TSWRLM -Chapter 15 Lord Shen Offers to Help

“Lord Shen.”

After being troubled successively by Wei Lingze and Zhou Qin, Chun Xi became even more aware of the importance of having a powerful backer.

Seeing Shen Qingyuan at her doorstep, Chun Xi’s surprise quickly gave way to delight.

She graciously invited him into the courtyard and quickly swept the scattered melon seed shells into a pile. Luckily, the kettle had been kept boiling, so Chun Xi brewed a fresh pot of tea.

To entertain her “prospective in-law,” she used newly purchased tea leaves—not the finest, but not bad either.

Still, Chun Xi instinctively felt Shen Qingyuan wouldn’t mind.

Once she placed the poured tea near him, Chun Xi politely spoke: “Sending the food box is a small matter; Brother Qing Shu could have done it. Why did you personally come, Lord Shen?”

“I just happened to be off duty and came by on the way,” Shen Qingyuan replied.

The tea was steaming hot and would need a moment to cool. Shen Qingyuan lowered his gaze, expression calm and composed.

Chun Xi understood at once—of course he came by “on the way.” Otherwise, why would Lord Shen make a special trip just to see her?

Her jerky snacks hadn’t even been fully prepared yet, and Chun Xi was racking her brain for what she could offer him as a token. Lost in thought, she suddenly heard Shen Qingyuan ask: “Has the matter with your younger brother at the academy been resolved?”

His question struck right at Chun Xi’s heart. She hurriedly explained everything: Wei Lingze inexplicably showing up at the academy to back the bully kid, the teachers refusing to distinguish right from wrong out of deference to the Wei family, and how she decisively withdrew her brother from the academy herself.

“My A-Wen isn’t particularly bright. I send him to school not expecting him to achieve great honors, but just hoping he can learn more about the ways of the sages and grow up discerning right from wrong. Qing Song Academy couldn’t even achieve that. Continuing there wouldn’t just be useless; it might even lead A-Wen down a wrong path.”

Chun Xi was practical and decisive.

Just as she had been bold in asking Wei Lingze for her freedom once he recovered, she now made clear, measured decisions regarding her brother’s education.

“You did the right thing,” Shen Qingyuan affirmed her actions, then asked, “Did the eldest young master help withdraw the betrothal gifts? Did he say anything else?”

“You’re truly perceptive, Lord Shen. The young master did speak to me and promised to let A-Wen attend the Yun clan school. But when he saw the betrothal gifts delivered to me at home, he scowled and left. I don’t think he’ll want to see me again.”

Shen Qingyuan knew the weight of such a promise—both Shen Qingyue and Shen Qingyu were studying at the Yun clan school—but Chun Xi spoke about it casually, as if she had lost nothing.

A faint light appeared in Shen Qingyuan’s eyes, while Qing Shu’s attention focused on the betrothal gifts sent to Chun Xi.

“Miss Chun Xi is getting married so soon?”

Qing Shu was slightly disappointed. Last time he had only had a tiny piece of the rabbit meat, and had been hoping that in the future, when Chun Xi sent food to Lord Shen, he could benefit as well.

Chun Xi, understanding his thoughts, said softly: “I am negotiating a marriage, but I’m not in a hurry to wed. Today’s betrothal gifts will be returned, and I plan to buy a small shop to sell food. Lord Shen has done so much for me; even after marriage, I will still often send him delicious treats.”

Qing Shu relaxed, but then frowned. In this world, it wasn’t easy for a woman to run a business. Would her future husband allow her to go out and manage it?

He instinctively wanted to advise against it, but Shen Qingyuan interjected first: “I can have Qing Shu help inquire about schools and shops for you.”

“Really? Lord Shen, you’re incredible—a living Bodhisattva!”

Chun Xi gave a thumbs-up.

She had been planning to send more food first before asking Shen Qingyuan for help, yet he had offered assistance proactively.

