TSWRLM -Chapter 34 The Ancestral Tomb Exploded

Inside the room, Shen Qingyuan and Wei Lingze sat facing each other.

Shen Qingyuan was still injured, his hair loose, wearing a light green outer robe that hung loosely. The collar wasn’t tightly fastened, and from a higher vantage point, the firmness of his muscles could be faintly seen. Compared to usual, he exuded a slightly more casual and unrestrained air.

Wei Lingze, sitting opposite him, was in full official attire, his expression stern. Having not slept all night, his eyes were bloodshot—less noble, more fierce.

As soon as Chun Xi entered, Wei Lingze turned his head sharply toward her.

His gaze was fierce, radiating sheer pressure.

It was as if he wanted to crush Chun Xi into kneeling immediately.

Chun Xi, seemingly unfazed, straightened her back and walked to stand before the two men.

Before Wei Lingze could speak, Shen Qingyuan spoke first: “Did you sleep well last night?”

“Thank you for your concern, Master. I slept very well. Are you still running a fever today?”

“Just a little, but it’s nothing serious.”

“I knew it! Someone as good as you surely wouldn’t have any real trouble.”

Chun Xi relaxed, smiling.

Their conversation flowed naturally. While not intimate, there was mutual concern.

Wei Lingze’s face darkened further, feeling completely ignored.

For the past three years, it was he whom Chun Xi had cared for so diligently. By any standard, she should belong to him.

Shen Qingyuan had only known her briefly—what right did he have to compare with him?

Wei Lingze’s gaze was almost tangible, but Chun Xi couldn’t pretend not to see it. She respectfully bowed: “Lord Wei.”

Her tone was much more formal and distant than before.

Wei Lingze could not contain his fury. He stood up with a swipe: “The case is urgent. I’ll take her first.”

Almost at the same moment, Qing Shu appeared, stepping into the room to stand before Chun Xi.

Wei Lingze’s expression hardened as he glared at Shen Qingyuan: “Are you obstructing the investigation?”

Shen Qingyuan’s expression was calm: “Whether it’s the Jingzhao Prefecture or the Dali Court, investigations follow the law. Miss Chun Xi saved me in a life-threatening situation and cared for me attentively. Lord Wei, you expect to take my life-saving benefactor with just your words—under which law is that permitted?”

“She’s a young woman. Appearing suddenly in Yuxian at night and coincidentally saving Master Shen—doesn’t that strike you as strange?”

“Not strange. She is free to go wherever she wants. Now that I owe her my life, unless Lord Wei can present concrete evidence, no one can take her away.”

Though still feverish, Shen Qingyuan’s face was pale and his voice hoarse. The words lacked his usual commanding tone, yet they carried undeniable authority.

He was making it crystal clear to Wei Lingze:

Chun Xi is under my protection!

Chun Xi blinked, feeling Shen Qingyuan radiate a sort of inner light.

So this is what having a strong backing feels like—it was exhilarating.

She decided then and there: she would serve Master Shen delicious food for life, and if he ever faced hardship or needed someone to raise his child, she would risk everything to help.

Chun Xi’s eyes were full of admiration for Shen Qingyuan. For Wei Lingze, it felt like a sharp dagger stabbing his heart.

For three years, when he had been paralyzed in bed, Chun Xi had been his only source of warmth and strength. Now that he no longer needed her support, he would not allow anyone to take her from him.

“What if I insist on taking her?”

Wei Lingze drew his sword, pointing it directly at Shen Qingyuan.

Chun Xi instinctively stepped forward to block him, but Shen Qingyuan reached out and stopped her: “Don’t be afraid. He won’t dare hurt me.”

Shen Qingyuan’s voice was firm, and his gaze toward Wei Lingze held no fear, only a hint of challenge.

Looking for trouble!

Dark emotions surged in Wei Lingze’s heart. He genuinely wanted to strike Shen Qingyuan dead.

But as his wrist moved, a soft voice interrupted: “Lord Wei, you must not.”

Xiao Qinghe had appeared at Wei Lingze’s side, firmly taking the sword from his hand.

She knew how highly her grandparents regarded Shen Qingyuan. Once she married Wei Lingze, Shen Qingyuan’s seniority would surpass him—he could not threaten him with a sword.

Xiao Qinghe’s intervention restored Wei Lingze’s rationality.

This was the Xiao household; he could not harm Shen Qingyuan.

A man who had achieved nothing in ten years should have been insignificant, yet Madam Xiao valued him so highly, even enough to compete for him—while he was powerless.

This sense of helplessness irritated Wei Lingze greatly.

It reminded him of when he was first paralyzed—everything out of control, heading in unpredictable directions.

Though some of the killing intent faded, his aura was still wild. Xiao Qinghe wanted to say something more when Xingzhou suddenly reported: “Young Master, bad news!”

“What happened?”

Xiao Qinghe quickly asked.

She was about to become the First Madam of the Wei family. Xingzhou hesitated, then spoke truthfully: “The old master’s tomb exploded!”

“…”???

Even composed Xiao Qinghe was momentarily stunned.

What exploded?

Wei Lingze’s expression changed abruptly. He abandoned the idea of taking Chun Xi and rushed back immediately.

Prominent families had dedicated burial grounds for their ancestors, guarded meticulously. Any sudden trouble at the ancestral tomb was a very bad omen.

In the blink of an eye, Wei Lingze had left the courtyard. Xiao Qinghe snapped back to attention and quickly followed, returning the sword to him: “I know you’re under immense pressure with the investigation, Lord Wei, but it’s precisely at times like this that one must act carefully.”

Her gaze was gentle, and Wei Lingze’s fiery temper gradually subsided. He sheathed the sword and embraced her briefly: “Don’t worry. Everything will be fine. I’ll come to marry you.”

He let go immediately. Xiao Qinghe didn’t send him off, her fingers curling slightly.

Lord Wei had just pointed his sword at Uncle Shen for Chun Xi’s sake. If she hadn’t arrived in time, would the sword have already pierced Shen Qingyuan?

Previously, she had reminded herself how much her grandparents liked Shen Qingyuan. Did Wei Lingze even think of her for a moment before drawing the sword?

Xiao Qinghe couldn’t help but feel conflicted. Chun Xi also felt conflicted.

She couldn’t help glancing at Shen Qingyuan again and again.

Shen Qingyuan’s expression was as usual—pale but upright and dignified.

But the Wei family’s old master’s tomb had exploded.

At the inn in Yuxian, Chun Xi had jokingly wished her father could strike the Wei ancestral tomb—but over all these years, he hadn’t.

Shen Qingyuan radiated righteousness, yet the first time she met him, he had secretly exhumed a corpse in the name of investigating a case. Could this time…

Thinking this, Chun Xi looked at Shen Qingyuan again.

Coincidentally, he was looking back at her.

His gaze was deep, dark, and unreadable.

Chun Xi froze, then instinctively forced a smile.

No, no, Master Shen is such an upright man—there’s no way he secretly had someone blow up a tomb.

She tried to dismiss the thought, but the next moment, Shen Qingyuan said: “No need to guess. I had it done myself. I’m not as perfect as you think.”

!!!

After a moment of shock, Chun Xi regained her composure and solemnly said to Shen Qingyuan: “Master, from today onward, I, Cao Chun Xi, will not allow anyone to speak ill of you—and that includes yourself.”

Her father might not show divine power, but Master Shen did.

Master Shen couldn’t be better than this!