TSWRLM -Chapter 153 Are You Willing to Divorce?

In front of everyone, Lanshu exposed Wei Lingze’s scheme against Chun Xi. Wei Lingze was utterly ashamed and stormed off in anger.

Xiao Qinghe, sitting among the female guests, was not affected at the time; she only heard about the incident after the banquet ended.

After a moment of surprise, Xiao Qinghe sincerely apologized to Chun Xi: “Young aunt, I’m sorry. I didn’t expect him to do such a thing.”

Chun Xi shook her head, not angry in the slightest. “It’s not your fault, so there’s no need to apologize. After I move, I’ll invite you over for a celebratory meal.”

Xiao Qinghe smiled and agreed. As they left the Hou Mansion, Old Madam Xiao suddenly said, “It’s still early. Qinghe, you should accompany me home for a while.”

Old Madam Xiao’s tone was serious. Xiao Qinghe furrowed her brows and replied respectfully, “Yes, grandmother.”

Back at the Xiao residence, Xiao Qinghe accompanied Old Madam Xiao to Songhe Courtyard.

Xiao Qingyue wanted to follow, but Madam Xiao stopped her. “Mother has something to discuss with your sister; don’t go meddling.”

Xiao Qingyue, holding back all the way, couldn’t help her curiosity. “Mother, what is Wuyou Pavilion? Why did it ruin my sister-in-law’s reputation when my brother-in-law invited them to the celebration?”

Ever since that day when Chun Xi had helped Xiao Qinghe at the Grand Tutor’s mansion, Xiao Qingyue had acknowledged this young aunt. Now calling her by this title felt natural.

Madam Xiao scowled and glared at her. “Children shouldn’t pry into things they don’t need to. If I hear you mention Wuyou Pavilion again, you won’t get off lightly!”

Frightened, Xiao Qingyue shrank back. “I understand, I won’t mention it again. Mother, don’t be angry.”

Inside Songhe Courtyard, Old Madam Xiao sat in the main seat, and Xiao Qinghe personally poured tea for her.

Old Madam Xiao didn’t drink, only fixed her gaze on Xiao Qinghe. “Do you regret marrying Wei Lingze?”

The question was so direct that Xiao Qinghe’s hand trembled. Just as she was about to answer, she heard Old Madam Xiao continue: “It’s just you and me here; you don’t need to lie.”

Xiao Qinghe felt a lump in her throat. After a long moment, she finally spoke, “Grandmother, your granddaughter does regret it.”

“Then do you wish to divorce?”

“No, your granddaughter absolutely does not!” Xiao Qinghe quickly shook her head, speaking earnestly. “When the Wei family had troubles, you and mother considered canceling the engagement, but I insisted on marrying into the Wei family. This path was my choice, and I must bear the consequences. I will not let my sisters in the clan be criticized because of my stubbornness.”

Moreover, her mother-in-law treated her extremely well. From the moment she entered the household, she was entrusted with nearly half of the family management. She had not been made to feel awkward despite the Xiao family declining a formal wedding ceremony. Even when Wei Lingze made mistakes, she firmly stood by her side.

Even if she no longer loved Wei Lingze, life with such a mother-in-law could still go on.

Xiao Qinghe’s gaze was resolute. Gentle and serene, she was a young woman with inner strength; even if she felt regret or sorrow, she would take responsibility for her own choices.

Old Madam Xiao sighed, both relieved and pained.

This granddaughter had grown up under her watch. Noble and beautiful, yet without a trace of arrogance or spoiled behavior, she had always been a model for noble women in the capital and the pride of the Xiao family.

It was just a pity she married the wrong man.

“You silly girl.”

Old Madam Xiao ruffled Xiao Qinghe’s hair, full of affection. Xiao Qinghe’s eyes warmed, almost shedding tears.

