Chapter 35: Meet

Chapter 35: The Meeting

Wei Jingyao trembled with rage.

Kneeling to apologize to Xin He would be a loss of face, but would letting Xin He strike him back be any more honorable?

Seeing that the clan elders no longer supported him, Wei Jingyao stopped pleading with them and turned to Wei Mingjin, his tone icy. "Mingjin, one should be merciful where mercy is due. Why must you press so relentlessly?"

Wei Mingjin found it utterly ridiculous.

Even now, his status-obsessed second uncle still clung to his haughty airs, attempting to pressure him with his seniority.

Wei Mingjin met Wei Jingyao’s gaze, spreading his hands in a helpless gesture. "Second Uncle, it’s not that your nephew is pressing relentlessly. It’s just that I cannot disobey my father’s orders."

Wei Jingyao’s face instantly turned cold. Just as he was about to say more, Zou Shi, who stood beside him, suddenly pushed aside the servant women and rose.

"You want me to kneel and apologize? Fine, I’ll kneel." Zou Shi stumbled toward Xin He.

Everyone thought Zou Shi would truly kneel and apologize to Xin He. Only Wei Mingxuan suspected something was amiss.

His mother had a fierce temper and had always held a prejudice against Xin He. How could she possibly kneel and apologize sincerely?

Sure enough, as Zou Shi approached Xin He, Wei Mingxuan spotted a glint of cold steel flashing from her sleeve.

Wei Mingxuan’s expression changed abruptly. Shouting, "Aunt Xin, watch out!" he lunged toward Xin He.

But Wei Mingjin, seated beside Xin He, was a step ahead, pulling her behind him.

When Zou Shi agreed to kneel and apologize, Wei Mingjin had already suspected a trick. He hadn’t acted rashly, wanting only to catch Zou Shi red-handed in front of the clan elders.

By now, Zou Shi had gone mad.

Even though Wei Mingxuan had repeatedly explained that Xin He had not seduced him—that it was his own one-sided affection—Zou Shi refused to listen. All she could think was that her son had been ruined by Xin He.

If this got out, what respectable family would be willing to marry their daughter to her son? Moreover, for the rest of his life, her son would bear the stigma of coveting his uncle’s newly widowed concubine. How could Zou Shi, who loved her son as her own life, accept this?

So, while Wei Jingyao was arguing with them, she secretly pulled the silver hairpin from her hair and hid it in her sleeve.

If Xin He wanted her to kneel and apologize, she would send her to her death.

A "thwack"—the sound of the hairpin piercing flesh echoed, and blood splattered across Zou Shi’s face.

Zou Shi looked crazed, her eyes gleaming with excitement.

But when she looked up and saw that the person before her was not Xin He but her son, Wei Mingxuan, her face instantly went ashen with horror.

"Xuan'er, why is it you!"

Wei Mingxuan didn’t answer Zou Shi. Instead, he turned his head with difficulty to glance at Xin He, who was shielded behind Wei Mingjin. Seeing that although she was pale, she was unharmed, he finally relaxed and slumped to the ground.

A hole had been pierced through Wei Mingxuan’s neck by the hairpin, and blood was now gushing forth.

"My son!" A heart-rending wail immediately erupted from Zou Shi in the main hall.

After that, Wei Jingyao’s residence descended into chaos.

With such an incident, the matter of apology naturally had to be set aside. The clan elders shook their heads and left with sighs. Xin He was worried about Wei Mingxuan, who was hovering between life and death, and originally intended to wait for the doctor to emerge, ask about Wei Mingxuan’s condition, and then leave.

But Wei Mingjin gave her a cool glance, and Xin He had no choice but to obediently follow him.

After returning to the Wei residence, Xin He originally planned to go back to Cuiwei Courtyard, but Wei Mingjin didn’t so much as look at her and headed straight to his own courtyard.

Xin He hesitated for a moment where she stood but ultimately didn’t dare to take it upon herself to return to Cuiwei Courtyard. She could only follow Wei Mingjin closely.

"Everyone, withdraw." As soon as they entered the courtyard, Wei Mingjin ordered.

The clandestine relationship between Xin He and Wei Mingjin might be hidden from outsiders, but it couldn’t be concealed from the servants serving in Wei Mingjin’s courtyard.

