TSWRLM -Chapter 150 Settling Accounts

Chun Xi brought out the account books she had already organized and showed them to Old Madam Xiao.

Back when Madam Mo had entered the Marquisate through marriage, the Mo family, embarrassed by the situation, had given her very little dowry. Over the years, the household’s food and expenses had mostly relied on the dowry shops, fields, and estates left by Madam Xiao.

In other words, even though Madam Xiao had passed away many years ago, her wealth still supported the entire Marquisate household.

Even if Madam Mo had been manipulating the accounts, Shen Qingyuan, as Madam Xiao’s only son, still saw his annual expenses decreasing every year, in fact, less than half of what Shen Qingyue and Shen Qingyu spent.

Madam Xiao and Old Madam Xiao reviewed the accounts together, their expressions gradually darkening. Then Chun Xi said: “After marrying in for just a few months, I noticed my husband lives frugally. The courtyard didn’t even have a small kitchen. Sometimes, because of official duties, he would come home late at night without a hot meal. Most of the entries in these accounts regarding my husband are false.”

Over the years, Shen Qingyuan hadn’t been particularly close to the Xiao family. Old Madam Xiao, though worried about him, had no way to directly intervene in the Marquisate and was unaware of Madam Mo’s greed—spending Madam Xiao’s money while still favoring some children over others.

Old Madam Xiao slammed the account book heavily onto the tea table, glaring at Madam Mo: “Spending Yuan’er’s deceased mother’s money to raise your own son in luxury, yet making Yuan’er live in frugality—Marchioness of Qingyuan, you really have a talent for this!”

Seeing Chun Xi present the accounts, Madam Mo completely panicked.

She had previously been willing to hand over household management, hoping to use the promotion banquet to eliminate Chun Xi, assuming Chun Xi, being of low status, wouldn’t notice discrepancies in the accounts. Instead, Chun Xi not only turned the tables on her but also exposed the accounts to Old Madam Xiao.

Old Madam Xiao had managed the Xiao family for years—a cunning and experienced woman. These falsified accounts could not escape her scrutiny.

Hearing the title “Marchioness of Qingyuan” from Old Madam Xiao, Madam Mo’s heart shattered, and her legs felt weak.

She wanted to defend herself, but Chun Xi was quicker, crying out first.

“My birth is humble; it’s natural that Mother-in-law scrutinizes me. But my husband has always treated Mother-in-law with respect. After years of official duties, his mind is always occupied with the state and the people, yet at home he suffers such cold treatment. Isn’t this distracting him, preventing him from serving His Majesty faithfully?”

Chun Xi humbly lowered herself, yet in a few sentences elevated the conflict between Madam Mo and her to the level of hindering the country. While slightly exaggerated, it carried weight.

If Madam Mo hadn’t interfered with Shen Qingyuan’s marriage, perhaps with his status as a top scholar, he might have been officially recognized by the Emperor long ago. Instead, he languished in the capital for ten years before being discovered.

Seeing agreement on the faces of those present, Chun Xi continued: “Mother-in-law cannot tolerate my husband. My husband and I had already discussed preparing to separate our household. My husband originally did not wish to dwell on past accounts or make a fuss. But since Mother-in-law repeatedly pressured us, today, with Aunt and everyone as witnesses, let’s carefully settle the accounts from all these years. From today, we shall separate our household!”

Hearing the words “separate the household,” Madam Mo’s heart trembled violently. She hurriedly said: “No! The Marquis is still alive. Even if you separate, it must be under his supervision. Old Madam Xiao doesn’t have this authority!”

As she said this, Madam Mo secretly felt relieved that Master Shen had been knocked unconscious earlier, keeping him out of sight. This could at least buy her some time.

Just then, Old Madam Wu appeared, supported by a maid.

Eunuch Li kindly said: “Marchioness need not worry. The Marquis has just been invited to the male guest table, and Eldest Master Shen has already requested imperial approval for the separation. The Crown Prince will also preside over it with the Marquis.”

Shen Qingyuan had the imperial edict for household separation and had even invited the Crown Prince to witness. The separation was now certain, with no room for reversal.

Madam Mo’s back went cold, and her shoulders slumped inch by inch. Shen Qingchi, seeing this, felt her heart sink and rushed to Chun Xi, prostrating herself repeatedly as she had at the Confession Hall before: “Today’s events were my idea. I envied my sister-in-law and didn’t want her to take Mother’s household authority, so I deliberately set her up. If anyone should be blamed, blame me—not Mother. Mother is old and cannot bear such shocks. Please, sister-in-law, don’t separate the household!”

Shen Qingchi didn’t care whether her words made sense; she took all the blame upon herself. To the prominent ladies, it didn’t matter if she bore the reputation of harming her sister-in-law. As long as she could persuade Chun Xi not to separate the household, Mother would look favorably on her. In a few years, after the scandal settled, she could secure a good marriage.

Chun Xi did not respond. Shen Qingchi prostrated herself a few more times, then suddenly smashed the jade bracelet on her wrist, pressing a shard to her throat: “I am willing to die in atonement. I only beg you not to separate the household.”

The shard was sharp, cutting her neck and drawing blood. Combined with the scraped skin on her forehead, she looked pitiful. Nearby young ladies gasped softly, feeling sympathy for her.

Chun Xi, however, remained expressionless, unmoved, and instead turned to Madam Mo: “My husband is not your blood. If you treat him poorly, it is regrettable but understandable. But this girl is your own flesh and blood—will you stand by as she seeks her own death?”

Zhaoling valued filial piety but also advocated kindness from mothers. If Madam Mo did not care for her own child, Shen Qingyuan was all the more justified in separating the household.

Madam Mo could treat Shen Qingchi poorly in private, but she could not publicly bear such a reputation. She immediately shouted: “Chi’er, this is a matter between adults; you don’t need to interfere!”

Shen Qingchi seemed not to hear and stubbornly looked at Chun Xi: “As long as you don’t separate the household, sister-in-law, I’ll do whatever it takes to atone.”

She pressed the shard harder, blood flowing faster, nearly staining her hand.

Finally, Chun Xi looked at her, her tone growing even colder: “My husband and I have decided to separate the household, not because of today’s trap, but because Mother’s bias and misappropriation have grown worse year by year. You say you want to atone—so you admit Mother’s wrongdoing is outrageous, right?”

“No!” Shen Qingchi reflexively denied. “Mother has always treated my brother well…”

“‘Treated him well’? Do you mean your brother comes home after a long day without a hot meal? Or that Mother arranged two short-lived marriages for him at the height of his glory? Or that she set up a funeral in the household before his life and death were even known?”

Chun Xi raised her voice to cut her off. With each sentence, Shen Qingchi’s face grew paler.

These were all things everyone knew; Shen Qingchi could not deny them. Finally, she cried: “Sister-in-law, we are family. Can you not be so absolute?”

“Your words are strange. It’s just a household separation. My husband and I are not cutting ties with the Marquisate. If we move out, will you refuse to acknowledge us?”