TSWRLM -Chapter 93 Good Little Brother, Be Good

After being publicly exposed by Shen Qingyuan and realizing she didn’t dare die, Mo Yunwan finally quieted down. Meanwhile, Madam Liang somehow learned of Chun Xi’s identity and had Zhang Pozi deliver an invitation for Chun Xi and Shen Qingyu to visit their residence for a meal.

Shen Qingyu’s chest still ached. Seeing Chun Xi, his face was full of grievance, as if he wanted to etch the words “bird occupying a magpie’s nest” across his forehead.

Chun Xi deliberately feigned ignorance and asked curiously: “Third Brother, why are your eyes crooked? Do you want Big Sister-in-law to straighten your face?”

As she said this, she flexed her wrist. Shen Qingyu, fearing a strike, quickly averted his gaze and gritted his teeth: “My eyes are fine! Don’t look for trouble where there is none!”

“Third Brother, how can you talk to me like that? I’m your sister-in-law! If we go to the Liang residence like this, people will think our household has no manners or hierarchy. That would look really bad, don’t you agree?”

Chun Xi smiled sweetly, patting Shen Qingyu’s shoulder with natural ease.

Even though she didn’t press hard, Shen Qingyu still felt an undeniable sense of threat.

His body was still injured, so he didn’t want to invite trouble. He softened his tone: “You’re right, Big Sister-in-law. I was wrong earlier.”

Hearing him call her “Big Sister-in-law” so obediently pleased Chun Xi immensely. She pushed her advantage, tiptoed, and patted Shen Qingyu’s head.

“Good boy, that’s how a little brother should behave.”

“…!”

Touching my head like a dog—Cao Chun Xi, you’re dead meat!

Shen Qingyu’s chest heaved violently in anger, his ribs aching, yet he dared not speak. Once Chun Xi was satisfied, she hummed a little tune and climbed into the carriage to the Liang residence.

That day, Madam Liang only invited Chun Xi and Shen Qingyu. The meal was set in the garden, with only Madam Liang and her two daughters accompanying them.

Upon meeting again, Madam Liang showed none of her previous arrogance. She warmly grasped Chun Xi’s hands: “My dear sister, how could a proper wife disguise herself as a servant to follow Master Shen around? If I hadn’t found out in time, I might have caused trouble out of good intentions.”

Previously, when Mo Yunwan was recuperating at the Liang residence, Shen Qingyuan never visited, which made Madam Liang suspicious. She still hoped Zhang Pozi could help facilitate Mo Yunwan’s influence over Shen Qingyuan.

Who could have guessed Shen Qingyuan had already remarried? Not only did he protect his new wife as if she were his eyes, but he even disguised her as a servant to keep her close.

Madam Liang wasn’t worried about offending Chun Xi—she was more concerned that Chun Xi might have discovered something while disguised as a servant at the Liang residence.

After all, Madam Liang had furnished Mo Yunwan’s room with fine items to curry favor. Though Liang Weimin could afford them, it didn’t match the upright, incorruptible image he had cultivated before Shen Qingyuan.

Madam Liang subtly observed Chun Xi’s reactions.

Unaware of Madam Liang’s ulterior motives, Shen Qingyu thought that with outsiders present, Chun Xi wouldn’t dare touch him. He interjected: “Madam is right. A married woman should serve her elders at home. My grandmother just returned, and Big Sister-in-law came here dressed in such an inappropriate way with Brother to Xuzhou. Grandmother must have been very saddened.”

Chun Xi shot him a sharp look but said nothing.

Seeing this, Shen Qingyu, forgetting his pain, continued: “Sister-in-law comes from a humble family. She even worked as a maid in other households. If Brother hadn’t insisted on marrying her, Mother surely would have found him a refined, well-educated young lady.”

The first young lady of the Hou residence… was once a lowly maid? Shen Qingyuan’s taste in women was really that poor?

Madam Liang’s excitement faded slightly, but she continued playing the peacemaker: “Third Young Master Shen, you jest. Master Shen loves Madam Shen deeply. How could she have been a maid in another household?”

“Not impossible! She not only served as a maid but even handled menial, dirty tasks!” Shen Qingyu believed he had exposed Chun Xi’s worst side, venting half his anger. Not satisfied, he stared straight at her: “Sister-in-law, tell me, did I lie?”

Madam Liang still held Chun Xi’s hands. Hearing ‘handling menial, dirty tasks’, she struggled to keep her hand from withdrawing. Yet the next moment, Chun Xi nodded: “Third Brother is correct. I did perform such work before.”

“…!”

Madam Liang immediately withdrew her hands. She wanted to call for water to wash them but restrained herself for the sake of dignity.

She had worried that the proper Madam Shen might notice something. Never imagined she came from such humble beginnings—a commoner, unable to distinguish high from low.

Shen Qingyu felt exhilarated by Madam Liang’s reaction. He opened his mouth to continue exposing her, but his foot was sharply stepped on.

Pain shot up, and Shen Qingyu couldn’t help but stand, causing the table to shake violently and spilling wine all over him.

“Cao Chun Xi, you—”

Shen Qingyu angrily pointed at her, only for Chun Xi to grab his finger and twist it hard. Pain contorted his face, and he instinctively knelt until their eyes were level. Only then did Chun Xi speak softly: “Third Brother, how careless you are. Your clothes are dirty; go change immediately.”

Shen Qingyu: “…!”

Careless? Clearly, she did it on purpose.

With his finger still twisted, he had no choice but to obey: “You’re right, Sister-in-law. I’ll go change now.”

Madam Liang instructed the servants to show him the way, and Chun Xi finally let go.

Knowing Chun Xi’s humble origins, Madam Liang no longer paid much attention to her and sent her daughters back to rest.

Soon, only Chun Xi and Madam Liang remained in the garden.

Chun Xi, unfazed by past exposures, poured herself a glass of fruit wine and pointed to a dish: “What is this? I’ve never seen it before.”

She looked utterly naive and curious.

Madam Liang felt she was wasting her time but, unwilling to give up, asked: “I heard Master Shen was top scholar at seventeen and then entered the Jingzhao office, yet hadn’t been promoted for ten years. How did he suddenly receive an imperial appointment?”

Shen Qingyuan currently seemed ordinary, and Chun Xi had no standing to discuss politics, but Madam Liang worried there might be someone backing him. Knowing early would allow her to prepare.

Chun Xi tasted the dish and answered without hesitation: “It was recommended by the eldest young master of the Wei family. Madam, don’t underestimate my Master because of his age. His seniority is high; technically, he’s still Wei Daren’s uncle.”

The Wei family?

Madam Liang’s face darkened instantly.

She had heard of this Wei young master. Once a promising young general, he had been paralyzed for three years from a battlefield injury. With no position in the army now, he had recently solved a major case, earned two promotions, and married his childhood sweetheart from the Xiao family—truly a man riding high.

Yet, who dislikes merit?

If the Wei family intended to pave the way for Wei Lingze, the situation would be far trickier than they imagined.