TSWRLM -Chapter 70 Riding on Someone’s Coattails

After the last time the high-society lady at the Wei residence had said she wanted to invite Chun Xi over, there was no further news. Instead, Xiao Qinghe had sent Chun Xi an invitation to attend her birthday banquet.

The invitation was intercepted by Madam Mo and didn’t reach Chun Xi immediately. It wasn’t until the eve of Xiao Qinghe’s birthday that Madam Mo informed Chun Xi she was expected to attend.

“You’re impulsive and reckless. Last time, you offended Miss Xiao quite badly. If it weren’t for Chi’er’s good relationship with Miss Xiao, you wouldn’t even be qualified to attend this birthday banquet. This time, Nanny Jia will accompany you. When you’re at the Xiao residence, don’t speak too much—follow Chier’s lead.”

Madam Mo spoke with certainty. Even though the invitation from the Xiao family bore only Chun Xi’s name, in her words it became Chun Xi attending only because she benefited from Shen Qingchi’s influence.

Moreover, as Shen Qingchi’s eldest sister-in-law, if Chun Xi were constantly watching his face for cues, wouldn’t that make her an object of ridicule?

Chun Xi understood perfectly but didn’t argue. She nodded obediently: “Mother, what you say is right. Your daughter-in-law will listen.”

The next morning, Chun Xi set out for the Xiao residence with Shen Qingchi.

Seeing her carrying a food box, Shen Qingchi was curious: “Did Sister-in-law make these pastries herself?”

The celebratory feast at the small kitchen had been delicious; thinking about it now made him a little envious.

“It’s yam and coix seed cake. If you like, I can make more for you tomorrow and send it over.”

“Thank you, Sister-in-law.”

Shen Qingchi smiled, but Nanny Jia snorted coldly: “Miss Xiao has a prestigious status. What delicacies hasn’t she eaten? Sister-in-law wouldn’t be thinking of using just this box of pastries as a birthday gift, would you?”

Chun Xi wasn’t offended and calmly replied: “Nanny, don’t worry. These pastries aren’t meant for Miss Xiao.”

Then why bring them at all? Does the Xiao family expect to starve her?

Nanny Jia grumbled inwardly. Once inside the Xiao residence, when Chun Xi instructed the servant to take her to see Madam Xiao, Nanny Jia finally realized whom Chun Xi intended to please with the pastries.

The young mistress was bold indeed—coming straight to Madam Xiao!

Her eyelids twitched, disapproving: “Today is Miss Xiao’s birthday. Coming straight to bother Madam Xiao is really rude.”

“I’m married to Lord Shen now, so it’s proper for me to call Madam Xiao ‘Aunt.’ She’s always been kind to juniors—how does Nanny Jia turn her into some terrifying ogress?”

Chun Xi called her “Aunt” warmly and naturally. The servant leading the way shot Nanny Jia a glare.

Nanny Jia, having been disciplined by Madam Xiao for several days previously, felt a chill run down her back and weakly replied, “I only feared that the young mistress might disturb Madam Xiao. Don’t misunderstand my intention.”

Chun Xi didn’t respond, and Nanny Jia dared not obstruct further.

Madam Xiao had never been fond of Madam Mo and was indifferent toward her children. Neither Nanny Jia nor Shen Qingchi dared to approach her, and they first went to see Xiao Qingyue instead.

In the Pine and Crane Courtyard, Madam Xiao was surprised by Chun Xi’s visit: “Today is Yue’er’s birthday. You young ladies just celebrate together—it’s boring for you to come to me.”

Yet, her lips curved slightly as she immediately took a piece of Chun Xi’s pastry.

Though not as exquisite as Wu Fang Zhai’s, it was soft, fragrant, and delicious.

Chun Xi smiled: “After marriage, Lord Shen told me a lot. Over the years, thanks to you, Aunt, he wasn’t overly mistreated. Also, if you hadn’t helped preserve my mother’s dowry list, he wouldn’t have been able to reclaim his property. Even if Yue’er hadn’t sent me an invitation, I would have come to visit Aunt.”

When Shen Qingyuan first married, Madam Xiao had suggested he reclaim his dowry to live independently, but he had refused.

