TSWRLM -Chapter 12 No More Pretending

Qing Shu had just finished speaking when the carriage curtain was lifted, revealing Shen Qingyuan’s stern, upright face.

Chun Xi replied softly: “My younger brother twisted his ankle while playing with classmates at the academy. I wanted to see what happened.”

Shen Qingyuan glanced at Cao Wen, then his gaze fell on Zhou Qin.

Before Chun Xi could introduce him, Zhou Qin stepped forward: “I am Zhou Qin, a teacher at Qingsong Academy. Miss Chun Xi’s brother has difficulty moving these past few days, so I’ve come to help escort him.”

Zhou Qin recognized Shen Qingyuan.

He wasn’t particularly talented—year after year he failed the imperial exams, only passing the xiucai (provincial exam) at twenty-four—while Shen Qingyuan had become a zhuangyuan (top scorer) at seventeen.

The memory of the seventeen-year-old zhuangyuan in a red robe, striding confidently through the streets, was deeply imprinted in Zhou Qin’s mind.

Everyone assumed such a prodigy would rise steadily, becoming a marquis or minister. Yet ten years later, Shen Qingyuan was still only serving as a chief clerk in the Jingzhao Mansion.

No progress at all.

Shen Qingyuan didn’t recognize Zhou Qin, merely nodding slightly in acknowledgment, then said to Chun Xi: “The rabbit meat last time was very delicious. Later, I’ll have Qing Shu send a food box to your home.”

Chun Xi was delighted to receive praise from Shen Qingyuan. She stepped forward a little: “The meat jerky is already drying. If the weather is good, in five or six days it will be ready. I’ll bring it to you. By the way, do you like sweets? I can also make some pastries.”

“Anything is fine. I’m not picky.”

Shen Qingyuan accepted her offer without formalities, making Chun Xi even happier.

She had the 1,000 taels of reward silver given by Madam Wei and planned to eventually open a small shop selling food. If Shen Qingyuan frequented the shop, she wouldn’t have to worry about troublemakers.

After talking for a while, Shen Qingyuan lowered the carriage curtain and instructed Qing Shu to continue to the Jingzhao Mansion.

As soon as the carriage drove off, Zhou Qin asked: “Miss Chun Xi, are you very familiar with Lord Shen?”

Zhou Qin had admired Shen Qingyuan and even inquired about him privately, hoping to establish a connection. Everyone else said Shen Qingyuan was cold and difficult to get along with.

Yet just now, his attitude toward Chun Xi had been gentle. Zhou Qin felt uneasy.

Unaware of Zhou Qin’s thoughts, Chun Xi explained: “By chance, Lord Shen helped me twice before, so I wanted to make some food to show my gratitude.”

From their earlier conversation, Zhou Qin realized Chun Xi had already sent rabbit meat once, and would later send jerky and pastries—a gesture that could go on endlessly.

Zhou Qin stared at her for a moment, then said: “Caring for the people is the duty of an official. You needn’t be so excessively grateful. Besides, Lord Shen was publicly hit with a rotten egg a few days ago. Perhaps you shouldn’t get too close.”

Chun Xi was puzzled: “Sir, do you know Lord Shen?”

Zhou Qin shook his head gently: “Not exactly. I’ve only heard about him. He entered the Jingzhao Mansion as a zhuangyuan, but ten years have passed with no real achievements. Don’t be fooled by him.”

His tone was haughty, implying that Shen Qingyuan’s lack of promotion was laughable, forgetting that he himself, approaching thirty, was still only a xiucai without any official position.

Unaware of someone’s true character yet daring to judge them—truly arrogant.

Chun Xi immediately realized Zhou Qin was not someone to trust.

She said nothing further, deciding to clarify things with Matchmaker Zhang after returning home.

Zhou Qin didn’t feel he had misspoken; instead, he eagerly chatted with Chun Xi about Shen Qingyuan.

Since becoming a zhuangyuan at seventeen, Shen Qingyuan had written no notable works, and Zhou Qin assumed that early fame made him arrogant, exhausting his talent.

Zhou Qin further speculated that Shen Qingyuan only succeeded due to his father being a marquis and receiving special favor from the chief examiner and the emperor—he had no real ability. Otherwise, how could he remain so mediocre all these years?

After discussing his academic life, Zhou Qin moved on to Shen Qingyuan’s personal affairs.

Shen Qingyuan, now twenty-seven, had been married twice, but both wives died shortly after marriage without leaving any children.

None of this concerned Zhou Qin, yet he grew increasingly excited, finally sighing theatrically: “Perhaps he shouldn’t have been zhuangyuan; otherwise, he would not have wasted his fortune and ended up childless and unlucky with wives.”

A smug smile tugged at Zhou Qin’s lips, as if having a son made him superior to Shen Qingyuan.

“Mr. Zhou,” Chun Xi called him, rolling her eyes when he looked over, “you are a teacher. You should accumulate some virtue in your words.”

Zhou Qin stiffened, about to defend himself, but Chun Xi turned to Cao Wen, perched on his back: “A-Wen, after studying at the academy for several years, you should know a true gentleman doesn’t gossip about others behind their back, right?”

Cao Wen hesitated, then nodded: “Big sister is right. What the teacher said just now was indeed not gentlemanly.”

Zhou Qin had assumed Chun Xi was a timid, ignorant maidservant, yet she dared to mock him openly. His expression fell: “I was just warning you to prevent deception. You misunderstood me. Clearly, I needn’t bother shielding your brother from trouble anymore.”

He put Cao Wen down: “Yesterday your brother pushed another student, causing a head injury. Today, that child’s family will surely come to the academy. You are clever—handle the explanation yourself.”

Zhou Qin swept his sleeve and left.

Cao Wen lowered his head, too scared to meet Chun Xi’s eyes.

Chun Xi crouched down, seeing his panic and fear. She stroked his head gently: “All these years I wasn’t home, and I don’t know how you’ve grown. But I don’t believe what the teacher said. Tell me what really happened, okay?”

Her trust surprised Cao Wen. His eyes reddened instantly as he choked out: “Big sister, I didn’t push Zhao Dabao on purpose—he insulted me first.”

As soon as he said it, he began to cry.

Chun Xi wiped his tears: “Don’t cry yet. Explain clearly, or how can I help you get justice?”

Hearing he could get justice, Cao Wen quickly stopped crying and continued: “Zhao Dabao knows I grew up without a father. He always teams up with others to bully me. A few days ago, he wanted my test answers. I refused. Yesterday, he tried to beat me with others. I was scared and pushed him. The teacher didn’t listen to my explanation and only made me apologize.”

So Zhou Qin was not only arrogant and petty, but also unjust.

Chun Xi asked more details and quickly devised a plan—but she didn’t expect that waiting for her at the academy was Wei Lingze.