Сhарtеr 1: Тhe Thin Hоrsе Conсubine
Thе hibisсus-сurtаinеd bеd was wаrm, filling thе rооm with the glow оf spring.
The rosеwоod саnору bed swауеd gently, sоft mоans drifting thrоugh the azure silk сurtains.
А’Yuan turned her hеad аnd prеssеd down on thе man’s wandering hаnd аt hеr wаist, pleаding рitifullу, “Мaster.”
Нer сascаding black hаir spilled tо one side, rеvеаling half оf hеr delicatе, pаlе shoulder.
Тhe man’s сold еуеs darkеned. “Just onсe.”
“Thеn рlеase be quick, Master.”
Thе littlе concubine wаs sоft and pitiful, and thе mаn pondered for a moment before agreeing.
At this time, the naive A’Yuan did not yet know that a man’s words in bed were the least trustworthy—even if the man behind her was the esteemed heir of the Peaceful Marquis Estate, the youngest Deputy Magistrate of the Capital Prefecture, Wei Xun.
Not to mention that the word “quick” was a great taboo for men.
The red candle had burned more than halfway, and the night watchman’s clapper outside had already passed midnight before the man finally released her.
“Drink some water.”
The satisfied Wei Xun looked gentler, his brows and eyes softening. He dressed, got out of bed, and stood by the table to pour a cup of tea. After testing the temperature with the back of his hand to ensure it was just right, he turned and handed it to the woman on the bed.
A’Yuan’s limbs were weak, and her entire body ached terribly. But since the heir had personally poured tea for her, a mere concubine naturally dared not put on airs. She hurriedly sat up to receive it.
“Thank you, Master.”
She held the cup with both hands and drank it all in one go, the dryness in her throat easing slightly from the tea.
But her jade-like arms were sore and weak, nearly dropping the cup, and a few drops of tea spilled out.
A’Yuan hurriedly tried to wipe them away, but someone was faster than her.
The man’s fingertip smeared the spilled droplets, the touch cold and slightly painful.
A’Yuan clenched the blanket with her fingertips, not daring to breathe too loudly, fearing the man might become aroused and torment her again.
The little concubine’s expression was straightforward and easy to read. Seeing her pitiful posture as she huddled under the blanket, Wei Xun almost laughed in frustration.
In her heart, was he such an insatiable libertine?
The temperature by the bedside suddenly dropped. A’Yuan sensed the man’s anger and knew she had offended him again. Her round, almond-shaped eyes misted over, but she still forced herself to kneel by the bed, her small hand clutching the hem of his robe as she shook it gently, pleading, “Heir, A’Yuan was wrong.”
As the most renowned Thin Horse in Yangzhou City, A’Yuan’s skin and flesh were exquisitely nurtured—icy as jade, delicate as bone, with a slender waist that could be encircled by a single hand. Yet, where flesh was meant to grow, it was abundant without restraint, her graceful and voluptuous figure both enchanting and full.
Leaning against the bedside, her small hand clutching the man’s black robe hem, her upturned face filled with panic, she looked utterly pitiful.
After all, she was still just a young girl.
Wei Xun sighed inwardly. Why should he be angry with her? Besides, he had indeed been rather unrestrained today.
The coldness in Wei Xun’s brow faded as he pulled the blanket over her, though his tone carried a hint of admonishment. “If you catch a chill tomorrow, see if you’re afraid.”
A’Yuan was naturally afraid. It was early spring in the capital, and charcoal braziers were still burning in every courtyard of the Peaceful Marquis Estate. However, the charcoal in A’Yuan’s courtyard had run out, and no one had replenished it.
The night was cold. Wei Xun, with his robust constitution, did not feel it, but A’Yuan, having been chilled for this short while, was already trembling slightly.
Yet her nature had always been soft, and she feared causing trouble. She was even more afraid that if she mentioned the charcoal brazier to Wei Xun, word would spread and she would be labeled as arrogant and presumptuous.
