TSWRLM -Chapter 240 Let’s Have a Match First—Does Lord Shen Dare?

“Young Master Wei, this is the women’s camp. What are you doing here?”

The two women speaking froze at the sudden appearance of Wei Lingze. He didn’t answer them but stared intently, pressing, “What were you just talking about?”

The Empress had already ordered that no one discuss matters privately, so the women didn’t dare speak the truth. They quickly denied it: “You must have misheard. We didn’t say anything. It’s late; we should go rest.”

As they tried to leave, seeing Wei Lingze reach out to stop them, they raised their voices: “Young Master Wei, if you keep this up, we’ll call for help!”

Wei Lingze frowned, frustration growing. At that moment, Yun Wantang suddenly approached: “Ze’er, what are you doing?”

Seeing Yun Wantang, Wei Lingze withdrew his hand and let the women leave. He then whispered, “I just overheard them talking about me. Do you know what happened today?”

After a brief hesitation, Yun Wantang pulled Wei Lingze to a more secluded spot: “Madam Shen publicly accused you of having an illegitimate child today, and the Xiao family has already verified the situation based on her clues. Tell me honestly—do you have a child?”

Wei Lingze had already guessed from what he overheard, but now, with Yun Wantang confirming it, his teeth clenched in rage.

He knew it—Cao Chun Xi had stirred up a commotion in Yunzhou using the Wei family name just to set a trap for him.

The Xiao family was already displeased with him over the medicine incident. Now, with a supposed illegitimate child thrown into the mix, they had even more reason to sever ties with the Wei family.

He should have had someone tear Cao Chun Xi to pieces the last time!

Wei Lingze’s face darkened, radiating killing intent. He took a slow breath and denied every word, “No. Other than He’er, I’ve never been with another woman, and I absolutely do not have a child.”

Yun Wantang exhaled in relief. Although she hadn’t been in Hanjing these years, she kept close correspondence with her sister. Her sister trusted her completely—if Ze’er had a child, she would have known.

Previously, when Ze’er was paralyzed, the entire Imperial Medical Bureau had been at a loss. Her sister had indeed considered securing an heir, discreetly bringing in women of good standing.

Cao Chun Xi was clearly using this past to create confusion and mislead people.

Yun Wantang had already decided on a course of action. She immediately comforted Wei Lingze: “Don’t worry, Ze’er. I won’t let anyone smear you. Once the storm passes, I’ll help persuade He’er to reconsider. For now, focus all your energy on the match with Xuanyuan Lang. As long as you win, everything will be resolved.”

Yun Wantang had felt embarrassed by Chun Xi earlier today in front of everyone and had claimed she was unwell to skip the evening banquet, so she didn’t know that Shen Qingyuan had stolen the spotlight from Wei Lingze.

Hearing her words, Wei Lingze clenched his fists, then finally replied, “Don’t worry, Auntie. I won’t lose.”

Yun Wantang smiled softly: “Of course I believe you. You’re the most promising young man in the Wei family genealogy. Zhen’er and Yue’er really look up to their big brother.”

Her tone was sincere, her pride clear. Comforted, Wei Lingze spoke with her briefly before preparing to return to his camp.

Near the camp, he noticed a small fire burning nearby. Shen Qingyuan and Chun Xi sat close to it, roasting a wild rabbit, while the Prince Consort and Princess Hengyang sat across from them. The Prince Consort held a beautiful decorative squirrel, offering it to the princess.

By the firelight, Chun Xi’s eyes shone brightly, her smile radiant. She fed a piece of the roasted rabbit to Shen Qingyuan.

He lowered his head and ate it. Chun Xi eagerly asked him how it tasted. Leaning in quickly, Shen Qingyuan kissed her on the lips.

Chun Xi froze for a moment, then smiled even brighter.

The two behaved naturally and intimately, showing clear affection with no hint of pretense.

Wei Lingze’s fists kept clenching, rage boiling, burning his insides.

Cao Chun Xi had first collaborated with Wuyou Pavilion to lure him to Yunshan Temple for a trap. Now she had further driven a wedge between him and He’er, publicly defaming him with accusations of an illegitimate child. What had he done to deserve this?

When she first arrived at Lingfeng Courtyard, he admittedly had hurt her a few times due to his temper. But later, he accepted her service, rewarded her frequently, and even took her to banquets, granting her dignity. Why did she repay him with betrayal?

Wei Lingze’s hatred almost crystallized into a cold arrow aimed at Chun Xi. She sensed it and wanted to turn around, but Shen Qingyuan stopped her: “Don’t look. It’s dirty.”

At that moment, Princess Hengyang came over and placed the decorative squirrel into Chun Xi’s arms: “I don’t like keeping these things. A-Xi, you take care of it for me.”

“This was specially found by the Prince Consort for the princess. How could I snatch it?”

Chun Xi handed it back, and when the princess refused, she feigned concern: “I don’t like pets either, but I’m quite knowledgeable about food. This squirrel looks fat and tasty. If the princess truly doesn’t like it, I could prepare it…”

Before she finished, the princess took the squirrel back, awkwardly saying, “A-Xi, you’ve gained quite a bit of weight. Stop thinking only about eating.”

“…”

Princess, if you don’t want the squirrel, just say so—why bring up my weight?

Chun Xi glared at the squirrel with mock sorrow. At that moment, her waist itched. Shen Qingyuan pinched it and said seriously, “You’ve gained some weight, but not enough. I think you could put on a bit more.”

Chun Xi swatted his hand away, then looked back, realizing Wei Lingze had disappeared from sight.

The next day, everyone returned to the hunting grounds, but the rules had changed. They had only the morning to hunt. Those who failed to catch anything were automatically eliminated. Those who did catch something could challenge others; the winner would take the opponent’s prey. Through successive challenges, the final winner would be the champion of this year’s winter hunt.

The morning passed quickly.

The Prince Consort caught nothing, only bringing back pinecones and weeds for the squirrels. Shen Qingyuan, Wei Lingze, and Xuanyuan Lang all caught a lot, and no one dared challenge them first—they had to pick weaker targets.

Xuanyuan Lang, bored, was about to challenge Wei Lingze when Wei Lingze suddenly turned to Shen Qingyuan: “Let’s have a match first. Dare?”

Shen Qingyuan didn’t answer with yes or no, just lifted his eyes to glare at Wei Lingze: “Are you sure?”

“I’m sure.”

They reached an agreement. A palace servant reported back: “Lord Wei, His Highness the Crown Prince says this winter hunt is meant to show the envoy delegation how talented our court is. Lord Wei shouldn’t waste energy challenging someone from our own side.”

In other words, the Crown Prince didn’t support their match.

Wei Lingze insisted: “My stamina is fine. I can fight Lord Shen and then Xuanyuan Lang without issue. If Lord Shen is afraid, he can concede now.”

Shen Qingyuan said nothing, just exhaled softly.

The palace messenger: “……”

Clearly, neither of them had listened to a word of the Crown Prince’s advice.