Chapter 38: Share a Bed

Chapter 38: Sharing a Bed

The snow had fallen all through the night, finally ceasing at dawn. Now, the world lay cloaked in white, a thick blanket of snow covering everything.

The distance from Cuiwei Courtyard to Wei Mingjin’s residence was but a short stretch, yet Qiong Hua found herself perspiring lightly by the time they arrived. The path was treacherous after the snowfall, and Xin He was pregnant. Throughout the journey, Qiong Hua’s heart had been in her throat, fearing any mishap.

Fortunately, they arrived safely at Wei Mingjin’s courtyard. Just as Qiong Hua wiped the thin layer of sweat from her forehead with the back of her hand, Feng Mo came forward to greet them.

"The path is slippery after the snow. What brings you out in this weather, my lady?"

Since Wei Mingjin had decided to keep Xin He and the child in her womb, Feng Mo’s attitude toward her had become notably more respectful. He stepped aside, saying, "The young master is in the main hall at the moment. Please, my lady."

Xin He nodded and, leaning on Qiong Hua, carefully ascended the steps.

Just as they stood on the porch, the heavy felt curtain was lifted, and Fang Xu emerged from the main hall.

In the past, whenever Fang Xu was in Xin He’s presence, she was either coldly aloof or openly hostile. But today, her eyes were hollow, and even upon seeing Xin He—the person she had once detested the most—her face betrayed no emotion, as if she were a mere automaton.

Chi Yan had not expected to encounter Xin He the moment he stepped out, but he immediately offered her a respectful bow.

Xin He nodded, her gaze lingering on Fang Xu as she asked Chi Yan, "May I speak with her alone?"

"This…" Chi Yan hesitated, as he wasn’t in a position to make such a decision.

Fortunately, the heavy felt curtain was lifted again soon after, and Wei Mingjin stepped out.

Xin He did not press Chi Yan further but instead stepped forward, playfully tugging at Wei Mingjin’s sleeve, and repeated her request to him.

Wei Mingjin shot her a brief glance, nodded in agreement, and then departed.

Since Xin He intended to speak with Fang Xu, they could not remain on the porch. Thus, Chi Yan held the curtain aside again and invited both women into the main hall.

Servants brought hot tea and then withdrew. After the heavy felt curtain swung shut, only the two of them remained in the hall.

After a moment of silence, Xin He spoke first: "I couldn’t understand before why you suddenly started targeting me after the master passed away. But it wasn’t until today that I realized it was because you admire the young master, wasn’t it?"

Earlier, on the porch, when she had deliberately acted intimately with Wei Mingjin, she had noticed Fang Xu’s reaction.

The gloom and disappointment in her eyes could not be hidden.

Fang Xu, who had been sitting there with a distant stare, suddenly shivered, her eyelashes fluttering slightly.

Xin He knew then that she had guessed correctly. In fact, there had been signs long before.

For example, after Master Wei passed away, Wei Mingjin, following his father’s wishes, released the concubines and provided each of them who left with a generous sum of silver.

In the women’s quarters, aside from two older concubines who had nowhere else to go, all the others left happily. Yet Fang Xu, who was young, beautiful, and had family, insisted on staying.

And after staying, Fang Xu suddenly became obsessed with targeting her, using various means to try to prove that the child in her womb was not Master Wei’s child born after his death.

Another example: after the fifth week of mourning following Master Wei’s death, everyone in the household, aside from Wei Mingjin, who continued to wear plain white garments daily, had gradually switched to clothing of other colors. Only Fang Xu, like Wei Mingjin, persisted in wearing plain white dresses and eating vegetarian meals daily.

It was just that, because Fang Xu had always been focused on targeting her and hardly interacted with Wei Mingjin, Xin He had never considered this possibility before.

"Yes." Now that things had come to this, Fang Xu had no reason to hide anything.

Moreover, these were words she had kept to herself for years, not daring to tell anyone, nor able to tell anyone.

Now that things had reached this point and Xin He had asked, Fang Xu admitted openly: "I admire the young master. The reason I entered the Wei household as a concubine in the first place was because of him."

Before becoming a concubine in the Wei household, Fang Xu had been a flower girl, carrying a basket and hawking her wares through the streets and alleys.

She was beautiful, and the flowers she sold were fresh, so her business was usually quite good. But she often encountered people with ill intentions.

