TSWRLM -Chapter 175 Do You Think I, Cao Chun Xi, Am Easy to Bully?

“Her Highness the Princess is cultivating here. No one is allowed to disturb her!”

The guards at the entrance blocked Prince Ying and the others. Prince Ying simply raised his voice toward the courtyard: “Young Master Wei wishes to see Madam Wei. Please have Madam Wei come out and speak!”

Not long after, the courtyard gate was pushed open by a maid.

Princess Hengyang walked out with Xiao Qinghe, and behind them—Chun Xi.

The moment he saw Chun Xi, Wei Lingze’s eyes practically spat fire. Shen Qingyu, hiding behind, cried out: “Cao Chun Xi—why are you here?!”

Before his words even settled, an older maid behind Princess Hengyang rushed forward and slapped him twice.

“How dare you shout before the Princess!”

Having already been punched by Prince Ying, Shen Qingyu now lost a tooth from the slaps, his face swelling high. Only then did he realize the authority of royalty could not be offended, and he swallowed his anger, keeping silent.

Princess Hengyang didn’t even glance at the others. She looked only at Prince Ying.

“Yunshan Temple is a place for meditation and purity. Elder Brother, you’ve brought so many people here to find me—if you cannot give me a satisfactory explanation, I won’t let this pass.”

Though she smiled, her words carried unmistakable threat.

As the Emperor’s full sister, even Prince Ying had to yield to her somewhat.

Prince Ying looked past her to Xiao Qinghe and said loudly: “Don’t be anxious, Sister. I was disturbed without reason by Young Master Wei, which is why I came here to confront Madam Wei face-to-face. Once the truth is clear, it won’t be too late for you to punish the culprit.”

“And how does Young Master Wei disturbing you concern Madam Wei?”

Princess Hengyang still did not look at Wei Lingze, keeping her gaze on Prince Ying.

Wei Lingze quickly spoke first: “Your Highness, I was lured here by a trap. Please grant me a few days—I will investigate and give both Your Highnesses an explanation!”

He suppressed his anger and lowered his stance.

From the moment he realized he had been tricked, he had thought through many things. Chun Xi’s trap was actually full of flaws—not particularly sophisticated. If he had remained calm, he would never have fallen for it.

But Xiao Yechen’s appearance had shaken him too deeply. And with the constant quarrels between him and He’er lately, he no longer believed she would stand firmly by his side. That panic had made him lose all composure.

As long as Prince Ying and Princess Hengyang didn’t pursue the matter further, things wouldn’t become too ugly.

He had already planned how to apologize—

But Prince Ying gave him no such chance.

“Young Master Wei, when you barged in to catch adultery and slaughtered my guards, why didn’t you think to first investigate the truth?”

Prince Ying showed no intention of sparing his dignity, exposing everything directly.

Wei Lingze clenched his fists. At that moment, he caught sight of Lanshu smiling faintly behind Prince Ying.

Only then did he realize—

They had lured him into Prince Ying’s courtyard not just because of the prince’s status, but because of his private preference for men. By interrupting his affairs and exposing his connection with Wuyou Pavilion before so many people, they had humiliated him.

How could Prince Ying let this go lightly?

Wuyou Pavilion—a place trading in male beauty—why would they help Chun Xi scheme against him like this?

Wei Lingze couldn’t understand it. The frustration nearly made him cough blood.

Because of Prince Ying’s words, all eyes turned to Xiao Qinghe.

She was dressed simply for worship today, with no makeup, yet looked even more pure and refined. Standing in such a solemn place, she even carried a faint air of compassion and divinity.

Such a beautiful woman—even born into an ordinary family, suitors would have lined up endlessly.

Yet she had waited faithfully for her beloved for three years. And now, only months into marriage, she was entangled in a scandal of adultery.

How ironic.

Xiao Qinghe lowered her gaze slightly, not looking at Wei Lingze, lost in thought.

Under the crowd’s murmurs, Princess Hengyang finally turned to Wei Lingze.

“It was I who invited Madam Wei to accompany me today. You even saw me at the city gate—yet you turned around and came here to catch her in the act. Do you not trust your wife, or do you suspect that I am some madam who forces respectable women into prostitution?”

Her tone was gentle, but the pressure behind it was immense.

“Please forgive me, Your Highness. I would never dare!”

Wei Lingze immediately apologized.

But Princess Hengyang was not appeased.

“Whether you dare or not, you’ve already done it. Please give a reasonable explanation.”

With that, she signaled to her attendants. A chair was quickly brought, and she sat down gracefully, waiting.

Wei Lingze’s gaze turned icy—he wished he could skin Chun Xi alive.

To explain himself, he would have to reveal his secret dealings with Mo Yunwan and the surveillance placed on Chun Xi.

But as a junior by status, what right did he have to meddle in his elder’s household?

There was no way to explain that.

Once again, he found himself unable to speak.

Just as he was about to admit fault—claiming his three years of paralysis had made him insecure and suspicious—

Shen Qingyu, that fool, spoke first again: “It was Cao Chun Xi’s scheme! She deliberately spread word that she and Madam Wei would invite attendants from Wuyou Pavilion for entertainment—that’s why we were tricked into coming here!”

Prince Ying, not one for gossip, frowned slightly.

“Who is Cao Chun Xi?”

At that moment, Chun Xi stepped forward.

“Your Highness, I am Cao Chun Xi. My husband is Shen Qingyuan, recently promoted Vice Censor.”

Prince Ying nodded faintly—he had heard of Shen Qingyuan.

“What do you have to say?”

Chun Xi replied calmly: “Your Highness, I never received any invitation from Madam Wei. I came to Yunshan Temple today because last night my mother-in-law appeared in my dream, crying injustice. Feeling uneasy, I came to offer prayers. By chance, I met the Princess and Madam Wei, and thanks to the Princess’s kindness, I was invited into the courtyard to chat.”

She denied everything cleanly, then turned to Shen Qingyu: “Third Brother accuses me of framing Young Master Wei—does he have any witnesses or evidence?”

Shen Qingyu instinctively searched the crowd for Shen Jinhua.

Before he could find her, Chun Xi turned to Wei Lingze: “You and my niece grew up together and share deep affection. I have never been on good terms with you. Upon receiving such a message, you should not have believed it so easily. Why, then, did you come here and act so rashly, disturbing the Prince’s meditation?”

She paused, then added lightly: “Could it be that I bribed your trusted aide, forcing you to believe it?”

Her tone was puzzled, her expression innocent.

But in Wei Lingze’s eyes, it was the greatest provocation of all.

He had always thought Chun Xi was of low status—merely relying on Shen Qingyuan’s backing to throw her weight around.

He thought that after Madam Mo’s death, with Shen Qingyuan in mourning, he would have a chance to deal with her.

But now, standing before him, Chun Xi seemed to mock him with every strand of hair.

Wei Lingze… have you seen clearly now?

Do you really think I, Cao Chun Xi, am someone you can bully?