenly hit her.

When Zou Shi's slap landed, she was even still smiling.

The surroundings instantly descended into chaos. Xin He's cheek stung with pain, and her ears rang. Pressed against Qiong Hua's chest, she looked up at Zou Shi.

Zou Shi was being restrained, but her face was contorted like some vengeful spirit, glaring at her with hatred.

Her lips, painted crimson, moved as if saying something, but Xin He couldn't hear a word.

The servants from the second branch protected Zou Shi, while the servants from the main branch shielded Xin He. The two sides shoved and scuffled, and the hall quickly became a scene of utter chaos.

Suddenly, a cold, stern male voice rang out: "Second Aunt, you certainly have quite the temper!"

Everyone turned abruptly to see Wei Mingjin standing at the doorway, dressed in a frost-colored wide-sleeved brocade robe, his gaze icy as he looked at everyone in the hall.

Wei Mingjin had always been known for his good temper, but seeing him now clearly angered, the people from the second branch sheepishly backed off.

Only Zou Shi remained as arrogant as ever: "Mingjin, you’ve come just in time. Let me tell you, that little slut Xin He—"

Before she could finish, she was interrupted by Qiong Hua's scream.

"Madam, what's wrong? Madam!"

Before Zou Shi could react, Wei Mingjin rushed over like a gust of wind, swept the unconscious Xin He up into his arms, and strode swiftly outside, snapping orders: "Get a doctor."

He didn’t spare Zou Shi a single glance throughout, making her so furious she was fit to be tied.