However, Fang Xu had a feisty attitude back then. If anyone dared to tease her with words, she would yell back even louder, utterly fearless. Those who saw they couldn’t take advantage of her would slink away embarrassed.

But there were exceptions.

It was late spring. Fang Xu, as usual, carried a basket of apricot blossoms, hawking them through the streets and alleys in a drizzle.

While avoiding a carriage, she accidentally bumped into a drunken playboy.

The playboy, struck by her beauty, tried to drag her back to make her his concubine. Fang Xu fought back desperately.

But how could a weak woman like her withstand those burly guards? Some passersby tried to step in angrily, but upon learning that the playboy was the county magistrate’s brother-in-law, they immediately backed down.

The playboy, smirking smugly, ordered his men to drag Fang Xu away.

Just as Fang Xu was filled with despair, Wei Mingjin, who happened to be passing by, told Feng Mo to save her.

No one knew what Wei Mingjin said to the playboy in private, but although the playboy was unwilling, he ultimately let her go.

At that time, Fang Xu was sitting in the muddy water. Her basket had been crushed by someone, the flowers inside scattered everywhere and crushed beyond recognition.

"Miss, are you all right?" A soft voice spoke up suddenly.

Fang Xu looked up and saw a figure in white suddenly appear before her.

The man wore plain clothes with wide sleeves, with sharp, handsome features. He held a delicate bamboo umbrella in one hand, standing in the gentle spring rain like a celestial being come to earth to save those in suffering.

In that instant, the surrounding scenery seemed to disappear, and Wei Mingjin, dressed in plain white, became the only thing in color in Fang Xu’s eyes.

Fang Xu was instantly smitten with Wei Mingjin.

But soon, she learned of Wei Mingjin’s identity.

The sole son of the wealthy Wei family in the city, he consistently took first place in the academy and was praised by his teachers as the star of literature.

He was the moon high in the sky, while she was a weed in the mud. There was a world of difference between them.

That he could shine upon her was already a heavenly grace in her eyes. How could she dare to hope to cling to him or taint him?

Fang Xu buried her foolish fantasies.

But for a woman as beautiful as her, if she had been born into a powerful family, her beauty could have been an asset, a weapon, or even her support.

But she was born into a poor family.

A beautiful woman from a poor family became a fruit that everyone could covet and pluck with ease.

The playboy had let Fang Xu go, but others would not.

One after another, people came to Fang Xu’s home. Some wanted to take her as a concubine, some wanted to offer her as a gift to please nobles, and some sincerely wanted to marry her.

But those who sincerely sought her hand were from impoverished families. Fang Xu knew that even if she married into such a family, her fate would ultimately be one of two: either sold by her in-laws into a brothel or resold into a wealthy household as a concubine.

It happened that around that time, someone from the Wei family also came, saying that Master Wei wanted to take Fang Xu as a concubine.

Fang Xu knew deep down that she could never escape this lowly fate in her lifetime. So, if she had to become someone’s concubine, who better to become a concubine for than the Weis?

But if she entered the Wei household as a concubine, she could at least be closer to Wei Mingjin.

However, after joining the Wei family, Fang Xu learned that Wei Mingjin usually lived and studied at the academy, only coming home during his monthly breaks.

Though somewhat disappointed, Fang Xu quietly counted down the days until Wei Mingjin would return.

She waited and waited, and the day finally came for his return.

But when they met again, Fang Xu both hoped Wei Mingjin would recognize her and feared that he would.

In her conflicted state, Wei Mingjin did recognize her.

Yet, he didn't scorn her for becoming his father’s concubine; instead, he even advised her to learn how to protect herself within the household.

Fang Xu was moved beyond words.

When Xin He heard this, she felt conflicted.

Wei Mingjin had striking looks and was excellent at pretending to be a gentle, refined gentleman. It was no surprise to Xin He that Fang Xu had fallen for him and become infatuated.

“He is such a good person—how could I stand by and watch him be bullied by you with a bastard child pretending to be heir!”

It was no secret that Master Wei was desperate for an heir, but over the years, none of the concubines in his household had become pregnant.

In private, they had long tacitly agreed that the problem likely lay with Master Wei himself.

