TSWRLM -Chapter 205 A-Xi, Have You Offended Anyone Recently?

Yun Wantang only mentioned Wei Lingze briefly before changing the topic.

But Chun Xi knew that Wei Lingze would soon be reinstated.

Among the envoy group was one of Wei Lingze’s defeated subordinates. Having him accompany Wei Lingze to receive the envoy would serve as a warning to the delegation.

If Wei Lingze performed well during his time in Hanjing, all previous matters would likely be forgotten.

Chun Xi had long anticipated that the Wei family would find a way to reinstate Wei Lingze, but she hadn’t expected it to happen so quickly.

The palace banquet lasted until evening. The Empress stayed behind to speak with Princess Hengyang for a while.

Chun Xi didn’t know what the Empress discussed with the princess, but she noticed that the princess’s reaction seemed unusual. Once they left the palace and saw the prince consort, Princess Hengyang’s expression became even more uneasy.

“Princess, did something happen?” Chun Xi asked with concern.

The princess shook her head. “Nothing.”

Princess Hengyang didn’t want to speak, so Chun Xi didn’t press further.

When they reached the fork in the road, Chun Xi bid the princess farewell and rode her carriage home.

Princess Hengyang watched Wen Yanshu for a moment and spoke stiffly, “Get in. I have something to say.”

Wen Yanshu obediently dismounted and got into the carriage.

The carriage was spacious, but he was tall and broad-shouldered; once he sat down, the space felt cramped.

The air seemed to carry Wen Yanshu’s scent, and the princess frowned. After a long pause, she said, “I want to have a child.”

It was mid-month, and the moon tonight was large and bright. Two lanterns hung outside, but most of the light was blocked by the carriage curtains.

Inside the carriage, it was dim. Wen Yanshu couldn’t see her expression clearly, but her tone carried the same commanding authority as always.

Wen Yanshu’s eyes widened in surprise. After a moment, he found his voice. “Princess, why all of a sudden—”

Before he could finish, the collar of his clothes was grabbed. He was pulled forward, and the familiar fragrance of the princess filled his nose.

“Enough nonsense. You’re my consort. I need to borrow your seed. Do you dare refuse?”

“Borrow your seed?”

The words made it sound as if the child wouldn’t be related to him afterward.

Princess Hengyang’s tone was commanding, but inwardly, she wasn’t so confident.

Although Wen Yanshu had clarified his relationship with Yun Wantang, he hadn’t expressed love for her. She didn’t want him to treat this like some forced duty.

Over the years, she had considered other options for conceiving, but no one else was as attractive as him.

She refused to compromise on herself, and she didn’t want the child to be less than perfect.

The silence stretched painfully long, and the princess soon regretted it.

How could she, a princess, have actually asked Wen Yanshu something like this just because the Empress had mentioned having a child? She could have simply adopted an adorable child to raise herself—why go through the trouble of giving birth?

Thinking this, she wanted to push Wen Yanshu away, but before she could speak, he leaned closer.

“Fine. Princess, do you want to do it now or wait until we get home?”

His voice was low and slightly hoarse, and his breath brushed her face, causing a faint tickle.

Princess Hengyang’s mind went blank for a moment.

He actually agreed?

What should she do next?

“Why aren’t you saying anything? You’re usually playful outside—don’t tell me you’ve lost your touch at a crucial moment?”

Wen Yanshu abandoned his usual gentle pressure. Princess Hengyang snapped back to attention and immediately lifted his chin.

“Princess knows exactly what to do. All you need to do is please me properly, Consort.”

With that, the carriage sped toward the princess’s residence.

Meanwhile, Chun Xi arrived home.

Just as she dismounted, a figure suddenly rushed out of the darkness. A-Li reacted quickly, stepping in front of her and shouting, “Who’s there?!”

The gatekeeper, hearing the commotion, also rushed over, and five or six skilled guards jumped down from the courtyard wall.

“It’s me, don’t let them touch me,” a voice called.

Her eldest sister-in-law?

Chun Xi immediately recognized the voice as Madam Qian’s and, in the light, saw her sister-in-law’s face.

She motioned for the guards to stand down. “Sister-in-law, why didn’t you come straight inside? Why hide outside?”

Madam Qian whispered, “The gatekeeper doesn’t recognize me. He wouldn’t let me in and told me to come another day.”

Since Chun Xi had been at the palace banquet, it was reasonable for her to postpone visiting.

Chun Xi nodded. “Sister-in-law, did you insist on waiting to see me because something happened?”

As soon as she finished speaking, Madam Qian dropped to her knees. “A-Xi, Mother and Zheng’er are missing. Your brother and I have searched everywhere. Please help us.”

Barely a few words out, tears streamed down her face.

Chun Xi hurriedly helped her up. “What happened? How could they disappear? When did this happen?”

“Ever since A-Wen was exiled, Mother became very ill. She often gets distracted and forgetful. Today is a festival, and your brother came home for a rare visit. He suggested we go out together. We stopped at a street stall to pick out a hairpin, and when we looked back, Mother and Zheng’er were gone.”

“Where have you and your brother searched?”

“All over the neighborhood. No one has seen Mother. Your brother also checked Father’s place, but still no luck. He’s still out looking, and I’ve run out of options. I had to come to you.”

Madam Qian knelt again. “I know Mother treated you poorly, and you may hold resentment. But Zheng’er is young and innocent. He’s never left my side since birth and hasn’t weaned yet. He must be starving and crying.”

Chun Xi held her back, speaking firmly, “I’ll take a few people and go home with you to check.”

Relieved that Chun Xi agreed to help, Madam Qian wiped her tears and followed her into the carriage.

At home, it was completely dark. Seeing this, Madam Qian wept again. Li Aunt appeared with a lantern.

“Cao Wu’s wife, where have you been? Cao Wu came back and didn’t see you; he was frantic.”

Li Aunt saw Chun Xi, whose appearance had completely transformed after wearing elegant new clothes and accessories for the palace banquet.

Li Aunt trembled, barely recognizing her.

“It’s me, A-Xi,” Chun Xi said.

Li Aunt exclaimed, “Oh my, A-Xi! It really is you! You’ve become so beautiful in such a short time. I barely recognized you!”

Li Aunt wanted to call others over, but Chun Xi asked, “Did my brother find Sister-in-law? And did he find Mother and my nephew?”

“I don’t know where he went, but he said he’ll be back soon and told me to make sure you don’t wander off. Wait at home for him.”

The night was deep, curfew approaching. Cao Wu couldn’t roam outside searching anymore.

Chun Xi thanked her and, along with Madam Qian, finally stepped back into her home.

The courtyard was silent and dim, looking old and empty in the night.

A complex wave of emotions rose in Chun Xi’s heart as Madam Qian whispered, “Mother may be forgetful, but she wouldn’t run off with Zheng’er. A-Xi, think carefully—have you offended anyone recently?”