Yet, from beginning to end, not a single word about their affairs had been leaked.

These servants were like clockwork. Whenever Xin He came, unless summoned by Wei Mingjin, they would not appear.

But their absence didn’t mean they were slacking in their duties.

Just like last time, when Wei Mingxuan suddenly turned back and stepped into Wei Mingjin’s courtyard, Chi Yan appeared instantly and stopped him.

Now, as soon as Wei Mingjin gave the order, the servants dispersed immediately.

Xin He glanced at Wei Mingjin, who had entered the study, quietly clenched the kerchief in her palm, gathered her skirts, stepped onto the stairs, and followed him into the study.

"Close the door." Wei Mingjin ordered coldly.

Xin He complied, then walked to Wei Mingjin’s side and asked uneasily, "Young Master, have I done something wrong?"

Earlier, Wei Mingjin had been fine, but after leaving Wei Jingyao’s residence, his eyes had suddenly turned cold.

Wei Mingjin didn’t answer. Instead, he pulled Xin He to his side, gripping her chin with his fingertips, forcing her to look up at him.

"Young Master?" Xin He didn’t understand and only gazed at him pleadingly.

Wei Mingjin remained silent, staring at Xin He for a moment before ordering, "Take off the fox-fur cloak."

Xin He complied.

With a soft "rustle," Xin He’s fox-fur cloak fell to the ground.

"Continue."

Wei Mingjin was clearly in a bad mood at this moment. Xin He didn’t dare to disobey him and could only reach to untie the sash of her outer robe.

The outer robe embroidered with green plum blossoms also fell to the ground.

Wei Mingjin didn’t speak, only stared at her.

Xin He could only continue to undress.

After the inner robe fell to the ground, only a light underrobe remained on Xin He’s upper body. She bit her lip, huddled in on herself, lifted her fair, delicate face, and looked at Wei Mingjin with a beseeching gaze.

Wei Mingjin remained unmoved, only saying coldly, "Continue."

Xin He had no choice but to remove the undergarment as well.

Although she and Wei Mingjin had done more intimate things, there had never been a time when she was bare on her upper body while Wei Mingjin remained fully dressed.

Even though Wei Mingjin’s gaze held not a hint of desire, Xin He still felt somewhat ashamed. She was both shy and uncomfortable. Just as she was about to lower her head, her chin was held fast by Wei Mingjin, leaving her unable to move.

Meanwhile, Wei Mingjin’s other hand came to rest over Xin He’s heart.

Wei Mingjin's usually scorching fingertips were now icy cold, and when they landed on Xin He's chest, the chill made her tremble.

Wei Mingjin finally spoke: "I read in a book that a person's heart is about the size of their own fist. How can such a small place hold two people at once? Or perhaps He Niang's heart is larger than others'?"

As he spoke, Wei Mingjin lowered his gaze, settling it on Xin He's chest.

Xin He's breath caught.

Wei Mingjin's fingertip was now pressed against her chest, curled into a claw-like gesture.

He was like a capricious demon from a storybook—if someone displeased him, his sharp claws would instantly slice through their skin and flesh to dig out their heart.

"This concubine doesn't, this concubine's heart belongs only to Young Master," Xin He said fearfully, her tear-streaked face tilted up as she clutched his sleeve, desperately explaining. "This undeserved misfortune I suffered was all because of the Second Young Master. How could this concubine possibly have any other feelings for him? My heart has always belonged only to you, Young Master. I beg you to see the truth."

"Your undeserved misfortune did indeed start because of him, but when Zou Shi charged at you with her hairpin, didn't he still shield you at the risk of his life?" Wei Mingjin's fingers continued to wander over Xin He's chest, as if deciding where to begin cutting out her heart.

Only then did Xin He realize that her worried expression for Wei Mingxuan had displeased Wei Mingjin.

But she was human.

How could she be unmoved when Wei Mingxuan had risked his life to save her, with his fate still unknown?

Yet, meeting Wei Mingjin's cold, detached gaze, Xin He clearly understood that such natural human empathy was laughable in the eyes of someone as detached and heartless as him.

So Xin He did not tell the truth.

"In that moment, he did charge over to protect me at the risk of his life. But even without him, Young Master would have kept me safe, wouldn't you?" Xin He's soft, limp body leaned in, her teary eyes gazing up at Wei Mingjin. "I never forget for a moment who my sole reliance is, who my Master is."

