TSWRLM -Chapter 138 Madam, If You Like Watching Swordsmanship, Why Didn’t You Tell Me?

“Husband, what are you talking about? I don’t really understand.”

Chun Xi was still stubbornly pretending not to know, but Shen Qingyuan’s voice was calm yet deep: “Madam, if you enjoy watching men perform swordsmanship, why didn’t you just say so? Though I am not a master of the sword, I am somewhat skilled.”

“…???”

What about the absolute secrecy? No cheating anyone?

All that 200 taels of silver gone to waste?

Damn Wuyou Pavilion! Betraying a valued guest like this—your business won’t last long!

Chun Xi was annoyed at Wuyou Pavilion’s broken promise, but soon worried about Xiao Qinghe instead: “I’ll explain this to my husband later. But first, can you tell me where you got this information? Does anyone else know?”

“Now you’re afraid?”

Shen Qingyuan’s tone was unreadable. Chun Xi whispered: “I just wanted to make He’er happy. The Wei and Xiao families are close, so He’er should give Wei Lingze a little face. I saw her unhappy, so I thought I’d join the fun a little—consider it a minor revenge. Wuyou Pavilion promised me absolute secrecy.”

Chun Xi felt unusually frustrated, fearing she might accidentally reveal something that would make Wei Lingze punish Xiao Qinghe even more severely.

Seeing her mood drop, Shen Qingyuan didn’t tease her further and said calmly: “No one leaked anything. The master of Wuyou Pavilion has deep ties with the Xiao family. He feared you might be startled and reveal some flaw, so he came to me to help cover it up.”

As he spoke, Shen Qingyuan took out a silver note and handed it to Chun Xi: “He knew he had broken the rules, so he refunded the ticket price in full—and added 400 taels as compensation.”

Huh?

That meant they had enjoyed the show for free—and even earned 400 taels?

The master of Wuyou Pavilion really was generous.

Chun Xi took the silver, finally feeling relieved, and couldn’t help describing all the lively scenes she had seen that night to Shen Qingyuan: “Wuyou Pavilion is expensive for a reason. Each guest has a separate little boat, no disturbances. If you need anything, you just hang a lantern at the bow, and someone comes to check and deliver items. The one bringing the items is called Lanshu—delicate in appearance, lovely voice. As for tonight’s Top Selection performers, each had their flaws…”

“This master’s skills are impressive, though he wore a mask. I don’t know what he looks like, but since he came to help you, he’s probably a good person. He shouldn’t be too unattractive either.”

Chun Xi chattered on, and Shen Qingyuan listened quietly, saying nothing. When Chun Xi finally paused, parched and tired, he grasped the key point and asked: “So, Madam, you like men with pleasant voices who can also wield a sword well?”

Hadn’t this already passed? Husband, why are you speaking in this tone again?

“Husband, you just said our marital bond is deep. Even if I just went to join the fun, it’s fine, right?”

Chun Xi tried to remind him. Shen Qingyuan nodded: “My love for Madam is as clear as the sun and moon. But Madam seems not to trust me. If no one had told me, would you have hidden it from me your whole life?”

“….”

This wasn’t something to be proud of. No one reported it, so naturally, she wouldn’t tell him.

Chun Xi knew she was in the wrong and whispered an apology: “Husband, I was wrong. In the future, I’ll discuss everything with you first and never act on my own again.”

“Oh.”

Shen Qingyuan answered with only one word, slightly cold, making Chun Xi feel uncomfortable all over.

To soothe him, she had to use all her wits through the night, ending up completely exhausted in bed.

The next day, Chun Xi had planned to sleep late, but soon after Shen Qingyuan left, a wailing cry came from the courtyard.

Supporting her sore waist, Chun Xi stepped out and saw Shen Qingchi kneeling, crying with tear-streaked cheeks.

“Little sister, why are you crying? Has Mother passed away?”

Chun Xi instinctively cursed Mo, making Shen Qingchi pause mid-cry before looking at her through misty tears: “Sister-in-law, I’m sorry. That day, I shouldn’t have been so childish and asked you to spare Cousin Wan’er. You always act with principle and restraint. I spoke without knowing, which must have hurt your heart.”

Shen Qingchi apologized sincerely, but Chun Xi wasn’t too concerned: “Don’t worry. My heart is strong; it’s not that easy to hurt me. Now get up—no more kneeling. My waist is sore, so I won’t help you up.”

As Shen Qingchi stood, she immediately stepped forward to support Chun Xi: “Sister-in-law, what happened? Are you hurt?”

“No, I’m fine.”

It was just your sly older brother keeping me up most of the night.

Chun Xi didn’t dare tell Shen Qingchi the details of her marriage. She went inside for a glass of water, and as she drank, Shen Qingchi asked: “Do you know that Brother asked the Emperor for the decree to divide the family estate?”

A decree to split the family? Clever move—no wonder Mo and Mo Yunwan had been so obedient lately.

Chun Xi silently gave Shen Qingyuan a thumbs-up for handling it quietly. She set down her cup and asked Shen Qingchi: “Why do you ask?”

Her tone was gentle. But Shen Qingchi’s tears fell again: “Sister-in-law, can you persuade Brother not to divide the family? Over the years, Mother has made many mistakes, and she will change. You know Mother’s background is poor. Father has been distracted by other women, leaving Mother distressed.”

Chun Xi nodded but said firmly: “That’s your father’s fault. You should go to him, not me. As his daughter-in-law, I can’t force him to love Mother.”

Shen Qingchi choked again, gripping her handkerchief to steady herself: “Since Brother said he wanted to split the family, Mother has been ill. I stayed by her side all night. Even in her feverish state, she wanted to apologize to you herself. Now she’s too sick, so I came to apologize on her behalf, begging you not to divide the family.”

Shen Qingchi knelt again, banging her head repeatedly.

Her skin was tender; after only a few knocks, her forehead was bruised purple.

Chun Xi didn’t stop her immediately, waiting until she paused from pain before asking: “Did you come of your own will, or were you forced by your mother?”

Shen Qingchi clenched her fists.

Although she didn’t manage the household, she vaguely understood that Mother had misappropriated Brother’s maternal dowry. Now that Brother had a salary in Jingzhao, Mother had become stricter with him. She didn’t want to divide the estate, not out of affection, but out of fear Brother would demand restitution.

They were actually in the wrong.

Shen Qingchi bit her lip, crying: “I came on my own. Mother is really very ill. If you won’t forgive her, I will die here in front of you today!”

Her last words carried a threat.

Without waiting for Chun Xi to respond, she smashed her head down repeatedly. Soon, a small patch of bright red blood appeared on the ground, a testament to her resolve.

Chun Xi sighed inwardly.

If one isn’t firm, not only will they fail to climb out of the mire, but they’ll drag those trying to help them down too.

“Enough, stop kneeling. Get up.”