TSWRLM -Chapter 229 Wei Lingze, I Will Die Before You

With Yun Wantang’s support, the next day, Madam Yun invited both Wei Lingze and Xiao Qinghe to the main residence for dinner.

The dinner was lavish, filled mostly with dishes Xiao Qinghe liked.

Once the food was served, Madam Yun personally ladled soup for both of them.

“Lately, Ze’er has been busy entertaining the envoy delegation and hasn’t had a proper meal at home. Soon he’ll be tied up with the winter hunt. He’s really been neglecting you, He’er.”

Madam Yun’s words carried a note of apology, but Xiao Qinghe didn’t feel neglected at all.

These past few months of marriage, she had grown increasingly unhappy whenever she saw Wei Lingze. Now, she actually wished he stayed busy outside as much as possible.

Still, since Madam Yun had gone to great lengths to maintain appearances, Xiao Qinghe played along: “Mother, you worry too much. My husband’s work outside is important; I don’t feel neglected at all.”

Wei Lingze, preoccupied with the winter hunt and matters regarding Chun Xi, didn’t even glance at Xiao Qinghe. He frowned at Madam Yun: “Mother, didn’t you say you had something important to tell me? Was it just to call me for dinner?”

His tone was displeased, annoyed that Madam Yun had lured him to eat under false pretenses.

Madam Yun shot him a look: “What’s wrong with having a meal? Don’t you even have time to eat with me now?”

It wasn’t that he lacked time—he just found it unnecessary.

Wei Lingze didn’t want to argue and buried himself in his meal.

Madam Yun urged them to finish their soup and offered many words of reconciliation, hoping they would resolve their conflicts and restore harmony, ensuring the continuation of their lineage.

Wei Lingze ignored her entirely. Xiao Qinghe only occasionally responded with a polite word or two, not taking it seriously.

Watching them, Madam Yun’s heart sank. She was increasingly convinced that Yun Wantang’s suggestion had been correct.

These two were already distant in spirit. If left unchecked, there was no hope of reconciliation.

After finishing a bowl of rice, Wei Lingze threw down his chopsticks and tried to leave, but Madam Yun called out: “You have a day off tomorrow. Why rush? Wait until He’er finishes, then return together.”

“Mother, the estate is safe. I can go back by myself after eating. Let my husband stay busy.”

Xiao Qinghe refused, and Madam Yun’s anger flared: “I’ve said so much, and you haven’t listened to a single word?”

Seeing Madam Yun upset, Xiao Qinghe put down her chopsticks: “I’m full. I’ll go back with my husband.”

Side by side, they left the main residence.

Madam Yun dismissed the servants, leaving only a trusted maid, and anxiously asked, “Will this work?”

The maid quickly reassured her: “Madam, rest assured. The medicine in the soup is strong. Tonight, the young master and young mistress will certainly come together naturally. Once the young mistress experiences its effects, she will reconcile with the young master as before.”

Let’s hope so.

If she had known they would live like this, the Wei family might as well have broken the engagement three years ago to maintain their reputation.

Madam Yun’s eyelids twitched nonstop. While having the maid massage her temples, she sent someone to gather news.

Meanwhile, as Xiao Qinghe walked out of the main residence, she felt an inexplicable heat spreading through her body.

Not wanting to stay with Wei Lingze too long, she quickened her pace toward the Lingfeng courtyard.

Though it was early winter and nights had been chilly, she was sweating along the way, feeling parched. She longed to get home, drink water, and take a shower.

Suddenly, her wrist was grabbed, and she was pulled into Wei Lingze’s arms.

Wei Lingze’s palm was scorching. His breathing was heavy, exhaling heat, his gaze dark and terrifying.

Something was wrong!

Xiao Qinghe immediately sensed danger. She turned to call for Quezhi, but both Quezhi and the maid following behind had vanished.

Panic rose in her chest. Wei Lingze held her tightly, half-hugging, half-carrying her forward.

“I can walk myself. Let me go.”

Her voice was soft, trembling. She tried to struggle, but her body felt oddly light and powerless. A strange, frightening desire coursed through her, making her almost wish for contact.

Shivering, Xiao Qinghe stared at Wei Lingze in disbelief: “You drugged me?”

She hadn’t known about such things before, but that day at the princess’s residence, Princess Hengyang mentioned Wuyouge, and she realized such medicines existed.

Wuyouge’s potions were meant to entertain guests, yet now she was trapped against her will.

Wei Lingze sensed the problem as soon as he left the main residence. He hadn’t expected Madam Yun to resort to such a thing for offspring—she had involved both him and Xiao Qinghe.

A mother interfering in her child’s marital intimacy was disgraceful. Wei Lingze didn’t admit it; he only said hoarsely: “It’s been a long time since we’ve shared a bed. It’s normal for a wife to have needs. Stop pretending you’re some virtuous maiden. Sleeping with you is my right; there’s no need for such crude schemes.”

His words were forceful, even reasonable in some sense. But the effects of the medicine couldn’t be faked. Xiao Qinghe wasn’t fooled. She said solemnly: “I have no such thoughts about you. Let me go.”

Wei Lingze didn’t release her and instead changed direction, heading briskly toward his study.

Memories of being forced before flooded her mind. Anger and fear surged. She didn’t want a repeat—didn’t want to be a plaything again. She yanked the hairpin from her hair and thrust it at Wei Lingze.

Wei Lingze had anticipated this. With a slight lift of his hand, he knocked the hairpin to the ground.

The force difference was too great, and the drug’s effect intensified. Xiao Qinghe felt herself plunging into an abyss. She bit her tongue to stay conscious and said word by word: “Wei Lingze, if you dare do this to me, I will die before you.”

Her voice was soft, breathy from the medicine, even seductive, but each word carried resolute defiance.

Wei Lingze paused and looked down at her: “We are husband and wife, and you’re willing to die rather than be with me?”

“I do not consent. What you are doing is no better than an animal!”

Xiao Qinghe’s resistance enraged him. Memories of the bite mark on Shen Qingyuan’s neck and Xuanyuan Lang’s provocation stirred dark emotions. He laughed coldly: “Hah, I’ve already acted like a beast once. Doing it again, what difference does it make?”

Speaking, he approached the study, tearing open Xiao Qinghe’s clothing without entering the room.

Xiao Qinghe closed her eyes in despair, preparing to bite her tongue. Suddenly, a glint of cold light appeared—a tall figure in black descended from above.

The figure’s face was masked, but Wei Lingze immediately recognized him as the Wuyouge master who had confronted him several times before.

A lecherous wretch, daring to intrude on the Wei residence at night—he was asking for death!

Wei Lingze’s rage peaked. He barked coldly: “Seize the assassin!”

At his command, the Wei estate guards rushed from all directions.

But Xiao Yechen was unfazed, decisively raising his sword to strike at Wei Lingze.