TSWRLM -Chapter 114 Kneel Publicly, Pour Tea, and Admit Fault

The atmosphere had reached a boiling point. Wei Lingze found himself in an awkward position, about to spar verbally with Shen Qingyuan again, when a young maid came running up: “Young Master Wei, your wife’s family is requesting you come to the garden. She has something to say to you.”

His wife’s family?

He hadn’t heard that the mother-in-law would be visiting today. Could it be Xiao Qingyue?

But Yue’er always addressed him as “brother-in-law.” How could she call herself part of his wife’s family?

Wei Lingze felt something was off, but the maid’s message conveniently solved his immediate dilemma. He shot a meaningful glance at Shen Qingyuan and followed the maid.

As soon as Wei Lingze left, the tension in the room eased. Others wanted to comment further, but saw Shen Qingyuan also step toward the garden.

Minister Zhang quickly blocked him: “Master Shen, exercise restraint. Today is the Grand Tutor Mansion’s banquet. At least give the hosts some face.”

After punching the host’s grandson, pursuing him further as a guest? How could that be proper?

Understanding Zhang’s good intentions, Shen Qingyuan explained calmly: “I’m not doing anything. I just want to check on my wife to make sure she’s comfortable.”

What a coincidence—going to see his wife, Shen Qingyuan comes too?

“Your wife has received the Empress’s praise. Nothing will happen. Master Shen, you should focus on discussing the wedding details with me.”

Zhang, determined not to let Shen Qingyuan leave, dragged him to a corner to sit.

Soon, Wei Lingze arrived in the garden.

Seeing Chun Xi sitting with them, his eyes flickered with surprise.

Under the envious gaze of the assembled ladies, Wei Lingze strode toward the three of them.

At the sight of him, Xiao Qinghe’s expression immediately turned cold, but Xiao Qingyue still greeted him politely: “Brother-in-law.”

Wei Lingze nodded, curiously asking Xiao Qingyue: “Did Yue’er have someone call me over? What is this about?”

“Not me. Aunt Chun Xi had someone call you here.”

Xiao Qingyue quickly denied responsibility.

Wei Lingze had already suspected this matter involved Chun Xi the moment he saw her. He glanced sideways at her.

After returning from Xuzhou, Chun Xi hadn’t suffered any hardships. Her skin hadn’t tanned, she had gained a bit of weight, her face was fuller, and she exuded a gentle, feminine charm befitting a married woman.

Compared to her days as a maid in the Wei household, her temperament had changed significantly.

Up close, her vitality and liveliness radiated from her.

Ever since the unpleasant encounter with Xiao Qinghe in the study, Xiao Qinghe had kept Wei Lingze at a distance. Even her beauty had seemed lifeless in his presence, leaving him uneasy.

Seeing Chun Xi now, so full of life, Wei Lingze felt an itch of desire.

This Chun Xi should be his.

Chun Xi, having served Wei Lingze closely for three years, knew his subtle expressions well. Feeling slightly disgusted by his gaze, she sipped tea to suppress her nausea before speaking:

“After returning home, my mother-in-law told me my nephew-in-law once went to my house in front of the Shen family, saying that your uncle had entrusted him to take good care of me, his young aunt. Since we’ve met today, I want to ask when he said such things in person.”

Her voice was bright and strong, commanding attention. The crowd immediately fell silent, all eyes turning toward her.

Wei Lingze’s expression darkened.

That day, he hadn’t known Chun Xi had gone to Xuzhou with Shen Qingyuan. His reputation had been damaged in front of so many, and even though Shen Qingyuan had promised the Shen family would keep quiet, Chun Xi had returned knowing the truth—and now deliberately confronted him.

“Aunt Chun Xi, that day was a misunderstanding. I already clarified everything with the Shen family.”

“Clarified? How did you clarify? When I returned, my mother-in-law scolded me for not being virtuous, calling me a shameless little harlot. You ruined my reputation! How am I supposed to live after this?”

Chun Xi’s voice rose with each sentence, filled with indignation and grievance. Wei Lingze’s earlier unease surged into fury.

He immediately tried to stop her: “What exactly do you want?”

Chun Xi shamelessly pressed her point, and he had to endure it.

He couldn’t let anyone know he still harbored secret, unsavory thoughts about Chun Xi, now a married woman.

Trying to settle things quietly, Chun Xi said: “Nothing much. Just kneel, pour tea, and admit your fault—then we’ll call it even.”

“Never!”

Wei Lingze refused outright.

A man’s knees are golden—how could he kneel so easily?

Moreover, Chun Xi had been of low status, once serving him in every menial way. He could not kneel before her in public.

Before he finished speaking, Chun Xi rose, stepped onto a pavilion chair, clutched a pillar, and began crying and shouting: “I have no face to live! Born of low status, looked down upon by my in-laws, and now my nephew-in-law spreads rumors about me! For the past three years, when he had accidents, I cleaned him up! Even when he wet himself at night, I rushed to help! And now he treats me like this? This is betrayal after kindness!”

Chun Xi spoke bluntly about Wei Lingze’s incontinence without shame. The ladies present were shocked.

Though Wei Lingze was noble and handsome, the thought of his bodily accidents disgusted everyone, especially seeing him with Xiao Qinghe—people felt pity for her.

Wei Lingze’s temples throbbed. He glared at Chun Xi, radiating murderous intent.

Why hadn’t he poisoned her when he let her leave before?

“I can’t live anymore! Don’t stop me! Let me die! If dying here is unlucky, I’ll hang myself at the Wei family gate!”

Chun Xi ignored his gaze, her wailing growing louder. She fully embodied the drama of Mo Yunwan’s suicidal theatrics—but she wasn’t actually trying to die.

If this continued, all of Hanjing would soon know Wei Lingze had slandered his own young aunt.

Under the astonished eyes of the crowd, Wei Lingze gritted his teeth: “Shut up! Stop crying! I apologize!”

Chun Xi’s wailing halted abruptly, though she still clutched the pillar: “Kneeling and apologizing? Really sincere?”

“Yes!”

Wei Lingze’s fists clenched, knuckles cracking. He wanted to strangle her on the spot, but for the sake of face, he endured.

Facing Wei Lingze’s murderous glare, Chun Xi quickly descended and sat beside Xiao Qinghe, instructing a maid to bring tea.

Madam Yin watched anxiously. Though Chun Xi now held the title of “young aunt,” she was still of lower status than Wei Lingze. Having him kneel publicly would be a huge embarrassment to the Wei family.

She couldn’t help but look at Xiao Qinghe: “He’er, this is just a misunderstanding. Can you convince your aunt not to take it so seriously?”

Hearing this, Wei Lingze looked at Xiao Qinghe. She lowered her lashes, avoiding his gaze, and said lightly: “A woman’s honor is paramount. Because of my husband’s words, my young aunt was unjustly blamed in her in-laws’ house. Husband should apologize to her.”

Chun Xi nodded vigorously, smiling at Madam Yin: “You’ve never suffered as I have, madam. Don’t urge me to be magnanimous. I’m of humble birth, with a small heart—I cannot bear even a hint of injustice.”

Having said this, she turned to Wei Lingze: “The tea is getting cold. Nephew-in-law, you may kneel now.”