Now, after marrying Chun Xi, Shen Qingyuan’s proactive claim of the dowry showed Madam Xiao that he genuinely cared for her.

Chun Xi came openly today to thank her “Aunt,” which pleased Madam Xiao even more.

Madam Xiao smiled kindly: “It’s already good that you have such intentions. Now that Yuan’er has reclaimed her mother’s dowry, have you thought about how to manage it?”

Chun Xi felt the question strike at the heart. She said immediately: “I wanted to first check the financial records of my mother’s dowry shops before making further plans. But the shop managers haven’t responded for several days. I suppose, after so many years under my mother-in-law’s management, and because I’m so young, they don’t trust me yet.”

Madam Mo had been the matriarch of the Hou residence for years, and naturally had influence. The shop managers were unaware of the subtle politics between the Hou and Xiao families—they only knew that the young new mistress came from a humble background and was too young to risk offending Madam Mo.

Madam Xiao had anticipated this. She said thoughtfully: “Your mother-in-law has managed the shops for years, replacing the managers with her own trusted people. Those under her care are loyal to her. Now that you call me ‘Aunt,’ I can have people help you hire capable and trustworthy managers.”

“Really? Thank you so much, Aunt.”

Chun Xi beamed, immediately helping Madam Xiao massage her head, and carefully relayed Shen Qingyuan’s recent matters. When Chun Xi finally left, Madam Xiao felt a rare sense of attachment.

Nanny, attending closely, teased: “Not long ago, Madam sent two boxes of dowry items to Lady Shen. Today, Lady Shen comes again asking Aunt for help. She’s so bold, and Aunt seems pleased—aren’t you afraid of spoiling her appetite too much?”

Madam Xiao laughed: “Yuan’er has suffered for years because he didn’t ask for anything. Now she can help him, of course I’m happy.”

Xiao Qinghe and Xiao Qingyue were very close. At today’s birthday banquet, Xiao Qinghe also returned to attend.

When Chun Xi arrived in the garden, she saw Shen Qingchi and Nanny Jia standing quietly in a corner. Everyone else was gathered around Xiao Qinghe with Xiao Qingyue.

Xiao Qingyue noticed Chun Xi immediately and mocked: “Oh, you actually came. I thought you’d stay in Grandmother’s courtyard all day, fawning over her.”

Chun Xi, happy from gaining manpower from Madam Xiao, found even Xiao Qingyue’s sarcastic tone endearing.

She pulled out a jade rabbit pendant and handed it to Xiao Qingyue: “Good Yue’er, don’t be upset. Your aunt still cares for you. See? I specially had this pendant made for you. Do you like it?”

Unlike ordinary cute jade rabbits, this one had chubby cheeks, a slightly fierce gaze, and hands on its hips—bearing a slight resemblance to Xiao Qingyue.

“Who cares about this thing?”

Xiao Qingyue wanted to snatch it away and throw it, but Xiao Qinghe took it first, gently saying: “I think this rabbit is cute. Yue’er, thank your aunt.”

After a brief struggle, Xiao Qingyue thanked her, and Xiao Qinghe personally placed the pendant around her neck.

With Xiao Qinghe present, Xiao Qingyue didn’t antagonize Chun Xi further. However, someone suddenly mentioned the commotion on the day Xiao Qinghe returned to her husband’s home.

“I heard that the troublemakers that day were a family from Xuzhou. They suffered injustice there and couldn’t appeal, so they came to Hanjing to cause a scene, attracting the court’s attention. The court is about to send a commissioner to investigate.”

“A commissioner? That must be Lord Wei, right? After all, he recently solved a major case.”

“But Lord Wei just got married recently. He wouldn’t want to be away from Sister Xiao for so long. If he doesn’t go, could they recommend my second uncle? He’s been in the Dali Temple for three years.”

“My third uncle has handled many cases in the Ministry of Personnel…”

Everyone began recommending their relatives. Only Chun Xi quietly ate her food, saying nothing. After a while, the chatter subsided, and all eyes turned to her.

Chun Xi looked at Shen Qingchi and Nanny Jia, momentarily confused.

Nanny Jia: “…”