TSWRLM -Chapter 220 Whoever’s a Dog, I’ll Scold

Princess Hengyang was decisive and efficient. She set the welcome-home feast for Chun Xi five days later and sent invitations to all the households.

Chun Xi didn’t even have a chance to refuse—but she didn’t want to.

Since she had returned safely, she should properly meet everyone.

After Princess Hengyang left, Chun Xi quietly asked Shen Qingyuan, “Husband, have you checked Uncle Hu and Uncle Bao’s past? I think they’re very skilled. Can we keep them in the household to help with things?”

The guards Shen Qingyuan hired were capable, but for situations like this, Uncle Hu and Uncle Bao had more experience. They had been in this line of work for years and had connections that allowed them to gather information quickly. In the future, there would be no need to trouble Wuyou Pavilion again.

“As long as you can convince them to stay, that’s enough.”

Shen Qingyuan said lightly, implying that these two men were trustworthy.

Chun Xi didn’t press for details about their past and instead focused on how to persuade them to remain.

Lost in thought, Shen Qingyuan’s voice came: “Madam, have you had enough sleep?”

“Yes, yes.”

She had caught up on rest at the inn in Yuxian for two days, and after returning, she slept a full day. Now she felt fully energized.

“And have you eaten enough?”

“Yes.”

Chun Xi nodded. Not just full—she had eaten too quickly and now felt slightly bloated, even with Shen Qingyuan’s reminder.

“Thanks to your reminder, I should move around a bit to help digestion.”

She stood and intended to walk around the courtyard, thinking about how to persuade Uncle Hu and Uncle Bao to stay. But as soon as she took a step, her waist was caught. Shen Qingyuan said seriously, “Let me help you, Madam.”

His voice was low and husky, sending a tingling shiver down Chun Xi’s spine.

They had developed a certain unspoken understanding in this regard. Chun Xi tilted her head and saw the desire bubbling in Shen Qingyuan’s eyes.

She wanted him too. Without hesitation, she wrapped her arms around his neck and jumped onto him. “I don’t just want to aid digestion—I also need to find a way to keep Uncle Hu and Uncle Bao. Can you help me, Husband?”

Shen Qingyuan held her steadily and walked inside, his voice deeper and huskier: “If Madam asks, I can never refuse.”

Chun Xi smiled and pressed her lips to his.

Full of energy and desire, she had initially taken the initiative. But later, she admitted defeat: “Husband, I was wrong. I shouldn’t have provoked you just now. I won’t dare again.”

Shen Qingyuan paused, leaning close to her ear: “Provoked? So you were trying to dominate me just now?”

“I wasn’t! I didn’t!”

Chun Xi immediately denied it. But Shen Qingyuan murmured, “It doesn’t matter. I’m willing to let Madam ‘dominate.’”

“……”

After a night of exertion, Chun Xi felt half of her newly regained energy drained. Fortunately, Shen Qingyuan kept his word, and both Uncle Hu and Uncle Bao stayed on.

Soon, the fifth day arrived, the day of the welcome-home feast.

Early in the morning, Princess Hengyang sent for Chun Xi to come to the princess’s residence and had her carefully groomed and dressed.

Looking at the luxurious dresses, Chun Xi couldn’t help but say, “Princess, isn’t this a bit too extravagant?”

Even at palace banquets, she had never been dressed so grandly.

Princess Hengyang shot her a glare, hands on hips: “How is this extravagant? You were kidnapped, and who knows how many people were quietly waiting to see you humiliated. Now that you’ve returned safely, you must slap them in the face properly!”

“Princess, didn’t you say before that we shouldn’t waste energy on people or things not worth it?”

“I am of noble status and have power. They can only whisper behind my back. If you show no reaction, they’ll think you’re timid and afraid, and then they’ll get arrogant. You understand?”

“……”

Princess, what you said is true, but why does it sting so much?

The makeup was intricate, the dresses complicated. After an hour of effort, the maids finally finished Chun Xi’s preparation.

Guests had already begun arriving. Princess Hengyang received them outside while Chun Xi followed the maids.

As they neared the garden, a commotion reached their ears.

Chun Xi quickened her pace and saw Xiao Qingyue standing stiff-necked in the crowd, like a fighting rooster.

“Cao Chun Xi may be of humble origin, but she’s related to our Xiao family. If I, Xiao Qingyue, call her ‘little aunt,’ try saying another word and see what happens!”

“She was kidnapped for so many days. Anything could have happened. I just offered a reasonable guess—I didn’t insult her. Why are you so upset?”

“The authorities will naturally investigate. You open your mouth to speculate without knowing anything. Aren’t you afraid of harming your virtue and facing retribution?”

Xiao Qingyue raised her voice and glared, showing no sign of the restraint she had supposedly learned from Madam Xiao during these days—if anything, she looked fiercer than before.

“I only said two truthful things. How is that retribution? Meanwhile, Second Miss Xiao learned all your little aunt’s rudeness. Aren’t you afraid your reputation for arrogance will affect your marriage? Does Second Miss Xiao want to marry a widower who mistreats his wife, just like your little aunt?”

This insult hit not only Xiao Qingyue but also Chun Xi and Shen Qingyuan.

Xiao Qingyue, furious, was about to lunge at her, but Chun Xi stepped forward and pulled her into a hug: “Good Yue’er, long time no see. You’re getting more beautiful every day. I’ve missed you so much.”

Chun Xi’s sudden embrace and familiar voice stunned Xiao Qingyue, and her raging anger was momentarily doused.

Cao Chun Xi really had returned safely.

Xiao Qingyue felt a strange lump in her throat. The crowd, who had been watching the drama, silently took a few steps back.

Even if Xiao Qingyue fought, she wasn’t particularly frightening—but if Cao Chun Xi moved, that was terrifying.

Everyone felt uneasy. Miss Mu San, who had just argued with Xiao Qingyue, was even more anxious.

Previously, at Xiao Qingyue’s birthday banquet, she had insulted Cao Chun Xi. Shen Qingyuan had accompanied Chun Xi to the Mu household to demand compensation, leaving Miss Mu San confined for over a month and estranged from Xiao Qingyue.

Resentful, Miss Mu San now heard that Chun Xi had been kidnapped for over a month and returned. She couldn’t help making a few remarks, hinting that Chun Xi had lost her chastity. She hadn’t expected Xiao Qingyue to explode, arguing fiercely—and Cao Chun Xi had overheard everything.

Would Chun Xi report this to her family again?

Miss Mu San clenched her handkerchief. Though nervous, she wanted to save face and straightened her back, refusing to apologize.

But Chun Xi didn’t even glance at her. Ruffling Xiao Qingyue’s hair, she said calmly: “In crowded places, there are bound to be barking dogs. Why bother arguing with them?”

“Madam Shen, who are you calling a dog?”

Chun Xi arched an eyebrow: “Whoever’s a dog, I’ll call them that. What, Miss Mu San, do you feel like you’re the one being scolded?”