TSWRLM -Chapter 163 Watching with Dirty Eyes, Dirty Hands

Nanny Jia died beside Madam Mo’s coffin.

Her expression was calm, as if she were asleep. The maids had called her to eat, but when she didn’t move for a long time, they realized something was wrong.

Mo Yunwan’s tears fell freely. “Nanny Jia, you spent your whole life serving Aunt and never married. Even though Aunt is gone, we would still treat you with respect as an elder. Why did you follow her into the dead end of death?”

Mo Yunwan wept uncontrollably. Everyone was moved, thinking that Nanny Jia, old and heartbroken over Madam Mo’s death, had died from sorrow, following her mistress in death.

Nanny Jia had no children, and her relatives had long since passed away. People lamented her loyalty and stopped discussing her after that.

Once the crowd dispersed, Mo Yunwan wiped her tears and instructed the servants to carry Nanny Jia’s body out for burial.

Seeing Chun Xi watching her closely, Mo Yunwan’s voice became hoarse. “Eldest Sister-in-law, why are you looking at me like that? Did I do something wrong?”

Chun Xi shook her head. “You’ve done very well, younger sister-in-law. As Eldest Sister-in-law, I feel I fall short in comparison.”

Her tone was ambiguous. Mo Yunwan paused, then said, “Aunt passed so suddenly. If I hadn’t stepped up, the household would have descended into chaos. But don’t worry, Eldest Sister-in-law. Though Aunt is gone, I will find a way to repay the money owed to you as soon as possible.”

Since Mo Yunwan offered to repay the debt voluntarily, Chun Xi had no reason to refuse.

Seven days later, Madam Mo’s funeral and burial were completed.

After the funeral, according to law, Shen Qingyuan, Shen Qingyue, and Shen Qingyu, as dutiful sons, had to stay beside the grave for three months.

Three simple huts had been built next to the tomb. They were habitable but extremely rudimentary. Now, with the deepening chill of autumn, rain would make them even colder.

Shen Qingyu, never having stayed in such poor conditions, couldn’t help complaining: “Is this house sturdy? Will it be blown away by strong winds?”

Mo Yunwan took a bundle from the maid and handed it to Shen Qingyu, whispering, “The harsher the conditions, the more it shows Third Young Master’s filial devotion to Mother. Besides, Eldest and Second Brothers are staying here too, and they haven’t complained. You’ll manage, won’t you?”

Mo Yunwan’s gentle words, combined with her mourning attire, made her appear both delicate and charming.

Shen Qingyu couldn’t resist taking her hand and stroking it.

There had been so many events in recent days. He had only just married Mo Yunwan and barely had a chance to enjoy her company before being separated for mourning. It frustrated him deeply.

Mo Yunwan shot him an admonishing glance but didn’t pull her hand away.

Elsewhere, Chun Xi handed the prepared bundle to Shen Qingyuan and whispered, “I had someone check. Nanny Jia’s grave is empty. Her body is missing. Mother’s death may indeed be suspicious.”

“I’ll investigate and find the truth. You stay at home and don’t act rashly,” Shen Qingyuan said firmly. He then leaned closer, his tone severe. “Listen carefully. Don’t give me any distractions.”

Hearing the worry in Shen Qingyuan’s voice, Chun Xi replied seriously, “Don’t worry, husband. I won’t act recklessly. You must also take care of yourself.”

Soon, Mo Yunwan came to Chun Xi. “It’s getting late, Eldest Sister-in-law. We should head back.”

Chun Xi waved to Shen Qingyuan and climbed into the carriage.

Once their carriage left, Shen Qingyu immediately spoke in a sarcastic tone: “Why didn’t we notice before that Eldest Brother is such a sentimental fool? If he misses Eldest Sister-in-law so much, why doesn’t he just go home? Why pretend to stay here? He never cared about Mother anyway, right?”

“Third Brother!”

Shen Qingyue scolded sharply, but Shen Qingyu ignored him, raising his voice. “I’m telling the truth! He’s been suspended anyway. What can Second Brother do to him?”

Shen Qingyu smirked, his tone filled with smug satisfaction: “Eldest Brother spent ten years in the Jingzhao Prefecture, finally got promoted to the Censorate, and now, only a few days later, he’s suspended. By the time the three-month mourning ends, there won’t even be a position for him at the Censorate. Doesn’t he think Cao Chun Xi has beaten him already?”

Shen Qingyuan ignored Shen Qingyu’s taunts, until he mentioned Chun Xi. He then raised his eyes and looked at Shen Qingyu sharply.

The gaze was cold and oppressive. Shen Qingyu stiffened but refused to back down, straightening his neck. “We’re guarding Mother’s grave. If you hit me, it’s a serious crime. I wouldn’t even have a chance to be reinstated.”

Shen Qingyu’s mix of fear and arrogance was comical. Shen Qingyuan coldly uttered two words: “Fool.”

“What did you say?”

Shen Qingyu roared. Shen Qingyuan continued without flinching: “I said you are as dumb as a pig, with no brains at all. All the books you studied at the Yun Clan school went straight into a dog’s belly. You’re such a fool, and I’ve watched you sully your eyes and dirty your hands.”

Shen Qingyuan’s tone was even, but every word pierced Shen Qingyu’s heart.

Shen Qingyu had never been scolded like this before. His eyes reddened with rage. “Shen Qingyuan, I’ll kill you!”

Shen Qingyuan didn’t dodge, calmly staring at Shen Qingyu. “Go ahead. Kill your brother at your mother’s grave. Let’s see if you can withstand the punishment of a thousand cuts and ten thousand slashes.”

The words “thousand cuts and ten thousand slashes” sounded terrifying coming from Shen Qingyuan. Shen Qingyu shivered, feeling as if knives were falling on him. He didn’t dare move, only gritting his teeth and crouching to pull weeds in frustration.

Once silence returned, Shen Qingyue approached and whispered an apology: “Third Brother is impulsive and speaks without thinking. Please don’t take it personally.”

“Do you think you’re better than him?”

Shen Qingyuan retorted ruthlessly. Shen Qingyue froze, about to say something, but Shen Qingyuan had already turned and gone inside to make the bed.

Shen Qingyue clenched his fists, watching Shen Qingyuan for a long time before returning inside to study.

His mind was restless. The upcoming imperial examination had been his chance to secure a high rank early and make a good marriage alliance, seeking his maternal family’s support for the heir position. Now, everything had been thrown into chaos.

It all started when Eldest Brother married Cao Chun Xi.

Inside the hut, Shen Qingyue’s eyes gradually grew cold…

Achoo!

Chun Xi sneezed. Perhaps staying up at night to keep vigil for the dead had caught her cold. Her head felt dizzy.

Passing a small clinic, she decided to buy some warming medicine, and would have the carriage driver deliver some to Shen Qingyuan as well.

Just as the carriage stopped, Chun Xi noticed a carriage bearing the Wei family emblem.

The Wei household had their own doctor. For emergencies, they sometimes hired doctors from Huichuntang or imperial physicians. Why were they at this unremarkable clinic?

Chun Xi was puzzled, when she saw Wei Lingze carrying Xiao Qinghe out of the clinic, holding a large bundle of medicine.

Xiao Qinghe’s head was bowed, her lips tightly pressed, clearly unhappy.

They didn’t notice Chun Xi’s carriage. Only after they left did Chun Xi enter the clinic.