Chapter 33: Settle Accounts

Chapter 33: Settling Scores

After Wei Mingjin carried Xin He back to Cuiwei Courtyard, the entire household was thrown into a flurry.

Soon, Doctor Wu was summoned once more.

Doctor Wu, still reeling and weak-kneed from the bumpy journey, was given no time to catch his breath before being ushered directly to Wei Mingjin.

"Concubine Xin suddenly fainted. My apologies for troubling you again, Doctor Wu," Wei Mingjin said courteously.

Doctor Wu had been overseeing Xin He’s pregnancy all along. Hearing she had fainted, he immediately cast aside his fatigue and, despite his wobbly legs, asked to be helped to Xin He’s side.

Xin He lay on the bed, her eyes tightly shut, her lips pale, and one side of her cheek badly swollen.

Doctor Wu, knowing better than to ask unnecessary questions, went straight to checking Xin He’s pulse.

Outside, the faint patter of rain began against the tiles, but inside the room, the silence was so profound you could hear a pin drop.

Wei Mingjin stood tall and composed nearby, his gaze fixed on Xin He’s slender wrist.

After a long while, Doctor Wu withdrew his hand, his expression grave. He rose and addressed Wei Mingjin, "The concubine fainted from a sudden surge of anger and distress. That in itself is not serious, but…"

Doctor Wu hesitated.

"Is there something wrong with the fetus?" Wei Mingjin inquired.

"The concubine has been pregnant for over four months. By now, the pregnancy should be stable. However, her pulse is deep, thin, and weak, indicating signs of an unstable pregnancy." At this point, Doctor Wu, fearing Wei Mingjin might misunderstand, quickly clarified, "But these are only signs of instability; it doesn't necessarily mean she will miscarry. As long as she rests peacefully from now on, avoids extreme emotional fluctuations like intense grief or joy, and takes some herbal treatments to stabilize it, she should be fine."

Wei Mingjin nodded. "My thanks, Doctor Wu."

"You are too kind, Young Master." With that, Doctor Wu went outside to write the prescription.

Wei Mingjin walked to Xin He’s bedside, smoothed his sleeves, and sat down, his gaze resting on her abdomen.

After observing for a long moment, he placed his large hand over it.

Perhaps due to the quilt between them, the tiny being that had kicked his palm a few days ago was now utterly still, as if nonexistent.

Unwilling to give up, Wei Mingjin kept his hand there for a while longer. When there was still no movement, he withdrew his hand, disappointed.

Footsteps approached from a distance.

Soon, Qiong Hua’s figure emerged from behind the screen.

Seeing Wei Mingjin seated by the bed, Qiong Hua, her eyes red-rimmed, bowed to him and said, "Young Master, I’ve come to apply medicine to the concubine’s face."

Zou Shi’s slap must have been delivered with considerable force. In just a short while, the side of Xin He’s face had swollen severely, with distinct finger marks still visible.

"I’ll do it. You go prepare the medicine," Wei Mingjin offered his hand.

Qiong Hua didn’t question him and directly handed the ointment to Wei Mingjin before wiping her tears and going to prepare the medicine.

Wei Mingjin washed his hands, scooped up some ointment with a medicine spoon, and applied it to Xin He’s cheek. His fingertips gently massaged it in, as if he were handling a priceless treasure.

When Xin He awoke, this was the sight that greeted her: Wei Mingjin meticulously tending to her.

Xin He felt a sudden pang in her nose, choked back a sob, and murmured, "Young Master," as tears instantly streamed down her face.

"Don’t cry," Wei Mingjin suddenly commanded in a cold voice.

Startled by his tone, Xin He, despite her overwhelming grievances, instinctively stifled her tears, gazing at Wei Mingjin with watery eyes.

"I just finished applying…" Before he could utter "medicine," Xin He suddenly let out a hiccuping sob.

Wei Mingjin: "…"

He lowered his gaze, meeting Xin He’s expression—wanting to cry but not daring to. Wei Mingjin raised a hand to pinch the bridge of his nose and said irritably, "Forget it, cry if you want to." At worst, he could have someone reapply the medicine later.

Hearing this, Xin He’s tears immediately flowed like a broken string of pearls, falling incessantly.

Her face still burned with pain; even without touching it, she knew it was badly swollen.

After Zou Shi’s slap, her left ear had been buzzing, and at that moment, she couldn’t hear anything. She had panicked, constantly rubbing her ear, and then somehow lost consciousness. Fortunately, now that she had woken up, her left ear could hear again.

"Where is Second Mistress?! I want to confront her! How dare she curse at me?" Xin He cried while struggling to sit up, looking as if she intended to get out of bed.

