Chapter 42: Guard Against

Chapter 42: Vigilance

Xin He had not yet fully recovered from her miscarriage, so Wei Mingjin, when he came at night, naturally couldn't be intimate. Most of the time, he simply held her as they slept.

Knowing Wei Mingjin's keen perception, Xin He dared not entertain thoughts of escape in his presence. Instead, she feigned drowsiness, yawned, and turned to face inward, pretending to sleep.

But Wei Mingjin wasn't having it.

He pulled her back into his arms, holding her from behind while his limbs restrained her. Only then did he say contentedly, "Sleep."

Xin He: "..."

How was she supposed to sleep like this!

But she knew arguing was futile—she was no match for him. So she gave up and closed her eyes.

The medicine the physician prescribed for Xin He had a sedative effect, and before long, she genuinely fell asleep.

Wei Mingjin slowly loosened his hold and scooted back slightly.

Sure enough, not long after, Xin He, who had been facing inward, turned onto her back. Her legs grew restless too, one crossing over the other, bent in a bow shape.

Wei Mingjin propped his head on his hand, his gaze fixed on Xin He’s face.

When she was awake and with him, she always acted obedient, delicate, or pitiful to earn his sympathy. But asleep, she was entirely different.

If she felt too hot, she’d push him away. If he took up too much space, she’d kick him without mercy.

One night after her miscarriage, he was abruptly awoken and came to check on her in the middle of the night.

Xin He was sound asleep then. He sat by the bed watching her for a long time, but she didn’t stir.

Unwilling to brave the howling wind outside and too lazy to return to his own room, he lifted the covers and slipped into bed beside her.

Just as he was drifting off, a sharp slap landed on his face.

His eyes flew open, fury surging, but before he could react, Xin He kicked him hard in the leg.

Unable to tolerate it any longer, he shook her awake.

Xin He woke up displeased, her expression blank at first upon seeing him there, then changing to one of surprise and panic.

Though her expression changed quickly, Wei Mingjin still caught the flicker of disdain in her eyes.

He couldn’t help but chuckle in exasperation.

He had come to check on her in the middle of the night, only to be slapped and kicked—and now she was the one disdainful of him?

Back then, Xin He knelt on the bed in her thin nightclothes, head bowed, murmuring apologies.

But between the lines, she implied that she had poor sleeping habits, prone to kicking and thrashing, and was used to sleeping alone.

The underlying message was that he had brought it upon himself by coming uninvited, so it wasn’t her fault.

On any other day, her impudence would have earned his reprimand.

But seeing her pale, thin face and acknowledging that he had indeed come unexpectedly, Wei Mingjin only snorted coldly and lay back down. "Don’t let it happen again."

"But how can anyone control themselves when they’re asleep..."

Wei Mingjin cut off her protest sharply, glowering at her. "If you misbehave again at night, I won’t hesitate to tie your hands and feet."

At that, he saw Xin He’s shoulders slump in resignation as she reluctantly agreed.

After that, though Xin He never kicked or hit him in her sleep again, her restlessness remained.

But since she was genuinely asleep, Wei Mingjin didn’t bother to reprimand her.

His eyes lingered on her face.

After this period of rest and recovery, Xin He’s complexion had improved significantly, no longer as sickly as right after her miscarriage.

Wei Mingjin gazed at her a while longer before pulling the sleeping figure back into his arms.

Before her miscarriage, neither Xin He herself nor the child she carried had mattered much to him.

To him, Xin He was merely a plaything he amused himself with in his leisure time. Once his three-year mourning period ended, their liaison—along with Xin He—would become a permanent secret.

But after her miscarriage, seeing her lying pale in bed, her breathing growing faint, a strange feeling surged within him.

The thought of her dying like that actually saddened him.

No matter how humbly and gently he presented himself, it couldn’t conceal the cold-heartedness in his bones. When his mother passed away, he was only eight years old, yet he didn’t shed a single tear.

This year, when his father died, he feigned grief on the surface but felt nothing inside.

