TSWRLM -Chapter 13 The Formal Betrothal

Wei Lingze’s status was high, so when he arrived, Old Master Zeng, the founder of the academy, personally came to accompany him.

By the time Chun Xi arrived, Zhou Qin had already been scolded into the position of a “grandchild” by Old Master Zeng.

Old Master Zeng didn’t care for gossip and didn’t know about Chun Xi’s relationship with Wei Lingze. Seeing Chun Xi, he grew even more displeased: “Such a serious incident, and your family sends only a young girl. Where is your father?”

“My father passed away early. Whatever the matter, you can speak directly to me, sir.”

Chun Xi placed her brother behind her for protection, calmly facing Old Master Zeng.

Seeing her composed demeanor, Old Master Zeng realized she could handle matters and was somewhat surprised, yet his tone remained stern: “Your brother doesn’t focus on studying and instead bullies his classmates, injuring someone. According to academy rules, he must receive thirty strokes of the cane, copy the Standards for Students ten times, and, most importantly, apologize to the injured classmate before punishment.”

When Zeng finished speaking, a boy named Zhao Dabao stepped forward from behind Wei Lingze, looking smugly at Cao Wen: “You broke my head, so you must kneel and kowtow three times to apologize to me.”

Zhao Dabao was the same age as Cao Wen but half a head taller and physically stronger. Even with thick bandages on his head, he looked far from weak.

Now, with Wei Lingze backing him, his arrogance had only grown.

Yesterday, Zhou Qin had already forced Cao Wen to apologize, and today this spectacle clearly came at Wei Lingze’s suggestion.

Though Chun Xi had been at the academy for some time, Wei Lingze had not once looked at her properly. He sipped tea slowly, exuding the same serene detachment as the day of their outing.

But if he were truly indifferent, why appear here and use his influence to make her bow?

Chun Xi refused to bow.

Her back was straight, her chin lifted, and she stared at Wei Lingze steadily: “My brother did not hit anyone. He was the one being bullied. The ones who should apologize are you.”

After she spoke, Wei Lingze cleared his throat lightly.

After leaving the Wei household, Madam Yun had sent two maids to Lingfeng Courtyard.

She personally arranged for them to study medicine and massage at the clinic and to massage Wei Lingze’s legs and soak his feet each night. But no matter how skilled their techniques, Wei Lingze felt uncomfortable.

He hadn’t slept well these days, especially after seeing Chun Xi at the Jingzhao Mansion, leaving him restless at night.

He caught a slight cold the previous night, and upon waking this morning, he felt his head heavy, only to hear Xingzhou say Chun Xi’s brother had hit his nephew.

Wei Lingze didn’t know why, but he came to the academy with Xingzhou.

The last time at Jingzhao Mansion, Wei Lingze had sensed Chun Xi was no longer as obedient as she had been at the Wei household. Today, seeing her again, he noticed her rebellious spirit: she dared to argue with the academy teachers and even looked at him with fiery defiance.

Having left the Wei household, her courage had clearly grown.

Yet she came from an ordinary family and had grown into an unmarried woman at the Wei household. Even if she married someone else as a main wife, she would still toil daily for a living. Staying by his side meant even a small reward could provide her family comfort for months.

She would ultimately return to him.

No matter how he looked at it, Wei Lingze felt Chun Xi was deliberately testing him.

He had planned to ignore her, letting her come back on her own, but recent frustrations made him unwilling to wait any longer.

Moreover, the marriage between the Wei and Xiao families could not be postponed. The sooner Chun Xi settled down, the sooner he could focus on other matters.

Thinking seriously, his expression inevitably turned stern, and those nearby assumed he was angry.

Old Master Zeng immediately scolded Chun Xi: “All the other students can testify that your brother hit someone, and you still dare to deny it!”

Zhou Qin also put on a show: “Yesterday, Cao Wen admitted he was the one who struck the other student. No matter how much you care for your brother, you cannot confuse right and wrong, or the academy cannot tolerate such a stubborn and unruly student.”

Zhou Qin intended to scare Chun Xi with expulsion, but Chun Xi followed his words calmly:
“An academy that ignores right and wrong and protects the culprit will only mislead its students. I will find another academy for my brother and request a refund of this year’s tuition.”

Zhou Qin regretted speaking, realizing Chun Xi might actually get the tuition back. He shouted in anger: “How dare you! Clearly, you broke academy rules and now try to twist things. Tuition will not be refunded! I will post a notice at the academy gate, letting everyone know this child is unruly. Any academy that accepts him will bring misfortune upon themselves!”

Posting a notice wouldn’t make the incident known citywide, but ordinary families couldn’t afford an academy that would still admit Cao Wen.

Cao Wen had never seen a teacher speak so harshly. He turned pale and nervously tugged at Chun Xi’s sleeve.

Compared to being expelled, kowtowing to apologize seemed trivial. He could simply avoid Zhao Dabao in the future.

Chun Xi patted his head reassuringly. Just as she was about to speak, Wei Lingze suddenly said: “If they want to withdraw from the academy, return their tuition.”

His tone was steady, without a hint of emotion.

Old Master Zeng and Zhou Qin looked surprised, but they returned the tuition to Chun Xi.

Once withdrawn, Cao Wen was no longer a Qingsong Academy student, and there was no longer any punishment to discuss.

Chun Xi accompanied Cao Wen to pack his books before heading home. Just outside the academy, she saw Wei Lingze’s carriage.

Xingzhou blocked the path: “The Young Master is waiting. Get in.”

After Wei Lingze was injured, he traveled in a two-horse carriage.

The carriage was spacious, lined with fine cushions that felt soft as stepping on clouds. A small table held incense, tea, and snacks.

Wei Lingze handed a pastry to Cao Wen. After he took a bite, Wei Lingze said to Chun Xi: “I can arrange for him to attend the Yun family clan school.”

Madam Wei Yun came from a scholarly family. The Yun clan produced many great scholars, and their clan school was prestigious, with children of many noble families studying there.

For Wei Lingze to offer this was a mark of his high regard for Chun Xi.

He had expected her to be overjoyed, but Chun Xi only replied: “Young Master Wei, that’s kind of you, but my brother is not some prodigy. He might bring shame to the Yun clan school. I’ll find another school for him…”

As soon as Chun Xi spoke, Wei Lingze’s expression darkened.

He had no patience for Chun Xi’s games of feigned resistance. He wanted her to have no choice but return to his side. From the moment he saw her today, he had already decided how to act.

He interrupted firmly: “Besides sending your brother to the Yun clan school, you have no other option.”

Chun Xi: “…”

It wasn’t like the school was the only place for him to study.

She didn’t argue and just hoped to get home quickly. Wei Lingze interpreted this as acceptance, and his expression softened slightly.

Soon, the carriage arrived at a narrow alley near Chun Xi’s home.

It was too narrow for a two-horse carriage to enter.

Wei Lingze didn’t intend to get down. He said: “I’ll give you time for one cup of tea. Pack your things and come with me.”

Chun Xi ignored him and stepped down with Cao Wen.

Just as she stood, Matchmaker Zhang shouted excitedly: “Oh! Chun Xi, you finally returned! Your future father- and mother-in-law are here for the betrothal gifts! Come see if you like them!”

The carriage curtain suddenly lifted, revealing Wei Lingze’s fierce, ruthless face.