TSWRLM -Chapter 21 Sir, Are You Drunk?

The cooking skills of the Xiao family’s chef were truly excellent; Chun Xi ate her fill with great satisfaction.

After the birthday banquet, there was even tea to cleanse the palate.

Madam Mo, full of suppressed anger, left before the tea was served, and Chun Xi followed to take her leave as well.

Madam Xiao did not stop Madam Mo, but smiled warmly at Chun Xi and said, “Just now I saw how well you enjoyed your meal. If you ever have the time, you’re welcome to come to the mansion and keep me company.”

Could it be that in such a large Xiao household, there wasn’t a single person to accompany the matriarch for a meal?

Chun Xi hesitated for a moment, but one of the elderly maids by Madam Xiao’s side quickly said, “No one in the mansion has ever had an appetite like the young lady’s. With her here, Madam Xiao ate half a bowl more than usual today.”

The maid’s tone was sincere, her eyes full of eagerness. Chun Xi thought for a moment and nodded, saying, “It’s my fortune to have Madam Xiao’s favor. As long as it doesn’t trouble her, it’s my pleasure.”

Hearing this, Madam Mo’s face turned green with anger.

Over the years, she had often had Shen Qingchi deliver gifts to Madam Xiao, yet Madam Xiao never praised Shen Qingchi in front of so many people. And now, she treated this starving girl, whom she had only met once, with such kindness? What did all their years of flattery amount to?

Madam Mo couldn’t even bring herself to say a polite word. She grabbed Shen Qingchi’s hand and strode off. Shen Qingyuan and Shen Qingyu courteously bade everyone goodbye before following their mother and sister.

Shen Qingyuan had no intention of leaving with them. Once outside the dining hall, Chun Xi boldly asked, “Sir, could you take me to the bank for a moment?”

For a noble family, a dozen gold ingots were nothing, but for Chun Xi, this was a huge sum. It was safer to deposit it in a bank quickly rather than carry it home and risk trouble.

Shen Qingyuan nodded. “Alright.”

Chun Xi thought for a moment and handed him two gold ingots. “Thank you, sir, for speaking on my behalf today.”

Although Chun Xi had successfully made her way into the front courtyard, she knew that in the presence of such high-ranking people, she was nothing more than an ant. Without Shen Qingyuan, she would have surely suffered some physical harm.

“Just a few words from me are worth two gold ingots?”

Shen Qingyuan raised an eyebrow. Unlike his usual seriousness, there was a hint of playful curiosity, as if testing whether Chun Xi would truly part with them.

Chun Xi shoved the ingots into his hand. “Of course it’s worth it. Your words are like gold, each one priceless.”

With that, the two of them left the mansion by carriage.

In the confined space, Chun Xi noticed that Shen Qingyuan had dressed up specially today.

His silver brocade robe with gilded patterns perfectly outlined his broad shoulders and narrow waist. His hair was tied with a matching jade crown, and white jade accessories hung at his waist. The stern righteousness he carried was mingled with a noble air.

Chun Xi recalled that Shen Qingyuan had sat at the main table today, right beside Madam Xiao.

She sighed inwardly once more.

Sir Shen had such a good relationship with Madam Xiao, yet he had selflessly helped her—he was truly kind.

Shen Qingyuan was watching Chun Xi as well.

Now, after eating and drinking to her fill, the young girl was very quiet—nothing like the wild chase of people following her earlier.

The contrast was stark.

It was hard to imagine that someone with such a temper, after serving as a maid in the Wei household for so many years, had never caused serious trouble.

Curious, Shen Qingyuan asked directly, “Do you know martial arts?”

Being from a martial family, he could tell at a glance that Chun Xi handled the rope unusually well.

“You have truly keen eyes, Sir Shen,” Chun Xi said proudly, giving a thumbs-up. “My father was a bodyguard. I learned a few years of hand-to-hand combat from him. When I did the heavy work at the Wei household, I had some strength to spare.”

Without that strength, how could she have helped the paralyzed Wei Lingze bathe and wash himself alone?

Chun Xi didn’t forget to flatter him. “My little skills are only enough to intimidate a bit. The Sir is the one truly hiding his power.”

Shen Qingyuan seemed pleased by her words. He smiled and said, “I learned from my father as well.”

Chun Xi quickly agreed. “The Marquis’ reputation is known to all. I’ve heard that the Marquis back then…”

To build rapport, Chun Xi had worked hard to gather information from the Marquis’ residence. She had planned to seize the opportunity to shine, only to be interrupted by Shen Qingyuan’s light voice.

“He’s not my father.”

“…What???”

Not only does he have a biased stepmother, he doesn’t even have a biological father? Sir Shen, your life is truly ill-fated.

Chun Xi didn’t know how to respond and finally blurted out, “Sir, are you drunk?”

Otherwise, how could he speak so freely?

Such secrets were not for outsiders to hear.

Chun Xi asked earnestly. Shen Qingyuan stared at her for a moment, then closed his eyes and replied heavily, “Yes.”

No rush; take it slowly.

Chun Xi breathed a sigh of relief.

Sir Shen’s alcohol tolerance was really low.

News of Chun Xi visiting the Xiao family quickly reached Ye Er.

Ye Er wasn’t nervous; instead, he hummed happily.

This was part of the plan he and Chun Xi had discussed.

Chun Xi would go to the Xiao family to provoke Xiao Qinghe, get scolded, and then appear pitiful in front of Wei Lingze. This would drive a wedge between the two.

Ye Er knew that today was Madam Xiao’s birthday and that the Wei family had visited the Xiao family to discuss the wedding date. If Chun Xi was capable enough, she might even cause conflict between the two families.

Ye Er regretted not being able to witness the chaos himself but was still pleased. He had the kitchen send fine wine and dishes, and had two maids massage his shoulders and legs.

Ye Er hummed contentedly, but his mind wandered to Xiao Qinghe’s perfect, ethereal face.

He had countless times wanted the owner of that face to beg for mercy beneath him, but in reality, Xiao Qinghe had never even glanced at him.

Even if Wei Lingze became a bedridden invalid, Xiao Qinghe wouldn’t bother to waste a word on anyone else.

When Wei Lingze canceled his engagement for Chun Xi, Xiao Qinghe would fall from her pedestal, and everyone would mock the proud eldest daughter of the Xiao family for being inferior even to a lowly maid.

Then, if he feigned courtesy and attention, she would surely be devoted to him.

Lost in such thoughts, Ye Er’s mind wandered, and he lifted the chin of one of the maids massaging his legs, intending to vent his frustration. Suddenly, the door was kicked open.

“Who dares disturb my fun? Do you believe I—”

Slap!

Master Ye slapped Ye Er hard. Before Ye Er could react, another slap followed.

The two maids, terrified, retreated to the side. Master Ye didn’t intend to stop, raining fists and kicks on Ye Er, ignoring even his injured leg.

By the time Madam Ye arrived, Ye Er was already beaten beyond recognition.

“Master, you’ve gone mad! This is our own son! How can you harm him so?”

Master Ye, still fuming, slapped Madam Ye across the face. “Fool! If not for your indulgence, how would he dare scheme against the Wei and Xiao families?”

Madam Ye’s ears rang from the blow. Just as she was about to argue, her husband’s voice grew icy: “Send someone to pack our things immediately. The lady and the second young master are to return to our hometown in Ganzhou!”

“Master, we’ve been married over twenty years! You can’t just drive us away over a minor issue!”

Master Ye’s expression remained cold and unmoved. “If not for our marital bond, I would have killed this wretch and gone to apologize to the Xiao family myself!”