TSWRLM -Chapter 169 Three Days Later, Go to Wuyou Pavilion

Shen Jinhua was stunned by Chun Xi’s sincere tone and expression. She froze for a long moment before speaking hesitantly: “If you’re really fighting for the Shen family’s inheritance, why not just hand those things over to Grandmother for safekeeping?”

Madam Wu also looked at Chun Xi in puzzlement.

Chun Xi sighed: “I’m afraid that if I hand them to Grandmother, they might end up in mother-in-law’s hands again. After all, if Grandmother could have won against her, Little Aunt, you wouldn’t have been driven out of the Marquis’ residence all these years.”

“…”

Both Shen Jinhua and Madam Wu were left speechless.

They really couldn’t outmatch Madam Mo—not only couldn’t they, but they hadn’t even dared to show up at the Marquis’ residence during holidays. How could they have a chance at competing for the inheritance?

After a moment, Shen Jinhua said again: “Now that your mother-in-law is gone, if you really want to prove what you say is true, shouldn’t you hand over the inheritance?”

“No,” Chun Xi shook her head without hesitation. Shen Jinhua was about to snap, but Chun Xi continued: “Even though mother-in-law is gone, the Third Young Mistress from the Mo family is still around. The second and third brothers side with her. If I hand over the assets, she will seize them and send them to the Mo family.”

“She dares!” Shen Jinhua shouted in anger. “Everyone knows she’s a remarried woman. She has no right to these dowries. Why should she interfere?”

“How could she not dare? If she hadn’t instigated things, Little Aunt, why would you have asked me for those items the moment you returned home?”

Chun Xi brushed her eyes, looking extremely aggrieved.

Shen Jinhua’s thoughts were thrown off balance.

Madam Wu had been frightened by Chun Xi and, although she brought the Shen family back to the Marquis’ residence, she hadn’t mentioned the Xiao family dowries. Shen Jinhua had indeed heard about them from Mo Yunwan.

Could Mo Yunwan really be so ambitious?

Shen Jinhua got lost in thought. Madam Wu coughed twice to bring her back, and Shen Jinhua quickly explained: “No, no one instigated me. As an elder, it’s normal to care a little, isn’t it?”

Chun Xi didn’t expose her, instead following Shen Jinhua’s words: “I am honored to have Little Aunt’s concern, but my earlier words were from the heart. The Third Young Mistress is from the Mo family—how could she ever truly side with the Shen family?”

Shen Jinhua fell silent.

Madam Mo had been ruthless; aside from Marquis Qingyuan, she cut ties with all other Shen family members. Shen Qingyue and Shen Qingyu were also estranged from their own family.

Mo Yunwan, being Madam Mo’s niece, could one day turn against them like Madam Mo did.

Seeing Shen Jinhua waver, Chun Xi continued: “The power to manage the Marquis’ residence is now in the hands of the Third Young Mistress. Father has always been a hands-off manager. Do you think the second and third brothers will let her hand over control to the Shen family?”

Of course not.

Shen Qingyue, Shen Qingyu, and Madam Mo all looked down on the Shen family. They would never submit to them.

If they can’t even regain household control, the Xiao family dowries are out of reach.

Shen Jinhua quickly understood and believed Chun Xi halfway, gritting her teeth: “That wretch… she’s using us as pawns.”

“Cough, cough!”

Madam Wu coughed twice, wanting to warn Shen Jinhua not to be fooled. Mo Yunwan was already untrustworthy, and this Cao Chun Xi even more so!

Before she could speak, Chun Xi produced two deeds from her sleeve and handed them to Shen Jinhua: “My husband is still guarding the tomb. I cannot use his mother’s dowry without permission. These are deeds for two shops under my name, as a small token of sincerity to Little Aunt.”

These two shops had been a small gift from Shen Qingyue when Chun Xi first married in—a meeting gift for her as the new Eldest Sister-in-law. Now, used to win over the Shen family, Chun Xi didn’t feel the slightest regret.

Shen Jinhua’s eyes lit up when she saw the deeds.

When their family came to Hanjing, they had spent all their savings on the journey. When driven out of the Marquis’ residence, Madam Mo had stingily given them only a thousand taels. Her brothers each got enough to settle down, but as a daughter, Shen Jinhua had gotten nothing.

Eventually, she married a low-ranking city gate officer as a way to remain in Hanjing. With a modest salary and three children, life was tight. When she privately approached Marquis Qingyuan, she was either scolded or given a few scraps of silver.

These two shops were a huge boon. She quickly accepted them, unable to keep a stern face, smiling widely: “You are too polite. Your reasoning earlier was sound. How could Little Aunt not believe you?”

Madam Wu also stared fixedly at the two deeds, unable to look away.

Her sons and daughters, though settled in Hanjing, had children and big expenses. With aging and less favor, having some assets in hand meant her children would vie to show filial respect.

Shen Jinhua didn’t intend to show the deeds to Madam Wu. She neatly folded them, tucked them into her chest, and began chatting warmly with Chun Xi.

Madam Wu felt envious.

Chun Xi noted their reactions carefully and, while chatting, hinted at the amount of the Xiao family dowry, then said with concern: “The Third Young Mistress has been missing for years, suddenly returns, and remarries into the third brother’s household. I’m worried she has someone behind her scheming to seize the Marquis’ assets.”

Holding the deeds to the two shops, Shen Jinhua listened carefully and immediately agreed: “I’ve long suspected her. A weak woman, drifting for so many years—how could she return unscathed?”

Seeing Shen Jinhua benefit tangibly, Madam Wu also cursed: “That little vixen is quite cunning. Only the Third Young Master is blind. If she dares conspire with outsiders to seize the Marquis’ assets, I won’t spare her!”

Chun Xi was very pleased with their changing attitudes. She said: “Since Grandmother and Little Aunt are willing to believe me, I have a plan to expose her true nature.”

Chun Xi gestured, and Madam Wu and Shen Jinhua leaned closer. She whispered a few words, and both lit up in understanding, nodding repeatedly in agreement.

The next day, Xiao Qinghe sent a box of pastries to the Marquis’ residence, insisting they be handed directly to Chun Xi.

Shortly after Chun Xi received the pastries in the main hall, Shen Jinhua burst into Mo Yunwan’s courtyard: “Wan’er, quick, quick! I’ve made a major discovery!”

She plopped into a chair, wiping sweat, not explaining yet, and demanded: “I’m dying of thirst! Pour me some water first.”

After Mo Yunwan handed her water, Shen Jinhua said: “Don’t just stand there, fan me! Can’t you see I’m sweating?”

Mo Yunwan, annoyed, fanned her and asked: “What exactly did you discover?”

Shen Jinhua rolled her eyes: “This is a discovery that could ruin Cao Chun Xi. Are you just going to listen for nothing?”

She rubbed her thumb and forefinger, signaling Mo Yunwan to give her money.

Mo Yunwan nearly lost her patience but restrained herself, handing over a small silver coin.

“Just this much?”

Having been fed on the two shops, Shen Jinhua scoffed at such a tiny coin.

Mo Yunwan, losing patience, frowned: “Little Aunt, just tell me what you discovered first. If it’s really important, I won’t shortchange you.”

Shen Jinhua pocketed the coin, grinning: “Just now, Madam Wei sent a box of pastries. Hidden inside was a secret note—inviting Cao Chun Xi to Wuyou Pavilion three days later. How’s that for powerful information?”