The Eldest Daughter-in-Law [Reborn] - Chapter 118

The next morning, Xie Yunchu went to the shop as usual, while Wang Shuhuai completed the final handover at the Ministry of Revenue.

By the time their respective duties were finished, lanterns were already being lit.

As she left her carriage, Xie Yunchu adjusted the sheer shawl draped over her shoulders, her steps brisk as she made her way toward Chunjing Hall. The excitement of launching her business still coursed through her veins, lending her an air of vibrant energy. There was a unique allure to a woman immersed in her passion—her very presence exuded confidence, as though even the air around her pulsed with purpose.

Under the eaves of the study, clad in a pristine white robe, Wang Shuhuai stood partially concealed by the lush greenery. He watched as her graceful silhouette slowly passed through the gate ahead.

She wore a diagonally fastened robe of Xiangyun silk, its intricate floral patterns vivid yet tasteful, striking a perfect balance between opulence and refinement. Complemented by her unparalleled beauty, she looked almost otherworldly—an enchantress whose presence blurred the line between indulgence and elegance.

Like a painting steeped in time, enriched by the weight of years, a fleeting glimpse of her stirred something deep in him.

Just as she wanted to take a closer look, the figure had already disappeared, leaving behind only scattered words and the distant sound of silver-bell laughter drifting through the forest and across the water.

Another unexpected autumn rain began to fall.

Lifting the hem of her skirt, Xie Yunchu hurried up the covered walkway. Behind her, a low and husky voice suddenly called out, “Madam…”

It had been too long since she had thought of Wang Shuhuai, too long since she had heard his voice. This sudden address, as if summoned from the depths of memory, left Xie Yunchu momentarily dazed. Even though they had been entangled just last night, neither had spoken a single word throughout.

She turned around.

The man, dressed in plain white robes, stood gracefully at the doorway.

That face—no matter when—always bore an air of aloof refinement, as if it had cast aside all worldly splendor.

In her previous life, she had likely been infatuated with this very face. Xie Yunchu chuckled, leaning against a column, subtly shifting her waist inward to avoid the drifting raindrops.

“Second Young Master…” A familiar smile adorned her face, her expression relaxed and languid.

No matter the wind or rain, nothing seemed to disturb the gentle serenity she exuded.

Wang Shuhuai’s brows and eyes were shrouded in misty rain, a trace of coldness settling there.

“I’m leaving the capital tonight,” he said.

Xie Yunchu was slightly caught off guard, unprepared for this news. “Weren’t you planning to leave after Minister Liu’s mother’s birthday banquet?”

The birthday banquet was set for the sixth day of the seventh month.

Wang Shuhuai’s gaze, as clear and sharp as ever, rested on her face, his expression as calm as always. “The Transport Commissioner of Lianghuai has been assassinated. I must depart ahead of schedule.”

Xie Yunchu was not surprised. In both lifetimes, Wang Shuhuai was like a spinning top that never stopped—wherever the hardest challenges lay, he would go.

In her previous life, she had never understood this. She had constantly resented that her husband could never stay by her side. Now, she was at peace with it. They could each pursue their own paths—his grand ambitions, her flourishing career.

There was no trace of reluctance or worry on Xie Yunchu’s face. Instead, she spoke openly and brightly,”Then the Second Young Master must take care of himself. If you travel by boat at night, take the chance to get some rest.”

As if he were not embarking on a distant journey, as if he would return home in just a few days.

So natural, so casual.

A tangle of indescribable emotions welled up inside Wang Shuhuai—complex, knotted, twisting together. He had no time to distinguish them. Logic had already told him: this was his wife, the ever-reliable one. She never clung, never hesitated, always guarding their home so that he could go forth without concern.

“You as well,” his clear, cool gaze flickered briefly towards the eastern wing before he added in a low voice, “Take good care of Ke’er.”

Xie Yunchu shifted her posture, still leaning against the column. A breeze lifted her dark hair, revealing a face as luminous as the moon. She laughed lightly, “By the time the Second Young Master returns, Ke’er will be running and talking, even more adorable than before.”

Wang Shuhuai’s long brows lowered slightly. He thought of his daughter’s clumsy, foolish antics, and his lips curved faintly.

This farewell was warm and unremarkable.

The rain grew heavier, but there seemed to be nothing more to say.

Wang Shuhuai took a step back.

Xie Yunchu knew he was about to leave.

Between them, a gate stood as a boundary, the misty rain acting as a veil. Neither of them crossed that threshold—one framed like a beauty in an embroidered hall, the other wrapped in wind and rain, his silhouette casting shadows across the courtyard lanterns as he set out alone.

She watched as his tall, slender figure gradually faded into the rain, her expression growing distant and unfocused.

Scenes like this had happened too many times in her previous life—so many that she had grown numb, her heart a quiet, undisturbed lake.

She no longer remembered whether they had spent more time meeting or parting.

One cold, empty, and endless night after another had been the only constant in her lonely life.

But the precious thing was that she had finally broken free. She no longer placed her hopes on anyone else.

The rain poured down from the sky. Xie Yunchu lifted her face, letting the droplets scatter into fragments of light as they fell upon her.

Like a butterfly taking flight.

The only thing in this world worth surrendering oneself to—was learning to love oneself well.

The Grand Princess and the Duke stayed at the estate until the fifth day of the month before planning their return to the palace.

That night, a family banquet was held. The Duke summoned several young masters to assess their studies, while the Grand Princess conversed with the ladies of the household.

Wang Shuyi, who had not been seen in a long time, also came. Her demeanor was listless and dispirited, a far cry from her usual lively self.