TSWRLM -Chapter 235 Does Madam Want Me to Take First Place?

After a long day of travel, everyone had settled into the camp, and dusk was falling.

By evening, bonfires were lit in the clearing outside the camp, low tables were set up, and the night wind was quite cold, making it hard to keep food warm. The accompanying imperial chefs prepared mutton in a copper pot and some cold dishes.

Being away from the palace, there were fewer formalities. Men and women weren’t seated separately; they simply sat according to rank.

Xiao Qinghe had come as well, but she didn’t sit with Wei Lingze. Instead, she sat with Xiao Qingyue, alongside her father and brothers.

The moment Xiao Qinghe appeared, Wei Lingze’s gaze locked on her, and the others began sneaking glances at the two of them.

Sensing everyone’s attention, Xiao Qinghe’s expression remained calm, giving Wei Lingze no response, which immediately darkened his face.

Though Wei Lingze hadn’t gone to the Xiao household to embarrass himself these past days, he had hoped that after the winter hunt, he could find an opportunity to earn Xiao Qinghe’s forgiveness. But now, seeing the Xiao family appear with her, it felt like a public announcement of their strained relationship.

Could He’er really want to divorce him? Could she really let go of so many years of childhood companionship?

The thought kept gnawing at his mind, leaving him flustered and unable to focus. The members of the envoy party had no idea what he was thinking. Just as the banquet began, Xuanyuan Lang started provocatively addressing Wei Lingze.

Everyone could see that the one-armed grudge had left a deep scar on him, and he was eager to face Wei Lingze again.

Wei Lingze’s mind was still full of thoughts of Xiao Qinghe, so he didn’t catch Xuanyuan Lang’s words and gave no response. The envoy party assumed he was timid and afraid, laughing uproariously.

The Emperor’s face darkened. Wei Lingze’s father quickly called him, and only then did Wei Lingze snap back to reality.

Seeing the envoy party laughing hysterically, Wei Lingze gripped his wine cup, a murderous intent rising. He coldly said to Xuanyuan Lang: “General Xuanyuan has already lost once and even lost an arm. Now you’re so anxious—do you find your other arm insufficient?”

The envoy party’s laughter stopped abruptly. Xuanyuan Lang, however, remained calm. He shook his empty sleeve and said loudly: “I’ve already adapted to life with only one arm. But I wonder, if young General Wei were to lose an arm, could he recover as I have?”

At the end, Xuanyuan Lang raised an eyebrow, like a venomous snake eyeing Wei Lingze’s right arm, as if he were about to strike it off.

Click.

Wei Lingze’s wine cup made a faint cracking sound in his hand. He suppressed his anger and curled his lips into a feral smile: “General Xuanyuan, rather than worrying about something that will never happen, you should worry about yourself.”

The tension between them was palpable, making everyone even more eager for tomorrow’s winter hunt.

Once the banquet ended, Wei Lingze hurried to find Xiao Qinghe, but before he could reach her tent, Xiao Qingyang stopped him: “That’s the women’s camp. If young General Wei goes further, it would be improper.”

Wei Lingze softened his tone: “Second Brother, I just want to say a few words to He’er.”

“Hasn’t young General Wei been able to keep his composure these days? Can’t you wait until the hunt is over?”

Xiao Qingyang’s tone and expression were full of mockery. Wei Lingze tensed and quietly explained: “Second Brother, I haven’t spent a single day without thinking of He’er. But you’ve seen how arrogant Xuanyuan Lang has been. I have to devote extra effort to deal with him—it’s not that I intend to neglect He’er. You, being my brother-in-law and fellow official, should understand my situation.”

Of course, Xiao Qingyang understood.

If Xiao Qinghe and Wei Lingze’s relationship had been as it once was, the Xiao family would have helped Wei Lingze refuse this duel the moment the envoy party made their request.

He had been bedridden for three years. Although he had recovered for over half a year, his skills were far below what they were three years ago. If he lost, his future would be ruined.

The Xiao family would never watch their son-in-law fall into such a predicament.

But He’er had suffered so much at the Wei household, and now that the Xiao family was even planning to cut ties, what did Wei Lingze’s future matter to them?

Xiao Qingyang tugged at the corners of his lips, smiling without reaching his eyes: “Since you know your priorities, why go to He’er now? If your state is off tomorrow, won’t the Wei family blame He’er for disturbing you?”

“Second Brother, the Wei family wouldn’t do that to He’er.”

Wei Lingze couldn’t help raising his voice, growing more agitated.

Xiao Qingyang didn’t indulge him, also raising his voice: “Why are you shouting? Don’t you know how much He’er has suffered in the Wei household these past days?”

“Second Brother…”

“Don’t call me Second Brother. The winter hunt starts tomorrow. You should return to your tent and rest. If you insist on making a fuss, we’ll go to the imperial presence and settle it properly now.”

Xiao Qingyang was firm. Wei Lingze didn’t dare escalate things at court. After a tense moment, he had no choice but to return to his tent, fuming.

Wei Lingze didn’t get to see Xiao Qinghe. Meanwhile, Chun Xi and Princess Hengyang stayed in Xiao Qinghe’s tent for quite a while.

Princess Hengyang noticed the Xiao family’s different attitude toward Wei Lingze but didn’t pry, focusing instead on matters related to the winter hunt.

Learning that Chun Xi had been taking Xiao Qinghe and Xiao Qingyue to practice riding and archery, the princess immediately felt a twinge of jealousy: “You’ve been having so much fun and didn’t tell me? No way! Tomorrow, A-Xi, you must compete with me properly.”

“Alright,” Chun Xi nodded without hesitation, half-joking: “I’m pretty good at this, so I won’t go easy on Your Highness.”

“What a coincidence! My riding and archery aren’t bad either. A-Xi, if you don’t give your all, I’ll punish you!”

With the contest agreed upon, Princess Hengyang left in high spirits. Xiao Qinghe and Xiao Qingyue were also excited.

Chun Xi returned to her tent and immediately told Shen Qingyuan. He wasn’t surprised, and calmly reminded her: “Winning isn’t important. Be safe and enjoy yourself.”

Chun Xi leaned close and poked him: “Today the princess said your riding and archery are excellent. Do you have a chance of taking first place in the winter hunt?”

Shen Qingyuan tilted his head and glanced at her: “Madam, do you want me to take first place?”

He spoke as if merely wanting it would make it happen.

Chun Xi blinked, then smiled after a moment, mimicking his tone: “Winning isn’t important. I just want you to be safe and enjoy yourself.”

Shen Qingyuan was amused by her earnest expression, cupping her head and kissing her.

After a while, Chun Xi heard him say: “Just as Madam has confidence in beating the princess, I have the same confidence in taking first place.”

“……”!!!

The next day, after a simple ritual, the winter hunt officially began.