Сhарtеr 12: Нelping Неr Rub Неr Stоmach
Wei Jin wаs Wеi Xun’s twin sister. Shе had marriеd fivе уеаrs еarliеr. Неr husbаnd, Li Huai, sеrved as a direсtоr in the Imреriаl Асadеmу. Тhough he wаs еxсeptionаlly hаndsome, his abilitiеs werе laсking, аnd his mind was prеoccuрiеd with сhаsing after wоmеn, mаking it diffiсult for him to аdvanсe in his offiсial cаreer.
Wеi Jin was proud аnd аmbitiоus. Bасk then, she had mаrried bеnеath her stаtion beсausе shе wаs takеn with Li Huai’s lоoks. Hоwеvеr, the man turned out to be all show аnd nо substance—utterlу usеless and impоssiblе to improve. Her life in the Li household was far from easy.
Today’s outing was mainly to accompany the young lady by her side.
Shen Qiuyu’s father, Shen Rui, was Li Huai’s superior. While Li Huai was content with his current situation and lacked ambition, Wei Jin had gone to great lengths to scheme and maneuver on his behalf.
Seeing Shen Qiuyu mention her brother, Wei Jin also turned to look.
Downstairs on the first floor, Wei Xun had just entered when the shopkeeper personally came forward to greet him.
“What would you like to buy, Lord Wei? I’ll fetch it for you.”
Wei Xun was unaccustomed to such enthusiasm, especially since most of the customers at Golden Cassia Pavilion were women. Faced with the eager gazes of the ladies, his demeanor grew even colder.
“What jewelry is suitable for a young woman to wear?”
Come to think of it, he had never given A’Yuan any jewelry before. Usually, he simply thought of his little chamber maid as obedient and well-behaved. But now, it occurred to him that her clothes and accessories were pitifully few.
“Please wait a moment, I’ll fetch some right away.”
The shopkeeper moved quickly. In just a few breaths, she brought out a sandalwood box from behind the counter, filled with the most exquisite pieces from Golden Cassia Pavilion.
“Look, my lord. This jadeite bracelet is full of vibrant green, clear and flawless—perfect for a young lady. And these Eastern pearls are rare treasures brought from overseas. Another strand is in the hands of a palace consort. If you give these as a gift, they’re sure to delight the recipient…”
As the shopkeeper of Golden Cassia Pavilion, her eloquence went without saying. Still, she couldn’t help but wonder: what kind of stunning beauty could make the esteemed Wei heir go to such lengths to please her?
Not only was the shopkeeper curious, but the ladies in the shop were also speculating.
Could it be that Wei Xun already had a young lady he intended to marry?
Behind the railing upstairs, Shen Qiuyu silently tightened her grip on her handkerchief, glancing discreetly at Wei Jin.
“Why haven’t I heard you mention which family the future Lady Wei is from? With our relationship, surely you wouldn’t hide it from me?”
Wei Jin exclaimed in protest, “My mother has been looking at potential matches these past few days and picked a few young ladies, but Third Brother rejected them all. You know how he is—his mind is only on official duties. It took a lot of effort just to get him to agree to marry.”
Hearing this, Shen Qiuyu’s brow gradually relaxed. Still, as she watched the man downstairs patiently selecting jewelry, she remained cautious.
“Then this jewelry…”
Wei Jin scoffed lightly, “He’s probably buying it for that chamber maid of his.”
Like Zhao Wan, Wei Jin also disliked A’Yuan.
As a proper wife, she harbored extra hostility toward these seductive and coquettish concubines.
Especially since Li Huai was a philanderer, Wei Jin found such women even more intolerable.
“So it’s just a chamber maid.”
Shen Qiuyu twirled her handkerchief around her finger, her vigilance fading.
Just a plaything—she could be disposed of later.
“This one will do.”
Wei Xun picked up a gold hairpin. At its tip was an iris flower. Compared to the box full of pearls and jade pieces, it wasn’t particularly striking. But because of A’Yuan’s name, Wei Xun was drawn to it at first glance.
“Yes, I’ll wrap it up for you right away.”
While waiting for the shopkeeper to package it, Wei Xun glanced at the other pieces of jewelry, imagining how stunning A’Yuan would look wearing them.
