TSWRLM -Chapter 19 Lord Shen, What a Coincidence

The first rule Chun Xi learned at the Wei household was to behave obediently.

Obedience was owed to her master, to the stewards, and to anyone who arrived earlier, had higher status, or was more favored by the master than herself.

It was the same in the Wei household, and in any other household, she absolutely could not cause trouble.

But now, when people were trying to beat her to death with sticks and ropes, all rules went out the window.

The Xiao household guards hadn’t taken Chun Xi seriously. Although eight or nine people surrounded her, only two actually stepped forward to tie her up.

Chun Xi bent her knees slightly, gathering strength. As the two approached, she leapt forward, colliding her knee into the one closest to her, knocking him down. Then with a swift side kick, she toppled the second man and grabbed the rope from his hands.

The soft hemp rope became a whirling weapon in Chun Xi’s hands. No one dared come close, giving her a clear path to escape.

She ran at full speed.

Her memory was sharp, and she remembered the path she had taken into the estate.

The maid who had given the orders finally snapped back, shouting: “Catch her! Don’t let her ruin Madam Xiao’s birthday banquet!”

Birthday banquet?

Chun Xi seized the key word, pivoted, and ran in the opposite direction. Those chasing her froze in shock.

“Impossible! Today’s event is about to be ruined!”

——

In the front yard, the Xiao and Wei families were engaged in pleasant conversation.

Three years ago, the Wei family had formally proposed to the Xiao family, even choosing an auspicious date. Although today only required selecting a new wedding date, the Yun family had brought fine gifts from the estate treasury to show their respect for Xiao Qinghe.

As three years ago, Madam Yun lavishly praised Xiao Qinghe, her eyes full of affection, leaving no trace of resentment. Wei Lingze acted passionately in front of Madam Xiao, causing the Xiao family to relax, and Xiao Qinghe’s face to flush lightly.

Xiao Qingyue pursed her lips, thinking her brother-in-law was quite the actor.

Despite being jealous enough to send someone to sabotage that maid’s wedding, he made everyone believe his love for his sister-in-law was unwavering.

For her sister’s happiness, that maid absolutely could not remain!

Xiao Qingyue’s eyes darkened, and she glanced toward the courtyard entrance.

Where was Mo Yun? She had been gone so long…

Just then, a commotion erupted.

“Stop! Don’t run, or I’ll break your legs!”

“You shameless girl, you’ve gone mad! Even if the Great Immortals of Madam Xiao’s birthday came, they couldn’t save you!”

“Lord above, stop her, or we’re all dead!”

The shouts grew louder, drowning out the front yard’s conversations. Everyone froze and looked toward the entrance.

Xiao Qingyue’s eyelids twitched with a bad premonition.

Surely… it wasn’t what she feared.

The next moment, under everyone’s gaze, a green-clad figure leapt out like a wild cat.

In her hands, the rope swung like a whip, keeping everyone at a distance. Her steps were long and rapid, and in the blink of an eye, she reached the crowd.

Seeing that the situation was beyond control, the shouters behind her fell silent, while the Xiao family stared dumbfounded.

Who was this girl? Hired from the estate to perform acrobatics? Her entrance was extraordinary, and everyone had been engaged in conversation—why now?

The Wei family recognized Chun Xi. Each face turned grim as they looked toward Madam Yun and Wei Lingze.

How could this maid be allowed to disrupt such an auspicious day?

Wei Lingze’s first reaction was the same: he thought Chun Xi had come to ruin the event.

Her earlier act of asking to arrange the proposal had been a performance. He hadn’t stopped her. But now, coming to the Xiao estate to negotiate the marriage, she seemed desperate.

He wasn’t angry; if anything, he was slightly pleased. But the immediate priority was to get Chun Xi to leave and not disrupt the ceremony.

With that thought, Wei Lingze stepped forward toward Chun Xi.

Just as he took a step, a figure moved past him and stood before her: “What are you doing here?”

Shen Qingyuan had been amused by Chun Xi’s earlier display, but sensing the tension, he was also slightly concerned.

Seeing him speak first, Madam Xiao froze, and the rest of the Xiao family looked hesitant.

How had this maid once again gotten close to Shen Qingyuan?

“Lord Shen, what a coincidence!”

Seeing the upright magistrate Shen Qingyuan, Chun Xi was pleasantly surprised and steadied herself further.

She greeted him cheerfully, then tossed the rope aside, dropped to her knees with a thud, and cried out loudly: “I beg you, Lord, to decide for me! I had urgent matters to discuss with Miss Xiao, but upon entering the estate, the Xiao servants tried to tie me up and kill me! I didn’t want to die unjustly, so I fled here to ask what crime I have committed!”

Chun Xi usually spoke gently, but her cries were piercing, almost hypnotic.

Wei Lingze’s eyes darkened, and he quickly glanced at Xiao Qinghe, filled with suspicion and displeasure.

Xiao Qinghe’s blush drained, and her heart sank.

Outside rumors could not shake her, and Chun Xi alone shouldn’t have flustered her—but Wei Lingze’s single glance pierced her completely.

In his eyes, she was no longer the gentle, kind girl he had known.

She had become ruthless out of jealousy, willing to eliminate rivals by any means.

To the one she loved with all her heart, she had become so repulsive.

Xiao Qinghe lowered her gaze, took two deep breaths to calm herself, and gently addressed Chun Xi: “I was with my mother just now and didn’t know Miss Chun Xi had come to see me. I certainly did not order anyone to harm you.”

Xiao Qingyue, knowing her sister was innocent, immediately stepped forward angrily: “You scoundrel! Disturbing Grandmother’s birthday banquet and slandering my sister! Beating you to death is too kind—you should be torn to pieces!”

“Qingyue, stop this nonsense!”

Xiao Qinghe quickly interjected.

A young unmarried girl shouting about killing someone would ruin her reputation.

Chun Xi, of course, dared not bite back. She kowtowed again and said: “I know Miss Xiao is gentle and kind, and would never harm anyone. It must be that the servants acted on their own to gain favor.”

Having spoken, Mo Yun immediately came forward to confess.

She had seen the close bond between the second and eldest Misses, heard the announcement at the gate, and rashly tried to please them.

Fool!

Madam Xiao scolded Xiao Qingyue for being foolish, then ordered Mo Yun thirty lashes, while other involved servants were fined a month’s wages.

After punishing her household, Madam Xiao didn’t let Chun Xi rise. From above, she asked:
“You said you had urgent matters for Miss Qinghe. Now you may explain.”

Madam Xiao had not taken Chun Xi seriously before, but this maid had stormed into the Xiao estate and caused such chaos. If she didn’t explain clearly, Old Madam Xiao would not spare her.

“Lady, Second Young Master Ye of the Ye family found me yesterday, forcing me to seduce Young Master Wei and sabotage the marriage between the Wei and Xiao families. If I refused, Second Young Master Ye threatened to strip me and throw me into the street. In fear for my life, I had no choice but to seek help from the Xiao household.”

Wei Lingze’s expression darkened slightly.

He had initially thought Chun Xi came to ruin the event, but now it was clear: she had been threatened by Ye’s second son and had deliberately bypassed him to come to the Xiao family. She clearly no longer wished to have any connection with him.