TSWRLM -Chapter 40 Going to the Liu Family to Demand an Explanation

After receiving the silver, Aunt Li had her son Dashan deliver the message to Madam Qian’s family that very night.

Madam Wang held her grandson and doted on him for a while before handing him to Madam Qian to breastfeed.

Once the room was cleaned, Cao Wu immediately stayed close, not leaving his wife and child’s side.

Madam Wang approached Chun Xi: “The Liu family said they’ll come back to cause trouble. If you don’t want your sister-in-law and nephew harmed because of your unrest, you should go with me to the Liu family tomorrow to properly apologize.”

After thinking it over, Madam Wang still considered Wei Lingze the most reliable.

If he could go to such lengths to hide Chun Xi, it showed how much he cherished her. Naturally, he would also look out for them.

Rarely did Chun Xi comply with Madam Wang without argument, but this time she simply agreed: “All right.”

“You’re willing to apologize?”

Chun Xi’s bluntness made Madam Wang uneasy. She had already suffered losses at Chun Xi’s hands many times.

First with writing the proof, then agreeing to meet Zhou Qin, and that day when she drugged Chun Xi under the pretense of a birthday—it was always the same.

Madam Wang looked at Chun Xi suspiciously. Chun Xi countered: “If I said I didn’t want to go, would you still make me apologize?”

Of course not.

The Liu family had Wei Lingze backing them—there was no way they could confront him.

Madam Wang kept reassuring herself: no matter what tricks Chun Xi might pull, as long as they reached the Liu family, it would be fine.

The next morning, Madam Wang slaughtered a chicken so Cao Wu could stew it for Madam Qian that night, changed her clothes, and took Chun Xi out. But as soon as they reached the alley entrance, they saw the in-laws and the mother-in-law marching toward them with a group of people, all looking fierce.

They carried hoes and rakes, indistinguishable from bandits.

Madam Wang’s temples throbbed.

She hadn’t sent them a message yet—how did they already know to come?

Before she could think further, they noticed her, ran over, and surrounded them.

“Wang Guiqiu! You wicked woman! My daughter has never had a good day since marrying into your family! Not only did you allow your son to beat her and cause her premature labor, you didn’t even call a doctor! Are you trying to kill both my daughter and grandson?!”

The Qian family had originally been tenant farmers on a manor outside the city. Mr. Qian was skilled in social affairs and had been promoted to steward two years prior, while Madam Qian’s naturally fiery temperament had grown even fiercer.

She spoke first, accusing Madam Wang, and spat in her direction.

The commotion drew the attention of passersby and neighbors in the alley.

Madam Wang, both stunned and angry, glared at Madam Qian: “Are you crazy? My eldest son treats his wife very well! When has he ever laid a finger on her?”

Cao Wu cared for his wife deeply; he had never struck Madam Qian, nor had Madam Wang, the mother-in-law, imposed strict rules on her.

Madam Wang spoke with justification. Seeing the situation about to escalate, Chun Xi softly intervened: “Sister-in-law has given birth, both mother and child are safe. Auntie, you can come inside to see them.”

Madam Qian’s mother immediately led her two sons to the Cao residence. Madam Qian had just finished breastfeeding and, upon seeing her mother and brothers, couldn’t help but cry.

Madam Qian’s mother also shed tears, but spoke firmly: “You’ve just given birth—you mustn’t cry. If you’ve suffered any injustice, tell me. I’ll make things right for you.”

Madam Qian quickly reassured her: “Auntie and Brother Wu have treated me very well. Yesterday, when I gave birth, my younger sister even bought me a hundred-year-old ginseng and hired a doctor from Huichuntang.”

Upon hearing this, Madam Qian’s mother relaxed and comforted her further before returning to the alley with her sons.

“My daughter is indeed fine, and the grandson is adorable.”

Receiving confirmation, the group’s anger dissipated. Madam Wang, about to lash out, was stopped by Chun Xi’s voice: “I asked someone to bring Uncle and Aunt here. Although my eldest brother and mother never mistreated Sister-in-law, yesterday someone came to beat and smash things, which caused Sister-in-law to go into labor early.”

The words stuck in Madam Wang’s throat. She turned her head to glare at Chun Xi, trembling with anger.

She knew this stubborn girl would never obey so easily!

Madam Qian’s mother, however, paid no mind to Madam Wang. Hearing that someone had come to cause trouble and almost harmed her daughter and grandson, she immediately pointed at Madam Wang and scolded: “Wang! You think you’re capable, yet you let people come and attack? Your daughter-in-law and grandson were nearly harmed—this is what you call acceptable?”

Over the past three years, Chun Xi’s allowance had increased. Madam Wang had often flaunted the money in front of Madam Qian’s mother. Now that Chun Xi had caught her mistake, Madam Qian naturally would not let it go.

Madam Wang wanted to retort, but couldn’t open her mouth.

She couldn’t exactly say she had tried to sell her daughter, caused trouble, and endangered her daughter-in-law and grandson.

Chun Xi took the initiative and explained briefly about negotiating with the Liu family, concluding: “I saved Lord Shen of Jingzhao Prefecture. Lord Shen promised to act on my behalf. The Liu family had no justification, so they didn’t dare confront me in front of Lord Shen and only dared to cause trouble at home.”

Even though Chun Xi had a powerful backer, the crowd still blamed her for escaping marriage.

Moreover, the Liu family had already given Madam Wang five hundred taels as a bride price—comparable to an official household’s dowry. What more could she be dissatisfied with?

If Chun Xi had agreed to the marriage, Madam Wang would have held the five hundred taels, and as in-laws, they might have benefited.

Madam Qian’s mother thought for a moment about persuading Chun Xi, but Chun Xi anticipated their reaction and spoke first: “This marriage, whether it happens or not, is my decision. I must never harm Sister-in-law or my nephew. The Liu family’s actions were only about a few filthy coins. Since Uncle and Aunt are here, why not come with me to the Liu family to demand an explanation?”

Chun Xi’s words were forceful and persuasive. Those who came with Mr. and Madam Qian were hot-tempered and easily stirred. Hearing her, they became excited.

The Liu family were mere small-scale tung oil merchants, yet had flaunted so much money. Who knew what shady dealings were behind it?

They had long despised these unscrupulous merchants.

A few filthy coins? Beat them up!

Mr. Qian, now steward of the manor, frowned, hesitating slightly. Cao Wu was his son-in-law. With Cao Wu’s father dead and Cao Wen still young, punishing Cao Wu to defend his daughter was minor. But punishing others? That could be tricky.

If he had known the situation, he wouldn’t have brought so many people.

Mr. Qian glanced at Chun Xi, feeling somewhat outwitted by the little girl. Chun Xi, unflinching, met his gaze: “The premature birth affected Sister-in-law and my nephew’s health. If it weren’t for Sister-in-law’s strong constitution, it might have ended in tragedy. The one who owes the Liu family is me, not Sister-in-law. Don’t you want the Liu family to compensate her and the child for recovery?”

Mr. and Madam Qian exchanged a glance, seeing determination in each other’s eyes.

Indeed, Chun Xi was at fault, but what did it have to do with their daughter?

Madam Wang didn’t care about her daughter; they did.

Otherwise, with so many eyes watching, if they ignored their own daughter, how could they govern the manor?

Mr. Qian immediately commanded: “Let’s go to the Liu family and demand an explanation!”