The Eldest Daughter-in-Law [Reborn] - Chapter 1

This was the first time in eight years since Xie Yunchu married Wang Shuhuai that she sent someone to urge him to leave the yamen and come home.

The rolling blue clouds swallowed up the setting sun bit by bit. She lay panting on the kang bed under the moon-shaped window. Her skinny body, which had been suffering from long-term illness, was like thin bamboo in winter, trembling in the biting cold wind. She opened her bloodshot eyes and stared blankly at the eaves at the gate of the courtyard through the window. She asked again and again in a hoarse voice, “He isn’t back yet?”

Wang Shuhuai was very busy, and she was also known for being cautious and virtuous, so she would not urge him unless she had no other choice.

Chun Qi stood by, glanced outside, and dared not say a word, holding back tears.

Xie Yunchu sneered, and a tear slid down from the corner of her withered eye.

She had been married into the Wang family for exactly eight years. She had supported her husband from a high-spirited seventh-rank Hanlin to a powerful prime minister. She was virtuous and filial in serving her parents-in-law and hardworking in educating her children. She managed all affairs in the mansion in an orderly manner, and maintained a solemn family tradition. Anyone who saw her praised her as a role model in the boudoir.

She did everything that the eldest daughter-in-law of a noble family should do, and she also did things that the eldest daughter-in-law of a noble family could not do.

But she had been ill for less than half a year and was not yet dead, but her stepmother cunningly sent her half sister to her house, openly under the pretext of visiting her, but secretly convinced her parents-in-law, planning to let her half sister become Wang Shuhuai’s second wife after she dies.

She finally got the position of Prime Minister’s wife, but her stepmother and half sister were just thinking about taking advantage of the ready-made position?

What was even more hateful was that the unscrupulous parents-in-law actually agreed.

Xie Yunchu didn’t believe it at first, until she sent her trusted maid to verify it several times. After confirming the news, Xie Yunchu spat out a mouthful of blood from her throat and almost fell on the bed, unable to get up.

She had served her parents-in-law for eight years without fail, but unexpectedly, when they saw that she was no longer capable, they rushed to choose someone to replace her without considering her feelings at all.

She was still alive, but everyone assumed she was dead.

Xie Yunchu could no longer maintain her dignity and reserved composure, and hurriedly ordered her maid to pass on the message outside, asking Wang Shuhuai to return home.

Unfortunately, the message was delivered in the morning, and a day passed without any sign of Wang Shuhuai, nor was there any message sent back.

Xie Yunchu’s initial rage faded as the sun set, leaving behind only a sense of desolation and unwillingness.

She was already at the end of her strength, and the anger had exhausted all her energy. She leaned on the pillow with haggard eyes, only breathing out but not breathing in.

The maid Chun Qi saw that she was barely breathing, her eyelids were drooping, and she was shrouded in a layer of death. She was heartbroken, but she held back her tears and tried to comfort her, “Madam, please don’t get yourself hurt by anger. The Marquis has always worked day and night, and he has suddenly been promoted to a high position, so he must be very busy. The remnants of the traitors have not yet been brought to justice, so it is possible that the Marquis is busy and cannot think of the family for a while. Please don’t think too much, take good care of yourself first, and the rest of the things are not a big deal. As long as you are fine, it will be the mother and daughter of the Lu family jumping up and down like clowns.”

Xie Yunchu understood that truth very well.

Unfortunately, her health had long been depleted.

Those eight years could be summed up in a few words like a flash of lightning, but every time she thought back on them, she felt sad and tearful.

Wang Shuhuai came from a prominent family, was handsome and talented, and was the man that all the ladies in the capital most wanted to marry.

Xie Yunchu was naturally satisfied and even secretly delighted to marry him.

But after she got married, she realized that the Duke’s Mansion was in a difficult situation, with conflicts of interest among the different families and undercurrents surging, so life was not easy.

When she gave birth to her daughter, she suffered heavy bleeding, which damaged her health and caused her to become ill.

Her parents-in-law asked her to take care of the household chores while at the same time urging her to give birth to a son as soon as possible, so she had a hard time.

Unfortunately, Wang Shuhuai devoted himself to state affairs and was away from home for half a month. Seeing that her husband was working so hard for his career, Xie Yunchu didn’t want to bother him with the secrets of the rear house, so she endured it in silence.

Fortunately, she endured the humiliation and gave birth to a son in the third year and finally gained a foothold in the Duke’s Mansion.

In the days that followed, her husband became more powerful and busier. When her parents-in-law were sick, she served them medicine. When the gate of the Duke’s Mansion was in danger, she stood in front of the house to protect its dignity and face. When the child had a headache or fever, she worked tirelessly and taught him day and night. Even if that person came back late, she would cook a bowl of ginseng and bird’s nest porridge and hand him a robe she had made with her own hands.

In the past eight years, Xie Yunchu never complained about being tired, nor did she blame anyone.

That was her responsibility as the eldest daughter-in-law.

Even if it was hard, it was worth it.

But they learned that she was not dead yet, yet the second wife was already decided. The whole family was eager to welcome the “new mistress”. Xie Yunchu was like a bird struck by lightning or a kite with a rope tangled. She was stunned for a moment.

So, after eight years of hard work, I have only made things worthwhile for others?

After eight years of silent dedication, in the end, I am nothing more than a tool that can be replaced at any time?

What she thought was the favor of her parents-in-law, the kindness of her sisters-in-law, the loving mother and filial children, and the harmonious relationship between husband and wife, was just a joke, her one-man show.

Everyone enjoyed her efforts, but kicked her away when she was no longer useful.

Xie Yunchu was so angry that she laughed.

She told Chun Qi with difficulty, “I’m afraid it won’t work. You go find Wang Shuhuai yourself. I want to see him… see him for the last time.”

She must ask Wang Shuhuai clearly in front of her.

Chun Qi’s eyes turned red, covered her mouth and ran out.