TSWRLM -Chapter 354 Being with My Husband, Every Day Is Happy

Early the next morning, Shen Qingyuan accompanied Chun Xi to the cemetery on the outskirts of the city.

They had just visited with An’an and Ning’er at the start of the year, so the weeds hadn’t grown back yet. Shen Qingyuan lit incense and candles, and began burning paper money.

Chun Xi first updated her late father-in-law on her recent life, then read aloud the letter written by Cao Wen.

As soon as she finished, she heard Cao Wu exclaim with surprise, “Wasn’t A-Wen supposed to be exiled? How is he studying in Qingzhou and even passed the Xiucai exam?”

Cao Wu had come with his whole family. Madam Wang was carrying Zheng’er at the back, and she was equally shocked and overjoyed by the news of Cao Wen.

Originally, Chun Xi had planned to wait until Cao Wen returned to the capital to tell them, but now that they had heard, she didn’t hide it and calmly explained, “He wasn’t exiled. I just thought that the affairs in Hanjing were too distracting for him and would prevent him from studying properly. So I cut off his contact with home for a while, sent him to Qingzhou to focus on his studies, and also to grow independently.”

Cao Wen, so young, had already passed the Xiucai exam, proving Chun Xi’s decision was the right one.

Cao Wu was overjoyed and said repeatedly, “A-Wen never seemed like someone who would study at home. Thanks to your foresight, Chun Xi, his talent wasn’t wasted. Father in heaven must be very happy. But Chun Xi, you really are good at keeping things secret—our mother must have cried countless tears over A-Wen these past two years.”

It wasn’t just tears—Cao Wen’s supposed exile had been a constant worry for Madam Wang.

When the trouble first happened, she scolded Chun Xi at home every day, but Chun Xi never returned to her family and only focused on living a good life with Shen Qingyuan. Over time, Madam Wang grew tired of scolding and began blaming herself instead.

She thought it was all her fault. If she hadn’t been greedy for wealth and sent Cao Wen to the marquis’s house, he wouldn’t have been manipulated and faced exile.

During the New Year, she was worried about Cao Wen still serving exile. After falling ill post-New Year, she had only recently recovered, still looking frail.

Now, learning that Cao Wen’s exile was false, that he had been sent to Qingzhou to study, and had even successfully passed the Xiucai exam—her tears and anger over the past two years suddenly seemed laughable.

In the past, she might have been furious, pointing fingers and scolding Chun Xi. But now, she didn’t even have the courage to look Chun Xi in the eye.

She had always believed that as a mother, she deserved respect from her children, and whatever she said or did was right. Anyone like Chun Xi, unfilial and disrespectful, should have been punished by heaven.

But now the truth was clear: she was not a good mother and couldn’t guide her children.

Chun Xi was the one who was right.

Madam Wang didn’t dare respond. Chun Xi ignored Cao Wu’s chatter and instead asked, “Brother, why did you suddenly want to come visit Father today?”

Cao Wu pulled Madam Qian over, smiling: “Your sister-in-law is pregnant again. I came to tell Father so he could be happy too.”

Madam Qian’s head injury had mostly healed. When the Qian family found out, they had caused some trouble at the Cao residence again, but she had already seen through them and didn’t let them take advantage. Her relationship with Cao Wu was now even better than before.

Seeing Chun Xi, Madam Qian felt both grateful and embarrassed. She said shyly, “Thanks to Chun Xi’s help, Brother Wu and I were able to reconcile. I’ve made two new outfits these past few days. If you don’t mind, I’ll have Brother Wu send them to An’an and Ning’er someday.”

Madam Qian’s embroidery had always been excellent. Previously, she earned money to support the household through her work, and later, while working as a wet nurse in the Grand Tutor’s residence, her embroidery had been neglected. Now she had taken it up again.

Even though Cao Wu’s shop was doing well, she couldn’t just be idle all day.

Her transformation was visible to all. Chun Xi didn’t refuse and happily replied, “Please thank sister-in-law for An’an and Ning’er. But since you’re pregnant, don’t overwork yourself. You should rest more.”

Chun Xi’s attitude toward Madam Qian hadn’t changed because of past events; she genuinely cared, and Madam Qian nodded repeatedly, touched: “I know, Chun Xi. Thank you, truly thank you.”

After exchanging further pleasantries, Chun Xi and Cao Wu bowed to Cao Father, then left first with Shen Qingyuan.

Once they were gone, Cao Wu couldn’t help asking Madam Wang, “Mother, A-Wen wasn’t exiled. Chun Xi even sent him to Qingzhou to study, and now he’s passed the Xiucai exam. What a great opportunity! Why didn’t you admit your mistake and soften toward Chun Xi?”

Madam Qian urged, “Yes, Mother, Chun Xi has a sharp tongue but a soft heart. She may rarely return to her natal home, but she still cares about her family. Without her, Brother Wu and I might have drifted apart.”

Madam Wang bit her lip and said after a pause, “She didn’t even talk to me just now. Obviously, she still resents me.”

“Mother, you were the one who went too far. It’s only right for you to make the first move. Chun Xi shouldn’t have to lower her head to appease you.”

Madam Wang shook her head and fell silent.

When she had been kidnapped, she had intended to kill Chun Xi to save Zheng’er.

Although she later realized the person was an impersonator, Chun Xi must have known she had wielded a poisoned dagger and struck hard.

She could favor A-Wu and A-Wen, but as a mother, she shouldn’t—or couldn’t—have tried to kill her daughter.

This wasn’t something that could be forgiven with a few soft words. She had been wildly in the wrong.

Back home, Chun Xi first went to see An’an and Ning’er.

Both children loved her and reached out for hugs as soon as they saw her.

They had both grown plump, and Chun Xi struggled to hold them both. Shen Qingyuan quickly took them into his arms and then asked Chun Xi, “Are you in a bad mood, Madam?”

“No, husband. Why would you ask that?”

With Shen Qingyuan holding the children, Chun Xi felt relaxed and happy. She used a rattle to play with them. Seeing them laugh nonstop, she couldn’t help but laugh as well.

Seeing her smile so naturally, without any forced effort, Shen Qingyuan relaxed, smoothing the tension from his brow: “It’s nothing, just asking.”

Chun Xi’s smile deepened. She grabbed Shen Qingyuan’s collar, and he leaned down instinctively. Chun Xi, in perfect sync, covered the children’s eyes and quickly stood on tiptoe to kiss him.

“I now have a loving husband, An’an and Ning’er, and my own work to do. Every day feels like I’m swimming in honey. Nothing can make me unhappy.”

Shen Qingyuan leaned down, deepening the kiss: “As long as Madam is happy.”

Since meeting his wife, Shen Qingyuan felt life was sweet like honey, just like her—there wasn’t a single unhappy day.

He hoped that even decades from now, when their hair had turned white and their faces aged, they could still be as sweet and in love as today.

An’an and Ning’er: “…??? What are Daddy and Mommy doing? Why did it suddenly get dark?”

[THE END]

(The story arc of Chun Xi and Old Shen ends here. The following chapters are side stories—first focusing on Hehe and little Chenchen’s romance. Chun Xi and Old Shen appear less frequently but still accompany everyone. A-Wen will return as an energetic young man, and the princess and the prince consort’s romance will continue. Thank you all for your continued support and companionship!)