TSWRLM -Chapter 120 Promoted to Imperial Censor Vice Director

Chun Xi had plenty of experience dealing with someone being punished by kneeling, thanks to her own time as a maid in the Wei household.

After helping Shen Qingchi onto the bed, she had hot water and ointments for invigorating blood and healing bruises brought over.

Her knees were a deep purple, her legs couldn’t straighten, and even the slightest movement felt like being pierced by countless needles.

Shen Qingchi clenched her lips, refusing to make a sound, though her eyes were red.

Chun Xi took a cloth and gently applied heat while soothing her: “It will hurt a bit now. Endure it. Once we finish applying the ointment and you rest through the night, it will be much better tomorrow. You won’t be crippled, don’t worry.”

Shen Qingchi nodded, but tears still slipped uncontrollably.

She knew her mother had never truly liked her and that she would eventually marry and become an outsider. So she had long endured in silence. But today, seeing her eldest brother and sister-in-law rush to rescue her, even standing up to their mother for her, she couldn’t help feeling deeply aggrieved.

She wasn’t born to enjoy suffering; she longed for family love.

After crying for a while, Shen Qingchi finally spoke hoarsely: “Sister-in-law… thank you.”

“What for? Mother only punished you because I caused that commotion at the Grand Tutor residence yesterday. You’re far too honest—knowing trouble was coming, why didn’t you pretend to be sick and hide inside? I would have handled it when I returned.”

As she spoke, Chun Xi scooped a generous amount of ointment, warmed it in her palm, and applied it to Shen Qingchi’s knees.

Her movements were swift yet gentle, and Shen Qingchi felt only a slight sting.

Her heart swelled with a mixture of emotion. Shen Qingchi turned her head, avoiding Chun Xi’s gaze: “I can’t avoid it. No matter what, she is still my mother. Even if I ran to the ends of the earth, her blood still runs in me.”

“There’s nothing to avoid. My mother is infamous for being fierce and difficult in our neighborhood, but I’m even better at throwing tantrums. She has no way to deal with me now.”

Chun Xi retorted confidently. Shen Qingchi was silent for a moment before saying: “That’s because my eldest brother is willing to back you up.”

“Exactly. That’s why I married your eldest brother. My mother likes obedient sons-in-law. If I had obeyed her, could I have the good life I have today?”

Hearing the implied meaning, Shen Qingchi said nothing further.

Chun Xi didn’t press her, only saying: “Your eldest brother already told mother today: from now on, we’ll handle your matters. But if you can’t trust us, just consider your brother’s behavior a drunken tantrum.”

After speaking, Chun Xi got up to leave. At the door, she turned back and said: “Your peony embroidery is really beautiful.”

Shen Qingchi’s courtyard was in the far corner of the Hou residence, with simple furnishings, including a large embroidered bed by the window.

She had no talent for anything, except being obedient and patient, so Madam Mo made her practice needlework tirelessly.

She practiced for many years, eventually creating many silk handkerchiefs and sachets to give to the daughters of other prominent families to build connections. Yet privately, those girls mocked her for being a daughter of a noble household doing an embroiderer’s work.

When Madam Mo heard, she scolded her harshly, saying she was useless—only a source of ridicule for the Hou family.

Yet, in private, Shen Qingchi still enjoyed embroidering.

Chun Xi’s compliment felt like a beam of light tearing through darkness, warmly embracing her.

She knew her sister-in-law was trying to help her out of the mire, but she was too timid to even accept the hand offered.

Shen Qingchi curled up, burying her head in the blanket, quietly sobbing.

I’m sorry, sister-in-law. I’ve wasted your kindness.

Shen Qingyuan, unable to enter Shen Qingchi’s chamber, waited outside. Seeing Chun Xi come out, he immediately took her hand, slightly displeased: “You’ve been in there a long time.”

These things could have been handled by a doctor; she didn’t need to do it herself.

Chun Xi followed his lead: “Sorry for keeping you waiting, husband. Let’s go back.”

Shen Qingyuan keenly sensed her low spirits and stopped: “Wife, you’re unhappy?”

“No.”

Chun Xi denied it, but he insisted: “You are!”

Even drunk, his insight remained sharp; he could never be mistaken.

Helpless, Chun Xi admitted: “I just feel the world is too unfair to women. Even close blood relatives can be so cold.”

Her mother was like this, and so was Madam Mo.

Shen Qingyuan pulled Chun Xi into his arms, rubbing her head: “Don’t worry, wife. With me here, no one will bully you. And when we have a daughter, I’ll treat her well, never letting her suffer the slightest grievance.”

His reassurance was powerful.

Chun Xi’s mood improved, but soon she noticed something amiss.

“Husband, keep some distance.”

Shen Qingyuan pouted, looking wounded. Chun Xi coughed and shifted her gaze downward.

“Sorry,” he quickly apologized, then added with a sigh: “I can’t help it… ever since you promised to come home with me to—uh!”

Chun Xi quickly covered his mouth and dragged him back to Wenxin Courtyard.

Husband, better not drink again; otherwise, your reputation is doomed!

Another restless night passed, and the next day Chun Xi slept until the sun was high.

Just after she finished washing, a messenger arrived from the palace with an imperial edict.

When she and Shen Qingyuan reached the front hall, Madam Mo and the Hou household were already there, and the rarely-seen Mo Yunwan stood behind Madam Mo.

“You delayed arriving even after the emperor issued the edict—such arrogance!”

Madam Mo scolded coldly. She guessed the edict was likely Shen Qingyuan’s promotion, and thinking of him threatening to send her to a convent yesterday made her heart churn.

Shen Qingyuan ignored her, kneeling with Chun Xi. The official delivering the edict glanced at Madam Mo, who quickly knelt with everyone else.

“By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Shen Qingyuan, Chief Clerk of Jingzhao Prefecture, a prodigious talent since youth, who has resolved countless cases in the past ten years with composure and humility, has now uncovered the Xuzhou corruption case. A rare pillar of the realm, he is hereby promoted to the Censorate as Imperial Censor Vice Director, responsible for inspecting officials, overseeing criminal cases, and upholding court protocol. So it is ordered!”

“I humbly receive the edict, and thank Your Majesty for the grace.”

Shen Qingyuan accepted the edict and stood, while Chun Xi handed the messenger the reward silver. The official congratulated them with auspicious words.

Madam Mo could not bring herself to smile; it felt unbearably grating.

She knew Shen Qingyuan would be promoted, but she hadn’t expected the emperor to place him directly in the Censorate as a third-rank Imperial Censor Vice Director—a position everyone would kill to attain.

Now that Shen Qingyuan held such a high position, and yet Yue’er had not achieved official rank, how could she hope to compete for the heirship of the Hou title?

Madam Mo’s expression darkened. Mo Yunwan stepped forward to support her: “Aunt, cousin’s promotion is a joy for the Hou household. You should be happy.”

Hearing this, Madam Mo forced a smile.