Chapter 63: What’s wrong with your wife? Of course, she wants you…

“Zhaoyin! Cough, cough, cough! You, you actually speak to me like this for a man?!” Zu Jun coughed continuously several times. Xie Yunjin helped pat his back before he finally caught his breath.

Zu Jun was about to speak again when he noticed Xie Yunjin was crying. He hurriedly said with heartache, “Child, why are you crying?”

Being called out, Xie Yunjin didn’t just cry silently but covered his face with his sleeve and wept, saying, “It’s all my fault, I misspoke which led to cousin arguing with you. It’s my fault…”

He cried pear blossom tears, looking so heartbroken that anyone who saw would be moved by his kindness.

Meng Huan stared dumbfounded, not expecting the other party to have this move.

“Nonsense, how is this your fault? It’s your cousin who was blinded by a man and argued with me without any sense!” Zu Jun held his hand, patting it to comfort him, his face full of heartache.

Wen Zhaoyin, having already expressed her stance, didn’t speak further, but her attitude was clear. Even if she stayed silent, everyone present could understand.

Zu Jun simply said, “Let’s not eat today, you all go back. This old man doesn’t have many days left to live and doesn’t want to be angry with you every day.”

“Zu Jun…” Xie Yunjin called out weakly, tears streaming down his face uncontrollably as he repeatedly said it was his fault for affecting the relationship between father and daughter.

The more he said this, the more Zu Jun felt he was kind-hearted and the more he disliked Meng Huan.

Moreover, in recent days, there had been gossip spreading in the mansion about Meng Huan being tarnished by someone outside. Regardless of whether it was true, it made Zu Jun very uncomfortable.

In comparison, Xie Yunjin naturally became the gentle and sensible good catch, while the latter became the improper concubine who disrespected elders.

Meng Huan was so angry he could barely stand. He stared at Xie Yunjin, wanting to say something. Why did the other party get to play the good person while he became the unreasonable one no matter what?

But thinking about it, even if he argued, what was the point? Zu Jun definitely wouldn’t listen, and Wen Zhaoyin had her own thoughts and wouldn’t be influenced by his words.

In the end, him arguing would just make him lose his composure.

“Heh, forget eating then. You think I must eat this meal?” Meng Huan glanced at Wen Zhaoyin beside him and took the lead to walk out the door.

The latter looked at Zu Jun who was slapping the bed, only saying to let her father calm down alone for a while before also following out.

Watching her leave, Zu Jun was both angry and furious. He lightly slapped Xie Yunjin beside him, “You too, how come there’s still no progress after so long? If Zhaoyin liked you, would she let that improper one be so smug?”

Xie Yunjin wiped away his tears and said weakly, “I feel cousin really doesn’t like me. Let’s not force it… I see cousin doesn’t seem too happy to see me either…”

He had an appearance of not fighting or snatching and being able to withdraw. Seeing this, Zu Jun became exasperated and lightly slapped his arm again.

“Aiya, except for playing the qin in the garden, you’re either reading in your own courtyard or revolving around an old man like me all day. How could Zhaoyin possibly like you?”

“In special circumstances, special methods must be used. Listen to this old man, you should first do this…” Zu Jun whispered in his ear.

Only halfway through, Xie Yunjin backed away blushing, eyes evading and not daring to look at anyone directly, stammering and not knowing what to say, “This, will this work…?”

“If, if someone finds out, won’t it affect my reputation?”

He was pulled back again as Zu Jun continued, “What are you afraid of? With me in this family, even if you do something, no one will dare gossip about you!”

“Just do as I say. Tonight, first have someone send some wine to Zhaoyin, then you do this and that… After that…”

Hearing those words, Xie Yunjin’s entire face turned red, but his eyes sparkled, already endlessly imagining the scene tonight.

Seeing him like this, Zu Jun knew it was settled. The appearance of a young man in the throes of spring was most alluring, especially paired with the medicinal wine he had been saving – it would definitely be twice as effective.

By then, with his daughter’s personality, even if she didn’t like him, she would likely take responsibility and bring the person into the family. If he could mediate, maybe he could directly instate Yunjin as the successor spouse.

The Xie family was in decline with few capable female descendants. Fearing the family would fall without successors, Zu Jun felt that even though he was a man married off long ago, he should still contribute to the clan.

Especially since Xie Yunjin got along well with him. Ever since coming here, the boy had taken meticulous care of him, even more so than his own sons.

Turning such a close nephew into a son-in-law would allow him to peacefully live out his remaining years.

So even though the move was a bit underhanded, he still suggested it and was willing to take responsibility for Xie Yunjin, guaranteeing nothing bad would happen regardless of success.

—

In the evening, Meng Huan was dining with Wen Zhaoyin when he heard that Zu Jun’s attendant Wang Gui had come to deliver wine and dishes.

After entering, Wang Gui expressed Zu Jun’s apologies, saying he shouldn’t have gotten so angry. After all, Meng Huan had borne children for the Wen family, so even if there were no merits, there was still hardship. As the father-in-law, he should be more understanding.

