TSWRLM -Chapter 133 Wei Lingze Arrives

Zhaoling had many pleasure venues—some for men, naturally, and some for women.

It was also not unusual for a widowed princess to keep male companions at home.

But Xiao Qinghe had only heard of such things; she had never imagined she would one day experience it herself.

It was utterly unconventional and shocking to her. Even though Lanshu had already left, leaving only her and Chun Xi on the small boat, she still felt uneasy and said: “Aunt Chun Xi, maybe we should go back. If anyone finds out, both the Wei and Xiao families will lose face, and you could get into trouble too.”

Although she no longer loved Wei Lingze, she was still the Young Madam of the Wei family and could not do anything that would harm the reputations of the two families.

Chun Xi understood her concern and said calmly: “Relax. Everyone here cares about their reputation. Each person stays on their own boat without disturbing anyone. Those who see us won’t go spreading rumors.”

“But what if…”

“There’s no ‘what if.’ We just don’t admit it,” Chun Xi interrupted. Then she added, “I know you won’t divorce Wei Lingze for the sake of appearances, but you also can’t forgive him. Eventually, he’ll take concubines. You’ll be left managing the household, lonely as the years go by. Is that fair?”

Xiao Qinghe fell silent. Chun Xi had spoken every thought she had kept hidden.

Indeed, this was how she expected to spend the rest of her life.

Seeing that her words had an effect, Chun Xi pressed on: “I didn’t bring you here to actually hire a male servant. We’re just here for fun, to enjoy some male beauty. That way, when you see that scoundrel back home, it won’t feel so infuriating, right?”

Xiao Qinghe, not wanting to face Wei Lingze, began to waver. Chun Xi continued: “These tickets are expensive—two hundred taels each. If we leave now, we’d lose four hundred taels. That’s enough to buy a shop. Good niece, we can’t be so wasteful.”

Chun Xi pretended to be heartbroken. Xiao Qinghe finally softened but still said sternly: “Just this once. No more.”

“Of course, only once. I can’t buy tickets for two hundred taels every time we meet,” Chun Xi nodded vigorously. Xiao Qinghe’s eyes curved into a small smile.

Meanwhile, after Lanshu left the boat, he quietly instructed the boatman: “These two guests suit my taste. Make sure to reserve a good spot for them later.”

“Yes, sir,” the boatman replied respectfully and quickly rowed the small boat alongside the painted vessel. Lanshu climbed aboard using a rope ladder. Everyone he passed bowed respectfully.

Lanshu’s lips curved in a gentle smile, but his demeanor had shifted—no longer humble like before.

At the same time, Wei Lingze pushed open the private room door at Zui Xian Lou.

Quezhi, guarding inside, was startled and quickly bowed: “Greetings, Young Master.”

The wine and food had long been cleared. Only a table of pastries remained, and neither Chun Xi nor Xiao Qinghe was there.

Wei Lingze took in the scene coldly and glared at Quezhi: “Where are they?”

Though he had been away for a few days, he knew Xiao Qinghe’s movements perfectly. While he was gone, it was one thing that she went out every day with Chun Xi. But now that he had returned, she was still behaving this way—how could she have any regard for him as her husband?

He had personally come to fetch her, partly to show weakness, partly to warn Chun Xi in person not to meddle with their marriage.

But he hadn’t expected to find no one there.

The two women had been staying in the private room, unnoticed. Yet when he pushed open the door, they were gone.

Where had they gone?

Xiao Qinghe, for the first time, felt the thrill of escaping control and teasing him. Wei Lingze’s expression turned dark and menacing. Quezhi, sensing danger, nervously relayed Chun Xi’s prepared excuse: “Return to the Young Master. Madam Shen suddenly had her period and stained her clothes, so the Young Madam accompanied her back to the residence to change.”

“Why didn’t they go through the front gate, and why didn’t you go with them?”

“This is a woman’s private matter. It wouldn’t be proper for anyone to see. Madam Shen and the Young Madam went through the back, and Madam Shen didn’t allow me to follow, so I had to wait here.”

Wei Lingze tapped the table lightly with his fingers, then rose and left to go to Qingyuan Hou’s residence.

The gatekeeper welcomed him inside and quickly reported to Madam Mo, who hurriedly changed and arrived in the front hall.

“I didn’t know Young Master Wei would honor us with his presence. We are unworthy of such a welcome,” Madam Mo said ingratiatingly, instructing her servants to prepare the finest tea. Then she began lamenting: “What misfortune befalls our family! We married back such a meddlesome daughter-in-law. Last time I was ill and didn’t go to the Grand Tutor’s residence, I didn’t know this would happen. My daughter is timid and obedient, and she wouldn’t dare disobey her sister-in-law…”

Madam Mo was preoccupied with defending herself regarding Chun Xi making Wei Lingze kneel at the Grand Tutor’s house. Now that she had the chance to explain, she wanted to absolve herself entirely, so Wei Lingze wouldn’t take it out on Shen Qingyue.

Wei Lingze had no interest in revisiting that incident. Suppressing his temper, he interrupted Madam Mo: “Past events need not be mentioned. I came to fetch my wife home.”

Madam Mo looked at Nanny Jia suspiciously, who immediately said: “The gatekeeper said that after lunch, the Young Madam brought Madam Wei back to the residence.”

“What’s going on? Why didn’t she inform me when bringing Madam Wei back?”

Madam Mo was displeased but didn’t send Nanny Jia to the Inquiry Courtyard. Instead, she turned back to Wei Lingze: “You can see for yourself. My daughter-in-law is so arrogant. Since that rebellious son rose in rank, she’s become even more high-handed. No one is in her eyes. How unfortunate my life is.”

Madam Mo’s words were endless, and Wei Lingze found them unbearable.

Shen Qingyun had been promoted to the Censorate. Now he outranked Wei Lingze in both seniority and position. Madam Mo could do nothing to Chun Xi. Even Xiao Qinghe was now completely under Chun Xi’s influence, unseen by anyone else.

Nothing was going according to his expectations—it was infuriating.

Madam Mo, oblivious to Wei Lingze’s mood, began to tear up. Suddenly, Wei Lingze slammed the table and stood, his voice dark and threatening: “I said I came to fetch my wife. Are you deaf, or do you need me to find her myself?”

Madam Mo froze, startled by the table slam. The tears she had been about to shed vanished, and she hastily signaled Nanny Jia.

Nanny Jia quickly ran to the Inquiry Courtyard and returned: “Madam, Young Master Wei, the Inquiry Courtyard has no one. Neither Madam Wei nor the Young Madam is home.”

“Not home? Where have they gone this time?”

Madam Mo cried out in alarm. Wei Lingze’s face was as dark as storm clouds.

He had a premonition: Chun Xi was deliberately toying with him.

Was it fun for her to watch him run around like a headless chicken from the shadows?