TSWRLM -Chapter 55 The Return Visit

“I told you to wait for me in the carriage. Why did you get out?”

As soon as they got in the carriage, Wei Lingze growled lowly.

His tone was sharp, his expression dark and brooding, as if he could form icicles from his glare.

Quezhi was so frightened she barely dared to breathe, looking anxiously at Xiao Qinghe.

Xiao Qinghe’s expression remained unchanged. After staring at Wei Lingze for a moment, she said, “Wei Lang, why don’t you ask if it hurts?”

Her face was still pale, and the rims of her eyes were slightly red.

She was born noble and had been pampered all her life—a girl who was extremely sensitive to pain.

When she first came to Guishui, she was a guest at the Wei residence. Embarrassed, she had cried endlessly, refusing to see Wei Lingze again at the Xiao residence. Wei Lingze had found countless excuses to visit her at the Wei residence just to soothe her.

Later, he remembered her visit to Guishui fondly, always preparing a warm stove in advance for her comfort.

Back then, if she complained of pain, he would worry for days. Yet now, even though she was bleeding heavily, he had forgotten to show any concern.

Wei Lingze recalled the past, his expression stiffening. After a moment, he said, “For the past three years, I’ve endured pain a hundred times worse than this.”

On their wedding night, Wei Lingze had complained of leg pain. Xiao Qinghe had assumed it was just drunken words, but now she realized it had been deliberate.

For the past three years, he had endured unimaginable suffering, and the Xiao family had delayed the wedding—she had not been by his side.

He resented her.

So for the three days after the marriage, though he was intimate with her, he showed no mercy.

Even now, though Chun Xi was already married, he still could not fully control himself.

Her breath caught slightly, and she whispered, “Wei Lang, you weren’t like this before.”

A flicker of ridicule flashed in Wei Lingze’s eyes, but he did not speak harshly to Xiao Qinghe. Instead, he softened his tone: “Sorry, it’s my fault. I scared you today. Since the paralysis, I’ve struggled to control my emotions. With you by my side, I will change. Don’t be mad at me, okay?”

Xiao Qinghe closed her eyes, hiding the disappointment in them.

She knew Wei Lingze wasn’t truly yielding; he was using his paralysis as an excuse to shut her out.

He didn’t want much conversation with her—he just needed her to be the good wife of Wei Shao.

Xiao Qinghe had long considered this possibility, but facing it in reality was far more painful than she imagined.

It really hurt.

Even breathing hurt.

Chun Xi, meanwhile, was quietly concerned for Xiao Qinghe all the way. But as soon as they entered the house, her mother’s voice snapped her back to reality.

“Oh, so you remembered to come back. I thought you were living so well you’d forget which way your family door opens. With Master Shen’s noble status, I don’t have the fortune to be your mother-in-law anyway.”

It was already past noon. The yard was a mess, showing that Madam Wang had already fed the neighbors with the prepared meal. Now, full and satisfied, she had the energy to scold them properly.

Chun Xi immediately pulled herself away from pitying Xiao Qinghe.

She had lost her father and had an uncaring mother—what right did she have to pity the Xiao family’s spoiled daughter?

Stopping Shen Qingyuan from explaining, Chun Xi said coldly, “If you don’t welcome us, then we won’t come back in the future.”

Though Chun Xi’s wedding had been modest, Shen Qingyuan’s status had still prompted Madam Wang to boast a bit.

She had promised herself that today, with her daughter and son-in-law returning, she would be honored with thick gifts. Yet, after waiting for the meal to be served, no one arrived.

Madam Wang, thinking Chun Xi had really rejected her, felt embarrassed and gave the food to the neighbors. Seeing them finally arrive, Madam Wang calmed down, speaking sarcastically only to be appeased, but Chun Xi pulled Shen Qingyuan and turned to leave.

Madam Wang hurried to stop them: “You have such a temper! I just said a few words and you want to leave? Aren’t you afraid the neighbors will laugh at us?”

Madam Wang tried to pull Chun Xi into the yard, but Chun Xi stood firm: “There’s nothing to eat here. What are we going back for—to clear the table and wash dishes?”

“Who said you have to work? The chicken soup is still simmering on the stove—there’s plenty to eat.” Knowing Chun Xi could be stubborn, Madam Wang looked at Shen Qingyuan for support:
“Master Shen, don’t be angry. I just talk a lot—I mean no harm. You didn’t come for so long, I didn’t want the neighbors to wait, so I let them eat first. But your portion is untouched.”

At this moment, Cao Wen and Madam Qian appeared. Shen Qingyuan squeezed Chun Xi’s hand and said warmly, “I can already smell the chicken soup—it smells amazing.”

Chun Xi silently sighed. Her lord was too easygoing—over the years, he must have suffered countless losses because of it.

Before entering the house, Shen Qingyuan had Qing Shu carry in the return gifts.

Chun Xi hadn’t taken anything from his private treasury, preparing only some pastries and tonic herbs. Shen Qingyuan added ten or so books, which would benefit Cao Wen, and later, when the little nephew grew up, he could read them too.

In Zhaoling, scholars were highly respected, and books were expensive. These volumes even had Shen Qingyuan’s own notes—money alone could not buy them. Madam Wang, however, looked disappointed.

“There are plenty of books in the academy—why bring them home? You should have taken something practical.”

Chun Xi ignored Madam Wang’s expression, quickly setting the table and serving the chicken soup and rice.

The soup, made from an old hen, smelled delicious.

After a few bites, Chun Xi felt a little better. Just as she was about to eat heartily, Cao Wen tugged Shen Qingyuan’s sleeve: “Brother-in-law, someone at the academy bullied me. Can you get me transferred somewhere else to study?”

Cao Wen’s voice was soft, like a mosquito’s whine—barely audible.

Chun Xi paused, gently saying, “A-Wen, speak a little louder—I didn’t hear what you said.”

Cao Wen’s lips trembled, his eyes reddened, and he was about to cry.

Seeing this, Madam Wang pulled him into her arms and spoke for him: “A-Wen doesn’t know anyone at the new academy and keeps getting bullied. He’s lost so much weight—please have him transferred somewhere else to study.”

Madam Wang looked full of concern, as if Cao Wen had suffered the gravest injustice.

Chun Xi, however, didn’t see any weight loss. Following Madam Wang’s words, she asked,
“Mother, where do you think would be best for him to study?”

“I’ve never studied, how would I know?” Madam Wang feigned ignorance, then looked at Shen Qingyuan: “Previously, Master Wei said A-Wen could join the Yun family academy. That should be a good place. Honorable son-in-law, can you make arrangements for him?”

Madam Wang’s scheming beads practically showed on Chun Xi’s face.

Chun Xi’s expression darkened. Ignoring Madam Wang, she turned to Cao Wen: “A-Wen, you’re almost ten. If something bothers you, learn to speak up yourself. You can’t always hide behind others, understand?”

Immediately, Madam Wang defended him: “He’s still young. It’s already pitiful that he’s being bullied. If the son-in-law can’t handle it, just say so. Why are you being harsh with your brother?”

Chun Xi slammed her chopsticks on the table. The sudden force made Madam Wang and Cao Wen shiver, and even the baby in Madam Qian’s arms started crying.

“I’m letting A-Wen speak. If you interrupt him again, I’ll pretend this brother doesn’t exist.”