Wei Mingjin immediately stopped her. "She has already returned."

After Xin He fainted, Wei Mingjin’s entire focus had been on her. It was only after Doctor Wu finished examining her that Wei Mingjin remembered Zou Shi.

But the servants said Zou Shi had already left.

Hearing this, Xin He cried even harder. Furious, she clutched Wei Mingjin’s sleeve. "Young Master, she barged into our residence and arrogantly hit me—how could you just let her leave like that?"

Wei Mingjin, however, was unconcerned. "So what if she left? The monk may run away, but the temple remains." Besides, he truly hadn’t had time to settle accounts with her then.

And settling accounts didn’t have to be done immediately.

Though he said this, Xin He couldn’t swallow her anger. But since Wei Mingjin wouldn’t let her get out of bed, and she couldn’t reach across the distance to slap Zou Shi back, she sat there crying until she was nearly drenched in tears.

A flicker of impatience crossed Wei Mingjin’s eyes.

He detested women crying, but considering how wronged Xin He had been today and that she had been slapped, he patiently pulled her into his arms and awkwardly comforted her, "Enough, stop crying."

Xin He didn’t listen and continued to cry relentlessly.

Wei Mingjin had never comforted a woman before. Seeing Xin He still crying nonstop, he pinched the unharmed side of her face and said in a tone of frustrated disappointment, "You useless thing. She hit you, and you just stood there and let her?"

"Who could have expected her to suddenly hit me? And she moved so fast. With my current condition, how could I have dodged it?"

At this, Xin He’s tears threatened to fall again. But Wei Mingjin gripped her chin, forcing her to lift her face.

Suppressing his impatience, he made her a promise: "Stop crying. Later, I’ll let you hit her back."

Xin He was stunned. A long-forgotten memory suddenly resurfaced because of Wei Mingjin’s words.

Back then, Xin He’s mother had already passed away, but her father was still alive.

During a playful scuffle among the village children, one child, enraged, had hit Xin He.

Xin He, small and weak, couldn’t fight back, so she ran home crying to her father, hoping he would stand up for her.

But her father replied, "Then why didn’t he hit anyone else? Since he only hit you, you must have done something wrong too."

Her father’s words were so certain that, in an instant, Xin He went from being a victim to being at fault.

Xin He was still young then, but she had remembered her father’s words until now.

So even though she had suffered unjustly this time, after being hit, she didn’t dare to ask Wei Mingjin to stand up for her.

Even her own flesh and blood could say, "Then why doesn't he hit others and only hit you? You must have done something wrong too." How could she dare to hope that Wei Mingjin would stand up for her?

Wei Mingjin was aware of Wei Mingxuan’s feelings for her.

Xin He feared that if she spoke up, it would only invite a round of sarcastic remarks from Wei Mingjin.

So she didn't dare ask Wei Mingjin to seek justice for her, only sobbing uncontrollably, trying to choke down her resentment and grievances along with her tears.

But now, Wei Mingjin actually said, "Stop crying, I’ll help you pay her back later." Xin He stared at him, stunned.

Wei Mingjin thought she was still unsatisfied and added, "If one slap isn't enough to vent your anger, then make it two."

The comfort she hadn't received from her father in her childhood was finally what she got from Wei Mingjin at this moment.

Xin He suddenly leaned forward and threw her arms around Wei Mingjin.

She knew Wei Mingjin was a hypocrite, but at this moment, Xin He couldn't help but develop feelings.

Wei Mingjin, taken by surprise, nearly lost his balance from Xin He's sudden pounce. He barely steadied himself and glared at the troublemaker in his arms with annoyance, about to scold her, but when he saw her trembling shoulders, he bit back those harsh words.

This time, however, Xin He didn't cry for long. With eyes still glistening with tears, she lifted her head from Wei Mingjin's embrace and asked uncertainly, "Can I really hit back?"

"When have I ever lied to you?"

"But she's the Second Mistress, your elder."

Wei Mingjin shot her a sidelong glance: "You're technically my elder too."

Xin He fell silent.

Why did she have to say that!

Seeing that Xin He seemed to have mostly calmed down, Wei Mingjin settled her against the soft pillow and instructed, "Rest well. Once you’re better, I'll take you to seek justice."

"Okay." Xin He nodded firmly.

Though her life meant little, she would never allow herself to be pushed around. If there was a chance for revenge, how could she pass it up?

As they were talking, Qiong Hua entered with a bowl of medicine.

Wei Mingjin then left on his own. When Qiong Hua handed the medicine bowl to Xin He, she was still seething: "The Second Mistress has gone too far! Not only did she storm into our house and attack you, Concubine, but she also slandered you outright. It makes my blood boil!"

