TSWRLM -Chapter 16 Someone, Beat Him Up

Chun Xi relied on Shen Qingyuan’s help for both the school and the shop, so for several days she had been delivering food to the Qingyuan Houfu.

There were glutinous “donkey rolls,” fragrant rice cakes, maltose candies, and peanut crisps.

Though these treats weren’t expensive, they were filled with sincerity.

Every time, Chun Xi handed the food to Qing Shu in a small alley two streets away from the Houfu, but delivering food daily inevitably reached Madam Mo’s ears.

She didn’t stop it—in fact, she was pleased.

Madam Mo had already investigated Chun Xi’s background:

A girl from a poor family, who entered the Wei household as a maid at ten, had personally cared for Wei Lingze for three years, and last year, he had taken her to many banquets, gaining recognition from numerous officials and nobles.

If Chun Xi really caught Shen Qingyuan’s heart, there would be plenty of entertainment to watch in the future.

But she had heard that Chun Xi was recently negotiating a marriage and that someone had already come to deliver betrothal gifts.

This was unacceptable.

Zhou Qin also felt Chun Xi could not marry.

Returning from the academy, he heard that his parents had rushed over to deliver a betrothal proposal at Chun Xi’s home. His head spun, and hearing from his parents that Chun Xi and Wei Lingze were still closely connected, his back turned cold.

He knew Chun Xi had cared for Wei Lingze for three years, yet he had always looked down on her and never thought someone like the distinguished young master could fall for her.

But the facts proved he was wrong.

Wei Lingze did care for Chun Xi.

So this marriage could not go through.

Yet his parents’ betrothal visit had been witnessed by the neighbors, and cancelling now would harm his reputation. Chun Xi was the type to make a fuss; angering her might bring unforeseen trouble.

The solution: Chun Xi must voluntarily reject the marriage.

Resolved, Zhou Qin waited until the academy was on break to approach her.

Chun Xi had just made salted egg yolk pastries that day. At the alley’s entrance, she ran into Zhou Qin.

She paused, initially intending to lead him home to talk privately so Madam Wang could see his true colors. But Zhou Qin waved his hand: “Since you’re going out, let’s talk as we walk.”

Chun Xi wasn’t afraid of him and nodded, walking side by side with him.

Eager to cancel the marriage, Zhou Qin wasted no pleasantries and went straight to the point:
“I’ve heard you personally cared for the eldest young master Wei for three years. I don’t mind if you were close with other men. Someone as caring as you will surely look after my family well after marriage. My parents are especially pleased with you for this reason and couldn’t wait to deliver the betrothal, so you could come to our house and serve diligently.”

“But I already like someone. After marriage, you cannot interfere with my actions. If I pass the provincial exam and become a scholar, I will demote you to concubine and marry her as my wife—you must have no complaints.”

Zhou Qin spoke bluntly, revealing the family’s calculations without disguise.

Chun Xi immediately understood: he was trying to scare her off to protect his own reputation.

She hadn’t wanted to marry him anyway, but Zhou Qin’s attitude was so unpleasant that she went along with him: “I don’t like you either, but since my mother approves of this match, rest assured, after marriage, I will serve my in-laws well and make way for my younger sister.”

Zhou Qin had assumed she would be embarrassed and cancel the marriage on the spot. Instead, she intended to compromise.

Thinking of his parents, Zhou Qin’s head swam with anger.

Could it be that Chun Xi was using him as a cover to secretly meet Wei Lingze?

If Wei Lingze grew tired of her, wouldn’t he end up raising another man’s child?

Impossible!

“No!” Zhou Qin shouted. “Serving them isn’t enough! You must work as a servant for our family, bring all the rewards given by the Wei family, and your dowry must not be less than one hundred taels!”

“All right.”

Chun Xi nodded without hesitation. Zhou Qin instantly turned green with rage.

Agreeing to such harsh conditions could only mean there was a trick in this marriage!

Zhou Qin desperately tried to think of how to scare Chun Xi off, when suddenly a carriage stopped. The curtain lifted, revealing Ye Er with a mischievous grin: “Oh, isn’t this Sister Chun Xi? Where are you going? I’ll give you a ride.”

Where did this rogue come from?

Ye Er’s enthusiasm made Zhou Qin uneasy.

Seeing his expression shift, Chun Xi smiled and said to Ye Er: “Thank you, Young Master Ye, but I’m just strolling with my fiancé, no need for a carriage.”

“You already have a fiancé?”

Only then did Ye Er notice Zhou Qin properly. Zhou Qin’s skin crawled; he tried to deny being her fiancé, but before he could, Ye Er sneered: “You spent three years with Wei Lingze, yet chose such an ugly, poor little man?”

Zhou Qin was supposed to be handsome and talented in the eyes of the neighbors; Ye Er’s words smashed his pride to the ground.

Zhou Qin’s face twisted in fury, and he instinctively tried to defend himself, but before he could, Ye Er lazily commanded: “Someone, deal with him properly. Let’s see if he dares to reach for swan meat while being a toad.”

At Ye Er’s order, the accompanying guards dragged Zhou Qin into a small alley.

Zhou Qin panicked: “What are you doing?”

The answer was a brutal beating.

Listening to his cries, Ye Er smiled, then looked at Chun Xi: “Sister Chun Xi, aren’t you getting in? Do I need to have someone escort you?”

“I dare not refuse,” Chun Xi replied obediently and climbed into the carriage.

Ye Er had been pierced in the calf by Wei Lingze’s sword. Though the tendons were intact, the wound was deep, and he still couldn’t walk properly.

Once in the carriage, Chun Xi saw a cane in the corner and smelled the medicine in the air.

“What’s this?”

Ye Er snatched the food box from Chun Xi, opening it to reveal bright yellow egg yolk pastries topped with sesame seeds, their aroma immediately filling the air.

He took one without hesitation and tasted it.

“Not bad. Where did you get these?”

Chun Xi didn’t answer. She softly asked: “Young Master Ye, is there something you need from me?”

Ye Er ate another and said calmly: “No rush. We’ll talk once we get to the inn, while eating.”

When Madam Mo’s people found Zhou Qin, he had just been beaten by Ye Er’s guards, lying on the ground wailing, unable to even get up.

They exchanged glances.

Who had acted before them?

What now?

No matter—another beating!

Otherwise, they wouldn’t be able to report back to Madam.

After being brutally beaten twice in such a short time, Zhou Qin abandoned all pride and limped to the Cao family to return the betrothal.

Madam Wang wanted to ask why, but he was so frightened he didn’t even dare collect the gifts and fled the Cao household in terror.

Yet once outside, he was blocked by people sent by the Xiao family.

Hearing Zhou Qin was being forced to return the betrothal, Xiao Qingyue gritted her teeth in anger.

She hadn’t guessed wrong—her brother-in-law really had been bewitched by that fox spirit!