Yet, after Master Wei died, Xin He was suddenly diagnosed as pregnant. For a time, the concubines whispered behind closed doors, but since they had no conflict of interest with Xin He, no one openly targeted her—except for Fang Xu.

Fang Xu refused to let Xin He use an illegitimate child to claim a share of the family fortune that rightfully belonged entirely to Wei Mingjin.

So she desperately searched for evidence to prove to everyone that Xin He was attempting to pass off a fake as genuine, trying to pass off a bastard as Master Wei’s child born after his death. She wanted to return the entire inheritance to Wei Mingjin.

But she never expected that the investigation would ultimately lead back to Wei Mingjin.

Xin He told Fang Xu about Wei Jingyao’s threat from the previous day.

Fang Xu immediately covered her face and broke down sobbing: “I’ve wronged the Young Master; I’ve harmed him.”

Seeing Fang Xu like this, Xin He couldn't help but pity her.

Fang Xu had fallen in love with the Wei Mingjin she met that spring day, but she didn’t know that the Wei Mingjin she encountered was an act.

The real Wei Mingjin was cold and detached. With his intelligence, how could he not have guessed why Fang Xu had been targeting Xin He?

Yet, Wei Mingjin not only looked the other way but also stood idly by.

He coldly observed as Fang Xu repeatedly faced punishment while fighting for his interests, remaining unmoved.

Xin He offered her handkerchief to Fang Xu and asked softly, “This time, you were the one who sought out the Second Master, weren’t you? But since you found clues, why didn’t you come back and tell the Young Master instead of going to the Second Master?”

Fang Xu hadn’t expected that, even at this point, Xin He would still be willing to offer her handkerchief for her tears.

But she turned her head away, refusing Xin He’s handkerchief, and replied honestly, “I also thought about coming back to tell the Young Master, but I was afraid that if he investigated this matter, outsiders would say he was framing you to monopolize the family fortune. The Young Master is such a man of integrity and purity—I couldn’t let a single stain tarnish him.”

Hearing this, Xin He sighed inwardly.

For a moment, she wanted to tell Fang Xu the truth about Wei Mingjin’s real nature.

But after seeing Fang Xu’s tear-reddened eyes, Xin He swallowed her words. She withdrew her handkerchief and rose slowly.

She had said all she wanted to say to Fang Xu, but after taking a few steps, Xin He suddenly asked, “If you had known from the beginning that the child in my womb was Wei Mingjin’s, what would you have done?”

“I would have taken this secret to my grave.” Fang Xu’s almond-shaped eyes were swollen from tears, but her expression was resolute.

She admired Wei Mingjin, but she was also acutely aware of the gap between them, so she had never dared to hope that he would one day return her feelings.

Since she had no such hopes, she would always prioritize Wei Mingjin in everything.

If she had known from the start that the child in Xin He’s womb was Wei Mingjin’s, she would never have caused trouble for Xin He. She would have kept this secret forever, taking it to her grave.

Xin He said nothing more upon hearing this. When she went out, Qiong Hua and Feng Mo were still waiting under the corridor.

Seeing her emerge, Qiong Hua hurried over with a cloak, but Xin He waved her hand, indicating that she wasn’t returning to Jade Green Court, and asked, “Where is the Young Master now?”

“In the study,” Feng Mo replied.

Xin He went to the study to find Wei Mingjin.

Wei Mingjin was sitting behind the desk reading. Hearing footsteps, he asked without looking up, “Finished talking?”

“Yes,” Xin He responded, slowly walking to Wei Mingjin’s side. She glanced at his expression and cautiously asked, “What does the Young Master plan to do with Madam Xu?”

“She has her own path. There’s no need for you to worry.”

Xin He wanted to ask more, but Wei Mingjin handed her an inkstick: “If you have nothing else to do, grind ink for me.”

Seeing that Wei Mingjin had no intention of discussing further, Xin He had no choice but to swallow her words. She tied her sleeves with sleeve garters, took the inkstick, and began grinding slowly.

The morning passed idly in the study.

By the time Xin He emerged, it was already around 1:45 in the afternoon. Qiong Hua helped her back to Jade Green Court and was about to have a meal served, but Xin He refused.

“I have no appetite,” Xin He said, leaning against the heated brazier and slowly rubbing her right wrist. She asked Qiong Hua, “After I went to see the Young Master, did you see Madam Xu again?”

