TSWRLM -Chapter 63 The Promotion Banquet

Chun Xi was working fervently on the small kitchen.

Every day, when Shen Qingyuan returned from the yamen, Chun Xi had already finished for the day—but the progress on the kitchen was clearly visible.

In just seven or eight days, the walls of the small kitchen were completely built.

Chun Xi hadn’t lied—though it was her first time building a house, the walls were sturdy and solid, visibly well-made.

She refused to use the guards Shen Qingyuan had hired, only letting Nanny Jia and Cao Wen help. In just a few days, the old woman and the young boy were both exhausted, their legs weak whenever they saw Chun Xi.

Before she knew it, the day of Wei Lingze’s promotion banquet had arrived.

This was his first promotion since recovering, and also the first banquet hosted by Xiao Qinghe after marrying into the Wei family—a grand affair. Most of Hanjing’s officials and their families had received invitations.

Madam Mo attached great importance to this banquet. Early that morning, she had Shen Qingchi bring her maid to prepare Chun Xi’s makeup and attire.

“Sister-in-law has beautiful eyes. Just a little adjustment to her brows, and she’ll look lovely. Today, brother is wearing a deep blue robe embroidered with cypress leaves. Your pale blue dress with lotus embroidery will match him perfectly.”

In the past few days, Shen Qingchi had also observed Chun Xi building the kitchen. She would always bring small snacks, and Chun Xi had grown fond of her, quickly forming a bond.

Shen Qingchi had a good eye for aesthetics. The maid’s styling of Chun Xi’s hair and makeup was restrained—nothing excessively fancy, only emphasizing her natural beauty. Though not stunningly remarkable, it was fresh and radiant, far better than the makeup Chun Xi had done herself on her wedding day.

Chun Xi gazed into the mirror, increasingly pleased. After praising Shen Qingchi’s taste, she even gave a reward to Shen Qingchi’s maid.

Once everything was ready, Chun Xi stepped out to Shen Qingyuan: “I’ve never looked this good before. What do you think, Sir?”

She spun around gracefully.

The pale blue hem arced beautifully in the air, like a fully opened lotus leaf. The embroidered lotuses on the skirt seemed to come alive.

Shen Qingyuan nodded in approval: “You look lovely.”

With preparations complete, the three of them set out.

Madam Mo, Shen Qingyue, and Shen Qingyu had already arrived at the mansion gates. From a distance, they glanced at Chun Xi walking demurely beside Shen Qingyuan, and they couldn’t help a sneer.

So good at pretending.

When the three reached them, Madam Mo, holding herself upright, lectured Chun Xi: “All the guests at the Wei household today are distinguished people. You better stay quiet like this and not make a scene. If you embarrass yourself, I won’t let it slide!”

Before Chun Xi could respond, Shen Qingyuan interjected: “Madam Xiao intends to introduce A-Xi to everyone today. Mother wants her to stay silent—is she deliberately opposing Madam Xiao, or trying to make others think that in just a few days after marrying into the Marquisate, A-Xi has already been struck dumb?”

Madam Mo was caught off guard, stumbling over her words: “I didn’t forbid her from speaking, just told her to be careful and not say random things.”

In the past, Shen Qingyuan had ignored Madam Mo’s comments, and she felt he didn’t respect her as stepmother. But now, whenever she spoke, he contradicted her—almost as if he wanted to pierce her lungs with his words.

Sometimes, she wished he would just stay silent as before.

Seeing the tense atmosphere, Shen Qingyue spoke in time: “It’s getting late. Let’s depart.”

Shen Qingyue and Shen Qingyu rode horses, while Shen Qingchi and Madam Mo rode in a carriage. Shen Qingyuan accompanied Chun Xi in another carriage.

“I can go alone. Sir, if you want to ride—”

“I don’t want to ride,” Shen Qingyuan cut her off. Looking directly at her, he said, “I want to accompany you.”

