TSWRLM -Chapter 223 And While You’re at It, Apologize to Me Too

“Madam Shen is really impressive.”

Being blocked by the princess’s household, Yun Wantang didn’t panic. She simply fixed her gaze on Chun Xi and said this one line.

Her husband was the Governor of Wengzhou, and both her natal family and in-laws were highly respected. In front of so many people, she was confident that even Princess Hengyang wouldn’t dare to harm her.

The more Princess Hengyang and Cao Chun Xi tried to make things difficult for her, the better her relations with the other noble ladies became.

Yun Wantang’s face remained calm, but inside, she was secretly hoping Chun Xi would do something—anything—toward her.

However, Chun Xi did not, even with Princess Hengyang backing her, reveal the coarse and vulgar side of a shrew.

“Madam, you just admitted that Shen Qingchi made a mistake out of confusion. That at least proves the Dali Court didn’t act merely under the princess’s pressure. Shouldn’t you apologize to the princess?”

Chun Xi spoke calmly and gently.

Yun Wantang instinctively defended herself: “Madam Shen, I never said the princess used her power to pressure anyone.”

“You didn’t say it outright, but you hinted at it. Everyone misunderstood the princess because of your words. Isn’t her reputation already damaged?”

This was a tactic Yun Wantang had used many times before.

As long as her intentions appeared benevolent, saying vague, ambiguous things would gather many supporters to echo her, helping her achieve her goals.

Those wronged would naturally feel aggrieved or angry, but she never stated it outright. It was everyone else’s interpretation—how could she be blamed?

Of course, there were always people who saw through her.

But the response was either blind rage or tearful grievance. Even if exposed, it never changed others’ attitudes toward her.

Having someone like Chun Xi—calm and perceptive—expose her publicly was a first.

Yun Wantang paused, then said: “I misspoke just now. I beg the princess to forgive me, but I swear on my life, I was only concerned and confused, never intending to mislead anyone against the princess.”

The phrase “concerned and confused” immediately reminded everyone that Yun Wantang was pleading on Shen Qingchi’s behalf.

Shen Qingchi, the younger sister of Shen Qingyuan, had no close connection with Yun Wantang. Yun Wantang had simply taken on this messy matter out of goodwill.

By this point, even Chun Xi had to admire Yun Wantang’s skill.

Having lived in the Wei household, Chun Xi had seen the world, but she had never encountered anyone who could make such unreasonable meddling appear so righteous.

Yun Wantang apologized smoothly, and Princess Hengyang did not embarrass her—she huffed, signaling her acceptance of the apology.

Yun Wantang then looked at Chun Xi: “Madam Shen, are you satisfied? Can I leave now?”

“You apologized to the princess. As long as she’s satisfied, that’s enough.”

Chun Xi replied with a conciliatory tone, keeping her posture humble, not overshadowing Princess Hengyang. Then she added: “Since you admit your fault, you might as well apologize to me too.”

Chun Xi asked this matter-of-factly. Everyone thought it was astonishing. Even Yun Wantang hesitated: “Why should I apologize to you?”

“Simple,” Chun Xi said. “Shen Qingchi being arrested by the Dali Court now shows she was somehow involved in my kidnapping. She has meals in prison, while I was in constant danger of death. When I returned, you incited a crowd to call me heartless and merciless. Shouldn’t you apologize to me?”

Yun Wantang had been vague all along, claiming Shen Qingchi only made a minor mistake, giving the impression that Chun Xi was overbearing and unforgiving.

Chun Xi’s recounting of her own peril made everyone realize Shen Qingchi had been caught up in a major kidnapping case involving the wife of a third-rank official.

Had Chun Xi not returned alive, Shen Qingchi could have been judged as attempting to harm her elder sister-in-law.

Chun Xi didn’t give Yun Wantang a chance to respond and continued: “You kept telling me to pity the child in Shen Qingchi’s womb. Do you know that my own nephew, only a few months old, was kidnapped with me? Is only your Grand Tutor household’s bloodline worth pity? Doesn’t my nephew’s life count?”

Chun Xi’s voice rose, her eyes reddening, full of concern for her young nephew caught in this disaster.

Xiao Qingyue, who had hoped Chun Xi would avoid unnecessary trouble, couldn’t help speaking: “Madam is renowned, and I originally thought you, like my elder sister, were a person of discernment. Now it seems you, too, step on the low and flatter the high.”

“My young aunt and her nephew may be of humble origin, but they are living people. They were kidnapped and nearly killed. How can you expect them to forgive someone who almost took their lives with a few words?”

Xiao Qingyue had often heard others compare Yun Wantang with Xiao Qinghe. Even without meeting her before, she had initially held a favorable impression.

When Yun Wantang first pleaded for Shen Qingchi, Xiao Qingyue thought it was out of kindness. After hearing Chun Xi, she realized Yun Wantang’s goodwill was only for Shen Qingchi, which was unfair.

Yun Wantang was used to being compared, but she had always come out on top—no one had ever said she was inferior.

Xiao Qingyue’s words stung.

Yun Wantang had a good husband, two children, and maintained her beauty. She was praised by everyone in her in-laws.

Yet Xiao Qinghe, married, often acted spoiled, failed as a competent wife to Ze’er, and meddled outwardly. Why should they be compared?

Yun Wantang laughed coldly in her heart but could not openly contradict Xiao Qingyue. She could only turn her ire toward Chun Xi.

“Qingchi only made a minor mistake, yet Madam Shen accuses her as the mastermind of the kidnapping. I spoke a few words in her defense, and now I’m accused of being unreasonable. Madam Shen’s words are merciless.”

Yun Wantang didn’t argue, yet she made it sound as if she had suffered greatly.

Chun Xi clapped her hands and said sincerely: “I’m young, inexperienced, and can’t match your eloquence, Madam. You came uninvited, scolded me inexplicably, yet felt aggrieved yourself. I, just back from the gates of death, don’t even know where to defend myself.”

Both had valid points, making it sound reasonable.

The tension was frozen when the prince consort suddenly strode forward.

Though this was not the time for distraction, his presence again stunned Chun Xi.

She had been gone just over a month, yet he now seemed triumphant, as if ten years younger.

He went straight to the princess and, facing the crowd, announced: “I just inquired at the Dali Court. Before the kidnapping, Shen Qingchi repeatedly entered the Mo household, provoked Second Madam Mo verbally, and implied that she could harm Madam Shen’s natal family. You can imagine the malice behind this.”

He then turned to Yun Wantang: “Madam, since you care so much about Shen Qingchi, surely you already went to the Dali Court to learn the full facts. Do you really think such a person should be easily forgiven?”

Yun Wantang: “……”

Why had the prince consort suddenly involved himself in such trivial matters?