The Eldest Daughter-in-Law [Reborn] - Chapter 119

As the Qixi Festival approached, the Duke’s residence was adorned with colorful lanterns. Everyone presented a lantern to the Grand Princess—some composed poetry, some painted, while others prepared riddles for her to guess. In the corridors, a few children played with fireworks. It was always during such moments that the Grand Princess truly enjoyed the warmth of family.

She was always busy, burdened with endless state affairs.

Wang Shuqin called for Wang Shuya and Wang Shuyi to help craft lanterns under the south window, preparing to set them afloat on the river for blessings on the day of Qixi.

The Fourth Miss, Wang Shuya, was somewhat fearful of the Grand Princess. She kept her head lowered, silently embroidering without saying a word. The Third Miss, Wang Shuyi, absently smoothed a strand of silk thread, only responding when Wang Shuqin called her name.

The Grand Princess turned to Xie Yunchu and asked, “On which day is your father’s wedding to Lady Ming? I should send a congratulatory gift.”

Xie Yunchu replied, “It is set for the eighth day of the ninth month, two months from now.”

The Grand Princess instructed Chao Yun to make a note of it.

Her gaze then fell upon the three young ladies by the window. “Shuqin’s marriage is still undecided?”

Years ago, Wang Shuqin had thrown quite a tantrum over her betrothal to the Liu family. The Grand Princess had been displeased and grew somewhat distant from this granddaughter. Now, however, things had changed—the matter of the Liu family was long settled, and Wang Shuqin had likely come to terms with it as well.

Hearing this, Third Madam could not help but feel uneasy. In the Grand Princess’s eyes, marriage was not merely about romance but entangled with political interests. Third Madam privately wished for her daughter to marry someone of her own choosing. Yet now, with the Grand Princess suddenly bringing up the topic, there was no telling whether she had set her sights on a particular household, intending to arrange a marriage for political alliance.

Thus, she quickly responded on Wang Shuqin’s behalf, “She takes after her father in temperament—stubborn as can be. I’ve urged her day and night, but she finds me nagging and even blames me for it. Last time, she finally agreed to attend a flower-viewing banquet, but then she went off to the summer palace instead. And now that she’s back, someone actually came to propose, only for her to scold them away.”

The Grand Princess furrowed her brows, her expression darkening.

The daughters-in-law present all felt uneasy—apart from Wang Yining, only the Third Madam dared to speak so candidly before the Grand Princess.

The Grand Princess then shifted her gaze to Wang Shuyi. “If Shuqin refuses to marry, then let it be Shuyi.”

Madam Jiang was so startled that she nearly slid off her chair. She stammered, “M-Mother, which young man have you set your eyes on?”

The Grand Princess solemnly declared, “The Liu family of the Ministry of Revenue.”

Madam Jiang was unfamiliar with the intricate relationships within the six ministries and looked bewildered.

The Fourth Madam, sitting nearby, explained, “This is an enormous blessing, Second Sister-in-law! Do you know who Shuhuai is traveling south with this time? None other than Minister Liu. The Emperor holds Minister Liu in great esteem and entrusts him with significant responsibilities. If our families were to be united through marriage, wouldn’t he be bound to look after our Shuhuai in everything?”

The Grand Princess cast a glance at the Fourth Madam.

Encouraged by her mother-in-law’s approval, the Fourth Madam went on enthusiastically about the virtues of the Liu family.

The Grand Princess had chosen the Liu family because, among the six ministries, the Ministry of Revenue was the one she had the least influence over. In order to support Wang Shuhuai’s land survey and tax reform efforts, she needed an ally within the ministry. Thus, she had set her sights on Liu Qiliang.

Madam Jiang, upon hearing that this concerned Wang Shuhuai, showed some interest. “Which young master of the Liu family is it? What is his character like?”

The Fourth Madam smiled. “Who else could it be? Minister Liu has only one son, and he treasures him dearly.”

Madam Jiang was surprised. That such a favorable match would be offered to her daughter seemed almost too good to be true. It wasn’t that she doubted her daughter’s worth—rather, she found it hard to believe that the Grand Princess would arrange such a desirable marriage for Wang Shuyi.

The Grand Princess took one look at Madam Jiang’s expression and knew exactly what she was thinking.

“Are you still holding a grudge over the match I arranged between Shuhuai and Yunchu?”

Xie Yunchu accidentally choked on her tea. The Fourth Madam, sitting beside her, promptly handed her a handkerchief and cast a disapproving glance at Madam Jiang. “You won’t find another daughter-in-law as outstanding as Yunchu in the entire capital. If my son had the fortune to marry someone like her, I’d be burning incense in gratitude.”

For once, the Third Madam agreed with the Fourth Madam. “I plan to find a daughter-in-law who measures up to Yunchu as well.”

Xie Yunchu chuckled.

Madam Jiang was flustered, unable to find a graceful way out. “It’s not that… I just…” She truly disliked Xie Yunchu and couldn’t bring herself to flatter the Grand Princess.

The Grand Princess’s expression turned cold. “Since you think the Liu family isn’t good enough, I’ll have to find a more suitable match for you.”

Madam Jiang knew the Grand Princess was angered and immediately dropped to her knees. “Your Highness, forgive me! That’s not what I meant. I will follow your arrangements.” She knew that if she rejected the Liu family, the next match would surely be worse. She understood the Grand Princess well—there would be no kindness shown if she displeased her. Madam Jiang trembled in fear.

The Grand Princess waved a hand dismissively, unwilling to continue the conversation.

The Fourth Madam personally helped Madam Jiang up, smoothing things over. “Isn’t tomorrow the Liu family’s birthday banquet? Take Shuyi with you and have a look. If she takes a liking to him, it will be her blessing.”

Madam Jiang was still shaken and readily agreed to everything the Fourth Madam said.

The next day, the Third Madam took Xie Yunchu and Wang Shuya, while Madam Jiang brought Wang Shuyi, to attend the Liu family’s banquet. The Third Madam, fearing that the Grand Princess might set her sights on her own daughter, deliberately left Wang Shuqin at home.

Previously, Wang Shuyi had been under house arrest, but she was granted special permission to leave for the occasion. Madam Jiang only hoped to please the Grand Princess so her daughter would be fully released. On the way there, she sternly warned her daughter, “You must behave yourself today—don’t cause trouble. I inquired last night, and everything about the Liu family is good. There’s only one issue—the mother-in-law is a bit strict. But which daughter-in-law isn’t disciplined by her mother-in-law after marriage? After a few years, once you’ve given birth to a legitimate son, it won’t matter anymore.”