TSWRLM -Chapter 105 Big Brother No, I Want Her!

“Today, it is announced that the legitimate eldest daughter-in-law of the Marquis of Qingyuan, Lady Cao, is intelligent, kind-hearted, and considerate of the bigger picture. The Marquis’s eldest son, Shen Qingyuan, is accomplished in both civil and martial affairs, courageous and wise. The two are deeply compatible in heart and character. Although they have already gone through the wedding ceremony, a grand wedding banquet has yet to be held. To demonstrate the benevolence of the royal family, Her Majesty the Empress has specially commanded the Office of Astronomy to select an auspicious date and prepare thirty sets of dowry for Lady Cao. The Ministry of Rites is to expedite all wedding arrangements. By imperial decree!”

The voice of the eunuch proclaiming the edict was sharp and high-pitched, echoing through the air. Everyone froze in shock.

Chun Xi was equally surprised.

She had not expected Shen Qingyuan to actually petition for her merit, and for the Empress to personally issue an edict arranging a proper wedding for them.

If the Empress herself praised her, who in the future would dare look down on her?

Chun Xi happily accepted the edict and handed a silver ingot to the eunuch delivering it. “It’s so hot today; you’ve worked hard, sir.”

Her words were sincere, and her gift generous. The eunuch smiled as he pocketed the silver, then turned to the Mo family. “Master Shen has not yet returned home. How come it’s so lively in the residence, and even the Mo family has been invited over?”

The Mo family looked awkward and remained silent.

The Empress’s edict was still in Chun Xi’s hands. What could they say? Claiming they came to force someone to step down would be insulting the Empress herself.

They didn’t dare speak—but Chun Xi did. Smiling gently, she said, “You may not know, sir, but the Mo family’s eldest daughter has returned from the brink of death. Although my husband was not at home when she officially entered the household, she still formally became part of the family. The Mo family deserves an explanation.”

Eunuchs sent to announce imperial edicts usually held some authority in front of palace officials and could convey the imperial family’s stance, but they generally did not interfere in private household affairs.

Moreover, such domestic matters were not normally shared with palace envoys—one would not want to sully the ears of nobility with petty family quarrels.

Madam Mo glared at Chun Xi fiercely, intending to brush off the topic, but was interrupted when the eunuch said, “Master Shen has already reported this matter to His Majesty and Her Majesty. Miss Mo remains untouched and has not consummated with Master Shen. Now that Master Shen has remarried and Miss Mo has agreed to cancel the engagement, the two families can part on good terms.”

Part on good terms?

How could that ever be amicable?

Madam Ning could not hold back. “Sir, you don’t understand, my Wan’er—”

“Second Madam Mo,” the eunuch cut her off, his gaze cold, “I am merely conveying Her Majesty the Empress’s words. Madam, do you take issue with Her Majesty’s decision?”

Madam Ning’s face paled. She lowered her head quickly. “I dare not.”

If Madam Ning dared not speak, the rest of the Mo family certainly did not.

Once the eunuch left, the Mo family prepared to withdraw as well. Madam Mo suddenly spoke up, “Since Her Majesty has said that the two children should part on good terms, shouldn’t the Second Sister-in-law take Wan’er home?”

Madam Ning clenched her fists. She had already brought Shen Qingchi to the Grand Tutor’s residence, spoken highly of Wan’er in front of the Grand Tutor’s wife, and now Madam Mo was cutting off her bridge. But with the Empress’s decree in place, there was nothing she could do.

Madam Ning gritted her teeth, unwilling to watch her daughter get hurt and disappointed.

Mo Yunwan, however, had already anticipated this. Her eyes were red as she pitifully looked at Shen Qingyu.

Knowing she could not win against Chun Xi, she had spent time secretly seducing Shen Qingyu, ensuring he would stand by her.

When brushing past him, she pretended her clothes were disheveled, pressing into his arms; when her thigh was grazed, she coyly asked him to help apply medicine. After getting soaked in the rain, she feverishly clung to him, calling him “husband.”

Shen Qingyu, young and passionate, without even a maid nearby, could not resist such temptations. Before returning to the capital, the two had already shared intimate moments.

Shen Qingyu had never wanted Mo Yunwan to return to Shen Qingyuan. Now, seeing her like this, his blood rushed, and he shouted, “Mother, don’t send Wan’er away! This is the Marquis residence’s debt to her. Since Big Brother refuses this marriage, let me marry Wan’er instead!”

He strode forward, placing Mo Yunwan behind him protectively.

Madam Mo had planned to let Chun Xi and Madam Ning fight it out so she could profit from the chaos. She never expected Shen Qingyu to suddenly declare he wanted to marry Mo Yunwan.

Others might not know what kind of person Mo Yunwan was, but Madam Mo knew all too well.

How could her Yu’er marry such a woman?

Her vision darkened, and it took her a while to regain her voice. “You fool! She is your eldest sister-in-law! How can you have such thoughts toward her?”

Shen Qingyu shot back loudly, “When Wan’er married into the family, Big Brother wasn’t even in the capital. Wan’er performed the ceremony alone, and she and Big Brother never consummated. Since they were never formally married, how can she be considered his wife? Why shouldn’t I marry her?”

That wretch had not been with Shen Qingyuan, but she had long been played by that actor—her innocence was gone.

Madam Mo knew the truth but could not speak. It felt like swallowing ten thousand needles; she wished she could pounce and tear Mo Yunwan apart.

Had she known that this wretch would seduce Yu’er, she would have had her killed in Xuzhou, never allowing her to return!

Madam Mo was so angry she could not breathe. Nanny Jia quickly supported her and sharply scolded Shen Qingyu, “Third Young Master, don’t cause trouble! Look at how you’ve made your mother angry!”

Madam Mo was truly furious, her face dark green. Shen Qingyu hesitated, worried he might push her too far. Madam Ning’s eyes shone as she stepped forward.

“I think Yu’er’s suggestion is perfect. Wan’er has long entered the Marquis residence and suffered hardships outside. Now that she finally returns, why should she be rejected? Who would marry her if not Big Brother? If Shen Qingyuan refuses responsibility, let Yu’er take it upon himself.”

The Mo family agreed.

They did not know Wan’er had run off with an actor, but now she was older and had proven her innocence. The only person who could vouch for her, Lady Liang, was in prison. No one knew who she had associated with during her years away. Returning to the Mo family would inevitably affect the reputation of their daughters. Marrying Shen Qingyu instead could maintain and strengthen the family ties.

Seeing the Mo family support Madam Ning, Madam Mo felt a metallic taste in her throat and nearly vomited blood.

She glared venomously at Madam Ning. “All of you, get out! I swear, as long as I draw breath, I will never consent to this marriage!”

Chun Xi, from participant to bystander, nearly dropped her jaw at Shen Qingyu’s words.

Unbelievable—he even dared covet the eldest daughter-in-law who had already formally married.

Was this pig-brain going to make her stupid too if she sat on it?