TSWRLM -Chapter 177 What Are You Barking About Here?

No matter what Princess Hengyang asked, Mo Yunwan only cried and insisted on her innocence. After crying for a while, she even fainted outright.

Princess Hengyang was just about to have someone splash cold water on her to wake her up when Chun Xi spoke gently, “Last night, my mother-in-law came to me in a dream, saying she died tragically at the hands of Third Sister-in-law. I will go down the mountain shortly and beat the drum at the Jingzhao Prefecture to seek justice. At that time, the Prefecture will naturally investigate the case clearly, so there’s no need to trouble Your Highness.”

Princess Hengyang raised an eyebrow.

Though she and Prince Ying were of noble status, they did not have the authority to directly convict someone. She had thought Chun Xi would take the opportunity to ask her to intervene, but instead Chun Xi had already prepared a backup plan and wouldn’t trouble her at all.

Bold, yet measured—not the type to blindly cling to power.

This temperament suited her taste perfectly.

The more Princess Hengyang thought about it, the more she liked Chun Xi. But Shen Qingyu, as if his sore spot had been struck, exploded in anger: “Cao Chun Xi, what nonsense are you talking about? My mother was clearly angered to death by you—what does this have to do with Wan’er?”

Chun Xi glanced at Shen Qingyu coldly. “Whether it has anything to do with her will be known once the Jingzhao Prefecture investigates. Why are you barking at me here?”

“You—!”

Shen Qingyu tried to rush forward and hit Chun Xi, but was stopped by the warrior monks of Yunshan Temple.

“Benefactor, you have been causing trouble in the temple all day and have already violated the temple rules. Please come to the Discipline Hall to receive punishment.”

Though they said “please,” Shen Qingyu was directly lifted up and carried away, his curses at Chun Xi growing even more vicious.

Chun Xi ignored him completely and curiously moved closer to Princess Hengyang. “This is my first time at Yunshan Temple. May I ask what punishments are given in the Discipline Hall?”

“There are over a thousand rules at Yunshan Temple. Violating different rules leads to different punishments. He spoke recklessly, slandered others, and disrupted sacred grounds—at the very least, he will receive twenty blows from the monks’ staff and forty strikes as punishment for his mouth. For half a month, he likely won’t be able to get out of bed or speak.”

After hearing this, Chun Xi gave a thumbs-up. “The Buddha is wise!”

This Yunshan Temple truly was a blessed place—she would have to come worship more often in the future.

After the commotion ended, the crowd of worshippers dispersed. Chun Xi also hurried to go down the mountain to report the injustice at the Jingzhao Prefecture. Princess Hengyang lent her two guards to help escort Mo Yunwan there.

“Thank you, Your Highness. You are truly a good person.”

Chun Xi thanked her sincerely, leaving Princess Hengyang momentarily dazed.

How many years had it been since she’d heard such heartfelt praise? Others only called her a tyrannical, unorthodox, vicious woman.

The two guards carried Mo Yunwan in turns and moved quickly, leaving Chun Xi and Shen Jinhua behind.

With no one else around, Shen Jinhua leaned in and asked softly, “A-Xi, was your mother-in-law really killed by that Mo Yunwan?”

Shen Jinhua had always wanted to benefit from the Marquis household, but even with ten times the courage, she wouldn’t dare harm Madam Mo.

And just now, facing Prince Ying and Princess Hengyang, she hadn’t even dared to breathe loudly. Her heart was still pounding.

She had thought Chun Xi’s plan to expose Mo Yunwan would only be some minor scheming. She never imagined it would involve the royal family—and Princess Hengyang even seemed quite familiar with Chun Xi. Back then, Madam Mo had never had such influence.

If Mo Yunwan were brought down, would Chun Xi really return Madam Xiao’s dowry to the Shen family?

Shen Jinhua’s thoughts churned uneasily.

Chun Xi replied gently, “I don’t know if it’s true either. But since my mother-in-law told me in a dream, we’ll know once the Prefecture investigates.”

Going down the mountain was easier than climbing up. In less than the time it takes to burn an incense stick, they reached the foot of the mountain.