Her situation in the estate was already difficult. Although Wei Xun had not given her a formal status, he had not abandoned her to the filthy quarters of brothels, where she would have become a prostitute shared by thousands. For now, this was already a great fortune, and she dared not ask for more.After coming to this realization, A’Yuan’s expression grew even more obedient. She nuzzled her small face against Wei Xun’s palm, her voice sweet and soft. “A’Yuan won’t dare do it again, Master. Please don’t be angry.”
Seeing her so compliant, Wei Xun’s anger dissipated completely.
Her hair brushed against the back of his hand, as if gently teasing his heart, sending a tingling sensation through him.
Wei Xun stroked her cheek, teasing her like a docile, soft kitten, his voice carrying a hint of indulgence he himself hadn’t yet noticed. “Then A’Yuan must always be obedient from now on.”
“Yes.”
Seeing the man appeased, the weight in A’Yuan’s heart finally lifted.
In the Peaceful Marquis Estate, Wei Xun was her entire world. To live a better life, she had no choice but to please him and rely on him.
She performed her duties diligently, terrified of making a single misstep. Even if she truly caught a chill, it would only mean drinking a few bowls of bitter medicine.
But if she incurred the man’s displeasure, it would truly mean being crushed to pieces.
Though A’Yuan’s mind was filled with thoughts, none showed on her face.
Wei Xun looked at his gentle and obedient little concubine, tucking the blanket around her once more, his heart softening a little.
“You may sleep in a bit longer tomorrow. There’s no need to go to the front courtyard to pay respects. I’ll speak to Mother myself.”
A’Yuan nodded meekly, gratitude flickering in her eyes as she obediently agreed.
Seeing her so understanding, Wei Xun found himself reluctant to leave. However, a pile of official duties awaited him in the study, and he had already indulged himself for half the day.
“Sleep now. I’m leaving.”
Wei Xun stood up, and when A’Yuan moved to see him off, he gently pressed her back onto the bed. “It’s cold outside. No need to trouble yourself.”
The door opened and closed, letting in a draft that made the candle flame flicker. In that moment, Wei Xun caught sight of A’Yuan’s earnest gaze. Suppressing the urge to turn back, he closed the door and left.
The early spring night breeze swept away the restlessness in his heart, leaving him even more clear-headed.
Truthfully, taking A’Yuan as a concubine had not been his intention. As the heir to the Peaceful Marquis, Wei Xun valued propriety above all else, especially reluctant to take on a seductive concubine before his official wife entered the household.
However, one could not refuse a gift from an elder. Wei Xun’s mother, pitying her son for lacking a woman to care for his needs, had assigned A’Yuan to him to attend to his daily life. Wei Xun had no choice but to accept.
In the beginning, Wei Xun treated A’Yuan with extreme coldness. Favoring a concubine over the wife was the root of family discord. Working at the Capital Prefecture, he had seen too many men whose households fell apart because they doted on beautiful concubines.
Thus, even after accepting A’Yuan, Wei Xun rarely set foot in her courtyard.
But A’Yuan was obedient, never causing trouble, always waiting meekly for his arrival.
As time passed, Wei Xun came to realize that his little concubine was truly compliant and sensible. A’Yuan had been with him for three years; even raising a cat for that long would foster affection.
Moreover, A’Yuan had a gentle nature. Even when bullied, she dared not complain, which naturally evoked a sense of pity in Wei Xun’s heart.
Thinking of how his little concubine had pleaded so sweetly, Wei Xun’s expression softened. But as soon as he stepped into his study, his brows furrowed sharply.
Chang Yuan, who hadn’t followed him to the rear courtyard, didn’t know why his master was angry. Just as he was about to step forward to ask, Wei Xun kicked the charcoal brazier burning brightly in the room, his entire demeanor radiating coldness.
“Take this brazier to the Jade Clarity Courtyard. And have the maid responsible for the charcoal beaten and sold off!”
Chang Yuan hastily agreed, immediately understanding. The servants in the estate, seeing that the Third Master was away from the capital, had deliberately mistreated Lady Xie.
He couldn’t fathom what they were thinking, truly believing the Third Master was indifferent and didn’t care for Lady Xie.
But if he didn’t care, why would he have gone to the Jade Clarity Courtyard as soon as he returned?
Chang Yuan shook his head. Someone in this estate was about to face misfortune.