TSWRLM -Chapter 23 Marry Me or Apologize

Chun Xi had claimed ties with the Consort Xian’s maternal family, so Matchmaker Zhang didn’t dare offend her outright. Fearing that Zhou Qin might resent her later, she still went to the Zhou family.

After Matchmaker Zhang left, Chun Xi and Cao Wu found seats for themselves and ordered two bowls of sweetened water.

It wasn’t long before Zhou Qin arrived, accompanied by several of his uncles and elder cousins.

Zhou Qin had been terrified by the three groups of people who confronted him earlier. He hadn’t dared to claim the betrothal gifts, but upon returning home and reflecting, he realized he had been beaten three times for no reason, lost the gifts, and was angry. That was why he wrote the notice and posted it publicly, trying to force Chun Xi to return the gifts voluntarily.

Today, he brought his uncles and cousins for moral support, but seeing the burly and imposing Cao Wu, he felt uneasy.

He had heard that this eldest brother of the Cao family worked in a lumber workshop—could a single punch really kill someone?

Feeling insecure, Zhou Qin didn’t dare step too close to Chun Xi. From four or five steps away, he spoke: “There is no misunderstanding between the young lady and me. I saw everything with my own eyes. If the young lady returns the betrothal gifts, we can call it even.”

“Sometimes what one sees with their own eyes is not the whole truth,” Chun Xi replied. “The Young Master Ye you saw that day had a feud with the Young Master Wei, which is why he intentionally took me, asking me to help disrupt the Young Master Wei’s marriage. Both the Wei and Xiao families know about this, and Madam Xiao—the mother of Consort Xian—also rewarded me with several gold ingots.”

At the mention of gold ingots, the Zhou family’s eyes lit up.

The Wei family had given Chun Xi an entire cartload of goods, something the Zhou family had already learned about. That’s why they were eager to formally propose, hoping Chun Xi would take everything from the Wei family as her dowry.

Now Chun Xi’s earlier flirtation was merely a misunderstanding—and her value had actually increased. Marrying her would be a good deal.

It turned out that the Cao family wasn’t keeping the gifts to be stingy—they intended to continue the engagement regardless of past grievances.

The Zhou family members exchanged subtle glances with Zhou Qin, who looked increasingly sour.

He had expected Chun Xi to argue with him today. Instead, both families had practically torn each other apart, and Chun Xi actually seemed willing to be with him!

There had to be something fishy about this engagement.

He couldn’t let himself get tangled up with this woman!

Zhou Qin furrowed his brow and glared at Chun Xi. “I am not a man who covets money. If the young lady and I are incompatible, why must you persist in clinging to me?”

Chun Xi blinked innocently. “Sir, if you feel we are incompatible, why did you have a matchmaker arrange a proposal and come to my house with such fanfare to present betrothal gifts? Now, because of your claim of incompatibility, I suffer disdain and gossip. How am I supposed to marry in the future?”

Cao Wu had originally considered returning the Zhou family’s gifts. Hearing Chun Xi’s accusation of Zhou Qin, he was instantly furious.

He slammed his bowl onto the table and strode over to Zhou Qin, grabbing him by the collar. “You toy with my sister and even wrote that damn notice slandering her—have you crammed all the books of the sages up your dog’s belly?”

Cao Wu was incredibly strong, easily lifting Zhou Qin off the ground.

Seeing Cao Wu’s face up close, Zhou Qin felt terrified.

Fearing another beating, he hurriedly said, “Fine! I don’t want the betrothal gifts anymore. Are you satisfied?”

“I already said I have gold ingots from the Xiao family—I’m not short of money.”

“Then what do you want?”

Zhou Qin regretted ever thinking of Chun Xi. Had he known she would be this difficult, he would never have targeted her.

Finally, Chun Xi addressed the issue directly, smiling as she said, “There are two options for you, sir. Either you marry me, or you personally come to my home to explain to the neighbors that you canceled the engagement without reason, that it was not my fault, and then take back the betrothal gifts.”

Zhou Qin clenched his teeth, his face dark as iron. After a moment, he said, “Fine. I apologize.”

“…What?”

Everyone from the Zhou family stared at Zhou Qin as if he were insane.

Here was a woman who came with gold ingots and even took care of the household—a wife like that was hard to find, and yet he would rather apologize than marry her? Did he think passing the civil service exam made him a king?

The Zhou family’s eldest uncle couldn’t help but speak: “Nephew, you’re not getting any younger. After so many years, you finally passed the civil service exam. Even if you want to become a provincial graduate, it would take until your forties or fifties. Don’t be so picky. I think the Cao family girl is excellent.”

If this marriage succeeded, Matchmaker Zhang would receive fees from both families. She immediately urged, “That’s right, young Zhou. Your family proposed the engagement and then canceled it—that was wrong. You even wrote a notice badmouthing the girl. Who besides Chun Xi would be so loyal and steadfast to a petty man like you?”

Zhou Qin’s face turned the color of pig liver.

On the way to see Chun Xi, he had planned how to quote classics to criticize her supposed impropriety and the Cao family’s greed.

Yes, he had canceled the engagement, but Chun Xi was to blame, right? She should have been the one cursed by everyone.

Instead, things went completely against his expectations.

Chun Xi didn’t cry or make a scene; she even smiled and indicated she still wanted to marry him. Suddenly, everyone sided with her.

This woman’s scheming was terrifyingly deep!

If he married her, he feared he would never recover control of his life.

Terrified of being forced to marry Chun Xi, Zhou Qin quickly said, “Go home and wait. I’ll call my parents, and we’ll go to the Cao family to apologize.”

“You fool! You don’t even value such a good girl. I think you’re going to end up marrying a goddess!”

The Zhou family’s eldest uncle stormed off in anger. The others also found Zhou Qin unreasonable. Matchmaker Zhang, meanwhile, returned to her previous warmth toward Chun Xi: “You were tricked by that Zhou man. Don’t be upset, Chun Xi. Don’t worry—I’ll help you find a worthy husband next time.”

Chun Xi didn’t hold grudges at all. Softly, she said, “Thank you for your concern, madam.”

Leaving Matchmaker Zhang’s house, Cao Wu was still dazed.

They had come to return money to the Zhou family, but now not a single coin was spent—and the Zhou family would still have to come apologize. His sister had truly become remarkable!

Cao Wu admired her, but seeing his little sister’s thin, small back, he felt an overwhelming pang of sadness.

He had no idea how much she had suffered to become so capable.

He reached out to rub Chun Xi’s head, his voice hoarse: “A-Xi, you’ve worked hard all these years.”

Chun Xi was still thinking about how to make Zhou Qin apologize when suddenly her brother rubbed her head. She looked up and saw his teary, blurred eyes.

“…Brother, I know you care, but not yet. The Zhou family isn’t gone yet.”

Chun Xi grabbed a handkerchief and stood on tiptoe to wipe Cao Wu’s eyes. Just as she wiped, Qing Shu’s voice came from outside: “Miss Chun Xi, what are you doing?”

Turning her head, she saw Shen Qingyuan pulling back the carriage curtain, quietly observing them.