Without hesitation, Chun Xi, while still in the warm spirit of hospitality, called Cao Wen over to let Shen Qingyuan understand his learning situation, and explained in detail to Qing Shu her requirements for the shop.

The shop didn’t need to be large, nor in a prime location—just somewhere frequented by passing customers. Her budget was under three hundred taels, with the remaining money reserved for ingredients and covering initial losses.

It wasn’t until dusk that Shen Qingyuan rose to leave. Chun Xi respectfully escorted him to the alley’s entrance.

Once the carriage had gone some distance, Qing Shu couldn’t help but ask: “A woman managing a business outside will surely face gossip. Are you really going to help Miss Chun Xi find a shop? What if her future husband objects?”

Shen Qingyuan replied: “Even if she doesn’t run the shop, it can still be used for rental income. It’s always better to have a shop than not.”

Qing Shu suddenly understood. Indeed, they had seen too many women at the government offices lose their dowries, get mistreated by in-laws, and have nowhere to defend themselves.

Owning a shop meant at least having something that remained theirs.

Determined, Qing Shu resolved to help Chun Xi choose a shop that was a real bargain. A moment later, he heard his master’s voice from the carriage: “She is clever; she won’t marry someone who wouldn’t allow her to run the shop.”

Qing Shu looked up at the sky. The sun hadn’t risen in the west, so why did he just hear his master praising someone else for being smart?

After Shen Qingyuan’s carriage disappeared from view, Chun Xi headed back home.

Passing by Aunt Li’s house, she overheard her gossiping: “Tsk tsk, this is the third suitor who’s come calling. I didn’t realize it—Miss A-Xi of the Cao family is really impressive.”

“…”

It would be better not to have Lord Shen come here again. Chun Xi didn’t care what others said about her, but she couldn’t risk damaging Lord Shen’s reputation.

As soon as Chun Xi returned home, Madam Wang rushed over, anxiously asking: “Who told you to open a shop and run a business? You have no head for commerce! Even the worst shop in Hanjing costs tens of taels. What if you lose money?”

Madam Wang had been planning to wait until Chun Xi married and then claim her savings under the guise of her dowry. Now that Chun Xi wanted to open a shop, she couldn’t wait any longer.

The money had to be kept under her supervision to be safe.

“Doing business never guarantees profits. I don’t know how yet, but I’ll learn in a year or two,” Chun Xi said casually. Madam Wang found this even less credible.

Before she could argue, Chun Xi added: “I don’t have to buy a shop. If the eldest young master really lets A-Wen into the Yun clan school, the tuition alone will cost much more than before.”

Mentioning Cao Wen immediately caught Madam Wang’s attention.

She had only thought about the benefits of A-Wen attending the Yun clan school to make connections with noble children, forgetting that tuition, board, and living expenses would all need to be covered. Chun Xi offering to pay was perfect.

But this all depended on Wei Lingze agreeing to let A-Wen attend.

As Madam Wang fretted, Chun Xi headed into the kitchen to prepare dinner.

Meanwhile, in the Xiao family’s backyard:

Second Miss Xiao Qingyue, hands on hips, scolded: “That maid called Chun Xi is truly cunning. She leaves the Wei family decisively, yet contrives repeated encounters with my brother-in-law, and now even has someone stage a betrothal just for him to see—utterly shameless!”

Hearing about Wei Lingze returning home in a rage and smashing things, Xiao Qinghe paused, then sternly admonished: “It’s just coincidence. Don’t speak like that again, and Qingyue, you shouldn’t have sent someone to spy on Lord Wei.”

Xiao Qingyue wanted to argue, but seeing her sister’s eyes redden, she softened and admitted her mistake: “Sis, I’m sorry. I was wrong. I won’t do it again.”

Her sister had to consider the bigger picture; she didn’t.

Xiao Qingyue was determined to make sure that vixen was taught a proper lesson!