TSWRLM -Chapter 14 Truly Getting Married

Wei Lingze’s gaze was so fierce that Matchmaker Zhang broke out in a cold sweat, feeling as if her head had already dropped to the ground.

But she had never seen this noble young master before and had certainly never offended him. Why was he looking at her like this?

Could it be because of Chun Xi?

If she could marry into such a wealthy and powerful family, why even bother hiring her as a matchmaker? That would be crazy!

Lost in her thoughts, she suddenly saw the young master leap from the carriage with murderous intent and immediately turn and run.

Wei Lingze’s face was ashen. He still could not believe Chun Xi would really marry someone else. Striding into Chun Xi’s courtyard, he exuded an overwhelming presence.

In the yard, the Zhou family parents were happily chatting with Madam Wang, while neighbors had gathered to watch. On the small table were tea and melon seeds, their shells scattered all over the ground.

The Zhou family parents had sent two glossy fat roosters, rice, oil, flour, a dozen bolts of cloth, and a tray holding a delicate gold bracelet.

The bracelet was fine and simple. Wei Lingze often gave his servants gold gifts far more valuable than this. Yet everyone in the courtyard praised Chun Xi’s luck, and the Zhou family parents and Madam Wang beamed with delight.

However, the lively atmosphere came to a halt the moment Wei Lingze appeared.

Madam Wang’s smile froze, her heart pounding with unease.

Why had the Young Master suddenly arrived?

Hadn’t Chun Xi said she had offended him? Could she have lied?

The Zhou parents were equally unsettled.

This man, though wearing a cold expression, was impeccably dressed, handsome, and obviously of high status. How could such a person appear here?

Wei Lingze’s aura was overwhelming; everyone stopped talking, frozen in fear.

Chun Xi led Cao Wen to the door. Only then did Wei Lingze glare at her fiercely: “Are you really going to marry someone else?”

Chun Xi had accepted gifts and returned home, but Wei Lingze didn’t think she would truly leave. It wasn’t until he saw the joyous courtyard and the betrothal gifts that he realized Chun Xi had made up her mind. An immense anger and panic swept over him.

She had chosen someone else.

For the past three years, when he had been bedridden and at his weakest, Chun Xi had been by his side. He had been certain that she loved him deeply and would never leave, no matter what happened.

But now, just as he was able to stand again, Chun Xi had hurried to leave him.

It wasn’t stubbornness, it wasn’t a game—it was simply leaving.

The gifts in the courtyard were modest, indicating the other family’s ordinary status. Judging by their appearance, any children they had would not be particularly attractive. And yet, Chun Xi was willing to marry someone inferior in every way.

Wei Lingze felt utterly humiliated.

Chun Xi didn’t bother guessing his thoughts. Calmly, she replied: “I have always been serious and have never deceived you, Young Master.”

She hadn’t lied.

Chun Xi had taken the gifts and left without hesitation. On their last outing, she had made an effort to distance herself from Wei Lingze. He had merely misread her actions as flirtation.

Her calmness was like a hard slap to Wei Lingze’s face.

Because of their social status difference, even when he had been bedridden, Wei Lingze had felt a strong sense of superiority over Chun Xi.

Now, that sense of superiority was shattered.

Chun Xi had cared for him over the past three years—whether out of money or a desire to survive—but it had never been out of affection.

He thought about how he had come to find her today and even promised to let her brother attend the Yun family clan school. The irony of it all made him laugh bitterly.

Unable to face her, he left in his carriage, his expression dark.

Although Wei Lingze had gone, the courtyard remained cold and tense.

Once Madam Wang had sent the onlookers away, Matchmaker Zhang eagerly asked: “Miss Chun Xi, who was that person just now?”

“He is the eldest young master of the Wei family, my former master. We happened to meet today, and he gave me and A-Wen a ride home.”

Chun Xi replied casually, but Matchmaker Zhang and the Zhou parents’ faces fell.

They knew Chun Xi had worked at the Wei household for three years, caring for the eldest young master and receiving many gifts, but none of them expected him to be so strikingly handsome and noble.

The Zhou parents had originally thought their son was talented enough to marry an official’s daughter, but after seeing Wei Lingze, they realized their son paled in comparison.

And Chun Xi was no longer a servant in the Wei household. Why would the eldest young master still escort her home?

The Zhou parents had intended to set the wedding date today, so Chun Xi could serve the family as a proper wife, but now they hesitated.

Chun Xi’s lingering ties to the Wei young master—could they trust her not to cheat on their son?

Had they rushed the marriage merely to use their son as a cover?

The more the Zhou parents thought, the more alarmed they became. After a few polite words, they left hastily.

Matchmaker Zhang, fearing she’d lose her brokerage fee, seriously warned Madam Wang: “The Zhou family is sincere in wanting to marry your Chun Xi. If you don’t handle this properly, it will ruin my reputation, and worse, it will tarnish Chun Xi’s reputation, making it hard for her to marry in the future.”

Madam Wang nodded repeatedly, praising her before finally sending her off.

Once the gate closed, only family remained. Madam Wang quickly asked Chun Xi: “How did the Wei eldest young master come back with you?”

Chun Xi briefly explained what had happened at the academy. Hearing that Wei Lingze was willing to let Cao Wen attend the Yun clan school, Madam Wang clapped her thigh in frustration: “I knew the young master had feelings for you! If you hadn’t been in such a hurry to marry, A-Wen could have studied with those noble young masters at the Yun clan school. Even if he doesn’t pass exams, building connections with them could help him in the future.”

Madam Wang’s heart ached, and Chun Xi added salt to it: “I never agreed to marry Zhou Qin. Mother secretly accepted their betrothal gifts while I was away. If I had been even a little later, I might not have come back at all and would have gone straight to the Zhou family for the wedding.”

Madam Wang choked, her face turning pale.

The Zhou family had indeed been hasty.

Yesterday, Matchmaker Zhang came to negotiate, and today they arrived with gifts to propose. With her persuasive words and the Zhou parents’ flattering praise, Madam Wang had accepted the betrothal gifts without thinking.

Who could have predicted Wei Lingze would suddenly intervene?

Regretting it deeply, Madam Wang told Chun Xi: “I’ll return the Zhou family’s betrothal gifts. Go and plead with the young master.”

Studying at the Yun clan school was a rare opportunity worth sacrificing face for.

Chun Xi didn’t hesitate: “Fine. Once you return the betrothal gifts, I’ll go to the young master immediately.”

Chun Xi’s decisiveness made Madam Wang hesitate again.

Wei Lingze could have any woman he wanted. Why cling to Chun Xi? If the Zhou gifts were returned and A-Wen couldn’t enter the Yun clan school, where would she find a better match than the Zhou family?

Madam Wang couldn’t decide, just then the gate was knocked. Qing Shu’s voice called out: “Miss Chun Xi, are you home?”

“Yes!”

Chun Xi hurried to open the door.

Qing Shu had come to return the food box, and behind him was Shen Qingyuan.