Chapter 43: Deceive

Chapter 43: Coaxing

Xin He’s limbs stiffened, her blood seeming to freeze in an instant.

Unable to move, she could only watch as Wei Mingjin drew closer and closer, until he stood before her.

“What is He Niang looking for?” Wei Mingjin repeated his question.

As he spoke, he reached out to wipe the cold sweat from Xin He’s temple. His pale fingers did not retreat but instead traced a path across her face, like a snake hissing and flicking its tongue.

Xin He’s scalp prickled; terror crashed over her in overwhelming waves, crushing the air from her lungs.

Wei Mingjin’s patience, however, had clearly worn thin.

Just as his large hand drifted lower, Xin He suddenly spoke in a trembling voice: “The dagger.”

“What?” Wei Mingjin hadn’t heard clearly.

“Last night, I dreamed that the Second Young Master learned of all we had done. Somehow, that dagger ended up in his hands. He took it to the magistrate’s office, accused me of murder, and the magistrate sentenced me to beheading.”

Xin He’s face was as pale as paper. Stammering, she suddenly threw herself into Wei Mingjin’s arms, shaking like a leaf. “My lord, I am so afraid.”

This answer caught Wei Mingjin off guard. He froze for a long moment, not moving.

Meanwhile, Xin He, in his arms, felt her heart hammering like a drum.

The moment she saw Wei Mingjin emerge from behind the bookshelf, Xin He knew he had been lying in ambush.

She had no idea where she had made a misstep to arouse his suspicion.

Wei Mingjin would never let her go. If he found out she had come today to steal his personal seal, the consequences would be unthinkable.

In a flash of inspiration, she could only bring up that blood-stained dagger.

At this moment, Xin He didn’t know whether Wei Mingjin believed her or not, but she had to gamble.

If he didn’t push her away, perhaps she could talk her way out of this.

While weeping quietly in Wei Mingjin’s arms, Xin He secretly observed his reaction.

After a brief moment of dazed pause, Wei Mingjin’s large hand came to rest on her back, as if calming a scared cat. His voice was calm. “It was only a dream. What is there to fear?”

“My lord, you know how timid I’ve always been.” As if to prove her point, Xin He tightened her embrace.

In the past, Xin He had often leaned against Wei Mingjin like this.

But back then, she had been pregnant, and each time she had only rested lightly against him, their bodies never fully pressed together.

Now that the child was gone, and to convince Wei Mingjin of her fear, Xin He clung to him like a delicate, helpless dodder, entwining herself tightly around him.

Completely absorbed in her performance, Xin He failed to notice the change in Wei Mingjin’s gaze.

Wei Mingjin was now experienced in matters of intimacy. During the more than a month Xin He had spent recuperating, he had not touched her once.

Now, with her soft, perfumed body pressed tightly against him, how could he not be aroused?

“How is your body recovering?” Wei Mingjin abruptly asked a question that seemed out of nowhere.

Buried in Wei Mingjin's embrace, pretending to cry, Xin He was startled for a moment before her earlobe was gently pinched.

Wei Mingjin's fingers rubbed her soft earlobe, with a subtle, suggestive meaning.

Xin He's body stiffened.

She had come today only to find Wei Mingjin's private seal, not to give herself away.

But she didn’t know whether Wei Mingjin had believed what she said earlier. If she rejected him now, and he thought about it with a clear mind, she might give herself away.

It would be better to go along with his wishes. If he was momentarily distracted by lust, he might overlook the matter.

Xin He had no choice but to bury her head in Wei Mingjin’s chest, pretending to be shy: "The doctor said I'm better now."

As soon as she finished speaking, Xin He felt herself scooped up lightly as Wei Mingjin swept her up into his arms.

Inside Wei Mingjin’s study, there was a small resting area partitioned off, containing a daybed. In the past, when Wei Mingjin stayed up late reading, he often slept on this bed.

The bed was just right for Wei Mingjin alone, but for two people, it was a bit cramped.

But Wei Mingjin knew how to make it work.

They kissed passionately, wrapped up in each other, their breaths hot against each other's skin.

Clothes rustled as they slipped to the floor. Xin He instinctively curled her body, but in the next moment, her shoulders were gripped, and searing kisses descended, leaving red marks like plum blossoms on her porcelain skin.

Wherever Wei Mingjin’s large hands traveled, it was like setting her skin on fire.

