TSWRLM -Chapter 158 Madam Mo is on the Verge of Death

Shen Qingyuan wasn’t one for sweet talk; he quietly did what needed to be done and calmly stayed by Chun Xi’s side.

When Chun Xi got up to leave, he gently took her hand and, looking toward Old Cao’s spirit, promised, “Father-in-law, rest assured. I will take good care of A-Xi from now on. She will never be bullied or wronged. If I fail, may you strike me down from above.”

Chun Xi smiled at his words.

She had just thought to herself that she wouldn’t trouble her father to intervene anymore, yet Shen Qingyuan made her father “manifest” again. She wasn’t sure if her father would listen to her or to her husband in the end.

The thought brought an uncontrollable curve to her lips. Shen Qingyuan, noticing her constant smile, asked, “Did I say something wrong? Why are you still smiling, my wife?”

Chun Xi shook her head, about to explain, when her peripheral vision caught her mother standing not far away, watching them for who knows how long.

The smile on Chun Xi’s face vanished instantly. Shen Qingyuan followed her gaze and saw Madam Wang. He said in a low voice, “Mother-in-law must be here because of A-Wen. Aren’t you going to tell her the truth?”

The affair at the promotion banquet had caused a huge stir. In the capital, every high-ranking lady knew that Chun Xi had a problematic family. Shen Qingyuan would inevitably offend people at the Censorate, and Cao Wen could easily be manipulated again by those with ill intent.

After discussing it, Chun Xi and Shen Qingyuan decided to pretend that A-Wen was being sent to prison as punishment but, in reality, they would send him to Qingzhou to study, letting him return home after completing his studies.

Chun Xi shook her head. “There’s no need to tell her now. Not actually letting A-Wen go to prison is already showing restraint. My mother should understand that not everything can be forgiven.”

With that, Chun Xi and Shen Qingyuan walked toward Madam Wang.

Madam Wang had dreamed of Old Cao last night. Thinking of how much he had loved Chun Xi in life, and witnessing Chun Xi and Shen Qingyuan tending his grave, she felt unsettled. The righteous anger she had previously felt was gone, replaced by nervousness and awkwardness.

Before Old Cao’s spirit, she could no longer utter those curses she had once hurled at Chun Xi. After a long pause, she managed a single plea: “A-Xi… Mother knows she was wrong. Please release A-Wen. Can I go to prison instead?”

Her voice was hoarse, full of supplication.

Chun Xi remained firm and cold. “The government isn’t acting at my direction. The case has already been judged. That bracelet and those earrings are worth over a thousand taels; the theft is substantial. In ten days, A-Wen will be exiled. Mother, instead of wasting time begging me, you should think about what you can bring to A-Wen before he leaves.”

At the word “exile,” Madam Wang’s face turned pale. She instinctively wanted to curse Chun Xi for being heartless, but under Shen Qingyuan’s gaze, her voice weakened. “A-Wen is still so young. How could he endure the hardship of exile? A-Xi, please save him… Mother is begging you!”

She tried to kneel, but Chun Xi stopped her coldly. “Mother, Father is watching. If you kneel to me, I’ll be struck by lightning.”

Madam Wang shivered. Chun Xi knew that Old Cao was watching from above, yet she still planned to let A-Wen be exiled. This showed she was resolute, believing that what she was doing was right—even in front of her father, she was unafraid.

Madam Wang opened her mouth but could not utter a sound.

Chun Xi didn’t linger. She left with Shen Qingyuan.

When they returned to their new home and stepped out of the carriage, Qingshu was waiting anxiously at the door.

“Qingshu, you’re finally back!”

Chun Xi greeted him warmly, relieved to have someone to help send A-Wen to Qingzhou.

Qingshu, worried that the master and young mistress might have abandoned him, burst into tears at her voice. “Sobs… Master, Young Mistress, I thought I’d never see you again!”

Chun Xi felt a twinge of guilt and reassured him, “You’re overthinking. You’ve been by your master’s side all these years; how could he forget you?”

It wasn’t that he wouldn’t care—it was just that he might forget sometimes.

Shen Qingyuan said nothing, offering no comfort, only a calm, “As long as you returned safely, that’s enough.”

To cheer Qingshu, Chun Xi instructed the kitchen to prepare a lavish welcome meal. Qingshu was touched, but just as he finished a chicken leg, Chun Xi said, “I’ve discussed it with Master. We plan to send my brother to Qingzhou to study. We don’t trust anyone else, so we want you to escort him and look after him for a few years…”

Before she finished, Qingshu, eyes brimming with tears, looked at Shen Qingyuan. “Master, you’re no longer having me serve you?”

Chun Xi quickly answered, “All matters of serving Master can be left to me from now on. I won’t mistreat you. Once you go to Qingzhou, your stipend will double, and you’ll receive extra gifts for holidays. You won’t have to attend to A-Wen. Food, clothing, and shelter are his responsibility; you only need to ensure he attends school on time. Whether he studies well or not is not your concern.”

The assignment sounded easier than before, but after finally returning from Xuzhou, Qingshu was reluctant to go to an unfamiliar Qingzhou.

Seeing this, Chun Xi hesitated to press him, but Shen Qingyuan spoke suddenly: “When you return from Qingzhou, I’ll recommend you for a post at the Jingzhao government office.”

Qingshu’s eyes lit up. “I’ll go! Don’t worry, Master and Young Mistress. I’ll make sure the young master is well cared for!”

Qingshu’s reply was resolute, leaving no trace of sorrow—only anticipation and excitement for working at the Jingzhao government office.

Chun Xi felt that this scene seemed oddly familiar.

Hadn’t the Master also coaxed her into marriage in a similar way before?

Ten days later, Qingshu departed for Qingzhou with Cao Wen.

Chun Xi didn’t accompany them. She sent invitations to Xiao Qinghe and Xiao Qingyue for the housewarming banquet and busied herself in the small kitchen early in the morning.

Just as she finished frying meatballs, Xiao Qingyue arrived.

“Second niece, you came so early! Missing me after just a few days?”

Chun Xi peeked out from the kitchen and quickly fed her a meatball.

Xiao Qingyue frowned—her family emphasized etiquette. She had always eaten at the table. Eating at the kitchen doorway was unusual.

Though displeased, she nibbled a couple of bites. The fragrance of the meat and lotus root filled her mouth, neither greasy nor cloying, with a subtle sweetness. Surprised, she swallowed and whispered, “Don’t flatter yourself. I’m not here for you. My mother sent a nanny from the palace to teach me etiquette. I just wanted to get some fresh air.”

Besides learning etiquette, her mother had also found a matchmaker to arrange a marriage for her. What a bother!

Chun Xi returned the meatballs to the steamer and simmered chicken soup, then went to the courtyard to chat with Xiao Qingyue.

As they sat, Xiao Qingyue asked, “I heard that the Lady of Qingyuan Hou is dying. And yet you still have the energy to host a promotion banquet? Aren’t you afraid she’ll really get worse and be accused of driving her mother-in-law to death?”

Chun Xi frowned. “Where did you hear that?”

“Everyone knows! Shen Qingyue and Shen Qingyu both dropped out of the Yun family academy to come home and care for her. Didn’t you know?”

Chun Xi: “…??? I really didn’t know anyone would believe that.”