TSWRLM -Chapter 263 I May Be Cold-Hearted, But My Wife Has a Kind Heart

Shen Qingyuan pulled Chun Xi to sit in his place, then glanced at Shen Qingchi.

That glance was icy, and Shen Qingchi felt a sudden tightness in her chest.

She dared to argue a little in front of Chun Xi, but facing Shen Qingyuan, she only felt guilty and small.

Her eldest brother had spent ten full years handling cases at the Jingzhao Office, and in front of him, she always felt like her every thought could be seen through.

Though she resented Chun Xi, on closer reflection, in both past and present, Chun Xi had never actively harmed her—it was always Shen Qingchi herself who provoked her first.

Shen Qingchi lowered her head to avoid Shen Qingyuan’s gaze. Seeing this, the Grand Tutor looked at Madam Zhao with displeasure: “How did you raise your daughter-in-law? Her family has come all this way, and she hasn’t even greeted them?”

The Grand Tutor was addressing Madam Zhao, but Shen Qingchi’s face turned red instantly. She hurriedly started calling everyone, just as she was about to call Shen Qingyuan, he interrupted: “Don’t call me ‘eldest brother.’ I don’t have a sister like you who stirs outsiders to harm my wife.”

Shen Qingyuan openly called out the matter, and Shen Qingchi turned pale with embarrassment.

Madam Zhao, feeling sorry for her kneeling son, couldn’t help but say, “If you don’t acknowledge this sister, why come to the Grand Tutor’s mansion to cause a scene today?”

Shen Qingyuan lifted his eyes seriously: “I may be heartless, but my wife is kind. I’m here today for her.”

The Shen family froze: “…??? Who’s kind? Chun Xi is kind? Shen Qingyuan, you’re in the Censorate and still boldly spouting nonsense?”

Madam Zhao found Shen Qingyuan’s statement ridiculous, but with the Grand Tutor present, she dared not speak further, fearing it would look like poor upbringing.

Shen Qingchi, rejected so publicly by Shen Qingyuan, paled even more. But with so many eyes on her, she could only continue greeting the guests, ignoring him.

Once she finished, the Grand Tutor immediately scolded Li Jixian: “You wretched man! Your wife is pregnant and enduring so much suffering, and you go gallivanting in pleasure districts? You’ve brought shame to the Grand Tutor’s mansion!”

The Grand Tutor’s anger was palpable, and Li Jixian, no longer arrogant as he had been in front of Chun Xi, weakly explained, “Grandfather, I only went this once.”

Seeing this, Shen Qingchi immediately knelt beside him: “It’s my fault for not serving my husband. I beg Grandfather not to blame him.”

Hearing this, the Shen family, who had been defending Shen Qingchi moments ago, all changed their expressions. Shen Qingyu even yelled angrily: “Fool! Shut your mouth! You shamelessly pander, and our marquis’s mansion still has dignity!”

Though the Qingyuan Hou mansion had declined, Shen Qingyu and Shen Qingyue still carried the pride of the Hou family. Shen Qingchi’s humble appeasement embarrassed them.

When she had been imprisoned at the Dali Temple, she had already been disillusioned with the Shen family. Now, seeing them side with Chun Xi to make trouble in her husband’s home, she even resented them.

She couldn’t help but retort: “When I was locked in the Dali Temple, not a single person from the Hou mansion cared about me. I am already part of the Grand Tutor’s household. On what grounds does Third Brother now criticize me?”

“If you hadn’t provoked Second Aunt into doing something foolish, we wouldn’t have been implicated and imprisoned. Now our maternal family has cut ties completely. And you still have the nerve to demand our concern?”

Shen Qingyu was full of resentment.

The poor Shen family moved into the Hou mansion, making a mess of everything. He and Second Brother had barely convinced their maternal grandfather to keep supporting their studies at the Yun family school, until the mourning period ended and they could pass the exams. Who knew Shen Qingchi would incite Second Aunt into kidnapping and murder?

Second Aunt was sentenced to death. The Mo family’s reputation was damaged. Their grandfather was furious and refused further support. They had to withdraw from the Yun family school and continue learning at home.

Now their prospects were blocked. Shen Qingchi, as the Fourth Madam of the Grand Tutor’s household, couldn’t fight for their interests. Instead, she made them despised. So what use was this sister coming here?

Just as the two were about to quarrel, Shen Qingyue intervened: “Enough. The elders of both families are here, not to listen to you two fight.”

This brought them to silence.

Out of respect for Shen Qingyuan, the Grand Tutor forced Li Jixian to apologize to Shen Qingchi and write a guarantee that he would never again seek pleasure outside. Shen Jinhua and Ying’er were to stay and take care of Shen Qingchi, and the Grand Tutor approved.

With matters settled, Shen Jinhua immediately had Ying’er help Li Jixian up.

With so many witnesses, Li Jixian felt humiliated and didn’t even glance at Ying’er. Shen Qingchi, however, was furious, nearly twisting her handkerchief to pieces.

She knew Ying’er had been sent by Shen Jinhua to frustrate Chun Xi, and now Chun Xi had turned it around, sending Ying’er to her. She felt worse than if she had eaten a fly.

Shen Qingchi couldn’t help glaring venomously at Chun Xi, but then heard Chun Xi ask: “Why is my sister looking at me like that? Do you think your husband hasn’t suffered enough? Not satisfied yet?”

“I’ve never been angry at my husband! Clearly, it’s Sister-in-law who hasn’t had enough of my misfortune and won’t let me go.”

Chun Xi sat there completely calm, making Shen Qingchi look even more embarrassed. She could only speak to Chun Xi with forced composure.

Just as Shen Qingchi spoke, Chun Xi said: “I only inquired at the pharmacy about fertility medicine. Sister, you were so concerned you practically broadcast it to everyone. I was merely returning the courtesy, showing concern for my sister—how could you not handle that?”

Shen Qingchi: “…”

After everything was resolved, when Chun Xi and Shen Qingyuan left, Madam Zhao immediately called Shen Qingchi to her courtyard.

“The Grand Tutor’s household spent a fortune redeeming you from the Dali Temple. Why do you go stir trouble with Chun Xi instead of staying home to care for your pregnancy?”

As soon as she entered, Madam Zhao scolded Shen Qingchi relentlessly.

Shen Qingchi, unable to involve Yun Wantang, could only softly defend herself: “Sister-in-law is already pregnant. Even if others knew, it wouldn’t affect her, and I haven’t spread it widely.”

“Even if it wouldn’t harm her, why mention it at all? Are you out of your mind?”

Shen Qingchi turned pale and couldn’t respond.

She hadn’t acted to retaliate against Chun Xi—she was trying to help Fifth Aunt—but hadn’t expected to botch it again.

She lowered her head and fell silent. Madam Zhao, angered by her silence, smashed a teacup and told her to leave.

Shen Qingchi dared not linger and hurried back to her courtyard.

Inside, she heard Shen Jinhua complaining: “Why does your room look so shabby? You should fight for yourself and the baby inside you.”

Shen Qingchi ignored her. She searched the room but didn’t see Ying’er and asked immediately: “Where’s Ying’er? Where did she go?”

“She’s gone to take care of nephew-in-law. Sister-in-law hit him pretty hard. With Ying’er helping smooth things over, nephew-in-law won’t hold a grudge against us.”

Shen Qingchi: “…”