Amidst her labored breaths, Xin He clung tightly to Wei Mingjin, not forgetting her real purpose: "Could you give that dagger to me, darling?"

Wei Mingjin, busy as he was, took a moment to look at Xin He.

At this moment, Xin He lightly bit her red lips, her eyes like sparkling spring water, filled with hope as she gazed at him.

Wei Mingjin chuckled softly, leaning down to bite her pale shoulder as he gave his answer.

"That depends on how you perform."

And soon, Xin He understood exactly what Wei Mingjin meant by that.

Before, perhaps because she was pregnant, Wei Mingjin had always held back when they were intimate.

But now, it was as if Xin He had returned to that night at the Drunken Moon Pavilion.

Sweat splashed, and they tangled together desperately.

After their passionate moment, Xin He lay on the bed, overwhelming exhaustion washing over her in the aftermath of pleasure.

But clearly, Wei Mingjin was not yet satisfied; his large hand still lingered on her waist.

Xin He shivered slightly, grabbing Wei Mingjin’s mischievous hand and softening her voice to plead with him: "My lord, I’ve only just recovered. The physician warned me to be careful. We have all the time in the world."

Wei Mingjin lowered his gaze, looking at the flushed face in his arms tilting up to plead with him. He lifted her chin and gave her a long, deep kiss for a moment before releasing her and getting off the bed.

Only when she heard the door to the inner room close did Xin He finally let out a long sigh of relief.

She lay on the bed a while longer to rest, then sat up wrapping herself in the covers and gathered the clothes scattered on the floor.

Fortunately, Wei Mingjin did not have a habit of tearing clothes, so her clothes were still intact.

After Xin He had neatly put on her clothes, her legs trembled the moment she got off the bed. She leaned against the nearby table for a moment to steady herself before slowly made her way out.

Upon opening the study door, Qiong Hua was there, and so was Chi Yan.

Chi Yan handed over a box: "The young master asked me to give this to you, Concubine."

Xin He nodded, and Qiong Hua immediately took it.

The moment they returned to Cuiwei Courtyard, Qiong Hua quickly gestured to ask Xin He: Are you alright, Concubine?

"I'm fine. Go draw a bath; I want to bathe."

Previously, Xin He never let anyone assist her during baths, but today she was too tired, and since Qiong Hua already knew everything about her and Wei Mingjin, Xin He asked her to stay and add more hot water for her.

Though Qiong Hua was mute, her gaze was full of concern as she looked at Xin He.

Now that only the two of them were in the bathing room, Qiong Hua secretly gestured to ask her: What plans do you have for the future, Concubine?

Although Xin He had this relationship with Wei Mingjin, she was still technically Master Wei's concubine.

In the past, Qiong Hua would have thought that since Xin He was with Wei Mingjin, he would naturally find a way to protect her.

But that day, when she accidentally came upon their secret and Wei Mingjin immediately tried to kill her, Qiong Hua realized that the gentle and considerate Wei Mingjin was actually a facade.

So she was worried about Xin He's future and hoped Xin He could make plans early.

A flicker of conflict crossed Xin He's eyes.

Qiong Hua was the only person she could trust in the Wei household; she should tell Qiong Hua about her plans. But she was afraid that if she did, it might get Qiong Hua involved in the future.

After a moment of thought, Xin He said: "It's not like I have control over my future anyway. We'll just have to see how things go."

Today, she had almost given herself away in front of Wei Mingjin. This matter would have to be handled with caution.

A look of sadness appeared on Qiong Hua's face.

"Let's not talk about this," Xin He changed the subject and whispered to Qiong Hua, "Find a way to get me some contraceptive herbs."

The previous child had taken her by surprise. Now that she had decided to escape, she absolutely could not have another child.

Qiong Hua nodded in agreement and immediately went to see to it.

Xin He soaked in the hot water for a while longer before taking a dry towel to dry herself, got dressed, and came out.

The box Qiong Hua had brought back earlier was still on the table.

Xin He walked over and opened it. Inside was the dagger given to her by Wei Mingxuan.

When Wei Mingxuan had given her the dagger, she hadn't looked at it carefully and didn't know it had his name engraved on it.

That night, she took the dagger to see Zhou Shuisheng, simply to give her courage. She never expected that a drunken Zhou Shuisheng would try to force himself on her, and in her panic, she ended up stabbing him.

She even less expected that the dagger would end up in Wei Mingjin's hands and that he would use it to drive Zou Shi insane.

