TSWRLM -Chapter 87 Mo Yunwan Remains Untouched

Mo Yunwan had voluntarily requested an examination, and of course, Lady Liang fully supported it.

Early in the morning, Lady Liang arrived at the courtyard where Mo Yunwan was staying, accompanied by an experienced attendant for the examination.

However, after waiting for quite a while, Shen Qingyuan still had not appeared.

Lady Liang couldn’t help asking Zhang Pozi, “Are you sure you sent the message to Master Shen?”

Zhang Pozi hurriedly replied, “Old servant indeed sent someone to the courier station yesterday. Master Shen wasn’t at the station then, but as soon as he returns, he will know. Should I send someone to check again?”

“No need,” Mo Yunwan interrupted, closing her eyes. “Let’s begin now.”

Whether Shen Lang came or not wasn’t important—the key was that the examination could prove her innocence.

To spare Mo Yunwan any discomfort, Lady Liang stepped out with the others, leaving only the examining attendant in the room.

Not long after, the attendant came out to report: “Madam, this Madam Shen is indeed still untouched.”

A delicate young woman, who had been adrift for years, had endured turmoil and had even lived among unruly flood victims in a charity hall—yet she remained pure.

Surprise flashed across Lady Liang’s eyes, and then she lowered her gaze, wiping away tears: “I knew Wan’er was pure. She has suffered so much over the years. If Master Shen dares to betray her, I will be the first to refuse!”

Lady Liang immediately ordered that Mo Yunwan’s extraordinary story, along with her love for Shen Qingyuan, be spread widely across the city.

One had traveled a thousand miles searching for her husband only to disappear; the other, in mourning for his late wife, had remained chaste, never taking another wife. Wasn’t this the kind of love story that made people sigh in admiration?

Besides generating support for Mo Yunwan in Xuzhou, Lady Liang also sent messengers back to the capital with all haste to notify the Mo family and the Marquis’ residence.

Only once Mo Yunwan returned safely to Shen Qingyuan’s side could she influence him privately and convince him that her father had earnestly managed the relief efforts last year.

It was several days later that the Mo family received the letter from the Liang family.

Chen Xi, traveling with Shen Qingyuan, had it easier. Old Madam Wu, the old busybody, had been making a scene at the Marquis’ residence, either wailing about pain needing the daughter-in-law to care for her or crying that the entire household was mistreating her.

Madam Mo, exhausted from constantly contending with Old Madam Wu, felt utterly drained. Upon reading the contents of the letter from the Liang family, they were struck like a thunderbolt:

Mo Yunwan had returned—and she had even actively sought out Shen Qingyuan and Chen Xi. That little minx wanted to court death!

Madam Mo’s eyelids twitched furiously, unsure how to respond, when someone arrived at the Mo residence.

“Our Wan’er is still alive! Why haven’t you sent people to bring her back to the Marquis’ residence?”

The second sister-in-law, Madam Ning, complained as soon as she entered.

As the legitimate daughter of the family, Madam Ning had always looked down on Madam Mo, the concubine-born younger sister-in-law.

Madam Mo, furious after bottling up so much anger, snapped: “Why should I bring her back? She married into the residence carrying another man’s child, and later shamelessly eloped! Second sister-in-law, aren’t you afraid your tongue will slip when you speak?”

“My Wan’er was originally obedient and sensible. If you hadn’t often taken her out to hear performances back then, how would she have been bewitched by an actor? You knew this well but still allowed her into the house. I can’t even speak of the filthy motives you had.”

Madam Ning showed no remorse, laying all the blame on Madam Mo.

Back then, Madam Mo, unable to bear seeing Shen Qingyuan do well, had tried to pair Mo Yunwan with him to better suppress Shen Qingyuan and seize the inheritance left by the Xiao family.

Unexpectedly, Mo Yunwan fell for an actor, became secretly pregnant, and later, in a frenzy, eloped under the pretense of searching for Shen Qingyuan, taking her dowry along.

When Madam Mo learned the truth, she wanted to tear apart her knowing but silent second sister-in-law. But to preserve her own reputation, she had to swallow her anger, helping Madam Ning cover up for Mo Yunwan, claiming she had accidentally fallen to her death en route to Shen Qingyuan, further cementing Shen Qingyuan’s reputation as a man who brought misfortune to his wives.

By the time Shen Qingyuan finished the case and returned to the capital several months later, it was impossible for him to investigate.

Seeing Shen Qingyuan remain unaware, Madam Mo even took advantage to pocket many valuable items from the Xiao family dowry under the guise of making amends.

Even if Madam Mo had previously been unaware, after helping clean up Mo Yunwan’s mess years ago, she had become an accomplice with Madam Ning.

Seeing Madam Ning so confident, Madam Mo sneered: “You think forcing me to bring her back is a good thing? If Shen Qingyuan uncovers the events of the past, not just you and I, the entire Mo family won’t have a good outcome.”

“Lady Liang’s letter clearly says she had Mo Wan’er examined. She’s still untouched. What could have happened back then?”

Madam Ning didn’t know exactly how her daughter had tricked Lady Liang, but since Lady Liang had verified her innocence, she must be pure.

Madam Ning had been weakened by giving birth and had lost several pregnancies over the years, so she cherished Mo Yunwan dearly. During Mo Yunwan’s years of elopement, Madam Ning worried constantly, unable to sleep. Hearing that her daughter was alive and well, she naturally wanted to bring her home and see her herself.

Everyone makes mistakes in youth; what matters is correcting them.

Madam Mo’s face darkened with ridicule: “Shen Qingyuan has been handling cases in the Jingzhao Prefecture for ten years. Do you think he’s as easy to fool as Lady Liang?”

Thinking of Shen Qingyuan’s stern, unsmiling face, Madam Ning faltered briefly, but quickly added: “Regardless, the Prefecture Madam can vouch for Wan’er, proving she has grown capable over the years. As long as she quickly reconciles with Shen Qingyuan and presents the wedding veil, no one will dare question her again.”

Before Madam Mo could object, Madam Ning continued: “Your new daughter-in-law isn’t easy, but if Wan’er returns, she will surely help you handle her. Plus, you know Wan’er’s secret; she will be on your side. And if there’s ever a time you need my help, I won’t refuse.”

Over the years, Madam Mo had taken much from her parental home, but the household had always seen her as shameless for climbing the bed and were unwilling to help, fearing the Xiao family’s anger. Now Madam Ning voluntarily offered cooperation, and Madam Mo’s heart wavered.

If Mo Yunwan returned to the Marquis’ residence, she would certainly create trouble for Shen Qingyuan and Chen Xi, and with the support of the Mo and Ning families, Yue’er and Yu’er’s path would be smoother.

After a moment’s thought, Madam Mo made her decision: “You tricked me once. How am I to trust you this time?”

“The Grand Tutor’s grandsons are still unmarried. Soon will be her birthday; I can take Chier with me to the feast.”

Madam Ning offered a concrete benefit. Madam Mo’s eyes lit up: “The weather’s heating up. Yue’er and Yu’er will soon return home to avoid the summer heat. I can have Yu’er go to Xuzhou to fetch Wan’er.”

Madam Ning smiled in satisfaction. Upon hearing this, Wei Lingze’s mood finally eased a bit.

Shen Qingyuan, you insisted on taking Chen Xi along—did you ever imagine it would put us in such a predicament?