TSWRLM -Chapter 238 Confrontation in Public

Wei Lingze had not only already changed his heart, but he had also fathered a child with someone else before his legitimate wife, Xiao Qinghe!

Everyone was stunned by this news, unable to recover immediately. Even Yun Wantang hesitated to speak. Xiao Qinghe quickly reacted, her expression darkening as she said, “Little Aunt, I have never blamed you, so you shouldn’t blame yourself either.”

Xiao Qinghe didn’t speak ill of Wei Lingze; she only told Chun Xi not to blame herself, which only confirmed the truth of the matter even more.

Indeed, Wei Lingze had been paralyzed for three years, and the Xiao family had never suggested breaking off the engagement. This proved Xiao Qinghe’s true feelings for Wei Lingze. If he hadn’t changed his heart first, why would Xiao Qinghe suddenly move back to her parents’ home and refuse even to speak to him?

Yun Wantang dared to bring up this topic publicly because she expected Xiao Qinghe wouldn’t reveal the truth about being drugged by her mother-in-law. But she forgot that sometimes, the less is explained, the more room is left for people’s imagination.

Seeing that everyone was beginning to believe Chun Xi’s words, Yun Wantang realized she had made a grave mistake. She immediately composed herself and knelt beside Chun Xi, saying, “Your Majesty, Wei Lingze has always been sincere to He’er. He would never secretly allow another woman to bear a child. Please do not believe Madam Shen’s one-sided words.”

“Your Majesty, the Xiao family knew the truth but initially wanted to spare the Wei family some face because of years of friendship. But today, Madam Li suddenly attacked, insisting on accusing me of being an ungrateful meddler. I am not as magnanimous as He’er—I must tell the truth to prove my innocence! If I speak a single false word, may my entire clan be executed and my family exterminated!”

Chun Xi’s voice was firm and loud. The oath she swore was terrifyingly severe, leaving no room for doubt.

Yun Wantang nearly spat blood at this. Chun Xi came from a lowly background and had almost no contact with her family—what clan could she possibly have to execute? Moreover, by speaking this way, Chun Xi had clearly trapped her; if she hadn’t interfered, Chun Xi would never have revealed such a shocking secret. If this spread, how much resentment would her sister and the Wei family have toward her?

“Madam Shen, do you know the punishment for framing court officials? Zé’er is currently competing with the envoy delegation. If you distract him with this matter and he loses, can you bear that responsibility?”

Yun Wantang could no longer maintain her usual gentle elegance. Her voice grew louder with each word, as if sheer volume could silence Chun Xi.

However, Chun Xi’s mind was clear. She calmly countered, “Madam, weren’t you the one to raise this topic first? You don’t care for your nephew, and you bring up his private matters publicly to draw attention. Why should I care?”

Yun Wantang was momentarily speechless, then tried to defend herself: “Madam Shen, you mustn’t speak nonsense—I am concerned for He’er.”

“Oh? So Madam’s way of caring is not private comfort, but publicly exposing someone’s wounds?”

Chun Xi raised her brows, her tone dripping with sarcasm.

The situation had completely flipped. Yun Wantang, who had intended to strike first, was caught off guard. Chun Xi pressed her relentlessly, tearing away years of pretense. Yun Wantang felt hatred for Chun Xi, regretting that she hadn’t secretly written to her sister to have this maid dealt with earlier.

She gritted her teeth and avoided falling into Chun Xi’s trap. She redirected the topic: “Madam Shen, you’re sharp-tongued, and I can’t out-argue you. But if you intend to slander Zé’er, you must produce solid evidence.”

“I was only a humble maid in the Wei household. How could I have such important evidence? But I do remember the pregnant girl’s name—Qian Yin, the youngest daughter of the Qian family rice shop in the west of the city. She was very beautiful. Two years ago, she was sent into the Wei household. Soon after she became pregnant, she was secretly sent away. The Xiao family has already verified this. If anyone doesn’t believe me, you can check for yourselves.”

Chun Xi spoke with detailed clarity. Hearing that the Xiao family had already verified the claim, most of the audience was convinced.

After all, Yun Wantang was only Wei Lingze’s maternal aunt; she didn’t want to see him treated badly. The Xiao family wouldn’t push Xiao Qinghe into a vulnerable position over hearsay.

Yun Wantang took in everyone’s expressions. She had no evidence to refute Chun Xi’s words, so she could only loudly question: “If this is true, why didn’t Madam Shen inform the Xiao family earlier instead of waiting until now?”

“I wanted to, but that day I went at an unlucky time. The Wei and Xiao families were discussing wedding matters. I didn’t even see He’er, and I almost got beaten to death.”

Hearing this, Xiao Qingyue turned pale and swayed. She asked in disbelief, “So Little Aunt went to the Xiao family that day to report this?”

Xiao Qingyue’s shock made Chun Xi feel some pity, but the performance had to continue, and she nodded.

The next moment, Xiao Qingyue burst into tears: “Sister, I’m sorry! That day I sent Mo Yun to teach Little Aunt a lesson. She must have been scared, which is why she didn’t speak the truth. Sister, it’s my fault!”

After saying this, she slapped herself twice.

All her life, her sister had always cared for her. She had originally thought Chun Xi would hinder her sister and brother-in-law’s happiness and wanted to remove her. Unexpectedly, her actions inadvertently put her sister in this situation.

The debt to her sister could never be repaid in this lifetime.

“Yue’er, don’t do this,” Xiao Qinghe said, hugging Xiao Qingyue with concern. “You should know my character. Even if I had heard of these things then, I wouldn’t have accepted them. I don’t turn back unless I’ve hit my head against a wall.”

The sight of the sisters embracing was deeply moving. Xiao Qingyue’s reaction perfectly confirmed Chun Xi’s truthfulness.

Chun Xi had visited the Xiao family before, but she was powerless to speak the truth. Only after marrying Shen Qingyuan and witnessing Xiao Qinghe’s unhappy marriage did she finally endure the pangs of conscience and confessed everything to persuade Xiao Qinghe to separate.

No wonder when Xiao Qinghe went to Yunshan Temple with Princess Hengyang, Wei Lingze suddenly rushed to catch her in the act—he had probably already changed his heart and had always treated Xiao Qinghe poorly, fearing she might betray him as he had.

The events had far exceeded Yun Wantang’s expectations. Chun Xi’s handling was timely and thorough. Xiao Qinghe and Xiao Qingyue seemed to have coordinated with Chun Xi in advance, ensuring that today the blame firmly fell on Wei Lingze.

At this point, the more words spoken, the greater the risk of error.

Yun Wantang quickly made a decision. She gave up arguing with Chun Xi and softened her tone: “I have been away from Hanjing for many years, and I am not fully aware of what happened after Zé’er’s injury. But I trust Zé’er’s character and the Wei family’s household rules. There must be some misunderstanding. The Wei family will investigate thoroughly. Madam Shen, please be prepared to take responsibility for your statements today.”

Yun Wantang’s last words carried deep meaning, subtly threatening.

Chun Xi was unafraid. She smiled faintly and said, “I cared for Wei Lingze for three years, so of course I can stand by my words. Madam, on the other hand, always comes to accuse me without knowing the facts. To put it nicely, Madam is beautiful and kind-hearted. To put it harshly, Madam’s actions are no different from Aunt Li next door, who loves gossip and hearsay.”

Yun Wantang: “……”

If given the chance, she would definitely sew Chun Xi’s mouth shut!