Xin He picked up the dagger and drew it. The blade was so polished it reflected like a mirror, glinting with a cold light.

But Xin He saw blood on the blade.

Zhou Shuisheng's blood, Zou Shi's blood, and her own.

"Concubine," a maid's voice suddenly called from outside the door.

Startled, Xin He let go, and the dagger clattered on the floor.

The maid reported from outside: "Miss Liang is here."

Liang Wanying was a regular visitor to the Wei residence. Although she always came to see Xin He, everyone in the household knew her true intentions.

Xin He originally didn't feel like seeing her, but halfway through her refusal, she suddenly changed her mind.

"Please take Miss Liang to the parlor. I'll be right there."

The maid acknowledged and left. Xin He bent down to pick up the dagger, placed it back in the box, and then put on her fox fur cloak before heading toward the parlor.

Meanwhile, Liang Wanying was already waiting in the parlor.

Previously, every time Liang Wanying visited, it was for Wei Mingjin. Only this time was she here for Xin He.

After hearing about Xin He's miscarriage, Liang Wanying had wanted to visit personally.

But her mother said it was inappropriate to visit a woman who had just miscarried, and since she was an unmarried girl, it was even more unsuitable. So Liang Wanying had only sent her maid a few times before.

Now that Xin He had completed her month of lying-in, she came in person.

Partly to visit Xin He, and partly to see what Xin He's situation was in the household.

Some time ago, after hearing about Xin He's miscarriage, Liang Wanying learned that Xin He's uncle and aunt had visited Wei Mingjin. They said that since Xin He had miscarried, they hoped Wei Mingjin would grant them the favor of a Concubine Release Letter so they could take Xin He home.

But Wei Mingjin said that although the child wasn't saved, Xin He had still carried a child for his father. How could they simply dismiss her with a Concubine Release Letter?

He had asked Xin He for her opinion, and she wanted to stay in the residence.

Since that was the case, the Wei family would provide for Xin He for the rest of her life.

The sound of servants greeting Xin He came from outside the door, and Liang Wanying immediately stood up.

The windproof felt curtain was lifted by an old maid, and Xin He, draped in a fox fur cloak, entered from outside.

She wore an emerald-green brocade jacket and skirt from Shu with a pattern of butterflies and flowers, over which was a snow-white fox fur cloak. A white jade hairpin shaped like a plum blossom, with tassels, was tilted in her dark hair. The delicate tassels of the hairpin fell beside her cheeks, accentuating her delicate features and making her complexion even better than before.

Liang Wanying was taken aback momentarily.

Xin He walked over and smiled apologetically: "Sorry to keep you waiting, Miss Liang."

"Not at all," Liang Wanying came back to her senses and warmly took Xin He's hand. "Wanying has long wanted to visit you, but I was afraid of disturbing you. How are you feeling now, Concubine?"

"Much better. Thank you for your concern, Miss Liang."

As they spoke, the two sat down and made small talk, each lost in their own thoughts.

Xin He was confined to the inner quarters all day and enjoyed hearing Liang Wanying talk about the outside world. Liang Wanying, on the other hand, wanted to find out about Wei Mingjin's whereabouts from Xin He. Both had their own agendas but maintained a delicate balance.

With the New Year approaching soon, Liang Wanying mostly talked about the bustling New Year preparations happening everywhere.

Xin He lowered her eyes, her tone sorrowful: "Listening to you, Miss Liang, makes me want to go out and see it all. Unfortunately, given my status, I cannot leave the residence alone."

The speaker may have had no intention, but the listener took it to heart.

A thought occurred to Liang Wanying, and she had an idea: "What's so difficult about that? If you wish to leave the residence, Wanying would be happy to accompany you for a stroll."

Although it had only been half a year since the late Master Wei passed away, Xin He was still allowed to occasionally go out.

"But I don't know if Young Master Wei will agree to let me go out," Xin He said, fidgeting with her handkerchief, looking as though she wanted to go out but was afraid Wei Mingjin would not allow it. "After all, with my current status, it’s not appropriate for me to go out. If I really must go out, I’d have to trouble Young Master Wei to accompany me."

And that was exactly what Liang Wanying had in mind.

Wei Mingjin was still in mourning. If he were to go out with her alone, it would inevitably invite gossip.

But if Xin He, Concubine Xin, the late Master Wei’s consort, were with them, that would be a different matter.

Liang Wanying cozied up to Xin He and coaxed, "The New Year is just a few days away. Young Master Wei is bound to take some time off. If you’re worried, why don’t I go and speak with Young Master Wei?"

