TSWRLM -Chapter 43 He Wants Her to Be His Wife Forever

“Why do you think I wouldn’t be willing?”

Shen Qingyuan asked in return.

Chun Xi answered without hesitation, “Because I’m of low status, uneducated, and for the past three years I’ve been serving Young Master Wei—doing all the dirty work. I’m simply not worthy of you, my lord.”

Chun Xi didn’t feel ashamed of those three years, but she was very self-aware.

The Chief Clerk of Jingzhao Prefecture might not be a high-ranking official in court, but to ordinary people, he was already a powerful figure. Not to mention Shen Qingyuan came from a noble marquis family—what right did she have to share a bed with him?

Her answer was exactly what Shen Qingyuan expected. Looking into her eyes, he said seriously: “I’ve already ‘brought death’ to two wives. I’ve dealt with corpses and criminals for ten years. I’m much older than you. If we calculate it carefully, I’m the one taking advantage of you.”

“But at my age, I’m already considered an old maid. The matchmakers only introduce men older than me. And you don’t look old at all, my lord.”

Chun Xi still felt it wasn’t appropriate.

Shen Qingyuan pressed his lips together, thought for a moment, then said, “My stepmother treats me like a thorn in her side. I don’t want any more innocent women to die because of me. I hope you can help me.”

His tone grew heavier, and Chun Xi instantly felt like the Marquis of Qingyuan’s residence was a den of danger.

Could it be that his previous two wives had both been killed by Madam Mo?

A sense of justice surged within her. She immediately stopped worrying about whether she was worthy and patted her chest confidently.

“My lord, don’t worry! I’ll definitely help you investigate the deaths of your previous two wives. Once the truth is revealed, you can give me a letter of divorce, and I promise I won’t cling to you.”

“You’ve misunderstood.”

Shen Qingyuan shook his head and stepped closer.

They were already standing close, but with that step, they were so near that Chun Xi could see her own reflection in his eyes.

The wind picked up. More pomegranate blossoms fell, and their robes fluttered slightly, brushing against each other with a faint sense of intimacy.

Then Chun Xi heard him say: “I want you to help me dispel the rumor that I bring harm to my wives. I want you to help stabilize my household. And more than anything, I hope you live safely and happily, without worry for a hundred years.”

So… he wouldn’t give her a divorce letter.

He wanted her to remain his wife—forever.

Chun Xi’s heart began to pound wildly.

Father… this isn’t me trying to climb the social ladder for wealth.

It’s Lord Shen who keeps tempting me again and again.

How many people in this world could withstand such a test?

Her heart was already moved. Just as she was about to agree, Shen Qingyuan added another incentive: “After you marry me, the Xiao family won’t dare to trouble you anymore. And Wei Lingze will have to call you ‘aunt.’ The next time you meet him, you’ll have the upper hand.”

That last sentence made Chun Xi’s eyes light up.

She immediately grabbed Shen Qingyuan’s hand and said eagerly, “My lord, it’s settled—I’ll marry you!”

She was really looking forward to seeing Wei Lingze suffer.

The gifts Shen Qingyuan brought were not only thoughtful but also valuable. Madam Wang even slaughtered a chicken to warmly host him. Thinking of their future relationship, Chun Xi took the initiative to pick food for Shen Qingyuan several times.

Madam Qian was still very weak. After exchanging a few words with Shen Qingyuan, Cao Wu prepared to bring food into the room to feed her. But Shen Qingyuan suddenly produced a longevity gold lock and handed it to him.

“Congratulations.”

“How can I accept this…?”

Cao Wu instinctively tried to refuse, but Shen Qingyuan said firmly, “There’s nothing inappropriate about it. Miss Chun Xi saved my life—this is the least I can do.”

Chun Xi also signaled with her eyes for Cao Wu to accept it.

No need to be polite—they would soon be family.

After the meal, Chun Xi left with Shen Qingyuan.

As soon as they got into the carriage, Chun Xi said, “My mother said she won’t prepare a dowry for me. You don’t need to prepare a betrothal gift either, my lord. Let’s keep the wedding simple.”

Shen Qingyuan frowned slightly, clearly not agreeing with this arrangement. But the next moment, Chun Xi added: “If you feel it would wrong me, you can just give me the money you save. That would make me much happier than treating a bunch of strangers to a feast.”

With her money-loving expression, Shen Qingyuan’s frown eased, and he said gently, “Alright. We’ll do as you say.”

The carriage slowly headed toward the Xiao residence, but halfway there, it was stopped by officers.

“The assassin has been captured. Lord Wei requests Lord Shen to come identify him.”

The prison of Jingzhao Prefecture was underground. The moment they entered, a chilling cold seeped into their bones.

Chun Xi instinctively hugged her arms. Shen Qingyuan immediately took off his outer robe.

“I’m not that cold…”

Chun Xi felt a little embarrassed. Other than her father, no man had ever treated her with such care.

Shen Qingyuan didn’t reply—he still draped the robe over her shoulders.

After walking further in, a shrill scream suddenly echoed through the corridors, sending chills down one’s spine.

Shen Qingyuan’s expression changed slightly. He instinctively turned back to look at Chun Xi, who smiled faintly to show she was fine.

Having witnessed Wei Lingze’s madness before, her courage had grown.

“Give me your hand.”

Shen Qingyuan ordered.

Chun Xi didn’t hesitate and placed her hand in his palm.

She had guessed that torture might be taking place inside, but when she actually saw the prisoner—reduced to a bloody, barely human state—she couldn’t help tightening her grip on Shen Qingyuan’s hand.

The man bound to the torture frame could hardly be called human anymore.

His body was covered in torn flesh, not a single patch of intact skin left. Only his face remained untouched.

Because of the torture, his face was deathly pale, forming a grotesque contrast with his blood-soaked body.

Even more terrifying—Wei Lingze himself held a branding iron stained with flesh and blood, personally carrying out the torture.

The iron still emitted the stench of burnt flesh. Combined with Wei Lingze’s cold, emotionless eyes, it made Chun Xi’s stomach churn. She quickly lowered her head.

Wei Lingze hadn’t expected Chun Xi to arrive with Shen Qingyuan.

And they were holding hands, with his robe draped over her—intimate to the extreme.

The bloodlust in Wei Lingze’s heart intensified. At the peak of his anger, he instead curled his lips into a smile.

He tossed the branding iron back into the brazier and said to Shen Qingyuan with a sinister smile: “This is the leader of the assassins from that night. Take a look, Lord Shen, and see if it’s him. If you have any questions, feel free to ask.”

After speaking, Wei Lingze walked aside and sat down, leisurely pouring himself tea. His gaze occasionally swept over the hands clasped between Chun Xi and Shen Qingyuan.

He was very familiar with Chun Xi’s hands.

They had done countless rough tasks—far from delicate, even calloused, yet strong. For the past three years, those hands had massaged his legs, wiped his body…

But now, they were held by another man.

I really want to cut off any hand that has touched them.

Dark thoughts flashed through Wei Lingze’s mind.

Shen Qingyuan did not let go of Chun Xi’s hand. Looking seriously at Wei Lingze, he said: “Lord Wei, this is forced confession under torture.”

Investigating officials had some authority to interrogate, but they were not allowed to use severe torture.

Wei Lingze let out a cold laugh. “These assassins are desperate criminals. Ordinary methods won’t work on them. Lord Shen has already brushed past death once—don’t tell me you don’t understand that?”