TSWRLM -Chapter 27 It’s All for Her Own Good

For three consecutive days, Liu Fengyuan visited the Cao household.

On the first day, he brought top-quality medicine for Cao Wu’s injury. On the second day, he gave gifts to everyone in the household.

Madam Wang received a translucent green bracelet, Madam Qian received a mother-and-child gold bracelet, Cao Wen received a full set of scholar’s stationery, and Cao Wu received a pair of crutches.

The gifts were thoughtful and valuable. By the third day, after delivering exquisite pastries, Madam Wang could barely look at Chun Xi without her eyes widening and her nose twitching in astonishment.

“Young Master Liu saved your brother’s life and visits daily. You keep a cold face, don’t even smile, and don’t offer him tea or help. Is this the etiquette you learned at the Wei household?”

“You even look down on such a fine young man? Do you think you’re some peerless beauty?”

Previously, Zhou Qin had only spoken sweet words. Liu Fengyuan, however, genuinely brought benefits to the whole family.

He had seen the fine fabrics Chun Xi had brought from the Wei household—top-quality material. He could help find buyers, and the price wouldn’t be lower than the previous double-market offer Chun Xi had arranged.

The Liu family’s wealth far surpassed Chun Xi’s. They wouldn’t take advantage of her, and they could also arrange for Cao Wu and Qian to work in the Liu family shop. Given the relationship between the families, their wages would be secure.

In the long run, this marriage was a guaranteed gain.

Matchmaker Zhang had said the competition for this match was fierce. Madam Wang grew anxious, hoping Chun Xi would accept sooner rather than later.

Cao Wu, having heard from Madam Wang that Young Master Liu wished to marry his sister, frowned and objected: “Young Master Liu did me a favor, not A-Xi. I should repay him. Why is Mother angry at A-Xi?”

Madam Wang glared at him viciously: “Your leg is badly injured. Right now, the most important thing is healing. She’s your own sister—shouldn’t she thank your benefactor for you?”

“No. A-Xi has already done enough for this family.”

Cao Wu spoke without hesitation, then added: “Liu Fengyuan may be a good man, but his wedding is at the end of the month in Qingzhou. He may stay there for a few years. My leg is injured, I can’t accompany A-Xi, and what if she’s mistreated? I won’t agree!”

Madam Wang smacked him on the head: “Who gave you the right to disagree? Do you think you could find her a husband better than Young Master Liu?”

Cao Wu was stumped.

He was surrounded by rough laborers from the timber workshop, all soaked in sweat and stinking of foot odor. How could they compare to Young Master Liu?

Cao Wu fell silent. Madam Wang continued: “Your sister isn’t a fool. She went from a lowly servant in the Wei household to being the personal maid of the second young master. Do you think she would let anyone bully her?”

In Madam Wang’s eyes, Chun Xi was capable.

So all the money Chun Xi had saved over the years belonged to her natal family, and it didn’t matter that she had no dowry. Even if she were taken to Qingzhou alone to marry far away, it was fine.

Cao Wu had been drawn into his mother’s reasoning. He believed Chun Xi wouldn’t allow herself to be bullied, but he still worried.

Why did he have to get injured at this critical moment?

He couldn’t watch A-Xi get married with his own eyes.

Chun Xi was thinking the same thing.

She wasn’t an incomparable beauty. A single bowl of sweet water shouldn’t have left Liu Fengyuan so captivated. Yet he insisted on spending a fortune to marry her and rushing off to Qingzhou for the wedding. And her only protector—her elder brother—had a broken leg and couldn’t accompany her.

More importantly, Master Shen was busy handling the Ye Er case, leaving Chun Xi with no one to turn to for advice or support.

It was as if an invisible hand was pushing her away from Hanjing.

Was the force coming from the Wei family or the Xiao family?

Chun Xi refused to give her answer. Madam Wang visibly grew impatient, scolding her for being lazy or lamenting her misfortune in having an ungrateful daughter.

Chun Xi ignored it, while Madam Qian and Cao Wen shrank back, fearful that any misstep would redirect Madam Wang’s wrath toward them.

On the day of the beginning of summer, Madam Wang uncharacteristically cooked a large table of sumptuous dishes.

The aroma made Madam Qian and Cao Wen swallow nervously, their hearts uneasy.

Why is Mother suddenly cooking all this? Is tomorrow a festival?

Just then, Cao Wu’s frustrated voice rang out: “Today is A-Xi’s birthday! Why didn’t Mother remind me? I forgot to prepare a gift.”

A sold-off servant didn’t have the right to celebrate birthdays.

After so many years, Chun Xi celebrated at home again. She felt little emotion, only glancing at her mother a little longer.

Madam Wang didn’t scold her as before, only said coldly: “Why are you looking? You were born from me after ten months in the womb. No matter how long you’ve been away, I still remember your birthday.”

She carried in a bowl of longevity noodles.

Madam Wang was skilled at making noodles. Long, white, chewy noodles boiled in chicken broth, topped with a poached egg, a few tender cabbage leaves, and a sprinkling of green onions. It was visually appealing, fragrant, and delicious.

As Chun Xi lifted her chopsticks, Madam Wang reminisced: “You’ve always liked to snatch things since you were little. You relied on your brother’s indulgence and would always steal his longevity noodles.”

Cao Wu grinned foolishly at Chun Xi: “I don’t care for noodles. From now on, my longevity noodles are all yours.”

Madam Wang changed the topic, recalling Chun Xi’s childhood bedwetting and crying, which had exhausted her. She had lost much weight shortly after giving birth.

Cao Wu’s memories stirred, and he poured wine, drinking with Chun Xi heartily. “I remember you were so skilled in martial arts as a child, A-Xi. Even I couldn’t beat you. All the kids on the nearby streets had to recognize you as the girl boss.”

Cao Wu wasn’t ashamed. He was proud that his little sister, undefeated in the streets, was so formidable.

Unfortunately, he hadn’t protected her. That powerful little sister had been sold to the Wei household, going from a commanding girl boss to a humble servant.

She didn’t even have the right to celebrate her own birthday.

After a bowl of wine, Cao Wu broke down, tears streaming. “A-Xi, I’m sorry! It’s all because I was useless. If I had been smart enough to earn money, you wouldn’t have had to sell yourself to the Wei family. A-Xi, I know you’ve suffered so much. Don’t hold it in—let’s cry together properly!”

“…”

Chun Xi didn’t want to cry.

Before her elder brother could smudge his tears on her clothes, she blocked his nose with a silk handkerchief.

Cao Wu was tall and strong. The tiny handkerchief in his hands seemed almost insignificant, but with tears streaming, he blew his nose, looking pitifully fragile.

Madam Qian’s eyes reddened too.

Both her husband and little sister were so pitiable. If only Father-in-law hadn’t died unexpectedly…

Cao Wu cried his heart out, drank several more bowls, and soon collapsed on the table, unconscious.

Seeing this, Chun Xi finished her own bowl and lay her head on the table as well.

Madam Wang first helped Qian and Cao Wen back to their rooms, then carried Chun Xi back.

As she tucked her under the covers, Chun Xi heard her mother’s low, hoarse voice: “A-Xi, don’t blame me. I only do this for your own good.”