TSWRLM -Chapter 113 I Didn’t Hear Clearly, Come Closer

Since she wasn’t at home, Xiao Qinghe quickly suppressed her emotions and regained her composure.

If it weren’t for the lingering moisture in her eyes, no one would have guessed she had just been crying.

Seeing Xiao Qingyue still glaring warily at Chun Xi, Xiao Qinghe whispered: “Yue’er, it’s okay. I really am fine. Don’t be disrespectful to Aunt.”

“It’s fine. We’re all family. Second niece, you’re straightforward and generous—honestly, I quite like that.”

Chun Xi said this as she shook the agate bracelet on her wrist.

Xiao Qingyue, who had already looked away, glared at Chun Xi again upon hearing this. She was about to snatch back the bracelet when Chun Xi added: “Second niece, don’t worry. I’m not taking your gift for nothing—you’ll see.”

After speaking, Chun Xi summoned a young maid and told her to call Wei Lingze.

Xiao Qingyue frowned: “Why are you calling my brother-in-law?”

“Of course, to speak with him! Otherwise, what—just stand there as punishment?”

Chun Xi toyed with the bracelet, confident. Xiao Qingyue wanted to press further, but Xiao Qinghe quickly intervened: “I still have a cloisonné bracelet with eight treasures. I’ll give it to you when we go home as compensation. How about that?”

Xiao Qingyue wasn’t going to cling to a single bracelet, but she spoke with a hint of jealousy: “Sister, stop treating me like a child. We’re actual sisters. Cao Chun Xi is clever—be careful of her schemes.”

“Yue’er, I’ve told you many times: she’s our elder now.”

Xiao Qingyue pouted and fell silent.

Xiao Qinghe cooed at her for a while longer. Seeing Chun Xi remain calm, a glimmer of hope rose in her heart.

Could her young aunt really help her get justice?

Meanwhile, the men’s side of the gathering was bustling.

Wei Lingze’s status was exalted, and now that he held a position before the emperor, wherever he went, flattery followed. Shen Qingyuan, having just solved the Xuzhou case, was also a hot topic.

With both men present, they naturally became the center of attention, and the crowd divided into two informal camps. It almost felt like a contest between them.

Shen Qingyuan, as usual, remained calm and measured, neither arrogant nor overly humble. Only when Minister Zhang of the Ministry of Rites discussed the wedding details did a faint smile appear on his face.

“I’ll be at home tomorrow. The minister can send someone to measure. My wife’s temperament is easygoing—no need for an elaborate crown or ceremony. I don’t want to tire her.”

“Of course. I didn’t expect Master Shen to be so considerate toward his wife.”

The speaker chuckled, and others echoed him, their voices growing louder—unavoidably reaching Wei Lingze’s ears.

Wei Lingze stopped speaking and stared at Shen Qingyuan with a cold, unfriendly gaze.

Li Jixian, the Fourth Young Master of the Grand Tutor Mansion, who wanted to curry favor with Wei Lingze, immediately sensed the tension and loudly interjected:

“I recall Master Shen previously had two wives, one of whom recently returned from the dead. Since he spent so many years away, yet only focused on his new love, isn’t that rather heartless?”

Li Jixian, though appearing refined, was actually an uneducated playboy. He sought to marry a Wei daughter, leaning on the Yue family to secure a minor position. The first person he needed to flatter was Wei Lingze.

Although Shen Qingyuan had recently achieved great merit, his backing was only the hollow title of a marquisate.

Offending Shen Qingyuan could still earn Wei Lingze’s favor, making it a worthwhile gamble.

Li Jixian quickly calculated the risk in his mind, eager to verbally spar with Shen Qingyuan—but Shen Qingyuan didn’t even acknowledge him.

“My wife is already married. There’s no need for her to return to her family to fetch her bride price. The escort can depart directly from the marquisate, circle the city, and return. No need to start too early—I want her to sleep in.”

Shen Qingyuan discussed the wedding details with Minister Zhang, careful and considerate, his words showing nothing but affection.

He completely ignored the gossip, which made Li Jixian, who had spoken earlier, look like a petty street rat.

Li Jixian scowled and stepped toward Shen Qingyuan, voice harsh: “Master Shen, why do you not respond? Are you too timid to reply, or are your ears failing with age?”

The latter remark mocked Shen Qingyuan’s age, amusing Wei Lingze, who snickered.

Those trying to flatter Wei Lingze laughed along, emboldening Li Jixian further.

As he prepared to speak again, Shen Qingyuan’s calm voice cut in: “I didn’t hear clearly just now. Could you come closer and repeat that, Li Gongzi?”

Li Jixian, hands on hips, stepped closer: “I said Master Shen previously had two wives, so why only—”

Before he could finish, a fist struck him hard.

Shen Qingyuan’s strike was lightning fast; Li Jixian didn’t even see him move and was sent flying, two teeth spraying blood in an arc through the air.

Shen Qingyuan rubbed his wrist and glared down at Li Jixian: “I heard the part I needed to. I’m referring to your comment about my hearing failing with age.”

Li Jixian’s head spun, unable to comprehend Shen Qingyuan’s words, only feeling the oppressive aura around him. One more strike and he would be dead; he didn’t even dare scream.

Onlookers were shocked. Shen Qingyuan had struck a guest in the Grand Tutor Mansion—was this even proper?

Servants rushed to help Li Jixian up. With support, he finally wailed.

“Shen Qingyuan, this is my house! You dare hit me? I’ll make sure you leave in disgrace today!”

Missing two teeth and with a swollen face, Li Jixian’s threat was barely intelligible.

Wei Lingze then stepped forward: “Master Shen, though you’ve solved the case and earned merit, acting violently in the Grand Tutor Mansion—isn’t that a bit too brazen?”

Shen Qingyuan paused, lifted his gaze, and said: “Lord Wei, I didn’t hear clearly. Could you come closer?”

The crowd froze.

That was exactly how Li Jixian had just been beaten. Was Shen Qingyuan serious?

Wei Lingze wasn’t foolish. He simply didn’t advance—seeming almost cautious of Shen Qingyuan.

Having clashed with him before, Wei Lingze knew he might not win if he fought. Losing would be even more humiliating.

The atmosphere grew tense. At that moment, someone in the crowd shouted loudly: “Lord Wei, don’t fall for it! That Shen guy is clearly plotting something against you!”

Wei Lingze: “……”

Everyone else: “……”

Sometimes silence is better than speaking.

Wei Lingze had once been a celebrated young general—could his skills really be worse than Shen Qingyuan’s?

The crowd, though confident Wei Lingze wouldn’t lose, kept glancing between him and Shen Qingyuan.

Wei Lingze had been paralyzed for three years. Was his skill still the same?

If a fight broke out, would Shen Qingyuan really dare strike Wei Lingze?