TSWRLM -Chapter 219 Throw a Welcome-Home Feast to Ward Off Bad Luck

Prince Yu’s fiancée was going straight into the palace, so she took Chun Xi along. Both the Empress and the Crown Princess gathered at the Empress Dowager’s Cining Palace.

On the way, Chun Xi and Prince Yu’s fiancée had already prepared what to say, so they handled the situation smoothly.

“It’s enough that you returned safely. After you went missing, Princess Hengyang even came to the palace once to cry for me, wishing she could turn the entire Zhaoling Palace upside down.”

Chun Xi was touched. She hadn’t expected Princess Hengyang to come to the palace crying on her account. She said earnestly, “It is my fortune to be held in such regard by Her Highness, the Princess.”

“The Princess is quick-tempered and a little proud. Her old friends either married far away or became distant within the inner palace. I haven’t seen her care for someone like this in years. In the future, you can visit her more at the Princess’s residence.”

The Empress Dowager was old and had been less involved in affairs over the years. She had grown gentle and now only wished happiness for her children and grandchildren.

Chun Xi replied repeatedly. Seeing that Zheng’er hadn’t cried once and was unusually adorable, the Empress Dowager gifted him a Ruyi Golden Lock.

After thanking her, Chun Xi took Zheng’er and left the palace.

Outside the palace gate, she saw A-Li waiting with a carriage.

Her eyes lit up as she hurried over, lifting the curtain. Sure enough, Shen Qingyuan sat upright inside.

Chun Xi couldn’t help but laugh but teased, “Husband, didn’t you say you’d wait for me at home?”

Her words carried a playful tone. Shen Qingyuan smiled and said, “Madam was missing for over a month. I worried day and night and could hardly eat or sleep. When I heard you were rescued, I couldn’t sit still—I naturally had to come at once to bring you home.”

Though his words had a teasing note, they were truly filled with longing.

Chun Xi felt warmth in her chest and tried to move closer to kiss him—but Zheng’er kicked her in the chest. Realizing the danger, she quickly turned him over and lifted his legs.

Sure enough, the next moment a clear stream of urine shot upward.

Chun Xi’s romantic thoughts vanished instantly. When Zheng’er finished, she turned to Shen Qingyuan and said, “Sister-in-law must have worried herself sick these past days. Let’s take Zheng’er back first.”

Shen Qingyuan agreed and instructed A-Li to drive to the Cao household.

The carriage stopped at the alley. Shen Qingyuan accompanied Chun Xi as they walked in.

In the courtyard, Cao Wu was chopping firewood, while Madam Qian and Madam Wang sat together picking vegetables. Both looked absent-minded and much thinner.

“Sister-in-law!”

Chun Xi called softly from the gate. Madam Qian didn’t look up, seemingly not hearing. Chun Xi was about to call again when Zheng’er, recognizing his mother, whined excitedly.

Hearing the child, Madam Qian suddenly looked up.

“Zheng’er!”

She cried out and rushed forward.

During this time, Madam Qian had dreamed every night that Zheng’er had returned, and sometimes even experienced hallucinations during the day. Holding him now in her arms felt almost unreal.

Cao Wu had long put down his axe and walked over. Seeing Zheng’er safe and sound, tears streamed down his face.

Madam Wang also wept, bowing repeatedly to the sky: “Heaven is truly merciful! My grandson is safe and has returned!”

The family cried together. Seeing that they couldn’t calm down, Chun Xi was about to leave with Shen Qingyuan, but Cao Wu quickly said, “A-Xi, thank you so much. Zheng’er is unharmed, right?”

Madam Qian, still worried, took Zheng’er inside to check carefully.

Chun Xi glanced at her back and shook her head: “I’m fine. This time, Zheng’er suffered only because of me. I don’t deserve your thanks, Big Brother—I should apologize instead.”

Hearing her, Shen Qingyuan immediately said, “I failed to protect A-Xi. I should apologize to Big Brother as well.”

“A-Xi, brother-in-law, what nonsense are you saying? The guilty ones are those ruthless bad people. I also didn’t take proper care of Mother and Zheng’er. What fault do you have?”

Cao Wu was level-headed. Chun Xi continued calmly, “It’s good that Big Brother doesn’t blame me. But Sister-in-law and Zheng’er suffered from separation, which nothing can make up for. For now, Big Brother shouldn’t go to work. Stay home and buy some good food to keep them company.”

She handed some silver to Cao Wu. His expression changed slightly: “A-Xi left the rewards from the Wei family at home. Those things were worth quite a bit, and you didn’t ask for a dowry when you married. How could I take your money?”

“This money isn’t for Big Brother—it’s for Sister-in-law and Zheng’er.”

Chun Xi insisted. Cao Wu wanted to refuse again, but she changed the topic: “Big Brother, I’m exhausted from traveling. I want to go home and rest early.”

She looked weary and thin. Cao Wu hesitated but eventually accepted the money.

Chun Xi, truly tired, didn’t linger and left with Shen Qingyuan.

Once they left, Aunt Li and the neighbors crowded into the Cao house. They congratulated Cao Wu on finding his son but secretly wanted to know how a single woman like Chun Xi had escaped the ruthless kidnappers with the child.

Chun Xi hadn’t shared details. Cao Wu couldn’t answer fully. Seeing him hesitate, people began to speculate. Suddenly, Madam Wang, who had been standing quietly in the corner, picked up a broom and shouted, “Out! Everyone, get out!”

Her commanding presence scared everyone into scattering. The courtyard quickly quieted.

Cao Wu looked at Madam Wang thoughtfully. After surviving such a harrowing ordeal, it seemed she hadn’t spoken ill of A-Xi in a long time. Moreover, A-Xi had returned Zheng’er without informing her, yet Madam Wang didn’t seem angry.

Had she finally opened her mind, or had she done something wrong to A-Xi?

Chun Xi didn’t notice Madam Wang’s change. She was truly exhausted. After a bath, she threw herself onto the bed and slept soundly.

When she awoke, she was ravenous.

Smelling food in the air, she scrambled up to find breakfast—but as she stepped out, she was pulled into a warm, soft embrace.

“You can really sleep. I thought you wouldn’t wake up.”

“I’ve finally returned and haven’t had a chance to repay Your Highness for helping me storm the palace in Hanjing. How could I sleep endlessly?”

Hearing Chun Xi recount what she had done during this time, Princess Hengyang felt a bit embarrassed. She let her go and said stiffly, “Actually, I didn’t do much—just had the Court of Justice interrogate a few suspects. Since you fought for me, if anyone took it out on you, it’s my doing, so consider it cause and effect.”

Chun Xi didn’t correct her, smiling: “Yes, yes, I understand.”

The small kitchen had kept the food warm. Seeing Chun Xi eat heartily, Princess Hengyang couldn’t help but take a bowl herself.

Though it was simple home cooking, sharing it with Chun Xi made it taste better.

After the meal, Princess Hengyang suggested, “Since you’ve safely returned, let’s hold a welcome-home feast at the Princess’s residence to drive away bad luck. How about it?”