TSWRLM -Chapter 125 My Great-Niece, I’ve Missed You So Much

The next morning, the breakfast delivered to Madam Mo was just a bowl of vegetable porridge and a plate of steamed dumplings.

Since marrying into the Hou residence, she had never eaten such a simple meal. Furious, she set out to confront Chun Xi, but before she reached Wenxin Courtyard, she saw Chun Xi walking calmly toward her.

As she got closer, Madam Mo noticed the pure-gold “intertwined branches” hairpin on Chun Xi’s head, the hollow-carved Hetian jade orchid hairpin, the gold-and-jade necklace, and the agate bracelet—each a valuable piece.

Here she was, the mother-in-law, forced to eat plain vegetable porridge, while the daughter-in-law was decked out in gold and jewels, flaunting herself—truly a reversal of heaven and earth!

“Cao Chun Xi! I am your mother-in-law, and you dress like that but only give me vegetable porridge! Do you believe I’ll go to the Jingzhao Prefecture and report your filial impiety?”

Madam Mo was genuinely enraged, calling out Chun Xi’s name.

Chun Xi, however, didn’t look angry. She only looked innocent: “Mother-in-law, how could you say that? How dare I be unfilial! It’s only that you’re still recovering, and your meals should be light. I only did this for the sake of your health.”

“Nonsense! I know you’re deliberately tormenting me. You’re coming with me to Jingzhao Prefecture right now to explain yourself!”

As Madam Mo reached to grab Chun Xi, Mo Yunwan arrived. She clearly saw Madam Mo tugging at Chun Xi but shouted: “Elder Cousin-in-law, Mother is unwell! How can you lay hands on her?”

Mo Yunwan stepped forward and hugged Chun Xi. Seeing this, Madam Mo raised her hand to slap Chun Xi, but Chun Xi kicked Mo Yunwan over instead.

Tilting her head, Chun Xi looked at Madam Mo, her eyes icy: “What? Mother wants to hit me?”

Madam Mo’s hand froze mid-air. With uncertain authority, she said: “You started it first. Everyone saw it.”

Mo Yunwan, still on the ground, feigned helplessness: “Elder Cousin-in-law, you’ve always been fierce. You even dared to chop at the old madam with a kitchen knife before! How could I or Mother dare provoke you? Now that Mother has handed household control to you, how could you strike her?”

Just as Mo Yunwan finished speaking, Shen Qingyu arrived with others.

Seeing Mo Yunwan on the ground with a scraped palm, he was immediately concerned: “Wan’er, what happened? Who hurt you?”

“I’m fine, Third Brother. You should look at Mother.”

Mo Yunwan’s soft, weak tone didn’t directly accuse Chun Xi, but it was enough for Shen Qingyu to connect the dots.

He charged toward Chun Xi, but she didn’t dodge—she kicked and rotated her wrists, ready for action.

Shen Qingyu’s ribs had barely healed. In recent days, to force Madam Mo to agree to his marriage with Mo Yunwan, he hadn’t eaten properly. Seeing Chun Xi like this, the words he wanted to say stuck in his throat. Afraid Mo Yunwan would think less of him, he could only warn:

“Just you wait! When Second Brother returns from the academy, I’ll tell him everything you’ve done in the residence. You won’t get away with this!”

After saying this, Shen Qingyu picked up Mo Yunwan and strode away.

Watching her son prioritize beauty over her, Madam Mo was both angry and heartbroken. Surrounded only by Nanny Jia, she had no match for Chun Xi and could only leave in defeat.

Once quiet returned, Chun Xi relaxed her aura, recalling Mo Yunwan’s earlier pitiful display, and raised an eyebrow.

This girl staying in the Hou residence isn’t a long-term solution. Looks like I need to pay a visit to the Mo family sometime soon.

With that thought, Chun Xi boarded a carriage and set out for the Wei residence.

Madam Yun knew Xiao Qinghe had lost her child and needed rest. Recently, she had resumed managing household affairs, so as not to be disturbed with trivial matters. Wei Lingze went to Yunshan Temple, leaving Xiao Qinghe with free time. Stuck in Lingfeng Courtyard, she visibly grew thinner.

Surprised to hear Chun Xi had come, Xiao Qinghe summoned her strength and instructed the gatekeeper to bring her to Lingfeng Courtyard. But the gatekeeper said: “Second Young Mistress, Madam Shen says she won’t come inside. She wishes to ask for your help and requests that you accompany her.”

After all, Chun Xi had defended Xiao Qinghe at the Grand Tutor’s residence. Though Xiao Qinghe had sent a hundred gold as thanks, Chun Xi’s visit was a favor she still owed.

Xiao Qinghe had Quezhi help her change clothes and apply a light makeup to conceal her weariness before stepping out.

“My great-niece, you finally came! I’ve missed you so much!”

Upon meeting, Chun Xi gave Xiao Qinghe a big hug.

Cheerful and radiant, Chun Xi’s energy was infectious. Xiao Qinghe felt slightly uplifted.

Noticing Chun Xi’s jewelry looked familiar, Xiao Qinghe realized they came from the Xiao family. A moment’s thought led her to guess it was her mother’s gift to Chun Xi in thanks.

After Quezhi returned from the Xiao family, Xiao Qinghe had written to her mother to assure her she was fine. Her mother’s brief reply left her wondering if she was disappointed and wanted nothing to do with her—but in reality, her mother had discreetly thanked Chun Xi, showing her love in a subtle way.

Xiao Qinghe felt her eyes grow wet. Quezhi immediately asked, concerned: “Second Young Mistress, are you alright?”

Xiao Qinghe could only shake her head. Chun Xi embraced her shoulder again and cheerfully said: “You’re fine, my great-niece. Nothing’s wrong. The weather’s good today—let’s go eat something first.”

Xiao Qinghe’s carriage was much better than Chun Xi’s, but Chun Xi made herself comfortable without formality.

Soon calming down, Xiao Qinghe asked: “Why has my little aunt suddenly come for help? Is it something difficult?”

“Not really difficult,” Chun Xi replied. “I recently took over some shops from my mother-in-law. I don’t know which business would be profitable, so I wanted my great-niece’s advice.”

Xiao Qinghe pursed her lips: “Merchants are always looked down upon. True noble families don’t make money from trading. Also, now that Uncle Shen is at the Censorate, your grand display of business could affect him. It’s better to buy land or estates instead.”

Chun Xi nodded enthusiastically: “You’re absolutely right! But I don’t know how to choose land or estates. Why not go see for ourselves outside the city?”

Ever the opportunist, Chun Xi was climbing the social ladder. Quezhi frowned, wanting to refuse.

The young mistress was already in a bad mood. She’d been considerate enough to go out; now Chun Xi was asking her to help inspect land and estates? That was taking advantage!

“You—”

Quezhi barely got a word out before Xiao Qinghe interrupted: “Fine, I’ll accompany you to look.”

As soon as Xiao Qinghe left with Chun Xi, Xingzhou immediately sent a message to Yunshan Temple. The Yun family was shocked by the news:

How could He’er be entangled with Cao Chun Xi?