TSWRLM -Chapter 65 Lord Shen Treats Her Wounds

Bold as ever, Chun Xi was now curled up in Shen Qingyuan’s arms, trembling.

“…That assassin was disguised as a maid, but her height immediately seemed suspicious. When she approached, I bit her, but she threw me aside. Only then did I find a chance to escape through the window.”

Chun Xi didn’t cry, but her voice trembled with panic, as if she had been truly terrified.

Shen Qingyuan held her tightly, his face cold and icy.

Everyone else present was equally serious.

If there really was a malicious intruder in the Wei household, what if the Crown Prince had been harmed?

While they were thinking this, Chun Xi timidly added, “…I don’t think I’ve offended anyone recently. Lord, could the assassin be one of the killers from Yuxian County, coming specifically to take revenge on you?”

Her words cast a sudden, tense silence over the entire front courtyard.

Indeed, Chun Xi was just an unremarkable little woman. Even if she had offended someone, it would only have been common townsfolk—there was no way such a person could infiltrate the Wei family to kill her. But if the target was Shen Qingyuan, it made perfect sense.

Originally, the Ye family murder case had been Shen Qingyuan’s responsibility. After the incident in Yuxian County, Wei Lingze had taken over the investigation.

Wei Lingze had risen two ranks due to this case, while Shen Qingyuan, who had risked his life to gather clues early on, had received nothing.

Although stepping on others to rise in the court was common, the Wei family had always been known for integrity and uprightness. Why hadn’t Wei Lingze spoken a good word for Shen Qingyuan in front of the Emperor?

Moreover, if the assassins had accomplices, it indicated that Wei Lingze’s investigation had been sloppy, leaving lingering threats.

This meant that the high-profile promotion banquet now seemed rather hollow.

Everyone’s thoughts were complicated. Wei Qing’s face was dark, but Chun Xi was just a frightened little woman. For a patriarch to fuss over that would be petty.

Wei Qing’s expression remained stern as he ordered the steward to search thoroughly. Anyone suspicious had to be questioned, and the area around Chun Xi’s guest room was to be meticulously inspected for any clues.

After giving his orders, Wei Qing looked toward Chun Xi, about to ask more details, when Shen Qingyuan spoke in a low, steady voice: “My wife was injured and needs to see a doctor.”

He lifted Chun Xi by her waist, his protective stance clear.

Wei Qing frowned slightly. Before the situation was resolved, he didn’t want her to leave. But the Crown Prince spoke: “Lady Shen has been hurt. She should see a doctor. I want to see who dares infiltrate the Wei household and cause trouble!”

With the Crown Prince’s command, Wei Qing could only obey.

Shen Qingyuan carried Chun Xi to the guest room.

Along the way, his face remained cold, making Chun Xi anxious. Once inside the room, she leaned close to his ear and whispered, “It all happened so suddenly. I came to you as quickly as I could. I really wasn’t showing off.”

As she raised three fingers to swear, her wrist was caught. Shen Qingyuan’s voice was calm but firm: “I’m not angry. Don’t move.”

Then his large hand moved toward her waist, as if to remove her clothing.

Chun Xi’s eyes widened in shock. “Lord, what are you doing?”

In broad daylight, in someone else’s house… this seemed inappropriate.

She stared at him in disbelief. Shen Qingyuan didn’t withdraw his hand. Looking into her eyes, he said, “I’m not doing anything improper. I just need to see the injury on your back.”

After all, she had been thrown against a wall—surely she had been hurt.

His gaze was full of concern. Chun Xi relaxed slightly and whispered, “Don’t worry, I’m fine.”

“Fine, even after spitting blood?”

Blood?

Chun Xi paused, realizing that it was the blood remaining in her mouth after biting Wei Lingze earlier. To make her act believable, she had spat it out in front of everyone.

“That’s not my blood…”

She explained softly, but Shen Qingyuan ignored her. He held both her hands above her head, quickly untied her waistband, and unfolded her layered clothing.

The room was well-lit. Though his eyes showed no lust, Chun Xi’s face flushed red with embarrassment.

She wasn’t ready to be exposed in front of him!

Seeing her blush, Shen Qingyuan gently flipped her onto the bed, tugging at the back collar. Layer by layer, her clothing fell away, revealing her slender, toned back.

Chun Xi had spent years doing manual labor, so her body was strong and healthy, not fragile. She was well-shaped, with firm, supple curves.

Her once fair, smooth back was now covered with large bruises, alarming to behold.

Shen Qingyuan’s lips pressed thin, his eyes darkening with a dangerous intensity.

At that moment, the Wei household servants arrived with the court physician. Shen Qingyuan first helped Chun Xi pull her clothing back over herself, then allowed the physician to examine her.

Though the bruises were severe, there were no internal injuries. But Shen Qingyuan insisted that, since she had spit blood, the physician prescribed a nourishing remedy. He personally fetched the blood-circulation and bruise-healing ointment.

Once the physician left, Shen Qingyuan helped Chun Xi apply the ointment himself.

The ointment needed to be warmed in the hands before being applied. It required precise pressure, something Chun Xi could not do herself. She buried her head in the pillow, pretending the hands were the maid’s, not Shen Qingyuan’s.

Yet his large, warm hands, callused from work, betrayed him. No matter how she tried, she could not ignore that they were a man’s hands.

Well, it didn’t matter. They were married now—letting him touch her back wasn’t a big deal.

And before marriage, she had already let him see and touch her, so it balanced out. No one lost out.

After finishing, Shen Qingyuan carried Chun Xi back to the front courtyard, just as Wei Lingze and Xiao Qinghe arrived.

From a distance, Wei Lingze saw Chun Xi’s flushed cheeks and shy, watery eyes. Compared to the fierce, roaring Chun Xi he had seen before, she now appeared delicate and charming, like a flower freshly bathed in rain.

Though he knew Shen Qingyuan wouldn’t do anything improper with her, Wei Lingze couldn’t help clenching his fists in anger.

It was as if his possession had been defiled.

Wei Lingze’s hostility was obvious. Shen Qingyuan held Chun Xi tightly against his waist, shielding her completely, leaving no room for prying eyes.

At that moment, the Crown Prince’s guards, who had been searching with the Wei household steward, rushed back with an object: “Your Highness, we found this jade pendant outside the guest room Lady Shen mentioned.”

The guards presented the pendant. Those nearby could clearly see its design.

Wei Qing’s face darkened, and Wei Lingze nearly bit through his teeth.

It was the new-marriage gift Wei Lingze had previously sent to Chun Xi via Lady Wang, an item he personally wore. Outsiders might not recognize it, but anyone familiar with him would instantly know.

How dare this woman use this pendant to frame him!