TSWRLM -Chapter 18 He Would Decide His Own Marriage

Madam Xiao was fifty-three this year. Although it wasn’t a milestone birthday, the family still gathered several tables of relatives.

Early in the morning, Xiao Qinghe and Xiao Qingyue personally went to the Songhe Courtyard to help Madam Xiao dress and prepare.

One was lively, the other gentle, and they both showered Madam Xiao with compliments, praising her youthful beauty. Madam Xiao beamed, barely able to stop smiling. Soon after, Madam Xiao’s other family members came to pay their respects.

With so many children grown and thriving, the household looked full of life, making anyone who saw it feel happy. Madam Xiao rewarded everyone generously.

After a short while of casual chatter, the Wei family arrived.

The marriage between the Wei and Xiao families had been stalled for a long time. Today, they planned to use Madam Xiao’s birthday as an excuse to discuss a wedding date. Madam Xiao knew this was the real purpose and immediately had Madam Xiao (the younger Madam) lead the family to the front yard to receive them.

The Xiao family had been at fault regarding this marriage, so a humble attitude was appropriate.

Once they left, Songhe Courtyard quieted down.

The smile on Madam Xiao’s face also faded. She sipped her ginseng tea and sat quietly. About the time it would take for an incense stick to burn, a servant reported: “Madam, the Lady of Qingyuan Houfu has arrived.”

“Quickly, bring them over!”

Madam Xiao spoke eagerly, her eyes brightening again. She carefully checked her appearance once more before settling back into her seat.

Soon, led by the servants, the group entered the courtyard.

Madam Mo walked at the front, followed by Shen Qingyuan and Madam Mo’s two sons and daughter. Madam Xiao’s gaze never left Shen Qingyuan.

This child was truly becoming more and more like him.

Old memories surged, and her eyes glistened with tears, but she quickly suppressed them.

Once inside, Madam Mo performed her formal greeting first, then Shen Qingyuan, followed by his siblings, offered birthday respects.

Shen Qingyue and Shen Qingyu had prepared gifts separately. Shen Qingchi had put effort into making a longevity waist pillow for Madam Xiao.

Only Shen Qingyuan arrived empty-handed, without preparing anything.

Madam Mo didn’t explain for him, simply making small talk about Shen Qingyue’s praise at the Yun family school and his upcoming participation in the spring examination next year.

Between the lines, she subtly sought the Xiao family’s support, hoping they would help Shen Qingyue secure a good position after the results were announced.

Madam Xiao responded lightly, occasionally agreeing, while Madam Mo enthusiastically continued, talking about her three children’s marriage prospects.

The Qingyuan Hou was of humble origin; Shen Qingyuan had been granted the title of marquis for military merits, but had little standing in Hanjing. Since the realm was unified, the Houfu had gradually declined. While not entirely unmarriageable, they couldn’t reach the level of wealthy noble families.

Madam Mo was unwilling to accept this and tried to seek the Xiao family’s help, hinting that she was even willing to use her youngest daughter’s marriage as leverage.

At this, Madam Xiao calmly said: “You are too modest, Madam. Haven’t you managed Yuan’er’s marriage quite well? Why involve outsiders?”

Madam Mo’s expression stiffened.

Shen Qingyuan had married twice, but both wives had passed away. Not only did he leave no heirs, he was also notorious for being “unlucky to wives.”

Madam Xiao’s words—claiming she had managed well—were clearly a hidden rebuke. Madam Mo grew uneasy.

The first wife of the Qingyuan Hou had been Madam Xiao’s youngest sister, the one Shen Qingyuan was born from. He addressed Madam Xiao as “aunt,” and without this connection, Madam Mo wouldn’t even have the right to set foot in the Xiao household.

At first, Madam Mo had been cautious, always prioritizing Shen Qingyuan in everything. But after years as the main lady of the Houfu, with her children growing up and Shen Qingyuan becoming increasingly cold, paying little attention during visits, her mindset had changed.

Six years ago, Grandfather Xiao passed away, and Madam Mo became even more brazen.

Although Madam Xiao was Shen Qingyuan’s aunt by marriage, they weren’t blood-related, and with grandchildren around, she had little energy to manage this nephew.

Yet Madam Xiao’s earlier words clearly stood up for Shen Qingyuan.

Could it be that Shen Qingyuan had privately shown goodwill toward the Xiao family?

But Shen Qingyuan had spent ten unremarkable years in the Jingzhao Prefecture—not exactly a promising talent. Why would Madam Xiao take notice?

Madam Mo’s thoughts raced. Gritting her teeth, she said: “Sister-in-law, your words shame me. I’ve misjudged people and harmed Yuan’er. That’s why I dare not entrust him further, and now I hope you can help oversee matters.”

With this, Madam Mo effectively handed over Shen Qingyuan’s marriage to Madam Xiao’s control.

After all, Shen Qingyuan’s reputation was already tarnished; he was cold, constantly dealing with corpses and criminals. Even if Madam Xiao personally intervened, no noble family would likely marry a daughter to him as a second wife.

Once Madam Xiao oversaw Shen Qingyuan’s marriage, she couldn’t easily refuse handling the marriages of Qingyue and Qingyu either.

Madam Xiao clearly saw through Madam Mo’s schemes but didn’t mind. She was about to ask what kind of girl Shen Qingyuan liked, but he spoke firmly: “I have never blamed Mother. Since you dare not interfere with my marriage anymore, my marriage will be decided by myself.”

Having said this, Shen Qingyuan strode out of Songhe Courtyard.

Madam Mo pretended to scold him as she hurried after: “You child, how can you speak to your aunt this way? She only wants what’s best for you.”

By the time she finished speaking, Shen Qingyuan’s figure had already disappeared outside.

Madam Mo tried to redirect the topic to her own children, but Madam Xiao interrupted: “Yuan’er is no longer a child. If he wants to decide for himself, let him.”

“And Qingyue…”

Madam Xiao didn’t give Madam Mo a chance to speak further and told her maid: “Let’s go to the front yard and see what’s happening.”

Madam Mo: “…”

This old woman clearly had no intention of helping her!

——

It was Chun Xi’s first time visiting the Xiao family.

The Xiao household was a prestigious lineage. Their residence had been expanded multiple times, even larger than the Wei family’s. With a favored consort in the palace, the family had become increasingly prosperous. Chun Xi marveled at the carved beams and painted halls.

Many things were new to her, but she kept her head down, not daring to look around.

However, after passing several archways, she began to feel something was wrong.

This didn’t seem like the way to the backyard.

The backyards of noble houses were reserved for female family members, served only by maids and housekeepers—never by male staff. But Chun Xi noticed guards walking around.

On high alert, she prepared herself. When someone suddenly rushed at her from behind with a sack, she instinctively dodged and kicked them to the ground.

“I have something very important to discuss with your young mistress. If it’s delayed, can you take responsibility?”

Chun Xi shouted, trying to intimidate them. But as soon as she spoke, seven or eight more guards surrounded her.

They carried ropes as thick as thumbs and heavy sticks, radiating murderous intent.

The maid who had guided her spat and said coldly: “You shameless little fox! You dare come here? Tie her up and beat her to death immediately!”