Although saying this on the surface, it was actually to mollify Wen Zhaoyin.

Hearing this, Wen Zhaoyin’s mood improved considerably. Seeing Wang Gui pour wine for her, she didn’t stop him. After the cup was filled, she raised it, downed it in one gulp and said, “Has Father gone to bed?”

“If not, I’ll bring Huan to see him.”

Wang Gui smiled and replied, “Not yet, but this servant thinks it’s best if Madam goes alone for now and temporarily refrains from bringing the Young Lord.”

Meng Huan realized the underlying meaning – Zu Jun was trying to reconcile with his daughter and claimed to show him consideration, but in fact, that old man hadn’t accepted him at all.

If he went, they might end up arguing again, so it was better not to go.

“I need to bring Wen You too. This child always clings to me, even more so at night than during the day. You go ahead by yourself.”

Wen Zhaoyin nodded and patted his shoulder in reassurance, gently saying, “I’ll be back soon.”

On this side, Wang Gui waited for her to finish eating before accompanying her out of the Qingzhu courtyard.

Watching the servants clean up the bowls and chopsticks on the table, Meng Huan whispered to Wen Xi, “The old man is quite proactive today. When the house was searched, he calmly organized the whole family. Now, after arguing a few words with his daughter, he can’t sit still and personally sends his close attendant to deliver wine and dishes.”

Wen Xi added, “When sick, people become more fragile. In all these years, I’ve never seen Zu Jun have Wang Gui send wine to the family head. Today is the first time.”

The first time sending wine? Those few words entered Meng Huan’s ears. For a fleeting moment he felt something was off, but after blinking a few times, he forgot.

“You say he’s quite stingy too, only having wine poured for his daughter to drink and not even going through the motions of giving me a cup. Look, he doesn’t even leave the wine behind.”

Meng Huan picked up the wine cup on the table that the servant had not yet cleared away, the one Wen Zhaoyin had just drunk from.

He picked up the cup to examine it. Despite her downing it in one go earlier, maybe because she drank a bit hastily, there was still a little left in the cup.

“Young Lord, the physician said it’s best for you to drink less wine…”

Meng Huan dodged Wen Xi’s obstruction, tilted his head back and poured that little bit of wine into his mouth, smacking his lips at the aftertaste, somewhat unsatisfied.

“It’s just a sip. You see I rarely even get a chance to touch alcohol. Today the old man finally had someone bring a jar of good wine, so what’s the harm in me just taking a small sip of what’s left in her cup?”

He sounded so pitiful that Wen Xi had nothing to say. He tacitly allowed Meng Huan to drink it, then quickly put the empty cup on the table for the servant to take away, as if afraid the empty cup would produce more wine.

Perhaps because he hadn’t drunk wine in a long time, or maybe because this body couldn’t handle alcohol well, Meng Huan actually felt a bit dazed.

But since he drank very little, it was only a very slight dizziness. If one didn’t pay close attention, it generally couldn’t be felt.

He changed to another seat and casually pulled a flower from the vase, fiddling with it in his hand. “Say, it’s already this hour, Xie Yunjin shouldn’t still be in Zu Jun’s small courtyard, right?”

“Huh?”

Wen Xi thought for a moment, somewhat uncertain. “I heard Young Master Xie attends to Zu Jun until very late every day. Having just finished dinner, he should be there if nothing comes up.”

Xie Yunjin was still there at this hour? Wouldn’t Wen Zhaoyin run into him when she went over?

Meng Huan thought with some displeasure that the Xie lad was quite sly and hypocritical. During the day, he even pretended to cry to gain sympathy, taking the initiative to add to the act.

If he saw Wen Zhaoyin so late at night, wouldn’t he put on the innocent act again to make his presence known?

“How vexing.” He turned to face the dressing mirror. Through the bronze reflection, he saw his familiar yet strange face and unconsciously grinned, recalling how Xie Yunjin had smiled at him while standing on the study steps when he first arrived.

The more he thought about it, the more irritated he became.

Yet he had naively marveled at their resemblance. That Xie probably stood there expressionlessly, who knows how he was laughing at Meng Huan’s foolishness in his heart!

“Wen Xi, let’s go for a walk.”

Meng Huan was a bit restless. Just thinking about Xie Yunjin talking to Wen Zhaoyin again in Zu Jun’s courtyard made him very unhappy.

Didn’t that Wang Gui hint that he shouldn’t go? He was determined to go now!

After tidying himself up a bit, Meng Huan left with Wen Xi.

Walking around late at night with a dangling hair pin, he had to give himself a mental pep talk, reminding himself this wasn’t some damn “pleasing the beholder” but a man’s competitive spirit.

He and Xie Yunjin looked quite similar. Wouldn’t it be a big failure if his getup was inferior?

“Young Lord, now you don’t quite seem like yourself…”

Meng Huan rolled his eyes slightly, not daring to turn his neck for fear the hair pin would fall. “How am I unlike myself? I am me, no matter what I’m like, it’s still me!”

Wen Xi said no more, dutifully holding up the lantern to light the way, leading him towards Zu Jun’s courtyard.