Yet now, for someone like Xin He, whom he’d known for barely over three months, he actually felt sorrow at the thought of her dying.

Wei Mingjin found it perplexing even to himself.

This emotion was both unfamiliar and intriguing to him.

Xin He turned over in his arms, revealing a red string inside her collar.

Wei Mingjin hooked the string with his fingertip. At its end hung a yellow talisman.

This was something he had personally sought from the abbot of Ciyun Temple for her, after realizing those so-called mystics were useless fools.

In his childhood, he had prayed to deities and Buddhas countless times, but they had never answered. So he had never believed in them.

Unexpectedly, this desperate attempt had actually worked—the gods had answered.

As Xin He turned over again, the talisman slipped from Wei Mingjin’s palm.

Snapping out of his thoughts, he pulled her back into his embrace.

Previously, he had intended for their liaison to end with his mourning period, burying it along with Xin He as an eternal secret.

But after this incident, he changed his mind.

He would keep Xin He by his side.

Just as he had told her before, no matter where he went in the future, there would always be a place for her beside him.

"But, He Niang, the condition is that you must not betray me," Wei Mingjin murmured, holding her close. "If you dare betray me, I will kill you."

Of course, the deeply asleep Xin He didn’t hear this. She was lost in a sweet dream.

In her dream, there were no deceitful uncle and aunt, no temperamental Wei Mingjin. She lived a content, independent life on her own. In the distance, someone stood under the covered walkway waiting for her.

She joyfully ran towards the figure.

But just as she was about to see the man’s face clearly, the sound of snow falling to the ground jolted her awake.

Xin He opened her eyes and saw the familiar ceiling above her once more, but Wei Mingjin was no longer by her side.

Xin He swept her hair back and got up, walking to the window.

Through the glazed window, she saw the world clad in silver.

The sound of jingling bells grew closer and closer. Just as Xin He turned her head, an outer robe was draped over her shoulders.

“The window isn’t open, and there’s a brazier burning inside. I’m not cold,” Xin He explained.

But Qiong Hua gestured in reply, insisting that her body was not as strong as before and she needed to take good care of herself, or else she would be left with lasting weakness.

Unable to argue with Qiong Hua, Xin He could only put on the outer robe.

The maids filed in, helped Xin He wash and dress, and then served breakfast.

Xin He had little appetite in the morning and only took a few bites before setting down her chopsticks.

An older maid came in to clear the meal, and shortly after, Qiong Hua brought her medicine.

After finishing the medicine, Xin He said to Qiong Hua, who was also indisposed, “I’m going to rest a bit more. You don’t need to stay here and serve me; go back and rest as well.”

Qiong Hua bowed and withdrew.

Xin He did not go back to sleep. Instead, she sat alone by the window, gazing at the vast expanse of snow outside, pondering how she could obtain the Concubine Release Letter.

She had tested the waters last night—there was no way Wei Mingjin would write it for her.

So, as a fallback, she needed to find a way to get hold of Wei Mingjin’s personal seal.

It didn’t matter if Wei Mingjin refused to write the Concubine Release Letter; as long as it bore his personal seal, it would suffice.

But Wei Mingjin’s personal seal was likely kept in his study, so she needed to find a way to search for it.

Having made up her mind, Xin He put on thick layers of clothing, draped a fox fur cloak over herself, and prepared to go to Wei Mingjin’s study to look around.

But as soon as she reached the door, she was stopped by two maids.

“Madam, you haven’t yet finished your confinement period. The young master specifically instructed that you rest well in your room. If there’s anything you need, please just let us know.”

Xin He paused: she had been so focused on finding the seal that she had forgotten about this.

She casually made up an excuse to put the maids off and then returned to sit by the window.

She took a deep breath and reminded herself: this matter could not be rushed. If Wei Mingjin noticed anything amiss, it would do more harm than good.

Moreover, her body was still weak, and she truly needed to take this opportunity to recuperate properly and carefully plan her next steps.

