TSWRLM -Chapter 3 Seeking Death? I’ll Grant It

Chun Xi did not dare wear the clothes belonging to the Wei family’s future young madam.

Following the maid, she came before Xiao Qinghe and knelt, kowtowing. “This commoner Chun Xi thanks Miss for her great kindness, but my status is lowly—I dare not soil your garments.”

Xiao Qinghe was the legitimate eldest daughter of the Minister of Personnel. Her aunt was the ever-favored Virtuous Consort in the palace.

She was peerlessly beautiful, and her reputation for talent was unmatched.

Chun Xi had only seen her from afar twice before. Now, seeing her up close, she felt even more that Xiao Qinghe was like a celestial maiden who had fallen into the mortal world.

“I saw you vomiting badly just now. Do you still feel unwell? I brought a physician with me—shall I have him examine you?”

Even Xiao Qinghe’s voice was pleasant to hear.

Chun Xi replied softly, “It’s nothing serious, but I still feel nauseous and a bit dizzy.”

Xiao Qinghe immediately had the physician called over.

The diagnosis came quickly. “This young lady’s pulse is steady and strong. She is in good health—it was only the jolting earlier that caused the dizziness and vomiting.”

Chun Xi kowtowed again in thanks, wishing everyone present would clearly hear the physician’s words.

She was not carrying any bastard child!

Ruining someone’s reputation would bring retribution!!!

After the physician finished, Ye Er also returned, having changed his clothes.

It wasn’t convenient to bathe outdoors. The servants had only fetched water from the stream to wipe him down briefly, but Ye Er still felt filthy, as if countless ants were crawling all over him.

“You wretch, I’ll kill you!”

Grinding his teeth, Ye Er strode over and kicked Chun Xi viciously as soon as he got close.

Chun Xi didn’t dare dodge. She could only turn slightly and take the blow on her shoulder.

“Ahhh—it hurts!”

She was sent flying by the kick, crying out miserably. Then she scrambled up and bolted forward with all her might. “Help! Murder! Someone help—!”

Her voice was loud, her legs a blur as she ran without the slightest grace—like a shrieking monkey. It was almost comical.

Ye Er’s lips twitched, and strangely, more than half his anger dissipated.

He had someone drag Chun Xi back and scolded sternly, “Shut up. If you shout again, I’ll kill you.”

Chun Xi instantly fell silent, like a chicken with its throat gripped, kneeling on the ground in fear.

The servants who had arrived earlier had already set up a canopy with bamboo screens, placed low tables, laid out fruits and pastries, and lit a small stove.

Wei Lingze was personally brewing tea.

Rinsing the tea set, changing the water, boiling the tea—steam rose gently, blending with the valley’s scenery, making him look like an immortal detached from the mortal world.

The tea was ready. He poured a cup and placed it before Xiao Qinghe. “Careful, it’s hot.”

His voice was gentle as jade, his gaze soft and affectionate.

The surrounding commotion did not enter his ears. Chun Xi’s life or death did not disturb him. It was as if, in his eyes, there was only Xiao Qinghe.

What an act.

Ye Er rolled his eyes, then lifted his chin toward Chun Xi. “I happen to need a loyal maid. Whatever you earned at the Wei household, I’ll pay double.”

Money wasn’t about earning a lot—it was about staying alive to spend it.

Chun Xi suddenly burst into loud sobs. “Young Master Ye, please spare me! I truly didn’t mean it just now. I’ve already become an old maid. After finally regaining my freedom thanks to Madam’s grace, I only wish to marry soon and not end up alone for life. Please show mercy!”

As she spoke, she began banging her head against the ground repeatedly.

If the ground beneath her hadn’t been soft grass, her head would have been split open already.

All eyes turned to Wei Lingze.

Wei Lingze calmly sipped his tea, not even frowning.

After a moment, Xiao Qinghe spoke, “A woman of free status is free to marry. Young Master Ye has no right to interfere.”

Ye Er smiled innocently at Xiao Qinghe. “I only asked casually. I didn’t force her to become my maid. She’s the one insisting on kowtowing—who knows who she’s trying to win sympathy from?”

His words were sharply pointed. Among those present, only Wei Lingze had any real connection to Chun Xi.

Everyone knew the Wei family valued loyalty and righteousness. Last year, Wei Lingze had been inseparable from Chun Xi. Now he was so indifferent—it almost seemed like deliberate avoidance out of guilt.

Xiao Qinghe’s fingers curled slightly as she lowered her gaze to hide her emotions.

The Wei and Xiao families were old family friends. She and Wei Lingze had been engaged since childhood.

Three years ago, Wei Lingze had shone brilliantly on the battlefield. When news of his victory arrived, both families began preparing for the wedding. But then he was severely injured and left crippled—even the entire Imperial Medical Bureau could do nothing.

Though the Xiao family did not break the engagement, the marriage was put on hold.

Over ten years of childhood affection had ultimately failed to outweigh family interests.

The Wei elders did not blame her, and relations between the two families remained unchanged—but she knew that a crack had formed between her and Wei Lingze.

Caught within that crack… was Chun Xi.

Because of their similar backgrounds, Xiao Qinghe could deeply understand Wei Lingze’s suffering—falling from a favored son of heaven to a cripple was enough to shatter a man’s spirit piece by piece. Over the past three years, he had endured countless mockeries and disappointments.

And through that difficult time, it was that maid, Chun Xi, who had stayed by his side.

Even if Wei Lingze had developed feelings and wanted to keep Chun Xi by his side, Xiao Qinghe would have no right to feel jealous.

Yet he hadn’t kept her. He even acted as if nothing had happened, treating Xiao Qinghe with the same gentleness as before.

Was Chun Xi truly unimportant?

Or had she become so important that he dared not let her suffer even the slightest grievance—so he distanced himself to protect her in a more thorough way?

A heaviness settled in Xiao Qinghe’s heart.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Wei Lingze suddenly stand, draw the Ling Shuang Sword, and point it directly at Ye Er.

The Ling Shuang Sword had been bestowed by the Emperor. It had tasted blood on the battlefield. Though sealed away for three years, once unsheathed, it still gleamed coldly, brimming with killing intent.

Ye Er’s face changed, his arrogance gone. “Wei Lingze, what are you doing?”

Wei Lingze raised a brow. The immortal-like aura from before transformed into chilling murderous intent.

“Nothing much. If you’re seeking death, I’ll grant it.”

Ye Er turned pale. The others were also frightened.

After his injury, Wei Lingze’s temperament had changed drastically. Though the Wei family tried to suppress the news, rumors still spread that he had gone mad after several servants died.

“Young Master Wei, my master was only joking—please don’t take it seriously—”

Ye Er’s servant rushed forward to plead, but before he could finish, the Ling Shuang Sword pierced Ye Er’s calf.

Bright red blood gushed out instantly.

Ye Er screamed—far more miserably than Chun Xi had earlier. Some noble ladies who had never seen such bloodshed burst into tears and hurriedly retreated. The scene fell into chaos.

Xiao Qinghe was also frightened, but she did not retreat. Instead, she stepped forward bravely and grasped Wei Lingze’s sword hand. “Lord Wei, don’t.”

Amid the noise, her gentle voice drifted like a breeze carrying the scent of flowers.

The killing intent around Wei Lingze eased slightly.

With the blood-stained tip of his sword, he lifted Chun Xi’s chin. “After three years of care, I thought you were obedient and well-behaved. I didn’t expect you to be so ambitious. When did you start colluding with that Ye fellow? Did he teach you this trick of playing hard to get?”

The blood on the blade was still warm, its metallic smell sharp in her nose.

Chun Xi’s stomach churned again.