If Wei Mingjin agreed, she would naturally be delighted.

Even if he refused, she would still get to see him, which was not a loss.

Pretending not to know Liang Wanying’s intentions, Xin He lowered her head and thought for a moment before saying, "The Master is gone, and Young Master Wei is now the head of the household. With so many matters to attend to during the New Year, he surely won’t have time. It would have to be after the New Year. But after the New Year, what reason would there be to go out?"

Xin He feigned distress.

"The Lantern Festival!" Liang Wanying said with delight. "Although Young Master Wei is in mourning, he can still go out to see the lanterns on such an occasion."

Xin He calculated silently in her heart.

It was already the twenty-fifth of the twelfth lunar month. There were still twenty days until the Lantern Festival.

In those twenty days, she should have a chance to obtain Wei Mingjin’s personal seal. Moreover, the streets would be crowded with people during the Lantern Festival, making it the perfect opportunity for her to escape.

Xin He agreed to Liang Wanying’s proposal.

Learning that Wei Mingjin was at home that day, Liang Wanying immediately went with Xin He to see him.

At that moment, Wei Mingjin was discussing year-end bonuses for the various shop managers with Steward Ming. When he heard that Xin He and Liang Wanying had come together to see him, Wei Mingjin paused for a moment before nodding and saying, "Please show them in."

Steward Ming took his leave and withdrew.

When Liang Wanying and Xin He entered, Wei Mingjin was sitting in the main seat reviewing account books.

Seeing the two of them, Wei Mingjin closed the account books and greeted them with a smile.

Xin He responded softly before lowering her head and twisting her handkerchief.

Liang Wanying had no idea that these two, who were now being so proper, had secretly met and been together intimately just an hour earlier.

After hearing Liang Wanying’s request, Wei Mingjin first looked at Xin He.

Xin He had lowered her eyes and was twisting her handkerchief, appearing obedient and quiet.

"Is it alright?" Liang Wanying asked, looking at Wei Mingjin.

Wei Mingjin withdrew his gaze, his expression gentle. "Yiniang and Miss Liang have always been close. Since Miss Liang has so kindly invited Yiniang, how could I say no?"

He was giving his permission.

Liang Wanying was instantly overjoyed. "Thank you, Young Master Wei."

She had been worried it wouldn’t work out! To her surprise, Wei Mingjin had agreed.

Soon after, a steward came to see Wei Mingjin on business. Not wanting to disturb him further, Liang Wanying had to say her goodbyes. Xin He also left with her.

After seeing Liang Wanying off, Xin He returned to Cuiwei Yard with her maidservant.

As they passed the rockery, she faintly heard voices behind it. Xin He paid it no mind and continued walking when she suddenly heard someone say, "What a pity! I heard it was a boy! If he had been born safely, she could’ve inherited half of the Master’s estate!"

Xin He’s steps halted abruptly, as if she had been struck by a blow, her composure crumbling.

"Who says otherwise! It’s just that Yiniang Xin had bad luck!"

"Who’s there? Show yourself at once!"

The maidservant’s scolding and another’s exclamation sounded simultaneously.

Soon, two older female servants scrambled out from behind the rockery. When they saw Xin He, their faces turned pale, and they immediately knelt down, kowtowing and begging for forgiveness.

"You insolent servants! How dare you gossip about your mistress behind her back! I’ll report this to Nanny Dou, and see if she doesn’t tear your mouths shut!" Just as Xin He’s maidservant was sternly rebuking the two older female servants, Xin He had already stumbled away, visibly shaken.

Worried that something might happen to Xin He, the maidservant could no longer bother with scolding the older female servants and hurried after her.

Since Xin He’s miscarriage, no one in Cuwei Yard had dared mention the child in front of her. Xin He had never asked, so she had never known it was a boy.

Xin He walked quickly all the way back, the maidservant following closely behind.

But as soon as she entered her room, Xin He closed the door directly.

The maidservant did not dare disturb her but was afraid something might happen. After hesitating under the eaves for a moment, she eventually went to Wei Mingjin’s courtyard.

Qiong Hua, unaware of what had happened, had prepared contraceptive concoction and brought it over after personally brewing it. When she arrived, she saw Xin He sitting by the window, her eyes slightly red.

Qiong Hua quickly signed: Yiniang, what’s wrong?

Xin He shook her head. "It’s nothing."

