TSWRLM -Chapter 66 You Don’t Owe Him Anything

Wei Qing ordered the steward to inspect the entire household, but no suspicious person was found. As noon approached, the Crown Prince did not press further. He handed the jade pendant to Wei Qing for continued investigation and the banquet proceeded as planned.

The front courtyard became lively again, yet everyone remained quietly puzzled.

Shen Qingyuan had also investigated the case and risked his life, yet all the credit went solely to Wei Lingze. Had Wei Lingze really solved the case? Where did today’s mysterious assassin come from? And whose was the fine jade pendant? Could there be a deeper mastermind behind it all?

Chun Xi couldn’t remain at the male guests’ table, so she went to the rear garden with Xiao Qinghe.

Halfway there, Xiao Qinghe sent the maid away and spoke softly: “I know there was no real assassin today. Wei Lang offended you, little aunt.”

Earlier, Xiao Qinghe had only suspected this; seeing the jade pendant confirmed it.

Before Wei Lingze’s first military campaign, she had knelt all the way to Yunshan Temple, asking the monks to bless the jade pendant, hoping it would protect him.

Afterward, Wei Lingze had been injured and never wore the pendant again.

Xiao Qinghe never expected to see the pendant under today’s circumstances.

Chun Xi walked steadily, her expression unchanged, and said lightly, “I don’t understand what you’re talking about, Lady Wei.”

Xiao Qinghe was not angry. She looked at Chun Xi earnestly: “I’m not trying to interrogate you. I just want to know what he said to you today.”

Today was Wei Lingze’s promotion banquet. As his wife, it was her first time hosting. He had appeared devoted and attentive in front of the Crown Princess, yet had secretly gone to meet Chun Xi.

She could not imagine what he had said to Chun Xi.

Knowing he wouldn’t tell her the truth, she had to put aside her pride and ask Chun Xi directly.

Xiao Qinghe spoke honestly. Chun Xi, however, did not reveal the truth, replying calmly, “I immediately sensed something was off with the assassin. I shouted for help, and when no one came, I found a way to escape myself. I don’t know if the assassin wanted me to deliver any message to your husband.”

Her tone was serene, as if she had never even met Wei Lingze.

Xiao Qinghe clenched her handkerchief. She wanted to ask more, but when she met Chun Xi’s clear, pure eyes, she found herself unable to speak.

Chun Xi’s attitude had been clear from the start: she did not like Wei Lingze and had no intention of entangling herself with him. It was Wei Lingze who could not let go.

This was not her fault.

Xiao Qinghe felt as though a massive stone was pressing on her chest, making it hard to breathe.

After a brief silence, Chun Xi said, “Since you’re willing to call me little aunt, I’ll give you a piece of advice: you have never owed Wei Lingze anything. If he treats you badly, there’s no need to pity him.”

After Wei Lingze was paralyzed, the Xiao family delayed the wedding. For the past three years, whenever Xiao Qinghe attended banquets, she would hear people gossiping behind her back—saying she was insincere, calculating, enjoying only Wei Lingze’s affection, and delaying the marriage to force the Wei family to break the engagement without taking the blame herself.

Even her own relatives criticized her, and she herself had felt guilty toward Wei Lingze.

But now, Chun Xi—the one who should have been an opponent—told her she never owed Wei Lingze anything.

Xiao Qinghe’s pupils trembled; she was deeply shocked. Seeing Xiao Qinghe hesitate to defend Wei Lingze immediately, Chun Xi continued: “You were born noble, one of the most beautiful and talented women in Hanjing. Even if you married someone else, there would always be men willing to go through fire and water for your smile. If I were you, I would never shed a single tear for a man in this life.”

“But…”

Xiao Qinghe tried to argue. She and Wei Lingze had been childhood sweethearts with deep feelings. Their union wasn’t just an ordinary arranged marriage, and it was natural for him to be resentful if she had hesitated.

“There’s no ‘but’,” Chun Xi interrupted. “If it had been you who was paralyzed instead of Wei Lingze, would you still marry him?”

“Of course not!”

Xiao Qinghe answered without hesitation.

Wei Lingze was the eldest son of the Wei family; his wife would one day be the matriarch. If her legs were disabled, how could she uphold the family’s dignity? She would immediately end the engagement.

Chun Xi nodded. “You can think so much for him. But has he ever thought about you?”

Xiao Qinghe was speechless.

Though the Xiao family delayed the wedding, they did not call it off, and she had remained faithful, enduring pressure and criticism for three years. If Wei Lingze had not recovered, she would have continued waiting.

If he truly loved her, he would have understood how difficult the past three years had been for her.

Her thoughts sank, but suddenly she awoke to reality.

She was now Lady Wei, wife of the eldest son. This was the path she chose, and as husband and wife, she should not bear resentment.

“I know Wei Lang’s repeated disrespect upset you, little aunt, but you shouldn’t try to stir trouble in our marriage.”

Xiao Qinghe’s eyes regained clarity. Chun Xi thought silently: such a good girl, wasted on manure.

“I haven’t stirred trouble; I’m only stating facts,” Chun Xi said with a gentle smile. “I just thought you haven’t been very happy. You can come talk to me more in the future—I’m very good at comforting people.”

Xiao Qinghe: “…”

No need. She feared that if she heard this too many times, she might truly think of divorce.

To avoid panic, Madam Yun did not tell the female guests about the assassin. She only said that a noble had lost something and the household was searching for it. When Xiao Qinghe returned saying the matter was resolved, everyone relaxed and cheered again.

Madam Xiao immediately pulled Chun Xi to her side, introducing her to everyone:

“Chun Xi is my Shen Yuan’s new wife. Though they didn’t hold a grand wedding, my mother-in-law is very pleased with this marriage, and I get along wonderfully with Chun Xi. Everyone, please take good care of her.”

Although Madam Xiao’s mother-in-law was elderly and rarely went out, she always praised Shen Qingyuan whenever Madam Xiao attended events. Everyone knew that although her father-in-law had passed, the Xiao family still valued him highly.

Madam Xiao called Chun Xi affectionately “Chun Xi,” and everyone complimented her, though some spoke carelessly:

“Isn’t this the maid Wei Lingze always kept by his side? How did she suddenly become Lord Shen’s new wife?”

The courtyard fell silent, the awkwardness spreading.

Everyone assumed the Xiao family had pushed Chun Xi onto Shen Qingyuan to spite Wei Lingze.

Even if Madam Xiao’s father-in-law had adored Shen Yuan, people change and circumstances shift—how could they truly still care for him?

Madam Mo watched with satisfaction.

The Xiao family had always looked down on her. Previously, Madam Xiao had even gone to the Hou Mansion to support Chun Xi. Now, they knew what humiliation felt like.

Madam Mo’s lips curled into a smile. But Chun Xi suddenly looked at her and said loudly:

“After leaving the Wei family, I happened to meet my mother-in-law. She thought my face was auspicious and believed I could help clear the rumors of the ‘cursed wife’ around my husband. She strongly supported this marriage.”

Everyone: “…”

Almost forgot—Shen Qingyuan’s stepmother wasn’t exactly a saint.

Madam Mo: “…”

Next time, she really should have let the Xiao family matron tear her mouth apart!