TSWRLM -Chapter 206 Anyone Can Lose Their Head, But You Cannot

Chun Xi had recently offended quite a few people.

There was no need to mention Wei Lingze or the Mo family. That night, she had gotten drunk with the princess and fought with some twenty or thirty noble ladies. If her mother and Zheng’er had been taken by an enemy, she honestly wouldn’t know which enemy it could be.

Chun Xi didn’t respond to Madam Qian’s words and went inside to wait. After a while, Cao Wu hurried back.

Seeing Chun Xi, Cao Wu’s face immediately darkened, and he glared at Madam Qian. “I said I would figure this out myself—why did you go to find Chun Xi?”

Cao Wu had returned alone, without Madam Wang or the children. Madam Qian couldn’t hold back her tears: “You’ve been looking all day and still haven’t found them. What else can you do? It’s so cold at night, Zheng’er hasn’t had milk and must be starving. You’re too proud to beg Chun Xi, but I don’t care about my pride—I’d kneel and kowtow to Chun Xi if I have to.”

The couple were about to start arguing, so Chun Xi quickly interjected: “Big brother, I’ve already returned. Tell me what happened.”

After speaking, she sent A-Li to the kitchen to cook two bowls of plain noodles.

Neither Cao Wu nor Madam Qian had much appetite.

“Eat a little first. Tomorrow, we’ll continue searching. And Zheng’er will need milk when he comes back.”

Chun Xi urged them gently. Cao Wu picked up his chopsticks and ate quickly, while Madam Qian, still in tears, also took her chopsticks.

After finishing, Cao Wu recounted everything that had happened today.

Cao Wen’s situation had indeed dealt Madam Wang a blow, but she was merely a bit down, not foolishly bragging to neighbors that her daughter had married a third-rank official. Her mind was still clear.

Today, the whole family went out to the streets together. Madam Wang had been quite happy—they even went to a shop to eat wontons and steamed lamb. But shortly after leaving the shop, Madam Wang and Zheng’er disappeared.

Cao Wu first searched the nearby streets, then went to Cao’s father’s tomb, and even checked with Qian’s parents—but still couldn’t find them. He had just gone to the Night Patrol Office to report it, but the officers there were lazy and didn’t take it seriously.

Chun Xi fell silent after hearing this.

Her mother had shown no unusual behavior in the past few days, nor had she mentioned Chun Xi—so it was unlikely that she was hiding on purpose to force Chun Xi home.

Moreover, her mother loved her eldest grandson Zheng’er dearly; she wouldn’t casually use him as a joke.

After a moment, Chun Xi spoke: “I’ll have someone guard the Night Patrol Office, and I’ll send people to help search. Any news will be immediately reported to big brother. It’s late now—you two should rest.”

Chun Xi was about to leave, but Madam Qian followed, saying softly: “The rooms at home are empty. I’ll change the sheets and bedding. Chun Xi, why don’t you stay tonight?”

Chun Xi’s current appearance clashed with the home’s modest setting. Madam Qian feared that Chun Xi, like the Night Patrol officers, might brush them off, so having her stay would be reassuring.

“No, I’ll go back by carriage. It won’t take long.”

Chun Xi refused and stepped toward the door. Madam Qian suddenly grabbed her arm: “Chun Xi, no matter what grievances you have with your mother, you are still her daughter. She hasn’t gone anywhere recently—her sudden disappearance could be because of your enemies, or because you exiled Cao Wen and pressured her into despair. You can’t just leave!”

“This isn’t verified! What nonsense are you talking about?!”

Cao Wu shouted, eyes wide, even raising his hand.

Madam Qian flinched. Chun Xi pulled her behind her, coldly glaring at Cao Wu: “Big brother, have you learned to hit women now?”

Cao Wu withdrew his hand, sat down with a stern face, and said nothing.

Chun Xi turned to Madam Qian: “You’re right—no matter what, I’m still my mother’s daughter. Now that she and Zheng’er are in trouble, I won’t ignore it. But many people know we had a falling out, and I haven’t returned home in a while. If it really is enemies seeking revenge, the more I show concern, the more danger my mother and Zheng’er would be in. Right?”

Madam Qian’s mind was in chaos, treating Chun Xi like a lifeline. She held her hand tightly. “Then what should we do? If you don’t care at all about mother and Zheng’er, would they just kill them?”

“No,” Chun Xi immediately denied this. “If someone wants revenge, they’d contact me—they’d have a demand, whether money or my life. If I don’t care at all, killing them would be meaningless.”

“But…”

Madam Qian still worried, but Chun Xi cut her off: “Big sister-in-law, since you can’t think of a better way now, just trust me. I promise, I’ll do everything I can to bring mother and Zheng’er back safely. Okay?”

From the start of the incident until now, Chun Xi had remained calm. Madam Qian, who had earlier thought Chun Xi was cold, now felt reassured by her bright eyes.

Indeed, she could think of no other solution—she had to trust Chun Xi.

Madam Qian nodded, finally letting go. Chun Xi nudged Cao Wu with her foot, signaling him to follow her outside.

Outside the courtyard, Cao Wu quietly apologized: “Chun Xi, I’m sorry. I lost my temper earlier—I shouldn’t have raised my hand to Madam Qian. I’ll apologize to her later.”

Chun Xi’s expression remained serious; she didn’t soften. “You are the head of the household now. No matter what happens, others can lose their head—but you cannot. You must stay calm and clear-minded.”

Cao Wu felt ashamed. As the elder brother, he was far inferior to his sister. He opened his mouth to apologize again, but Chun Xi cut him off: “I don’t want to hear an apology. Just think through the consequences before acting next time.”

With that, she got into her carriage and returned home.

The house was brightly lit. Shen Qingyuan was absent; there was no one to discuss strategy with, no one to reassure her that everything would be fine if he were present.

It felt like the years she spent at the Wei residence again—facing problems alone and having to solve them herself.

But things were different now.

She was now Madam Shen. Whether Shen Qingyuan was around or not, she had backing.

Chun Xi didn’t lose sleep. After a bath, she lay down and quickly fell asleep.

The next morning, as she began breakfast, Shen Qingchi arrived.

“In a few days, father’s fiftieth birthday will arrive. Although we can’t celebrate grandly because of mother’s situation, the family should still gather for a meal. I checked at home—the grandmother and father think it would be better if big sister-in-law organized the feast.”

The last time at the Night Patrol Office, Shen Qingchi had faked a stomachache to escape, avoiding punishment by the princess. Yun Wantang didn’t blame her either; she even appreciated Chun Xi for rushing to protect her, giving her plenty of tonics to recuperate.

This time, Shen Qingchi’s face looked much rosier.

She examined Chun Xi’s expression carefully, asking with concern: “Big sister-in-law, your complexion seems off. Did you not rest well because big brother wasn’t home?”

Chun Xi didn’t even lift her eyelids, replying softly: “I’ve rested well recently—it’s your own eyes that are off.”

“……”

After breakfast, Chun Xi returned to the mansion with Shen Qingchi.