Chapter 36: Exposure

Chapter 36 Exposure

Wei Jingyao froze for a moment, then his brow furrowed.

"What are you doing here?" He had arranged to meet Xin He.

Fang Xu smirked. "Naturally, I have a business proposition for Second Master."

Wei Jingyao’s face registered disdain.

A business proposition with him? Was she even qualified? And what kind of business could they possibly have?

Fang Xu clearly perceived Wei Jingyao’s condescension, but she wasn’t offended. Instead, she continued, "Though I’ve been recuperating at the manor recently, I’ve heard about the conflict between Second Mistress and Aunt Xin. Doesn’t Second Master wish to avenge Second Mistress?"

"How?" Wei Jingyao asked, not for Zou Shi’s sake, but for his own.

Zou Shi had already gone mad, yet he had set aside their past grievances to arrange a meeting with Xin He, hoping to discuss the inheritance left by his elder brother. But Xin He hadn’t even shown her face.

This greatly angered Wei Jingyao.

"I am certain that the child Aunt Xin is carrying is a bastard, but my resources are limited. I currently have only leads, not evidence. So, I propose we cooperate, Second Master. I’ll provide the leads, and you can send your people to investigate. How does that sound?" After arriving at the manor, Fang Xu had been secretly investigating Xin He’s past before she entered the Wei family.

However, she lacked both substantial financial backing and connections, making the investigation arduous. Though she had uncovered some clues, solid evidence remained elusive.

Fang Xu had originally returned to the city intending to share these leads with Wei Mingjin and have him investigate.

But she still harbored reservations.

If Wei Mingjin were to investigate, even if he eventually found evidence that Xin He was already pregnant before entering the Wei household, those with ulterior motives might still speculate that Wei Mingjin had fabricated the evidence to frame Xin He, all to monopolize the inheritance left by the Elder Master Wei.

Wei Mingjin was a man of impeccable character; she didn’t want any stain to tarnish his reputation.

So, upon seeing Wei Jingyao’s old servant on the road, Fang Xu instantly changed her mind.

Zou Shi had gone mad, and at this point, Wei Jingyao surely harbored intense hatred for Xin He. Having him investigate this matter was the most fitting course of action.

Wei Jingyao, whose face had initially been etched with disdain, now showed a calculating glint in his eyes after hearing Fang Xu’s words.

Wei Jingyao had always coveted the inheritance left by his elder brother. Previously, he had gone to great lengths to curry favor with and support Xin He, believing that once the mourning period concluded, Wei Mingjin would undoubtedly depart for the capital to make his mark. By then, only Xin He and her child would remain, and with a few cunning maneuvers, he could swindle the inheritance from them.

But he never anticipated that Xin He would now align herself with Wei Mingjin, thwarting his carefully laid plans.

It seemed that just as he was in despair, an opportunity had presented itself.

If he could uncover evidence that Xin He was carrying a bastard, he would essentially hold her fate in his hands. Then, he would have no trouble making her do his bidding.

However, Wei Jingyao was not quick to agree. "Aunt Xu, you’ve been punished multiple times before for falsely accusing Aunt Xin. How can I be sure that what you’re saying now is true?"

Fang Xu shared the leads she had uncovered with Wei Jingyao.

After listening, Wei Jingyao pondered for a moment before finally nodding. "I understand. You may return for now. I will notify you once there is news."

Fang Xu stood up, bowed to Wei Jingyao, then put on her veil and exited the room.

As soon as Fang Xu departed, Wei Jingyao’s unbridled joy became unmistakably evident on his face.

This was truly a case of "when mountains and rivers seem to block the way, a new path emerges from the willows and flowers"!

Since Xin He was now siding with Wei Mingjin, he had thought he would never again have a chance to touch the main branch’s inheritance. But now, wasn’t the opportunity right before him?

Wei Jingyao immediately summoned his trusted old servant, whispered a few hurried instructions, and added, "Put everything else aside for now. Focus on investigating this matter first."

The old servant acknowledged the order and departed. Wei Jingyao, too excited to sit still, paced eagerly around the private room.

Wei Jingyao didn’t care whether the child Xin He was carrying was his brother’s. All he cared about was whether this child could be exploited for his own gain.

If the child were his brother’s, he, as the second uncle, would feel a degree of unease about usurping the inheritance from the widow and her fatherless child. But if the child were not his brother’s, he would feel not a shred of guilt.

After all, if his brother’s spirit watched from above, he surely wouldn’t want the fortune he had painstakingly accumulated to fall into the hands of a bastard.

As his brother, he would merely be fulfilling his elder brother’s dying wish.

