Wei Jin was Wei Xun’s twin sister. She had married five years ago, and her husband, Li Huai, served as an assistant director in the Imperial Academy. Though he possessed striking looks, his abilities were lacking, and his mind was preoccupied with chasing after women, making it difficult for him to advance in his official career.
Wei Jin was proud and ambitious. Back then, she had married beneath her station because she was captivated by Li Huai’s appearance. However, the man turned out to be all show and no substance—a hopeless case. 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 spared no effort in maneuvering on his behalf.
Hearing Shen Qiuyu mention her brother, Wei Jin also turned to look.
Downstairs, as soon as Wei Xun entered, he was personally greeted by the shopkeeper.
“What would you like to buy, Master Wei? I’ll fetch it for you.”
Wei Xun was unaccustomed to such enthusiasm, especially since most customers at Golden Cassia Pavilion were women. Facing 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 only thought of his little concubine 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 them right away.”
The shopkeeper moved quickly, retrieving a sandalwood box from behind the counter in just a few breaths. Inside were the most exquisite pieces from Golden Cassia Pavilion.
“Look, Master Wei. This jade bracelet is vibrant green, crystal 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 gift these, they are sure to delight the recipient…”
As the shopkeeper of Golden Cassia Pavilion, her eloquence was beyond question. However, she couldn’t help but wonder what kind of stunning beauty could capture the attention of the esteemed Wei heir, making him 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 woman he intended to marry?
Behind the railing, Shen Qiuyu silently clenched her handkerchief and glanced discreetly at Wei Jin.
“Why haven’t I heard you mention who the future Lady Wei is? Given our relationship, surely you wouldn’t keep it from me?”
Wei Jin protested, “My mother has been meeting with potential matches these past few days, but my third brother has rejected every one of them. You know how he is—his mind is always on official duties. It took a lot of effort just to get him to agree to marry.”
Hearing this, Shen Qiuyu’s furrowed brow gradually relaxed. However, 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 concubine of his.”
Like Zhao Wan, Wei Jin also disliked A’Yuan.
As a proper wife, she harbored more animosity toward these seductive concubines.
Especially since Li Huai was a philanderer, Wei Jin found such women even more intolerable.
“So it’s just a concubine.”
Shen Qiuyu twirled her handkerchief around her finger, her vigilance fading.
She was nothing more than a plaything—easy to dismiss later.
“This one.”
Wei Xun picked up a gold hairpin with an iris-shaped head. Compared to the box full of pearls and jade, it wasn’t particularly striking, but because of A’Yuan’s name, Wei Xun was drawn to it at first glance.
“Of course, 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. Indulging her too much and making her overly ambitious would not be a good thing.
“Third Brother.” Wei Jin came downstairs and called out to Wei Xun.
“What a coincidence, you’re here too.”
“Yes.” Wei Xun turned and responded.
Wei Jin was already accustomed to her third brother’s aloof nature and didn’t feel awkward. She pulled Shen Qiuyu beside her and introduced her to him.
“Third Brother, this is Miss Shen. We were just about to leave too. How about you give us a ride?”
Wei Jin was no fool. Shen Qiuyu’s earlier behavior had been so obvious—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 is no bond more reliable than marriage.
Shen Qiuyu’s cheeks flushed crimson, her eyes sparkling with a coquettish charm that added a touch of allure to her otherwise ordinary appearance. “Young Master Wei.”
Wei Xun had little patience for unfamiliar women and merely gave a slight nod. “Miss Shen.”
After speaking, he turned back to Wei Jin. “I still have official duties. Let Chang Yuan see you off.”
This was a clear refusal.
A flicker of disappointment passed through Shen Qiuyu’s eyes, but she knew Wei Xun’s temperament well. To get close to him, she would have to proceed slowly and carefully.
“Forget it, we’ll go back on our own. We won’t delay your important matters.” Wei Jin said understandingly.
“Alright. Make time to visit home more often. Mother misses you.”
Wei Xun took the packaged gold hairpin and reminded his sister.
Wei Jin smiled and agreed, watching him leave the shop.
The ladies in the shop looked at her with envy, and Wei Jin couldn’t help but feel immensely proud.
Although she had chosen an unambitious man, her brother was exceptional.
Shen Qiuyu reluctantly withdrew her gaze, her heart pounding fiercely.
Such an outstanding man—she must 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 refusing. 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 cycle was often irregular, and each time it 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 as pale as before.
Wei Xun entered just as she was starting to feel better.
Seeing Wei Xun for several days in a row, even A’Yuan felt his visits were becoming frequent.
Was the official workload so light that he had time to come to the rear courtyard?
A’Yuan inwardly complained, but on the surface, she put on a delighted expression. “Young Master.”
The little concubine’s dark hair was loosely tied behind her head, and her unpowdered face bore a sickly pallor. Wei Xun’s heart tightened as he stepped forward and took her hand. “Are you ill?”
A’Yuan shook her head, soothingly clasping his hand in return. “It’s just my monthly period. Don’t worry, Master.”
Come to think of it, she had served Wei Xun for three years, yet he had no idea when her monthly cycle was and had never seen her in such pain.
Seeing the little concubine’s paper-white face now, his heart twisted into knots.
“Chun Tao, go fetch the physician.”
“Master, no!”
A’Yuan anxiously sat up and quickly stopped the maid.
A woman’s monthly period was considered unclean to men. If she 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 feel much better after drinking the sugar water.”
A’Yuan held Wei Xun’s hand, her delicate face full of pleading.
“If Master pities A’Yuan, just massage my belly for me. A massage will ease the pain.”
Seeing that Wei Xun remained stern-faced and did not relent, A’Yuan took his hand and pressed it against her lower 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.