But although he doted on A’Yuan, he also knew his limits. Spoiling her too much and letting her grow ambitious would not be a good thing.”Third Brother.” Wei Jin descended the stairs and called out to Wei Xun.
“What a coincidence, you’re here too.”
“Mhm.” Wei Xun turned and responded.
Wei Jin was already accustomed to her third brother’s aloof nature, so she didn’t feel awkward. She pulled Shen Qiuyu, who was beside her, and introduced her to him.
“Third Brother, this is Miss Shen. We were just about to leave as well. Would you mind giving us a ride?”
Wei Jin was no fool. Shen Qiuyu had been so obvious earlier—how could she not see that Shen Qiuyu liked Wei Xun?
With Li Huai’s promotion relying on Shen Rui, Wei Jin was more than eager for Shen Qiuyu to marry her third brother.
In this world, there was no bond more reliable than a marital alliance.
Shen Qiuyu’s cheeks flushed crimson, her eyes sparkling with a shy charm that lent her ordinary features a touch of delicate allure. “Young Master Wei.”
Wei Xun had little patience for unfamiliar women and merely gave a slight nod. “Miss Shen.”
With that, he turned back to Wei Jin. “I still have official duties to attend to. Let Chang Yuan see you home.”
This was a clear refusal.
A flicker of disappointment passed through Shen Qiuyu’s eyes, but she knew Wei Xun’s temperament well. Getting close to him would require a gradual approach.
“Forget it, we’ll go back on our own. We won’t delay your important matters.” Wei Jin said understandingly.
“Mhm, find time to come home more often. Mother misses you.”
Wei Xun took the packaged gold hairpin and added another reminder to his sister.
Wei Jin smiled and agreed, watching him leave the shop.
The ladies in the shop all looked at her with envy, and Wei Jin couldn’t help but feel immensely proud.
Though she had chosen a disappointing man for herself, her brother was exceptional.
Shen Qiuyu reluctantly withdrew her gaze, her heart pounding fiercely.
Such an outstanding man—she was determined to have him.
Shen Qiuyu lowered her eyes slightly and pulled Wei Jin, who was about to leave, toward the counter.
“What does your mother like? As a junior, I should pay a visit.”
…
Official duties were merely Wei Xun’s excuse for refusal. After leaving Jin Gui Fang, he had Chang Yuan drive the carriage back to the estate.
A’Yuan had her monthly period and was curled up in bed resting.
Her cycles were often irregular, and each time they came, the pain was severe.
Chun Tao moved the charcoal brazier closer to the bed and brewed a pot of hot brown sugar water for her.
A’Yuan took small sips, her complexion no longer quite so pale.
By the time Wei Xun entered, she had just begun to recover.
Seeing Wei Xun several days in a row, even A’Yuan felt his visits were becoming rather frequent.
Was the government office so idle that he had time to frequent the rear courtyard?
A’Yuan inwardly grumbled, but on the surface, she put on a delighted expression. “Young Master.”
Her dark hair was loosely draped behind her, and her unpowdered face bore a sickly pallor. Wei Xun’s heart tightened, and he stepped forward to grasp her hand. “Are you ill?”
A’Yuan shook her head, soothingly clasping his hand in return. “It’s just my monthly cycle. Don’t worry, Master.”
Come to think of it, she had served Wei Xun for three years, yet he had never known when her cycle came and had never seen her suffer from menstrual pain.
Now, seeing his little concubine’s face as pale as paper, his heart twisted into knots.
“Chun Tao, go fetch the physician.”
“Master, no!”
A’Yuan sat up in a panic, quickly stopping the maid.
A woman’s monthly cycle was considered unclean in the eyes of men. If they called a physician for this reason and the Old Madam found out, what would she think of her?
“There’s no need to call a physician. I’m feeling much better after drinking the sugar water.”
A’Yuan held Wei Xun’s hand, her delicate, charming face full of pleading.
“If Master pities A’Yuan, just rub my belly for me. Rubbing it will make the pain go away.”Seeing Wei Xun’s cold expression and his refusal to relent, A’Yuan took his hand and pressed it against her own abdomen.
Though the man’s temperament was cold, his palm was warm. Through the thin nightgown, the heat spread inward, and A’Yuan’s expression softened considerably.