The Eldest Daughter-in-Law [Reborn] - Chapter 112

Xie Yunchu, not confident about her brother’s decision, gestured for Xiao Huaijin to pull him aside. Xiao Huaijin immediately grabbed Xie Yunyou’s arm and pulled him away.

Seeing this, Xie Yunchu felt relieved and turned to Xie Hui. “Father, just give it to You’er.”

With the official position, You’er would have security and be able to move forward or retreat as needed.

The eldest daughter’s words carried weight. After weighing the academic progress of his two sons, Xie Hui finally nodded. “Fine.”

Xie Hui was a man of his word, and there would be no changing his decision. That day, by some twist of fate, even Concubine Lu’s scheme had worked out for her brother’s benefit.

Xie Yunchu felt a weight lift from her heart.

After a long day of discussions, she returned to the residence by late afternoon, only to find the usually closed gate of the Wang’s Mansion was wide open. Red silk was tied across the entrance, and palace servants were entering and exiting, indicating something significant was happening.

She quickly directed the carriage to stop at the side gate and asked the gatekeeper, “What’s going on today?”

The gatekeeper smiled and replied, “Replying to the Second Young Madam, Her Highness the Eldest Princess and the Duke have returned to the residence.”

Xie Yunchu was taken aback and hurriedly went to Chunjing Hall, passing through the Qinghui Hall, where she ran into Wang Shuhui, who was dressed in a dark blue robe and heading to the backyard. “Second Young Master, you’ve returned.”

Wang Shuhui had a faint expression on his face. Seeing her in such a rush, he guessed she had hurried back from somewhere, unsure of what she had been up to all day. “Grandmother and Grandfather have returned to the residence and have instructed the younger generation to join them for dinner in Qinghui Hall.”

Xie Yunchu understood and quickly said, “Please wait for me, I’ll change and join you.”

Wang Shuhui watched her swiftly dart into Chunjing Hall, her skirt trailing behind her like a fluttering butterfly, both conspicuous and graceful.

What was it that made her so happy?

After a long silence, Wang Shuhui finally stopped at the gate, waiting for her.

After a moment, Xie Yunchu changed into a coral-red fragrant cloud gauze dress. She was already a beauty, but now she was dazzling, outshining even the brilliant evening glow.

Wang Shuhuai frowned and asked, “Why are you wearing such bright clothes?”

Xie Yunchu was slightly taken aback. When had her husband started caring about what she wore? She blinked and replied, “Grandmother likes young people to wear bright colors.”

Wang Shuhuai didn’t know what he was really concerned about, but he forced himself to maintain his usual indifference and nodded, “Alright.”

Due to this slight delay, the couple arrived at Qinghui Hall a bit late.

Inside the main hall, small tables and brocade stools were set up. The couple shared a small table, while unmarried girls and young men sat in pairs. At the side, there was a tall table with a lotus-leaf palace-silk jade lamp and several gold-painted azure dishes, holding items like tea salt for rinsing the mouth.

Everyone had arrived, except for the host’s seat.

Small tables were arranged on both sides. The elderly men sat in two rows, with younger generations sitting behind them in order of age. Behind the Second Master’s seat was an empty table, where Wang Shuhuai and his wife were to sit.

When the Second Master saw that they were late, he scolded them with displeasure, “What took you so long? Your grandmother rarely comes back from the palace, and yet you two are late. Don’t take advantage of your position.”

Xie Yunchu and Wang Shuhuai lowered their heads and apologized.

The Eldest Young Master, Wang Shuzhao, who sat on Wang Shuhuai’s left, smiled and teased, “Don’t blame them, Uncle. Shu Huai is leaving Beijing soon. My sister-in-law must be reluctant to let him go. The couple must have endless private conversations.”

Wang Shukang, who was beside him, chimed in, “Indeed, Second Brother and Second Sister-in-law are so affectionate. When the Second Brother leaves, the Second Sister-in-law will surely be heartbroken.”

Xie Yunchu couldn’t help but smile bitterly. She couldn’t argue, so she simply lowered her gaze.

To others, this seemed like shyness.

The Eldest lady, Madam Miao, added a few more words, “Has Xie Yunchu never been apart from Shuhuai??”

“She couldn’t even bear to be apart for half a day. Even when Shuhuai went to court, she would eagerly send him lunch boxes, fearing that he wouldn’t adjust to the court’s meals. Ah, Shuhuai’s appetite has been spoiled by his wife.”

Wang Shuhuai’s face lost all expression, unlike his usual gentle demeanor.

The Qixi Festival was approaching, and the Qinghui Hall was adorned with lanterns and decorations.

Eighteen three-tiered palace lanterns were dotted on the beams, radiant and beautiful.

To the north, a stove, vase, and three items were placed; in the center was an ancient bronze cauldron with intricate Kui-pattern carvings, burning the Royal Dragon’s Essence incense. On either side were couplets inscribed with the Emperor’s praise for the Wang family’s ancestors’ merits. Below the cauldron, there was a wide, purple sandalwood couch with a finely crafted ivory cushion. In front of the couch, a long, purple sandalwood, gilded, red lacquered table was set with the Elder Princess and the Duke’s common dining utensils.

(TL note: In ancient China, ambergris was known as Lóng Xián Xiang, or “dragon’s spittle fragrance”. It was believed to be the saliva of a dragon that lived on rocks in the ocean.) 

Laughter still echoed in the hall when their hosts entered, and from afar, the sound of Elder Wang Shuzhao’s laughter was the loudest. The Eldest Princess, in a good mood, asked, “What are you laughing about?”

Wang Shuzhao was the Eldest Princess’s eldest grandson. He had been deeply favored by her since childhood and was the boldest among the younger generation.

“Replying to Grandmother,” he said, “Shu Huai and the Second Sister-in-Law are late. I imagine the couple must be whispering sweet words to each other.”

Everyone stood up and greeted the Eldest Princess, who gestured for them to sit. Her gaze naturally fell on Wang Shuhuai, her phoenix eyes narrowing with a smile. “Really? I don’t believe Shu Huai is saying sweet things to Miss Chu, but I do believe Miss Chu is missing her husband.”

The Eldest Princess took the lead in making jokes, and the others joined in, talking about how affectionate Xie Yunchu was with Wang Shuhuai, making the Duke smile as well.