TSWRLM -Chapter 30 Strong Hints

“Isn’t Jingzhao Prefecture very busy recently? How does Young Master Wei have time to come see me?”

With the wedding approaching, Xiao Qinghe had been preparing for her marriage at home, so she was naturally surprised when Wei Lingze arrived.

Wei Lingze handed her a box of pastries: “Master Shen had an accident while investigating a case. Now the governor has ordered me to fully investigate it. I’ll be extremely busy in the coming days, so I came early to see you.”

Xiao Qinghe’s eyes curved into a faint smile: “Young Master Wei, I understand your duties are pressing.”

She was always sensible and never indulged in romantic attachments or sought lingering affection.

Besides, they would soon be married and living together. Missing a few meetings during this time was not a big deal.

Wei Lingze could see no unusual expression on Xiao Qinghe’s face. He didn’t dare ask about Chun Xi’s whereabouts and, after a brief pause, said, “Earlier, passing the front courtyard, I heard Madam Xiao’s scolding. She seems to care a great deal about Master Shen.”

Xiao Qinghe nodded: “Grandfather adored Great-Grandmother, but she died young. He transferred all that love to Uncle Shen. Grandmother must have extended her affection to him as well.”

Shen Qingyuan was more than ten years older than Xiao Qinghe, so calling him “Uncle” came naturally. Wei Lingze frowned, recalling that Shen Qingyuan had been very close to Chun Xi.

In front of Chun Xi, this man had shown no trace of being an elder.

After a few more casual words, Wei Lingze left.

No sooner had he gone than Xiao Qingyue came in excitedly: “Sister, good news! That Chun Xi married a wealthy merchant and went to Qingzhou. She’ll never bother your eyes again.”

Xiao Qinghe frowned. Before she could scold, Xiao Qingyue continued: “You only forbid me to spy on my brother-in-law, not others.”

Last time Chun Xi had come to the house, not only had she escaped unharmed, she also got Mo Yun punished. Xiao Qingyue had wanted to take the opportunity to get rid of Chun Xi, but now Chun Xi had already gone to Qingzhou with a merchant.

She escaped fast.

Recalling Chun Xi’s last appearance, Xiao Qingyue couldn’t help but say: “Her looks are plain, her manners rough, not even comparable to a strand of your hair. Your husband will surely forget her soon. No need to worry.”

Xiao Qinghe smiled, gently ruffling Xiao Qingyue’s head: “I won’t mind. Don’t waste thoughts on such things. It wouldn’t be proper if others found out.”

A young unmarried sister-in-law meddling in her brother-in-law’s affairs was certainly inappropriate.

Xiao Qingyue clung to Xiao Qinghe’s arm and coquettishly said, “Let them know! I have a bad temper. If anyone makes you suffer, I’ll make them pay!”

While Wei Lingze had just left the Xiao household, Madam Mo returned to the Qingyuan Marquisate.

Having been the lady of the mansion for years, she was furious after receiving a slap from Madam Xiao. Once home, she immediately hung white banners and arranged Master Shen’s funeral.

No matter how powerful that old lady was, she couldn’t interfere with the Marquisate, could she?

News of the secret mourning hall in Qingyuan Marquisate soon reached Madam Xiao, who angrily smashed her teapot: “I knew she had ill intentions! Shen Yuan’er’s body hasn’t even been found, and she’s waiting for him to die to make space for her son!”

“Madam, please calm down. Master Shen has handled many cases in Jingzhao Prefecture and faced countless vicious criminals. He will be fine,” a maid tried to soothe her, but Madam Xiao’s chest remained tight with anger.

The blood-stained clothes found by the authorities had a long cut across the waist and abdomen. Even if he wasn’t dead, the injuries were severe. If not treated promptly, how could he survive?

Madam Xiao was frustrated. As she was about to lie down under the maid’s urging, a servant entered carrying something.

Madam Xiao stiffened and hurriedly said: “Bring him in immediately!”

——

Although the golden wound medicine on Shen Qingyuan was prepared by the Imperial Hospital, it was not a miracle cure.

When Chun Xi returned to the inn after gathering information, she found him running a high fever and already in a coma. She bought anti-inflammatory and fever-reducing medicine from a pharmacy and carefully prepared it, but Shen Qingyuan, lips tightly sealed, refused to take it.

“Master Shen, I’m sorry.”

As Chun Xi prepared to pry open his mouth, Shen Qingyuan suddenly opened his eyes.

Feverish, his eyes were slightly red and glistening. Gone was his usual cold, commanding presence; now he seemed weak and ill.

“Master, hang on. You have a fever. The medicine is ready; drink it before sleeping,” Chun Xi said, supporting him so he could lean against her, while holding the medicine to his lips.

Her movements were smooth and practiced. Shen Qingyuan, not fully awake yet, drank an entire bowl in one go.

The bitter taste spread in his mouth; he coughed lightly, and Chun Xi quickly patted his back: “This medicine is expensive. Once you drink it, you’ll recover quickly.”

Then she popped a piece of candied fruit into his mouth.

Chun Xi moved quickly, but Shen Qingyuan clearly felt her lips press against his.

Perhaps because of the fever, her fingertips felt cool, like cold jade.

The sweetness overcame the bitterness of the medicine, spreading on his tongue.

Shen Qingyuan couldn’t help but ask, “Do you feed Wei Lingze like this too?”

“More or less,” Chun Xi nodded. “At that time, he couldn’t move, and no one could get close. I had to feed him myself. But he doesn’t like candied fruit, so I usually ate it myself while preparing his medicine.”

Whether Wei Lingze truly didn’t mind bitterness or was pretending, Chun Xi didn’t know. But she herself disliked bitterness and didn’t want Shen Qingyuan to suffer, so she gave him the candy directly.

“Thank you,” Shen Qingyuan said, savoring the taste.

At his age, it was the first time anyone had fed him candied fruit.

His face remained pale, and Chun Xi didn’t mention the Marquisate secretly preparing his funeral. She only said: “The county magistrate sent people to search for you and pursue the assassins. We should be safe now. Rest more, Master. I’ll stay here and call you if anything happens.”

She sat quietly on the floor.

She didn’t speak or read to pass the time, simply sitting, like she had for over a thousand days and nights in the past three years—quiet, patient, composed.

Just waking, Shen Qingyuan wasn’t sleepy. He stared at Chun Xi’s side profile for a moment before speaking: “Although you escaped this time, Wei Lingze won’t give up easily. He has many ways to prevent you from marrying.”

So she needed to find a husband willing to marry her and strong enough to oppose Wei Lingze.

Shen Qingyuan’s gaze carried obvious encouragement, very much like the last time he subtly suggested Chun Xi seek his help.

Hope rose in Chun Xi’s heart. She met his eyes and asked expectantly: “Master, does Elder Brother Qing Shu have a marriage arrangement?”

Shen Qingyuan: “……”