TSWRLM -Chapter 247 What Is There About Cao Chun Xi That You Can’t Let Go Of?

Wei Lingze didn’t want to pay any attention to Chun Xi at all, but Chun Xi completely ignored his mood and came over, fussing over him with concern.

Wei Lingze’s father and Madam Yun’s faces grew even uglier.

Madam Yun knew that Chun Xi had deliberately caused trouble in Yunzhou to sabotage her son, and she couldn’t help glaring at Chun Xi and whispering: “A moment of mercy is better than none. The Wei family never treated you unfairly back then. Aren’t you afraid that being so ungrateful will bring you retribution later?”

Chun Xi had indeed taken care of Wei Lingze for three years, but she had been a servant sold to the Wei household. Serving her master was her duty. Later, when she wanted to leave, Madam Yun had given her a thousand taels and a cartload of good items. Though this was trivial for the Wei family, it was a huge sum for Chun Xi.

From Madam Yun’s perspective, the Wei family didn’t owe Chun Xi anything—they had even done her a favor.

Even if Wei Lingze had once acted obstinately and had Chun Xi forcibly confined in Yunzhou, Chun Xi shouldn’t have retaliated so ruthlessly.

Madam Yun thought her words would make Chun Xi relent. But Chun Xi blinked and dramatically shouted: “Madam, what do you mean by that? My husband and I just arrived here; we don’t even know what’s happening! I was only caring about you kindly—how does that make me ungrateful and in need of retribution?”

The spectators nearby perked up at these words, eager for gossip. Madam Yun froze, fuming silently.

Had she forgotten that this Cao Chun Xi was nothing but a shameless, streetwise woman?

Madam Yun had already lost face today and didn’t want to argue further with Chun Xi. She was about to leave, but Chun Xi continued on her own: “Madam, are you angry because I exposed my nephew-in-law’s affair and illegitimate child in Yunzhou in front of Her Majesty the Empress?”

You still have the nerve to say that?

Madam Yun stopped in her tracks. If not for decorum, she would have slapped Chun Xi right there.

Ignoring Madam Yun’s murderous glare, Chun Xi pressed on: “This matter, yes, I spoke of it—but I had to clarify it so you wouldn’t misunderstand the Xiao family. Originally, the Xiao family, out of regard for our families’ relationship, didn’t want me to expose it. But the Fifth Madam of the Grand Tutor Mansion—my nephew-in-law’s own aunt—insisted on publicly saying before Her Majesty that I was a meddler destroying a marriage. I spoke up just to prove my innocence. If Madam Yun wants someone to blame, blame your own dear sister.”

Madam Yun hadn’t attended the winter hunt and didn’t know what Yun Wantang had done. Hearing this, she shouted furiously: “Cao Chun Xi, don’t go too far! You’ve already ruined the relationship between Ze’er and He’er, and now you dare sow discord between me and my sister? Do you think that just because you are Madam Shen, you can do whatever you want?”

Her voice was sharp, her chest heaving with hatred. If she had known Chun Xi would do something like this, she never would have returned her freedom so easily!

Had the contract still been in her hands, Chun Xi would still be the Wei family’s servant. If Ze’er wanted her, she could have remained as a maid in the household—nothing major would have happened.

Having shouted at Chun Xi, Madam Yun turned to Shen Qingyuan: “Master Shen, you’re a well-educated man; are you really going to just let her run wild like this?”

Madam Yun hoped Shen Qingyuan would restrain Chun Xi. Instead, he said calmly: “My wife is just giving a friendly reminder. Madam Yun, instead of getting angry here, why not investigate and find out who really is the meddler enjoying the spectacle?”

Madam Yun was silenced by the word “meddler.”

Shen Qingyuan didn’t linger on the matter and, taking Chun Xi with him, walked toward the steward.

When they heard from the steward that Xiao Qingyue had tried to commit suicide, Chun Xi shouted loudly: “How could dear Yue’er want to die? What happened?”

The steward hurriedly explained that Madam Mu had tried to request Yue’er for her son, and Chun Xi immediately protested: “How can the Mu family do such a thing? He’er and the Xiao family were deceived too, and Yue’er is completely innocent! There’s a right culprit for every grievance—why don’t they confront him directly?”

Chun Xi didn’t rush into the mansion, instead performing a little drama with the steward at the Xiao family gate, much to the rage of Wei Lingze’s father and Madam Yun, who were fuming silently.

After the carriage left, Wei Lingze’s father couldn’t help asking Wei Lingze: “What could possibly make such a shameless woman worth holding onto instead of He’er?”

“… I don’t think she compares to He’er.”

“Then why can’t you let her go?”

Wei Lingze’s father raised his voice, utterly baffled. This Cao Chun Xi was plain-looking, unremarkable, just an ordinary woman. For her, Wei Lingze had let both himself and the Wei family fall into such a mess. Wasn’t that madness?

“….”

Wei Lingze couldn’t answer.

He had never believed Chun Xi was worthy of him. Even though she cared for him for three years, he never once considered touching her.

But he liked her untamable vitality, and subconsciously thought she should be overjoyed and grateful for his small affection.

Yet Chun Xi hadn’t responded that way—she had taken the money and left, even marrying someone else.

He felt wounded in his pride, a surge of anger and resentment rising uncontrollably.

Why could a lowly maid act with such decisiveness?

At first, he just wanted Chun Xi to suffer a little before returning to him obediently. But Chun Xi wasn’t that easy to control—she even connected with Shen Qingyuan, becoming his senior, and things gradually spiraled out of control.

He hated this feeling of losing control and, arrogantly believing himself smarter and more powerful than Chun Xi, thought he could crush her like an ant.

Just like before the winter hunt, he had arrogantly thought he was stronger than Xuanyuan Lang, who had lost a hand, and that he wouldn’t lose.

But reality proved he was too obstinate and arrogant.

He wasn’t that clever, nor that powerful; many people and events in this world were beyond his control.

Wei Lingze fell silent, his face dark. Wei Lingze’s father wanted to scold him, but Madam Yun interjected: “Enough, sir. There’s no use dwelling on this. We should first pacify the Mu family. If Madam Mu keeps causing trouble, Ze’er and He’er will never reconcile.”

Right now, the most important thing was to preserve the marital alliance with the Xiao family.

Wei Lingze’s father snorted, unwilling to clean up after Wei Lingze, but finally ordered the carriage to turn toward the Mu household.

Chun Xi finished her little drama at the gate and, with Shen Qingyuan, went to the Xiao matriarch’s Songhe Courtyard.

Inside, Xiao Qingyue was standing by the Xiao matriarch’s side, dutifully massaging her shoulders.

She looked rosy and healthy, showing no sign of having tried to end her life.

“Grandmother is truly wise. With today’s play, will my sister finally succeed in divorcing?”

Since realizing she had stopped Chun Xi from exposing the truth, Qingyue had been wracked with guilt, hoping daily that her elder sister could finally escape her suffering.

The Xiao matriarch sipped her tea, dousing her hope: “A marriage between families is a major matter. It’s not something you can end just like that. Be patient—there’s still much trouble ahead.”