TSWRLM -Chapter 179 Karma Comes Full Circle, Retribution Never Fails

“Ze’er, hurry and admit your mistake to your father. Stop holding on stubbornly.”

Madam Yun tried her best to persuade him. When Wei Lingze remained unmoved, she turned to persuade his father instead—but was met with a glare.

“I’ve said it long ago—an overly indulgent mother ruins her son. If you hadn’t spoiled him so much, he wouldn’t collapse at the slightest setback. Do you think I don’t know how much you’ve covered up for him over the past three years?”

Wei Lingze’s temper hadn’t turned like this overnight. Even before Chun Xi, the servants in Lingfeng Courtyard had been replaced again and again—all quietly settled by Madam Yun with money.

Later, when Wei Lingze improved slightly, he even took Chun Xi out to attend banquets, completely disregarding Xiao Qinghe and the Xiao family’s dignity. Every time his father tried to discipline him, Madam Yun would intervene.

Now Wei Lingze had caused a great disaster, lost his official post, and still refused to repent. If he continued to be indulged, he would truly become lawless.

The more Madam Yun tried to persuade him, the angrier his father became. He ordered the servants to strike harder, and soon Wei Lingze was beaten unconscious.

Only when his father relented did Madam Yun immediately have Wei Lingze carried back to Lingfeng Courtyard and summoned a physician from Huichun Hall.

This time, his father had not held back—Wei Lingze was badly injured. He wouldn’t be able to get out of bed for at least a month, and he would need especially careful care in the coming days. If the wounds became infected, his suffering would only worsen.

Madam Yun was heartbroken. After seeing the physician off, she asked Xiao Qinghe what had happened.

Lowering her gaze, Xiao Qinghe spoke gently, “I followed Mother’s instructions to visit my husband, but he thought I was there to mock him. He shouted for me to get out. When I refused, he struck me. It just so happened that Father saw it, and in anger, he used family punishment.”

“How could Ze’er be so reckless? Someone, quickly bring ointment to treat the young madam’s face,” Madam Yun said, distressed at Xiao Qinghe’s swollen cheek. Then she added, “I know you’ve suffered, He’er, but your father-in-law has already vented your anger. Now that Ze’er is injured like this, he won’t harm anyone again. Let him stay in Lingfeng Courtyard to recover for the time being, alright?”

If husband and wife kept living separately, how could their relationship improve? Taking advantage of this situation to let them stay together meant this beating hadn’t been for nothing.

Madam Yun comforted herself inwardly.

Xiao Qinghe did not refuse and nodded. “Alright.”

Madam Yun stayed by Wei Lingze’s side a while longer before leaving in tears.

Once she was sure Madam Yun had gone far, Quezhi leaned in and whispered, “Luckily Madam didn’t suspect that it was you who had me lead the master over. The master was really ruthless—if Madam found out, she might blame you.”

Xiao Qinghe glanced at the unconscious Wei Lingze on the bed and said faintly, “I have no intention of being of one heart with her son. Over time, resentment is inevitable.”

Quezhi immediately looked worried. “But this isn’t your fault. It’s just that the young master’s temper has become unpredictable. You were raised like a precious jewel—how can you keep lowering yourself to please him?”

Yes.

Wei Lingze couldn’t put himself in her shoes, and she couldn’t abandon her dignity to accommodate him forever. Rather than growing to resent each other in the future, it would be better to separate early and preserve some dignity for both sides.

But Chun Xi was already married, and he still clung stubbornly to the past. He likely wouldn’t let her go easily.

This matter required careful planning.

Though Xiao Qinghe had already made up her mind, she revealed nothing on her face. She instructed the maids to take good care of Wei Lingze and went into the adjoining room to read.

After punishing Wei Lingze, his father personally took Madam Yun to the Xiao residence to apologize.

Though they showed great sincerity and humility, the expressions of Xiao Qinghe’s parents remained unpleasant.

Madam Xiao spoke first, her voice pained: “He’er has been sensible since childhood. Once she chooses someone, she never turns back. I’m not afraid of offending you by saying this—if not for He’er’s insistence, the Xiao family would not have merely postponed the wedding back then. Yet now, only a few months into the marriage, Wei Lingze suspects her of infidelity. How is this supposed to reflect on He’er? And how are the daughters of the Xiao family supposed to carry themselves?”

The matter had already caused a great stir. The Xiao family hadn’t stormed the Wei residence to demand an explanation—they were already exercising great restraint by discussing things calmly.

Madam Yun, thinking of Wei Lingze’s injuries, couldn’t help but defend him: “Please calm your anger. My husband has already punished Ze’er severely—he’s still lying unconscious in bed. This time it’s indeed his fault, but the past three years dealt him a huge blow. He’s only suspicious because he fears he’s no longer worthy of He’er…”

Hearing this, Madam Xiao felt a chill in her heart.

If Madam Yun could excuse him like this in front of them, who knew how much she expected He’er to endure in private?

Unable to hold back, Madam Xiao interrupted: “Are you trying to have it both ways? If Wei Lingze truly thought he wasn’t worthy, why didn’t he break off the engagement during those three years? Instead, He’er endured three years of gossip. Now that they’re married, he treats her so harshly. She wasn’t the one who caused his injury—why should she and the Xiao family bear all of this?”

By the end, her voice trembled, and tears fell. Afraid she might say something even harsher, she hurriedly left.

The atmosphere turned stiff. Wei Lingze’s father shot Madam Yun a look before apologizing again. No matter what, it was the Wei family’s failure in raising their son that had caused such disgrace, damaging both families’ reputations and turning them into a laughingstock.

Master Xiao remained calm, but his stance was firm.

If Wei Lingze could not improve his temper and treat Xiao Qinghe well, the Xiao family would never stand by and watch their daughter suffer.

Hearing hints of severing ties or even divorce, both Wei Lingze’s father and Madam Yun felt alarmed and repeatedly assured them that Xiao Qinghe would never be wronged again.

The meeting ended unpleasantly. The Xiao family did not ask them to stay, and the couple soon took their leave.

Just as they were about to reach the gate, they suddenly saw Chun Xi being led in by a servant.

Still in mourning, Chun Xi was dressed plainly, but her eyes were bright, her face rosy, and she looked full of vitality.

Madam Yun, who already understood the general situation, saw how well Chun Xi looked and immediately burned with anger. She shook off her husband and strode forward to block Chun Xi.

“As a young madam still in mourning, you should refuse social visits and remain at home observing filial piety. How can you come to someone else’s residence—and smile so brightly?”

Her tone was harsh, her face full of anger, her presence imposing.

Before, Chun Xi would have already knelt and begged for forgiveness. But now, she merely gave a slight bow and spoke calmly: “Though I am still in mourning, the Jingzhao Prefecture has already determined that my mother-in-law was murdered. I smile because her injustice will soon be cleared. Additionally, an envoy from a neighboring state will soon arrive, and His Majesty has ordered my husband to resume his post early. I have thus been released from restrictions and came specifically to inform my aunt of this good news. If Madam Wei still finds anything improper, please feel free to say so—I will humbly accept your guidance.”

Her words made both Madam Yun and Wei Lingze’s father change expression.

Previously, Wei Lingze had risen by stepping on Shen Qingyuan. But not long after, Shen Qingyuan had been promoted to the Censorate, holding a higher rank.

By all rights, after Madam Mo’s death, Shen Qingyuan should have taken three years of mourning leave. Yet now, it was Wei Lingze who had been suspended indefinitely, while Shen Qingyuan had resumed his post early.

In comparison—it seemed like karma coming full circle, retribution delivered without fail.