TSWRLM -Chapter 25 Ye Er Encounters Trouble

Chun Xi’s engagement cancellation was smoothly resolved, and Cao Wen was able to enroll in Qingfeng Academy. The next morning, after breakfast, Cao Wu returned to the workshop to work.

As soon as he left, Madam Wang couldn’t wait to grill Chun Xi.

When she heard that Chun Xi had spent 320 taels of silver to buy a shop, her heart nearly bled.

“How much did Madam Wei give you as a reward? You just spent over three hundred taels! Do you really think you’re some rich lady now?”

Spending so recklessly—how would she ever run a business without losing money?

Madam Wang had decided she would have to control these finances.

Before she could even speak, Chun Xi said calmly, “No matter how much Madam Wei gave me, it was given to me. Mother, you yourself signed an agreement long ago saying you wouldn’t ask me for even a coin. If you’ve forgotten, I can call Uncle Zhang and Aunt Li over to remind you.”

Madam Wang was momentarily speechless, then muttered angrily under her breath, “That girl… you deliberately tricked me into writing that! I’m your own mother, I can’t just watch you squander money!”

Chun Xi corrected her calmly, “I’m spending my own money, not the family’s.”

“What do you mean your own? You’re not married yet—everything you have belongs to the family.”

Madam Wang raised her voice, her expression stern, trying to intimidate Chun Xi.

Chun Xi, uninterested in arguing, turned and headed outside, calling as she walked, “Aunt Li, are you home?”

Madam Wang’s face changed; she hurried forward and covered Chun Xi’s mouth.

“Eh, I’m home. Chun Xi, what’s the matter?”

Aunt Li responded quickly, her tone tinged with anticipation.

Ever since Chun Xi returned to the Cao household, life had been lively every day. Though it wasn’t her concern, Aunt Li couldn’t help but feel life had become more enjoyable.

Madam Wang could still scare Chun Xi a little, but she couldn’t let others know she was being harsh with her own daughter. She quickly answered, “Nothing, this girl is just playing around. I’ll teach her a lesson myself.”

Madam Wang pulled Chun Xi back into the house, but faced with Chun Xi’s fearless gaze, she could only sulk quietly.

Two days later, Chun Xi took Cao Wen to Qingfeng Academy to complete his enrollment and then went to Zhaixing Tower to reserve a private room.

On the twenty-ninth, Chun Xi arrived early at Zhaixing Tower with Cao Wen.

It was Cao Wen’s first time in such a fine restaurant. Curious, he looked around but clutched Chun Xi’s sleeve tightly, afraid of being left behind.

“Sister, dining here must be expensive. Do we have enough money? Mother would scold us to death if she knew!”

Cao Wen frowned, worry written all over his little face.

Chun Xi tapped him lightly between the eyebrows. “Don’t worry. Sister will handle everything. You focus on reviewing what Master taught you these past few days. Master Shen will be testing you soon.”

At the mention of being tested, Cao Wen grew nervous and focused entirely on that.

Before long, Shen Qingyuan arrived.

He wore a simple sky-blue regular robe. The fabric wasn’t especially expensive, but his broad shoulders and narrow waist, tall frame, and neat bearing made him immediately striking.

“Master, you’re here!”

Chun Xi quickly stood to pour tea for Shen Qingyuan, and Cao Wen also stood. “Thank you, Master Shen, for recommending a student to Qingfeng Academy. I… I will study diligently and not let your effort go to waste.”

Madam Wang had always reminded Cao Wen not to fight at school; since the family was poor, they couldn’t afford to pay for injuries. Cao Wen’s temperament had been raised somewhat timidly, and his face flushed red after speaking.

Shen Qingyuan asked him a few simple questions. Though he answered hesitantly, he got them all correct.

“Very good. You’ve been studying earnestly.”

Shen Qingyuan’s praise made Cao Wen’s eyes light up; he smiled shyly. His sister really hadn’t lied—Master Shen was indeed a great man.

Chun Xi had already ordered the dishes. Soon after Shen Qingyuan arrived, the food was served.

To show her gratitude, Chun Xi toasted Shen Qingyuan three times.

She had a decent tolerance for alcohol, and her toasts were well-practiced.

Shen Qingyuan raised an eyebrow, and Chun Xi quickly explained, “My father was a bodyguard. He often took me out with the others in the escort agency. I’ve seen a lot, so I learned a few things myself.”

Whenever she mentioned her father, Chun Xi’s pride shone.

Shen Qingyuan’s eyes flickered. Following the topic, Chun Xi immediately launched into stories from her childhood.

She was small but ambitious. Before she could even reach her father’s knees, she insisted on learning to ride horses. One day, when her father wasn’t watching, she sneaked into the stables at the escort agency and almost got trampled.

Later, after learning some martial arts, she wanted to assert herself. The first to suffer was her older brother—she forced him to call her “Little Queen,” then that very night ate a scolding from her mother along with bamboo shoot stir-fry.

Chun Xi recounted the stories vividly, exaggerating her expressions. Shen Qingyuan laughed softly several times.

Cao Wen listened, wide-eyed.

His sister had always seemed so formidable!

Thanks to Chun Xi, the meal was lighthearted and fun. But midway through, someone knocked on the door. Before Chun Xi could rise to answer, the door was forcefully kicked open.

Wood chips flew as officials dressed in dark-blue, sparrow-feather uniforms stood in two lines at the doorway. Wei Lingze, wearing official robes, stepped inside.

Chun Xi, caught in a lively moment, had one leg propped on a stool, sleeves rolled up, smiling—an expression Wei Lingze had never seen at the Wei household.

A dark glint flashed in Wei Lingze’s eyes, but he did not seize Chun Xi as before. Instead, he turned to Shen Qingyuan:

“Madam Ye and Young Master Ye of the Ye family were ambushed on their way home. It’s a serious matter. I was sent to request that Master Shen return to the office immediately to investigate.”

In just a few days, Wei Lingze’s aura had grown even colder.

He spoke strictly professionally, but Shen Qingyuan clearly felt his hostility.

Was it because of Chun Xi?

Even as the door was knocked, Shen Qingyuan suppressed a smile. He lifted his gaze at Wei Lingze and coldly reminded him, “For matters of life and death, Master Wei, you should not casually mention them outside.”

“Master Shen is correct.”

Wei Lingze responded to Shen Qingyuan’s words, but his tone carried a sharp edge. Before Shen Qingyuan could speak, he ordered in a low voice: “Men, escort Master Shen’s friend home!”

As soon as he spoke, officials stepped in. Cao Wen, terrified, threw himself into Chun Xi’s arms. Shen Qingyuan slammed his cup on the table, and the official who had approached Chun Xi immediately stopped.

“Qing Shu.”

Shen Qingyuan called out. Qing Shu, who had been guarding the door, drew his sword and rushed in, positioning himself in front of Shen Qingyuan.

“With me here, don’t you dare touch a single hair on my Master!”

Chun Xi: “……”

Big brother Qing Shu, perhaps you should take another look—are you sure it’s Shen Qingyuan they’re after, and not us siblings?