Chapter 54: Reserves
"Is that so? A Yu really is the lucky charm of our Marquis's household!"
Wei Jin excitedly chimed in. She also conceived this child with the help of Taoist Nun Ma, so she took Taoist Nun Ma's words as gospel.
"Mom, you don't have to worry anymore. With A Yu here, no evil spirits can get near you."
"Good, good, good. I always knew Mrs. Shen was blessed."
Madam Wei lovingly held Shen Qiuyu's hand, feeling increasingly satisfied with her daughter-in-law.
......
After leaving the Marquis's house, Shen Qiuyu and Taoist Nun Ma parted ways in the outskirts of the capital.
"Taoist Nun, you know what to do, right?"
The dense forest was pitch black at night, only the maid's lantern provided light.
As soon as Shen Qiuyu spoke, Taoist Nun Ma hefted the bulging purse in her hand and flatteringly smiled, "Don't worry, I travel the world helping those in need. I won't ever come back to the capital."
Her Zhenqing Temple was somewhat famous in the capital, but its incense offerings were not abundant. The silver Shen Qiuyu gave her was enough for her to continue her scams elsewhere.
"Why didn't you get rid of her for good?"
After Taoist Nun Ma left the city, Nanny Chen asked.
Shen Qiuyu snorted coldly, "If she died, the capital's officials would investigate. Wei Xun's sharp mind would surely trace it back to me. Why take that risk?"
"But what if Taoist Nun Ma's actions are exposed? If it implicates you, explaining it to the Crown Prince will be tough." Nanny Chen still believed it would be best if Taoist Nun Ma were dead.
"Don't worry, cunning folks like her hate trouble. She swore to leave the capital and never come back. Even if Wei Xun looks into it later, I'll already be married into the Marquis's family, with Madam Wei's protection, Wei Xun won't touch me."
Shen Qiuyu had already planned her way out. In less than a month, she'd be marrying Wei Xun. By then, even if the truth were exposed, for the Marquis's reputation, Wei Xun wouldn't blame her.
Could the life of a lowly maid compare to that of a legitimate wife?
"As long as you have a plan, it's good."
Nanny Chen, hearing this, was not entirely reassured. This Crown Prince Wei was a rare romantic. If the young lady judged him by ordinary standards, she might be disappointed.
She only hoped that their marriage would proceed smoothly, without further complications.
......
"Chun Tao, I'm thirsty, bring me a cup of water."
The green curtain swayed slightly as the woman sleeping on the bed murmured in her dream.
Her sleep was restless, and even in her dreams, she frowned tightly.
"Chun Tao..."
The woman called out again, seemingly on the verge of waking up.
Wei Xun leaned over and embraced her, his large hand supporting her back as he fed her the tea.
As the warm tea soothed her throat, A Yuan's consciousness gradually cleared.
The room was unlit, with only the charcoal brazier emitting a faint glow.
Yet, she could still clearly see the man's face.
"So it's not Chun Tao after all..."
Yes, her Chun Tao was no more.
A Yuan's eyes reddened as she rose from Wei Xun's embrace. "Why are you here, Master? Today isn't the thirtieth."
On the fifth and thirtieth of each month, it was A Yuan's turn to serve in bed. Wei Xun used to favor her, keeping her in the outer courtyard and showing her affection every night.
But after what happened to Chun Tao, A Yuan couldn't face him anymore.
She knew she shouldn't blame Wei Xun, but she couldn't help herself.
"Or does Master want me to serve him today?"
As she spoke, A Yuan started to undress, revealing her plump, snow-white body to the man.
She had always been shy and reserved, always requesting Wei Xun to extinguish the candles when she served him.
But now, standing naked before him, A Yuan felt a void in her heart.
So this is what it feels like when your heart dies.
"That's enough."
Wei Xun's face darkened as he helped her dress. "You don't have to demean yourself like this."
"Degrade?" A Yuan repeated, dazed, looking at him. "Isn't it A Yuan's body that Master loves? A Yuan is just a plaything meant to serve."
Without dignity or freedom, locked in a golden cage to please her master, how could it be called degradation?
Wei Xun was hurt by the mockery in her eyes and covered them with his hand.
"A Yuan isn't..."
The concubine's thick lashes fluttered against his palm, and Wei Xun felt a pang in his heart, both numb and painful.
He didn't know how to explain. A Yuan's status meant she couldn't stand by his side, but in his heart, he had never looked down on her.
She was his A Yuan, the woman he wished to cherish.
But he could only offer her affection, not a title.
The man's silence deepened the self-mockery in A Yuan's eyes. "If Master doesn't want me, then please go. I want to rest."
She didn't want this kind of affection, nor did she desire it.
If possible, she wished she had never encountered Wei Xun.
Perhaps then, Chun Tao wouldn't have been involved.
The warmth and wetness in his palm made Wei Xun jerk his hand back as if burned.
In the firelight, the woman's eyes were filled with tears.
Wei Xun had seen A Yuan cry many times, but it had never hurt him as much as it did now.
Gently, he wiped the tears from her face with his thumb, his voice filled with promise. "I will keep the promise I made to you, A Yuan. Just wait a little longer... just a little longer, okay?"
What about his promise?
A Yuan looked up in a daze, an incredulous thought flashing through her mind.
Wei Xun had promised to protect Chun Tao, but Chun Tao had already been beaten to death.
She had seen the maids drag Chun Tao away with her own eyes.
Even if Wei Xun had the power to move heaven and earth, he couldn't bring the dead back to life.
It was just another empty promise to placate her.
Even if Chun Tao were to come back to life, the damage done could never be undone.
She no longer trusted Wei Xun; she didn't dare to.
A Yuan avoided his hand, her downcast eyes empty. "Yes... I will wait."
The concubine's willingness to listen to him left Wei Xun overwhelmed with gratitude.
Though Chun Tao had been saved, her injuries were severe, and she now relied on ginseng to stay alive.
He wanted to tell A Yuan that Chun Tao was alive, but he feared her reaction to Chun Tao's condition.
Wait a little longer, until Chun Tao recovered, and then he would take A Yuan to see her.
Wei Xun gently caressed her cheek, his eyes brimming with unwavering tenderness and pity.
A Yuan knelt on the bed, silently allowing his touch, but the shyness and affection she once felt were gone.
Wei Xun didn't stay the night; faced with A Yuan's hollow gaze, he couldn't bring himself to ask to stay.
A rift had formed between them, one not easily mended.
He left, the door closing softly behind him.
The cold wind outside stirred, lifting the green curtains.
Through the firelight, A Yuan pulled out a pouch from under the pillow.
The pouch wasn't finely made; even the stitching was a little rough.
This was Chun Tao's first embroidery, gifted to her like a treasure.
A Yuan didn't scorn it but gladly accepted it, using it as a money pouch. Now it held five hundred taels.
Enough for a vulnerable woman to buy property and live comfortably.
A Yuan curled up under the quilt, clutching the pouch tightly.
If only... she could escape.