Wei Mingjin stared at Xin He for a long moment before sneering, "You certainly have a clever mouth that knows how to flatter."

Though his words were mocking, the menacing aura around him dissipated.

Xin He immediately took advantage, wrapping her pale, slender arms around his neck and nestling into his embrace, her voice soft and pleading. "But I don't flatter just anyone."

The implication was that her words were reserved only for him.

Wei Mingjin was pleased by this. His large hand finally moved elsewhere, gently stroking and teasing.

Xin He's dewy lips were bitten until they flushed red, and her dark, glistening eyes were nearly overflowing with tears.

"Young Master," Xin He's voice trembled intensely.

Wei Mingjin waited until she was brought to the brink before mercifully speaking: "Turn around."

Xin He obediently turned her back, and Wei Mingjin leaned in to embrace her from behind.

The pearl tassel hairpin at her temple swayed, tapping against Xin He's cheek again and again. She clutched her emerald brocade skirt, her fingertips leaving damp marks on the fabric.

Half an hour later, the study door opened from within, and Xin He, wrapped in her fox-fur cloak, left.

Only when Xin He's figure had completely disappeared beyond the courtyard gate did Chi Yan, hiding in a corner, remove the cotton from his ears and turn to order someone to draw a bath.

As soon as Xin He returned, she told Qiong Hua she wanted to bathe.

Though Qiong Hua found it strange, she immediately had hot water prepared.

After the bathroom door closed, Xin He removed her clothes and stepped into the water. As the hot water slid over her skin, the discomfort and soreness throughout her body instantly eased.

Xin He leaned back against the tub, exhaustion evident in every part of her.

She was tired, both physically and mentally.

Qiong Hua remained outside the bathroom.

Since Xin He was pregnant, Qiong Hua had been especially nervous every time she bathed. With water in the bathroom, she feared Xin He might slip, so she always waited outside, carefully listening for any movement.

Normally, Xin He's baths lasted no more than half an hour, but today, even after that time had passed, she still hadn't emerged.

Qiong Hua began to grow anxious.

Once before, she had entered the bathroom without permission and been severely scolded by Xin He. Though worried today, she remembered that lesson and didn't rush in. Instead, she knocked on the door and called inside, "Madam, are you finished?"

There was no response.

Qiong Hua, still uneasy, called again, "Madam, may this maid come in?"

Again, there was no answer.

Qiong Hua was torn. If she barged in, Xin He might scold her again.

But if she didn't go in and something happened to Xin He, what then? Xin He was carrying the late master's posthumous child, and the Young Master valued this child highly. If anything happened to either of them, she would surely face severe consequences.

Weighing her options, Qiong Hua mustered her courage and pushed open the bathroom door.

Inside, she found Xin He slumped over the bathtub, unsure whether she had fainted or fallen asleep.

Startled, Qiong Hua hurried over and gently shook her. "Madam, Madam, what's wrong?"

Xin He, shaken awake, was momentarily confused to see Qiong Hua standing there. "Qiong Hua, why did you come in?"

Seeing Xin He's drowsy expression, Qiong Hua realized she had accidentally fallen asleep. First relieved, she then immediately apologized.

"This maid didn't mean to barge in. I called for you many times outside, but you didn't answer. I was worried something had happened, so I came in. Please punish me."

The last time Qiong Hua had intruded, Xin He had been furious because she feared Qiong Hua would see the red mole on her back.

Now that Wei Mingjin knew she was the one from Drunken Moon Pavilion that night, there was no need to punish Qiong Hua over such trivial matters.

"You were worried about me. There's no need for punishment. The water has cooled; bring me my clothes."

Qiong Hua hadn't expected Xin He to be so agreeable today and promptly fetched the clothes. As she helped Xin He dress, she suddenly noticed many red marks on her body.

Startled, Qiong Hua asked, "Madam, what are these on your body? They look like hives, but not quite?"

Still groggy from sleep, Xin He blushed at the question.

Inexperienced in such matters, Qiong Hua didn't recognize what they were. Xin He brushed it off, saying, "There's a flower outside the Second Master's hall. I've had an allergy to it since childhood. Whenever I smell it, I break out in these rashes. It's nothing; they'll fade in a couple of days."

