TSWRLM -Chapter 94 Send Them to Prison, I’ll Interrogate Personally

“Since Master Shen has family ties with the Wei family, why has he remained idle until now?”

Madam Liang sipped her tea and asked casually.

Chun Xi exchanged a knowing glance with her, then, like a gossipy townswoman, explained: “The Wei family’s nephew had been on the military track, so naturally he looked down on a civil official like my Master. But after being paralyzed for three years, and with the political situation in the capital changing, his former glories were gone. What choice did he have but to seek help from his uncle?”

Chun Xi covered her mouth and smiled proudly at her cleverness.

Madam Liang, however, could not smile. Her expression darkened.

Last year, too many citizens suffered from the disaster, and naturally some raised grievances. Even though the officials in Xuzhou suppressed them harshly, a few still slipped through.

The Liang family had backing in the capital, and much of the relief grain from last year had been handled through their connections.

Under the emperor’s watchful eye, blatant corruption was risky. Noble families sought good reputations but quietly helped relatives and disciples enrich themselves in various counties.

If those few survivors went straight to the Jingzhao Office or even beat the drum to report, as long as the emperor didn’t hear, it could be contained. But some took advantage of the chaos to create disturbances: they ruined the Xiao family young lady’s return banquet and caused several deaths in the capital. Only then did they begin to petition, and the scandal broke out.

Looking back, the exposure from the start was connected to the Wei family.

News had long reached the capital. Liang Weimin had destroyed all evidence and investigated Shen Qingyuan. Though Shen Qingyuan was born into a marquis family, the Qingyuan Marquisate was just a nominal title. He had achieved nothing in ten idle years.

During Shen Qingyuan’s stay in Xuzhou, he had almost been led by the nose by Liang Weimin. Madam Liang, realizing this, relaxed her vigilance—but now that she knew Shen Qingyuan might have the Wei family behind him, her heart tightened again.

Wei Lingze had been paralyzed for three years. Now was the time for him to prove himself and rise in rank. This corruption case was far bigger than the murder case he had recently solved.

The Wei family had already allied with the Xiao family. If they pressed the matter, the Xiao family would not stand idly by. Could Liang’s backing withstand the pressure of both families?

Madam Liang’s mind raced through the situation in the capital. Chun Xi, however, asked innocently: “Madam, I’m hungry. Can we eat first?”

“…”

By the time Shen Qingyu returned in clean clothes, Chun Xi was already devouring the food.

Madam Liang did not touch her own chopsticks, nor did she mind Chun Xi’s ravenous appetite. Her eyes wandered solemnly as if lost in thought.

Always thinking about food… did you go eight lifetimes without eating? Shen Qingyu cursed Chun Xi in his heart. Seeing that the dishes had already been touched, he lost his appetite and sat silently, watching Chun Xi eat.

After the meal, Chun Xi thanked everyone and left.

Shen Qingyu, embarrassed, left Liang Manor first.

By the time Chun Xi emerged, Shen Qingyu’s carriage had vanished.

Patting her full belly, Chun Xi thought: Third Brother still doesn’t quite understand what respect means. As his sister-in-law, I’ll have to teach him some manners for Grandmother’s sake.

The carriage moved slowly toward the inn. Halfway there, a group of people suddenly rushed out and surrounded it.

“Everyone, come quickly! This is the imperial commissioner’s carriage! Follow him back to the inn, and you’ll be well fed and entertained!”

“Yes! That day the imperial commissioner took a girl from the charity hall—let’s go too! The Master can’t favor one over another!”

The crowd, spurred by a few loud leaders, went mad, surging toward the carriage.

Chun Xi lifted the curtain to see what was happening, but the driver was pulled off, and the startled horses bolted through the crowd.

Chun Xi was thrown against the carriage wall. She groaned, ignored the pain, and tried to stop the horses. But when she lifted the curtain, she saw two strangers in rough short jackets outside.

One controlled the horses, while the other tried to climb in—but Chun Xi’s sudden appearance caught him off guard, and their eyes met.

A fierce glint flashed in the man’s eyes. He lunged at her, but Chun Xi, with a hidden dagger in her sleeve, swiftly slashed his forearm.

The sleeve tore, and a deep cut appeared on his arm.

He recoiled in pain, rage intensifying. As he opened his mouth, Chun Xi leapt from the carriage.

“…!”

Unbelievable!

The employer said she was a skilled troublemaker, but never that she would risk her life by jumping from a moving carriage!

The man ordered the carriage stopped, planning to corner Chun Xi with his companion. As they stepped forward, a cold blade pressed against their necks: “Don’t move!”

Both froze.

Chun Xi, experienced in leaping from carriages, intended to roll upon landing to disperse the force and quickly get up to escape. But mid-jump, she was firmly caught. A familiar clean, sharp scent reached her nose. Looking up in surprise, she saw Shen Qingyuan’s cold, serious face.

“Master, what are you doing here?”

Her tense nerves instantly relaxed, and a smile appeared.

Shen Qingyuan remained serious, glaring at her: “Who told you to jump from the carriage like that? Didn’t you know to observe first and protect yourself safely?”

Although he had heard from Qing Shu about Chun Xi’s previous jumps, seeing it firsthand was a different impact entirely.

His tone was stern, but his grip on her hands was firm, full of concern.

Chun Xi shrank back and quietly explained: “I didn’t know where they were taking me. I wanted to escape quickly to find you so you wouldn’t worry. Also, since you’re investigating the case, if I caused you to mobilize people to find me, it would harm your reputation.”

Shen Qingyuan tightened his hold slightly.

Though she lived freely, Chun Xi always considered the bigger picture first, putting herself second.

Her concern for others had been evident during the disturbance at the return visit and with Mo Yunwan, and now again today.

A surge of protectiveness flooded Shen Qingyuan. Softening his tone, he asked: “Did you get hurt?”

Chun Xi shook her head, then showed him the bloodied dagger: “Luckily, I was prepared and hid a dagger in my sleeve. When that man tried to grab me, I slashed him hard.”

She raised an eyebrow, a touch proud. Shen Qingyuan’s coldness melted slightly, and he nodded: “Good. You’re very capable.”

Although Chun Xi claimed no injury, Shen Qingyuan still escorted her to the clinic for a proper check-up.

While Chun Xi was being examined, a secret guard asked: “Master, what about those two men and the rioting citizens?”

Unlike his polite words in front of Chun Xi, Shen Qingyuan’s presence became ice-cold, merciless: “Send them to prison. I’ll interrogate them personally!”