Before even reaching the courtyard, just arriving in the vicinity, they saw two shadowy figures approaching without a light.

“Cousin, walk slower.”

It was actually Xie Yunjin’s voice? Meng Huan paused, pulling Wen Xi and telling him to temporarily extinguish the lantern. He then stood in place, continuing to observe the situation ahead.

“Alright.” Wen Zhaoyin usually didn’t say much.

As the two drew closer, Meng Huan saw the slightly shorter male figure actually raise his hand to support the other, even saying, “Cousin, let me help you.”

The latter avoided his touch, saying, “Call Pei Lan to help.”

“Where is Pei Lan? Who knows where she went!”

“I can walk by myself.”

“Cousin…” Xie Yunjin tugged at Wen Zhaoyin. Taking advantage of her somewhat dazed state, he took the initiative to get close, nuzzling into her embrace.

Wen Zhaoyin mercilessly dodged again, pushing him away a step. She staggered, trying to stand steadily but just couldn’t.

Sensing something amiss, she asked coldly, “Was there something wrong with that wine? How much do you know?”

“I, I didn’t… I don’t know what cousin is talking about…”

That wine? Hearing this, Meng Huan’s heart went cold. He suddenly felt a bit weak himself, but more than that, he felt hot.

This feeling, could it be that legendary ancient medicine?

Thinking of this, he suddenly found it a bit amusing. A father actually sent that kind of wine to his own daughter? Just to get his daughter to do that with another man?

“Wen Xi, light the lantern.” He pulled the obstructive hairpin from his head and strode forward.

Xie Yunjin was startled by the sudden voice. He originally wanted to thicken his skin and squeeze into Wen Zhaoyin’s arms again, but hearing the voice, he actually saw someone approaching with a lantern and had no choice but to back away.

He hadn’t succeeded yet. If someone discovered him like this and gossip spread, probably even Zu Jun wouldn’t be able to cover for him.

As the lantern-bearer approached, all four clearly saw each other’s faces.

Meng Huan angrily stepped forward and asked, “Xie Yunjin, what are you doing?”

Xie Yunjin already felt guilty. No matter what he was thinking, he was still constrained by rules and etiquette. Being confronted about his actions made him panic.

He quietly retreated a couple steps, his voice a bit high. “What am I doing? Of course I’m escorting cousin back to her room!”

As Meng Huan walked towards Wen Zhaoyin, he asked, “I took a detour to get here. This direction is towards your residence. Which room are you escorting your dear cousin back to?”

He never minced words, making Xie Yunjin’s face turn red with both shock and anger. He could only weakly retort, “I, I don’t have a lantern. I was going back to get one to light the way!”

Seeing him so flustered, Meng Huan planned to strike while the iron was hot and interrogate him a few more times. But before he could open his mouth, Wen Zhaoyin hugged him tightly.

She had none of her usual grace and elegance, not controlling her strength at all, directly pressing her full weight onto his shoulders, nearly making him lose balance.

That wasn’t all. She actually lowered her head to his ear. One second seeming to whisper, the next second she bit down on his earlobe, not too heavy or light, even blowing hot air.

It was too sudden. Meng Huan wasn’t an inexperienced virgin. His ears were very sensitive. Her actions made him involuntarily cry out like a cat’s scratch, quite evocative.

Xie Yunjin watched from the side, his face turning red, eyes also reddening badly from both anger and fury. He was so emotional that he forgot his status as an unmarried man. Not avoiding them, he just stared straight at the pair.

Meng Huan happened to see his expression. Not knowing if it was intentional or not, he whimpered again coquettishly, causing Wen Zhaoyin’s breathing to quicken.

He blinked and gently asked the woman leaning on his shoulder, “What’s wrong with your wife?”

Wen Zhaoyin’s mind was a bit hazy, her perception of the surroundings gradually weakening. She only knew it was Meng Huan by her side and not Xie Yunjin. Not knowing what she was thinking, she actually laughed and said, “Of course, she wants you.”

She spoke too bluntly, making the three men present all blush.

Meng Huan was fine, just a bit surprised she would say such words. After hearing it, he didn’t find it unexpected and instead felt quite smug that he attracted her.

In contrast, Xie Yunjin and Wen Xi were both virgins who had only received the most superficial education on such matters. How could they bear to hear this? They were thrown into disarray.

The former could no longer bear to watch such a scene. He also realized he couldn’t continue watching and stomped his feet, hastily running off.

As for Wen Xi, as Meng Huan’s attendant, he had to be wherever his master was. Even if he wanted to hide, there was nowhere to go. He could only imagine himself as a stone lantern-holding sculpture, stiffly standing in place.

On this side, the two were already entangled in a kiss, reluctant to part. Only after a while did they pull away a bit.

Meng Huan’s breathing was also disordered. He struggled to keep them steady and took the chance to say, “Wait, let’s go back to the Qingzhu courtyard.”

“No, Huan, your wife can’t walk anymore…” Wen Zhaoyin exhaled hotly as she spoke. Realizing something was wrong, she headed straight back, but it was still a bit late.