"Don't be angry. Young Master will seek justice for me later." Xin He, the victim, found herself comforting Qiong Hua instead.

Hearing this, Qiong Hua was first delighted, but then she thought that Wei Mingjin's so-called seeking justice for Xin He would probably just end with Zou Shi offering a meaningless apology.

She still felt wronged on Xin He's behalf, but since Xin He was pregnant and her condition was unstable, she didn't dare share her suspicions with Xin He. She carefully helped Xin He drink her tonic, applied an ointment to reduce the swelling to Xin He's face, and then assisted her in lying down.

"Concubine, rest for a while. I'll stay right here and won't let anyone near you."

"Okay." Xin He closed her eyes.

Qiong Hua brought over a small stool and sat by the bed, keeping watch over Xin He while doing some needlework.

From then on, Xin He stayed in the Cuiwei Courtyard to rest during her pregnancy.

As Doctor Wu had advised her to stay in bed as much as possible during this period, Wei Mingjin not only excused her from her daily visits to his courtyard but also stopped by to see her every day.

On one occasion, when Wei Mingjin came to see Xin He, he bumped into Liang Wanying, who had come to visit.

Liang Wanying couldn't help but praise: "Young Master Wei is truly attentive to the concubine."

At that time, Wei Mingjin stood there, poised and elegant, smiling gently: "Both of my parents have passed away, and I have no other siblings. The child in the concubine's womb is my only blood relative now, so of course I must be attentive."

Wei Mingjin's words sounded noble-sounding, but Liang Wanying was deeply moved.

She thought to herself that if Wei Mingjin could be so kind and righteous to his father's concubine, he would surely treat his future wife even better.

Meanwhile, Xin He, leaning against the bed curtains, inwardly silently cursed him.

Almost ten days after Zou Shi had slapped Xin He, Doctor Wu came again to take Xin He's pulse.

After this examination, Doctor Wu said that Xin He's health had greatly improved, but he still advised her to be careful with her health.

Xin He agreed, thanked Doctor Wu, and had him escorted out properly.

After Doctor Wu left, Xin He immediately looked at Young Master Wei.

Wei Mingjin also felt that the matter had been delayed long enough and it was time to settle accounts. He nodded and said, "Let's go," then headed out.

Xin He lifted her skirt and followed Wei Mingjin for a few steps before suddenly stopping: "Young Master, wait for me a moment."

With that, she turned and went back into the inner room.

About a quarter of an hour later, Xin He emerged. Wei Mingjin immediately noticed the faint marks on her face.

The medicine he had applied to her face was very effective, and her face had returned to normal within a couple of days. But now, Xin He had deliberately made up her face to look as if the scars hadn't fully healed.

"Since we're going to seek justice, going with visible injuries will make our case stronger." After saying this, Xin He put on a veil to cover the makeup, planning to remove it only when they reached Wei Jingyao's residence.

Hearing this, Wei Mingjin sneered: "The injuries aren't your leverage, I am."

If he didn't stand up for her, even if Zou Shi had beaten her black and blue, she wouldn't be able to seek justice.

"I know, and I am very grateful to you, Young Master!" She was good at sweet-talking.

Wei Mingjin tsked and was about to retort when Xin He, seeing no one at the door, lifted her veil, stood on tiptoe, quickly kissed his cheek, then shyly lifted her skirt and hurried out first.

Her soft lips brushed his cheek briefly, but it left Wei Mingjin stunned.

When he came back to his senses and saw that Xin He’s skirt had already disappeared beyond the door, Wei Mingjin followed slowly.

After Zou Shi had hit Xin He, Wei Jingyao had come to see Wei Mingjin several times to discuss the matter. But each time, Wei Mingjin had dodged the conversation, citing that Xin He had shown signs of miscarriage after being hit by Zou Shi and needed peace and quiet to recuperate, saying the matter could be discussed later.

Wei Mingjin intended to wait until Xin He had recovered before personally taking her to seek justice.

But to Wei Jingyao, "discuss later" meant that Wei Mingjin didn't plan to pursue the matter further. After all, if this incident got out, it would make their household lose face. In recent days, Wei Jingyao had put the matter entirely out of his mind.

But on this day, just as he was about to go out, the gatekeeper came to report that several elders from the clan had arrived.

"Why have the elders suddenly come to my residence?" Wei Jingyao looked puzzled but respectfully welcomed the elders into the main hall.

After serving tea, Wei Jingyao asked his question: "What brings you esteemed elders to my home today?"