She had wanted to hold back her grievance and reassure her grandmother, but then Old Madam Xiao said: “If Wei Lingze were merely treating you badly, I wouldn’t ask about divorce. His leg may have healed, but the wound in his heart remains. Now his behavior is unscrupulous, willing to go to any lengths to achieve his goals. If this continues, it will surely bring disaster.”

An alliance through marriage brings both shared benefits and shared risks. If this marriage not only makes Xiao Qinghe unhappy but also brings danger to the Xiao family, there is no reason to maintain it.

Xiao Qinghe recognized the warning in her grandmother’s words. Her mind flashed to the moment when Wei Lingze said he didn’t like Chun Xi, and her heart skipped a beat.

She dared not meet her grandmother’s eyes, afraid of revealing any clue. She lowered her gaze and said, “Grandmother, I will heed your warning and advise him to act more cautiously in the future.”

Xiao Qinghe had no intention of divorcing, and Old Madam Xiao didn’t push further. She patted her hand and said, “Good child. I tell you these things today so that you understand: the Xiao family has reached this position without forcing our women to sacrifice themselves through marriage to maintain the family’s glory.”

No matter what decision she made, the Xiao family would support her.

Feeling deeply loved, Xiao Qinghe choked up, unable to speak, only nodding with teary eyes.

After chatting a while longer with Old Madam Xiao, Xiao Qinghe went to see Madam Xiao. Understanding the mother-in-law’s meaning, she too was moved, hugging Xiao Qinghe, patting her back, and speaking gently: “Your grandmother has always cherished you. Go home and think carefully about her words.”

The mother and daughter talked for a long while. By the time Xiao Qinghe left the main courtyard, the sky was already dim.

She hurriedly walked outside with Quezhi. Near the gate, she suddenly saw a tall, slender figure approaching.

The person wore a silver-gray brocade outfit with golden embroidery, broad-shouldered and slim-waisted. Due to the dim light, she couldn’t make out the face clearly, only sensing a cold, sharp aura, like a drawn sword.

Xiao Qinghe abruptly stopped, feeling that the figure resembled the masked man she had last seen that night on the small boat.

The man reacted quickly. Seeing her stop, he paused, then moved to stand beside a pillar, slightly bowing his head, clearly giving her way.

“Madam, is something wrong?”

Quezhi was puzzled. Xiao Qinghe came back to her senses, realizing she was overthinking. The person from the Xiao family couldn’t possibly be the master of Wuyou Pavilion.

“It’s nothing.”

Shaking her head, Xiao Qinghe dismissed the thought and continued walking with Quezhi.

Passing by him, Quezhi suddenly spoke: “Your servant greets Young Master Chen.”

“Hmm.”

The man responded quietly, his voice deep and resonant, coming from his nasal tone.

Xiao Qinghe couldn’t help but stop again.

Skilled in music and possessing a sharp memory, she was very sensitive to different voices. The voice she just heard was remarkably similar to the one she had heard that night on the small boat!

Xiao Qinghe looked at him in surprise.

The man had a young, handsome face, but his sharp brows and eyes gave him a cold, distant aura, not easy to approach.

Xiao Qinghe remembered him. His name was Xiao Yechen, the grandson of one of her grandfather’s close aides. Due to misfortune in his family, he had been raised in the Xiao household from childhood and had taken the Xiao surname.

Noticing her gaze, Xiao Yechen furrowed his brows but soon relaxed, asking gently: “What’s wrong?”

Although just three words, the pronunciation was longer than before. Xiao Qinghe could be certain: this was the masked master of Wuyou Pavilion from that night.

No wonder there had been someone protecting them that night. No wonder Wuyou Pavilion refused Wei Lingze’s business in such a manner, leaving him embarrassed.

Xiao Qinghe quickly accepted it. She didn’t reveal her recognition, only nodded and said, “Thank you.”

A simple “thank you” — for letting her pass and for helping twice — spoken softly and melodiously.

Xiao Yechen’s body tensed instantly; his throat tightened and dried, only able to respond from his nose: “Hmm.”