TSWRLM -Chapter 76 These Dishes Make Her Feel Sick

Madam Mo was no longer seriously ill, and Shen Qingyuan’s appointment came through quickly.

Chun Xi sold off some more belongings and managed to gather 15,000 taels in silver notes.

Such a large sum could obviously not be kept on one person alone. Chun Xi sewed hidden pockets into both her own and Shen Qingyuan’s undergarments, and exchanged 100 taels in small silver pieces for daily expenses.

Once this was done, it was the day Wei Lingze and Xiao Qinghe had invited them to a meal.

Early in the morning, Chun Xi took Shen Qingchi and Shen Qingyuan and headed out to the banquet.

The three of them rode in the same carriage. Shen Qingchi was very tense, gripping her silk handkerchief so tightly that her knuckles whitened.

Shen Qingyuan quickly noticed her stiffness and asked in a low voice, “Afraid of me?”

Shen Qingchi hurriedly shook her head. “No, it’s not that. I’ve just never been this close to you before, so I’m a little unaccustomed.”

Even after just this brief answer, her face flushed bright red, her eyes darting around in nervous confusion.

She was extremely timid.

Shen Qingyuan frowned. “If you’re so uncomfortable, why did you come along?”

Xiao Qinghe’s invitation had only included Shen Qingyuan and Chun Xi. Shen Qingchi had been forced along by Madam Mo, just as had happened the last time at Xiao Qingyue’s birthday banquet.

Showing up uninvited and forcing your way into the feast was really shameless.

Shen Qingchi’s face turned even redder, but afraid of being sent off the carriage, she hurriedly said, “I’m not uncomfortable, just a little nervous. Don’t worry, once we arrive, I’ll be proper and polite. I won’t embarrass you or sister-in-law. Please don’t make me get off the carriage.”

By the end, her voice was tinged with the urge to cry.

Although she was Madam Mo’s biological daughter, she was timid and mediocre, with no remarkable talents. As she grew older, Madam Mo became increasingly dissatisfied with her.

Madam Mo expected her to arrange a marriage that would benefit Shen Qingyue and Shen Qingyu. If she failed, her only fate would be to become a concubine.

So even knowing that tagging along with her older brother and sister-in-law was improper, she still came.

Next month, she would come of age; her time was running out.

Shen Qingchi’s eyes were red, looking as though she might cry. Chun Xi quietly sighed and said, “Little sister, don’t be afraid. Your brother was just asking casually; he doesn’t intend to make you get off.”

With Chun Xi’s reassurance, Shen Qingchi held back her tears but remained silent for the rest of the ride, trying her best to be unobtrusive.

Soon, they arrived at the arranged location.

Wei Lingze had booked a two-story painted pleasure boat.

The boat was beautifully decorated, with musicians playing the zither and singing. Coupled with the cool river breeze, it was incredibly relaxing.

Wei Lingze and Xiao Qinghe had arrived first. As Chun Xi and the others stepped onto the boat, they walked out to greet them.

“Uncle Shen, Little Aunt, you’ve arrived.”

Xiao Qinghe smiled warmly. Though surprised that Shen Qingchi had come along, she showed no displeasure, instead politely protecting Shen Qingchi’s dignity.

It was a private gathering, so Xiao Qinghe wore an apricot-colored dress, her well-maintained black hair pinned with two silver hairpins. She wore no makeup, yet looked fresh, elegant, and stunningly beautiful.

Unfortunately, Wei Lingze paid no attention to his wife’s beauty; his gaze kept shifting between Chun Xi and Shen Qingyuan, carrying a hint of malice and a peculiar sense of pride.

It was like a stunning beauty being married to a blind fool!

Chun Xi rolled her eyes dramatically.

Wei Lingze immediately asked, “Does Madam Shen have any dissatisfaction with today’s arrangements?”

Chun Xi nodded, blunt and unreserved. “Yes, I am quite dissatisfied. On the invitation, He’er said her nephew-in-law was to bid farewell to my husband and even apologize in person. Now, he won’t even address us as uncle and aunt. If the nephew-in-law isn’t sincere, why put on this charade?”

Chun Xi had already stopped walking, refusing to step onto the boat. Shen Qingyuan naturally stood by her side—not speaking for her, but clearly showing support.

If Wei Lingze’s response didn’t satisfy her, they would leave immediately.

Wei Lingze hadn’t expected Chun Xi to start picking a fight before even sitting down. He gritted his teeth but finally smiled warmly. “Little Aunt, you misunderstand. I don’t mean any disrespect. You cared for me so devotedly for three years, and though younger than me, now that our roles have changed, I am momentarily unaccustomed.”

Chun Xi had wanted him to call her “Little Aunt” to assert her seniority, letting him know the social gap between them. She never intended anything else. But when Wei Lingze actually said “Little Aunt,” she felt a shiver run down her spine, as if a venomous snake were wrapping around her. Even the way he looked at her became perversely taboo.

It seemed that her status as a senior only provoked Wei Lingze’s desire.

Chun Xi rubbed her arms nervously. Luckily, Shen Qingyuan wrapped his arms around her waist, giving her a sense of safety.

“Previously being unaccustomed is understandable. Now, nephew-in-law, how should you address me?”

Shen Qingyuan’s voice was calm, but his gaze at Wei Lingze was warning-laden, with a hint of mischief breaking through his usual solemn demeanor.

Indeed, who in this world could be entirely free of desire and completely noble?

Shen Qingyuan was no exception.

Seeing Shen Qingyuan’s darker side secretly pleased Wei Lingze. Smiling more deeply, he obediently called out, “Uncle Shen.”

Though it lacked sincerity, the seniority was at least acknowledged.

Wei Lingze had softened. Chun Xi could no longer pick a fight, and they stepped onto the boat. Soon, exquisitely prepared dishes were brought out.

Squirrel-shaped mandarin fish, Biluo shrimp, Eight-Treasure Rice, Golden Fragrant Cakes, Soy Sauce Duck…

As Chun Xi saw each dish, her expression darkened.

All were Huainan-style dishes.

Last year, Wei Lingze had taken her to the Censor’s mansion to taste Huainan cuisine. She had been amazed by the beautiful scenery depicted in paintings and the delicacies. Wei Lingze had promised to take her to Huainan someday to taste authentic dishes.

But shortly after returning home, Wei Lingze’s leg had gone numb, and his casual promise was forgotten.

Seeing these dishes, the memory inevitably surfaced.

Chun Xi tried to calm herself, but Wei Lingze spoke again: “Recently, a famous Huainan chef came to Hanjing. Many elite ladies competed to invite him. I paid a high price to have him cook for us—taste and see if it suits your palate.”

He then slid the plate of squirrel-shaped mandarin fish toward Xiao Qinghe.

Xiao Qinghe frowned and whispered, “Wei Lang, I said I don’t like sweets these days.”

Hearing this, a surge of irritation flared up in Chun Xi.

Her own husband had been told she didn’t want sweets, yet Wei Lingze had still spent a fortune having a Huainan chef prepare all these dishes. Was he trying to make her sick?

“Ugh!”

Thinking this, Chun Xi gagged, then leaned into Shen Qingyuan’s arms, whining, “Sir, these dishes smell so disgusting. Please have them taken away!”

The song had just finished, and the boat fell silent. Wei Lingze stared at Chun Xi in disbelief, wishing he could cut her open to see what was wrong!