“Yes, she was taken away by Feng Mo, but I don’t know where exactly,” Qiong Hua replied, handing Xin He a bowl of bird’s nest tonic. “Since you have no appetite, have some bird’s nest to settle your stomach.”

Xin He took the bowl and listlessly stirred it with a spoon, making no move to eat.

Just as Qiong Hua was about to press her, Xin He remembered something else: “Has the Second Master not come today?”

“It seems not,” Qiong Hua said, pausing before adding, “Should I go ask the gatehouse attendants?”

“No need,” Xin He shook her head.

If Wei Jingyao had come, someone would have reported it to Wei Mingjin. But that morning, Wei Mingjin had been with her the entire time, and no one had come to report Wei Jingyao’s arrival.

How strange.

Wei Jingyao had long coveted the main branch’s assets. Now that he had obtained them, given his character, he should have come bright and early. Why hadn’t he shown up yet?

Could it be that Wei Mingjin had reached some agreement with Wei Jingyao without her knowledge?

Feeling uneasy, Xin He asked Qiong Hua to send someone to make inquiries.

The next day, just after Xin He had finished her breakfast, Qiong Hua came in to report: “Madam, someone from the Second Household is here. They say the Second Master hasn’t returned home for two days and are asking if anyone in our household knows where he is.”

Xin He’s hand, clutching the handkerchief, tightened abruptly. Wei Jingyao had gone missing?

Suddenly, a private suspicion abruptly surfaced.

But it was immediately pushed down by Xin He: that was Wei Mingjin's own second uncle, impossible.

Xin He forced herself not to think the worst. Yet the situation still developed in the worst possible direction.

On the morning of the third day, while Xin He was practicing calligraphy in Wei Mingjin's study, Feng Mo reported from outside the door: "Young Master, someone from the second branch is here. They say Second Lord has been found."

Xin He's hand holding the brush paused.

Wei Mingjin looked up from his book and asked, "Where was he found?"

"In the river."

"Splat—"

The ink from Xin He's brush dropped onto the paper, instantly ruining the character she was about to finish.

"Understood," Wei Mingjin responded. The footsteps outside gradually faded away.

Xin He, deathly pale, watched as Wei Mingjin walked toward her. Her lips trembled, but no sound came out.

Wei Mingjin seemed to read her mind. He asked, "He Niang wants to ask how Wei Jingyao died?"

He Niang couldn't make a sound, so she nodded.

"I killed him," Wei Mingjin said lightly, as if discussing something trivial.

But He Niang was so frightened her pupils dilated.

After she had panicked and stabbed Zhou Shuisheng, she had been too afraid to even close her eyes that night. How could Wei Mingjin kill someone and remain so calm?

"But don't worry, He Niang. I covered my tracks well. No one will suspect me."

He Niang's face turned deathly pale, and her body trembled uncontrollably.

Wei Mingjin held He Niang's shoulders, bent down, and stared at her: "He Niang, he knew our secret. If he didn't die, we would be the ones to die."

He Niang wanted to say that wasn't true.

All Wei Jingyao wanted was money. He took the money, and in the future, he would still want Wei Mingjin to help his family get ahead. He wouldn't reveal their secret.

Wei Mingjin seemed to read He Niang's thoughts. He sneered, reached out to tuck the stray hair behind her ear, his voice low and tender but filled with a bone-chilling murderous intent: "He Niang, you're still too naive. Only the dead can keep secrets forever."

When Wei Mingjin's fingertips touched behind He Niang's ear, it felt as if a venomous snake was biting her there. Her heart spasmed instantly.

But He Niang didn't dare to pull away. She swallowed hard, met Wei Mingjin's gaze, and stammered, "I... I understand."

"Good that you understand." Only then did Wei Mingjin withdraw his hand with satisfaction. "Second Uncle is dead, Second Aunt is ill, and Mingxuan is still young. He definitely can't handle it alone. I have experience with funeral affairs, so I must go help Mingxuan. You should go back and rest."

He Niang agreed. After watching Wei Mingjin leave, she could no longer hold herself up. Her legs gave way, and she collapsed in a heap on the ground, overwhelmed by fear.

Wei Mingjin had actually killed Wei Jingyao.

That was his own second uncle! He had actually killed him!

