TSWRLM -Chapter 155 Moving into the New Home

Madam Mo’s private treasury held quite a lot, but much of it had been secretly taken from Madam Xiao’s dowry.

Shen Qingyuan pointed out to Shen Qingyue the items he remembered, and even gave him the inventory list from Madam Xiao’s dowry to cross-check.

“If you have any doubts, second brother, you can also check with the authorities.”

Shen Qingyue’s face burned with embarrassment. Though he knew over the years they had benefited greatly from elder brother, facing the matter so directly was still humiliating.

“I have no doubts. Over the years, elder brother has suffered, so please rest assured, I will find a way to repay you as soon as possible.”

Shen Qingyue spoke earnestly, but Shen Qingyuan paid him no mind. After emptying Madam Mo’s private treasury, he sent Nanny Jia to retrieve the silver notes and deeds.

Nanny Jia looked as if the sky had fallen. Tears streamed down her face as she pleaded, “Young master, what you’re doing is practically driving madam to death! Please, think of all the years she’s managed the Marquis Mansion and spare her life!”

Shen Qingyuan had no patience for more words. He shot Shen Qingyue a cold glance. Shen Qingyue immediately stepped forward and persuaded Nanny Jia, who eventually, crying, went to fetch the items.

Previously, Shen Qingyuan had not fought for anything, so Madam Mo had let her guard down, spending freely. The mansion only had under ten thousand taels in cash; some properties and fields were there, but they were mediocre at best.

Shen Qingyuan didn’t mind. Together with Shen Qingyue, he appraised everything, deducted fifteen thousand taels from the debt, and wrote a receipt for Shen Qingyue as proof.

After finishing, Shen Qingyuan returned to the main courtyard and left the mansion with Chun Xi.

Nanny Jia’s heart ached as she returned to Madam Mo to report what had happened. The two women buried their heads and cried.

Madam Mo’s heart was full of anger and resentment, cursing Shen Qingyuan and Chun Xi repeatedly. Shen Qingyu joined in, shouting insults, while Shen Qingyue frowned, “Enough! Stop!”

But everyone was lost in their own world and couldn’t hear him. Their curses only grew louder.

Finally, Shen Qingyue overturned a table and shouted sternly, “Everyone, shut up!”

Madam Mo trembled, and Shen Qingyu shivered. Silence finally fell over the room.

Shen Qingyue glared at Madam Mo. “Even if you reported this to the imperial court, we wouldn’t be wrong. Elder brother and sister-in-law have already been merciful by not emptying the mansion completely. Instead of lamenting here, think about how to earn money to repay the debt.”

Everything Madam Mo had accumulated over the years had been looted, leaving only a few personal jewelry pieces. Shen Qingyue and Shen Qingyu had lived in luxury, spent lavishly at Yun Clan School, and Shen Qingyue still had a few hundred taels, while Shen Qingyu had nothing.

The household had dozens of mouths to feed and salaries to pay. They could barely sustain themselves, let alone repay debts.

Madam Mo was about to cry again when Mo Yunwan’s soft, gentle voice suddenly sounded: “To make money, you need capital first. If younger sister Chi’er is willing, we might still get through this crisis.”

Madam Mo, filled with hatred for Mo Yunwan, was about to scold her for the suggestion, when Shen Qingyu excitedly said, “Yes, mother! If we find a good match for Chi’er and get a substantial bride price, we’ll have money again!”

Madam Mo’s eyes flickered, and the curse on her lips was swallowed.

At the same time, Chun Xi and Shen Qingyuan arrived at their new home.

Chun Xi had previously heard that the mansion was a gift from His Majesty, but she assumed only the house had been granted and they’d have to furnish everything else themselves. To her surprise, when they stepped down from the carriage, lanterns lit the entrance, and two gatekeepers stood straight and respectful.

“Welcome home, sir and madam.”

Beyond the gates was a tall stone wall. Inside, the mansion was brightly lit. Guards patrolled the grounds, tall and imposing.

The front hall was neatly arranged with tables, chairs, and tea stands. The garden was lush and vibrant. Upon entering the main courtyard, Chun Xi was delighted to find that the layout was identical to Wenxin Court, including a small kitchen that was an exact replica.

