TSWRLM -Chapter 107 Does Madam Know How Hard I’ve Endured on This Journey?

In the inner courtyard, Chun Xi had already gone to bed, though the bedroom light was still on.

The lampshade softened the glow, so it wasn’t too bright, but in the darkness, it still stood out.

Shen Qingyuan’s aura warmed as he saw the light. Stepping into the courtyard, the rich aroma of chicken soup hit his nose.

Chun Xi had left food for him in the kitchen—besides the chicken soup, there were steamed buns and braised pork with preserved vegetables.

He had eaten a little with His Majesty earlier, but not much, and now the smell made him hungry again.

Shen Qingyuan immediately picked up a pair of chopsticks and ate a steamed bun.

The bun was filled with fresh pork, perfectly seasoned, with soft, fluffy dough. Its bottom was soaked in meat juice—fragrant and delicious.

He ate seven or eight buns with the preserved vegetables and drank a bowl of chicken soup before finally putting down his chopsticks, satisfied.

With hot water ready in the pot, he decided to take a bath before returning to the room.

Sure enough, Chun Xi slept lightly. The moment he entered, she woke.

Her eyelids weren’t fully open, but she murmured, “The food is hot in the kitchen. Husband, you should take a bath first; I’ll bring the dishes.”

Heavy with sleep, Chun Xi sat on the edge of the bed, barefoot, searching for her slippers.

Having trained in martial arts as a child and later done rough work in the Wei household, her feet were not the tiny, delicate “three-inch golden lotuses” prized at court. They were slightly large, but the skin was fair, the toes plump, and the nails a healthy pink—quite cute.

Shen Qingyuan quickly went to her bedside and lifted her back onto the bed. “I’ve already eaten. It was delicious.”

“Ah? Why didn’t you wake me? I have so much to tell you!”

Chun Xi sounded a little upset. She had come back that day with a huge scoop of gossip, intending to share it with him.

Still half-asleep, her voice carried a trace of coquettishness.

Shen Qingyuan’s heart softened completely. He couldn’t resist pulling her into his arms and kissing her gently. “There’s plenty of time ahead, Madam. You can tell me anything slowly.”

He kissed her tenderly, and Chun Xi leaned into him. Soon, the hand resting across her waist tightened, clearly asserting its owner’s intentions.

Chun Xi’s eyes widened, and she fully woke.

She pushed Shen Qingyuan away, panting. “Husband, after traveling so many days, aren’t you tired?”

It wasn’t that Chun Xi wanted to refuse him; they truly had been exhausted.

Though they later switched to river travel, which was easier, they had to stay alert for sudden assassins at all times—not a moment of rest.

As the one giving orders, Shen Qingyuan had even more responsibilities and naturally felt even more fatigue.

“Madam, are you worried that your husband is incapable?”

Shen Qingyuan countered, his displeasure obvious in his gaze despite the lamp still being lit.

Chun Xi hurriedly shook her head. “I’m just concerned for you, Husband.”

“No matter. His Majesty granted me ten days’ leave, so your husband has plenty of time to rest.”

“But it’s already late… maybe tomorrow?”

After returning to the capital, confronting Madam Mo and the Mo family, cleaning the house, and cooking, Chun Xi felt utterly drained.

Hearing her fatigue, Shen Qingyuan sighed helplessly, burying his head in her neck with a faint laugh. “I’ve lived like an ascetic monk for nearly thirty years. I finally got to indulge a little—Madam, do you know how hard I’ve endured on this journey?”

Huh? He’s been enduring?

Wasn’t he perfectly proper when helping her apply medicine that night?

Chun Xi could hardly believe it, but she felt a wave of sweetness.

She had thought her performance that night was poor, yet he had clearly enjoyed it.

Feeling a bit mischievous, Chun Xi hesitated, then said, “Then… shall Husband relieve the craving first?”

“Good.”

Before Chun Xi finished speaking, Shen Qingyuan agreed, rolled over, and pinned her beneath him.

“Wait, Husband! The lamp—uh!”

Her lips were covered, and she quickly discovered how terrifying a starving, passionate man could be. She no longer had the energy to worry about the lamp.

All night long, they tumbled together. Chun Xi didn’t even notice when she fell asleep.

The next day, she didn’t wake until noon. Just moving, she felt her body was completely broken.

Sigh~

He had promised just once—and didn’t keep his word!

Fuming, Chun Xi shivered as she dressed, intending to confront Shen Qingyuan. But stepping outside, she saw her elder brother sitting in the courtyard, drinking tea with Shen Qingyuan.

“Big Brother.”

She called out, her voice hoarse. She glared resentfully at Shen Qingyuan.

Shen Qingyuan had returned to his usual stern, serious demeanor. He stood to help Chun Xi. “Madam, you’ve been working hard these past few days. Why not sleep a little more?”

You acknowledge my fatigue… yet last night, no matter how I begged you to stop, you didn’t?

Chun Xi pinched and twisted him around the waist, unceremoniously. Shen Qingyuan remained expressionless and even said to Cao Wu, “Before and after marriage, A-Xi’s feelings for family do not change. Big Brother can always visit the Marquis residence to see her.”

Shen Qingyuan was gentle, unpretentious, and intimate with Chun Xi.

Cao Wu finally relaxed after days of worry. He smiled and stood: “Brother-in-law just solved a major case. He’ll be busy in the future. Seeing A-Xi doing well puts my mind at ease. I’ll work harder to support the family and won’t trouble you often.”

As he turned to leave, Chun Xi called out: “Big Brother, did you come to see me for Mother?”

She had refused to let Madam Wang speak yesterday and had sent her away. Madam Wang would have made a huge fuss at home. Chun Xi had anticipated this.

Cao Wu, however, insisted: “Mother is fine. Though she went home in anger yesterday, after your sister-in-law and I talked to her, she calmed down. Everything at home is fine.”

Mother had already forced A-Wen onto Chun Xi—it was already too much. Cao Wu didn’t want Chun Xi to worry further.

Chun Xi felt a bit warm inside. Though she was unhappy with Madam Wang, her elder brother and sister-in-law had always treated her well.

“Big Brother, there’s no need to lie to me. I was the one who sent Mother out of the Marquis residence. There’s no reason for you and Sister-in-law to bear her anger for me.”

Cao Wu hurriedly said, “A-Xi, don’t be confused. Mother coming to the residence and pressuring you and Brother-in-law to divorce was wrong. You’ve done nothing wrong, and there’s no need to go home to kneel and apologize!”

Yesterday, Madam Wang had raged at the door, scolding Chun Xi for being unfilial, claiming she had married and no longer recognized her mother. She even threatened that if Chun Xi didn’t kneel and admit fault, she would die.

Cao Wu and Madam Qian tried to persuade her, but to no avail. That morning, Madam Wang had even locked herself in a room, refusing food or drink.

Chun Xi had anticipated this. She raised an eyebrow. “I only said I have a way to calm Mother’s anger. When did I say I’d kneel and apologize?”

Cao Wu was confused. Chun Xi continued: “Thanks to Big Brother for telling Mother. The Empress personally issued an edict praising me and had the Ministry of Rites arrange a proper wedding for Husband and me. Even if Mother really lost her mind and attempted suicide, no one could blame me. I can peacefully enjoy wealth and status, become a noble madam, and still choose a good burial plot for Mother to earn the reputation of a filial daughter.”

Cao Wu: “……”

A-Xi… it really has to be you. If I don’t curse you, how could Mother ever die?