TSWRLM -Chapter 129 Would My Husband Think I’m Heartless?

Mo Yunwan had already remarried Shen Qingyu, so the Mo family could no longer owe Shen Qingyuan. Old Madam Mo took charge and, following the list Chun Xi had provided earlier, immediately redeemed the silver notes and handed them over to Chun Xi.

Feeling humiliated, Old Madam Mo severed her grandmother-granddaughter relationship with Mo Yunwan before leaving. Although Madam Ning felt sorry for her daughter, she could only accompany Old Madam Mo as they departed.

Chun Xi, of course, did not wait around for Madam Mo to scold her. Taking the silver notes, she slipped away.

Not long after she left the main hall, Shen Qingchi ran up behind her: “Sister-in-law, wait!”

Chun Xi slowed her pace. “What is it? Something wrong?”

Shen Qingchi pressed her lips together, hesitated for a long moment, and then asked: “Was today’s incident… planned by you, Sister-in-law?”

Over the time they had spent together, Shen Qingchi had seen Chun Xi throw tantrums, but she had always thought Chun Xi was a good person. Today, however, she had gone with Chun Xi to the Mo household and heard firsthand how Chun Xi fabricated facts, provoked a conflict between the two families, and even got her third brother and Cousin Wan’er caught in the act in public.

Shen Qingchi did not know about Mo Yunwan’s elopement with the actor; she only remembered that Mo Yunwan used to visit the Hou residence often, always bringing little gifts, and seemed gentle and kind.

Shen Qingchi fixed her gaze on Chun Xi, a little disappointed.

Chun Xi met her eyes calmly and said: “The ‘scheme’ you mean—is it that I forced your third brother to fall in love with the former sister-in-law? Or that I have a doppelgänger and forced your third brother into the former sister-in-law’s room on our way home, in front of the Mo family, to… engage with her?”

Chun Xi’s words were blunt. Shen Qingchi’s face immediately flushed. She stammered: “Sister-in-law, I’m not accusing you of forcing Third Brother… I just wanted to ask if you knew about Third Brother and Cousin Wan’er’s private interactions and… brought the Mo family over on purpose to…”

Not yet of age to speak freely, Shen Qingchi couldn’t bring herself to say “caught in the act.”

Chun Xi said nothing, quietly watching her. Shen Qingchi fell silent, feeling strangely ashamed. After a long pause, she spoke again: “Cousin Wan’er is also a pitiable person. Sister-in-law, could you let her be in the future?”

“You’d be better off asking her not to provoke me anymore. You saw last time at the Grand Tutor’s residence—I’m small-minded and like to settle scores.”

With that, Chun Xi strode off.

Shen Qingchi remained standing, her heart tightening.

She didn’t know what grudge existed between Cousin Wan’er and Sister-in-law, but now she was helping Cousin Wan’er ruin her elder brother’s promotion banquet. If Sister-in-law learned the truth, would she take revenge on her too?

Shen Qingchi’s words did not affect Chun Xi. Back at the Wenchin Courtyard, she immediately went to the small kitchen to busy herself.

First, she simmered a pot of sour radish old duck soup. Then she cut fatty and lean pork belly into chunks, rendered the fat, caramelized it with rock sugar, added spices, and slowly braised it into red-cooked pork. She also made some crispy peanuts and a small plate of her own pickled sour beans.

By the time she finished, night had fallen. Chun Xi lit lamps and burned insect-repelling incense in the courtyard before sitting down leisurely to wait for Shen Qingyuan.

Autumn had arrived; the nights were cooler. The aroma of old duck soup filled the courtyard, stars sparkled overhead, and the occasional chirp of insects punctuated the air. Chun Xi took a deep breath, relaxing completely.

She thought: tomorrow she must buy two lounge chairs, and maybe plant some wisteria in the courtyard with a trellis. That way, when Shen Qingyuan bathed and rested, they could lie together in the yard, enjoying the breeze and the night view.

Perhaps imagining such a perfect scene made her drowsy. Though she worried about the food on the stove, she did not fall into a deep sleep.

After some time, Chun Xi suddenly sensed someone standing before her. Opening her eyes, she saw Shen Qingyuan beside her, draping his coat over her shoulders.

“You’re back, my lord. I’m not very sleepy, just that sitting here was too comfortable, so I dozed a bit. The food should be ready—I’ll go serve it.”

Chun Xi tried to get up, but Shen Qingyuan pressed her shoulder down: “I’ll serve it. Sit and rest for a while.”

Chun Xi did not insist and obediently sat. After all, someone capable of handling major cases could surely serve the meal.

Just then, a familiar voice spoke: “Ahj—sister.”

Chun Xi turned to see Cao Wen standing at the courtyard gate, timidly, not daring to approach.

During his time at the Hou residence, he had suffered quite a bit, becoming noticeably thinner, though he had grown taller.

“What’s the matter? Stand closer so I can hear you.”

Chun Xi called, and Cao Wen slowly approached. Meanwhile, Shen Qingyuan brought the dishes to the table.

The aroma filled Cao Wen’s nose, making him swallow repeatedly. He had been eating with the Hou staff for days, occasionally enjoying small treats, but it had been a long time since he had smelled such delicious food.

He couldn’t help but hope that his sister and brother-in-law would let him eat with them.

After a long wait, all he got was: “Speak. What is it?”

Cao Wen reluctantly tore his eyes away from the food and took out a book from his sleeve: “There’s a passage here I don’t quite understand. Could you explain it, brother-in-law?”

Shen Qingyuan took the book and said: “‘Do not let minor gains sway your heart.’ This means you shouldn’t compromise your principles or integrity for small temptations. Maintain a clear, steadfast heart and act honorably.”

Then he was slightly surprised: “This book might be a bit obscure for you. Can you understand the rest?”

He flipped through it, noticing many small notes Cao Wen had written.

“I annotated the simpler explanations you gave me in previous books,” Cao Wen said quietly. “After reading those, I understood much more of this one. I also wrote my thoughts on parts I didn’t understand and will ask my teacher at school later.”

He had missed school for a long time due to his previous willfulness. Now, afraid of falling behind, he was trying to catch up through self-study.

Cao Wen’s attitude toward learning had become much more serious. Shen Qingyuan returned the book and said kindly: “I finish work at the tenth hour of the evening. Unless something unexpected happens, I’ll be home before the eleventh hour. If you still don’t understand something, you can ask me then.”

“Thank you, brother-in-law.”

Cao Wen’s eyes lit up. Having asked his question, he realized his sister was not keeping him, so he had to leave.

Shen Qingyuan noticed he seemed reluctant to go and asked curiously: “Anything else?”

Cao Wen instinctively glanced at Chun Xi.

Chun Xi did not look at him, instead placing a bowl of soup in front of Shen Qingyuan: “I simmered this for a long time. My lord, try it.”

Cao Wen hesitated but finally shook his head: “No, I’m fine. I’ll go first. Goodbye, brother-in-law.”

He turned and ran off.

Shen Qingyuan said nothing, lowering his head to sip the soup. Just a sip in, Chun Xi asked: “Will my husband think I’m heartless and ruthless?”

“No,” Shen Qingyuan replied without hesitation, then reached out to stroke Chun Xi’s head. “If anyone says that about my wife, I won’t allow it.”

Chun Xi’s eyes curved in a smile, her entire heart warmed.

She knew, her husband was the very best.