At this time, Xin He was unaware that Fang Xu and Wei Jingyao had conspired together.

She hadn’t gone to meet Wei Jingyao that day, and afterward, he never sent anyone to deliver any messages to her. She didn’t know whether all the spies he had planted on their side had been rooted out by Uncle Ming, or whether Wei Jingyao had finally given up after realizing her stance.

But for now, Xin He wasn’t concerned about Wei Jingyao. Her only concern was her future.

Although Wei Mingjin had tacitly agreed to let her keep the child, giving her some security for the latter half of her life, he had never mentioned how he planned to arrange things for them.

That day, Wei Mingjin had told her that the reason Wei Jingyao had come to make a scene was because he had found out that Wei Mingjin was gradually transferring the family’s assets to the capital.

Once the mourning period was over, Wei Mingjin would go to the capital to take the imperial examinations.

Given his talent, he was sure to achieve outstanding success. Once he soared to prominence, what would become of her and the child in her womb?

Taking advantage of a moment when Wei Mingjin was in a good mood, Xin He leaned against him and subtly inquired about his plans for her and the child in the future.

At that time, Wei Mingjin was reclining on the soft couch, one arm around Xin He, the other toying with her satin-like black hair. Hearing her question, he lifted her chin, a smile playing on his lips. "What’s wrong? Is He Niang afraid I’ll go back on my word later?"

"Of course not." Xin He looked up at Wei Mingjin, her eyes shimmering with soft charm and dependence. "The young master is my master. I don’t believe you would abandon me and our child."

"Since you know that, why ask again?"

"I know, but it doesn’t." Xin He feigned innocence, using the child in her womb as an excuse.

Xin He was self-aware. In Wei Mingjin’s eyes, she was nothing more than a well-behaved, obedient mountain finch, something to amuse him when he was bored.

But the child she carried was Wei Mingjin’s flesh and blood.

Wei Mingjin knew perfectly well that keeping this child would create many hidden troubles, yet he had still tacitly allowed it.

Xin He secretly speculated that Wei Mingjin must have some affection for this child. As long as he had some feelings for the child, she could use that to her advantage.

But Wei Mingjin saw right through her little game. He looked at her with a smile. "Yesterday, I happened to glance at the storybook you were reading, and there was a line I thought was particularly well-written: 'Those who are too clever by half often bring about their own downfall.' What, would you like to give it a try, He Niang?"

Though Wei Mingjin was smiling, the warmth didn’t reach his eyes.

"I wouldn’t dare." Xin He immediately withdrew her probing, softening against Wei Mingjin like a delicate vine that couldn’t survive on its own. "The child and I have no one but you now. Please don’t abandon me. I will be obedient."

Wei Mingjin was very pleased with her docile and obedient demeanor.

"It’s good that you know to be obedient." Wei Mingjin didn’t press the matter further. Instead, he patted her lower back. "I have things to attend to. Go find a book from the shelf to read."

Xin He acknowledged his words and obediently withdrew from his embrace.

Seeing that Wei Mingjin had moved to the desk, picked up a brush, and begun writing something, Xin He didn’t dare disturb him further. She quietly made her way to the bookshelf.

After studying with Wei Mingjin for over a month, Xin He could now recognize quite a few characters.

But she still couldn't muster any interest in reading. Now that Wei Mingjin had sent her to find a book, Xin He wandered among the bookshelves to pass the time. However, her gaze wasn't fixed on the books but on the decorations on the shelves.

Passing by one of the bookshelves, Xin He noticed a cloth bundle placed on it.

Curious, she stood on her tiptoes and took the bundle down. But she failed to hold it steady, the cloth came loose, and the contents inside fell to the ground with a clear clattering sound.

Hearing the noise, Wei Mingjin, who had been deep in writing, called out toward the shelves, "What happened?"

But Xin He remained silent for a long moment.

Frowning, Wei Mingjin set down his brush, stood up, and walked over.

From a distance, he could see Xin He crouched on the floor, shaking uncontrollably.

As he drew closer and saw what lay in front of her, he understood why she was reacting so strongly. He sneered, "That night when you plunged this dagger into Zhou Shuisheng’s abdomen, your hand didn’t even tremble. Why are you so terrified today?"

A dagger lay on the floor in front of Xin He.

Xin He recognized it at once—it was the one Wei Mingxuan had given her, the very same dagger she had plunged into Zhou Shuisheng’s abdomen.

Hearing Wei Mingjin’s words, her face instantly turned deathly pale.

Her memories of that night were actually quite blurry. She only vaguely remembered that Zhou Shuisheng had tried to force himself on her, and during their struggle, the dagger somehow ended up in his abdomen.