Just as the elders were about to answer, a servant came to report: "Master, the Eldest Young Master has arrived with Concubine Xin."

Hearing this, Wei Jingyao's eyebrows jumped.

One of the elders took a sip of tea and said slowly: "It was Mingjin who sent for us, saying there was a matter requiring our judgment as elders. Erlang, do you know what this is about?"

Wei Jingyao was instantly enraged.

He never expected that Wei Mingjin would drag the clan elders into such a trivial matter. What on earth was he trying to do!

"Tch, it's just a minor issue, yet Erlang has troubled the granduncles. He's still young and doesn't know any better. Later, I—"

"Second Uncle, you are mistaken." Before Wei Jingyao could finish, he was interrupted.

Wei Mingjin entered with Xin He.

Seeing many elderly men seated in the hall whom she didn't recognize, Xin He stood timidly behind Wei Mingjin.

With a quick glance, Wei Mingjin noted that all the clan elders were present.

"Second Aunt barged into our residence and, without a word, beat Concubine Xin nearly to the point of disfigurement and miscarriage. How can that be considered a minor matter?" Mingjin bowed to the clan elders. "As Second Uncle said, I am young and inexperienced. On one side is the concubine carrying my late father's child born after his death, and on the other is Second Aunt. I am at a loss on how to handle this, so I had no choice but to ask the clan elders to settle this."

At these words, the clan elders sat up straighter.

One immediately asked, "Erlang, what is going on?"

Just as Wei Jingyao was about to speak, someone else cut in first: "Third Granduncle, this matter was done by Second Aunt, so Second Uncle likely knows nothing about it. In my humble opinion, why not invite Second Aunt here and let her speak for herself."

"Mingjin makes sense." That elder stroked his white beard and said to Wei Jingyao, "Erlang, have your wife come out."

Zou Shi was ill.

She had fallen sick ever since returning after beating Xin He. She suffered from splitting headaches and chest pain, and the doctor said it was due to a flare-up of liver fire. Despite many prescriptions, there was no improvement.

At that moment, Zou Shi was wearing a headband inlaid with turquoise, leaning against a soft pillow with a sallow-faced complexion. Holding her temple with one hand, she complained of a headache while grumbling to her maid: "My son is now bewitched. Because I had his servant beaten to death, he has grown distant from me. Now my head feels like it's about to explode. Enduring like this is sheer agony; I might as well hang myself with a rope."

"Madam, how can you say such unlucky things!" The maid massaged Zou Shi's temples while comforting her. "The young master is still young and inexperienced in matters of love, which is why he was seduced by that fox-spirit. But deep down, he is filial. Once we find him a proper, beautiful, and virtuous wife, he will forget about that little hussy."

"You're right. The most important thing now is to quickly find Xuan a beautiful and virtuous wife…"

As the mistress and maid were talking, a serving woman entered to report: "Madam, the First Young Master has brought Concubine Xin…"

Before the serving woman could finish, the quick-tempered Zou Shi interrupted.

"What?! That little hussy dares to come! I'll tear her face apart!" Zou Shi leaped out of bed. Suddenly, her headache and discomfort vanished. She immediately ordered her women to help her dress.

Just as the serving woman was about to mention that the clan elders were also present, she was impatiently dismissed by Zou Shi's attendants.

Once dressed, Zou Shi headed straight for the main hall.

In front of the clan elders, Xin He, as a concubine, ordinarily had no right to sit.

But Wei Mingjin said, "Second Aunt will probably take a while. The concubine is pregnant; let her sit and wait."

It was against the rules for Xin He to sit, but she was carrying the Wei family's bloodline and had nearly miscarried due to Zou Shi's beating. Making an exception was not unreasonable.

Seeing that the clan elders didn't object, Wei Jingyao could say nothing more.

After waiting for about two quarters of an hour, Zou Shi appeared, her face full of rage.

As soon as she entered, without even paying her respects to the clan elders, she rushed toward Xin He, who was sitting at the far end, and raised her hand to strike her.

"You little hussy! How dare you come here!"

Last time, Zou Shi had caught everyone off guard, which was why she succeeded. This time, as soon as Qiong Hua spotted Zou Shi at the door, she prepared to protect Xin He.

So when Zou Shi charged at Xin He, Qiong Hua immediately stepped in to shield her.

But before Zou Shi's raised hand could fall, it was grabbed.

"Second Aunt, this is the second time you’ve tried to lay a hand on someone from our branch in my presence." With that, Wei Mingjin flung her hand away.

Zou Shi stumbled and fell awkwardly against Wei Jingyao.

Zou Shi was well-padded, and her sudden weight caused Wei Jingyao to grunt in pain.

