Chapter 47: Lie Low

Chapter 47: Lying in Wait

On the night of the Lantern Festival, Qiong Hua waited under the ancient tree until the festivities ended, but Xin He never appeared. Concerned, she visited the Wei residence the next day to see her.

The first thing Qiong Hua asked wasn't why Xin He had failed to meet her the night before, but if she was okay.

Xin He's eyes instantly welled with tears.

In that moment, she felt profoundly relieved that she had chosen to turn back at the city gates the previous night.

After returning last night, Xin He learned that Wei Mingjin had not only sent Chi Yan to watch Qiong Hua but had also posted guards at the city gates.

Even if she had callously abandoned Qiong Hua, she wouldn't have been able to leave the city.

"But since you turned back for that girl's sake, I'll spare her life for now."

Wei Mingjin had said this offhandedly, but a chill ran down Xin He's spine.

She had almost doomed Qiong Hua.

Thankfully, at the last moment, she had chosen to turn back.

After the two of them held each other and cried, Qiong Hua was taken aback to hear that Xin He had decided not to leave the Wei family. She didn't ask why but instead gestured: I will return to serve you, mistress.

Qiong Hua had been a servant in the Wei household for ten years. During that time, she had been bullied by many for her clumsiness or slow wit.

She vowed to rise above her station and made a bold decision: she gave all her savings to the steward, begging him to transfer her to Xin He's service.

At the time, she thought that since Xin He was the master's new favorite, no one would dare bully her once she was assigned to serve her.

But after actually serving Xin He, Qiong Hua realized that this "new favorite" was only outwardly favored—in private, Xin He had it worse than a lowly servant!

Qiong Hua pitied Xin He.

So when other concubines targeted Xin He and left her without food, Qiong Hua would sneak her hidden steamed buns.

Xin He ate them without hesitation and even bossed her around to fetch water.

Later, when Xin He became pregnant with the master's posthumous child and suddenly became highly sought-after, the second master said Qiong Hua was too clumsy to serve properly and wanted to replace her with someone more clever.

But Xin He refused, saying she was used to having Qiong Hua by her side.

The second master then suggested reassigning Qiong Hua to a menial laborer in the courtyard since Xin He was accustomed to her.

Yet Xin He insisted on keeping her as her personal maid.

Back then, Qiong Hua thought: We've shared hardships together, and now that Xin He's fortunes have turned, she hasn't abandoned me. I will serve her for life and remain loyal to her forever.

Now that she had her certificate of emancipation, hearing that Xin He wasn't leaving made her decide without hesitation to return to Xin He's side.

In this vast Wei household, having someone by her side would make life more bearable for Xin He.

In truth, Xin He didn't want Qiong Hua to come back, but if she let her go, she feared Wei Mingjin would harm her.

Previously, Wei Mingjin had promptly granted Qiong Hua her certificate of emancipation and promised to let her go only to catch Xin He in the act. And last night, he had said Qiong Hua's life was only temporarily spared—Xin He worried he might come after her again later.

Since Qiong Hua herself offered to return, Xin He agreed after some thought.

With Qiong Hua by her side, she could protect her.

Wei Mingjin did not comment when he learned of this.

Afterward, Qiong Hua returned to serve Xin He.

As for Xin He's attempted escape on the Lantern Festival, Wei Mingjin never brought it up openly. He seemed to let it go and treated Xin He as usual afterward.

But whatever Wei Mingjin said to Liang Wanying that night, Liang—who used to frequently visit the Wei household to see Xin He—never came again after the Lantern Festival.

From then on, Xin He had no friends left.

She became like a caged bird, staying by Wei Mingjin's side, coming and going at his beck and call.

Time flew by, and over a year passed.

Many things happened during that year.

For instance, Xin He went from being illiterate when she first arrived to being well-read, and she could even write beautifully.

Her calligraphy now closely mirrored Wei Mingjin's—about eighty percent similar.

Wei Mingjin also took Xin He out several times over the year.

But Xin He seemed to have accepted her fate, showing no intention of escaping again. Once, when she became separated from Wei Mingjin, she didn't try to flee but instead returned alone to the Wei residence.

When Wei Mingjin asked her about it, she nestled in his arms like a tame bird that had lost its wildness, softly saying, "The streets were too crowded. I was afraid if I went looking for you, we might get separated again. So I came back first to have the household notify you."

Another example: Qiong Hua got married—to Nanny Dou's son, You Qing.

Though You Qing was burly and rough-looking, he was diligent and reliable. Most importantly, he was devoted to Qiong Hua.

Once, when Qiong Hua sprained her ankle, You Qing took care of her, asking people from Cuwei Court to deliver things to her daily. It was then that Xin He found out by chance about their relationship.

Qiong Hua had feelings for You Qing too, but she worried that if she married, Xin He would be left alone to endure life in the Wei household.

So despite You Qing asking for her hand repeatedly, Qiong Hua never agreed and never told Xin He about their relationship.

When Xin He found out, she touched Qiong Hua's head with both heartache and guilt.

"Silly girl, finding a good home is a wonderful thing. I'm very happy for you."

But Qiong Hua gestured guiltily: But if I marry, you'll be all alone, mistress.

