TSWRLM -Chapter 45 This Is Going Too Far!

With the Old Madam Xiao’s support, the next day, Shen Qingyuan and Chun Xi each returned home to inform their families.

Upon hearing the news, Madam Mo was secretly overjoyed, though she outwardly frowned in disapproval.

“That girl Chun Xi is of such low status. And she used to accompany Wei Lingze to various banquets—everyone knows she personally served him for three years. How can she possibly be your wife?”

Without waiting for Shen Qingyuan to respond, she sneered, “You’ve only stayed at the Xiao residence for a few days to recover, and your aunt has already pushed such a disgraceful woman onto you, just to eliminate future trouble for her own granddaughter. Yuan’er, now you should see who truly treats you well.”

As she spoke, Madam Mo dabbed at the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief, as if she had poured her heart out for him.

Shen Qingyuan didn’t expose her poor acting. He simply said calmly, “The matter is already decided. I came today only to inform you. Please open the storeroom so Qing Shu can move my mother’s dowry into my private treasury.”

Madam Mo suddenly looked up, glaring at him, her expression cracking. “Why would you suddenly want your mother’s dowry?”

Shen Qingyuan replied coolly, “Why? Am I not allowed to?”

In Zhaoling, when a married woman passed away, her dowry was inherited by her biological children.

It was only natural for him to take his mother’s dowry.

But during his previous two marriages, he had never brought it up, so Madam Mo had long forgotten about it.

“Of course you can take it,” she said, softening her tone. “But aren’t we one family? You haven’t even set up a separate household—why divide things so clearly?”

Her earlier joy over the marriage faded significantly.

Back when Madam Xiao had married into the family, the marquis residence had been at its peak. But once the realm stabilized, the Marquis of Qingyuan—a man of humble origins—was no longer respected among the capital’s elites. After Madam Xiao’s death, he was increasingly looked down upon.

Realizing he was nothing more than a tool for the imperial family, the marquis lost his ambition and drowned himself in wine and pleasure. In recent years, he had even moved out to a countryside estate, indulging with courtesans and rarely returning home.

Madam Mo herself had been only a concubine-born daughter. Back then, ignorant of the situation, she had used every trick to climb into the marquis’s bed and secure the position of marchioness. Because of that scandalous rise, she had brought very little dowry.

In truth, the family’s dignity over the years had been maintained largely by the dowry left by Madam Xiao.

If Shen Qingyuan took it all away, what would they rely on?

Madam Mo quickly thought of many arguments, but before she could speak, Shen Qingyuan said: “You’re right, Mother. It seems I should also consider setting up a separate household.”

Once he split off, the dowry would have nothing to do with the marquis residence at all.

Madam Mo’s scalp went numb. This time, she truly burst into tears.

“Yuan’er, I know you’re still angry about Nanny Jia. It was my fault for listening to her slander and sending your belongings to the Xiao family, hurting you. But all these years, I’ve been sincere toward you. Yue’er, Yu’er, and Chi’er all treat you like their own elder brother—how can you think of moving out?”

“And your fiancée was just a servant girl. How could she possibly manage a household or handle social affairs? If she embarrasses herself, what then? If you stay here, I can teach her.”

“I’ll teach her myself. No need to trouble you.”

Shen Qingyuan remained unmoved. Before Madam Mo could continue, he asked coolly:

“Mother, are you hesitating because you’ve already used up my mother’s dowry over the years?”

Madam Mo had no right to touch Madam Xiao’s dowry.

If this got out, not only would her reputation be ruined, but Shen Qingyue and Shen Qingyu would also be affected—even the entire Mo family would face public criticism.

Madam Mo’s face turned pale as she quickly shook her head. “No, how could I possibly touch your mother’s dowry?”

Shen Qingyuan said nothing, just looked at her quietly.

Under his gaze, she finally couldn’t hold out any longer. She handed over the storeroom keys—only to see Shen Qingyuan give Qing Shu a list.

“This is my mother’s dowry inventory. Check everything carefully.”

Madam Mo nearly ground her teeth to dust in anger.

He had even prepared the inventory list—this must have been instigated by that old woman from the Xiao family!

She had only intended to sow discord, but the old woman had retaliated with a decisive blow, cutting off her lifeline. Truly hateful!

If Madam Xiao had given birth to a daughter instead, things would have been easier—a girl wouldn’t compete for the heir’s position and would be easy to control. She could have been married off to a decent family. Why did she have to give birth to such a troublesome son?

After the inventory was checked, it was found that one-third of the dowry had been used.

Madam Mo immediately blamed everything on the Marquis of Qingyuan. Shen Qingyuan didn’t believe a word. He immediately ordered Qing Shu to report it to the authorities.

Seeing he was serious, Madam Mo hurriedly changed her tone.

“Your father may be a bit reckless, but it’s also my fault for poor management. I used your mother’s dowry to fill financial gaps. I’ll find a way to make up for what’s missing, alright?”

“My father receives a generous salary every month, and he owns many fertile lands. You’ve always claimed to run the household frugally, so there shouldn’t be any major expenses. I think it’s more likely there’s been an internal theft. We should let the authorities investigate, so Mother won’t suffer unjustly.”

Shen Qingyuan spoke righteously, making Madam Mo’s face burn with embarrassment.

Over the years, she had only been frugal toward him. Toward her own children, she had been generous, and whenever she returned to her natal home, she would bring lavish gifts to show off.

“Even if there was theft, it would be my failure in management. Family scandals shouldn’t be made public—let’s just forget it.”

She tried to persuade him gently.

Shen Qingyuan didn’t insist. He nodded. “Very well. Then we’ll do as Mother says. Qing Shu, bring writing materials.”

Madam Mo had a bad feeling. “What do you need them for?”

“To write an agreement, of course. So that in the future, if Mother becomes forgetful—or if others misunderstand—they won’t think I’m extorting money from you.”

“… ”

Ungrateful wretch!

This is going too far!

Meanwhile, at the Cao household, Madam Wang’s expression was equally unpleasant.

“What do you mean no dowry means no betrothal gifts? You still own a shop! If you marry him like this, isn’t that basically giving yourself away for free?”

“With rumors spreading everywhere and my reputation ruined, the fact that Lord Shen is willing to marry me as his wife is already a great favor,” Chun Xi replied calmly. “Do you think my shop is some kind of treasure trove?”

Shen Qingyuan was an official, dignified and imposing, and quite handsome. Moreover, he came from a noble family. Even with his reputation of bringing harm to his wives, he was still far beyond the Cao family’s reach.

Chun Xi’s little shop was insignificant in comparison.

But Madam Wang was still unwilling to accept it.

She had raised this daughter for so many years—how could she just marry her off like this?

Even for appearances’ sake, there should at least be some exchange.

Otherwise, what would people say?

Just as Madam Wang was about to continue persuading her, Chun Xi cut her off: “Since I’m about to marry Lord Shen, you should return the benefits you accepted earlier from Young Master Liu.”

Madam Wang’s eyelid twitched. She blurted out, “That’s right—you were already betrothed to the Liu family. You can’t marry someone else!”

Chun Xi looked at her expressionlessly and said: “Mother, are you trying to force your daughter into a life-and-death struggle with the people backing the Liu family?”

Madam Wang’s eyes widened in shock.

This wretched girl… she actually knew the truth!