It was the same carriage as before, but their identities had changed significantly.

Shen Qingyuan’s words made Chun Xi’s heart skip a beat; her face flushed slightly.

Was Sir openly teasing her?

But they had shared a bed every night since their wedding, yet he hadn’t acted on anything. Could it be because she looked especially beautiful today?

Thinking this, Chun Xi felt a secret thrill. She wasn’t a stunning beauty, but she was certainly charming when dressed up.

A smile tugged at her lips, and Shen Qingyuan’s eyes showed a trace of amusement. If he knew what Chun Xi was thinking, he would certainly shake his head in exasperation.

He was a normal man, long deprived of intimacy. With a gentle and soft woman by his side, how could he not feel desire?

But Chun Xi had been working so hard on the kitchen, falling asleep the moment her head hit the pillow each night, leaving him no time to cultivate their relationship.

Fine—he would wait until the small kitchen was finished.

The banquet attracted too many guests. Streets near the Wei household were congested, forcing everyone to disembark and walk the rest of the way.

Soon, the grand gates of the Wei family, flanked by two imposing stone lions, came into view.

Chun Xi had entered the Wei household at ten years old. Now, at nineteen, nearly half her life had been spent there. She knew the place intimately, but standing here again, she was a completely different person from before.

Today, men and women were seated separately. At the gate, formalities were observed, and Chun Xi, along with Madam Mo and Shen Qingchi, headed to the rear garden.

Before parting, Shen Qingyuan squeezed Chun Xi’s wrist: “You know where the men’s seating is. If anything happens, come to me—I’ll handle it for you.”

His voice was steady, always a source of reassurance. Chun Xi smiled and nodded: “Okay.”

At this moment, Shen Qingchi linked arms with Chun Xi, whispering, “Don’t worry, Brother. I’ll stay with Sister-in-law the whole time.”

The mansion was bustling. Despite the crowd, the servants moved in orderly fashion, with barely a hint of chaos. Those who recognized Chun Xi only glanced at her, saying nothing.

Passing through two flowered archways, they neared the rear garden when Xiao Qinghe came out to greet them: “Madam Shen, Miss Shen, little aunt, you’ve arrived.”

After taking over half the household authority from the Yun family, Xiao Qinghe’s demeanor exuded poise and dignity. Her dark green dress, elegant and imposing, subdued even her striking beauty, giving her an aura that discouraged frivolity.

Truly, the heiress of the Xiao family carried herself with the bearing of her upbringing. Madam Mo thought to herself how wonderful it would be if her Yue’er and Yu’er could marry women of such noble presence.

“You’ve been busy today. Why did you come out to greet us personally? We could have come ourselves,” Madam Mo said warmly, holding Xiao Qinghe’s hand.

Xiao Qinghe smiled kindly: “Madam, of course I must welcome you personally.”

After polite exchanges, Xiao Qinghe summoned her maid to escort them to the rear garden.

Halfway there, a maid suddenly barreled straight at Chun Xi.

Chun Xi quickly pushed Shen Qingchi aside to dodge. The maid crashed heavily to the ground. Chun Xi was about to breathe a sigh of relief when something splashed down her back.

Another maid, unseen until now, had poured a pot of tea over her.

The tea was cool, freshly changed, so Chun Xi wasn’t burned—but her back was soaked, faintly revealing the red straps of her undergarment.

“I—I deserve punishment! Please forgive me, noble lady!”

The maid immediately knelt in apology. Before Chun Xi could speak, Madam Mo snapped: “What’s wrong with you? Didn’t you watch where you were going? I told you to learn proper behavior from Nanny Jia, but you caused trouble right away.”

Madam Mo didn’t even blame the maid, instead scolding Chun Xi herself.

Chun Xi raised an eyebrow and said faintly: “She’s already kneeling and apologizing. Mother, at your age, it’s one thing to be blind—but why are your ears deaf too?”