TSWRLM -Chapter 297 On-the-Spot Accusation

The wedding at the Qingyuan Marquis’ residence was only halfway through when the new Marchioness was poisoned, causing a miscarriage.

Before the culprit could be discovered, Shen Qingchi suddenly revealed that the Qingyuan Marquis had already been given a sterilizing poison, making it impossible for him to have children.

The newlywed Marchioness had just been crowned—and she had put a green hat on the Marquis!

The guests attending the banquet never expected to witness such a scandal in succession, and even the Shen family stood frozen, as if struck by lightning.

Naturally, the Qingyuan Marquis refused to accept this fact. He immediately summoned a doctor to check his pulse. Unsure of the diagnosis, he sent someone to Huichuntang to bring the most skilled physician available.

Both doctors’ diagnoses were unanimous.

The Qingyuan Marquis had indeed been poisoned and could no longer conceive children.

After hearing this, the Marquis remained silent for a long time.

He came from humble origins, earned his title through fearless courage in battle, and at the height of his pride, he used his military achievements to marry into the prestigious Xiao family.

He coveted not only Madam Xiao’s beauty and nobility but also the wealth and influence of her family.

He thought that marrying Madam Xiao would secure him a place among the elite, a position above others.

Yet Madam Xiao had no regard for him, preferring to drink the sterilizing tonic rather than bear him children.

Later, the Emperor removed his military power, leaving him a titular Marquis at home with nothing to do.

To gain the Xiao family’s favor, he forced Elder Xiao to secretly register his late-born child under his and Madam Xiao’s names.

The child was smart and obedient from a young age, quick to learn anything.

He should have been pleased, yet thinking that the child bore none of his blood, with all intelligence coming from the Xiao family, he could not bring himself to like the child.

Afterward, Madam Xiao fell into melancholy. Madam Mo took the opportunity to seduce him, and he did not refuse—half-pushing, half-yielding, he allowed her to sleep with him.

He was, after all, a true hero who had fought on the battlefield. Many women admired him; Madam Xiao’s disdain did not matter.

After Madam Xiao’s death, he quickly welcomed Madam Mo into the household.

Madam Mo was not cold and aloof like Madam Xiao; she flattered and pleased him—but all with purpose.

Madam Mo wanted his money, but more importantly, his influence, so she would be respected wherever she went.

But the wars had ended, and the Emperor would never restore him to power. He could only guard his small rewards and salary as an idle Marquis.

Soon, Madam Mo discovered this truth. First, she despised him for his lack of ambition; later, she looked down on his humble origins. Even being a Marquis could not erase his provincial shortcomings.

She spared no effort in hiring the best tutors for their two sons, hoping that they would one day achieve fame and merit, earning her recognition.

She did not want her sons to be like him.

After seeing Madam Mo’s true nature, he began frequenting pleasure quarters and avoided returning home. Not long after, he met Madam Yao.

Though many years younger, Madam Yao admired him, aware of all his battlefield deeds.

She genuinely worshiped him, and every glance she gave him was like looking at a towering hero.

So he redeemed Madam Yao’s freedom and gave her a home.

Over the years, Madam Yao never competed, never demanded recognition, and endured countless bitter medicines and suffering to bear his child.

He believed Madam Yao truly loved him, and only when he learned she was pregnant did he experience the joy of becoming a father.

He imagined providing the best education for this child, even considering passing on his title.

He had planned so much over the years—but never anticipated that he had been poisoned with sterilizing medicine.

This child was not his.

Madam Yao’s years of tenderness and devotion were all a lie!

He was a complete, utter joke!

Memories of the past decades flashed before his eyes, and boundless fury nearly consumed the Qingyuan Marquis.

At this moment, Shen Qingyue finally snapped back to reality and urgently asked, “Since my sister knows Father was poisoned with sterilizing medicine, she must also know who did it, right?”

When he spoke, Shen Qingyue’s heart raced uncontrollably.

He did not know how Shen Qingchi had discovered that the Marquis had been poisoned, but the Shen family would never harm him. Neither he nor his third brother had done such a thing. Only the eldest brother and Cao Chun Xi remained as possibilities.

Poisoning one’s own father to prevent heirs was an unforgivable crime. Once confirmed, Shen Qingyuan and Cao Chun Xi were finished!

Shen Qingyue was not the only one thinking this. Upon hearing his question, everyone present immediately looked at Shen Qingyuan.

In the corner, Yun Wantang lowered her eyes slightly, a gleam of satisfaction flashing.

Once Shen Qingyuan was convicted, no one would interfere with trade with Yuexi anymore. The Xiangxian incense would sell wildly in Zhaoling territory, and the land they used for growing spices would become an inexhaustible goldmine.

The Grand Tutor’s household would rise to become the top family in Hanjing, and she would become a model wife admired by all families.

Thinking this, Yun Wantang’s lips twitched in barely restrained delight. Yet then, she heard Shen Qingchi’s low, trembling voice: “It was me!”

Yun Wantang suddenly lifted her head toward Shen Qingchi.

Shen Qingchi gripped the silk handkerchief tightly, her face pale as paper, her frail body swaying, seemingly fragile and easy to control.

Yet Shen Qingchi did not publicly accuse Chun Xi as Yun Wantang expected—she bore the blame herself.

Had this little wretch gone mad?

Her daughter had just turned one month old. Their survival depended on the Grand Tutor’s household. How could she dare not follow the plan?

Yun Wantang was stunned. Shen Qingyue, even more incredulous, shouted, “Shen Qingchi, what nonsense are you spouting here?”

Although Shen Qingchi had lost her virtue before marriage and first entered the Grand Tutor’s household as a concubine before being formally recognized, having a legitimate sister in the household was far better than having a sister who tried to poison her father.

Shen Qingyue sensed something was wrong. After speaking, he tried to grab Shen Qingchi, but before he could, the Qingyuan Marquis kicked him away violently.

The Marquis’ eyes were red at the corners, like an enraged lion. He glared at Shen Qingchi and commanded word by word: “Continue speaking.”

At this point, Shen Qingchi was less afraid. She lifted her head, meeting the Marquis’ cold gaze, and continued: “Father, do you remember one New Year’s Eve, when Mother and I made dumplings together? You came home, unusually happy, and ate many dumplings.”

Those memories were distant, and the Marquis had long forgotten. But hearing Shen Qingchi speak, he immediately asked, “Were the dumplings poisoned?”

“Yes,” Shen Qingchi nodded. “At that time, Father was captivated by a fox spirit outside and didn’t want to come home. Mother would always hold me and cry. She was afraid the fox would bear a wild child to compete for your favor, so she had me act with her, tricking Father into eating the poisoned dumplings. The medicine was actually meant for animals. Perhaps it was too strong, because Father was sick for a few days afterward.”

“Wretch! I’ll kill you!”

The Qingyuan Marquis was furious and rushed forward to grab Shen Qingchi by the neck.

Madam Mo herself was a shameless bed-hopper, and her daughter was illegitimate!

How dare they poison him with sterilizing medicine, and worse, give him medicine meant for animals!

At that moment, Chun Xi realized something was wrong. She called out to her husband, intending for Shen Qingyuan to stop the Marquis. Yet as Shen Qingyuan moved, a chilling, crisp snap echoed in everyone’s ears.

The crowd gasped in horror. Chun Xi’s heart skipped a beat as Shen Qingyuan quickly pulled her into his arms.

Through Shen Qingyuan’s embrace, Chun Xi saw Shen Qingchi thrown to the ground.

The Qingyuan Marquis had forcibly broken her neck.