TSWRLM -Chapter 294 One Pregnancy Makes You Foolish for Three Years

Worried that there might be eavesdroppers in the Hou residence, Chun Xi only asked once she and Cao Wu returned home: “Big brother, what exactly happened?”

Cao Wu had been anxious the entire way back, and now he hesitated, unsure how to start.

His lips trembled, and suddenly he bent his knees, as if to kneel before Chun Xi. She quickly steadied him. “Big brother, what are you doing? Stand up!”

Cao Wu was a large man. Chun Xi, though strong, couldn’t hold him down entirely, so she frowned and drew in a deep breath.

Immediately, Cao Wu grew nervous. “What’s wrong? Did you disturb the baby?”

Speaking, he stood upright and helped Chun Xi sit down, then turned to fetch a doctor. Chun Xi, annoyed, kicked him lightly. “I’m not so weak that I can’t protect myself or my child. I’ve been busy the past few days. If you won’t tell me who is trying to harm me, then just go home.”

Cao Wu’s kneeling had fired up Chun Xi’s temper; her tone was sharp. Seeing her angry, Cao Wu didn’t dare hedge anymore. He hurriedly explained: “Your sister-in-law went to the Grand Tutor residence to work as a wet nurse, but later that position was taken from her. She returned home with Zheng’er. A few days ago, Aunt Li came by our house—I don’t know what she told your sister-in-law, but ever since, your sister-in-law has been completely distracted.”

“Yesterday, she accidentally scalded Zheng’er. I was worried and scolded her a little. She flew into a rage and demanded a divorce. During our argument, she lost control and revealed that it was you who had your paternal cousin arrange for her position to be taken, and that my brother-in-law, to protect his own position, poisoned your father, making him unable to have more children. She said she would report my brother-in-law to the authorities.”

By the end, Cao Wu’s voice grew faint, his face flushed with embarrassment. He hurriedly added, “A-Xi, I fully trust you and my brother-in-law. He entered the Censorate on his own merit. He would never poison his father for the heir’s position. Your sister-in-law is just too gullible—she believes whatever she hears. I wouldn’t stop her if she insisted on divorce…”

Though he said he was willing to let her go, tears welled in his eyes.

Cao Wu had fallen in love with Madam Qian at first sight. Now, with Zheng’er, he found it even harder to let go. Chun Xi interrupted: “Big brother, it’s true that your sister-in-law’s position at the Grand Tutor residence was taken by someone arranged by my paternal cousin. She mentioned it to me before. Had I spoken up, I could have helped her keep it.”

Cao Wu was stunned by Chun Xi’s honesty. After a moment, he found his voice. “Why?”

“Because the Fourth Madam of the Grand Tutor residence, whom your sister-in-law was supposed to serve, was secretly plotting behind the scenes to have the mother and Zheng’er kidnapped. Even after this incident, the Grand Tutor residence was willing to pay a high price to hire sister-in-law. Doesn’t that seem suspicious?”

Cao Wu’s face immediately flushed. Madam Qian had not told him Shen Qingchi’s identity. Had he known that Shen Qingchi was the one behind the plot to harm Zheng’er and her mother, he would never have agreed to let Madam Qian work at the Grand Tutor residence.

Cao Wu’s frustration with Madam Qian’s naivety grew, but he still couldn’t help asking Chun Xi: “A-Xi, if you knew the truth all along, why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

“You and sister-in-law are older than me. You can judge for yourselves. From any perspective, I have no right to intervene. Besides, my husband works at the Censorate, a post where one inevitably makes enemies. I might be lucky enough to prevent trouble once or twice, but I can’t do it every time.”

Chun Xi’s tone was calm—there was no resentment toward Madam Qian, nor any disappointment—but Cao Wu felt ashamed.

Chun Xi’s background had always been inferior to brother-in-law’s. People looked down on her. Previously, her mother’s antics had almost caused a disaster. Now, with Madam Qian as sister-in-law, again causing trouble, it ultimately reflected Cao Wu’s failure as a big brother. He had not become Chun Xi’s support, and had even hindered her.

After a pause, Cao Wu spoke hoarsely: “A-Xi, I understand. I’ll handle this matter and won’t let your sister-in-law make a scene. But I can’t find out who’s behind this. You must be extra careful.”

He turned to leave, but Chun Xi stopped him: “Big brother, thank you for coming today to tell me all this. My husband protects me; nothing will happen. You and sister-in-law already have Zheng’er. I hope you won’t act rashly, and won’t let this affect your relationship with my sister-in-law.”

Cao Wu did not sob as before. He nodded firmly. “I understand. In the future, I’ll think carefully before making decisions.”

After Cao Wu left, Chun Xi did not rush back to the Hou residence. She pondered his words carefully.

Someone was deliberately trying to drive a wedge between her and her sister-in-law, even wanting the sister-in-law to report her husband to the authorities. That meant there was at least one insider in the Hou residence.

The distracted Shen Qingchi was the prime suspect, but the rest of the Shen family couldn’t be ignored either.

Shen Qingyue and Shen Qingyu had always opposed them. Recently, she had let small things slide, allowing the Shen family to profit, but that didn’t make them loyal to her. If the person behind the plot offered greater benefits, the Shen family could easily turn against her.

It was true that Qingyuan Hou had been poisoned with a fertility-blocking drug. But with Madam Mo and the loyal Nanny Jia dead, many things couldn’t be verified. If something happened to Qingyuan Hou on the wedding day, and the doctor found an issue in front of the guests, the Shen family could unanimously accuse Shen Qingyuan.

Even without concrete proof, with suspicions of poisoning his own father, Shen Qingyuan’s position at the Censorate would be at risk.

With the wedding imminent, Chun Xi couldn’t halt it. With so many Shen family members, she couldn’t sway them quickly. She thought for a long time but could find no solution.

When Shen Qingyuan returned from duty, he found Chun Xi sitting in the room, frowning, on high alert.

“What happened? Why this expression?”

Shen Qingyuan immediately embraced Chun Xi. She wrapped her arms around his waist and quickly recounted everything that had happened today, ending with a muffled, “I’m sorry, husband. I can’t think of a good solution.”

Shen Qingyuan rubbed her head. “They say one pregnancy makes you foolish for three years. I thought it was exaggerated. Seeing you troubled over such a small matter, I finally understand—it’s not an exaggeration.”

Chun Xi didn’t have time to ask if he meant she’d become foolish. She looked up at him eagerly: “Husband, do you have a solution?”

“Yes,” Shen Qingyuan nodded. Before she could ask more, he continued, “I’ll have the kitchen send more food. I’ll eat with you while we talk.”

His calmness reassured Chun Xi. She felt a little embarrassed. “Husband, how did you know I hadn’t eaten dinner?”

Shen Qingyuan raised an eyebrow, gazing at her. “So you didn’t eat a single bite?”

Chun Xi: “……”

Husband, I think you’re trying to get me to admit something.

The food arrived quickly. Chun Xi had just taken a bite when Shen Qingyuan said, “I have evidence and witnesses. On the wedding day, just protect yourself and the child. I’ll handle the rest.”

Chun Xi’s eyes brightened. Her appetite returned, and she ate half a bowl more.

How could she have forgotten? Her husband was truly amazing.