TSWRLM -Chapter 110 Be Careful, Don’t Hurt Your Hands

On the day of the banquet, the weather was clear and sunny.

Shen Qingchi had taken great care in dressing before coming to the inner courtyard to see Chun Xi.

It had been many days since she last saw Chun Xi, and today, going to the banquet also carried a sense of being “presentable.” Shen Qingchi felt shy, her cheeks flushed red. When she realized Shen Qingyuan would be accompanying them to the Grand Tutor’s residence, her face instantly turned crimson.

“Brother… are… are you also going to the Grand Tutor’s residence for the banquet?”

Shen Qingchi’s nervousness made her stammer. Shen Qingyuan, as usual, maintained his cool demeanor: “Why not? Am I not allowed to go?”

Shen Qingchi quickly shook her head: “N-no, of course not.”

With her brother present, she felt awkward speaking freely with her sister-in-law.

She felt a little regretful, but when they stepped outside, she saw her brother being helped down from the carriage.

“Husband, you should ride yourself. You’re strong and handsome—riding will make you look especially impressive.”

Chun Xi had stepped into the carriage first, sitting with a polite smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes as she looked at Shen Qingyuan.

Since that night when he had drunkenly dragged her into the shared bath, Shen Qingyuan had grown increasingly audacious—every night he would pester Chun Xi relentlessly, and it wasn’t always in bed.

Last night, Chun Xi had worried about the banquet and asked him not to overdo it. He verbally agreed, but in reality, he had been even more extreme than the previous nights!

Today, Chun Xi’s whole body ached, and she could barely get up. Naturally, she wasn’t going to give him a pleasant expression.

Shen Qingchi sensed the strange tension between the two and held her breath. She had expected her brother to be angry, but the next moment, she heard him laughing lightly:

“Since Madam wishes to see her husband ride, then I shall ride for Madam.”

“……” ???

Shen Qingchi was utterly bewildered. Her brother’s temper was really this good?

Chun Xi ignored Shen Qingyuan and called for Shen Qingchi to get into the carriage.

Once the carriage curtains were drawn, Chun Xi asked directly: “I understand Mother’s intentions. But tell me, which young master of the Grand Tutor’s residence do you favor?”

“……”!!!

Shen Qingchi’s face flushed bright red. She lowered her head, unable to meet Chun Xi’s gaze, and whispered like a mosquito: “Sister-in-law, please don’t misunderstand. I’ve only gone to the Grand Tutor’s residence once with Second Aunt. I haven’t actually met any of their young masters.”

“Not met them? Then why have I heard that the Grand Tutor’s residence intends to arrange a marriage with our family?”

Shen Qingchi felt even more embarrassed. The carriage was small; there was nowhere to hide. She forced herself to explain: “Madam Grand Tutor said she liked my personality last time. Mother’s idea is that I should seize the opportunity and behave well. If one of the young masters of the Grand Tutor’s residence takes a liking to me, then I shall marry in.”

Since she was very young, Shen Qingchi had understood that her marriage was meant to pave the way for her second and third brothers. She had no right to choose someone she loved. Whomever Mother decided she should marry, she had to obey.

Now, she felt like a piece of cabbage laid out for the young masters to pick from. Whoever favored her would be her fortune.

Chun Xi immediately detected the humility in Shen Qingchi’s words and couldn’t help asking: “What if all the young masters take a liking to you? Who would you choose?”

“Sister-in-law, don’t tease me. I’m plain-looking, with no notable talents, and not skilled in social interactions. Why would the young masters of the Grand Tutor’s residence compete for me?”

By the end, her voice carried a slight sob.

Perhaps it was because she wasn’t good enough that Mother could so easily abandon her.

Chun Xi hadn’t expected Shen Qingchi to be so fragile. She handed her a handkerchief to wipe her tears and comforted her: “Sister-in-law, how could I be teasing you? Someone like me, of my status, married your brother. You, after all, are a proper young lady of the Marquis residence. How could no one like you?”

Chun Xi spoke candidly about her own origins.

Shen Qingchi, recalling how obedient her brother had been earlier, felt envy mixed with sadness.

She was not like her sister-in-law.

Her brother had lost his mother early, and her father never managed household affairs. His mother never liked him. Both previous sisters-in-law had failed, causing him to be blamed for ‘cursing wives.’ His new sister-in-law came from a lowly background, offering no advantage to him—perfectly in line with Mother’s wishes. Hence, that marriage had gone smoothly.

The young masters of the Grand Tutor’s residence still had both parents alive. Any parent would want their son to marry someone of matching social status, beauty, and talent.

Shen Qingchi lacked both, and her lineage was not high among noble families. Her mother had risen by dishonorable means and now insisted Shen Qingchi marry high. Naturally, she could only be chosen.

Shen Qingchi didn’t dare discuss Madam Mo or Shen Qingyuan with Chun Xi, only saying through reddened eyes: “Sister-in-law, my marriage can only satisfy Mother.”

“Do you have someone you like?”

Shen Qingchi shook her head.

Madam Mo watched her closely, never letting her leave the residence alone. She had no chance to meet any outside men.

Chun Xi nodded, forming a clear understanding. Shen Qingchi had not yet fallen in love. If the match with the Grand Tutor’s residence failed, she likely wouldn’t be too heartbroken.

Chun Xi didn’t press further. She comforted Shen Qingchi for a while, then patted her shoulder and reminded her: “Little sister, a marriage affects the rest of your life. You need to have your own judgment. Look at me—if I had allowed my family to control everything, I would now be in a rundown courtyard, working like a beast for my family.”

Chun Xi’s example was persuasive, but Shen Qingchi’s eyes brightened only briefly before dimming again: “Sister-in-law, thank you. But I’m not as capable as you. I cannot let Mother down.”

She had grown up under Mother’s control, long accustomed to obeying her arrangements. She lacked courage to resist, and could not face the consequences of failing to resist.

Chun Xi was silent, knowing she shouldn’t casually interfere in others’ fates, but couldn’t help asking: “What about you? Will you never live for yourself?”

For the past ten years in the Wei household, Chun Xi had asked herself this countless times. Now, she had a clear answer.

Shen Qingchi was moved by the question, tears falling, but ultimately said nothing. She seemed to have never had a self of her own.

The rest of the carriage ride was filled with an oppressive silence.

When they arrived at the Grand Tutor’s residence, Shen Qingchi eagerly got out. Chun Xi lagged behind. As she lifted the curtain, she saw Shen Qingyuan standing by, reaching out to help her down.

She knew he was just pretending to be considerate.

Chun Xi ignored him and tried to get down from the other side, only to see Wei Lingze lifting Xiao Qinghe from the carriage.

Xiao Qinghe hadn’t expected such a move, letting out a startled exclamation, her face paling.

Still, her hands were clenched in front of her chest, not holding Wei Lingze’s neck—an obvious defensive posture.

Wei Lingze, as usual, was completely shameless.

Chun Xi cursed silently, turned, and gave her hand to Shen Qingyuan, descending the carriage with composure. She leaned toward his ear and whispered: “Husband, I might want to hit someone today. Can you back me up?”

“Hmm,” Shen Qingyuan nodded and squeezed her hand. “Be careful, don’t hurt your hands.”