Chapter 9: Written Agreement
The Mo family rushed to Shen Qingyuan's Wenxinyuan with great momentum, but soon returned in defeat.
When Qingshu returned from sending Chunxi back, the war was already over.
In Wenxin Courtyard, Shen Qingyuan was sitting at the desk reading a book.
There was incense burning in the room and tea at hand, it was a very leisurely and relaxing atmosphere.
No one could have imagined that not long ago, there was such a tense and chaotic situation here.
Qingshu was a little confused.
Before, the master said that Madam always shoots herself in the foot, so no matter what Madam did, he would not bother to care. Why is he caring about it today?
Just as he was thinking about it, Shen Qingyuan said, "Have they delivered the person?"
Qingshu immediately gathered his thoughts and said, "It's delivered. Miss Chunxi even gave me a handful of dried sweet potatoes."
Shen Qingyuan paused while flipping through the pages of the book, then raised his eyes to look at Qingshu: "Is it delicious?"
"It's delicious, sweet and chewy. The little one finished it on the way back."
"Um."
Shen Qingyuan withdrew his gaze and said nothing more.
Qingshu was a little confused.
My Lord, you have never cared much about food and drink. Why do you suddenly ask this?
——
The news that officials in Jingzhao Prefecture were hit with rotten eggs in the street spread quickly. Wang stayed at Aunt Li's house next door to listen to the gossip and didn't even have time to scold Chunxi for coming home late.
During dinner, Wang deliberately teased Chunxi: "As a mother, what mother wouldn't love her daughter? If my daughter were to be murdered in such an unclear way, I would avenge her, not to mention throwing rotten eggs at the official, but even at the cost of my own life."
Chunxi was not moved at all, and only said: "If you really care about your daughter, you should find a matchmaker to arrange a marriage for your daughter as soon as possible."
Wang Shi didn't like what she heard. Just as she was about to reprimand him, Chunxi said, "I went to burn incense for my father today and ran into Young Master Wei. He thinks I'm scheming and that I left the Wei family on purpose. If I don't marry, my family will be in great trouble."
Wang's face changed drastically and she quickly asked for details. When she heard that Chunxi had completely offended Wei Lingze by relying on Shen Qingyuan's support, she was so angry that she threw the bowl.
"Why did I give birth to such a fool like you? The eldest young master clearly has feelings for you, so you should just give in. How could you incite outsiders to beat him up?"
"He wants me to be a mistress who can't be seen in public. Isn't mother afraid that people will criticize me if it gets out?"
It is said that a wife is not as good as a concubine, a concubine is not as good as a prostitute, and a prostitute is not as good as a mistress.
Being a mistress is the most despicable and shameful thing.
Qian and Cao Wen were both there. Wang didn't expect Chunxi to say it so bluntly, and her old face immediately turned red with embarrassment.
She argued speciously: "When did the eldest young master ever say that he wanted you to be his concubine? If you really don't have any feelings for the eldest young master, why don't you dare to continue to stay by his side and serve him?"
Because of her three years of merit, Chunxi wanted to stay and continue to be Wei Lingze's personal maid. Even if he became his wife, he could not sell her off.
It will just become a thorn in the eyes and a thorn in the flesh, and be tormented every day.
Wang's unreasonableness refreshed Chunxi's cognition. She looked at Wang sarcastically and said, "Anyway, I have already offended her. If mother really doesn't want to marry me off, it would be a good thing for us to go to the underworld together."
After saying this, Chunxi lowered his head and ate in big mouthfuls.
Wang felt like there was something stuck in her throat.
Qian was pregnant and sentimental by nature. When she heard Chunxi say that the whole family would go to hell, her face was immediately filled with fear. Cao Wen was only eight years old and was also scared. They both looked at Wang pitifully, as if she was some evil person who was deliberately bullying Chunxi.
Anger surged for a while, and Wang beat her chest and cried loudly: "What a sin! How can there be a daughter like you in this world who forces her own mother to marry someone else? Old Cao, open your eyes and look, this is the good daughter you raised!"
Wang had a loud voice, and when she howled, all the neighbors came to watch the fun.
Aunt Li from next door was the closest to Wang, and she supported Wang immediately. Wang became more confident and cried to everyone.
They cried for her being widowed at a young age, for having to raise three children alone, for having to take care of the household and outside, and for having to take care of her daughter-in-law after she has given birth, but her daughter is clamoring to get married at this time, showing no sympathy for her at all.
It is not a glorious thing for a girl to be eager to get married, and Wang described it so miserably. Everyone accused Chunxi of being ignorant and had no sympathy for Wang at all.
Chunxi sat with her eyes downcast, not trying to defend herself.
After everyone had scolded Chunxi, Wang Shi spoke again: "I don't mean to keep you at home to serve your sister-in-law, but our family is in need of money right now, and we really don't have any extra money to buy you a dowry."
This is Wang’s purpose.
Chunxi was very sharp-tongued while staying at the Wei family, and Wang had no chance of winning the argument, so she could only rely on her numbers to suppress him.
Chunxi completely offended Wei Lingze, and the marriage could not be delayed any further, but Wang did not want to give a dowry.
No matter whether it was the money Chunxi brought home over the years or the silks and satins Chunxi brought back from the Wei family, Wang didn't want Chunxi to take them to her husband's family.
But she also didn't want to bear the stigma of being harsh on her daughter and usurping her daughter's property.
Then we can only ask the neighbors to testify that Chunxi was disobedient and unfilial and was at fault first.
It’s not difficult to guess what Wang is thinking.
Chunxi didn't want to have a falling out and be laughed at by others, so she said softly, "Over the years, I've taken almost all the money I earned from the Wei family back home. Since you said we're broke, I won't make things difficult for you. I don't need a dowry, but please promise not to ask your daughter for money again."
Chunxi was so calm and indifferent that Wang Shi couldn't help but wonder if she had some way to make money that she hadn't told her. But when she thought of how Chunxi had been lazy and gluttonous these days, Wang Shi started to worry again.
How can you make money just by lying at home eating and drinking? This girl is probably pretending to be deep and wants to cheat money from her.
Besides, she is Chunxi's biological mother after all. Even if she promised herself not to ask Chunxi for money in the future, could Chunxi really ignore her?
After much deliberation, Wang finally made up her mind: "Okay, as long as you don't want a dowry, I will never ask you for money again."
Chunxi nodded and looked at Cao Wen: "Words are not enough. Brother, go get some paper and pen, and let mother write a written document. Then, ask all the uncles and aunts to help put their fingerprints on it."
Do I need to sign a document and put my fingerprints on it?
They are mother and daughter, and even if their bones are broken, the tendons are still connected. They pressed their fingerprints today, and they reconcile another day. Wouldn't they be in trouble both internally and externally?
Besides, Chunxi had just returned home with so many rewards from the Wei family. Selling two pieces of cloth would be enough to buy her dowry. How could she not give her anything?
All those who were watching the excitement and wanted to seek justice changed their tone and advised Wang to be more magnanimous and not to argue with her own daughter.
Without Chunxi serving as a slave in the Wei family for all these years, would Cao Wu be able to marry? Would Cao Wen be able to study?
To Wang, the words of persuasion from the crowd sounded more like pressing her head and asking her to admit her mistake to Chunxi.
Is there any mother or father in this world who would admit their mistake to their daughter?
Wang was furious and sternly scolded Cao Wen: "What are you standing there for? Go get some paper and pen!"
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