The Eldest Daughter-in-Law [Reborn] - Chapter 103

Wang Shuhuai stood in silence for a while, holding his daughter before leaving Chunjing Hall.

His tall, graceful figure, draped in melancholy, disappeared into the misty rain.

Back in his study, standing under the eaves, his robe slightly damp, it gleamed with a layer of jade-like light, like clear frost.

He lingered briefly in the corridor before Ming Gui approached with a smile, carrying a food box, and set the meal on the side table in the study’s adjoining room.

Wang Shuhuai glanced through the open window, noting that it was the usual dishes he often ate. In truth, he wasn’t picky about food—whichever dish happened to be placed in front of him, he would eat a little more of it, and over time it became a favorite. Fortunately, Xie Yunchu was meticulous and kept these preferences in mind.

Wang Shuhuai brushed away his chaotic thoughts, composed himself, and entered the study. He dined alone, then moved to the inner study to sort through books, selecting those he intended to take to Jiangnan as a way to aid digestion. Afterward, he returned to his desk to work on official matters. With his southern trip imminent, there were numerous things to manage, leaving him no spare attention for Xie Yunchu’s affairs.

Late into the quiet night, Xie Yunchu, having checked on the child, returned to her dressing table to remove her hairpins and ornaments. Chun Qi took out a jade hairpin and asked, “Miss, would you like to try it?”

Xie Yunchu’s gaze slowly shifted from her reflection in the bronze mirror to the snowy white jade hairpin. The hairpin was pure and translucent, with a lustrous sheen, made of the finest mutton-fat jade. Its flowing lines and seamless craftsmanship suggested it had taken at least two days to carve.

Was it really done by him?

Xie Yunchu had never received a gift from Wang Shuhuai and knew nothing of his craftsmanship. He wasn’t one to lie, so it must be true.

He had always been gentle by nature; if You’er said a few words to him, he would comply. Whether he put his heart into it, however, was another matter.

In her previous life, she would have been so overjoyed that she’d lose sleep, likely wearing it in her hair like a treasure to show her affection. She might even have whispered sweet words, tugging on his sleeve to subtly invite him to stay the night. Now, however, her heart remained still.

The fleeting spring flowers and autumn moons of the past could no longer bear the weight of that day’s passing years.

Her monthly cycle, which started on the night of the twentieth, was nearly over by the morning of the twenty-fifth. That day, the sky was clear, and the weather had cooled slightly, easing the summer heat. Xie Yunchu removed the ice blocks from the house and recalled that since returning to the capital from the summer palace, she had yet to visit Xiao Youran. Her cousin was pregnant and likely unable to go out for some time. Thus, she prepared a few small gifts, gathered her maids and attendants, and boarded the carriage to the Zhu residence.

The Zhu family, an old aristocratic lineage, gained favor with the late emperor for their contributions during his ascension. Consequently, a royal princess was married to Lord Zhu, the Marquis of Runan. The couple enjoyed a loving relationship, but their household was modest: a single legitimate son and two illegitimate daughters who had long since married. Now, the expansive residence housed only four main family members and a young lady, a stark contrast to the Wang family’s crowded quarters.

However, because Xiao Youran’s relationship with her mother-in-law was strained—complicated further by the duchess’s renowned duplicity—Xie Yunchu rarely visited. On this particular day, upon entering the Zhu residence, she walked through the side gate to the main hall and then along a corridor to the rear courtyard. There, rock gardens, babbling streams, and pavilions created an idyllic setting, with flowers blooming and silken decorations fluttering in the breeze—truly a slice of paradise.

As Xie Yunchu admired the scenery, she resolved to purchase a summer villa for herself once funds allowed, where she could escape the heat and enjoy such elegance.

A servant led her to the main quarters, where she was greeted by the Duchess of Runan.

The Duchess welcomed her warmly, inviting her to sit. “Your cousin is resting; pregnancy makes her delicate and easily fatigued. She wasn’t able to greet you personally, but don’t take offense. I’ll have a servant take you to see her shortly.”

Though the Duchess spoke with kindness, her words implied criticism of Xiao Youran.

Xie Yunchu thought to herself that, while Mrs. Jiang had been harsh with her, at least she was forthright. This veiled hostility from the Duchess would be far more difficult to endure.

She replied with a polite smile, “It’s only proper that she doesn’t exert herself. My cousin and I share a bond like sisters, so I’d never want her risking her health for my sake. Her staying rested is her way of showing her care for me.”

The Duchess’s smile faltered, sensing no opportunity to provoke Xie Yunchu, and quickly ordered a servant to escort her to Xiao Youran.

As soon as Xie Yunchu entered the room, the scent of medicine greeted her. Behind the screen, Xiao Youran was hunched over a couch, vomiting from pregnancy sickness. Alarmed, Xie Yunchu hurried over to support her.

“Is it this bad?” She asked, concerned.

Xiao Youran, looking thinner than before, was clearly distressed but brightened upon seeing her childhood companion. “Chu’er, you’ve finally come! I’ve been so bored, stuck at home with nowhere to go. I’ve been hoping you’d visit.”

A maid stepped forward to clean up, and once Xiao Youran was more composed, the two sat down to talk.

Xie Yunchu teased, “You’ve always been restless. If you’re bored, why not work on some embroidery and prepare clothes for the baby?”

“I tried, but I ruined an embroidery frame the other day when I got sick. After that, they won’t let me near the needlework,” Xiao Youran replied, visibly more at ease after vomiting.

Xie Yunchu examined her closely, noting her sunken cheeks and prominent cheekbones. She frowned, deeply concerned. “Is it that you can’t eat, or are you vomiting too much? How did you lose so much weight?”

Xiao Youran hesitated, then waved the servants away before pulling Xie Yunchu closer. Whispering, she said, “It’s that useless husband of mine! Taking advantage of my pregnancy to fool around outside. My brother caught him red-handed. These men are all the same, full of lust and no restraint. With his limited abilities, he’s lucky I put up with him. Yet he thinks he’s a great catch.”

Xie Yunchu felt awkward hearing this and gave her cousin’s arm a gentle tug. “Enough. Don’t say such things.”

Xiao Youran huffed in frustration but remained indignant. “I just wish there were a way to put him in his place.”