TSWRLM -Chapter 36 Shameless

“Your servant Chun Xi pays respects to His Highness the Crown Prince.”

Chun Xi knelt and bowed.

She had learned etiquette well in the Wei household and had seen many high-ranking officials. Even though it was her first time meeting the heir apparent at such close range, she felt no fear at all.

“No need for formalities, rise.”

The Crown Prince’s tone was gentle and approachable. When Chun Xi stood, he asked about the events on the night Shen Qingyuan was attacked. Chun Xi answered each question carefully.

When she finished, she noticed Xiao Qingyue standing nearby, looking at her with a malicious, gloating expression.

It was as if something terrible was about to happen to her.

Had she said something wrong? Or was there a problem with the Crown Prince’s reward?

Chun Xi focused all her attention. The Crown Prince laughed heartily after hearing her report: “I didn’t expect Lord Shen to be bested by a young girl like you. I’ve heard you love wealth, so I will reward you with three hundred taels of gold. How does that sound?”

Bested? She hadn’t harmed him at all.

Chun Xi thought the Crown Prince’s wording was a little strange, but once she heard about the three hundred taels of gold, all doubts vanished.

The Crown Prince would definitely be a wise ruler in the future!

“Your Highness is most enlightened! This reward will remain forever in your servant Chun Xi’s heart!”

Chun Xi kowtowed, knocking her head loudly in her joy.

The Crown Prince glanced at Shen Qingyuan and laughed even louder.

Amid the Crown Prince’s cheerful laughter, Chun Xi stood, instinctively glancing at Xiao Qingyue.

The Crown Prince had spoken with golden words—he wouldn’t give fake gold.

There was no sign that she would suffer misfortune. What exactly was Miss Xiao waiting for?

Xiao Qingyue didn’t look at Chun Xi. She turned to the Crown Prince: “Your Highness, you may not know, but this Miss Chun Xi is indeed skilled. At my grandmother’s birthday, she even performed a whip dance in celebration.”

“Really?”

The Crown Prince’s eyes brightened, clearly interested.

Chun Xi hesitated, unsure if she should refuse, when a servant brought forward the whip.

Xiao Qingyue had prepared everything too thoroughly. Chun Xi had no choice but to take the whip and perform in the courtyard.

When she was young, her father had made her a cowhide whip. She always carried it, and occasionally showing off a trick could impress children—but naturally, it wouldn’t astonish the Crown Prince.

Chun Xi worked hard, twirling the whip, capturing two leaves before intending to stop. But she heard Xiao Qingyue say: “Show a little more. His Highness hasn’t seen enough yet. You danced quite a while at the birthday banquet, didn’t you?”

“……”

What was so impressive about this?

Did Miss Xiao think making her dance the whip for the Crown Prince was humiliating her?

No way! The Crown Prince had just rewarded her with three hundred taels of gold. Whether it was dancing with a whip or rolling on the ground, as long as it pleased the Crown Prince, she was willing.

Chun Xi didn’t argue with Xiao Qingyue and energetically continued twirling the whip.

The Crown Prince hadn’t come to the Xiao residence to watch tricks. He quickly stopped her performance.

Seeing Chun Xi panting from the exertion, he took a piece of black jade from his waist: “I will not watch your performance in vain. Take this.”

The jade pendant was priceless. More importantly, it was a personal item of the Crown Prince—a symbol of identity.

At a critical moment, it could even serve as a pardon token.

Chun Xi knelt with a thud, taking the pendant with both hands, bowing like a devout worshiper.

The Crown Prince glanced at Shen Qingyuan, trying hard not to laugh.

Xiao Qingyue, on the other hand, could not smile.

How long had it been, and Chun Xi still hadn’t had any misfortune?

Could it be the dose wasn’t enough?

“Your Highness, she…”

Xiao Qingyue tried to stall, but the Crown Prince interrupted: “Enough. I know you want to help your Uncle Shen’s life-saving benefactor receive a reward, but I’ve only brought these things today. Surely you don’t expect me to give her my private seal?”

Xiao Qingyue: “……”

She wanted Chun Xi to embarrass herself. How could she possibly help her get a reward?

The Crown Prince, unaware of Xiao Qingyue’s duplicity, grew serious: “I have important matters to discuss with Lord Shen. You may withdraw.”

With the Crown Prince’s words, Chun Xi quickly stepped aside. Xiao Qingyue clenched her silk handkerchief, unwilling to leave, trailing behind Chun Xi.

Having received the Crown Prince’s generous reward, Chun Xi’s steps were light. Seeing Xiao Qingyue still following her, she stopped. When Xiao Qingyue reached her, Chun Xi sincerely said: “Thank you, Second Miss, for helping me receive a reward just now.”

Who would want to help you get a reward?

Xiao Qingyue’s breathing grew heavy. She gritted her teeth and couldn’t hold back: “The doctor said dissolving croton seeds in water has no odor. How did you figure it out?”

“……”

So Second Miss, you were waiting for me to… embarrass myself in front of the Crown Prince?

You’re supposed to be a noble lady. How could you do something so mean?

If I hadn’t just had a stomach upset, what kind of visual and olfactory shock would the Crown Prince have endured?

Wouldn’t he be traumatized, thinking of your Xiao family forever covered in… feces?

Chun Xi, of course, didn’t admit her success was pure luck. She stared at Xiao Qingyue, smiling mysteriously: “Second Miss, you don’t know. I have an unusually keen sense of smell. Over the past three years at the Wei household, I’ve learned to identify all kinds of medicinal herbs. No matter what it is, if it’s under my nose, I know it instantly.”

“You knew all along but didn’t expose it. Just now, you even gave me a doubtful look to make me speak for you before the Crown Prince. Shameless!”

Xiao Qingyue’s face turned red with anger.

She had looked down on Chun Xi from the start, thinking she could easily get rid of her. Yet repeatedly, she had been thwarted by Chun Xi. As a proud noblewoman, her pride felt trampled.

Chun Xi looked innocent: “You tried to harm me first. I earned the Crown Prince’s reward through my own skills and didn’t take advantage of you. How does that make me shameless?”

Xiao Qingyue had no reason in this matter. To crush Chun Xi, she raised her voice: “You disobeyed and seduced your master—that’s shameless!”

Chun Xi remained calm, looking at Xiao Qingyue: “Second Miss, do you think I’m prettier than Elder Miss?”

“Hah! Don’t you look in the mirror? My sister is a thousand times, ten thousand times prettier than you!”

“Do you think I am gentler or more talented than Elder Miss?”

“Impossible! My sister is well-read, excels at music, chess, painting, calligraphy, and manages the household expertly. How dare you compare?”

Chun Xi didn’t argue. She nodded with a smile: “Second Miss, do you think Wei Lingze and others are blind?”

“……”

Xiao Qingyue choked. She finally realized what Chun Xi was implying.

Anyone with eyes could see Chun Xi was no match for Xiao Qinghe.

By insisting on picking a fight with Chun Xi, Xiao Qingyue was lowering her own status.

Her mind went blank. She had no response.

Ah! She was infuriated!

How could she not even outmatch this little she-devil?