TSWRLM -Chapter 288 It Was My Order That My Wife Went

“You dare call me ‘elder sister-in-law’? What do you take me for?”

Chun Xi retorted without hesitation, the aura radiating from her pressing down on Shen Qingchi with absolute steadiness.

Chun Xi’s background was indeed humble, and she had no backing from her family, but she was already married to Shen Qingyuan, making her Shen Qingchi’s elder sister-in-law.

Other noble ladies could speak ill of her, but Shen Qingchi could not.

As the younger sister-in-law, she should show respect to her elder sister-in-law.

Recently, Ying’er had been spending every night with Li Jixian, and Yun Wantang no longer cared for Shen Qingchi as she used to. Shen Qingchi felt neglected and resented Chun Xi bitterly.

Today, Princess Baohua publicly accused Chun Xi of going to Wuyou Pavilion to seek pleasure, even at the cost of ruining her own reputation. Naturally, Shen Qingchi felt compelled to speak up to reinforce the claim that Chun Xi was unchaste, so she could vent her own resentment.

Shen Qingchi did not want to be suppressed by Chun Xi’s status as elder sister-in-law and shouted in hatred, “After committing such a shameful act, you are no longer my elder sister-in-law!”

Shen Qingchi spoke decisively. Chun Xi, however, sighed and spoke calmly: “My brother-in-law has been spending nights in the flower streets recently. When I heard this, I worried that my sister would be wronged in her marital home. So I immediately notified our family to support her. Now, when people accuse me of seeking pleasure at Wuyou Pavilion, my sister hasn’t defended me or even verified the matter, instead she joins the outsiders in condemning me. How could that not break my heart?”

As she spoke, Chun Xi lightly patted her chest, looking utterly distressed.

Before Shen Qingchi could respond, Chun Xi continued: “I truly don’t understand. When we were at the Hou residence, my sister was the only one who treated me well. Why, after marrying into the Grand Tutor’s mansion, does she either incite villains to abduct or harm me, or help outsiders push me into a pit? Why does she want to see me dead?”

Her words made it seem as if Shen Qingchi had been misled at the Grand Tutor’s mansion and turned against Chun Xi.

Shen Qingchi’s heart tightened, and she hurriedly countered, “Don’t flatter yourself. You come from a lowly background, unworthy of my eldest brother. I’ve never liked you from the start.”

“But brother-in-law is lustful, not faithful. My second and third brothers haven’t achieved distinction either. Even if my sister looks down on me, she should understand that her only reliance is my eldest brother. Now, I share honor and disgrace with him. Today, she seems to be pushing me down, but in reality, she’s harming eldest brother. This benefits my sister in no way. Why would she do such a thing?”

Chun Xi blinked innocently, her curiosity evident. Shen Qingchi felt momentarily guilty under the question.

Indeed, Qingchi had spoken out not merely to vent her own anger. She was standing up for Fifth Aunt.

A few days ago, after Fifth Uncle’s appointment came through, Qingchi discovered that her eldest brother had repeatedly sabotaged Fifth Uncle at court, almost preventing him from being appointed as Commissioner of Maritime Trade.

Fifth Uncle had served many years in Wengzhou, rarely with family, so Zhen and Yue siblings couldn’t enjoy their grandmother’s care. On this trip back to the capital with the envoy, he had been diligently trying to promote trade between Zhaoling and Yuexi. If not for her eldest brother’s interference, Fifth Uncle would have been appointed as Commissioner immediately upon returning to the capital.

Now that Fifth Uncle’s appointment had finally gone through, he was still monitored by her eldest brother at every step, unable to act freely.

Shen Qingchi knew this and felt uneasy.

Qingchi, having lost her virginity to Li Jixian before marriage, was already looked down upon by the Grand Tutor’s household. Now, with her eldest brother obstructing Fifth Uncle, even if she had a son later, life in the Grand Tutor’s mansion would remain difficult.

So today, she spoke up for Princess Baohua—not only to vent on her own behalf, but also to win Fifth Aunt’s favor and make the Grand Tutor’s household aware that she and her eldest brother’s wife were not united; her loyalty and heart were with the Grand Tutor’s household.

Thinking this, Shen Qingchi met Chun Xi’s gaze and loudly said: “Elder sister-in-law, don’t twist the truth. You went to Wuyou Pavilion seeking pleasure, betraying my eldest brother’s sincere heart. If I don’t speak for him, should I advise him to endure such humiliation?”

Chun Xi let out a cold laugh: “Since you care so much for your eldest brother, why not ask him yourself why he had me attend the Wuyou Pavilion courtesan selection that day?”

Everyone else: “……???”

Did they just mishear?

Did Chun Xi really just say boldly that Shen Qingyuan had sent her to Wuyou Pavilion to seek pleasure?

What kind of man would let his wife go seek pleasure?

Everyone was stunned. Even Princess Hengyang, directly involved, was shocked by Chun Xi’s words.

No wonder A-Xi wouldn’t let her speak—there was no way anyone could invent such a lie.

Shen Qingchi, however, did not find it unbelievable.

She had lost to Chun Xi too many times; if Chun Xi dared to say this publicly, Shen Qingyuan would certainly confirm it.

She had originally thought Chun Xi would be labeled a lewd woman and could never recover. Unexpectedly, Chun Xi had exposed the truth within a few words.

It was her eldest brother who sent Chun Xi to Wuyou Pavilion. Those eager to push Chun Xi down now looked foolish, and afterward, people would ponder Chun Xi’s words. What if it implicated Fifth Uncle and Fifth Aunt?

Shen Qingchi grew nervous, her stomach tightening. She tried to pretend stomach pain to leave, but Chun Xi beat her to it, calling out dramatically.

Princess Hengyang immediately protected Chun Xi: “A-Xi, what’s wrong?”

“Princess, my stomach hurts. Perhaps my child inside got angry hearing his aunt slander me so.”

The princess immediately sent for the imperial physician and notified Shen Qingyuan.

Soon, Shen Qingyuan arrived with a stern expression, exuding a cold aura.

The imperial physician checked Chun Xi’s pulse carefully. Although the fetus was stable and there was no major problem, under the scrutiny of Princess Hengyang and Shen Qingyuan, a prescription to secure the pregnancy was given.

Princess Hengyang explained the situation briefly, and Shen Qingyuan coldly clarified: “My wife did attend the Wuyou Pavilion courtesan selection a few days ago, but I ordered her to go. I was investigating a matter, and Wuyou Pavilion happened to have a clue. I could not go personally, fearing alerting the culprits, so I had my wife take the risk. This is known to my colleagues at the Censorate; if anyone doubts, they may verify with the Censorate officials themselves.”

Shen Qingyuan already had a reputation as a doting husband. His words alone might not seem entirely credible, but with the Censorate officials backing him, no one could deny it.

After all, those old censors would not cover for anyone, not even the emperor.

Everyone accepted that it was a misunderstanding. Princess Baohua admitted she had only seen Chun Xi from afar and did not witness any improper acts at Wuyou Pavilion.

The farce ended there. Madam Zhao came out to smooth things over, and the banquet continued as usual.

After the banquet, Princess Baohua left immediately. She did not return to the princely residence but went to a small, inconspicuous house in the western part of the city.

As soon as she entered, she could not wait to speak: “I have done as you instructed. What about the incense?”