TSWRLM -Chapter 185 Your Husband Can Heat Your Meal for You

“Husband, you mustn’t say things like that casually. If I ever had a second thought about you, not just my father, even the ancestors of the old Cao family would not forgive me from beyond the grave!”

Chun Xi leapt forward and covered Shen Qingyuan’s mouth.

She moved too quickly, and Shen Qingyuan, along with the chair beneath him, tilted backward.

He immediately wrapped his arms around Chun Xi’s waist to prevent her from falling and getting hurt.

Chun Xi didn’t notice this small detail, her gaze fixed earnestly on him. “Marrying you in this life is the luckiest thing for me. Even if you age before me, I would never disdain you, nor could I ever fall for another. I, Cao Chun Xi, in this lifetime, love only you. If I were to betray this, I… would meet with misfortune…”

She was about to swear an oath of venom, but Shen Qingyuan, quick and nimble, pressed a hand to her lips, stopping her from finishing the last word.

“All right, I already know your heart, you needn’t go to such lengths,” he said, then looked at A-Li. “From now on, you will stay with me. I’ll explain the rules later. You may leave.”

After A-Li stepped away, Chun Xi still lay in Shen Qingyuan’s arms, unwilling to get up. Shen Qingyuan patted her on the rear: “If you don’t get up, this chair is going to break.”

Chun Xi didn’t move, softly whining, “Husband, since you and the Princess Consort were classmates, you clearly knew the Princess and I weren’t just out for a normal outing today, yet you deliberately watched me make a fool of myself. My heart feels so hurt, I can’t get up.”

As she spoke, she wrapped her arms around Shen Qingyuan’s neck and straddled his lap.

The situation instantly reversed; it was now Chun Xi interrogating him.

Shen Qingyuan’s eyes darkened slightly, but he didn’t hurry to make her get down. In a gentle voice, he said, “You’ve spent today looking at a group of young handsome lads—shouldn’t I be the one feeling hurt?”

“They were like flowers in a garden, blooming beautifully. I just admired them for a moment, then forgot. But you, husband, are rooted in my heart. I think of you constantly, every moment,” Chun Xi said firmly, now feeling fully justified.

Shen Qingyuan liked her boldness before him and no longer teased her, speaking seriously: “I was indeed classmates with the Princess Consort, and we were close. Before marrying the Princess, he actually had someone he liked. I once advised him to resist the imperial edict and not marry her, but the Princess overheard it by accident.”

“….”

Ruining someone’s romance and getting caught in the act—Chun Xi felt embarrassed on his behalf.

She furrowed her brows: “How many years ago was that? Surely you don’t think the Princess still holds a grudge and is using this to get back at you, right?”

As soon as the words left her mouth, Shen Qingyuan tapped her forehead lightly. He didn’t use much force, but Chun Xi immediately realized she had misspoken and hurriedly corrected herself. Shen Qingyuan continued, “After their marriage, they didn’t live happily. The Princess wants to be friendly with you and even sent someone to you. It’s likely her way of thanking me for my reminder back then.”

Indeed, a Princess’s way of showing gratitude and giving thanks was rather unique.

Chun Xi silently admired this, trying to suppress her curiosity, but still asked: “Since the Princess Consort didn’t resist the imperial edict, he must have willingly let go of his old love to live a proper life with the Princess. Why was it unsatisfactory? Did that former lover do something?”

“I’m not entirely sure about the specifics, but the Princess Consort had long severed ties with her,” Shen Qingyuan replied.

“Why are you so certain?”

“Because after marrying the Princess, that woman married the youngest son of the Grand Tutor, becoming his fifth wife. Shortly after, she moved with her husband to permanently reside in Wengzhou.”

Wengzhou and Hanjing were a thousand miles apart; the two indeed couldn’t maintain a connection.

Chun Xi nodded, preparing to return to her seat, but felt Shen Qingyuan’s arms tighten around her waist. She sensed something was amiss and hurriedly reminded him: “Husband, we haven’t finished eating yet. I’ve only had two bites.”

In that position, Shen Qingyuan carried Chun Xi toward the house: “No matter, we can eat later.”

“But… the food will get cold.”

Chun Xi tried to struggle, but Shen Qingyuan closed the door and pinned her against it. “Your husband can heat the meal for you.”

“But… mmph!”

Her words were cut off as he sealed her lips.

Perhaps wanting to prove he was no less bold than a seventeen- or eighteen-year-old youth, Shen Qingyuan was daring. Chun Xi’s waist nearly scraped against the door frame.

In the end, Shen Qingyuan did honor his promise and heated the meal, but Chun Xi didn’t even have the strength to pick up her chopsticks.

The next day, Chun Xi didn’t go out, not even leaving her bed, resting at home. By evening, she received a letter from Xiao Qinghe, inviting her to dine at Zui Xian Lou in two days.

The letter arrived surprisingly quickly—she had thought it would take longer.

Two days later, Chun Xi arrived at the restaurant. Xiao Qinghe was already there.

It had been many days, but Xiao Qinghe hadn’t changed much, looking healthy and energetic.

Xiao Qinghe didn’t have Quezhi attend to her; once Chun Xi was seated, she spoke first: “I’m here today specifically to apologize to you, little aunt.”

“You’ve done nothing wrong to me. If anyone should apologize, it’s me—I acted on my own last time without consulting you.”

“Little aunt didn’t consult me to deceive, but rather to help me see clearly the person I share a bed with. If I can’t understand this, it would waste your effort,” Xiao Qinghe said, her tone calm but her gaze determined, showing she had made a decision.

Chun Xi relaxed and clinked cups with her: “You are so wise, He’er. You will surely have good fortune ahead.”

They drank together. Afterward, Xiao Qinghe spoke again: “I’ve made up my mind to divorce Wei Lingze.”

Chun Xi’s eyes lit up, pouring her another cup immediately: “He’er, I’m so glad you’ve realized this. A girl as good as you deserves to be loved and cherished, not waste time on someone unworthy.”

Chun Xi was genuinely happy for her, moved by her resolve. Xiao Qinghe smiled: “Indeed, little aunt, you’re different from others; you don’t dampen my spirits or say my thoughts are absurd.”

Marriages between great families were no trivial matter. Once married, failure was unacceptable. To divorce would risk enmity between the families, affecting younger generations. Even if the elder ladies of the Xiao family supported the divorce, they would need to provide a reasonable explanation to the family elders.

Previously, delaying the wedding had already brought criticism. Now, for Xiao Qinghe to divorce without harming the family’s reputation would be extremely difficult.

Chun Xi sensed Xiao Qinghe’s hesitation and said brightly: “How can this be a fantasy? I come from this background, have had these experiences, and still married your Uncle Shen. You also have the Xiao family’s support—kicking out a worthless man is no trouble at all.”

Xiao Qinghe: “…”

Indeed, it didn’t seem that difficult, and little aunt’s criticism of Wei Lingze seemed to flow more naturally than before.

After seeing Xiao Qinghe the next day, Chun Xi received a message from the Princess.

Unable to remain idle, she once again organized a Chrysanthemum Appreciation Banquet at the Princess’s residence.