The Eldest Daughter-in-Law [Reborn] - Chapter 29

Wang Shuhuai worked day and night until midnight. Ming Gui, who had been waiting for half the night, could no longer bear it and knocked on the door to come in.

He was scolded by the Duke’s men, so he shamelessly gave Wang Shuhuai a cup of refreshing soup.

“Second Young Master, it’s getting late. Shouldn’t you go to the backyard?”

Based on Ming Gui’s understanding of Wang Shuhuai, if the Duke had spoken, the Second Young Master would definitely follow it.

The silver lamp flickered in the wind. Wang Shuhuai was slightly startled and slowly raised his head from the pile of books. His handsome and gentle face was also hidden in the dim light. He stared at Ming Gui for a while and asked, “What day is today?”

Ming Gui was a little confused and replied, “Second day of the month.”

Wang Shuhuai’s face froze for a moment.

The first day had just passed, so he could only wait until the fifteenth.

He didn’t even think about making up for last night.

Rules were meant to be followed.

The wind blew in. Wang Shuhuai sat in the armchair, his skinny hands resting on the book for a long time without saying anything. After a while, he exhaled a sigh of relief and gave instructions in a calm voice, “Remind me on the first and fifteenth of every month.” 

After saying that, he lowered his eyes and sorted out the books.

Ming Gui didn’t know why, but he still obeyed the order. “I’ll make a note of it.”

After a while, he urged again, “Master, are you going to the backyard?”

The tall figure behind the desk did not answer him. Instead, he stood up silently and walked slowly to the inner room.

The next morning, the palace sent a reward exclusively to Xie Yunchu. This move shocked the Duke Mansion. The Eldest Princess usually gave rewards on every festival day, ensuring that no one was left out, with almost no distinction made between the importance of the rewards. But this was the first time a reward had been given to only one person.

Madam Jiang was astonished when she received the news. No wonder Xie Yunchu hadn’t taken her seriously; it turned out she was trying to climb up the social ladder.

Thinking of the Eldest Princess ‘s condescending and intimidating look, Jiang trembled with fear and never dared to ask Xie Yunchu to serve her again.

As usual, Xie Yunchu brought a bouquet of flowers to the upper room to pay her respects every day, and her etiquette was impeccable, leaving no room for criticism. Seeing Dou Keling entangled in household chores and Xu Shiwei serving her mother-in-law pitifully, Xie Yunchu gave them a sympathetic glance and leisurely left the upper room.

The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law disliked each other, so Jiang naturally had no desire to keep her.

The third day of the Lunar New Year was Xie Hui’s birthday. Aunt Lu was locked up and never saw the light of day. Her son Xie Yunzhou knelt in front of his father’s study and begged for mercy. Xie Hui was exhausted and instructed Xie Yunchu not to return home. However, Wang Shuhuai went to the Xie family’s house in person in the evening.

For the next ten days or so, Xie Yunchu was free. She either drank tea and chatted with her sisters-in-law in each courtyard or accompanied the girls in the mansion to recite poems and compose essays. Her father was the chief academic officer of the Imperial College, and she had been proficient in poetry, calligraphy, and painting since childhood, excelling in these arts. The girls in the mansion all looked up to her.

Wang Shuhuai still went out early and came back late, often disappearing from sight. Especially since Xie Yunchu had set a date for him, he simply resided in the yamen area. Xie Yunchu was relieved not to have to serve him and just asked someone to deliver a lunch box to the yamen every day as usual. However, Wang Shuhuai could tell from the food that it was not cooked by her.

Mama Lin was somewhat anxious when she saw the couple busy with their own things. