TSWRLM -Chapter 166 She Wants a Divorce

Princess Hengyang escorted Xiao Qinghe back to the Wei residence and stayed for a cup of tea before leaving.

As soon as she left, Madam Yun immediately summoned Wei Lingze to the main hall.

The moment Wei Lingze stepped in, Madam Yun scolded him coldly, “You worthless man! What happened to Qinghe’s injuries?”

Xiao Qinghe’s fair skin and the marks on her neck were impossible to hide. On top of that, the scent of medicinal wine still clung to her body. Even though Princess Hengyang had not mentioned her injury, Madam Yun was furious.

In recent days, she had repeatedly warned Wei Lingze to repair the relationship with his wife, not letting it deteriorate into a marriage of discord and pretense. Wei Lingze had promised well enough with words, but his actions were the exact opposite.

Wei Lingze remained calm. He said lightly, “I was concerned about Qinghe’s health, so I took her to see the doctor. On the way back, we argued briefly. I acted impulsively and accidentally hurt her. It won’t happen again.”

“Accidentally? Look at her neck! This is hardly an accident! Kneel!”

Madam Yun slammed the table in anger. Once Wei Lingze knelt, she had him whipped severely.

Before long, blood seeped through his clothing. A servant hurriedly stopped, “Madam, young master is bleeding!”

Madam Yun frowned, feeling some sympathy, but Xiao Qinghe sat quietly, head lowered, showing no intention of pleading for him.

Her expression made Madam Yun’s face harden. She coldly commanded, “Keep beating him!”

The servants hesitated, unwilling to strike fully, and glanced at Xiao Qinghe. “Young mistress, please forgive young master this time.”

Snapping back to her senses, Xiao Qinghe looked at Madam Yun. “Mother, I have something to say.”

After Madam Yun sent the servants away, Xiao Qinghe spoke again: “Today, my husband forced me to go for a medical consultation and even tried to make me take medicines to aid conception. I merely mentioned taking a concubine, and in a fit of rage, he nearly strangled me. Now, I cannot even be intimate with him, and just seeing him gives me nightmares.”

Her throat still hurt, and just thinking about the carriage scene sent chills through her body. She could no longer face Wei Lingze powerless and vulnerable.

Madam Yun’s heart trembled at her words.

The Wei and Xiao families had long-standing ties and mutual interests. Their marriage was supposed to strengthen that alliance.

Had Wei Lingze killed Xiao Qinghe today, the two families would turn from allies into enemies.

Madam Yun scolded Wei Lingze fiercely, then comforted Xiao Qinghe: “Qinghe, our families have been close for generations, and you and Lingze grew up together. He only acted rashly. How could he ever truly intend to kill you?”

Xiao Qinghe once thought that, even without love, Wei Lingze would maintain her dignity as the young mistress for the sake of family ties.

But recent events shattered that illusion.

He doesn’t care for that child, nor for her. When enraged, he could do anything.

She couldn’t gamble with her life.

With that in mind, Xiao Qinghe said firmly: “Mother, please allow me to hire some people to guard outside Lingfeng Manor. Otherwise, I fear I will not be able to sleep in peace.”

Previously, Wei Lingze had forced his way in. Her accompanying maid and attendants could not stop him. Only by increasing security and ensuring he could no longer enter her sight freely could she feel safe.

Wei Lingze remained silent, having endured so many lashes, expecting Xiao Qinghe to yield. He did not expect her to propose guarding the manor.

What did she take him for?

“We have been childhood sweethearts for so many years. I only acted rashly because I was angry that you casually handed other women to me. I have been punished for that. Must you go this far?”

Wei Lingze’s face was cold as he questioned her.

Even if the incident remained private, the other branches of the family and the household servants would still gawk.

Madam Yun realized this and said, “I can have Nanny Yin from my courtyard guard you. Will that be alright?”

Xiao Qinghe shook her head.

Nanny Yin was Madam Yun’s trusted aide and Wei Lingze’s wet nurse. She would never truly side with Xiao Qinghe, only subtly urging compromise.

Xiao Qinghe pressed her lips together. “Mother, I only want to make sure I won’t be hurt again.”

She was not asking to return to her natal family, nor demanding Wei Lingze’s penance—she just wanted a little security.

It was not a high demand.

Madam Yun fell silent. She knew that even after such an incident, Xiao Qinghe remained calm enough to discuss matters rationally. But she could not watch the growing cracks between the young couple.

Madam Yun wanted to persuade further, but Wei Lingze interrupted angrily: “We’ve only been married a few months. Why won’t you let me near you? Is this how the Xiao family raised daughters?”

“Lingze, enough!”

Madam Yun snapped. Wei Lingze, unfazed, continued: “I was seriously injured and paralyzed. The Xiao family postponed the wedding for three years. After marrying into the Wei family, when have you ever been treated harshly? I merely touched you, my mother had me whipped this many times, yet you still push further. I see now—you’ve spent too much time with Cao Chun Xi, you’ve even forgotten the basic rules of being a wife.”

Since Madam Mo passed away, Xiao Qinghe had not seen Cao Chun Xi. She never expected Wei Lingze to blame her today’s situation on her.

“My husband hurt me first. He doesn’t reflect on his own actions and blames others. Is this the conduct of a proper man?”

Xiao Qinghe retorted. Wei Lingze sneered: “I only hurt you because Cao Chun Xi instigated you to suggest a concubine. You didn’t waver during my three years of paralysis. Had she not provoked you, would you ever have pushed another woman toward me?”

Wei Lingze’s argument had a certain logic. Even Madam Yun, who had wanted to scold him, felt some truth in it.

Qinghe had been understanding and considerate. After the loss of the child, she silently bore it all. It was only after a few days out with Cao Chun Xi that she mentioned taking a concubine.

Thinking this, Madam Yun said immediately: “Qinghe, you are married to Lingze. You share honor and disgrace. You cannot easily believe outsiders’ words.”

Xiao Qinghe looked at her in disbelief. “Mother, as soon as I married in, you entrusted me with nearly half the household’s management. You trusted me to handle the Wei family. Don’t you trust me to discern right from wrong?”

“Of course I trust you can manage the household. But love is different from running a household. I fear you might be deceived.”

Madam Yun’s worry was apparent. She thought that with Cao Chun Xi to blame, Wei Lingze was without fault. If Xiao Qinghe insisted, she might be misled.

Xiao Qinghe found the scene absurd, yet somehow expected.

No matter how fond Madam Yun was, Xiao Qinghe was only a daughter-in-law, not her own flesh and blood. Naturally, Madam Yun would side with Wei Lingze.

Recognizing this, Xiao Qinghe suddenly felt a strong urge to leave.

She no longer loved Wei Lingze and could not maintain the façade of the young mistress. She could not spend the rest of her life here.

She wanted a divorce!

Clenching her handkerchief, she was about to speak when a servant reported: “Madam, Madam Shen sent someone with a gift for the young mistress.”