TSWRLM -Chapter 340 Stuffing a Vixen Beside Elder Brother

Madam Jing’an left in anger.

Chun Xi gave Xiao Qinghe a thumbs-up. “I was worried you might take her words to heart just now. It’s great that you see things so clearly.”

Xiao Qinghe smiled faintly. “From the moment I decided to divorce, I already knew what I would have to face. If I couldn’t even bear a few words like that, then I’d be too useless.”

Chun Xi deeply agreed. Turning back, she saw Feng Yinyin looking dazed and absent-minded, worried something might happen to her, so she had someone send her back to the residence first.

The housewarming banquet proceeded smoothly. Madam Xiao had arranged everything with great care—the food and wine were all top quality. During the feast, the topic naturally shifted back to Xiao Yecheng.

Although the Xiao family hadn’t explicitly promoted Xiao Yecheng before, today’s arrangements made it clear that they valued him highly.

Xiao Yecheng had military merit, a simple household, and the backing of the Xiao family—he was an excellent marriage prospect. The ladies with unmarried daughters all became interested and subtly tried to probe Madam Xiao for information.

Previously, Madam Xiao had been vague, but today she changed her stance and revealed that Xiao Yecheng already had someone he liked. Naturally, everyone felt disappointed.

“Wasn’t it said before that he was too busy with official duties to think about romance? How come he suddenly has someone he likes? Madam, you’re not trying to keep him for your own family, are you?”

The wife of the Minister of Works’ Vice Minister refused to believe it.

Her daughter had seen Xiao Yecheng once at a palace banquet and had fallen for the heroic young general at first sight. She had been pestering her mother daily to help arrange a match—how could she accept this news?

Madam Xiao smiled and replied, “That child Yecheng is upright and independent. Though he bears the Xiao surname, he has no blood relation to our family. If he liked a girl within the family, I would gladly arrange the marriage—why hide it? It’s true that he has someone in his heart, but he refuses to tell me. I can’t exactly torture him for an answer, can I?”

Her reasoning made sense. The crowd pressed further but got no useful clues, leaving them secretly speculating.

With Xiao Yecheng’s achievements and an imperial residence, he could openly propose marriage—yet he was being evasive. Could it be that he had fallen for a married woman?

These matters had nothing to do with Chun Xi, so she only half-listened and focused on eating.

Seeing her eat so happily, Princess Hengyang couldn’t help but eat a bit more too, while complaining, “A-Xi slimmed down so quickly after giving birth, and now she eats so much without gaining weight. I restrain myself every day, yet my waist is still two sizes bigger than before. Heaven is truly unfair.”

Childbirth drained vitality. Although Princess Hengyang wanted to restrain herself, the Empress and Empress Dowager kept sending nourishing foods to her residence, and the chefs constantly created delicious dishes.

Chun Xi quickly said, “I’ve created a set of exercises myself. If Your Highness doesn’t mind, I can come tomorrow to teach you. Practice it every morning and evening after meals, and after a month, you should see some results.”

“Of course I don’t mind,” Princess Hengyang agreed immediately. Then she reacted and added, “Oh, so I share everything good with you, yet you kept such a useful method to yourself—how outrageous!”

“I’m innocent,” Chun Xi said with a smile. “I only developed it gradually after my postpartum recovery. I had to test it myself before recommending it. Besides, Your Highness has imperial physicians and palace matrons—they must have plenty of ways to help you slim down safely.”

At this, Princess Hengyang grew annoyed. “Of course they do! But Mother and Sister-in-law both say I look better a little plump—how would they dare let me lose weight?”

“Then I…”

Chun Xi deliberately hesitated. Princess Hengyang immediately wrapped an arm around her shoulders and threatened, “You already agreed to teach me. If you go back on your word, I won’t spare you!”

Chun Xi stopped teasing and smiled in agreement.

Nothing else happened during the banquet. Worried about Feng Yinyin, Chun Xi returned home early.

As soon as she entered, she saw A-Li wiping his tears.

“A-Li, what happened? Why are you crying?” Chun Xi asked, surprised.

A-Li had been in the household for nearly a year—he was diligent, optimistic, and always cheerful. He had never been sentimental before.

“I’m fine,” A-Li shook his head. “Just got some sand in my eyes.”

Chun Xi didn’t believe him and kept looking at him. After a while, he quietly said, “I saw someone today who looked a lot like Young Master Lanshu… He even gave me a piece of peach pastry.”

Lanshu?

Chun Xi was startled, but quickly composed herself. “Maybe they just look similar. Don’t cry. You earn a monthly wage now—if you like peach pastries, you can buy them yourself.”

A-Li nodded heavily and wiped his tears.

After comforting him, Chun Xi went to the guest room.

Inside, Feng Yinyin sat blankly, like a lifeless puppet. The food the kitchen had delivered sat untouched on the table.

Seeing Chun Xi, Feng Yinyin immediately came back to her senses. “Thank you, Madam, for seeking justice for me. For the rest of my life, I am willing to serve you like an ox or horse.”

As she spoke, she tried to kneel again, but Chun Xi stopped her and said gently, “I investigated the truth not only for you, but also for myself. My husband’s salary comes from the people—seeking justice for them is simply our duty.”

Chun Xi did not place herself as a benefactor but treated it as her responsibility.

Feng Yinyin fell silent, unsure how to respond.

Chun Xi handed her a handkerchief and asked softly, “Now that your revenge is achieved, what are your plans for the future?”

Feng Yinyin looked lost.

After her mother died, she had wanted to follow her in death. It was Uncle Hu who told her the truth and gave her the will to live. Now that Su Yang and his mother had been sentenced, she suddenly felt directionless. She had wanted to stay by Madam Shen’s side to repay her, but Madam Shen did not want that…

After a long silence, she said, “I want to wait until their public punishment ends, then return to Yuzhou to guard my family’s graves.”

Chun Xi nodded. “The officials in Yuzhou will soon receive orders to reopen your family’s case. Your family’s medical clinic will be returned to you. Didn’t you learn some medicine from your grandfather? You can reopen the clinic. Don’t worry—I’ll have Uncle Hu escort you back. He’ll stay until you’re settled.”

Feng Yinyin was not someone born to be a servant. Chun Xi didn’t want to bind her with gratitude.

Feng Yinyin blinked and nodded. “Alright, I’ll listen to you, Madam.”

Two days later, Su Yang and his mother were paraded through the streets. Early in the morning, Feng Yinyin went out.

But she did not return that night.

Chun Xi had gone to teach Princess Hengyang exercises and was kept overnight. The next morning, when she returned home, she saw her sister-in-law Madam Qian and her parents blocking the entrance.

“Cao Chun Xi, you heartless woman! My daughter gave birth to a big healthy son for your elder brother—how dare you take advantage of her absence to stuff a vixen by your brother’s side?!”