But the specific details she couldn’t recall at all.

Wei Mingjin bent down, picked up the dagger, wrapped it back in the cloth, and put it back. As he turned to leave, someone grabbed the hem of his robe.

Xin He, still crouching on the ground, looked up at him.

Her face was as pale as paper, and her usually charming and obedient dark eyes were now filled with fear and unease: "How... how did this dagger end up... with you, Young Master?"

"Would you prefer it to be at the government office along with Zhou Shuisheng’s corpse?" Wei Mingjin retorted.

Xin He vigorously shook her head. "No, I wouldn’t."

It was clear that she was truly terrified.

"Stand up," Wei Mingjin said impatiently.

Xin He instinctively tried to comply, but the shock of seeing the dagger in Wei Mingjin’s study had left her limbs feeling weak.

Unable to stand on her own, she tried to support herself by holding onto a nearby bookshelf. But the next moment, she was scooped up into his arms.

Even though she was more than four months pregnant, Xin He was still very light.

Wei Mingjin carried her through the bookshelves and set her down on the couch, but her body continued to tremble uncontrollably.

Wei Mingjin, seeing how pathetic she was, was about to scold her when Xin He suddenly grabbed his sleeve, like a frightened kitten afraid of being abandoned by its owner.

"Young Master, I’ll obey. I’ll do whatever you ask. Please, I beg you, don’t abandon me." Her face was deathly pale, her lips trembling as she desperately tried to prove her loyalty to Wei Mingjin.

This dagger was evidence of her crime. If Wei Mingjin were to take it to the government office, the magistrate would surely sentence her to death for Zhou Shuisheng’s murder.

She didn’t want to die.

As long as she could live, she was willing to obey Wei Mingjin in every way.

Wei Mingjin looked down and met Xin He’s fearful, pleading dark eyes.

It was clear that she was truly terrified.

Wei Mingjin said nothing further, simply placing his hand on Xin He’s head and gently patting it, as though rewarding an obedient pet.

From then on, Xin He abandoned all her cunning little schemes and became completely submissive and obedient to Wei Mingjin.

Wei Mingjin, in turn, was very pleased with her docile demeanor.

But this period of tranquility was shattered by Wei Jingyao’s sudden visit.

One day, Xin He, tired from practicing her writing, had just picked up a teacup to drink when she heard hurried footsteps outside the courtyard.

She turned and saw Feng Mo running in from outside, with a panicked expression.

Feng Mo was usually steady and composed, so his agitated state today surely meant something had happened.

Just as this thought crossed Xin He’s mind, Feng Mo appeared at the doorway.

Ever since Xin He started coming here daily, unless summoned by Wei Mingjin, Feng Mo and the others would always deliver reports from outside the door.

Today, despite his panic, Feng Mo hadn’t forgotten this rule. Stopping abruptly at the doorway, he bowed his head and reported quickly, "Young Master, Second Master is here. He says you and Aunt Xin must go see him immediately, or else... or else..."

He hesitated, unable to finish the sentence.

Without looking up, Wei Mingjin said, "If you don’t want your tongue, I’ll have it cut off."

"Second Master said... or else he will expose your scandal to the public," Feng Mo blurted out quickly, then lowered his head even further.

*Clatter—*

The teacup in Xin He’s hand fell to the ground, splashing tea all over her clothes.

But Xin He had no time to worry about her dress. She shot to her feet, her face pale as she looked at Wei Mingjin.

Wei Mingjin suddenly looked up, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes before his expression returned to normal.

His second uncle had always been slow-witted—how could he possibly have found out about this? Could it be that there were still spies in the residence that hadn’t been rooted out?

As he pondered this, Wei Mingjin stood and ordered, "I understand. Go tell Uncle Ming to screen the household staff once more."

Feng Mo acknowledged the order and left.

"Young Master, what should we do?" Xin He, distraught, looked helplessly at Wei Mingjin.

The shameful relationship between her and Wei Mingjin was unknown even to Qiong Hua, who served her most closely. How could Wei Jingyao have found out?

They had already fallen out with Wei Jingyao previously, and now that he knew about this, he would certainly not let them off easily.

Xin He was panic-stricken and at a loss for what to do.

Wei Mingjin coldly rebuked her, "Stop looking so guilty."

Xin He lowered her head, chastised. She knew her behavior was inappropriate, but she couldn’t help it—she was terrified.

"When we go to the front hall, don’t speak unless necessary, and don’t act guilty. Especially, don’t let me see you like this."

Wei Mingjin’s voice was colder than the wind in the depths of winter, but his calm and composed demeanor gave Xin He a sense of stability.

Xin He nodded repeatedly like a pestle pounding garlic.

