The Eldest Daughter-in-Law [Reborn] - Chapter 126

Feeling deeply encouraged, Xie Yunchu instructed Uncle Lin to accept the position on her behalf.

That evening, the Duke’s Manor hosted a family banquet in celebration of the Mid-Autumn Festival. Xie Yunchu took the opportunity to report the day’s discussions to the Grand Princess. Seated behind her desk, the Princess took the written proposal from her hands. The handwriting was neat and strong, and the content was clearly structured and concise—ideal for review by those in power. Princess Chang was quite satisfied.

“Yunchu, if you were unmarried, I would have brought you into the palace to serve as my scribe.”

Xie Yunchu laughed. “Like Sister Chao Yun?”

Chang Yun, in a rare display of amusement, nodded. “Precisely.”

Although Xie Yunchu deeply admired Chao Yun, she had no interest in such a life. In her previous life, she had been shackled by countless restrictions; she had no desire to escape one cage only to enter another. She longed for the vast world beyond, to spread her wings and soar.

“Perhaps the future generation will have such an opportunity,” she replied lightly.

The Grand Peincess tapped a finger against the memorial in her hand, her tone meaningful. “Yunchu, your handwriting is quite similar to Shuhuai’s…”

Xie Yunchu was momentarily stunned. In her previous life, she had often copied Wang Shuhuai’s calligraphy, practicing until it was almost indistinguishable from his. But as a woman, she lacked the strength and ease in his strokes—otherwise, she might have fooled even the Grand Princess. Caught off guard, she lowered her gaze and smiled, unsure of how to explain.

The Grand Princess closed the document and asked kindly, “Do you miss him?”

A slight blush appeared on Xie Yunchu’s face. She had been far too busy lately to spare a thought for Wang Shuhuai. Besides, she had no intention of foolishly worrying over him as she had in her previous life.

She remained silent, unwilling to explain or deny it.

The Grand Princess took this as shyness.

“Just wait a little longer. Once he establishes himself, you may travel south to reunite with him.”

I have no intention of going.

Xie Yunchu dared not say it outright. Instead, she said, “A man’s ambitions should extend across the land. If I follow him, it would not be proper. Grandmother, there is no need to worry about me. I am well. It’s only three years—I can wait.”

In her previous life, under the Grand Princess’ constant suppression, Wang Shuhuai had spent three years stabilizing Jiangnan. But in this life, not only did the Grand Princess refrain from obstructing him, but she even provided her full support. With such backing, Wang Shuhuai would undoubtedly complete his mission much more swiftly—perhaps in just a year or so.

She would no longer be a mere supporting figure, a background character to his brilliance.

Wang Shuhuai was a man who shone like the sun, but she would no longer be one who merely chased his light—she would become a light of her own.

At this moment, she was the guiding light of the capital’s city bureau.

The Grand Princess, pleased that Xie Yunchu was not overly preoccupied with matters of the heart, nodded approvingly. “I am glad you have such insight. Very well, I shall entrust the city bureau’s affairs to you. Do not be afraid—push forward boldly. Why should women not govern and build just as men do?”

With the Grand Princess’s permission and full support, Xie Yunchu was overjoyed. “Thank you, Grandmother. Then I shall begin preparations for the trade bureau at once.”

The Grand Princess, seeing her excitement, was amused. For the first time, she saw Xie Yunchu acting like a young girl, her face glowing with enthusiasm, her eyes bright with spirit. A person who is always restrained and measured—what joy is there in that?

“You are at your best like this.”

The Grand Princess remained in the study to review memorials, while Xie Yunchu stepped out to join the family banquet in the Liuli Hall, where the Wang family had gathered for a crab feast.

Wang Shuqin, after waiting twenty whole days, had finally acquired a robe from Linglong Embroidery. She wore it proudly that evening, as Wang Shuyi and Wang Shuya admired it from all sides.

“This fabric is so smooth! I thought Cloud Brocade was soft, but this South Sea gauze is on another level.”

“The silk flower is beautiful as well. Do they sell these separately?” Wang Shuya was particularly taken with the vibrant colors.

Wang Shuqin shook her head. “The silk flowers are a signature of their brand. They don’t sell them separately.”

Dou Keling and Xu Shiwei joined in, and the women all marveled at how Linglong Embroidery had suddenly taken the capital by storm, setting the trend among the noble and affluent.

Xie Yunchu listened silently, not speaking. No one in the Duke’s Manor knew that she was the true owner behind Linglong Embroidery. Since Princess Chang had chosen not to reveal it, she too let it be.

“How much does it cost per robe?”

“Twenty taels.”

“That’s far too expensive,” Dou Keling said, feeling a twinge of distress.

Her monthly allowance was only twenty taels. To spend it all on a single garment? She simply couldn’t bring herself to do it.

Being a wife was different from being a young maiden. As an unmarried girl, she had enjoyed indulgence from her parents, free to spend without concern. But as a wife, extravagance would surely invite criticism from her mother-in-law. Though Dou Keling had her own private savings, she had to be mindful—saving for her husband, for her children.

Sure enough, Madam Jiang cast a meaningful glance at the dazzling Wang Shuqin before turning to Wang Shuyi. “Shuqin is not like you. You are now betrothed—you must act with greater decorum. If you dress too ostentatiously, the Liu family may take issue.”

Her words, though directed at her daughter, carried a clear warning for others as well.

Dou Keling immediately understood—her mother-in-law was subtly admonishing them.

Xu Shiwei, being pregnant, could not eat crab. A servant brought her a bowl of congee instead. Her belly had already begun to show. Looking at the beautiful garments, she sighed wistfully. “Too bad I won’t be able to wear them.”

“You can wear them after you give birth,” Wang Shuqin reassured her.

Xu Shiwei glanced at her mother-in-law and responded dutifully, “Even after childbirth, I might not regain my figure. Just look at the Second Sister-in-law—after giving birth to Xuan Ge’er, she gained ten full pounds.”

Dou Keling immediately grew angry. “Didn’t I slim down later? But the Fourth Sister-in-law is different—she was already plump. Who knows what she’ll look like after having a child?”

Xu Shiwei felt wronged and refused to be outdone. She pointed at Xie Yunchu. “Not everyone gains weight when pregnant. Look at the Second Sister-in-law—when she was carrying Ke’er, her figure was so slender from behind that you couldn’t even tell she was expecting.”