The end of the year was approaching, and matters such as shop accounts and social obligations required Wei Mingjin’s attention, so he had been leaving early and returning late recently.

That day, by the time he finished his work and returned to the residence, it was already the end of You hour (around 7 PM). Upon hearing that Xin He had wanted to go out in the morning, he went directly to Cuiwei Court.

In the past, the two of them would avoid meeting at night to prevent gossip. But since the loss of the child, Wei Mingjin had replaced everyone in Cuiwei Court with his own people. Now, even if he came late at night, no one dared to say a word.

When Wei Mingjin lifted the curtain and entered, Xin He was sitting at the table practicing her calligraphy.

Since Xin He could not go out, she wore casual clothing indoors, her hair loosely tied in a bun, with only a thumb-sized pearl hairpin at her temple.

Xin He was so focused on her writing that she did not notice Wei Mingjin’s arrival.

Wei Mingjin walked directly over and saw that the paper was densely covered with his name.

Wei Mingjin’s expression faltered.

“Why does it just not look right!” Xin He muttered as she stared at the characters in front of her, then suddenly noticed an extra shadow by her side.

Xin He turned her head sharply and was startled to see Wei Mingjin standing so close.

“Young Master, when did you arrive?” As she spoke, Xin He quickly grabbed the paper on the table and hid it behind her back, like a futile attempt to hide.

Wei Mingjin chuckled. “No need to hide it. I’ve already seen it.”

Xin He lowered her head awkwardly.

A maid came in and served Wei Mingjin a cup of tea. After taking a sip, Wei Mingjin lifted his gaze to look at the flustered woman standing before him. “Why did you suddenly want to write my name?”

“I had nothing to do, so I thought I’d practice my calligraphy,” Xin He replied without hesitation.

Whether Wei Mingjin believed her or not, he only extended his well-defined hand toward her.

Xin He instinctively handed him the paper she had written, but unexpectedly, Wei Mingjin grabbed her wrist and pulled her into his embrace.

Wei Mingjin had just come in from outside, but his embrace was warm.

An idea occurred to Xin He, so she nestled in Wei Mingjin’s arms and said in a soft, coquettish voice, “I just can’t seem to write Young Master’s name well. Since you’re here tonight, why not write it yourself for me to see? Then I can practice copying it.”

But as soon as she finished speaking, she felt a sharp pain between her eyebrows.

Xin He covered her forehead and looked at Wei Mingjin in confusion.

“How many times have I told you? Calligraphy emphasizes bone and spirit, not mere resemblance.” As he spoke, Wei Mingjin patted her waist. “Sit up.”

Xin He had no choice but to sit up obediently.

Wei Mingjin replaced the paper with a new sheet, then embraced Xin He from behind, guiding her hand. “If you still can’t write it well this time, you’ll be punished later.”

Xin He didn’t dare retort, only secretly pursed her lips.

She had wanted to trick Wei Mingjin into writing his name so she could trace it onto her Concubine Release Letter and deceive everyone. But who would have thought Wei Mingjin would insist on teaching her instead?

Soon, the three characters of “Wei Mingjin” appeared vividly on the paper.

These three characters, with their strong and elegant strokes, were completely different from what she had written before.

After finishing, Wei Mingjin released Xin He’s hand. “Write it again for me to see.”

Xin He had no choice but to write it again, following Wei Mingjin’s guidance.

But when her writing was placed next to Wei Mingjin’s, the difference was like heaven and earth.

Xin He’s expression immediately fell.

Wei Mingjin took a sip of tea and said leisurely, “I began learning calligraphy at four and have been practicing for fifteen years. You’ve only been practicing for a few days, and you expect to become an overnight master?”

Xin He grumbled to herself: she didn’t want to become an overnight master; she simply wanted to imitate his handwriting.

But given her current level, it was clearly a pipe dream.

Now it seemed she could only wait until after her postpartum recovery period to go to Wei Mingjin's study and look for his personal seal.

That night, Wei Mingjin did not stay with Xin He but returned to his quarters instead.