Ever since the miscarriage, Xin He had been telling herself that it was better for both her and the child that it was not born.

To persuade herself, she had never even asked about the child.

But today, upon hearing the two older female servants say that the child she had lost was a boy, an inexplicable sadness surged in her chest.

This sadness had nothing to do with whether the child was a boy or a girl—it was about the life that had been lost, a life that had stayed in her womb for over four months.

They had been together day and night, and she had once felt him there so vividly.

Now, more than a month after its departure, hearing others mention it again brought all the emotions Xin He had forcibly suppressed rushing back. That was why she had lost her composure.

Seeing Qiong Hua still looking at her with concern, Xin He quickly wiped her tears with her handkerchief and forced a smile. "I’m really fine. Is this the contraceptive concoction?"

Qiong Hua nodded.

Xin He took the concoction. The smell was unpleasant, but she didn’t even flinch. She simply held the bowl and drank it all in one go.

Just as Xin He finished the concoction, Wei Mingjin arrived.

Noticing Wei Mingjin’s gaze lingering on the medicine bowl, Qiong Hua felt uneasy.

Xin He sent Qiong Hua away and poured tea for Wei Mingjin. "Young Master Wei, what brings you here at this time?"

Wei Mingjin’s eyes fell on her puffy, red eyes.

"Have you been crying?" Wei Mingjin asked, his voice neutral.

Xin He did not admit it, merely lowering her eyes and clutching her handkerchief as she said, "I wasn't crying, the wind blew something in my eye."

Wei Mingjin studied her for a moment, then pulled her into his embrace, stroking her thin back as he said calmly, "We can have more children later."

This was the second time Wei Mingjin had said this.

The first time was right after Xin He had suffered a miscarriage and just woken up; Wei Mingjin had told her the same thing then.

At that time, Xin He wasn’t sure whether Wei Mingjin was just saying it to comfort her or if he truly wanted a future with her.

But now, Xin He was certain—it was the latter.

Yet, instead of feeling moved, Xin He found it ironic and bitter.

Before, when she was carrying Wei Mingjin’s child, she had eagerly hoped for a future with him day and night, but Wei Mingjin had paid her no attention.

Now that the child was gone and she had lost all hope in him, Wei Mingjin had suddenly started talking about their future.

How ridiculous!

A man as ruthless, selfish, and callous as him—what future could there possibly be?

But Xin He showed none of this on her face, quietly agreed with Wei Mingjin’s words.

Wei Mingjin stayed with Xin He for a while before leaving.

As soon as he stepped out of Cuiwei Courtyard, he ordered Chi Yan, "Since those two low-ranking maids love to gossip so much, cut out their tongues and send them to work on the farm estate."

"But it’s almost the New Year—wouldn’t cutting out their tongues be inauspicious?" Chi Yan hesitantly suggested.

He felt that while it was wrong for the two women to gossip behind their master’s back, a few strikes of the rod and deducting a few months' pay as a warning would suffice. Cutting out their tongues seemed too severe a punishment.

Wei Mingjin gave Chi Yan a cold look. "If cutting out two is inauspicious, then cutting out three will make it auspicious."

Chi Yan immediately changed his tone. "Yes, I will take care of it immediately."

That afternoon, word spread among the staff that the two women had their tongues cut out and were sent to the estate for privately gossiping about their master.

For a time, all the servants of the Wei household were too afraid to speak.

Xin He knew nothing of this; she was still pondering how to get hold of Wei Mingjin’s personal seal.

Wei Mingjin had been very busy lately.

With the New Year approaching, in previous years, Master Wei would have taken charge of all matters in the household. But this year, with Master Wei gone and Wei Mingjin managing things for the first time, every matter required his decision.

Originally, searching Wei Mingjin’s study for his seal would have been the best approach, but since she had already been caught by him today, even though he had overlooked it for now, it didn’t mean he wasn’t on guard.

If it happened again, it might not be so easy to avoid consequences.

But if she didn’t go to the study, how could she possibly get Wei Mingjin’s personal seal?

Soon, Xin He thought of a clever idea to obtain Wei Mingjin’s personal seal without him noticing.

Now that Wei Mingjin was in charge of the household, and with the year-end bringing many small tasks, every department needed his approval.

There would surely be occasions requiring his personal signature or seal.

If she could obtain a blank piece of paper with Wei Mingjin’s personal signature or seal, she would have just what she needed for her Concubine Release Letter.