TSWRLM -Chapter 104 People from the Palace Have Arrived

Madam Wang arrived in a hurry and left just as quickly.

Everyone had been caught off guard by Chun Xi’s decisive and forceful actions. Finally, Madam Ning regained her composure and couldn’t help but ask, “How can you treat your own birth mother like that?”

Chun Xi replied boldly, “Madam, if you are interested in the trivial matters of my household, I can explain them in detail another day. For today, let’s focus on Miss Mo’s situation.”

Pulling everyone’s attention back to the issue, Madam Ning stiffened her face and said, “My daughter entered the Marquis residence in a grand procession, properly betrothed. Now that she has proven her innocence, the Marquis residence cannot refuse to acknowledge this marriage!”

Chun Xi nodded. She did not question Mo Yunwan’s innocence and reached toward her waist.

The Mo family tensed immediately. Their maids and attendants moved protectively in front of Madam Ning, worried Chun Xi might draw her knife and strike her.

Chun Xi paused, tilting her head toward Mo Yunwan, who stood behind Madam Mo. “Everyone’s afraid I might harm your mother. Miss Mo, aren’t you going to stand in front of your mother to protect her?”

Mo Yunwan bit her lip and softly said, “If you have any grievances, take them out on me. Don’t hurt anyone else.”

Even saying this, Mo Yunwan did not move an inch from behind Madam Mo.

Chun Xi raised her eyebrows slightly and looked at Madam Ning. “Miss Mo doesn’t seem to care much for her own mother either, does she?”

Both Madam Ning and Mo Yunwan felt a shock to their hearts. They hadn’t expected Chun Xi to retaliate so sharply, seizing the opportunity to turn Madam Ning’s own words back on her.

After saying this, Chun Xi stopped pretending or putting on airs. She pulled a list from her waist and placed it in front of everyone.

“Everyone thought Miss Mo had fallen by accident. The Mo family blamed my husband, saying he caused her death, and came to the Marquis residence demanding huge compensation. Now that Miss Mo has returned safely, shouldn’t these items be returned first?”

Seeing the list, the Mo family’s aura immediately weakened.

When Mo Yunwan had her accident, they had only thought to squeeze as much out of Shen Qingyuan as possible. Every branch of the family contributed, and the goods had long been divided and consumed. They had profited, which is why they were willing to come out in force to support Mo Yunwan’s return.

But now Chun Xi wanted them to give back the fat they had already eaten—how could they agree?

Everyone in the Mo family looked at Madam Ning. She immediately said, “Wan’er’s accident was because of Shen Qingyuan. Over the years, she suffered countless hardships outside. Those items are her rightful compensation!”

“If it’s rightful compensation, then shouldn’t she take it back when returning to the Marquis residence?” Chun Xi countered. “Moreover, over these years, my husband’s reputation suffered and he remained a widower for her sake. Shouldn’t the Mo family compensate my husband as well?”

The main hall was crowded, yet Chun Xi stood alone. Petite in stature, with only the knife at her waist as support, her presence far exceeded everyone else’s.

Originally, everyone had intended to pressure her into stepping down or yielding to Mo Yunwan. But with a few words, she reversed the situation—she was now collecting debts on Shen Qingyuan’s behalf!

The Mo family’s faces darkened. Madam Mo, however, remained calm.

She had never really wanted Mo Yunwan to return to the residence. Seeing her now, crying with no real ability, only made Madam Mo more disappointed.

Mo Yunwan’s life was full of trouble. Lingering under Shen Qingyuan’s nose would only invite endless future problems. If Chun Xi could use this to pressure the Mo family, all the better. Even if she couldn’t, forcing the Mo family to provide some compensation would be excellent leverage in Madam Mo’s hands.

Madam Mo didn’t scold Chun Xi. Madam Ning gritted her teeth, secretly cursing Madam Mo for being useless. She knew this young daughter-in-law was entirely self-interested and untrustworthy!

After some negotiation, Chun Xi never gave an inch. For the sake of her daughter, Madam Ning finally took the list.

She skimmed it. Most of the items she remembered had indeed been delivered to the Mo family, though some were unfamiliar—likely added by opportunists.

Madam Ning glanced at Madam Mo, who half-closed her eyes and avoided the gaze.

Madam Ning gritted her teeth and tucked away the list. “I will find a way to gather these items. If some cannot be found, they will be converted to cash at market value. Our Mo family is wealthy; there’s no need to ruin my daughter’s marriage over a few things.”

Having said this, she squared her stance, looking at Chun Xi.

If she could gather the money to support Mo Yunwan, what could Chun Xi do?

Chun Xi met Madam Ning’s gaze with a faint smile. “Since the Mo family has no shortage of money, please send someone to go back and tally everything. Once the items are brought, we can discuss the next steps.”

Chun Xi had always been courteous when dealing with the wealthy.

“Why should I listen to you? You’re just a newlywed—how could you run the whole Marquis residence?” Madam Ning refused to be led around.

Chun Xi shrugged and looked at Madam Mo. “Mother hasn’t spoken so far; I assume you approve of your daughter-in-law’s actions, right?”

Madam Mo cleared her throat. Not wanting to offend her natal family openly, she said stiffly, “Now that you’ve secured your knife at your waist, how could I, as a mother-in-law, do anything to you?”

Her tone was harsh, but the meaning was clear—support Chun Xi in claiming the Mo family’s money first, then discuss the next steps.

Madam Mo’s attitude angered Madam Ning. Fearing Chun Xi would trick her, she snapped, “Since you ask for this money, it means you are willing to yield the position of Shen’s young mistress. I have prepared a deed. Sign it first; I will make sure the list is fulfilled!”

Madam Ning had come prepared.

She signaled to a servant, who shouted. Several strong Mo family retainers entered the hall.

They knew Chun Xi carried a knife and a thick club, clearly ready for force.

In the next moment, all the guards from the Inquiry Hall appeared.

Hired by Shen Qingyuan before leaving the capital, there were twenty of them—all experts, outnumbering the Mo retainers.

The two sides faced each other; the tension became palpable. Madam Mo feigned ignorance, doing nothing.

Shen Qingyu shouted at the Inquiry Hall guards: “Who are you? Who allowed you to attack the Marquis residence’s honored guests? Step back!”

His tone was fierce, clearly taking the Mo family’s side.

At that moment, a gatekeeper rushed in, panicked: “Madam! People from the palace have arrived!”

Hearing this, Chun Xi immediately raised an eyebrow.

Though she did not yet know their purpose, everyone present, influenced by Chun Xi, instinctively flinched and glanced at Shen Qingyu.

More precisely—they looked at his neck.

Shen Qingyu gritted his teeth. What were they staring at? Even if Cao Chun Xi had accomplished nothing, and even if she had done a tiny bit, did they really think she would dare chop off his head?