Chapter 42 Ginger is Spicier When It's Old

Chu Xi bit her trembling lips hard, trying to calm herself, but her body was completely beyond control.

“Madam, what if Zi Xiao does not wish to marry Qian Mengyun?” At last, clarity returned to her mind. Persistently trying to awaken others’ past affections for her only led to further disdain and loss of dignity.

Madam Mo, exuding an air of authority, replied, “Marriage is a serious matter and must follow the parents’ command. Whether he agrees or not is irrelevant.”

Chu Xi smiled faintly. “Is that so? Then why does Madam make things so difficult for me, caught in a dilemma over how to handle me, ultimately forced to extinguish the charcoal fire in my courtyard? Isn’t that just because you’re still concerned about Zi Xiao?”

Madam Mo’s face twisted into a cold sneer. “This girl—I never realized she was so sharp-tongued and scheming. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have waited until Zi Xiao left to come after me, an old lonely woman.”

Upon hearing this, Chu Xi immediately knelt down. “I dare not, Madam Mo, you’ve misunderstood me. I have always been grateful to you and only wished to repay the kindness you once showed me.” Tears streamed down her face.

Madam Mo was the last person Chu Xi wanted to confront; she avoided such conflict unless absolutely necessary.

Experience, like aged ginger, was sharper still—one sentence shattered Chu Xi’s defenses, forcing her back to reality.

Seeing that Chu Xi still harbored feelings from the past, the old lady pressed her advantage.

“If that’s the case, why do you cling so tightly to Zi Xiao, ruining his future and turning him into the laughingstock of the entire capital? For a dignified third-rank General Tiger Tooth to marry a widow—how can you bear it?”

“If you truly remember the kindness I once showed you, then leave the General’s residence immediately and never return to Zi Xiao. That alone would be your true repayment.”

Madam Mo’s words struck Chu Xi deeply, each one a dagger to her heart, leaving her speechless.

Behind her, Cai Ping supported her frail frame, then looked up at Madam Mo and said, “Madam, even if our young lady must leave the General’s residence, it should be after the General’s triumphant return. This is also a way to show consideration for you. After all, when the General left, she was well. If he returns to find her vanished, wouldn’t he be distraught and frantic, blaming you entirely? Such a rift would surely sever the bond between you and your son.”

Though Madam Mo knew Cai Ping was merely making excuses to delay, her words echoed concerns she had long harbored. That was why she had yet to truly take action against Chu Xi.

Otherwise, the moment Zi Xiao left, she would have driven Chu Xi out of the mansion, even resorting to crueler measures to preserve her son’s future and the General’s household’s dignity.

But after much thought, she could not bring herself to act, fearing her son’s eventual return and the blame or hatred he might direct at her.

“Impudent servant, since when have you dared to speak out of turn?”

Only then did Chu Xi lift her head and quickly shield Cai Ping. “Madam, please restrain your anger. She only has my best interests at heart. If there is fault, please lay it all upon me.”

At that moment, Steward Zhao crept in silently.

Madam Mo glanced at his unusual expression and asked, “Steward Zhao, is there something urgent?”

Zhao nodded immediately, as if he had pressing news.

Madam Mo frowned, suspecting it might concern Chu Xi.