The Eldest Daughter-in-Law [Reborn] - Chapter 130

Now, placing the familiar plant in his study brought an unexpected sense of comfort.

The fifteenth of September arrived, another night of a full moon.

Having triumphed in Yuhang, many officials in Jinling sought to curry favor, inviting Wang Shuhuai to various banquets. That evening, he accepted one such invitation and went to drink.

The man who never stepped into brothels or pleasure boats, for the sake of socializing, put away his refined and scholarly demeanor, maneuvering with ease as he exchanged pleasantries with the officials.

Naturally, beauties were present to accompany them.

The reputation of the Qinhuai Eight Beauties was well deserved—whether in music, chess, calligraphy, or painting, in archery games or tea brewing, they excelled in all. At the signal of the Magistrate of Jinling, the leading courtesan, Li Meinang, swayed gracefully toward Wang Shuhuai. Her fragrance-laced, alluring figure was faintly visible beneath the sheer veil. The magistrate’s eyes burned with desire, yet he restrained himself, knowing that tonight’s target was Wang Shuhuai.

“Shuhuai, Meinang is the finest courtesan in Jinling. She has sold her art, not her body, for years. The only man she has ever offered a drink to before was our Governor-General. You, Shuhuai, are the second.” He then shot Li Meinang a knowing glance, signaling her to display her charms.

Li Meinang, a seasoned woman of the pleasure quarters, recognized at once that Wang Shuhuai was no ordinary man. His face alone outshone every elegant young gentleman in Jinling, let alone the unique aura he carried—seemingly detached and indifferent, yet ever composed and in control.

And he was talented beyond compare, with intelligence and wisdom unmatched. If the world held ten measures of beauty, he possessed eight.

If she could spend a single night with such a man, she would die without regret.

With measured grace, Li Meinang knelt before Wang Shuhuai, her slender fingers delicately holding a cup of specially crafted wine, offering it to him with sultry eyes.

“Young Master Wang, Top Scholar Wang, this wine is my exclusive recipe, named Embracing the Moon. Please have a taste. If it displeases you, tonight, I am yours to do with as you wish.”

The officials erupted in laughter. “Li Meinang, are you feigning weakness just to lure Master Wang into your net?”

Li Meinang said nothing, only gazing at Wang Shuhuai with eyes like silk, clinging to him like threads.

Dressed in spotless white, Wang Shuhuai exuded an air of untainted elegance. As Li Meinang approached, he straightened his posture, lifted his hand to receive the wine, and maintained a polite distance.

His bearing was as pure as jade, upright and graceful.

With a casual motion of his cup, he gently pushed aside Li Meinang’s soft arm and addressed the magistrate, “I… fear my wife.”

The magistrate was momentarily stunned. Meeting Wang Shuhuai’s unwavering gaze, he sighed in regret but could not force him.

“Your esteemed wife must be a rare beauty to hold your heart so firmly.”

Wang Shuhuai merely smiled, offering no reply.

He declined the courtesan’s company, yet could not refuse the magistrate’s wine. By the time he returned to his residence, he was thoroughly inebriated.

Ming Gui and Leng Shan supported him, one on each side, into his study.

The moonlight cast a bright glow over the dark lacquered desk.

Dismissing his servants, he leaned against the desk alone.

When that courtesan had approached him earlier, he had keenly detected the fragrance of pear blossoms on her.

The same scent lingered on Xie Yunchu.

Tonight was the fifteenth, the day she had promised him.

The ever-composed man, now flushed with alcohol, felt heat surging through his veins, searing through his limbs and bones. With his eyes closed, his vision wavered between darkness and radiance.

Her delicately arched brows, her rosy lips, her luminous apricot eyes filled with a misty sheen… the curves of her figure, always carefully concealed yet undeniably alluring… and that night before he left the capital, when he had pressed her against the bedpost, her soft, trembling voice pleading—

“Second Master, spare me…”

He drifted into a hazy slumber.

At dawn, autumn sunlight bathed the courtyard, dewdrops rolling off the branches.

Wang Shuhuai personally watered the potted calamus. Through the window, Leng Shan handed him the letters from the capital.

There were letters from the Duke, from his father and mother, and even requests from his younger brothers for ink, paper, and brushes.

Lastly, there was Qi Wei’s biweekly report.

Qi Wei meticulously detailed the child’s well-being. Learning that Xiao Ke was now walking steadily filled Wang Shuhuai with genuine joy. He could already envision the child running into his arms. Then came the updates on Xie Yunchu’s activities—still the municipal office, the store, occasional visits to the Xiao family, the Grand Princess’s residence, and Wang Yining’s mansion…

She was busy and fulfilled.

But still, she never wrote back to him.

Taking advantage of his day off, Wang Shuhuai brought Leng Shan to the market, purchasing toys for Sister Ke. Remembering Xie Yunchu’s newfound love for adornments, he also bought a set of kingfisher feather jewelry to send back.

Returning home at dusk, he heard muffled sobs from the dimly lit corridors. Frowning, he stepped inside to find Ming Gui squatting in a corner, clutching a letter and weeping.

Perplexed, Wang Shuhuai approached him. “What’s the matter?”

Ming Gui wiped his tears, then bowed deeply. “Qi Wei sent me a letter from home. My wife had an accident while working… She broke a bone. The pain is unbearable…” His voice cracked as he sobbed. “And my heart aches for her too.”

Wang Shuhuai looked at his tear-streaked servant, momentarily at a loss for words. After a pause, he offered a few words of comfort. “Your parents are both working in our household. There are plenty of people to look after her. A doctor will surely be called—it will be fine.”

Ming Gui choked out, “I understand, my lord, I do… but I still feel awful… I wish I could bear the pain for her.”

Wang Shuhuai was taken aback, finding it difficult to comprehend. “You cannot feel her pain. Don’t say such foolish things.”

Ming Gui pursed his lips. “Master, you’ve never loved anyone before, how could you understand my feelings?”

The words had barely left his mouth before he realized his mistake. Eyes widening, he clamped his lips shut. Seeing his usually composed master’s brows slowly knit together, Ming Gui hastily snatched up the bundle of belongings he had received and bolted towards the corridor.