TSWRLM -Chapter 266 The Temple Fair

On the Laba Festival, Chun Xi went with Shen Qingyuan to the Xiao family estate.

Shen Qingyuan went to the main hall to speak with Master Xiao and several of the young masters, while Chun Xi headed straight to Old Madam Xiao’s Songhe Courtyard.

In Songhe Courtyard, the ladies, young ladies, and young masters of the Xiao family had gathered to chat with Old Madam Xiao. Seeing Chun Xi arrive, everyone greeted her warmly.

Chun Xi had prepared gifts for everyone, handing them out while recognizing each person.

She was gracious, spoke cleverly, and had chosen gifts suited to everyone’s tastes. After her socializing, everyone’s impression was the same:

Even though Cao Chun Xi came from a humble background, she handled matters with finesse. No wonder Old Madam Xiao liked her so much.

Old Madam Xiao was very pleased with Chun Xi’s demeanor. Once all the gifts had been distributed, she dismissed the crowd, leaving only Madam Xiao, Xiao Qinghe, and Xiao Qingyue.

After everyone left, Chun Xi took out four scarves.

“During the winter hunt, my husband hunted two wolves. Later, His Majesty awarded us the pelts. I’ve made them into scarves. Aunt, cousin-in-law, and my two nieces, please don’t mind them.”

Wolf pelts weren’t particularly rare, and Chun Xi’s sewing skills weren’t extraordinary. Yet, when she presented the scarves, all four women were delighted and immediately put them on.

Old Madam Xiao was especially pleased. She stroked the fur lovingly, tears welling in her eyes.

These were wolf pelts hunted personally by Yuan’er. If the old gentleman could see them, how happy he would have been.

Madam Xiao comforted Old Madam Xiao and then turned to Chun Xi: “A-Xi, is your scarf the same as ours? Does Yuan’er have one too?”

“Of course he does. These are wolf pelts personally hunted by my husband. If anyone is missing, it must be my husband.”

Chun Xi nodded without hesitation. Madam Xiao immediately praised her: “You really are so thoughtful.”

Old Madam Xiao was even more moved.

Though she and Shen Qingyuan were mother and son by blood, they could not acknowledge each other openly. Over the years, she had wanted to grow closer to him, but he had always kept his distance. Now, with Chun Xi, mother and son finally shared something in common.

Xiao Qingyue, unaware of the deeper meaning, touched her scarf and asked teasingly, “Everyone else’s gifts are unique, so why do we all have the same one?”

“Don’t like it, Yue’er? Then give me your scarf, and I’ll prepare another gift for you.”

Chun Xi reached to take back Xiao Qingyue’s scarf. Xiao Qingyue hurriedly blocked her: “A gift that’s already given can’t be taken back! I… I was just joking. This scarf… it’s actually quite warm.”

Fearing Chun Xi wouldn’t relent, she looked to Xiao Qinghe for help. Xiao Qinghe smiled: “Thank you, little aunt. I really like this gift. Tonight there’s a temple fair in the city. We can wear these scarves together. Everyone will know we’re family.”

Chun Xi smiled brightly: “Alright.”

At lunch, everyone gathered at the table, and the scarves immediately drew attention.

Master Xiao couldn’t help but lean toward Madam Xiao and whisper: “Wife, what about mine?”

Madam Xiao looked puzzled: “What?”

“My scarf?”

Madam Xiao paused and asked: “Didn’t Yuan’er prepare a gift for you?”

Master Xiao: “……”

Yes, a gift was prepared, but everyone else had scarves and I don’t. I feel out of place.

Xiao Qingyun and Xiao Qingyang were a little envious as well.

Grandmother, mother, and the two younger sisters had scarves. Uncle Shen and little aunt Chun Xi had theirs. Everyone looked so good wearing them that previous gifts suddenly seemed less appealing.

After the meal and a short rest, Chun Xi, Xiao Qinghe, and Xiao Qingyue prepared to go to the temple fair. Besides the Xiao family attendants, Xiao Qingyun and Xiao Qingyang were coming along.

On the carriage, Chun Xi couldn’t hide her excitement. Shen Qingyuan, curious, asked: “You like temple fairs so much. Why didn’t you tell me before?”

Had he known earlier, he would have brought her sooner.

Chun Xi didn’t answer but asked in return: “Don’t you like it, husband?”

Not wanting to spoil her mood, Shen Qingyuan immediately said: “I like it.”

Whatever she liked, he liked too.

Chun Xi, holding his hand and intertwining their fingers, said: “I haven’t been to a temple fair in so many years. When I was little, my father loved taking me. I was too short, so in the crowd, I couldn’t see anything, only smell others’ smells. My father would lift me onto his shoulders so I could see everything.”

“…I liked candy figures and loved watching fire-breathing and acrobatics. My father always bought them for me. One year, someone tried to kidnap me at the fair. But I had my father’s training. I kicked them down, and when my father arrived, we worked together to beat the man until his teeth fell out.”

Though these memories were from long ago, Chun Xi spoke of them as vividly as if they had happened yesterday.

Shen Qingyuan had never had such experiences.

When the Xiao family was still in power, he had been forbidden from approaching the Qingyuan Marquis and the Shens. After learning his lineage, he became even more distant. He had met Old Master Xiao, a stern, unsmiling man. Though his temples had streaks of gray, his posture was always straight, and his gaze sharp as a blade.

He could never call Old Master Xiao “father,” let alone ride on his shoulders.

Yet Chun Xi’s story was so warm it allowed him to feel the power of paternal love.

He held her hand tighter, speaking earnestly: “When our child is born, I will also take him to the temple fair, just like a father.”

“The child will have plenty of chances later. Husband, first accompany the child’s mother.”

“Alright.”

As they approached the busy market, the carriage stopped, and they got out to walk.

Just after stepping down, Xiao Qinghe felt a powerful gaze on her. She turned but only saw the bustling crowd, noticing nothing unusual.

“Sister, what’s wrong?”

Xiao Qingyue immediately asked. Xiao Qinghe shook her head: “Nothing. Let’s go.”

Following Chun Xi’s lead, the group moved forward.

In a nearby alley, Wei Lingze’s eyes were bloodshot, staring unblinkingly at Xiao Qinghe.

After several days apart, Xiao Qinghe didn’t look as haggard as him. She had even gained a little weight since leaving the Wei family, her complexion rosy, full of life and radiance.

As she appeared, passersby couldn’t help but glance at her repeatedly.

Wei Lingze clenched his jaw, feeling the urge to gouge out their eyes.

Xingzhou, frightened by Wei Lingze’s gaze, cautiously asked: “Young master, do you want to go talk to the lady now?”

Before he could answer, Wei Lingze coldly said: “There are so many bystanders. How am I supposed to get over there now?”

Xingzhou wanted to ask what to do, but Wei Lingze continued: “I don’t care what you do, just get the others away. I want to speak with He’er alone.”

“…Yes.”