Xin He was nearly moved to tears. She bent down and hugged Qiong Hua. "Silly girl, you have your own path to walk. I can't keep you trapped by my side forever. Besides…"

Xin He lowered her voice to a whisper only they could hear, "Besides, I'll be leaving the Wei household soon. You marrying You Qing actually puts my mind at ease."

You Qing was Nanny Dou's son, and Nanny Dou was Wei Mingjin's wet nurse.

Once Qiong Hua married into that family, Xin He wouldn't have to worry about Wei Mingjin targeting her again.

Qiong Hua was astonished.

Over the past year, Xin He had acted so resigned to her fate that Qiong Hua thought she had genuinely decided to stay with Wei Mingjin.

She never imagined Xin He had a different scheme.

But immediately, Qiong Hua realized they couldn't let it show. If anyone noticed, they might relive the nightmare from a year ago.

After learning of Xin He's plans, Qiong Hua accepted You Qing's proposal.

Afterwards, Nanny Dou and Xin He went before Wei Mingjin one after another to ask for his grace for Qiong Hua and You Qing.

Wei Mingjin obliged them graciously. Not only did he consent to their marriage, but he also freed them from their servant status.

This meant that any children they had in the future would not be born into servitude.

Before the wedding, Qiong Hua came to bid farewell to Xin He.

Xin He took out most of the savings she had tucked away and gave them to Qiong Hua as a dowry addition. Finally, she held Qiong Hua's hand, tears in her eyes, and said, "You've endured much hardship serving me. From now on, live your life well and don’t worry about me. I will be fine."

For Qiong Hua, only by completely distancing herself from Xin He would Wei Mingjin not vent his anger on her after Xin He’s eventual departure.

Qiong Hua understood Xin He’s good intentions, but she firmly refused to accept the bridal gift.

Although she didn’t know what Xin He’s plan was, she believed that after leaving the Wei household, Xin He, as a woman alone and unprotected, would need more money to rely on.

But Xin He insisted, pushing the box containing the gift into Qiong Hua’s hands: "Take it. This is my wish—do not refuse."

She felt guilty toward Qiong Hua and could only make some amends with money.

Unable to decline any further, Qiong Hua accepted with tears.

Afterward, Qiong Hua was fetched by her brothers to prepare for the wedding.

After Qiong Hua left, although Xin He appeared no different from usual, Wei Mingjin noticed her lingering attachment.

Wei Mingjin said, "If you wish, after she is married, she can still come back to serve you."

"No, now that she has found a good man, let her live her life well," Xin He hurriedly steered the conversation away, fearing Wei Mingjin might consider calling Qiong Hua back to serve her. "Besides, didn’t you say that after the mourning period, you would take your concubine to the capital for the examinations?"

Over the past two years, Xin He had abandoned all thoughts of escape and acted obedient and submissive in front of Wei Mingjin, finally fostering a sense of fondness in him.

Some time ago, Wei Mingjin had disclosed to Xin He: after the mourning period ended this winter, he would take her to the capital to participate in next spring’s imperial exams.

When she heard this, the weight in Xin He’s heart finally lifted.

Wei Mingjin was by nature cold and self-serving and had spent years pretending to be a paragon of virtue.

Xin He knew deeply that if she could not make him develop feelings of attachment for her before the end of the mourning period, the day he emerged from mourning would be her death.

Only her death would bury their clandestine affair along with her corpse, forever keeping it a secret.

So for over a year, she had been deferential and obedient, pleasing him in every way, just to dissuade him from killing her. Now, she had finally achieved her wish.

Xin He whispered, "The matter of you taking your concubine to the capital should be known to as few people as possible."

Wei Mingjin naturally detected the cautious probing in her words. He drew her onto his knees, stroked her face, and chuckled softly, "What? Afraid I’ll go back on my word?"

Sensing Wei Mingjin’s desire, Xin He, like a dodder vine that clings for life, obediently leaned in to kiss the corner of his lips, her tone pitiful: "Qiong Hua is married. Now I have only you, Master. Please don’t abandon your concubine."

"As long as you behave, there will always be a place for you by my side." With these words, Wei Mingjin embraced Xin He and took control.

Soon, Xin He’s eyes were misty, and her fair skin seemed brushed with a layer of rich blush. As a gorgeous red spread, her breath grew searingly hot.

Outside the window, the spring sun was warm, and a gentle breeze rustled the newly bloomed blossoms of wisteria on the trellis, swaying in the wind.

Xin He tried to escape but was pinned by Wei Mingjin’s grasp on her waist, unable to move.

Overwhelmed, Xin He could only kiss Wei Mingjin in a bid for mercy.

Wei Mingjin then withdrew his hand, lifted her bodily, carried her to the bed, and drew the bed curtains closed with a tug.

All the intimate scene was enclosed within the curtains, hidden from any prying eyes.

As Xin He surged against him in climax, she suddenly dug her fingertips into the flesh of Wei Mingjin’s back.

And where her fingers gripped, there were many crisscrossing old scars.

These scars were terrifying in shape, stretching from Wei Mingjin’s shoulder blades down to his waist.

Like jagged plum tree branches, they lay across the back of this flawless gentleman, strikingly conspicuous.

But aside from Xin He, no one else knew of them.