TSWRLM -Chapter 274 The Marquis of Qingyuan Plans to Take a Second Wife

Lately, the Wei family had been plagued with one problem after another. Madam Yun had no intention of provoking Chun Xi again and stirring up trouble.

After leaving the Wei residence and settling into the carriage, Yun Wantang’s expression darkened.

Before leaving the capital, she had been widely admired wherever she went. Over the past ten years in Wengzhou, she had become a model for the city’s noblewomen to emulate.

She was exceptionally beautiful and talented, cherished by her husband, and blessed with two brilliant children. Who in the world wouldn’t envy her?

During the ten years away from the capital, she maintained correspondence with noblewomen in the capital, occasionally sending gifts, subtly outshining Princess Hengyang to assert her presence. She had assumed that upon returning, she would quickly win over hearts, become close with these noblewomen, and help her husband expand his influence at court. But she never anticipated that Cao Chun Xi would publicly embarrass her multiple times.

Since returning, she had failed to regain her former prestige; now even her elder sister treated her coldly.

A few days ago, when Cao Chun Xi caused a scene at the Grand Tutor’s residence, it further fueled discontent among those there. They resented having to officially recognize Shen Qingchi as the primary wife and spend a fortune redeeming her from the Dali Temple.

Everything was completely contrary to what she had expected!

Recalling the recent events, Yun Wantang’s chest burned with anger.

She would never let Cao Chun Xi continue to get away with it!

After Laba Festival, the festive atmosphere grew stronger. Chun Xi was busy preparing New Year’s supplies and dealing with matters at the Marquis residence, keeping her occupied every day.

That morning, just after breakfast, the Marquis residence sent someone over, summoning her to return and discuss important matters.

The messenger did not specify the reason, but Chun Xi knew that if she refused, he would literally smash his head against the ground in frustration.

With the New Year approaching, Chun Xi did not want to bring bad luck, so after preparing herself, she took A-Li and Uncle Hu and returned to the Marquis residence.

Everyone from the Shen family was gathered in the main courtyard. Even the usually uninvolved Marquis of Qingyuan made an appearance—quite a grand display.

Before Chun Xi could speak, the Marquis interrupted: “I summoned you because Madam Yao is pregnant. After the New Year, I plan to officially welcome her into the household. She has followed me for many years; I cannot treat her unfairly. I expect you to pay attention to the wedding preparations.”

The Marquis had little affection for Madam Mo and was quite lecherous. Chun Xi had long suspected he would take a second wife, but she hadn’t expected it to happen so soon.

She raised an eyebrow and glanced at Shen Qingyue and Shen Qingyu.

Sensing her gaze, Shen Qingyu immediately retorted irritably: “Father is speaking to you! Why are you staring at me and Second Brother?”

Chun Xi’s eyes curved slightly, her tone calm and cutting: “Nothing. It’s just that the mother has barely been laid to rest, and father is already bringing a new woman into the household. I worried that Second Brother and Third Brother might feel sad, but it seems I was overthinking.”

Her words were dripping with sarcasm. Both Shen Qingyue and Shen Qingyu’s faces darkened.

Madam Mo had only just passed, and naturally, they opposed the Marquis taking a second wife. But now, with the Mo family’s support gone, the Marquis residence was an empty shell. Their only hope was the Marquis’s title.

For the sake of the title, no matter how dissatisfied they were with the Marquis, they had to endure it.

Since the family split, Chun Xi no longer involved herself in the Marquis residence’s affairs. Now, with the Marquis directly asking her to manage the wedding preparations, Shen Qingyue and Shen Qingyu expected her to refuse and become the “villain” in this situation.

That way, they could sabotage the marriage through Chun Xi’s hands without incurring the Marquis’s wrath and avoid the label of being unfilial.

However, this time they miscalculated. Chun Xi agreed to take on the task without hesitation: “Since Second Brother and Third Brother have no objections, the wedding shall proceed as Father wishes. The household will then have a principal lady, and in the future, there will be no need to bother the daughters-in-law with every matter.”

Upon hearing this, Shen Qingyue and Shen Qingyu’s expressions changed.

Shen Qingyu couldn’t help but say: “Sister-in-law, have you considered this carefully? Father plans a grand wedding: the banquet, betrothal gifts, the estate’s courtyard needs renovation, and new furnishings must be prepared. There can be no mistakes.”

Chun Xi nodded: “Since I’ve agreed to manage the wedding, I will do my best to ensure everything goes smoothly. Moreover, the household has many elders supervising, so there’s little chance of mistakes. If Third Brother remains concerned, he may assist me.”

The last remark hit Shen Qingyu like a punch to the chest.

Their mother had been dead only a few months, and now he, as a son, would help his stepmother organize her wedding? Could he even be considered human?

Shen Qingyu glared viciously at Chun Xi, then turned to Shen Qingyue.

Shen Qingyue clenched his fists and said gravely: “Third Brother is only worried, not questioning Sister-in-law’s capability. The wedding preparations will require your careful attention, Sister-in-law.”

Since they had no objections, the Shen family naturally had none either.

Chun Xi’s willingness to help meant they could also quietly profit from the preparations—why not?

After Chun Xi left, Shen Qingyu immediately approached Shen Qingyue: “Second Brother, do you really want that woman and her illegitimate child to join the household?”

Madam Yao, a former courtesan, had been redeemed by the Marquis, but she was still socially unacceptable. If she truly became their stepmother, future marital negotiations would become difficult.

Shen Qingyu was visibly anxious. Shen Qingyue shot him a glance: “The ceremony is still far off. Who knows what tricks Cao Chun Xi might pull? Why worry now?”

Shen Qingyu could not hold back: “Cao Chun Xi never takes the usual path. She just said that with a new principal lady in the household, she could officially step back from these messes. What if she’s deliberately pushing this marriage forward just to make things difficult for us?”

A cold glint appeared in Shen Qingyue’s eyes. After a long moment, he murmured: “The old man is willing to welcome that courtesan because of her child. When the time comes, we just remove that child and pin it on Eldest Brother. Problem solved.”

Shen Qingyue’s plan was not to frame Chun Xi but to frame Shen Qingyuan.

Shen Qingyu quickly understood the scheme, his anxiety replaced by excitement: “Second Brother, what a clever plan! We can sit back and enjoy the show!”

When Shen Qingyuan returned home from duty, Chun Xi immediately informed him.

Shen Qingyuan was unsurprised that the Marquis planned a second marriage, only mildly curious: “He already has a child?”

“Yes, Father personally took someone to the Huichun Hall to confirm her pregnancy,” Chun Xi nodded, then asked, “Is there something wrong with this child?”

“This child is not his.”

“……” ???

Her father-in-law had been cuckolded?

Chun Xi was shocked into silence, then heard Shen Qingyuan continue: “Madam Mo gave him a fertility-blocking medicine. Otherwise, how could she have been confident for so many years, knowing he was involved with that courtesan?”

“……”!!!

No wonder. Madam Mo’s move was ruthless indeed.

Chun Xi quickly regained her composure and analyzed calmly: “This Madam Yao, with no rank, has followed Father for years and suddenly produces a child. Could my husband suspect someone is behind this?”

Shen Qingyuan didn’t answer directly, only said: “I see that the Lady indeed has a talent for solving problems.”

Chun Xi smiled wryly: “Oh, it’s nothing. I’ve just picked up a little from being close to my husband.”