The Eldest Daughter-in-Law [Reborn] - Chapter 106

Wang Shuhuai’s expression was unreadable, and Ming Gui, who was with him, had no desire to interpret it. His master was always focused on work, and not everything could capture his attention or interest. Though he seemed hard to please, he was actually easy to serve. As long as one followed the proper procedures and did what was required, he was perfectly content.

As usual, she sent him ginseng soup and fresh clothes.

Ming Gui cheerfully brought the ginseng soup to the desk and also delivered a pile of clothes to the inner room, all the while chatting, “Second Young Master, the Madam traveled south for you, searching the storerooms for the finest materials. Over the past two weeks, she made you twenty sets of clothes for every season. When the embroiderers were short-handed, she even went outside to find more. Now, everything is packed and ready for your journey….”

Wang Shuhuai paused, his gaze fixed on the food box with the ginseng soup for a long time, saying nothing.

If he still couldn’t see through this, then he would be a fool.

Every day, she arranged for the kitchen to prepare meals for him, instructed the tailor to make seasonal clothing, never complained about anything, and would never hesitate to support him when needed. Two days each month, they were devoted to conjugal intimacy, and they hoped for offspring.

The man worked outside, and the woman managed the household, each fulfilling their respective roles.

They lived in harmony, respecting each other.

So, this was it.

Like the way rice paper sinks into ink, all the turmoil inside Wang Shuhuai’s heart gradually flattened.

Ming Gui smiled as he came out from the inner room, trimming the burnt wick of the lamp, lifting his gaze to glance at the gloomy sky and sighed, “Ah, today is the start of autumn.”

The autumn rain arrived unexpectedly, flowers fell, and the window was left unlatched, with raindrops hitting the window in the wind, making a soft sound.

This added a special kind of tranquility to the study.

Wang Shuhuai let the raindrops fall into his eyes, his gaze fixed on the empty space outside the window. The unfamiliar rain slowly brushed against his eyelids, and it stung for a moment. He didn’t blink, and everything soon calmed down.

Wasn’t this the married life he had always believed in?

A wife who was virtuous and generous, who could weather storms with him, handle household matters effortlessly, and who took care of their children, never throwing childish tantrums, and managed everything appropriately.

And he? He shielded her from the wind and rain, made plans for her, and provided for their family and children.

They supported each other, shared joys and sorrows.

What more could he ask for?

It was just right.

 The first day after the beginning of autumn, the sunlight was especially soft. Xie Yunchu had been up all night and woke up late, only to find her cute daughter babbling by the bedside.

Ke’er loved to laugh. The wet nurse held her in front of the dressing table, letting her watch her mother get ready.

Having the experience of her previous life, Xie Yunchu knew that babies shouldn’t be held too much.

“Go ahead and lay out some mats in the yard, let her crawl more,” she instructed.

The wet nurse was concerned and softly argued, “But, Madam, if she gets too tanned…”

“She’s not weak. Besides, so what if she gets tanned? Crawling well helps her learn to walk steadily,” Xie Yunchu replied.

Not daring to argue further, the wet nurse took the child outside. Soon, Qiu Sui and Dong Ning, accompanied by the maidservants, set up several bamboo beds in the yard with soft bedding and a fine ivory mat on top for the baby to play on.

Dong Ning placed some of her handmade toys at the end, enticing the baby to crawl. Ke’er eagerly scampered across the mat, her little legs kicking energetically.

A little while later, Xie Yunchu finished her breakfast and sat in the corridor reading. She had already informed Mrs. Jiang the night before that she would be staying home, so she wasn’t going to the usual morning and evening sessions. Soon, Qiu sui brought the news from the front yard.

“Madam, the Young Master has arrived and is in the study with our master, reading together.”

It turned out that Wang Shuhuai had a day off, so he asked Xie Yunyou to come to his house to teach him.

Xie Yunchu was naturally pleased and had tea, fruit, and her signature dishes prepared for lunch.

When it was time for them to go to the back courtyard for the meal, Xie Yunyou came, but Wang Shuhuai did not.

Xie Yunchu asked in surprise, “Where is your brother-in-law?”

Xie Yunyou, looking weary and downcast, slumped into the chair, his face full of disappointment. “Brother-in-law had urgent business, so he sent me first.”

Seeing his troubled expression, Xie Yunchu asked, “What’s wrong with you?”

Xie Yunyou buried his face in his hands, clearly frustrated with himself. “I’m so far behind my brother-in-law. Sister, I don’t think I can pass the exam this autumn.”

Xie Yunchu was at a loss for words. Her younger brother had been mischievous and didn’t like studying since he was a child, while Mrs. Lu’s son, Xie Yunzhou, studied diligently every night. Their father favored Xie Yunzhou, often comparing him to Xie Yunyou, which made the latter increasingly resentful of studying. After attending the Songshan Academy, he showed some improvement, but when it came to the exams, he still couldn’t compare.

“Everyone says that one becomes knowledgeable at thirty, and a scholar at fifty. If becoming a scholar was that easy, there wouldn’t be people worrying about it their whole lives. Don’t be discouraged. If this year doesn’t work, you’ll study for another three years. If that doesn’t work, you’ll look for another path.”

Xie Yunyou raised his gaze, frustrated. “But my brother-in-law became the top scholar at only eighteen.”

Xie Yunchu laughed. “You’re only sixteen. Using your brother-in-law as a benchmark shows you’ve made progress. Yunyou, don’t rush, listen to your brother-in-law, and take it slow. Build a solid foundation.”

She invited him to join the meal and instructed someone to pack Wang Shuhuai’s food. Xie Yunyou, however, said, “Pack the food box. I’ll deliver it to my brother-in-law personally.”

Carrying the food box, Xie Yunyou went to the study room. He saw Wang Shuhuai still sitting behind his desk, reading documents. With a smile, he entered and called out, “Brother-in-law.” He then moved the jade hook cloud-patterned palace lantern from the square yellow pear wood table and personally set the table for Wang Shuhuai.