TSWRLM -Chapter 37 Even If I Beat You to Death, So What?

“What exactly happened during the assassination attempt?”

After Chun Xi and Xiao Qingyue left, the Crown Prince dismissed the attendants and looked at Shen Qingyuan with a serious expression.

Shen Qingyuan lowered his eyes and spoke calmly: “If this were just a hired assassination, those people would have fled after completing the task. They wouldn’t leave clues leading me to them. Whoever benefits the most in the end is the real mastermind behind it.”

For ten years, Shen Qingyuan had been solving cases in Jingzhao Prefecture. Outsiders said he wasted a decade of his life doing nothing remarkable. Only the Crown Prince knew that Shen had spent those ten years honing himself, sharpening his skills to perfection.

His judgment could not be wrong.

The Crown Prince’s gaze darkened slightly.

“He gained fame at a young age and should have had limitless prospects, but he was paralyzed for three years. Although he has now recovered, his former achievements are gone. He indeed needs an opportunity for the world to remember him.”

To those in power, right and wrong were not as important as ability.

Wei Lingze had both talent and family background. Even if he used some underhanded methods, no one would scrutinize him.

Shen Qingyuan had anticipated this outcome long ago.

“I can keep this secret and stop investigating this case, but I have one request.”

“Speak.”

“After the next case, I want to enter the Censorate.”

“What kind of request is that? You’ve solved so many cases over the past ten years—your place in the Censorate should have been guaranteed long ago. You’ve never cared for fame or fortune; why the sudden change of heart?”

The Crown Prince spoke teasingly but heard Shen Qingyuan’s serious answer: “I may not care about fame or fortune, but I cannot allow her to suffer because of me.”

“Really? Shen Aiqing, a man so oblivious to romance, suddenly wants to repay a life-saving favor with devotion?”

“I love her, not out of gratitude.”

Shen Qingyuan corrected him.

The Crown Prince’s eyes curved in a smile.

Finally, this old tree has blossomed. Truly rare.

This time, the Crown Prince did not hide his movements. Soon, the major noble families knew he had gone to the Xiao residence, where Shen Qingyuan was recuperating.

The Mo family learned the news and immediately went to Qingyuan Marquis’ residence to berate Madam Mo.

Shen Qingyuan was perfectly fine, yet his stepmother had cried and set up a mourning hall. Who didn’t know she mistreated her stepson and secretly wished him dead?

Shen Qingyuan had been resting at the Xiao residence for several days without sending word home. Madam Mo, overjoyed at the thought of honoring him with a tomb, was instantly enraged by the scolding.

Not only did Shen Qingyuan not report his safety, but he also went to the Xiao residence to recover. Did he have any regard for her as a mother?

Shen Qingyuan had been idle for so many years. There was no way the Crown Prince would have come all the way out just to see him; he only cared about solving this case quickly.

After having the mourning hall removed and resting for the night, Madam Mo finally went to the Xiao residence.

Upon seeing Shen Qingyuan, she immediately covered her face and wailed: “Yuan’er, you’re fine! Thank goodness, or how could I face my sister?”

She wore plain clothes, her face smeared with some cosmetic, looking even more haggard than Shen Qingyuan. Anyone seeing her would think she genuinely treated him as her own son.

Shen Qingyuan’s expression was indifferent: “Mother, didn’t you already set up a mourning hall, hoping I would die?”

Madam Mo had prepared her words overnight. She didn’t answer directly but cried louder: “Yuan’er, how could you think this way of me? I have treated you as my own all these years. You didn’t report your safety to the family. I’ve been worried sick; if I hadn’t done something, I might have gone to meet you in death.”

After she finished, her confidante, Nanny Jia, immediately chimed in: “Yes, Young Master, Madam has been worried about you these past few days, and she even has a fever. Even if she isn’t your biological mother, you can’t just ignore her or hurt her heart. If word spreads, people will say you’re unfilial.”

Madam Mo wiped her tears with pretense. Seeing Shen Qingyuan remain silent, Nanny Jia continued: “You don’t respect Madam, yet she cannot disregard you. She feared you would be uncomfortable at the Xiao residence, so she personally had your things packed and brought over. You can stay as long as you like.”

Madam Mo pressed the silk handkerchief to her face, barely containing a laugh.

This ungrateful child thinks a step-aunt would protect him? What a daydream!

His granddaughter was about to be married off. He was shamelessly recuperating here, oblivious to the disdain he was incurring.

Today, she had no intention of taking him home.

He could stay at the Xiao residence easily enough, but returning to the Marquis’ mansion later wouldn’t be so simple.

Madam Mo was probably imagining Shen Qingyuan bowing and begging her, her lips curling into a smirk.

Just then, a voice full of authority rang out: “You insolent wretch! Who gave you the courage to speak to your master like that?”

Madam Xiao strode into the room. Before Madam Mo could react, a servant pressed Nanny Jia down and slapped her hard across the face.

“Ah! Madam, save me!”

Nanny Jia cried out in pain. Madam Mo turned pale with fear, stammering: “She’s a servant of the Marquis’ household; you have no right to punish her!”

Nanny Jia, Madam Mo’s attendant, represented her face. Madam Xiao striking Nanny Jia was the same as trampling Madam Mo’s honor.

Madam Xiao snorted coldly, her gaze sharp as a knife, fixing on Madam Mo: “She spoke recklessly in the Xiao household. Even if I beat her to death, so what?”

Madam Xiao’s intent to protect Shen Qingyuan was real. Madam Mo trembled, nearly losing her balance.

Seeing that pleading was useless, Nanny Jia hastily changed tone: “I, your servant, was wrong. I should not have disrespected Young Master. I beg Madam Xiao for mercy!”

Madam Xiao, irritated by the commotion, gave a signal. The servant immediately covered Nanny Jia’s mouth and dragged her out.

Madam Xiao finally calmed, walked up to Shen Qingyuan, and sat down, speaking warmly: “Does the wound still hurt today?”

“No.”

“Even if it doesn’t hurt, you must continue to rest. Don’t worry, this courtyard is prepared just for you. You can stay as long as you like.”

Madam Xiao showered Shen Qingyuan with care. Once she finished, she glanced at Madam Mo.

Madam Mo immediately stiffened, expecting at least some polite words to save face. Instead, Madam Xiao said lightly: “Still not leaving? Hurry, I’m waiting to serve you dinner.”

Madam Mo flushed, humiliated beyond measure, and left with the beaten Nanny Jia.

“That old witch! How dare she humiliate me for Shen Qingyuan’s sake?”

Madam Mo gritted her teeth and cursed, glaring at the Xiao residence.

She swore to take revenge a hundredfold!

As she lowered the carriage curtain, she noticed a few furtive figures nearby.

Madam Mo’s thoughts stirred. She had the driver stop in a side alley and brought the figures over.

“What are you skulking around the Xiao residence for?”

Madam Mo’s face was cold as she questioned them. They wore coarse homespun, clearly commoners. The leading woman kowtowed repeatedly in fear.

“Noble lady, please don’t misunderstand. I’m here for my daughter. My daughter, Chun Xi, saved Lord Shen of Jingzhao Prefecture. Lord Shen brought her into the Xiao household, and she hasn’t returned home for several days.”

Again, Chun Xi?

A cold glint flashed across Madam Mo’s eyes.