The Eldest Daughter-in-Law [Reborn] - Chapter 131

“Master, my clothes are wet—I need to change!”

The warm glow of the lantern light cast a gentle hue over Wang Shuhuai, his face illuminated with a seemingly soft and amiable warmth. Yet beneath that, his eyes were shadowed and distant.

He had never considered whether he liked a woman, just as he had never considered whether she liked him. She was his wife, he was her husband. They were meant to devote themselves to each other, to fulfill their responsibilities as expected.

But now, watching her drift further and further away—out of reach, untouchable, desired by others, and indifferent to him—

His heart could no longer remain unshaken.

A few days later, Qi Wei sent a message via carrier pigeon. The letter bore a high-level classification, and as soon as Leng Shan received the report, he hurried to the yamen to find Wang Shuhuai.

At that moment, Wang Shuhuai was discussing the memorial with Liu Qiliang.

“His Majesty is deeply concerned about the Yuhang affair and has ordered me to return to the capital to report in person. More importantly, this matter has shaken some of the old foxes in court, and they can no longer sit still—they are pressuring His Majesty. I must go back to support the Grand Princess. Shuhuai, put the Songjiang matter on hold for now. Wait for my return before proceeding.”

Wang Shuhuai had initially planned to employ a strategy of encirclement—securing the surrounding counties before setting his sights on Jinling. But now, with the court interfering, he had to pause his plans.

“As you command,” he replied.

Glancing outside, Wang Shuhuai noticed Leng Shan peering in. Seeing that, he set aside the memorial and quietly stepped out. 

Leng Shan handed him the letter.

Wang Shuhuai unfolded it, scanning its contents in an instant. His expression sharpened.

Turning back, he looked at Liu Qiliang, who was in the hall flipping through the accounts, and suddenly curved his lips into a smile. “Lord Liu, regarding the Yuhang memorial, I still have some doubts that require your guidance. Why don’t I join you for dinner at your residence tonight?”

Liu Qiliang, mindful of the fact that his son was soon to marry Wang Shuhuai’s sister, regarded him as a nephew.

“That would be best. You have no one to look after you here. If needed, you can even stay at my place.”

That evening, Wang Shuhuai accompanied Liu Qiliang to his residence. Liu Qiliang had a concubine serving him, and upon hearing of their arrival, she hurriedly arranged a feast.

Away from the capital and free from his wife’s constraints, Liu Qiliang indulged in debauchery. After a few cups of wine, he even summoned a courtesan to play the zither in the courtyard for entertainment.

Wang Shuhuai, ever poised and charming, engaged in toasts while discreetly slipping a small packet of croton powder into the wine. That very night, Liu Qiliang fell ill with violent diarrhea.

By morning, he was in such agony that he could not even get out of bed, writhing on his couch as he groaned,

“That wretched woman! She’s ruined my affairs! I was supposed to depart for the capital today—how will I not incur His Majesty’s wrath now?”

His concubine knelt in the hall, weeping in grievance, convinced that the main wife had sent spies to sabotage her.

Wang Shuhuai had spent the night at Liu Qiliang’s residence. In the morning, he appeared at the official’s door, dressed impeccably. Stepping forward, he gently placed a reassuring hand on Liu Qiliang’s feeble wrist.

“Do not worry, my lord. The Songjiang matter needs to be postponed anyway. Besides, I have been handling the Yuhang affairs—if I return to report to His Majesty in your stead, it would be more appropriate. Your health comes first. Take your time to recover; I shall return soon to meet with you.”

His refined and elegant features exuded sincerity, like a clear moonlit breeze.

Liu Qiliang had nothing to refute and simply instructed him on the matters at hand.

That same day, Wang Shuhuai left Ming Gui behind, took his shadow guards, and embarked on a journey back to the capital via the waterways.

Xie Yunchu made a complete fool of herself.

On the twenty-third of September, the Bureau of Exclusive Trade was officially established, and Linglong Embroidery became the first merchant to apply for an exclusive franchise. On the day of the inauguration, the yamen set off firecrackers in celebration. Xie Yunchu, who had gone to watch the event, was caught off guard and temporarily deafened by the explosion.

For half a day, she could hear nothing at all, throwing the entire store into a panic. She was promptly sent back to the Duke’s Manor, where the household was thrown into turmoil. Even the most renowned imperial physician in the palace, Old Physician Fan, was summoned. A crowd of people gathered around her bedside, their faces tense with worry.

One after another, the physicians took turns checking her pulse, yet none could make sense of her condition.

Qi Wei, in his anxiety, immediately sent a carrier pigeon to Jiangnan, asking Wang Shuhuai to seek out a renowned healer there.

Fortunately, after sleeping through the night, she completely recovered the next morning.

Mama Lin, however, was so frightened that she fell ill herself. Clutching Xie Yunchu by her bedside, she wept for a long time.

“My dear girl, this old servant nearly lost half her life from fright.”

Even so, Physician Fan still insisted on examining her that day, prescribing some calming medicine and a regimen to nourish her body. In no time, Xie Yunchu was back to her lively self.

From then on, Mama Lin refused to let her step out of the house.

“From July to September, you haven’t had a moment’s rest. You might as well take this opportunity to slow down for a while. Besides, the days are growing colder, and winter is approaching—you need to take care of yourself.”