And as soon as he returned, he summoned Feng Mo.

"During this period when I'm not in the residence, keep a close eye on Concubine Xin."

Feng Mo was immediately confused. What did he mean by "keep a close eye on Concubine Xin"?

Now that the child was gone, shouldn't Concubine Xin be trying even harder to please their master? Why was their master instead telling him to keep a close watch on her?

But he didn't dare press further and could only respectfully agree.

After Feng Mo was dismissed, Wei Mingjin leaned back in the armchair, rubbing his temples as he was lost in thought.

Xin He was acting very strangely.

Before, she had always been afraid that he would kill her, so she treated the child in her womb as her only hope, playing pitiful to make him let her keep the child.

But now that her only hope was gone, she showed no signs of fear or anxiety, nor had she ever again pretended to be weak or pitiful in front of him.

At first, he thought it was because she was too grief-stricken over the loss of the child.

But tonight, when Xin He suddenly started writing his name, Wei Mingjin thought of another possibility.

Wei Mingjin's face was hidden in the shadows behind the lamp, making it impossible to see his expression, but a faint, sinister air lingered around him.

Afterward, although Wei Mingjin was not in the residence, Feng Mo reported everything of Xin He's daily activities to him.

Xin He stayed in her room every day, spending her time after meals either chatting with the maids or reading and practicing calligraphy to pass the time. Her days were perfectly routine, with not the slightest hint of anything unusual.

But Wei Mingjin remained vigilant and said, "Continue watching her."

Outside the window, the weather changed from rain to shine to snow in the blink of an eye, and soon it was the day Xin He's month of confinement was over.

It was a warm, sunny day.

Qiong Hua knew that after being cooped up in her room for a full month, Xin He must have been going stir-crazy by now.

But she insisted on waiting until the sun was high in the sky before allowing Xin He to go out for a walk.

Having not set foot outside her room for a full month, Xin He was momentarily blinded by the sunlight as soon as she stepped out, and it took her a while to adjust.

In truth, as soon as she was allowed to go out, Xin He wanted to go to Wei Mingjin's study right away.

But she felt that doing so would arouse too much suspicion, so she bided her time, and waited a few more days.

On the day she learned that Wei Mingjin had left the residence, she brought Qiong Hua along with her to his courtyard.

As expected, she encountered Feng Mo in the courtyard.

Xin He approached Feng Mo and stated her reason: "I've been feeling bored with nothing to do and thought I'd come to the master's study to find a few books to take back and read. May I?"

"Of course, you may enter, Concubine. It's just that Qiong Hua..."

Xin He understood and turned to Qiong Hua. "Wait for me outside."

Qiong Hua nodded. Feng Mo escorted Xin He all the way to the study door. After watching Xin He lift the heavy felt curtain and enter, Feng Mo turned back to Qiong Hua. "Concubine will likely be inside for a while. Come with me to wait by the hearth."

Qiong Hua cautiously shook her head, indicating she would wait right there.

"How would it look if you just stand here waiting? Besides, judging by the sky, it looks like it's about to snow—it's so cold!" Without waiting for a response, Feng Mo pulled Qiong Hua away.

Qiong Hua opened her mouth but couldn't speak, so she had no choice but to follow Feng Mo.

No sooner had Feng Mo taken Qiong Hua away than the other servants in the courtyard disappeared too.

Meanwhile, Xin He, who had entered the study, was unaware of this.

It had been a month since she last came here, but the layout of the study hadn't changed at all.

In Xin He's memory, Wei Mingjin hadn't used his personal seal. But for easy access, such an item should be on the desk.

Xin He went straight to the desk and searched the desktop but found nothing.

Just as she knelt down, preparing to open the drawers to search, Wei Mingjin's voice suddenly cut through the silence: "What is He Niang looking for?"

Xin He went rigid, then turned slowly.

There stood Wei Mingjin, who was supposed to be away from the residence at that moment. Like a hunter lying in ambush, he emerged from behind the bookshelves and advanced step by step toward Xin He.