Chun Xi was searching for the carriage when she suddenly saw Shen Qingyuan sitting in the driver’s seat in place of the coachman.

Remembering his earlier warning, Chun Xi felt a bit guilty. Shen Jinhua had already walked over: “Yuan’er, when did you come down? I couldn’t find you earlier—you have no idea how dangerous things just were…”

She climbed into the carriage and recounted everything that had happened, then suddenly slapped her forehead: “Third Brother is still being punished in the Discipline Hall. A-Xi and I are exhausted—why don’t you go pick him up?”

“No need. He knows the way himself.”

Shen Qingyuan refused directly. Seeing Chun Xi lingering beside the carriage, he lifted his gaze toward her. “Why isn’t my wife getting in?”

Only then did Chun Xi step forward, but instead of entering the carriage, she sat beside him outside, trying to please him. “Husband, why did you come as well?”

She had thought Mo Yunwan would find a way to send him away and only let Shen Qingyu cause trouble.

“Such a major incident occurred—should I not come?” Shen Qingyuan replied, not even looking at her.

Before Chun Xi could answer, he flicked the whip and drove the carriage forward.

The sudden motion made Chun Xi lean back. Instinctively, she grabbed his arm—and simply didn’t let go. Leaning closer, she whispered in his ear: “After I separated from you, Mo Yunwan used mourning as an excuse to make me return to the Marquis residence. She’s in charge there now, so it’s inconvenient for me to move freely, and there are people watching me in secret. I had no choice but to act according to the situation.”

“Aren’t you afraid that I might hear rumors and misunderstand you?” he asked.

“You’re brilliant at judging cases—you wouldn’t be deceived by rumors. And I’ve been nothing but sincere toward you. You should have felt that clearly these days, right?”

Chun Xi winked at him, then quickly added: “Besides, when I saw Mo Yunwan at the temple, I guessed you were secretly helping me. Not only are you insightful, but we’re also in perfect sync—why would I need to consult you separately?”

Her flattery came wave after wave, but Shen Qingyuan still kept a stern face and withdrew his arm.

“So you couldn’t find a chance to discuss things with me, yet you managed to contact Wuyou Pavilion—and even dared to scheme against Prince Ying and Princess Hengyang. I never expected my wife to have such far-reaching abilities.”

“…Husband, it’s a long story.”

“No matter. Take your time.”

“…Alright.”

Chun Xi then carefully explained how she had conspired with Lanshu and Xiao Yechen.

Meanwhile, Wei Lingze had already taken Xiao Qinghe and galloped back to the city.

Having held it in the entire journey, Wei Lingze roughly dragged Xiao Qinghe off the horse as soon as they dismounted.

The moment they entered the residence, he demanded: “You knew Cao Chun Xi’s plan, didn’t you?”

His grip hurt her wrist. Xiao Qinghe looked at him coldly and asked in return: “Do you mean that I knowingly cooperated with my aunt-in-law and the princess, staged everything, and lured you to Yunshan Temple to catch ‘adultery’—all while you were secretly having Mo Yunwan monitor her every move?”

For Chun Xi to set a trap for Wei Lingze, the premise was that he himself had ill intentions—sending people to spy in secret. Moreover, if he had trusted his wife, he wouldn’t have fallen into such an obvious trap.

But he trusted neither the love nor the character of the person beside his pillow.

Xiao Qinghe’s gaze was calm and cold. Though her tone was gentle, it carried a sharpness that exposed the most hidden, shameful parts of Wei Lingze’s heart.

Wei Lingze’s expression darkened as he pressed, “I’m the one asking you. Answer me!”

“Yes,” Xiao Qinghe replied coldly. “I joined hands with her to harm you. Are you satisfied now?”

Wei Lingze’s temples throbbed—this wasn’t the answer he wanted.

“That’s impossible. We are husband and wife—this wouldn’t benefit you at all. And you love me so much—you couldn’t possibly help that wretch harm me. He’er, what you just said was only out of anger, right?”

By the end, his tone softened, hoping she would change her answer.

Xiao Qinghe looked at him with pity. After a long pause, she said: “Wei Lingze… you’re truly sick.”