TSWRLM -Chapter 26 He Has Long Admired Her

Shen Qingyuan returned to the office with Wei Lingze, while Chun Xi and Cao Wen arrived safely at home under Qing Shu’s escort.

Knowing Shen Qingyuan would be very busy in the days ahead, Chun Xi immediately baked some flatbreads and meat pies and sent them over.

In case Master Shen got caught up in work and lost track of time, the breads could be quickly heated and eaten, and they were easy to carry.

Chun Xi only delivered the breads and didn’t pry, but the next day she still learned the news.

Ye Er and Madam Ye were dead.

Their belongings had been completely looted, and all the accompanying guards, maids, and elderly attendants were also slaughtered.

White banners and lanterns were hung at the Ye family gate.

The Emperor was furious.

Under the sovereign’s rule, a major case had occurred claiming more than ten lives, including the family members of court officials—an outright defiance of the law, a brazen act!

The Emperor demanded that the culprits be caught within half a month. Hundreds of officials in Jingzhao Prefecture poured all their effort into the case. Search parties and investigators could be seen everywhere in the city, and the populace was thrown into panic.

Fearing trouble, Chun Xi told Qing Shu she would stay home to practice the abacus in peace.

Within two days, Matchmaker Zhang arrived again.

Madam Wang, unaware of how much money Chun Xi now held, still wore a sour expression when she saw her.

Matchmaker Zhang assumed Madam Wang was upset about the Zhou family affair and kept apologizing:

“Dear sister, I truly didn’t realize before—Zhou Qin, such a scholar, could be so petty. I feel terribly guilty. This time, I’ve found a truly good match for Chun Xi in your family.”

A truly good match?

Chun Xi now had a shop and who knew how much silver in hand. Whoever married her would be gaining, not losing.

Madam Wang stayed silent with a stern face. Matchmaker Zhang didn’t mind and pressed on warmly:

“This young man is only twenty-one. Not only is he handsome, but he’s the son of a wealthy family. He’s willing to offer five hundred taels of silver to marry Chun Xi.”

Five hundred taels—enough to marry the daughter of a government official.

Could Chun Xi really be worth that much?

Madam Wang’s suspicion was just rising when Matchmaker Zhang sighed:

“This young man truly admires Chun Xi. It’s just that his grandmother is gravely ill. The family urges him to return to Qingzhou at the end of the month to hold the wedding and celebrate. If his grandmother recovers, he may have to stay in Qingzhou for another two to three years. The generous betrothal gifts are just compensation.”

Ah, so it’s all about tending to elders.

Madam Wang dismissed her doubts but felt a tinge of melancholy.

The wedding was to be held at the end of the month in Qingzhou—she wouldn’t even see Chun Xi get married.

But Chun Xi had rarely been home in recent years and had grown rebellious. Madam Wang’s melancholy soon faded.

A grown daughter can’t be kept at home; Chun Xi didn’t even regard her mother anymore, so it didn’t matter to witness her marriage.

Besides, if Chun Xi were to stay in Qingzhou for two or three years, someone would have to manage the shop she owned.

Madam Wang’s thoughts turned, and she glanced at Chun Xi.

Realizing that Madam Wang had basically consented, Matchmaker Zhang hurriedly urged Chun Xi:

“Chun Xi, trust me once more. If you meet Young Master Liu and don’t like him, I’ll immediately return the matchmaker’s fee to your mother.”

If the matchmaker was offering to return money, Young Master Liu must be quite handsome.

Chun Xi, however, refused outright: “Thank you, Aunt, but I don’t want to marry far away.”

“This isn’t marrying far at all. Young Master Liu’s home is in Hanjing. Only his grandmother is in his hometown for recuperation—the wedding will just be held there. If you’re dissatisfied, we can hold another wedding when he returns from Qingzhou.”

Matchmaker Zhang, eager to see the marriage through, clasped Chun Xi’s hands earnestly:

“Chun Xi, let me be honest. The Liu family is offering such a generous dowry. Many would want their daughters to marry him. If I hadn’t felt I owed you from before, I wouldn’t have come to you first. If you refuse Young Master Liu, I don’t know where else to find such a match for you.”

“I will always remember your kindness, Aunt, but I’m timid. I can’t go so far as Qingzhou. Please give this good match to another girl.”

Chun Xi’s tone was soft, but her stance firm.

Matchmaker Zhang tried a long list of arguments, but Chun Xi still refused, and she stormed off angrily.

Madam Wang shot Chun Xi a look: “Seeing him once won’t make you lose anything. By offending him, how will you find someone else in the future?”

Chun Xi replied calmly: “I can’t go to Qingzhou. Why waste time on something that won’t work?”

Chun Xi refused completely. She thought she wouldn’t cross paths with this Young Master Liu again, yet the next day, he came to their house.

Accompanying him was the injured Cao Wu.

“I was moving timber into the city when officials inspected. The horses were startled, and falling timber hit my leg. Fortunately, Young Master Liu sent me to the clinic in time to bandage it. Mother, please thank him properly.”

“My son! How did you get hurt like this? Does it hurt?”

Madam Wang clutched Cao Wu, sobbing, paying no attention to Young Master Liu. It was Chun Xi who handed silver to Young Master Liu to thank him.

“It was nothing, miss. You don’t need to be so formal. I’d like to speak with you privately for a moment, if I may.”

Young Master Liu was handsome and dignified. Though from a merchant family, he was polite and refined, making people feel at ease and hard to refuse.

Chun Xi followed him out of the yard. At the alley’s mouth, Young Master Liu said: “My family trades in tung oil. Four years ago, when I delivered oil to the Wei household, I met you, and you gave me a bowl of sweet water.”

Four years ago, Chun Xi had no status in the Wei household—she had only been a lowly maid in the kitchen.

The Wei household treated everyone well. When goods arrived, the kitchen would serve a bowl of sweet water.

Chun Xi had served many people in this way and had no special memory of Young Master Liu, but Young Master Liu seemed lost in a beautiful memory.

“People think merchants are lowly. I also belittled myself. That day, drinking the sweet water you gave me, I straightened my spine and learned to live upright.”

“…So you straightened your spine for four years, and now, only because it’s time to marry, you decide to woo me?”

Chun Xi was unmoved. Calmly, she said: “Everyone delivering things to the Wei family received a bowl of sweet water. You’re no exception. It wasn’t my kindness—it was Madam Ye’s mercy.”

Young Master Liu paused, then shook his head: “No, not just the sweet water. That day, the way you looked at me was different… like… like stars in the sky!”

Excitedly, he stepped closer: “Miss Chun Xi, I have admired you for a long time. I know you bought a shop and want to run a business yourself. I can teach you. Don’t worry, I won’t make you stay in Qingzhou.”

Chun Xi curled her lips and smiled distantly: “I already have a master teaching me. There’s no need to trouble Young Master Liu.”

Chun Xi refused politely but firmly, yet Young Master Liu was unusually persistent—he would not be denied.