TSWRLM -Chapter 157 Father, I’ve Brought My Husband to See You

Madam Wang had gone on a hunger strike at home for three days, but Cao Wu still refused to go to the Marquis Mansion. Madam Wang had no way to force him.

On the fourth day, Cao Wu went straight to work at the lumber workshop. As soon as he left, Madam Wang ate something and, ignoring Madam Qian’s protests, stormed off to the Marquis Mansion, crying and rolling on the ground, demanding to see Chun Xi.

The gatekeepers were at their wit’s end. One of them went inside to report to the mistress but had his head smashed by a teacup thrown by Madam Mo. Returning, he scowled at Madam Wang. “We’ve already told you—the young master and young mistress have moved to their new home. You can make a scene there if you like. Yelling at us here won’t accomplish anything.”

“That unfilial girl didn’t tell me where they moved! You have to tell me the location so I can go find them!”

Madam Wang’s hope flared a little, but the gatekeeper didn’t know where their new home was. Irritated, he sneered, “How would we, your servants, know the master’s affairs? Find out yourself. Even your own daughter doesn’t acknowledge you—your life as a mother is truly pitiful.”

Seeing Madam Wang about to throw a tantrum again, the gatekeeper called for sticks and had people drive her off. With so many servants already sold off by the lady, they weren’t about to slack on their work.

Madam Wang received two lashes and, fearing for her life, slunk home in defeat.

The next day, she prepared a bunch of food and also took clothes to the prison.

After several days of prison meals, Cao Wen had lost quite a bit of weight. He grabbed the food Madam Wang brought and devoured it. Seeing this, Madam Wang couldn’t stop her tears, though she muttered complaints through them.

“My son, I want to save you, but your ruthless sister wouldn’t let me into the mansion. She even sent people with sticks to beat me out—I nearly got killed! Your eldest brother wanted to help too, but he doesn’t know any influential people and couldn’t find anyone. If you must hate someone, hate your sister, but never blame your brother.”

Madam Wang blamed everything on Chun Xi, but she still tried to clarify some points for Cao Wu.

Cao Wen paused mid-bite and looked up, correcting her, “Sister and brother-in-law have already moved out of the mansion. It wasn’t my sister who had you beaten.”

He still called them “sister and brother-in-law,” acknowledging his own mistakes without resentment.

Grasping for proof, Madam Wang asked, “How do you know they moved out? Did you go to their new home? Tell me, so I can get your sister to let you out.”

Cao Wen pressed his lips and lowered his head.

Madam Wang became more certain that he knew, and she was about to continue persuading him when Cao Wen shook his head. “Sister said that everyone must bear the consequences of their own mistakes. If I don’t confess, the officials will arrest Mother. I don’t want you to go to prison.”

Hearing this, Madam Wang’s heart ached even more. She shook her head through her tears. “My foolish son! You’re still so young. Going to prison would ruin your life. I’m older—I’m not afraid. And your sister… she was born from my womb. If she dares to make me go to prison, that would be outright unfilial. I could report her to the magistrate! Tell me where your sister lives now.”

Cao Wen kept his head down, remaining silent.

Madam Wang pressed further. “Did your sister say something to scare you? A-Wen, don’t be afraid. Mother is here to protect you. Speak to me.”

Through her crying and pleading, Cao Wen lifted his head and looked at her, asking softly, “Mother, do you think Big Brother and Sister are like me?”

In the dim prison cell, his eyes were bright and clear, reflecting Madam Wang’s tear-streaked face.

She was caught off guard by the question, blinking before shaking her head. “No. You’re much more obedient and thoughtful than they are. You know how to care for your mother the most.”

Cao Wen smiled faintly, then said, “Sister says I’m not like them. She said if Father were still alive, he would never let me grow up so timid and weak.”

Though Cao Wen relayed the words, Madam Wang could imagine Chun Xi’s expression when she said them. She felt as if someone had stepped on her tail and screamed in frustration, “What does Cao Chun Xi know? Father was responsible and courageous! He wouldn’t have died saving someone if not for that. He left me a widow so young, raising the three of you alone! I will not let you become like that short-lived fool!”

Madam Wang’s sudden outburst startled Cao Wen. For the first time, he realized that Father had sacrificed himself to save someone.

Compared with this, his own inner resentment toward his sister seemed utterly weak and unworthy of being Father’s son.

Thinking this, Cao Wen spoke again. “Mother, go home. I’m fine here. When I get out, I’ll find work and earn money to take care of you.”

After saying this, no matter how much Madam Wang tried to persuade him, Cao Wen remained silent.

Back at home, Madam Wang became even more despondent. Late that night, it began raining, and the temperature dropped sharply. The next morning, Madam Qian found that Madam Wang hadn’t gotten up. Pushing the door open, she discovered that Madam Wang had a high fever, calling out her father-in-law’s name.

Madam Qian hurried to fetch a doctor. After administering a medicinal decoction, Madam Wang finally regained consciousness.

“Mother, are you alright?”

Madam Qian asked with concern. Madam Wang’s expression was blank as she stared at the ceiling for a long time before speaking. “Go buy some incense, paper, and offerings. When the sun comes out, I will go see your father.”

Madam Qian agreed and returned with everything that afternoon.

Two days later, the weather cleared.

Madam Wang refused Madam Qian’s company and set out alone with the offerings to the cemetery.

She resented Old Cao for leaving her alone; over the years, Cao Wu had been the one to maintain the grave. She rarely came herself. She had worried that it would take time to find the gravesite, but even from afar, she saw Chun Xi and Shen Qingyuan.

Shen Qingyuan had always been low-key at the Marquis Mansion. Even now that he had been promoted, he made no grand display and had come alone with Chun Xi.

He did not act high-handedly, personally pulling weeds from around the grave, arranging offerings, lighting incense, and burning paper money.

After all this, he lifted his robe and knelt down with Chun Xi. They respectfully kowtowed three times and remained kneeling, quietly speaking to Old Cao.

Madam Wang had wanted to rush forward to confront Chun Xi, but seeing this scene, her legs felt like lead—she could not move.

On the day Chun Xi married, she had only offered her tea to Madam Wang. Shen Qingyuan had not knelt before her.

She had always thought Chun Xi had become callous and didn’t know filial piety, but seeing the two kneeling before Old Cao, she realized she had been mistaken.

Chun Xi was not ignorant of filial duty; she simply refused to be filial to Madam Wang.

Chun Xi did not notice Madam Wang at all. Her full attention was on Shen Qingyuan.

Though she had accompanied her brother and Cao Wen to sweep Father’s grave each year, the longer she stayed with the Wei family, the more she realized she didn’t belong in this household. Even with her closest relatives nearby, she felt lonely.

Today, with Shen Qingyuan by her side, that loneliness finally disappeared.

After kowtowing three times, Chun Xi silently thought: Father, I’ve brought my husband to see you. His name is Shen Qingyuan. He is a very, very good man, and he treats me well. In the future, whenever I suffer injustice, I can rely on him. I won’t need to ask you for protection anymore. You can rest easy.