And after killing someone, he showed not a trace of fear. Instead, he acted as if nothing had happened and was now going to the second branch to help Wei Mingxuan with the funeral arrangements.

How could there be someone in the world as cold-blooded, callous, and skilled at acting as Wei Mingjin?

"Oh, Concubine, why are you sitting on the ground?" Qiong Hua lifted the heavy curtain and entered. Seeing He Niang sitting on the floor, she was startled and hurried over to help her up.

From that day on, He Niang had no appetite during the day and could not sleep peacefully at night. She visibly grew thinner.

Over in the second branch, Zou Shi, who had originally gone mad, perhaps stimulated by Wei Jingyao's death or for some other reason, was now slowly improving.

That evening, when Wei Mingjin returned from the second branch and heard from Feng Mo about He Niang's recent restlessness and poor appetite, he, who had originally intended to go to bed, went to Jadeite Courtyard instead.

When Wei Mingjin arrived, most of the lights in He Niang's room were already extinguished, leaving only one lamp near the window.

He Niang tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep. Suddenly, she noticed an extra shadow on the wall. Terrified, she opened her mouth to scream, but someone covered it first.

Immediately after, the familiar cool scent of Wei Mingjin enveloped her.

"Y-Young Master," He Niang stammered, looking at the person who had appeared in her bedroom late at night.

For the past few days, Wei Mingjin had been at the second branch during the day. He returned late at night, making it inconvenient for them to meet. Thus, He Niang hadn't seen Wei Mingjin for several days.

Now, seeing him suddenly appear in her bedroom late at night, she thought he had come for intimacy. Trembling, she turned over and began fumbling with her robe ties.

Wei Mingjin released his hand from her mouth, kicked off his boots, stood by the bed to remove his outer robe, pulled back the covers, lay down, and pulled He Niang, who had her back to him, into his embrace.

His large hand roamed over her body but wasn't suggestive.

He Niang's hands, which were untying her belt, paused. She asked uncertainly, "Young Master?"

Wei Mingjin responded. When his large hand inadvertently passed over He Niang's slightly swollen abdomen, it paused there. Then he asked conversationally, "What are you afraid of?"

"I am not afraid."

"Not afraid, yet you've been unable to sleep or eat these past few days?" Wei Mingjin turned the person who had her back to him around, making He Niang face him.

The lamp in the room was still lit. Once face to face, the fear on He Niang's face could no longer be hidden.

She tried extremely hard to control it, but it was useless. She could only avoid Wei Mingjin's scrutinizing gaze and say softly, "The Young Master has not been in the residence these past few days, so I have had no appetite. I am not afraid."

Wei Mingjin stared at He Niang's lowered gaze for a moment but did not expose her clumsy lie. He simply lifted her chin, forcing her to meet his eyes.

"He Niang, remember, I killed Wei Jingyao. It has nothing to do with you. Even if he wants revenge, he will only come for me. Understand?"

Wei Mingjin's gaze was cold and calm, yet it carried a reassuring authority.

Somehow, at this moment, He Niang's anxious heart actually slowly calmed down.

She nodded gently: "I understand."

Wei Mingjin rested his hand on her head and pulled her into his embrace.

After that, Wei Mingjin didn't speak for a long time. He Niang, smelling the familiar cool scent on him, felt drowsiness creeping over her.

Just as He Niang was about to fall asleep, Wei Mingjin suddenly said, "If you're still afraid, I will come over at night from now on."

He Niang's drowsiness vanished without a trace. She instantly became wide awake.

Wei Mingjin's large hand was resting on He Niang's back, so he naturally felt the moment her body tensed up.

Then, in the next instant, Wei Mingjin saw the person in his arms lift those large, dark eyes, look at him timidly, and hesitate before saying, "But Young Master, you just said that if Wei Jingyao wants revenge, he will only come for you."

Wei Mingjin was first stunned. After realizing the meaning behind He Niang's words, he then raised his hand and swatted her backside.

Someone who was always good at pretending, this time, however, snapped irritably, "You ungrateful thing."

Xin He didn't dare to argue, just tucked her chin and pretended to be obedient.

But Wei Mingjin still wasn't done venting. He stared at Xin He for an uncomfortably long moment before snapping, "Turn around."

Xin He: "..."

Should've kept my mouth shut earlier.

But it was clearly too late to shut up now.