TSWRLM -Chapter 38 Madam Wang Visits

After her previous experience with indigestion, Chun Xi was more restrained when she accompanied Madam Xiao to breakfast.

Just after breakfast, a servant came to report: “Madam, Miss Chun Xi’s mother has arrived.”

Chun Xi was not surprised. She lowered her eyes and remained indifferent to Madam Wang’s arrival.

Madam Xiao glanced at her and spoke solemnly: “Bring her to the Pine Crane Courtyard.”

“Yes, Madam.”

As the servant left, Xiao Qingyue came to pay respects to Madam Xiao.

“I hear that Miss Chun Xi comes every day to accompany Grandmother at meals. I fear Grandmother likes her even more than me,” she said, her tone full of teasing affection.

Xiao Qingyue was clearly a favorite of Madam Xiao, and her words carried a gentle coquettishness.

Madam Xiao smiled at her teasing: “What nonsense are you talking? Doesn’t Grandmother already love you enough?”

“Of course Grandmother loves me, and I love Grandmother most of all,” Xiao Qingyue cooed, showcasing the granddaughter-grandmother bond.

Meanwhile, Madam Wang was led into the Pine Crane Courtyard by the servants.

It was her first time entering such a wealthy and prominent household. She wore her best clothes and even put on the jewelry from her wedding, but as she walked through the Xiao estate, witnessing its overwhelming splendor, her spine bent with nervousness. Her fear and inferiority could not be concealed.

Once inside, Madam Wang did not dare to look around. She knelt with a thud: “I, your humble servant Wang Guiqiu, pay respects to Madam.”

The servants only mentioned bringing her to Madam Xiao’s courtyard. Madam Wang did not know Xiao Qingyue was present and did not recognize her, so she only bowed to Madam Xiao.

Her voice trembled noticeably.

Xiao Qingyue, seeing this, felt her sense of superiority—defeated earlier by Chun Xi—rise again.

Chun Xi had merely gained a bit of experience while working as a servant in the Wei household. Essentially, she was no different from the woman kneeling before Madam Xiao now.

Xiao Qingyue glanced at Chun Xi, hoping to find embarrassment or inferiority on her face. But Chun Xi merely lowered her gaze, standing quietly beside Madam Xiao, indifferent.

It was as if the woman kneeling on the ground was a complete stranger, not her own mother.

Xiao Qingyue frowned.

How could this little fox react this way? Did she think that saving her little cousin’s life would make her a phoenix, able to ignore even her own mother?

Madam Xiao did not look down on Madam Wang and gently invited her to rise.

Madam Wang thanked her and then glanced at Chun Xi. Seeing Chun Xi’s cold expression, her heart tightened. She tried to speak in a flattering tone: “A-Xi, are you well? I heard that you and Lord Shen encountered assassins. Were you hurt?”

“Your daughter was not hurt. These past few days at the Xiao residence have been pleasant. Mother need not worry,” Chun Xi replied softly, with no trace of resentment in her voice.

Madam Wang’s heart sank.

Chun Xi had changed into fine clothes, adorned herself with jewelry, and her face had visibly grown plumper—clearly, she was living very well.

Meanwhile, their own family faced disaster.

When the Liu family came to claim her, Madam Wang realized that Chun Xi had fled her arranged marriage. Young Master Liu was still missing, and the mastermind behind it all was Wei Lingze.

Wei Lingze had instructed Madam Wang to come to the Xiao residence and bring Chun Xi back, ostensibly to continue the marriage with the Liu family, but in reality, to hide her for Wei Lingze as his concubine.

The truth made Madam Wang’s heart pound, yet she dared not defy Wei Lingze.

Yesterday, Madam Wang and the Liu family had intended to enter the Xiao residence to find Chun Xi. Instead, they ran into the furious Madam Mo. Madam Mo demanded that Madam Wang, in light of Chun Xi’s life-saving act for Shen Qingyuan, petition Madam Xiao to have Chun Xi marry Shen Qingyuan as his second wife, or their entire family would be at risk.

