TSWRLM -Chapter 200 Yun Wantang and He’er Arrive Together

“What is the lady’s meaning? Why suddenly insist that the Young Madam personally embroider a Hundred Longevity Characters chart for the Old Madam’s birthday? The Old Madam isn’t even celebrating a major birthday this year, and her birthday is still nearly two months away. Isn’t this timeline far too tight?”

Quezhi looked at Xiao Qinghe with concern, her tone carrying a hint of complaint.

Xiao Qinghe leaned over the embroidery frame, carefully stitching the Hundred Longevity Characters chart, speaking calmly but with a warning: “Quezhi, choose your words carefully. As a granddaughter-in-law of the Wei family, it is only proper that I personally prepare a birthday gift for my grandmother.”

“But the time is so tight. If the Young Madam pushes herself like this, next month’s Guishui Festival will be even harder on her,” Quezhi said, her eyes glistening.

At home, the Young Madam had always been treated like a noble, never asked to do such things. Clearly, the Lady had found an excuse to deliberately punish her.

But the incident that night wasn’t the Young Madam’s fault—how could the Madam vent her anger on her?

Xiao Qinghe’s hands moved without pause as she said calmly, “Quezhi, I feel like eating the crisp pastries you made.”

“…Yes, mistress, I’ll go make them right away.”

Not long after Quezhi left, Yun Wantang arrived at Lingfeng Courtyard along with Madam Yun.

In public, Yun Wantang had knelt before Princess Hengyang, losing face. Yet only two days later, she had restored her usual elegance and composure, as if that incident had left no mark on her.

Seeing Xiao Qinghe embroidering, Yun Wantang first complimented her skill and then asked in surprise, “Isn’t there an embroidery maid in the residence? Why is He’er embroidering it herself?”

Madam Yun’s face stiffened as she replied for Xiao Qinghe: “Grandmother’s birthday is approaching. I asked He’er to embroider the Hundred Longevity Characters chart as a birthday gift for her.”

“Old Madam’s birthday is still nearly two months away. Isn’t it worrying that He’er will exhaust herself doing this now? Sister deliberately found an excuse to punish He’er, didn’t she?” Yun Wantang’s tone turned serious as she fixed her gaze on Madam Yun.

Being confronted directly, Madam Yun showed no shame and defended herself: “If she hadn’t spoken up, things would never have escalated this far. I only wanted her to calm down and think about how to be a proper woman of a prominent family.”

Thanks to her connection with Shen Qingyuan, Chun Xi had a bond with Xiao Qinghe, but that couldn’t compare to Yun Wantang’s bond with Wei Lingze.

Madam Yun wasn’t asking Xiao Qinghe to disregard Chun Xi’s side; in that situation, if Xiao Qinghe remained silent and neutral, she wouldn’t have been so angry.

Ze’er (Lingze) had hurt people multiple times, and while Xiao Qinghe’s outbursts at home were one thing, showing no regard for the Wei family’s reputation outside was intolerable for Madam Yun.

Hearing Madam Yun, Yun Wantang’s expression turned cold: “He’er did nothing wrong. How could Sister treat her like this?”

Saying this, Yun Wantang snatched the needle and thread from Xiao Qinghe’s hands and threw it away.

“He’er was innocently caught up in the dispute between me and Princess Hengyang. Though the Princess was drunk at the time, she would investigate everything thoroughly the next day. If He’er hadn’t spoken the truth, when His Majesty or the Empress Dowager issued a decree, wouldn’t things have been far worse?”

Yun Wantang’s voice grew louder with each word, leaving Madam Yun speechless. Softening her tone, Madam Yun said, “A-Tang, I was only concerned for you. There have been constant rumors over the years; you are also a victim.”

“I am already a mother of two. I can handle such matters. But He’er is still young. Have you ever thought to care for her? She is now part of the Wei family and should be someone I protect,” Yun Wantang said sincerely.

Madam Yun looked between her and Xiao Qinghe, finally lowering her head: “He’er, I’m sorry. This time it was wrong of me to vent my anger on you.”

Before Xiao Qinghe could speak, Yun Wantang continued: “Sister’s handling of this matter is truly disheartening. Please leave for now; I want to talk to He’er alone.”

Madam Yun left with her maids, and the room fell silent.

Yun Wantang tenderly took Xiao Qinghe’s hand, checking her carefully, speaking full of concern: “You really are too obedient. It wasn’t your fault, so why let yourself do everything you were told? Besides my sister, did Ze’er make things difficult for you?”

Not at all.

That night, after Wei Lingze saw Xiao Yechen, alarm bells rang in his mind. He had been secretly investigating Xiao Yechen and hadn’t had time to come to Lingfeng Courtyard to cause trouble.

Xiao Qinghe shook her head softly: “Neither mother-in-law nor my husband scolded me. Little Aunt needn’t be so angry.”

“You were punished because of me. How could I remain unmoved?” Yun Wantang frowned, full of self-reproach, then said: “If He’er feels wronged, I can send you to stay at the Xiao residence for a few days. If Madam Xiao asks, I will explain the situation for you so you won’t be troubled.”

“Thank you for your concern, Little Aunt, but I don’t feel wronged at all. There’s no need to go back to my family for this small matter.”

Xiao Qinghe refused directly. Yun Wantang’s eyes flickered. Her earnest words would move most people to tears, yet Xiao Qinghe remained calm, not uttering a single word of complaint. This left Yun Wantang unsure how to intervene.

After a few more comforting words, Yun Wantang shifted the topic: “If He’er doesn’t want to return to the Xiao residence, that’s fine. Can you accompany me to see your Little Aunt? That night, she might have been hurt protecting the Princess. I want to apologize in person, and you can get out to relax a bit as well.”

Xiao Qinghe, concerned for Chun Xi, immediately agreed: “Alright, I’ll go with you, Little Aunt.”

Yun Wantang smiled and immediately had gifts for the apology prepared. Early the next morning, she went with Xiao Qinghe to see Chun Xi.

When they arrived, Chun Xi was sitting with Princess Hengyang eating bird’s nest.

The Princess was very particular. Not only had she arranged the guest room to her liking by bringing her own chef and ingredients from the Princess Residence, she also cooked a variety of exquisite meals every day.

Chun Xi had initially wanted to showcase her own culinary skills, but after two meals, she completely gave up.

The Princess’s chef was simply too skilled; the dishes were visually stunning, aromatic, and delicious, made from the best ingredients—something money couldn’t easily buy outside.

Though the Princess had no intention of leaving, Chun Xi already felt reluctant. Luxury is easy to get used to; returning to ordinary life would feel so dull.

As Chun Xi sighed internally, a servant reported that Yun Wantang and Xiao Qinghe had arrived.

Chun Xi instinctively looked toward Princess Hengyang.

Though it was her own home, she still had to act according to the Princess’s mood.

Princess Hengyang finished her bird’s nest, set down the delicate glass bowl, wiped her mouth, and said gracefully: “Since He’er is with you, let them in. We’ll go by courtesy, not by strict rules.”