Chapter Thirty-Two: I Will Keep Your Secret

"Mother has already shown you leniency—what more do you have to complain about?" Wei Yichen interrupted Granny Li’s pleas coldly, then commanded the guards outside to come in and forcibly drag Granny Li away.

"Madam... Madam... Young Master..." Granny Li continued to call out even as she was taken away.

After Granny Li was removed, the atmosphere in the room remained tense. Wei Ruo said nothing, her gaze cool as she looked at Lady Yun.

Wei Yichen spoke, "Mother, you've been busy all night and must be exhausted. Please rest now. I'll take my sister back to Pine Listening Courtyard."

Lady Yun waved her hand, indicating the two of them could withdraw.

Wei Yichen walked up to Wei Ruo, gently taking her hand. His voice softened, "Come back with your brother."

Wei Ruo glanced at Wei Yichen but did not resist. She followed him out of Cangyun Courtyard and into Pine Listening Courtyard.

Xiumei hadn’t slept the entire night. When she saw Wei Ruo return, she was so relieved that tears welled up in her eyes.

"Miss, you’re finally back!" Xiumei rushed up and hugged her.

"I’m fine." Wei Ruo touched Xiumei’s cheek, noticing the swollen eyelids that betrayed the girl’s secret tears the night before.

Turning to Wei Yichen, who had escorted her back, Wei Ruo said, "Thank you, Brother, for speaking up for me."

"It’s nothing. It was what I should do. I truly believe you did nothing wrong. In a life-and-death situation like that, anyone would have panicked. You only pushed Wanwan by accident in your haste; it wasn’t intentional," Wei Yichen replied.

"Brother, do you also think I was the one who pushed Wei Qingwan?" Wei Ruo looked at Wei Yichen, a faint glimmer of hope in her eyes.

"I know you didn’t mean it. I don’t believe you would act so recklessly."

The spark of hope vanished from Wei Ruo’s eyes. She smiled calmly, "Understood. Still, thank you."

"Alright, you should go and rest now. Get some sleep," Wei Yichen advised before leaving Pine Listening Courtyard.

But Wei Ruo did not rest as instructed. Instead, she headed next door to Bamboo Welcoming Courtyard, wanting to check on Wei Jinyi.

She had already treated him with acupuncture and medicine the previous night—there was no reason for his condition to have worsened by morning.

Arriving at Bamboo Welcoming Courtyard, she found guards posted at the entrance, the scent of herbs drifting through the courtyard, and two maids busily decocting medicine.

Wei Ruo walked straight into Wei Jinyi’s bedchamber.

Upon seeing her enter, Xiaobei, who was keeping vigil by the bed, stood up, visibly moved. "Young Miss, you’re back? Are you alright?"

Wei Ruo approached the bed. The person lying there had his eyes closed. She reached out to take his pulse.

Her slender fingers touched Wei Jinyi’s wrist. After a short while, her brow furrowed.

What was going on? Why was his pulse so dangerously erratic?

She had administered acupuncture and medicine just yesterday. Even if he wasn’t fully recovered, his pulse should at least be stable by now.

Lost in thought, she saw Wei Jinyi open his eyes.

At the same time, he withdrew his wrist. "I’m fine now."

Though his voice was still weak and his complexion pale, his eyes were clear, clearly much improved.

"You were pretending?" Wei Ruo was surprised for a moment but quickly understood.

Their gazes locked. He didn’t answer, but Wei Ruo had her answer.

"Thank you," Wei Ruo said.

"No need," Wei Jinyi replied.

"How did you alter your pulse to mislead the physician into thinking your condition was critical?" Wei Ruo was curious.

She had practiced medicine for years but had never encountered someone who could disguise a healthy pulse as a dangerous one.

"I once read in a medical text that pressing certain spots on the arm can affect the pulse." Wei Jinyi’s eyes were deep as he looked at Wei Ruo. After a pause, he asked, "When did you learn medicine?"

"I studied with an old gentleman in the countryside." Then Wei Ruo added, "You should rest well. Your body needs several more days to recover. No strenuous activity—just lie quietly so you don’t leave yourself with lasting ailments."

Seeing that he was out of danger, Wei Ruo did not linger.

As she reached the door, Wei Jinyi’s calm and convincing voice sounded behind her, "I’ll keep your secret."

"Alright," Wei Ruo replied, then left the room.

Back in Pine Listening Courtyard, Wei Ruo washed up and collapsed into bed, sleeping soundly until dusk.

After tidying herself, she headed to the dining hall.

The moment she entered, she sensed the change in atmosphere.

Wei Qingwan was absent, her foot injured.

Only Lady Yun, Wei Yichen, Wei Yilin, and Wei Ruo remained.

Except for Wei Yichen, the others looked displeased, especially Wei Yilin.

The moment he saw Wei Ruo, he glared at her with a ferocity that suggested he wanted to devour her alive.

Wei Ruo ignored him, seating herself calmly in her usual spot.

"Hmph!" Wei Yilin deliberately snorted to convey his displeasure.

"Yilin, no talking at the table," Wei Yichen reminded him sternly.

Wei Yilin pouted and sulked, shoveling rice into his mouth.

After the meal, Lady Yun didn’t linger as usual to sip tea and chat, nor did she show Wei Ruo any concern. Instead, she dismissed everyone to rest.

Wei Ruo had barely left the dining hall when she heard hurried footsteps behind her.

Wei Yilin caught up, darting ahead to block her path.

"Why did you bully Sister? She’s so good to you! She always thinks of you, gives you nice things, and even tells me to treat you well. Yet you pushed her and hurt her! You’re horrible!" Wei Yilin accused.

Wei Ruo had no desire to engage and sidestepped to move on.

Refusing to let it go, Wei Yilin blocked her again, arms wide.

"You must give me an explanation today!" he demanded, face stern and intimidating.

"Explain what? How I bullied Wei Qingwan? How I was so vicious and cruel as to push her to the ground and injure her?"

"So you admit you’re vicious?" Wei Yilin retorted.

"It’s not that I admit it—it’s that you want me to admit it. You’ve already decided I’m the villain, so what’s the point in talking?" Wei Ruo scoffed.

Wei Yichen, having caught up, pulled Wei Yilin aside. "Yilin! I’ve explained everything to you. Ruo’er pushing Wanwan was just an accident!"

"But Sister bled! What if she’s scarred for life?"

"Ruo’er was only so anxious because your second brother fell ill! In a crisis, it would be stranger if she stayed calm. Do you understand?" Wei Yichen instructed.

"Well, he’s not really my brother—Mother didn’t give birth to him!" Wei Yilin retorted, never having accepted Wei Jinyi, whom he considered a freak.

"And yet I haven’t seen you accept me, your full-blooded sister," Wei Ruo countered.

"You—!" Wei Yilin wanted to argue back but couldn’t find a suitable retort.