TSWRLM -Chapter 180 And Now the Madam Has the Right?

In the Pine Crane Courtyard, when the news came that Shen Qingyuan could return to his post early, Old Madam Xiao laughed with joy: “Yuan’er has been inactive for ten years. Finally, he entered the Censorate, and yet such a thing happened. I worried he would be discouraged, but unexpectedly, fate has taken a turn, and he’s back in office so quickly—this is wonderful!”

Madam Xiao, hearing that Chun Xi had arrived, also came to the courtyard. Seeing the elder madam so pleased, she nodded in agreement: “Thanks to A-Xi’s alertness, discovering that Madam Mo’s death was a murder, Yuan’er truly married a treasure.”

Old Madam Xiao was very satisfied with Chun Xi. She wanted to send someone to fetch a reward from her private treasury, but Chun Xi kneeled first: “Aunt, cousin, you overpraise me. Actually, I did not come today to deliver good news, but to apologize.”

Chun Xi recounted the entire sequence of events at Yunshan Temple: “I suspected Mo Yunwan had someone backing her, and tried to lure the person out by using He’er and Princess Hengyang. But I didn’t expect my brother-in-law to receive news and rush over to catch them, causing both families’ reputations to suffer. Aunt and cousin, you may deal with me as you see fit.”

Chun Xi actually guessed that the person behind Mo Yunwan was Wei Lingze, but she could not say this in front of Old Madam Xiao and Madam Xiao.

Old Madam Xiao didn’t speak immediately. After a brief pause, Madam Xiao helped Chun Xi to her feet: “Good girl. If you hadn’t blown the matter up, He’er would still have suffered silently. Now everyone knows that Wei Lingze has become irritable and violent. If he does not repent, it would be reasonable for the Xiao family to request a divorce from the Wei family.”

In prominent families, reputation was everything. Madam Xiao, as the matriarch, though she worried about her daughter, could not act recklessly. By making the incident public, Wei Lingze’s injury and paralysis were no longer tools he could use to pressure the Xiao family—they had become his own blemish. This was extremely advantageous to the Xiao family.

Seeing Madam Xiao bring up divorce first, Chun Xi took the opportunity to say: “Since cousin loves He’er so dearly, there are some things I need not hide from cousin either.”

Chun Xi’s expression was unusually serious. Madam Xiao pulled her to sit, while Old Madam Xiao dismissed the servants.

In the quiet room, only Chun Xi spoke calmly: “In the previous case involving the Ye family, my husband discovered many anomalies. On our journey back from Xuzhou, he and I experienced several assassination attempts. These past days, he has been investigating secretly and has now gathered some leads. He has not shared the details with me, but all the clues point to Wei Lingze.”

Madam Xiao knew the relationship between Old Madam Xiao and Shen Qingyuan. After hearing Chun Xi, she was both shocked and angry: “Has Wei Lingze gone mad? He’er must have told him how highly we value Yuan’er. Why would he harm Yuan’er so?”

While Madam Xiao was still in shock, Old Madam Xiao already understood the source of Wei Lingze’s murderous intent.

Shen Qingyuan had been low-profile in Jingzhao Prefecture for ten years. Though not sociable, he did not make enemies, and had no encounters with Wei Lingze. The only connection between the two now was Chun Xi.

After caring for Wei Lingze for three years, Chun Xi leaving may have made him realize he could not let go. Observing Shen Qingyuan’s recent progress, Old Madam Xiao sighed silently—no wonder he suddenly became ambitious; he feared losing love to a rival.

Shen Qingyuan and Wei Lingze would eventually face each other in court. If the evidence was solid, Wei Lingze would be dismissed at best, exiled at worst. If Xiao Qinghe wanted to avoid being implicated, she needed to secure a divorce beforehand.

Madam Xiao quickly realized this and frowned: “Even if He’er wanted a divorce, the Wei family likely wouldn’t release her easily.”

If the Wei family had intended to end the marriage, they would have done so when Wei Lingze was injured, instead of waiting until now.

Chun Xi reassured gently: “Cousin needn’t worry too much. Once He’er fully gives up on Wei Lingze, she’ll find a way to secure a divorce. With her intelligence, escaping unscathed shouldn’t be difficult.”

But those involved often cannot see clearly. What if He’er still clings to past feelings?

Madam Xiao remained worried, but Old Madam Xiao laughed: “A-Xi is right. He’er is the girl I raised. Though gentle, she won’t allow anyone to manipulate her. She has now hit a wall; she should be clearer-headed than an outsider.”

Old Madam Xiao’s keen judgment reassured Madam Xiao, though she could not help tears welling up. Her daughter, such a fine girl, ruined by Wei Lingze!

Leaving the Xiao residence, Chun Xi went straight back to the new home.

Due to the investigation by Jingzhao Prefecture, Madam Mo’s coffin was exhumed. Shen Qingyuan, no longer needing to guard the tomb, had already returned.

From afar, Chun Xi smelled the aroma of food and quickened her pace. Upon entering, she saw Shen Qingyuan coming out of the small kitchen.

For convenience in cooking, he had rolled up his sleeves, revealing strong, well-shaped forearms. Gone was the cold, imposing aura he showed outside; he now radiated a domestic, husbandly warmth.

Though only a few days apart, seeing this made Chun Xi’s eyes prick with emotion. She instinctively hugged him around the waist: “Husband, you are a grand third-rank minister, and yet you still cook for me yourself?”

“You, Madam, are the wife of a grand third-rank minister. Eating meals cooked by your husband is only natural.”

Chun Xi laughed, quickly washing her hands to help serve the dishes.

Just the two of them eating, Shen Qingyuan had prepared three dishes and a soup:

Stir-fried eggs with chives

Stir-fried liver and kidney

Braised beef

Goji berry stewed lamb soup

Chun Xi glanced at the dishes and then at Shen Qingyuan, hesitating to speak. He, however, appeared calm: “What’s wrong? These dishes not to your taste?”

She shook her head, finally asking: “Husband, are you feeling unwell? Why are today’s dishes all tonics to strengthen the kidneys and vitality?”

“Oh? These dishes have such effects?”

Shen Qingyuan raised an eyebrow, feigning surprise—it was clearly deliberate.

Chun Xi sensed something was wrong and tried to change the subject, but he slapped a piece of paper on the table: “I found this menu in the room. It’s all these types of dishes. I thought Madam was dissatisfied with your husband.”

Chun Xi: “…!!!”

This was the menu the doctor had given her at the clinic. She had just returned home when Mo Yunwan called her back to the mansion, leaving no time to destroy it!

“Husband, let me explain, it’s like this…”

Chun Xi hurriedly explained the incident outside the clinic with Wei Lingze and Xiao Qinghe, saying: “I only lied to find out if He’er was in danger. I have absolutely no dissatisfaction with you.”

“So Madam slandered your husband outside and still felt justified?”

“…”

As the saying goes, absence makes the heart grow fonder—especially for Shen Qingyuan, who had just claimed righteousness and eaten so much.

Chun Xi felt like dough, kneaded and pressed from all sides, until she no longer knew if she had fainted or just passed out from exhaustion.

The next day, utterly drained, Chun Xi slept the entire day, unaware of anything happening in the courtyard.