TSWRLM -Chapter 108 I Only Recognize Her as My Wife

Before leaving Hanjing, Chun Xi had made some jerky. She brought some for Cao Wu, along with two sets of clothes, shoes, and socks she had crafted in her spare time for her nephew.

Cao Wu had named his son Cao Zheng, hoping he would grow up to be honest and upright.

Holding the gifts Chun Xi gave him, Cao Wu felt a lump in his throat. “A-Xi, don’t worry so much about home. You’re alone in the Marquis residence, so take care of yourself. If A-Wen misbehaves, scold or punish him—you mustn’t hold back.”

Chun Xi couldn’t help but laugh and cry at the same time. “Big Brother, don’t worry. I’m doing very well in the Marquis residence. No one dares bully me.”

Cao Wu nodded, then pulled her aside to speak quietly. “Although you’re still young, your husband is nearly thirty and it’s time for children. Now that he has accomplished so much, he’ll certainly be promoted. There will be many women trying to catch his attention. Having a child will secure your position.”

Such advice shouldn’t have come from her elder brother, but given the tense relationship between Madam Wang and Chun Xi, Cao Wu felt he had to remind her.

Hearing this, Chun Xi immediately thought of the indescribable scene from last night, and her legs went weak. She murmured, “I understand, Big Brother. Don’t worry.”

Within a short while, she had yawned several times.

Cao Wu assumed she was just tired from traveling and insisted she not see him off. Shen Qingyuan intervened: “Madam, rest well. I will see Big Brother out of the residence.”

Cao Wu agreed repeatedly, and Chun Xi no longer insisted.

Stepping out of the inner courtyard, Cao Wu wanted to remind Shen Qingyuan of a few things, but before he could speak, Shen Qingyuan said: “Big Brother, don’t worry. My heart belongs to A-Xi. No matter my rank, I will only recognize her as my wife. I will conduct myself properly and never let any other women throw themselves at me.”

Cao Wu was stunned that Shen Qingyuan had overheard everything he just said.

He felt awkward but, seeing Shen Qingyuan’s serious expression, he mustered courage and continued: “I believe everything you’ve said today is sincere. But the gap between our families is too great. Even if you love her, your family might object. People’s hearts are fickle; who knows what might happen? If you truly love A-Xi, it would be wise to give her some security that others can’t take away.”

Money is external, but a child carried for ten months is not—it’s connected to A-Xi’s very bones and sinews.

Shen Qingyuan understood Cao Wu’s concern. He nodded: “I understand, Big Brother. Any children I have will only be with A-Xi. But she’s still young. I want her to enjoy life a bit before having children.”

Chun Xi had entered the Wei household as a maid at ten and endured countless hardships. Naturally, Cao Wu wanted her to have some freedom. He asked, noticing Shen Qingyuan’s affection for her: “Brother-in-law is approaching thirty. Aren’t you anxious to have children?”

“I’m not. My health is good. Even in a few years, I can still have children.”

Shen Qingyuan’s answer was quick and confident.

Seeing the scratch marks on his neck, Cao Wu felt reassured and added: “Brother-in-law is right. You and A-Xi are newlyweds. Take time to nurture your bond. Both your health is excellent—waiting a few years won’t be a problem.”

Leaving the Marquis residence, Cao Wu’s steps were lighter than when he arrived.

A-Xi had married the right man. Even their father in the afterlife could rest easy.

Chun Xi didn’t know what Shen Qingyuan had spoken about with her elder brother and was waiting inside to scold him.

Before she could speak, Shen Qingyuan preempted her: “Madam, last night you were quite ruthless on your husband, and Big Brother gave me quite a laugh today because of it.”

“……???”

She had been the one tossed and turned all night, yet now she was being blamed?

Perhaps due to a change in perspective, Chun Xi now saw Shen Qingyuan’s righteous face as a disguise. He was clearly a cunning old fox.

Refusing to accept this false accusation, Chun Xi said sternly: “Husband, don’t blame me first! Last night it was you who broke your promise. I nearly fell apart under your hands and today I could barely get out of bed.”

“Is that so? Let me massage you.”

Shen Qingyuan stepped forward, wrapping his hands around her waist and kneading gently.

Thinking of what those hands had done last night, Chun Xi’s face flushed. Yet Shen Qingyuan’s touch was moderate and comfortable, and she didn’t want to stop.

Just as she was enjoying it, a timid voice called: “Sister… brother-in-law…”

Chun Xi immediately pushed Shen Qingyuan away.

Cao Wen looked around, not seeing his elder brother, and his eyes reddened, the corners of his mouth drooping.

His sister had gone to Xuzhou with her husband without telling him. He had been sent to the servants’ quarters by Nanny Jia, occasionally scolded when Lady Chun was displeased, and forbidden to leave. If he hadn’t overheard others today, he wouldn’t even know his elder brother had come.

Chun Xi ignored Cao Wen’s grievances and said coldly: “Big Brother came to see me. Once he confirmed I was well, he left.”

Having suffered so much and endured constant humiliation, Cao Wen had long been disappointed in his sister. He only hoped his elder brother could rescue him.

Hearing that Cao Wu had already left, Cao Wen panicked: “I haven’t seen Big Brother in so long! Why didn’t Sister tell me in advance?”

“You didn’t hear me? Big Brother came to see me. Yesterday, Mother also came to the Marquis residence but didn’t care to see you. Why would Big Brother come to see you?”

Mother had come too?

Cao Wen was shocked and hurt.

Though he had long realized he couldn’t return home, hearing that both Mother and Big Brother came to the Marquis residence without seeing him made him feel abandoned.

Before, Sister was fine. Why had everyone suddenly abandoned him?

Cao Wen couldn’t hold back his tears. Chun Xi, feeling nothing for him, coldly asked: “Stop crying. Did you finish your work?”

“……”

Cao Wen choked. He vaguely realized that no one could save him; he could only rely on himself.

After a long silence, he knelt. “Sister, I want to return to the academy to study. Please let me go back.”

“But the academy is far from the Marquis residence. There’s no carriage to take you.”

“I can get up early and walk there myself.”

“But the academy fees are expensive. Mother didn’t give me any allowance, and your meals and lodging are all at the Marquis residence.”

“I’ll work after school. I can write an IOU for the rest. I’ll find a way to repay you later.”

Compared to endless work and ridicule at the Marquis residence, borrowing money to study was nothing.

Cao Wen clenched his fists, resolute.

Chun Xi didn’t hesitate. She immediately brought paper and pen, had Cao Wen write the IOU, and pressed his handprint.

After the ink dried, Chun Xi asked Shen Qingyuan: “Husband, when will Qing Shu return? I want him to handle some academy matters.”

Shen Qingyuan: “Wasn’t he sent to handle that for you?”

Chun Xi: “Didn’t you assign him to do something else, Husband?”

Somewhere in a Xuzhou prison, Qing Shu grabbed the bars, shouting hoarsely: “I really am not a servant of the Liang household! I’m the personal aide of an imperial inspector! You can ask my master, and he’ll confirm!”

“Oh? You’re the personal aide of an imperial inspector? I’m still your lady’s maternal cousin-in-law.”

“……”