The Eldest Daughter-in-Law [Reborn] - Chapter 104

Xie Yunchu grew contemplative, recalling Xiao Youran and her husband, the Marquis’s heir, in her past life. He had always been relatively kind and gentle to his wife but could never give up his womanizing ways. Xiao Youran, unable to change him, resorted to nagging and berating him constantly. This eventually wore down his patience, and after their son was born, he all but moved into the brothels, visiting home only sparingly. Xiao Youran’s health had deteriorated as a result of her prolonged resentment.

It wasn’t until a certain incident occurred that he came to regret his actions profoundly.

After some thought, Xie Yunchu leaned in and said, “I might have an idea.” She whispered a plan into Xiao Youran’s ear.

Xiao Youran’s eyes lit up at first but then hesitated. “Isn’t this too harsh?”

Xie Yunchu shrugged. “Can you keep tolerating his behavior? Or do you plan to divorce him?”

Divorce was out of the question. She had a daughter already and was carrying another child. While the Marquis’s household wasn’t particularly illustrious, the family wealth belonged to her children. She couldn’t let it fall into someone else’s hands.

After much deliberation, Xiao Youran decided to follow Xie Yunchu’s advice.

That night, the Marquis’s heir returned home to find his wife sitting by the bed, quietly weeping. Concerned, he rushed to comfort her, only to have her push him away. She glared at him, her expression a mix of indignation, grievance, and anger. “Mother brought up the idea of taking a concubine for you again.”

Caught off guard, he quickly assured her, “Don’t cry. I’ll go talk to her right away.”

“Come back here!” Xiao Youran snapped, pointing to a stool. “Sit down. I have something to say.”

Obediently, he sat and even fanned her gently, playing the role of the dutiful husband.

Looking at her husband, who was all show and no substance, Xiao Youran felt a pang of sorrow. Xie Yunchu was right—men couldn’t be controlled by constant monitoring. With a determined glint in her eye, she said, “No need for Mother to arrange anything. I’ve picked two maids to serve you. Until I give birth, they’ll take contraceptive measures. As for that maid Qiu’er, I’ll formalize her status.”

He was startled—this was unlike her usual behavior. But considering the pressure she had been under from his mother, it wasn’t entirely surprising. He quickly adjusted, feigning hesitation. “This doesn’t feel right…”

Xiao Youran sneered at him. “If you don’t want them, then forget it.”

Mr. Zhu grew anxious and immediately changed his tone. “Ran Ran, you’ve suddenly become so nice to me. Do you have some conditions?”

Xiao Youran pursed her lips and said coldly, “Your mother has secretly provided you with some properties. Don’t think I don’t know about them. Hand them all over to me. From now on, prioritize me and our children in everything, never wavering in preserving my status as your rightful wife, and I will relent.” Her voice carried a trace of desolation as she continued, “I’ve come to realize now, instead of holding you back and becoming your enemy, I might as well let you go.”

Seeing his wife like this, Mr. Zhu actually felt a pang of guilt. Squatting in front of her, he embraced her tightly.

“Ranyan, rest assured, you’ll always be my number one. No one can ever surpass you.”

That night, he didn’t go anywhere, instead willingly handing over all his private properties to his wife and staying by her side.

Later, when Mr. Zhu went to wash up, Xiao Youran stared at her reflection in the mirror. Her complexion was sallow, her face haggard, and she was so thin she had lost her figure entirely.

With such an appearance, it was no wonder her husband didn’t like her. She had driven herself to this state, ruining her looks, and the man had grown increasingly distant. Both had suffered losses. Chu’er was right—she needed to treat herself better.

If she couldn’t control it, there was no need to waste her energy on it.

As for choosing the right people, Xiao Youran thought she’d take her time. Mr. Zhu wouldn’t mind. Once she had given her word, she wouldn’t go back on it—and even if she did, it didn’t matter. There were plenty of places for him to go outside.

Having gained his wife’s permission, Mr. Zhu became even more indulgent. The next day happened to be his day off, and as usual, he invited two or three friends to a pleasure boat for drinks. Once the wine flowed freely, Mr. Zhu, with his wide sleeves and elegant robes, began to dance gracefully, fancying himself a Wei-Jin scholar, unrestrained and carefree.

(Tl note: A “Wei-Jin scholar” refers to intellectuals of the Wei and Jin dynasties, known for their free-spirited, artistic, and unconventional lifestyles, often indulging in poetry, wine, and philosophical discussions.)

Around midnight, the pleasure boat docked. Supported by his colleagues, Mr. Zhu stepped ashore. Suddenly, he caught sight of a young and beautiful girl with her hair styled in a soaring celestial bun, draped in colorful gauze, strolling by the riverbank. Her skin was as smooth as jade, her waist slender as a willow branch, and her chest revealed a tantalizing hint of snow-white flesh. Her attire bore a striking resemblance to that of a courtesan. Mr. Zhu’s throat tightened at the sight, and he shrugged off his companions, lunging toward her.

Before he could pull her into his arms, the girl screamed in fright and fled in panic. Mr. Zhu gave chase, but in the blink of an eye, a man dressed in black leaped out from the embankment and grabbed Mr. Zhu’s wrist, slamming his face into the ground. The man cursed angrily, “Filthy scum! You dare lay a hand on my fiancée?”

Mr. Zhu had regained much of his consciousness after waking from his drunken stupor. Only then did he realize that he had mistaken the person. Realizing the danger, he hastily begged for mercy, “Good sir, let us talk this over properly. I mistook her for someone else. That girl looks somewhat like my wife, and I thought she was my wife….”

“Ha! Your wife is out here fooling around in the brothels with you?”

The man saw through his lie and, enraged, seized him by the arm, dragging him to the edge of the river and throwing him into the water. Mr. Zhu gulped down a large mouthful of filthy water and screamed for help, but before he could even utter another word, he was pushed back under the water. He sputtered, swallowing more river water, and the suffocating sense of impending death overwhelmed him. He panicked and could think of nothing but begging for mercy.

Meanwhile, his few colleagues were either heading home or drunk, leaving him with no one to help.

The man appeared to deliberately cover up his actions, leaving Mr. Zhu with no way of calling for help.

Just when he thought he was about to drown, a familiar figure dropped from the sky. Xiao Huaijin held his arm from behind, speaking in a steady and calm tone.

Just as he thought he was going to drown, a familiar figure descended from above. It was Xiao Huaijin, who quickly pressed the man’s arm from behind. His tone was calm and composed, “Good sir, he knows he was wrong. I will apologize on his behalf. Your fiancée has been frightened, so please take her to rest. He holds an official title, and if someone were to die here, you’d also bear responsibility.”

The man met Xiao Huaijin’s steady gaze and slowly released his grip.