Madam Wang never imagined such a situation; it felt as if she were being roasted on a fire.

She regretted her foolish greed for wealth, which had caused her to drug Chun Xi and hand her over to Young Master Liu. At the same time, she blamed Chun Xi for running around. If Chun Xi had obediently followed Young Master Liu, would they be in this mess now?

Madam Wang’s emotions were in turmoil, but she dared not reveal them in front of Madam Xiao. She forced a calm tone: “I’m glad you are well. But you are a guest; you cannot stay at the Xiao residence forever. You should return home with me.”

Wei Lingze’s matter could not be discussed here. Madam Wang hoped Chun Xi would return home so she could figure out a solution. But the next moment, Chun Xi asked: “If I secretly fled, why didn’t the Liu family come with Mother?”

Madam Wang’s head shot up. Shock and fury flashed across her face as she glared at Chun Xi.

Had this crazy girl lost her mind? How dare she speak about fleeing an arranged marriage aloud?

Chun Xi met Madam Wang’s gaze without fear.

After a brief moment of eye contact, Madam Wang relented. Now was not the time to fuss over reputation; solving the problem was the priority.

Madam Wang tried to soften her tone: “The Liu family are reasonable people. If you truly refuse, you should come back with me and explain to them in person.”

As long as Chun Xi agreed to go home with her, a solution could be found. Madam Wang kept giving her subtle signals, hoping Chun Xi wouldn’t be stubborn. But Chun Xi continued: “Mother, you once drugged me and gave me to another man. I cannot trust you anymore. If the Liu family refuses to cancel the marriage, let them come to the Xiao residence and resolve it with me directly.”

Chun Xi’s words came in rapid succession, making Madam Wang’s vision darken and nearly causing her to stagger.

How could this girl accuse her own mother of drugging her and giving her to another man in the Xiao residence? It was utterly shameful.

Moreover, Wei Lingze was behind the Liu family—how could they even come to the Xiao residence to confront Chun Xi?

“A-Xi, Mother only wants what’s best for you. Young Master Liu’s family is wealthy; you wouldn’t suffer marrying him,” Madam Wang struggled to defend herself.

Xiao Qingyue seized the moment: “Marriage has always been arranged by parents and matchmakers. Since your mother has chosen someone for you, you should marry without worry. Running away like this… I think your heart is fixated on someone you shouldn’t be thinking of?”

Xiao Qingyue’s words were pointed, clearly implying Wei Lingze.

Madam Wang, already guilty, felt a chill run down her spine.

What did this young lady mean? Could the Xiao family know that Chun Xi and Wei Lingze were still secretly involved?

If she did not continue the pretense with the Liu family, she would anger Wei Lingze. If she sided with Wei Lingze, she would trample the Xiao family’s honor, all while Madam Mo was watching like a tiger. Either way, it was a dead end.

The more Madam Wang thought, the more desperate she became. Cold sweat dripped down her body. She intended to feign illness and find a chance to speak to Chun Xi alone, when suddenly a tall figure appeared.

Madam Xiao immediately stood: “Your wound isn’t healed yet. Why have you come over instead of resting?”

“I’m fine. Staying in the room all day is rather stifling,” Shen Qingyuan replied calmly, stepping in front of Madam Wang.

“It was I who brought Miss Chun Xi to the Xiao residence. She saved my life. From now on, her affairs are mine. If anyone tries to harm her, I will not allow it,” he said.

Having rested at the Xiao residence for several days, Shen Qingyuan’s face had regained its color. Standing tall in front of Madam Wang, his presence was intimidating.

Madam Wang’s legs went weak. She then heard Madam Xiao say: “I know you care for this girl. As long as I’m here, no one can bully her.”

Madam Wang: “……”

Oh, Cao… maybe I should just go with you!