Innocent and trusting, Qiong Hua felt relieved hearing this.

After helping Xin He dress, Xin He complained of hunger, and Qiong Hua hurriedly had dinner served.

After eating, Xin He leaned against the incense warmer and thought of Wei Mingxuan again.

When they had left the Second Household, Wei Mingxuan was still fighting for his life, and she wondered how he was now.

Xin He considered secretly sending Qiong Hua to inquire but feared Wei Mingjin would find out.

Earlier that day, merely showing concern for Wei Mingxuan had angered Wei Mingjin. If he discovered she was privately inquiring about him, he would likely fly into a rage again.

The longer Xin He spent with Wei Mingjin, the more she realized that he was ice-cold through and through.

"Those who submit will prosper; those who resist shall perish"—this phrase played out perfectly in him.

In his eyes, she was not a person, but a bird he kept in a cage.

Her eyes and heart could only hold him alone. Whenever she showed any human emotion toward others, he would feel murderous toward her.

Previously, Xin He had used every trick she had to coax him into a better mood. At this sensitive time, she dared not risk inquiring about Wei Mingxuan and could only pray in her heart, hoping that heaven would protect Wei Mingxuan and help him overcome this disaster.

Worried about Wei Mingxuan, even though she was physically and mentally exhausted, Xin He slept restlessly that night, waking several times.

The next day, sitting before the bronze mirror, Xin He saw the dark circles under her eyes. To avoid Wei Mingjin noticing and causing trouble, she carefully covered them with powder.

Perhaps her behavior the previous day had satisfied Wei Mingjin, for when Xin He went to his courtyard to practice calligraphy that day, he didn't hassle her.

During this time, Feng Mo announced from outside the door that Wei Mingxuan had woken up that morning, and the physician had examined him, saying he was no longer in critical condition.

Wei Mingjin grunted in response, and Feng Mo withdrew.

Xin He let out a quiet sigh of relief in her heart—as long as he wasn't in danger, that was good enough.

Afterward, Wei Mingjin didn't bring up the previous matter again, and the issue of Zou Shi slapping her was thus dropped.

Not long after, however, she heard the news that Zou Shi had lost her mind.

Xin He was shocked. "How could the Second Mistress suddenly go mad?"

That day at Wei Jingyao’s residence, although Zou Shi had behaved inappropriately, she didn't seem crazy at all. Moreover, Zou Shi loved her son dearly, and now that Wei Mingxuan was out of danger, how could she suddenly go mad?

The maids hadn't expected their private gossip to be overheard by Xin He. When she asked, they had no choice but to mumble an explanation.

"They say that after the Second Young Master was injured, the Second Mistress devoted all her attention to him and neglected the Second Master. A maid from their household’s sewing room secretly slept with the Second Master. When the Second Mistress found out, she was so furious she wanted to kill the maid, but the Second Master slapped her, and she woke up crazy."

"To be honest, this is her own fault. I heard that the maid who slept with him had been involved with a servant boy serving the Second Young Master, but some time ago, the Second Mistress ordered the boy to be beaten to death. To seek revenge, the maid took advantage of the Second Mistress’s distraction and slept with the Second Master."

The Second Mistress’s jealous, hot-tempered reputation was known throughout Qingyuan County.

Once, when the Second Master was conducting business, he was fooling around and accidentally got lipstick on his collar. When he returned home, the Second Mistress saw it. Not only did she scratch his face, but she also chased after the man who had been drinking with Second Master Wei, going to his residence and berating him for half a day.

For such a thing to happen right under her nose was like stabbing her in the heart.

Especially this time, when the Second Master had slapped her because of that maid—how could the proud Second Mistress endure such humiliation?

After hearing this, Xin He felt a jumble of emotions.

The maids waited for a moment, but when Xin He said nothing, they bowed and left.

Xin He stood alone under the corridor for a long time, and a sudden suspicion arose in her heart: Could this have something to do with Wei Mingjin?

Otherwise, it would all be too much of a coincidence.

After careful consideration, Xin He didn't dare to ask Wei Mingjin directly and instead tried to feel him out with careful questions.

