TSWRLM -Chapter 17 Lord Shen Has Been Waiting for Her

Zhaixing Pavilion was the largest and finest restaurant in Hanjing.

It was mealtime, and the main hall was packed, with guests arriving continuously.

Ye Er had already reserved a private room. As soon as he stepped off the carriage, the restaurant attendants eagerly came forward to assist him. Chun Xi followed quietly behind him, head lowered.

Passing through the main hall, snippets of conversation reached her ears.

“Have you heard about that grave-robbing case? I heard the body was found in the mortuary of the Jingzhao Prefecture. The coroner found many injuries and poison on it. That wicked husband’s family did it to marry a richer bride. And she was pregnant!”

“I heard too. Even after all these days, the corpse hasn’t decayed at all. Maybe it died unjustly, and the restless soul crawled from the grave to cry for justice.”

“My elder cousin’s wife’s distant cousin works as a clerk in the Jingzhao Prefecture. He said lately, at night, he keeps dozing off, and in his drowsy state hears crying and footsteps—it’s terrifying.”

The tales grew more and more exaggerated, sending shivers down their spines even in broad daylight.

Listening to these stories, Chun Xi felt a little reassured.

If Ye Er tried to harm her out of vengeance, surely Lord Shen could find her remains and avenge her.

Once inside the private room, the attendants quickly brought steaming dishes and offered to pour wine, but Ye Er waved them off: “No need to pour the wine.”

Then he looked at Chun Xi.

The attendants immediately withdrew.

In this situation, Chun Xi didn’t act proud; she graciously poured a cup of wine and offered it to Ye Er.

Ye Er didn’t take it, narrowing his eyes at her: “You drink.”

Chun Xi drank three cups in succession before Ye Er was satisfied. He finally got to the point: “No matter what method you use, as long as you return to Wei Lingze’s side and ruin the marriage between the Wei and Xiao families, I’ll give you three thousand taels of gold.”

Three thousand taels of gold—an amount Chun Xi could never earn in her lifetime.

Yet Chun Xi remained expressionless. Ye Er, realizing she wasn’t easily bribed, changed tactics:
“If you don’t agree, I’ll have someone knock you unconscious, strip you, and leave you in the street.”

A smile remained on Ye Er’s face, but it was full of malice.

He couldn’t harm Wei Lingze, but controlling Chun Xi was child’s play.

Chun Xi didn’t hesitate long. She nodded: “I can do as you say, Young Master Ye, but I need tangible benefits first.”

Her words sounded shrewd and materialistic.

Ye Er, unfamiliar with her character, assumed this was typical of a petty, money-minded person. He smiled even more satisfactorily and immediately handed over ten plump gold ingots.

Chun Xi’s face lit up. She poured another cup of wine for Ye Er: “Yesterday, my fiancé’s family came to deliver a betrothal, and the young master happened to see. He’s probably still angry these past few days. Returning to his side might not be easy.”

Ye Er nodded: “No problem. I can send someone to help you.”

Chun Xi and Ye Er discussed the plan for her to return to Wei Lingze and manipulate him into canceling the Xiao family engagement.

Her cooperation pleased Ye Er immensely. He seemed to already see Wei Lingze, hypnotized by Chun Xi, following her every instruction foolishly.

The meal lasted over an hour. Ye Er got drunk and was eventually carried to the carriage by his attendants.

Once the carriage left, Chun Xi immediately headed toward the Qingyuan Houfu.

Ye Er had eaten all the egg yolk pastries and taken the food box, but she still needed to explain the missed delivery to Qing Shu.

However, at the agreed alley, Qing Shu was nowhere to be found.

Chun Xi hesitated but ultimately didn’t enter the Houfu to find anyone.

It was just one missed delivery; Lord Shen probably wouldn’t mind. She could apologize properly when she next saw Qing Shu.

The most important thing now was dealing with Ye Er.

He wanted her to return to Wei Lingze quickly. If she delayed, he might target her family.

Chun Xi maintained a calm face and slowly walked home.

Pushing open the courtyard gate, she found Shen Qingyuan sitting with Qing Shu in the yard.

It was getting dark. Shen Qingyuan wore a dark blue brocade robe with gold embroidery, sitting solemnly in the courtyard. His cold expression radiated the authority of a seasoned magistrate, honed by years of handling cases.

Chun Xi felt her chest tighten and eyes sting. She almost wanted to rush forward, kneel, and cry out that she had been wronged.

But Ye Er hadn’t harmed her and had even given her ten gold ingots. Lord Shen, the upright magistrate, could not interfere with him.

Madam Wang, intimidated by Shen Qingyuan’s aura, anxiously scolded upon seeing Chun Xi:
“You little brat, where have you been? Don’t you know how long Lord Shen has been waiting for you?”

Chun Xi snapped back to reality and explained: “Lord, I’m sorry. I hadn’t been out long when I ran into Young Master Ye. He tried my egg yolk pastries and liked them so much he insisted on taking me to eat. By the time I finished, I went to the agreed location but didn’t see Qing Shu, so I returned home.”

Despite smelling of alcohol, Chun Xi’s eyes were clear and she wasn’t injured.

Shen Qingyuan said lightly: “It’s good that you’re unharmed. From now on, you can deliver things directly to the residence—no need to hide or sneak them.”

“Thank you, Lord,” Chun Xi replied, bowing slightly. “But I have a few matters these days. Can I deliver food for you again in a few days?”

Shen Qingyuan didn’t press for details and nodded: “That’s fine.”

He then rose to leave, and Chun Xi hurried to see him out.

Once outside, she whispered: “I heard the grave-robbing case was solved, and the culprit punished. Lord, you’re truly remarkable. With such an official protecting the realm, it’s a blessing for the country.”

She raised her thumb at the end, eyes bright with admiration for Shen Qingyuan.

Shen Qingyuan lowered his gaze at her for a moment and said solemnly: “I’ve eaten a lot of the food you’ve made. If you ever face difficulties, you can ask me for help.”

Years of casework had trained his instincts; he was certain that today’s meal with Young Master Ye had been a trap.

Chun Xi hadn’t expected Shen Qingyuan to subtly offer his help, and warmth rose in her heart. She replied with a gentle smile: “Since meeting you, Lord, everything has gone smoothly for me. I haven’t encountered any difficulties—surely it’s your good fortune that’s rubbing off on me.”

Shen Qingyuan, used to dealing with corpses and criminals, had never been complimented for being “fortunate.”

Seeing Chun Xi speak lightly and calmly, he did not insist further and returned home with Qing Shu.

Chun Xi wasn’t deliberately strong to avoid worrying Shen Qingyuan—these troubles between the Wei and Xiao families were their business to resolve, so why drag others into it?

The next morning, Chun Xi went to the Xiao family to find Xiao Qinghe.

She didn’t dare confront Ye Er directly—but the Xiao family’s eldest daughter did.

Ye Er was cruel and unscrupulous. Targeting Xiao Qinghe like this, how could she let him off?

Chun Xi gave her name and purpose, and soon a maid came to lead her inside.

She entered through the side gate, heading straight to the backyard, so she didn’t see the commotion in the front yard, nor did she know it was Lady Xiao’s birthday today.