TSWRLM -Chapter 67 Lord, I Feel Like I’m at a Disadvantage

The banquet lasted until late at night before finally dispersing.

As soon as it ended, Wei Qing called Wei Lingze to the study and slammed the jade pendant at him. “You wretched fool! Look at the mess you’ve caused!”

Wei Lingze dodged to the side; the pendant hit the floor and shattered into pieces.

Wei Lingze didn’t even glance at the fragments. He said to his father, “I haven’t worn this pendant for a long time. It must have been taken secretly by Chun Xi when she left the Wei household. Shen Qingyuan must be jealous I took the credit and deliberately set me up…”

“Even now, you still won’t tell the truth! Must I call the steward and those servants here to confront you face-to-face?”

Wei Qing interrupted him harshly, disappointment flashing in his eyes.

For over ten years, Wei Qing had been proud of Wei Lingze.

His son had been born with a silver spoon yet never developed the spoiled habits of a noble’s child. He had been upright and ambitious. But after suffering severe injuries that left him paralyzed, his character had drastically changed.

Even after recovering, he no longer acted with the straightforwardness he once had. Instead, he had become calculating, ruthless, and unscrupulous.

Wei Qing’s gaze pierced him, and Wei Lingze pressed his lips together, no longer defending himself. After a moment, he said, “Father, that maid Chun Xi means more to me than anything. I regret letting her go.”

“She’s long since no longer your maid, and she is now married. Technically, you should address her as ‘aunt.’ Coveting a married woman goes against morality. And what about Xiao Qinghe?”

Each word from Wei Qing grew heavier, filled with pain. He found Wei Lingze’s behavior absurd and foolish.

If he truly valued Chun Xi, he could have taken her in earlier. Instead, he pretended to be indifferent and let her go.

Chun Xi had left the Wei household long ago. Now that she was married, he only came to express regret—where had he been all this time?

Wei Qing was furious. The study felt icy, and after a long pause, Wei Lingze said, “Father, I was wrong.”

He shouldn’t have underestimated Chun Xi, thinking she was an easy target.

If he wanted her back, he would have to destroy her support, cut off all her options, and push her into desperation.

Wei Qing did not realize that Wei Lingze had entered an even more extreme dead end; he thought his son had finally come to his senses and softened his tone: “I know delaying the wedding with the Xiao family left a mark on you, but now you are married to Qinghe. You should broaden your mind. Stop dwelling on the past, and focus on ensuring Qinghe bears you children.”

“You’re right, Father. I will treat Qinghe well from now on.”

After Wei Lingze solemnly promised, Wei Qing finally allowed him to leave.

Back at Lingfeng Court, Xiao Qinghe had just finished her own tasks and was sitting at the vanity removing her makeup.

It was midsummer, and the night was warm. She had shed the heavy, formal dark green outfit of the day, wearing only an apricot silk nightgown. Without elaborate hairpins and jewelry, her long, well-maintained black hair fell over her shoulders, soft and alluring.

Wei Lingze’s eyes darkened. He strode quickly behind her and lifted a hand to her lips.

“I’ll help you.”

He used his fingertip to gently wipe away most of her lipstick, revealing her natural lip color, which was even more vivid.

Wei Lingze’s Adam’s apple moved, and he instinctively tilted her face down to kiss her—but Xiao Qinghe turned her head away.

The kiss landed on her cheek.

“Wei Lang, I’m really tired today.”

Her voice was soft, as always, but unmistakably a refusal.

Wei Lingze did not release her. He stroked her cheek with his finger. “I’ll be gentle today. It won’t take long. Father and mother are waiting for grandchildren, you know.”

He tried again to kiss her, but she lifted a hand to cover his mouth. “Wei Lang, I really don’t want to today.”

Rejected twice in a row, his interest waned. His gaze returned to its usual coldness. He withdrew his hand and said gently, “Fine, I won’t force you. I have some work to attend to. I’ll sleep in the study tonight. You should rest early.”

Without another word, he left, and the room fell silent. Xiao Qinghe sat frozen at her vanity, feeling a faint sense of wilting.

Quezhi, alarmed, stepped forward. “Miss, what’s wrong? Did you have a quarrel with Master?”

Quezhi had been serving Xiao Qinghe since she was eight. Their relationship was more like sisters than mistress and servant. When alone, Quezhi still called her “Miss.”

Xiao Qinghe felt dazed, as if she had never left her family home, still the cherished daughter of the Xiao family.

“Quezhi.”

She whispered softly. Quezhi immediately responded, “I’m here, Miss. Whatever grievances you have, you can tell me. I will keep them secret, not letting anyone else know.”

Quezhi was reliable, of course.

But Xiao Qinghe’s mouth was bitter; she could not speak a word.

What Chun Xi had said during the day affected her deeply. She tried to suppress it, not thinking too much, yet in facing Wei Lingze, a resistance rose within her.

Though she had failed to fulfill her marriage obligations in time, her heart remained faithful. But him? How much did he truly care for her?

Chun Xi did not realize how much her words had unsettled Wei Lingze. During the banquet, thanks to Madam Xiao’s favor, many noblewomen had been courteous to Chun Xi, inviting her to future outings.

But those were only formalities. Once home, only those who sent invitations truly wanted friendship.

Chun Xi’s work in the Wei household was that of a maid, yet she had learned much about social etiquette. Whoever came, she responded with a smile. Though not fully at ease, she handled herself competently and never missed a meal.

Madam Mo had never looked so good in front of the noblewomen and was jealous.

With such an opportunity, if she didn’t make a few good connections, what was she eating for? Was she some starving ghost reborn?

Madam Mo had been holding back her anger, ready to vent on Chun Xi once back at the Hou Mansion. Yet before she could speak, Shen Qingyuan ordered the steward: “The young mistress was frightened today. Have the kitchen prepare a calming soup and bring it to her.”

The words were directed at the steward, but Shen Qingyuan’s gaze was icy, fixed on Madam Mo.

He said nothing, yet Madam Mo felt a chill run down her spine. The words she had been holding back caught in her throat.

This rebellious son was becoming increasingly unbearable. As a mother-in-law, could she not even scold her daughter-in-law a little?

Back at Wenxin Court, Chun Xi first inspected the unfinished small kitchen, then went to bathe.

Afterward, she emerged to find Shen Qingyuan in loose sleepwear, sitting on the bed, holding the ointment the doctor had given during the day.

Thinking about the day’s events, Chun Xi felt her cheeks flush.

She had only looked at him once, and that time without daring to fully observe—she truly felt at a disadvantage.

Pausing at the door, she lingered, and Shen Qingyuan, thinking she was shy, said softly, “Don’t worry. I’m only helping you apply medicine. Besides, we are husband and wife under heaven; you should get used to some intimacy with me.”

“I know… I just feel like I’m at a bit of a disadvantage.”

Chun Xi blurted it out, then immediately wished she could bite off her tongue.

How had she revealed her true feelings?

She racked her brain, trying to recover, when she suddenly heard Shen Qingyuan say:

“I don’t intend to take advantage of you. But if you feel at a disadvantage, you can take it back from me.”

Chun Xi: “…”

Take it back? How? Could it mean what she thought it meant?