TSWRLM -Chapter 98 Husband, You Can Keep Trying

Shen Qingyuan led troops to raid the Liang family.

Liang Weimin had destroyed the evidence thoroughly, and the gold, silver, and jewels had long been moved. Although a few high-value ornaments remained, they proved nothing.

Shen Qingyuan directly called in the Xuzhou commandery guards to search the mansion. Every entrance and exit was blocked, not even a dog could escape.

Madam Liang and the other women in the household cried and screamed in terror, but Liang Weimin remained relatively calm. He didn’t need to be escorted by soldiers; he came to Shen Qingyuan himself.

“Lord Shen, what do you mean by this? You may be the imperial commissioner appointed by His Majesty, empowered to act on His behalf, but I am still the governor of a whole commandery. Without an imperial decree or an order from the Censorate, you have no authority to interrogate me, let alone search my residence!”

Liang Weimin’s voice was loud and confident, certain that Shen Qingyuan could find nothing incriminating in his house.

Under Liang Weimin’s glare, Shen Qingyuan produced a golden token: “This is the imperial gold token, personally bestowed by His Majesty. The Xuzhou flood case harmed countless civilians. His Majesty has specially authorized me to act first and report later. Any words Liang Weimin wishes to speak can be said in prison.”

With the imperial gold token presented, Liang Weimin had no way to resist. Still, he spoke with righteous indignation: “Last year, I did my utmost to assist with disaster relief, even donating half my property. Lord Shen, if you arrest me over baseless rumors, you will dishearten every official in Xuzhou!”

Such a massive disaster relief fund could hardly be misappropriated by Liang Weimin alone. Officials across Xuzhou were involved—who would dare betray him?

Liang Weimin’s words rang with authority, and the women of the Liang household immediately cried out in protest.

“Who said Lord Liang, I’m investigating embezzlement of grain funds?”

Shen Qingyuan’s voice cut through the clamor, cold and terrifying. Liang Weimin felt a chill, sensing something amiss. The next moment, Shen Qingyuan said: “My investigation found that the levees suffered from shoddy construction, which was likely a major cause of last year’s flood damage. Lord Liang, is there anything improper about explaining this from prison?”

Hearing this, Liang Weimin’s face changed drastically. His beard trembled uncontrollably.

Previously, Shen Qingyuan had spoken about flood control methods as a ruse to lower Liang’s guard. The days spent inspecting waterworks weren’t pointless—Shen Qingyuan was evaluating the quality of the levees firsthand!

Liang Weimin had thought destroying evidence of embezzlement and silencing the people would keep him safe. He never expected Shen Qingyuan’s true intent had been elsewhere from the start.

This young man was no ordinary official—his cunning was frightening.

How could someone like him have remained unpromoted in the Jingzhao Prefecture for ten years?

Liang Weimin’s case implicated many people. Even with secret help from the Crown Prince’s men, Shen Qingyuan was swamped, working nonstop for several days without returning to the inn.

Chun Xi secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

She had suffered for a brief moment of recklessness, and waking up afterward, recalling her timid behavior made her blush. Shen Qingyuan’s stark contrast between stern official and gentle husband had frightened her, so having a few days to recover was a blessing.

With the Liang mansion ransacked, returning to the capital couldn’t be far off. Chun Xi took the opportunity to sample all the delicacies of Xuzhou.

That night, she was lying in bed, legs crossed, thinking about what to eat tomorrow. Suddenly, the door opened—Shen Qingyuan entered.

Chun Xi wasn’t prepared. Seeing him, she nearly fell out of bed and blurted: “Lord, you’re back?”

Shen Qingyuan lifted his gaze. Perhaps from days spent interrogating criminals, his eyes were sharp and intimidating. Chun Xi quickly corrected herself: “Husband.”

Only then did Shen Qingyuan relax his stare and speak: “I just came back to wash up and change. I’ll leave again shortly.”

Just came back, and already leaving?

With her fear gone, Chun Xi realized she had actually missed him these past few days.

Looking closely, Shen Qingyuan’s clothes were dirty, and his face was weary.

Thinking of herself indulging in fine food and rest, Chun Xi felt guilty. She hurriedly said: “You mustn’t have eaten well these days. I’ll cook you a bowl of wontons—coming right up, Husband, wait for me!”

Before Shen Qingyuan could respond, she ran to the kitchen. Soon, she returned with a steaming bowl of wontons. She circled the screen, only to find Shen Qingyuan asleep, leaning against the bath bucket.

Chun Xi paused, heart aching.

He must have been exhausted these days. She had been too shy to bring him meals or care for him—how wrong of her.

She reflected quietly, ready to leave him to sleep longer, when Shen Qingyuan woke.

“Wontons ready?”

Speaking, he stepped out of the bath to dry himself.

Chun Xi instinctively turned, but remembering that they were now husband and wife, and that he was exhausted, she picked up fresh clothes and helped him dress.

Shen Qingyuan was slightly surprised. He said gravely: “If my wife does not wish to be close to me, you need not force yourself.”

“I do want to serve you!” Chun Xi quickly denied.

Her words didn’t cheer Shen Qingyuan. He lowered his eyes: “I know my performance that night disappointed you. It’s natural you’d want to avoid me.”

“….”

She had been a little shy, yes, but that was normal for a young woman experiencing such intimacy for the first time—how could it become disappointment?

“I’m just a little shy, not disappointed,” Chun Xi hurriedly explained. Seeing him unconvinced, she added: “The first time ended unexpectedly, but didn’t you prove yourself the next day? My legs were weak all day!”

To sound convincing, she opened her eyes wide.

Shen Qingyuan still looked gloomy: “Time doesn’t matter. What matters is how my wife feels. If she feels my affection and is comfortable, she wouldn’t shy away from me.”

“….”

Who asks about feelings after such an act? Her mother never mentioned this before marriage.

The question caught Chun Xi off guard. Shen Qingyuan looked fierce but had actually been restrained. When she cried out in pain, he comforted her. Later, the pain eased, and… well, it had been rather…

Chun Xi abruptly cut off her thoughts. Looking up, she saw Shen Qingyuan gazing at her expectantly.

Lord, you always act hurt to get me to speak—don’t you feel like a big bad wolf?

“Ahem,” Chun Xi cleared her throat and said seriously: “My feelings? They’re okay. After all, it’s my first time, no experience, nothing to compare to. Husband, if you feel you didn’t do well, you can keep trying.”

A playful glint danced in her eyes, like a mischievous little fox.

Though she hadn’t gotten the answer she wanted, Shen Qingyuan’s eyes brightened, and he nodded: “Good. I’ll keep trying.”