TSWRLM -Chapter 29 Master Shen Is Dead

Chun Xi and Shen Qingyuan checked into the inn under the pretense of being a couple.

There was only one room and one bed.

Since Shen Qingyuan was injured, Chun Xi instinctively rolled out a straw mat on the floor.

Seeing this, Shen Qingyuan said, “You sleep on the bed. I’ll take the floor.”

Chun Xi quickly lay down on the mat: “At a time like this, sir, don’t be polite. Besides, when I was a servant at the Wei household, I had to sleep on the couch keeping watch. A straw mat is nothing.”

Moreover, she now owed her life to Master Shen; asking for his help in the future would be much easier.

Her hair was still loose, giving her a softer, more feminine air. Yet she crossed her right leg over her left, tapping her toes casually—no trace of a shy young lady.

Shen Qingyuan, however, couldn’t stop recalling the moment in the alley when she had clung to his shoulder and leaned close.

At that time, the situation had been critical, and they hadn’t been able to worry about propriety.

Now that he thought back, their bodies had been nearly pressed together.

So soft.

Shen Qingyuan pressed his lips together, tensing his body; the pain from his wound flared, yet the memory of her softness seemed imprinted on his chest through his clothes.

“Cough, cough.”

He covered his mouth and coughed lightly, dispelling the distracting thoughts, then asked in a gentle voice, “How did you end up in Yuxian?”

Hearing this, Chun Xi sat upright, fully alert, and began recounting Wei Lingze’s schemes in detail.

“Ever since that Young Master Liu started currying favor with my family, I felt something was off. I thought it was Madam Wei or Madam Xiao who didn’t want me, but I didn’t expect it to be such a convoluted plan by Wei Lingze to make me his concubine. His family is wealthy, he’s handsome, and he’s about to marry a beautiful wife. If he succeeds, who would believe I’m innocent?”

If that happened, she’d be trapped in mud, a disgrace in everyone’s eyes.

Her entire life would be marked by shame.

Anger flared in Chun Xi’s eyes.

Shen Qingyuan’s gaze flickered slightly.

As a man, he could understand Wei Lingze’s mindset.

When Chun Xi had been a servant in the Wei household, she had been compliant and submissive. Outside of it, she was like a fish in water—so lively and spirited.

Such vitality, combined with the stark contrast from her previous demeanor, made it nearly impossible for anyone to let her go easily.

After a brief silence, Shen Qingyuan asked, “What do you plan to do after you return?”

Chun Xi’s anger immediately subsided.

She had managed to strip Liu Fengyuan and the coachman, hire people to set off firecrackers against Wei Lingze’s men, and stir up chaos at home with her mother—but against Wei Lingze himself, she had no leverage.

The disparity in status was too great.

Not only could she not retaliate, she needed to quickly find someone capable of protecting her in marriage, to prevent Wei Lingze from scheming again.

The world had never been fair.

She lay back down, hands behind her head, legs crossed, and said, “Arms can’t twist legs. I can only hope my father manifests his spirit tonight and smites the Wei family ancestral tomb to warn those unworthy descendants.”

With that thought, Chun Xi pulled the blanket over herself and closed her eyes.

She hoped her father would send her a dream tonight so she could properly report Wei Lingze’s crimes.

After the room settled into silence, Chun Xi heard Shen Qingyuan ask, “Why don’t you ask why I was being hunted yet didn’t go to the authorities?”

Without opening her eyes, Chun Xi replied firmly, “Sir, you must be here to solve a case. I know nothing. I’ll follow your lead.”

Her words were filled with trust.

Shen Qingyuan curled his lips and said gently, “The Ye family mother and son were murdered by hired assassins. The killers didn’t flee immediately; they left clues to lure me here, intending to kill me as well.”

“…Sir, didn’t you say before that life-and-death cases shouldn’t be spoken of casually? Am I supposed to hear this?”

Chun Xi shut her eyes tighter, unwilling to pry further, but Shen Qingyuan continued: “The abduction of a government family’s son involves more than ten deaths. That would anger the emperor already. But if the investigating officer is killed too, it becomes no ordinary case.”

If he died, this case would stir a storm of blood and chaos in Hanjing. Solving it would be a major accomplishment, with promotions and honors to follow.

Chun Xi understood the implied meaning.

She had been secretly pleased to have saved Shen Qingyuan but now felt worry creeping in.

Was she about to be entangled in a world-shaking conspiracy, risking her life in the process?

Unable to resist, Chun Xi opened her eyes: “Sir, will the assassins come again? Should we leave tonight?”

“As long as they believe I’m dead, we’ll be safe. The mastermind behind this will also reveal themselves.”

Shen Qingyuan’s calmness reassured Chun Xi, and she nodded: “Fortune favors the righteous. Nothing will happen to you.”

The next morning, after breakfast, Chun Xi followed Shen Qingyuan’s instructions, carrying his blood-stained clothes out of the city to stage the murder scene, then paid people to report it to the authorities in Yuxian.

Within half a day, news of Shen Qingyuan’s death during the investigation reached Hanjing.

The emperor was furious, berating the court officials relentlessly.

Li Mingde, governor of Jingzhao, was trembling in fear.

Since Shen Qingyuan had taken charge of such criminal cases in the capital, Li Mingde only had to stamp the final reports. Now Shen Qingyuan was dead—why hadn’t the emperor transferred the case to the Court of Justice? Why must it be solved within ten days?

Li Mingde had no clue how to proceed. Would the culprit be executed in ten days?

Sweat dripped from his forehead as Wei Lingze arrived, presenting all the recent leads he had gathered.

Li Mingde’s eyes lit up.

He had forgotten the presence of this esteemed Wei family heir. The second young master had fought on battlefields and killed enemies—if not for his three-year paralysis, who knew what glory he would have had? The emperor had left this case to Jingzhao specifically for him to showcase his talents.

Li Mingde immediately granted Wei Lingze full authority to investigate.

Envisioning Wei Lingze’s rise, he patted him on the shoulder: “Little Wei, let me know what you need. I’ll find a way to help. Just one thing: protect yourself and take no unnecessary risks.”

The Qingyuan marquisate had long declined. Shen Qingyuan’s death was unfortunate, but Wei Lingze, the legitimate heir of the Wei family and soon-to-be grandson-in-law of the Xiao family, must not falter.

“Thank you for your trust, sir. I won’t fail you,” Wei Lingze replied.

Li Mingde nodded repeatedly, his mind at ease. As long as Wei Lingze had confidence in solving the case, his own position was safe.

After receiving orders, Wei Lingze left the government office. The boatman waiting outside approached quietly:

“Master, our people haven’t found Miss Chun Xi, and Liu Fengyuan is missing too.”

Wei Lingze’s previously raised eyebrows sank. He didn’t think Chun Xi had run off on her own. After a moment of thought, he headed to the Xiao household.

Passing the front courtyard, he heard crying: “Sister-in-law, how could Yuan’er be gone at such a young age?”

A loud slap followed, then Madam Xiao’s firm voice: “The body hasn’t even been found. Why are you mourning?”

Wei Lingze’s steps faltered.

Why would Madam Xiao care so much about Shen Qingyuan?