TSWRLM -Chapter 277 They All Have Ulterior Motives

After Chun Xi agreed to help the Marquis of Qingyuan handle the wedding, the Shen family’s scheming minds immediately became active. The three aunts came bearing gifts—some pretending to help buy wine, others to help pick vegetables—all hoping to profit from the wedding arrangements.

Chun Xi completely changed her previous attitude, refusing no one and speaking gently to everyone.

It took a few days before Shen Jinhua heard the news. She immediately came to see Chun Xi, eyes red as she complained:

“A-Xi, the Grand Tutor Mansion really isn’t a place for humans. Ever since Li Jixian got Ying’er, he won’t even see Chi’er. Chi’er cries every day, and then she blames me, her little aunt. The servants at the Grand Tutor Mansion all look down on me; they don’t take me seriously at all.”

Chun Xi poured a cup of tea and comforted her softly: “Little Aunt, you’ve suffered these past few days. From what you said, even if Chi’er isn’t favored, Ying’er is. Hasn’t she at least helped you a bit?”

Hearing this, Shen Jinhua became even more frustrated. She said indignantly: “Li Jixian is nothing but a wretch. He may have claimed Ying’er’s body, but he’s stingy with her. He treats her like a maid, always commanding her, and beats or scolds her at the slightest dissatisfaction. Ying’er secretly cried to me twice already.”

After finishing, Shen Jinhua glanced at Chun Xi. Seeing her calm and attentive, she couldn’t help but ask: “After the eldest young master of the Wei family got injured, his temper probably wasn’t any better. A-Xi, do you have any experience? Can you teach Ying’er?”

After all, Ying’er is the daughter of Shen Jinhua’s eldest sister-in-law. While her climbing the bed was supported, if she didn’t benefit from it and ended up treated badly, the eldest sister-in-law would surely grow resentment.

Chun Xi lowered her eyes and said lightly: “I don’t have any good method either. After all, there is a distinction between master and servant. If the master is unhappy, they vent on others. Being a servant means enduring and suppressing anger, and smiling while accepting punishment from the master.”

Shen Jinhua had never seen Chun Xi suffer a loss and couldn’t imagine her enduring servitude. She found it hard to believe, but Chun Xi continued: “Ying’er’s contract is still in my hands. If you, Little Aunt, really feel sorry for her, I can go to the Grand Tutor Mansion and take her back.”

“No!”

Shen Jinhua immediately refused without hesitation. Ying’er’s body already belongs to Li Jixian. At this moment, returning wouldn’t allow her to marry a good family. Not only would her eldest sister-in-law object, even her grandmother-in-law would tear her apart.

Shen Jinhua didn’t dare argue further. She muttered reluctantly: “I was only saying that. Ying’er is already Li Jixian’s. She can’t just come back. A-Xi, you’re right. Ying’er chose this path; she has to endure and tolerate hardships. Once she survives it, everything will naturally work out.”

Chun Xi didn’t reply.

Being a servant or maid isn’t an easy life; being a concubine is even lower and more degrading. Surviving and emerging from it is nearly impossible.

But Shen Jinhua and Ying’er already saw the potential benefits for Madam Mo’s family, Shen Qingchi, and herself once they ‘survived,’ like starving wolves seeing meat—they wouldn’t listen to anyone’s warnings.

After talking about Ying’er, Shen Jinhua went on to describe what she had recently seen at the Grand Tutor Mansion: “The rules at the Grand Tutor Mansion are terrifying. The Grand Tutor’s wife is very old and refuses to hand over household control to her daughter-in-law. She behaves like an empress dowager, making the daughter-in-law and grandchildren report morning and evening. She wants to oversee all household affairs. By the way, do you know who Chi’er’s wet nurse is?”

The last sentence was said mysteriously.

Shen Jinhua wanted to keep an eye on Ying’er and Shen Qingchi at the Grand Tutor Mansion and couldn’t benefit from the Qingyuan Marquis wedding. She had to act through other channels.

Chun Xi knew what Shen Jinhua was implying but played along with a curious expression: “Who is it?”

“Your eldest sister-in-law from your maternal family, Madam Qian. She’s living in the Grand Tutor Mansion with her son!”

Shen Jinhua slapped her thigh, thrilled.

Chun Xi’s face showed surprise, then she said: “Before, she knew I was pregnant and wanted to serve as my wet nurse, but I refused. I didn’t expect she would go to the Grand Tutor Mansion. Are they doing well there?”

“Of course. Chi’er’s child hasn’t been born yet, but the Grand Tutor Mansion treats them well. Every month, your eldest sister-in-law gets ten taels of silver.”

Shen Jinhua spoke, full of jealousy.

Though she looked after Shen Qingchi as the daughter-in-law’s little aunt, even with good meals and attendants, there was no monthly salary. The servants in the Grand Tutor Mansion even criticized her behind her back as a shameless poor relative seeking favors. Meanwhile, Madam Qian actually held ten taels of silver—how enviable!

Chun Xi nodded: “Even if I have conflicts with Chi’er, as long as the Grand Tutor Mansion doesn’t mistreat my eldest sister-in-law and Zheng’er, letting her serve as the wet nurse is acceptable.”

“A-Xi, you’re usually smart, why are you being foolish now?” Shen Jinhua frowned. Before Chun Xi could reply, she continued: “You gave Ying’er to Li Jixian. Chi’er must hate you. She’s so good to your eldest sister-in-law, but in the future, she might find a way to harm you.”

“That shouldn’t happen,” Chun Xi hesitated. “Even if Chi’er hates me, the Grand Tutor Mansion won’t allow her to do foolish things. Besides, didn’t Little Aunt say the Madam Grand Tutor oversees everything? She even agreed to hire my eldest sister-in-law as the wet nurse.”

Shen Jinhua had anticipated this and quickly said: “Madam Grand Tutor controls everyone tightly but listens to Fifth Madam. Your eldest sister-in-law was brought in by Fifth Madam, Yun Wantang. She just returned to the capital and was beaten by you and Princess Hengyang. Do you think she has good intentions?”

Shen Jinhua’s goal was to grab the wet nurse position, portraying everyone at the Grand Tutor Mansion as having ulterior motives.

Chun Xi blinked, torn: “Little Aunt makes a fair point, but right now I’m busy preparing the New Year’s Eve dinner and the stepmother’s wedding. I can’t manage this yet. Chi’er won’t be born until after the New Year anyway; maybe wait until I’m done?”

“If you wait, it’ll be too late!”

A delay of even one month would mean missing out on ten taels of silver.

Shen Jinhua quickly made the decision for Chun Xi: “I know you’re busy. Fine, I’ll be the ‘villain’ and make sure your eldest sister-in-law volunteers before the New Year.”

Chun Xi pursed her lips, considering whether it was wise to let Shen Jinhua handle it, worried it might cause more trouble.

Shen Jinhua, initially hoping to extort a favor from Chun Xi, now feared Chun Xi would protect Madam Qian. She said: “Don’t worry, I won’t do anything else. I’ll just introduce my niece into the Grand Tutor Mansion. My niece is younger than your eldest sister-in-law, produces more milk, and is more capable. Your eldest sister-in-law can’t compete; she’ll naturally feel embarrassed and leave, right?”

Shen Jinhua patted her chest, promising not to harm Madam Qian or Zheng’er. Only then did Chun Xi reluctantly agree.

Shen Jinhua left happily. Soon after, A-Li reported: “Madam, Young Master Lanshu is here.”

Chun Xi’s expression stiffened. Could Madam Yao really be in serious trouble? Otherwise, why would Lanshu come personally?