TSWRLM -Chapter 227 My Wife Was Scared, So She’s a Little Clingy

After Shen Qingyuan lifted Chun Xi onto the carriage, she couldn’t stop grinning foolishly.

Shen Qingyuan looked at her repeatedly, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips, but curiosity still lingered: “Madam, what are you smiling at? Did you get drunk again today?”

“I’m not drunk,” Chun Xi shook her head and hugged Shen Qingyuan’s arm, snuggling into his chest. “I just feel so happy right now. My husband treats me so well. I have the princess, He’er, and Yue’er as genuine friends. My aunt and cousin-in-law also like me. Before marrying you, I never even dared to imagine this.”

Her tone was light and cheerful, full of contentment and gratitude.

Shen Qingyuan’s eyes darkened slightly.

Since returning to the capital, he had pieced together everything. On the night of the incident, Madam Ning had used Cao Zheng to threaten Madam Wang into using a poisoned dagger to kill Chun Xi—and Madam Wang actually attempted it.

If Chun Xi hadn’t arranged for people from Wuyou Pavilion to impersonate her in advance, she might have already died by Madam Wang’s dagger.

Though the situation was dire at the time, Madam Wang had no real choice, yet it was still painful to be attacked by one’s own mother.

But having returned from the brink of death, Chun Xi hadn’t said a single bad word about Madam Wang. She was still able to feel the good around her and maintain gratitude.

Shen Qingyuan kissed Chun Xi on the forehead and said solemnly: “There’s nothing you can’t imagine. It will only get better from now on.”

Chun Xi tilted her head up and quickly kissed him: “Husband, I’m so glad I married you. To repay you, I’ll give you a child.”

In the uncertainty of whether she would return safely, Chun Xi had thought about many things.

Since her father passed away, her family ties had grown distant. Though she had always lived diligently, before marrying Shen Qingyuan, she truly had nothing to hold onto in this world.

This incident made her realize that if another accident occurred, her only regret would be not having given Shen Qingyuan a child.

Although at his age he could remarry, a man who constantly loses his wife and remains childless would have a poor reputation.

Moreover, the last time she asked him for a divorce, he had tormented her, saying there was only death to separate them, never life. If he truly carried out that statement, having no children would be unbearably lonely.

After saying this, Chun Xi leaned in to kiss him again, restlessly climbing onto him.

Though not drunk, she had drunk a fair amount tonight. The scent of alcohol was strong, and she was bolder than usual.

Shen Qingyuan’s eyes darkened immediately, but he still held her waist and reminded her: “Madam, we’re not home yet. This is the carriage.”

Chun Xi ignored him deliberately: “I know, but I just want to give birth to your child.”

“…”

Once the carriage arrived home, barely stopping, Shen Qingyuan carried Chun Xi straight inside.

A-Li startled, instinctively trying to follow, but heard Shen Qingyuan’s order: “Don’t come near. Tonight, everyone stay away from the main hall!”

Chun Xi’s eagerness to have a child, combined with Shen Qingyuan indulging her, nearly caused him to be late for duty the next morning.

Just as he arrived at the Censorate, someone joked: “Lord Shen, newlyweds are different! Pushing you to come greet the envoy delegation won’t affect your marital relationship, right?”

Before leaving home, Shen Qingyuan had noticed a ring of teeth marks at his collar from Chun Xi. The placement was tricky, partially visible beyond the collar, leaving much to the imagination.

Shen Qingyuan remained composed, saying lightly: “It doesn’t affect anything. My wife just came back from the brink of death, so she’s a little clingy.”

He didn’t hide it. Everyone could tell how much he adored his wife. His indulgence came from love and concern.

In a world full of fickle and unfaithful people, genuine affection was rare. Those present exchanged glances and stopped teasing.

The envoy delegation had been in the capital for over half a month. After seeing Hanjing’s splendor and local customs, it was time to discuss business. Shen Qingyuan, upon arrival, went with the Censorate officials to the Political Council Hall.

Along the way, someone whispered to him: “Before you returned, the envoys had already presented a batch of jade and furs to His Majesty. The jade sparkles brilliantly, and the furs are truly beautiful. If made into coats, no fire would be needed in winter. Their sincerity is evident, and the emperor is pleased. So we should respond cordially.”

Shen Qingyuan nodded in acknowledgment, then asked: “What do the envoys want in return?”

“They come from a windy, sandy region with low grain yields. There were disasters in the past two years, so naturally they want to exchange for food.”

Zhaoling had been established for a few years and had fought wars with neighboring Yuexi, while also trading. No one could be sure how long the current peace would last. Even for exchange purposes, caution was necessary.

Calculating what food to exchange, and how much per year, had to be precise to avoid empowering the other side too much.

These matters were roughly what the Censorate had expected. Shen Qingyuan, aware of it all, calmly entered the Political Council Hall with the officials.

After some discussion, His Majesty and the envoys arrived.

Following them were Wei Lingze and Li Huaijing, the Governor of Wengzhou. During the past half-month, these two had mainly handled the envoy reception.

After the formal greetings, Wei Lingze and Li Huaijing sat beside Shen Qingyuan.

Because of Chun Xi, Wei Lingze hadn’t slept well the previous night, and bloodshot eyes betrayed him. He glanced at Shen Qingyuan more than once—and then saw faint teeth marks on Shen Qingyuan’s neck.

Such a mark was suggestive. Paired with Shen Qingyuan’s serious, solemn face, the contrast was striking, sparking vivid imagination.

Wei Lingze’s fist clenched tightly.

Though Shen Qingyuan had shown enough protection and favoritism toward Chun Xi, seeing the evidence of their affection in person made Wei Lingze feel an indescribable anger.

Weren’t they just pretending? Shen Qingyuan was forced by Madam Mo to marry Cao Chun Xi—how could this act become real?

And Chun Xi had only been missing for a little over a month. Did Shen Qingyuan even know what she experienced during that time to act without concern?

The fire of rage burned through Wei Lingze’s chest, his breathing uneven.

Feeling his burning gaze, Shen Qingyuan tilted his head to look at him.

That one glance was cold and sharp. Wei Lingze felt completely exposed.

Shen Qingyuan seemed to know that he had orchestrated Chun Xi’s kidnapping and understood his intentions toward her. But Shen Qingyuan said nothing, merely waiting for the right moment to crush him utterly, leaving him powerless.

The uncertainty—the feeling that everything was slipping from his control—drove Wei Lingze almost mad. He clenched his fists harder, the bones in his hands lightly cracking.

At that moment, Li Huaijing patted him: “Ze’er, His Majesty is waiting for your reply.”

Wei Lingze snapped out of his private world, staring at Li Huaijing, confused and unsure of what had just happened.

Li Huaijing whispered: “The envoys requested to spar with our military officers. You’re the only one here. His Majesty is waiting for your response.”