TSWRLM -Chapter 258 I Won’t Compete with Sister Chun Xi for Favor

Following Wei Lingze’s “possession” excuse, Chun Xi had openly scolded him thoroughly before leaving in high spirits.

When she returned home, she saw Shen Jinhua standing at the gate with a somewhat frail little girl.

As soon as Chun Xi got out of the carriage, the little girl was pushed forward and spoke softly, “Ying’er greets Sister Chun Xi.”

Chun Xi had seen Shen Jinhua’s daughter the last time she dined at the Grand Tutor’s residence. The little girl looked unfamiliar, and Chun Xi didn’t respond to her, instead turning her attention to Shen Jinhua.

“In this freezing weather, little aunt, why are you here?”

Chun Xi was curious but didn’t hurry inside. Shen Jinhua, unusually generous, handed over two packages of tonics: “You child, how could you not tell the family about being so far along in pregnancy? Even though your mother-in-law isn’t around, there are still many in the Shen family. I brought you some bird’s nest—it’s very nourishing.”

It’s said you can’t scold a smiling person who brings gifts. Shen Jinhua came with presents, so Chun Xi couldn’t refuse. She accepted the bird’s nest and led them to the front hall.

On the way, Shen Jinhua chattered nonstop. When she heard Chun Xi say her appetite had improved and there were no other issues, she couldn’t help but sigh: “Looks like the doctor’s remedy really works. A-Xi, not only are you pregnant, but you’re not suffering much either. Just don’t know if it’s a boy or a girl.”

Chun Xi seized the key point and asked, “What remedy? I don’t understand what you mean, little aunt.”

“The remedy to adjust your body and aid conception. Didn’t you go to the same clinic as the Wei family’s young madam? Your luck is incredible—you got pregnant so quickly. That Wei madam can’t conceive, yet forbids the Wei family from raising illegitimate children? How domineering.”

Shen Jinhua clicked her tongue disapprovingly as she spoke.

Old Madam Xiao disliked Qingyuan Hou as a brother-in-law, and the Xiao family looked down on the Shen family. Now that Xiao Qinghe was rumored infertile, Shen Jinhua felt a certain schadenfreude.

No matter how prestigious a woman’s family, she’s still a woman. If she can’t bear children, she’s like a hen without eggs—if someone wants her, that’s already lucky. Why make a fuss?

Thinking this, Shen Jinhua continued: “Even Yuan’er’s biological mother couldn’t conceive for years after marriage. Thanks to my mother praying day and night and finding a special remedy, she finally had Yuan’er. Now this Wei young madam can’t conceive—maybe the women of the Xiao family have some secret issue.”

Chun Xi didn’t immediately argue. Instead, she curiously asked, “Where did you hear this, little aunt?”

“Someone saw you at the clinic. Now everyone’s talking. I’m just saying—you want a child, you should discuss it with your family. How could you casually go to a clinic? If you encountered a quack and harmed yourself, it could even affect Yuan’er. Yuan’er had just shined during the winter hunt, and now he might be mocked because of you. Don’t you feel guilty?”

Shen Jinhua took the chance to pressure Chun Xi, secretly hoping this pregnancy would be a girl, and if she suffered in childbirth, Chun Xi would never dare to show off in front of the Shen family again.

Chun Xi observed Shen Jinhua’s every expression. She didn’t get angry or flustered, but calmly said: “We don’t have a family doctor. It’s normal to go to a clinic for minor remedies. If little aunt comes with hearsay to blame me, I’ll have words for her when my husband returns.”

Previously, when Chun Xi had been kidnapped, the Shen family tried to retrieve the Xiao family dowry, but Shen Qingyuan had sent them all to the court. Hearing Chun Xi mention Shen Qingyuan, Shen Jinhua’s eyelids twitched. She hurriedly said: “I’m not spreading rumors. It was Chizi who said it—she saw you and the Wei young madam at the clinic that day.”

Shen Qingchi?

Chun Xi was surprised: “Wasn’t she at the court? When did she get out?”

“She’s carrying the Grand Tutor’s child. The Grand Tutor’s mansion paid ten thousand taels to redeem her. And you, as the elder sister-in-law, even if Chizi made a mistake, couldn’t you be magnanimous? The child in her womb is innocent. Now that you’re pregnant, you should accumulate merit for your own child.”

For every sentence Chun Xi said, Shen Jinhua would counter several times, picking faults in Chun Xi.

Chun Xi ignored her and focused on her own matters.

Now that her pregnancy was confirmed, even if the news about visiting a fertility doctor spread, it wouldn’t affect her much. These rumors clearly targeted He’er.

Shen Qingchi certainly didn’t dare oppose the Xiao family. The one likely orchestrating this, making Chun Xi speak out, was probably Yun Wantang.

Quite a capable person.

Chun Xi had already warned Madam Yun to be careful of Yun Wantang stirring trouble, yet Madam Yun still allowed her to meddle.

Was Wei Lingze suddenly faking amnesia Yun Wantang’s idea?

Chun Xi was lost in thought. Shen Jinhua’s endless chatter received no response, making her fume: “Cao Chun Xi! I’m talking to you! Are you deaf?”

Shocked back to reality, Chun Xi looked innocent: “Little aunt, what did you just say?”

“…”

If she weren’t aware she couldn’t win, Shen Jinhua would have rushed to confront Chun Xi.

Taking a deep breath to calm down, Shen Jinhua repeated herself: “It’s rare for Yuan’er to have a child at his age. This child cannot suffer any mishap. These months, you and Yuan’er cannot share a room. Have you thought of a solution?”

Chun Xi’s mind hadn’t caught up. She blurted: “A solution for what?”

Shen Jinhua’s temples throbbed. She pushed the little girl forward: “You’re pregnant and cannot share a room. Yuan’er is a man and cannot go without. Ying’er is my mother-in-law’s eldest daughter, of pure background and clever. These months, let her serve Yuan’er. If she bears him a son, you won’t have to suffer again.”

Chun Xi understood—Shen Jinhua had brought a concubine for Shen Qingyuan.

This was common in wealthy families. But these past months, Shen Qingyuan had treated Chun Xi so well, she never even considered it.

She finally turned her gaze from Shen Jinhua to the little girl named Ying’er.

Observing closely, the girl’s face was actually quite pretty.

“How old are you?”

Chun Xi asked gently. Ying’er straightened nervously: “Sister Chun Xi, I just turned sixteen last month.”

“Do you know why you’re here?”

Ying’er blushed but nodded: “Ying’er knows. I am here to serve Sister Chun Xi and Master. Sister, don’t worry—I don’t need a title, and I won’t compete with you for favor.”

After speaking, she knelt and kowtowed twice.

Shen Jinhua was very pleased. She was about to persuade Chun Xi further, but Chun Xi said: “Fine, I’ll accept her.”

Shen Jinhua: “…” ???

Really? That smooth?