The kitchen was fully equipped with the same utensils she had arranged in the Marquis Mansion.

“This small kitchen is exactly like the one I built in Wenxin Court! Husband, when did you have someone build this?”

Chun Xi couldn’t help smiling, eyes bright with joy. She had no attachment to the Qingyuan Marquis Mansion, but the one regret was that she couldn’t move the little kitchen she had built. Now Shen Qingyuan had built an identical one—it made her heart settle immediately.

Seeing her happy, Shen Qingyuan’s eyes curved into a smile. “You helped me recover such a large sum, so naturally, I’d want to reward my wife. Do you like it?”

“I love it! I love it so much!”

Chun Xi nodded emphatically. Words couldn’t express her joy, so she stepped forward, wrapped her arms around Shen Qingyuan’s neck, and kissed him.

Shen Qingyuan immediately held her waist, deepening the kiss.

Soon, their breathing grew erratic. Chun Xi jumped, wrapping her legs around him and murmuring, hinting for him to go inside. Just as Shen Qingyuan carried her out of the kitchen, they were met with a pair of surprised, innocent eyes.

“Ahem ahem…”

Shen Qingyuan coughed twice, tilting his head. Chun Xi looked back and saw Cao Wen standing at the courtyard gate, thin and small in stature.

Oh no—she had almost forgotten she had a younger brother.

Chun Xi got down from Shen Qingyuan, fixed her clothes, cleared her throat, and looked at Cao Wen calmly: “What are you doing here? Do you want to go back to the mansion or home?”

Cao Wen shook his head, speaking quietly, “I just wanted to see if sister was okay.”

He had been brought here early and didn’t know what had happened at the Promotion Banquet. The sudden move still made him uneasy.

“I’m fine.”

Chun Xi spread her hands and twirled in front of him.

Cao Wen exhaled in relief, ready to leave, but then Chun Xi said, “I’m fine, but mother has been sent to Jingzhao Prefecture for theft. Right now, only you can prove her innocence. But Nanny Jia won’t admit she gave you the bracelets and earrings. If you can’t provide evidence, you’ll have to go to prison in her place.”

Cao Wen’s face went pale. He hadn’t realized that confessing to his sister could endanger their mother. Stunned for a moment, he fell to his knees. “Sister, please help me. I don’t want to go to jail.”

He had just resolved to study hard, and imprisonment would prevent him from taking the imperial exams.

He truly feared it, tears streaming down in large drops.

Chun Xi wasn’t sympathetic. She looked at him and asked, “Now you’re scared. But when you took those things from Nanny Jia, why weren’t you scared then?”

Cao Wen’s throat tightened.

These months in the mansion, his sister had barely paid him attention. The person he interacted with most was Nanny Jia.

Though he suspected those items hadn’t come from his sister, he hadn’t dared to resist Nanny Jia. At one point, he even selfishly wished that Madam Chun Xi would punish his sister a little—to make her fear him in the future.

Now recalling his past meanness, he felt utterly ashamed. He cried and confessed, “Sister, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have been foolish and wanted to get revenge. I know my mistake and won’t ever do it again. Please give me another chance.”

He couldn’t stop crying, but Chun Xi’s voice remained calm and almost indifferent: “No matter who it is, anyone who does wrong must face the consequences. Think carefully—will you hide the truth and let mother take the blame, or will you go with me to confess at the authorities and free her?”

Cao Wen left in despair, and Chun Xi watched his retreating figure for a long while.

Shen Qingyuan was about to speak to comfort her when Chun Xi asked, “Husband, when will Qingshu return? Being interrupted like this mid-journey can’t be good for your health, can it?”

“…”

Shen Qingyuan didn’t reply. He carried Chun Xi inside, proving with his actions that his health was fine.

Meanwhile, outside the Qingyuan Marquis Mansion, Qingshu, dust-streaked from his journey, was stopped by the gatekeeper.

“Young master and young mistress have already split the family and moved into the new residence. Go to the new house to find them.”

Qingshu: “…”???

Split the family? New house? Not a single word about this in the letter! Where was he supposed to go to find them?