"What if it was me?" Wei Mingjin said. "I gave Zou Shi a choice before—she refused it herself. Who can she blame now?" At this point, his narrow eyes narrowed even more. "Don’t tell me you’re starting to sympathize with Zou Shi now?"

Xin He: "..."

Zou Shi had slapped her and embarrassed her in public, and Xin He certainly held a grudge.

But to drive someone mad over a slap seemed, in Xin He’s view, way too cruel.

Yet she didn't dare to say this to Wei Mingjin. She simply lowered her eyelashes and shook her head. "I'm not."

Just as Wei Mingjin was about to speak again, hurried footsteps approached outside.

Soon, Feng Mo’s voice came from beyond the door: "Master, Second Master Wei is here, yelling angrily, demanding to see you."

Xin He’s heart tightened, and she instinctively looked at Wei Mingjin. "Could it be that Second Master Wei has guessed this was your doing and come to get even?"

"You overestimate him."

Xin He: "..."

And even if Wei Jingyao had guessed, so what? Aside from suggesting to Cui Er a way to avenge her lover, he had done nothing else.

Wei Mingjin went to the main hall to meet Wei Jingyao.

Xin He didn't know what the two of them discussed, but according to the servants waiting outside the main hall, Wei Jingyao was really worked up that day.

After the death of Master Wei, a group of servants had been dismissed from the household, and those who remained were all loyal to Wei Mingjin. Xin He only knew that Wei Jingyao had been very agitated that day, but she had no idea what it was about.

The next day, the weather was fine, and Xin He took Qiong Hua for a walk in the estate as usual. A cleaning woman, taking advantage of a moment when no one was paying attention, suddenly approached Xin He.

She lowered her voice and spoke quickly: "Second Master Wei asked me to tell you, miss, that he will be waiting for you at Tianxiang Restaurant tomorrow at 1 PM. It concerns the future of you and the baby you're carrying. Whether you come or not is your decision."

Having said this, the maid gripped her broom and withdrew.

After the previous incident, Xin He and Wei Jingyao and his wife were basically at odds. For Wei Jingyao to suddenly request a meeting now made Xin He worry it might be a trap.

She initially had no intention of going and didn't plan to tell anyone about it.

But after returning to her courtyard and thinking it through carefully, Xin He hesitated.

Recalling her previous assessment of Wei Jingyao and considering how much Wei Mingjin disliked people acting on their own, Xin He decided to tell Wei Mingjin about it.

After hearing her out, Wei Mingjin shook his head and sighed. "I thought all the rats in the household had been cleared out. It seems Uncle Ming hasn’t been careful enough."

Xin He: "..."

That didn't seem to be the point!

Wei Mingjin called for Chi Yan to enter. "Inform Uncle Ming of this and have him handle it."

Chi Yan acknowledged and left.

Hearing this, Xin He understood that Wei Mingjin didn't want her meeting Wei Jingyao the next day. Having gotten her answer, she was about to leave when Wei Mingjin stopped her.

"Stop. Did I say you could go?"

Xin He had no choice but to come back obediently to Wei Mingjin’s side.

Wei Mingjin rubbed his forehead and explained the reason to her: "After my mourning period ends, I will go to the capital city to take the civil service exams. I have already arranged for part of the family assets to be moved to the capital in advance. My uncle found out about this. After throwing a fit here yesterday to no avail, he has turned to you for cooperation. Don't pay him any mind."

Now that Xin He relied on Wei Mingjin for survival, she naturally didn't dare disobey him.

Wei Jingyao, not knowing this, waited at Tianxiang Restaurant until dusk the next day. When Xin He still didn't appear, he got her message.

*Crash!*—With a sharp sound, Wei Jingyao grabbed a teacup and smashed it to pieces.

Wei Jingyao was both furious and perplexed.

He had already let go of their past grievances and taken the initiative to seek cooperation with Xin He, so why was she so resistant?

"What kind of Kool-Aid has that brat Wei Mingjin fed her?!"

Just as Wei Jingyao was fuming, the door of the private room was pushed open from the outside.

A woman wearing a veiled hat entered from outside.

Wei Jingyao immediately jumped up, delighted. Before he could even call out "Aunt Xin," the woman lifted the veil of her hat, revealing an entirely different face.

The visitor was not Xin He.

Instead, it was Fang Xu, who had some time ago requested to go to the country estate to recover from an illness.