The attending servants hurried to help Zou Shi up.

As soon as she steadied herself, Zou Shi pointed at Wei Mingjin and scolded, "Wei Mingjin, I am your Second Aunt! How dare you strike me for this little hussy? Do you have no respect for your elders?"

"Then I wonder if Second Aunt has any respect for these elders, the clan elders?" Wei Mingjin retorted.

Zou Shi turned sharply and, seeing the clan elders present, her face went pale.

The serving woman who had delivered the message earlier had only mentioned that Wei Mingjin had brought Xin He. She hadn't expected the clan elders to be there. And upon entering, her eyes had gone straight to Xin He, consumed by the urge to get even, so she hadn't noticed anyone else in the hall.

"Erlang, your wife is quite the sight!" one clan elder said with a sarcastic smile.

Zou Shi hurriedly apologized: "It was my fault, your niece didn't see the esteemed elders. I apologize to all the granduncles."

Wei Jingyao, suppressing the pain in his waist, also stood up to apologize on behalf of his wife.

The eldest clan elder mocked bluntly: "Niece didn’t notice us old men but spotted Concubine Xin at once. I can’t tell if Niece’s eyes are working or not."

Being ridiculed by the most respected clan elder felt like being slapped twice; Zou Shi’s face burned with humiliation.

Wei Jingyao also shot her a furious glare.

Someone had informed her that the clan elders were present—why couldn’t she have restrained herself?

But anger aside, Wei Jingyao continued to defend his wife.

Wei Mingjin watched coldly, offering no comment.

Though shocked that Wei Mingjin had brought the clan elders into it, Zou Shi’s rage still burned fiercely.

Especially when she saw that she, the proper wife, was standing before the granduncles while Xin He, a mere concubine, sat comfortably—Zou Shi couldn’t contain herself. She sank to her knees and broke into an undignified wail.

"Honorable granduncles, it’s not that your niece-in-law is domineering, but this Concubine Xin is utterly shameless! She took advantage of my son going to the main branch to seek advice from Mingjin and seduced him with her seductive tricks. How can I, as a mother, tolerate this?"

The granduncles’ expressions turned stern.

Before Zou Shi arrived, to prove his point, Wei Mingjin had asked Xin He to remove her veil, showing the clan elders the injuries on her face. He also summoned Dr. Wu, who had treated Xin He, to testify.

Initially, most clan elders sided with Wei Mingjin. But upon hearing Zou Shi’s explanation, they quickly switched allegiance.

"I have done no such thing," Xin He said, supported by Qiong Hua as she stood up trembling.

Her face was wearing a veil, revealing only eyes brimming with tears: "I am with child. Although the master is no longer here, Young Master Mingjin treats me kindly, and I have security for the rest of my life. Why would I seduce the second young master? I beg the clan elders to judge fairly."

With that, despite her pregnancy, Xin He struggled to make a bow to the clan elders.

The clan elders found her reasoning sound.

Though a concubine, Xin He had the security of carrying a posthumous child, and Wei Mingjin treated her generously. She would lack for nothing in the future—there was no need for her to commit such a disgraceful act.

One of the elders looked at Zou Shi and warned, "Niece, you can eat whatever you want, but you cannot speak recklessly, especially about such matters."

"I am not speaking recklessly; I have evidence. This little hussy seduced my son, making him defy his father's orders to go out and buy little toys to keep her entertained. Not only that, she even gave her own hairpin to my son." As she spoke, Zou Shi turned and ordered someone to bring up the evidence.

A maidservant immediately presented the jade hairpin. Zou Shi grabbed it and held it up high, like a crooked judge forcing a confession: "Xin He, how can you deny this isn’t your hairpin?"

"This is indeed my hairpin, but—"

Before Xin He could finish, Zou Shi cut her off with a cold laugh: "But it’s been lost for a long time?"

Xin He nodded. She hadn’t expected the hairpin to be in Wei Mingxuan’s possession.

"Go on, lie some more! Why didn’t you say your hairpin was lost before I produced it?"

Qiong Hua could no longer stand it and spoke up for Xin He: "Our lady isn’t short of jewelry. It’s just a hairpin—if it’s lost, it’s lost. What’s the big deal? It’s not like she can’t afford to lose it."

Just as Zou Shi was about to scold Qiong Hua, Wei Mingjin, who had remained silent until then, spoke up.

"Why is Second Aunt so agitated? Since both sides are sticking to their own stories, why not summon Second Brother? Since the hairpin was in his possession, he must know best how it came into his hands."

Wei Mingjin’s suggestion was unanimously agreed upon by the elders.