TSWRLM -Chapter 73 Madam Mo Seriously Ill

Once the official appointment arrived, Shen Qingyuan was about to depart for Xuzhou immediately. There wasn’t much time to prepare, so Chun Xi took him directly to shop for everything they’d need on the journey.

Change of clothes went without saying, and they packed over ten pairs of shoes and socks. In addition, she bought knee and wrist guards, a chest protector, and various medicines for external injuries.

The injury medicines were purchased at Huichun Hall; even a single bottle cost over ten taels of silver. Chun Xi didn’t flinch at the price—anything she thought useful, she bought a bottle of.

In the blink of an eye, they had spent two to three hundred taels of silver.

Shen Qingyuan had traveled before, but Madam Mo never concerned herself with such details, and Qing Shu would only pack a few sets of clothing. No one had been as meticulous as Chun Xi.

Shen Qingyuan felt a warmth in his chest and couldn’t tear his eyes away from Chun Xi.

Sensing his gaze, Chun Xi explained softly: “Although I’ve never traveled far myself, my father was a caravan escort. Every time he went on a trip, I would help my mother pack his things. Don’t worry, sir—I’m quite experienced in this.”

She was experienced—so much so that it felt like she couldn’t wait to pack him off far away.

Shen Qingyuan pressed his lips together. “Will you be able to manage on your own while I’m gone?”

“I’ll manage just fine. Haven’t you seen it yourself? Since marrying into the Hou Mansion, I’ve not suffered any losses and have even gained many benefits. Today I went to see my aunt, and she promised to find trustworthy stewards to take over the shops. If Mother-in-law dares to bully me while you’re gone, I’ll ask my aunt for help.”

Chun Xi said “aunt” warmly at every turn. Shen Qingyuan realized after a moment that she meant Madam Xiao, his own mother.

Although he had known all along that Madam Xiao was his biological mother, he couldn’t bring himself to feel close to her—Chun Xi, on the other hand, could always find a backer.

“What if Wei Lingze gives you trouble?”

“If he dares to cause trouble again, I’ll find a way to convince my eldest niece to separate from him. Once the backyard catches fire, he won’t dare stir up trouble. You go worry-free, sir.”

Chun Xi had already prepared her plan; she really didn’t need him.

Shen Qingyuan was momentarily speechless. After a pause, he said helplessly: “So, newlyweds, you don’t feel even a little reluctant to see me go?”

“This isn’t something one can resist, sir. Besides, you’d prioritize official business over personal feelings, wouldn’t you?”

“I may not be hindered by personal feelings, but I do have desires. I want my wife to care about me more.”

He stepped forward, his intense gaze locking onto Chun Xi’s face.

Chun Xi immediately recalled that night when their breaths had mingled.

Although the man standing before her looked tall and dignified as always, it felt strangely… like a subtle invitation.

Her heart fluttered. Flustered, she looked away. “I… of course I care for you, sir. But since this opportunity is so rare, I want you to fully display your talent and earn the emperor’s trust.”

“Do you think my current position isn’t enough?”

Shen Qingyuan lowered his eyes, looking somewhat saddened. Chun Xi hastily grasped his hand: “Of course not. I just feel that someone like you—caring for the people and upholding justice—could do even more good in a higher position. That would benefit the realm. Even if you weren’t an official, just a commoner, I would still admire you!”

She spoke quickly, but her tone was firm.

Shen Qingyuan raised his eyes again, a smile lingering in them. “Mm, I like you too.”

Chun Xi: “……”

Had he not told her before that he wasn’t as perfect as she imagined?

——

Madam Mo received a letter from Shen Qingyue, sent from the academy before bedtime, informing her of Shen Qingyuan’s appointment as imperial commissioner.

The Xuzhou case was significant, involving many officials. If Shen Qingyuan handled it well, he would finally rise above his obscurity in the Jingzhao Prefecture.

Shen Qingyue instructed Madam Mo to pack Qingyuan’s luggage carefully and include plenty of silver for bribes or expenses, since Xuzhou would require connections everywhere.

Madam Mo read the letter, her face turning ashen with anger.

Hadn’t Shen Qingyuan done nothing for ten years in Jingzhao Prefecture? Why would the emperor suddenly appoint him imperial commissioner? Was there no one else in the entire court?

If Shen Qingyuan succeeded, the emperor might promote him—and the position of heir apparent could become his as well!

He had already taken Madam Xiao’s dowry to Xuzhou. If he also gained the heirship, she would have ruined her reputation marrying this lecherous man as a second wife. What a joke that would be!

And now, Qingyue wanted her to prepare silver to grease his way—impossible!

The next morning, Nanny Jia reported to the heart clinic that Madam Mo was ill: “When the madam gave birth, it was extremely dangerous. She survived, but many lingering ailments remained. Last night, she suddenly developed a high fever and today she can’t even get out of bed. Young Master, Young Mistress, you must go see her immediately.”

Nanny Jia spoke with feigned emotion and dabbed a few tears.

Chun Xi followed Shen Qingyuan to the main residence. The moment they entered, the air was thick with the bitter scent of medicine.

Inside, Madam Mo lay pale on the bed, moaning as if at any moment she might die. Nanny Jia hurried to her side: “Madam, the Young Master and Young Mistress have arrived. You must hold on!”

This only made it seem more dire.

Chun Xi tried to move closer to examine her, but Shen Qingyuan held her back: “Mother was fine yesterday. How did she suddenly fall so ill? Have the doctors been called?”

Shen Qingyuan’s face was cold, completely unmoved.

Nanny Jia dabbed her tears: “Yes, doctors from Huichun Hall were summoned. They said Madam’s illness is chronic, worsened by years of worry while the marquis was often absent. This sudden illness is overwhelming, and even Huichun Hall’s doctors are helpless.”

According to Zhaoling’s rules of filial piety and hierarchy, though Shen Qingyuan wasn’t Madam Mo’s biological son, as the legitimate eldest son of the Hou Mansion, he could not leave for distant travel while the matriarch was gravely ill.

Chun Xi looked at him with concern. Shen Qingyuan remained impassive, calmly saying: “If Huichun Hall cannot cure her, post a notice offering a high reward for a famous doctor. There must be someone who can heal her.”

At that moment, a maid brought in freshly prepared medicine.

Shen Qingyuan released Chun Xi and moved to Madam Mo’s bedside. He took the medicine from the maid and fed it to her personally.

The mother and son had never been this close. Madam Mo startled, covering her mouth: “You are married—why are you attending to me yourself? Let Xi handle it.”

“I’ve never properly shown filial piety to you in all these years. It should be me,” he replied, feeding her the cooled medicine.

Madam Mo: “……”

Was this unfilial son trying to poison her under the guise of care?

That afternoon, the Hou Mansion posted a notice seeking medical help.

That night, the palace suddenly sent imperial doctors. Madam Mo sat up in surprise, glaring at Shen Qingyuan: “Why did you summon the imperial doctors?”