After Wei Mingjin gave a few more instructions and Xin He committed them all to memory, the two of them proceeded together to the front hall.

In the front hall, Wei Jingyao was pacing with his hands behind his back.

This time, however, there was neither anxiety nor anger on Wei Jingyao’s face, but rather triumphant joy.

He had originally thought that as long as he could uncover that Xin He had been pregnant before entering the Wei family, he could use this to completely control her. That way, half of the fortune left by his elder brother would end up in his own pockets.

But he never anticipated that fate would favor him so greatly. First, he managed to discover Zuiyue Tower, and then, following the clues, he uncovered Wei Mingjin’s involvement.

Hahaha, heaven is truly on his side.

Now, all the family fortune left by his elder brother would belong entirely to him.

Just as Wei Jingyao was bubbling over with excitement, he saw Wei Mingjin and Xin He enter from outside. He immediately put on a veneer of righteous indignation.

“Last time at my residence, I found it strange. Your second aunt merely slapped Aunt Xin, yet you, who are usually gentle and easygoing, were uncharacteristically relentless toward her this time. You even used your father as a pretext to force your second aunt to kneel and apologize to Aunt Xin. I didn’t investigate then, but now that I have, the truth shocked me. It turns out the two of you have long been carrying on a clandestine affair.”

Xin He struggled to steady her nerves. “Second Master, I don’t understand what you mean. You—”

“You adulterous whore! Even now, you’re still playing dumb with me!” Wei Jingyao cut her off, glaring at her furiously. “Who is the father of the child you’re carrying?”

“It is naturally of the Wei bloodline.”

Wei Jingyao pressed closer step by step. “My elder brother’s child is of the Wei bloodline, and Mingjin’s child is also of the Wei bloodline. Whose child is it that you’re carrying in your womb?”

Xin He’s pupils contracted sharply.

She had thought there were still spies planted by Wei Jingyao in their household, which was why he had caught wind of her relationship with Wei Mingjin and come to confront them.

She never expected that Wei Jingyao would know the child was Wei Mingjin’s.

Instinctively, she wanted to turn her head to look at Wei Mingjin. But remembering his earlier instructions, she fought the urge.

Wei Mingjin showed not a trace of panic on his face, remaining as composed as ever. “Why would you say such a thing, Second Uncle?”

“Why would I say such a thing? Wei Mingjin, even now you’re still playing the fool in front of me. On July 2nd this year, at Zuiyue Tower—do I need to make it any clearer?” Wei Jingyao stared at Wei Mingjin with piercing eyes.

For the first time, he saw cracks appear on the face of this always unflappable nephew of his.

The resentment Wei Jingyao had bottled up for years finally found release at this moment.

Ever since the family division, his circumstances and his elder brother’s had gone in completely different directions.

His elder brother’s business flourished more and more, while his own declined day by day.

Every time he went out to discuss business, when others learned they were brothers, their shocked expressions felt like a heavy slap across his face.

At first, Wei Jingyao stubbornly refused to ask his elder brother for help.

But as his business worsened, he had no choice but to swallow his pride and ask his elder brother for assistance.

His elder brother was a typical miser.

Though clever and skilled in business, he was extremely stingy with money and harsh even toward his own family.

Every time Wei Jingyao went to him for help, he would be scolded. Although his elder brother eventually gave him money, each time Wei Jingyao felt that the silver had been bought with his dignity and groveling.

Later, his elder brother died, and the main household fell to Wei Mingjin to manage.

Though Wei Mingjin treated him politely on the surface, he was truly just like his miserly father, looking down on him deep down.

But now, things had changed. His brother who died young was dead, and Wei Mingjin’s weakness was in his grasp.

If Wei Mingjin wanted to avoid utter ruin, he would have to curry favor with him, just as he himself had once done—kneeling on the ground and begging like a dog.

Wei Jingyao’s gaze shifted from the pale and trembling Xin He to Wei Mingjin.

Wei Mingjin stood there in simple, loose robes, looking down, saying nothing.

He and his elder brother had been compared their entire lives, and from birth, his son had also been compared to Wei Mingjin.

In the past, both he and his son had always been the ones who came up short.

But fortunes change. From now on, he and his son would be the winners.

Wei Jingyao, finally able to hold his head high, displayed the demeanor of a petty man tasting power to its fullest.

He rolled up his sleeves, spat heavily toward Wei Mingjin, and loudly hurled insults.

“You’ve read all the books of sages and wise men, yet your actions are worse than those of pigs and dogs. You actually committed adultery with your father’s concubine, cuckolding your own father—you are utterly shameless and devoid of conscience!”