TSWRLM -Chapter 257 Truly Just Pretending

Wei Lingze’s fainting didn’t affect everyone’s appetite. At noon, the three of them cheerfully accompanied Old Madam Xiao to enjoy hotpot lamb.

Xiao Qingyue was conquered by Chun Xi’s special dipping sauce and left Songhe Courtyard clutching her stomach after eating, while Xiao Qinghe also ate quite a lot, breaking into a sweat with a flushed face, walking a bit lighter on the way home.

After the two left, Chun Xi stayed behind to have tea with Old Madam Xiao to help digest.

After finishing a cup, Old Madam Xiao spoke: “Were you really just here to eat hotpot today?”

“You truly have eyes like a hawk, Aunt. Nothing escapes your notice,” Chun Xi flattered her first, then said, “Actually, I came today to share some happy news with you.”

Chun Xi lowered her gaze to her belly as she spoke. Old Madam Xiao was initially stunned, then couldn’t hide her excitement: “You’re expecting?”

Chun Xi nodded: “It’s not even three months yet. I originally planned to wait until it was more certain before telling you, but by some twist of fate, both the Empress and the Virtuous Consort already know, so I can’t hide it from you either.”

Chun Xi briefly explained how she had accompanied Princess Hengyang for a medical consultation and found out she was expecting.

Old Madam Xiao was overjoyed.

Shen Qingyuan had wasted ten years in Jingzhao Mansion, with many obstacles in marriage. Now, nearing thirty, he finally had an heir.

“Before the winter hunt, you practiced archery and horseback riding daily with He’er and Yue’er. Later, you competed with Princess Hengyang during the hunt. Despite all that, everything turned out fine. This child seems lucky to have you as a mother.”

Old Madam Xiao’s words praised both the child and Chun Xi. Chun Xi half-joked in reply: “Before, I didn’t know much and felt like I could do anything. Now that I do, I must be careful in everything. Even today, I had to ask my husband for a long time before he agreed to let me go out.”

“It’s slippery in the snow, and it’s cold. Being careful is good,” Old Madam Xiao nodded. She continued, “I saw that you have quite a good appetite just now. You didn’t even mind the strong smell of the lamb.”

Chun Xi felt a little embarrassed: “I had some nausea a few days ago and couldn’t eat meat, but my constitution seems fine. My appetite has returned these past two days. I can not only tolerate the smell of meat, but even enjoy it.”

“Being able to eat is good, but don’t overeat. If the child is too big, childbirth will be difficult. Listen to the advice of the Virtuous Consort and her aides. When the time comes, have the imperial physician at the mansion—it will be safe. I’ll also arrange some wet nurses for you to choose from; you can pick two you like, or if you have better candidates, just tell me directly.”

Old Madam Xiao had already thought through the future. Chun Xi thanked her and chatted with her for quite a while before leaving.

Near the main gate, Chun Xi ran into Wei Lingze.

A few days apart had visibly thinned him. His face was pale, revealing his illness.

Whether he was deliberately putting on a show for the Xiao family or genuinely weak, he leaned on Xingzhou’s shoulder, moving slowly outward.

Chun Xi didn’t greet him and instead observed from a distance.

Soon, Wei Lingze noticed her gaze and turned his head.

When their eyes met, Chun Xi felt a sharp murderous intent.

In an instant, Wei Lingze suppressed it, and his expression became blank.

So he was pretending.

Chun Xi raised an eyebrow and quickened her pace. From a few steps away, she heard Wei Lingze theatrically ask Xingzhou, “Who is this lady behind me? I’ve never seen her at the Xiao residence before.”

Xingzhou hadn’t noticed Chun Xi at first. Hearing Wei Lingze’s question, he turned, froze when he saw Chun Xi, and didn’t know how to introduce her.

Having worked together before, Chun Xi didn’t make it difficult. She introduced herself: “I am Shen Qingyuan’s wife. By rank, you should call me ‘Aunt’.”

“Oh, Auntie… sorry. I recently had an illness, so I can’t remember many people or events clearly. I didn’t mean to offend,” Wei Lingze said apologetically, his tone polite but distant. Even with their earlier eye contact, Chun Xi felt it was mostly genuine.

But Chun Xi was not seeing Wei Lingze’s acting for the first time.

Previously, when he took her to a banquet in a wheelchair, he was always gentle and refined, showing no hint of his private irritability or brutality.

Chun Xi didn’t rush to expose him. Smiling, she said, “It’s fine. As an elder, I should be magnanimous and not petty. But even if a nephew-in-law forgets some things due to illness, those around him should remember. Didn’t anyone tell him what he’s been doing lately?”

Wei Lingze’s expression remained unchanged. In a soft voice, he said, “I asked around, but without memory, it feels disjointed, as if someone else inhabited my body and made me do things I could never have done.”

Not only amnesia, but also “body possession”—Chun Xi inwardly applauded. Brilliant acting.

So all those past misdeeds must have been the work of evil spirits. He had actually remained consistent all along.

“Possession?” Chun Xi raised her voice in feigned shock. “I’ve heard some vengeful ghosts can indeed take over someone’s body. But the victims are usually doomed solitary stars whose families will die. Is your family all right?”

Her words sounded less like concern and more like a curse.

Wei Lingze’s eyelid twitched. He forced calm and replied, “My family is fine. Auntie, don’t worry.”

Chun Xi, of course, didn’t actually worry. She continued: “It’s strange. If you were possessed, your behavior and temperament would differ greatly. How did none of your close family notice anything?”

“Possession is just a rumor. No one has really seen it. At the time, I was seriously injured, so some changes in temperament are normal.”

“But secretly raising a concubine and an illegitimate child, breaking a magistrate’s son’s leg for the concubine, striking your wife when displeased—all of these happened after your recovery. And the Wei family covered it up. Even if a spirit had possessed you, wouldn’t the whole family have become inhuman spirits as well?”

“….”

Wei Lingze was speechless. According to Chun Xi’s logic, to clear himself, he could only admit the Wei family’s misconduct.

“Ahem,” Wei Lingze cleared his throat to change the subject. “Auntie seems to hold some grudge against me. If I’ve offended you, please forgive me.”

“You haven’t offended me,” Chun Xi laughed. “It’s the spirit that possessed you that has offended me—the one that should go to the eighteenth level of hell and reincarnate as beasts for eternity.”

Wei Lingze: “….”