TSWRLM -Chapter 57 Let’s Build a Small Kitchen

Chun Xi brought Cao Wen back to the Hou residence and first went to see Madam Mo.

Madam Mo sat upright in the main seat, dressed in luxurious clothes, projecting the full air of a matriarch. Cao Wen, already nervous, now clung tightly to Chun Xi, terrified and timid beyond measure.

Her own son raised to be like this—one could imagine just how “unpresentable” Chun Xi’s family seemed.

Thinking about Shen Qingyuan marrying such a girl as a second wife, Madam Mo felt considerably better. Without making things difficult, she allowed Cao Wen to stay.

Chun Xi, along with Cao Wen, expressed their gratitude. After leaving the main hall, Nanny Jia said coldly, “The young mistress and the eldest master are just newlyweds, and yet they bring the young master to live in the residence. This is truly improper. It’s only because the madam is kind-hearted that it’s allowed. Had it been someone else, the young mistress would likely have been thrown out with him.”

Nanny Jia, in charge of the servants in the back courtyard, carried an imposing air when speaking, which frightened Cao Wen.

“Mother said my sister is the young mistress of the Hou residence, living in splendor. How come the people here are so harsh to her, even threatening to throw her out?”

He didn’t want his sister to be sent away.

Chun Xi also feigned a slightly fearful expression, speaking softly: “Nanny, you’re right to admonish me. But Mother already said she won’t interfere with my brother. If I don’t keep him with me, he’d have nowhere to go. I’ll remember this favor and serve Mother diligently in the future.”

Nanny Jia wanted Chun Xi’s gratitude toward Madam Mo and snorted, taking the opportunity to say, “If the young mistress truly appreciates the madam, she should persuade the eldest master to entrust the late madam’s dowry to the madam, so as not to hurt the harmony between mother and son.”

Chun Xi nodded, pretending to agree, but said instead: “I already tried persuading the master. But when the master’s life was uncertain, Mother hastily prepared a mourning hall at home. That truly hurt the master’s feelings.”

Madam Mo had no justification here; it was reasonable for Shen Qingyuan to reclaim his birth mother’s dowry.

Nanny Jia, without a trace of guilt, sharply rebuked: “The madam is the matriarch of the Hou residence. How can the young mistress speak ill of her behind her back?”

Madam Mo hoped everyone would forget this matter and didn’t want it brought up again.

Chun Xi, unfazed, whispered: “Nanny, this is all what the master told me.”

“Even if it was the eldest master, the young mistress shouldn’t keep bringing it up,” Nanny Jia warned, glaring at Chun Xi, then softened her tone: “The eldest master has been married three times and yet has no children. The young mistress should mind her own business and focus on bearing heirs for the Hou residence.”

Chun Xi obediently replied: “Yes, Nanny.”

To better keep Chun Xi under control, Nanny Jia didn’t let Cao Wen stay in the inner residence but had him lodge in the servants’ quarters next to her, claiming it was easier to supervise.

Chun Xi, seemingly unaware of the scheme, looked grateful: “Thank you, Nanny, for taking care of this.”

She then turned and left.

“Sister, don’t leave me alone!”

Cao Wen tried to follow, but Nanny Jia stopped him: “The young mistress and eldest master are newlyweds; they cannot be disturbed. The young master has entered the Hou residence and must follow its rules. Understand?”

Nanny Jia was strong and intimidating. Cao Wen almost cried, struggling harder. She didn’t treat him like the young master at all, slapping his bottom sharply.

“You look to be around ten years old. Don’t you know to answer respectfully when elders speak?”

Over the years, Nanny Jia had trained countless maids and servants; controlling Cao Wen was easy.

Soon, Cao Wen learned the Hou residence rules, eyes red and brimming with tears: “Nanny, A-Wen understands. I’ll follow the rules properly from now on.”

“Good boy.”

Nanny Jia complimented him with a stern smile and led him to the seldom-used servant room.

The room was dusty. Nanny Jia didn’t call anyone to clean but had Cao Wen fetch water to scrub the floor and windows. Exhausted, he cried several times; after Nanny Jia hit him twice, he even cried cautiously.

Watching Cao Wen, small and busy, Nanny Jia felt the resentment from being forced by Chun Xi to clean the storeroom the day before finally lifted.

This was the young mistress handing her weaknesses directly into her hands—she would not be polite.

Back in the inner residence, Shen Qingyuan saw Chun Xi return alone and asked the same question: “Aren’t you afraid Nanny Jia will be harsh with your brother?”

Chun Xi answered without hesitation: “Afraid of what? When I was his age, I was already sold into the Wei family as a maid. At least Nanny Jia still calls him the young master.”

With Shen Qingyuan present, Nanny Jia wouldn’t truly harm Cao Wen—at most, she could let him endure a little hardship.

He deserved a little hardship. Otherwise, growing up, he’d lack both manliness and sense.

Having been hungry since just drinking some chicken soup, Chun Xi had noodles cooked before her return.

The noodles arrived quickly, and Chun Xi, ignoring the steam, ate them in big mouthfuls. Shen Qingyuan, watching thoughtfully, asked: “Were you afraid when you first arrived at the Wei family?”

“Afraid of what? I inherited my father’s skills. Who would dare bully me?”

Muffled by the noodles in her mouth, her words were unclear.

Shen Qingyuan couldn’t resist and gently rubbed her head.

In the years he wasn’t around, this little girl had endured so much suffering without ever speaking of it.

After swallowing, Chun Xi tilted her head and said: “Master, let’s build a small kitchen in the courtyard. From now on, whenever you come back, you can eat meals I make.”

The main kitchen was too far away, and the head cook oversaw all the operations, making it inconvenient for her to cook.

Shen Qingyuan withdrew his hand and said seriously: “Alright.”

Meanwhile, in the Cao household:

After seeing the doctor off, Cao Wu stormed into Madam Wang’s room: “The doctor said Mother is fine. Stop pretending. Come with me to the Hou residence and bring A-Wen back.”

“I’m not going! A-Xi is his sister. Now that she’s married into the Hou residence, it’s only right for her to help her brother.”

“A-Xi doesn’t even have a dowry and is the second wife. Mother only cares about A-Wen. Don’t you think about how she’ll survive in the Hou residence?”

“Why are you yelling? She’s clever. She was fine serving as a maid in the Wei household. Being young mistress at the Hou residence won’t make her worse off.”

Cao Wu raised his voice slightly. Madam Wang yelled even louder, as if sheer force would prove she was right.

Cao Wu, disappointed, gave up persuading, turning to go fetch Cao Wen himself. But just two steps out, Madam Wang shouted: “If you dare bring your brother back, I’ll crash myself on your father’s grave!”

Cao Wu froze, unable to leave. He returned to his room, holding his son and crying.

Madam Wang, wiping her tears, felt more joy than sorrow.

Though A-Wu looked fierce, he was soft-hearted. Though A-Xi spoke sharply, her heart was kind.

Since A-Xi had taken Cao Wen to the Hou residence, he would surely enjoy a life of luxury and refinement!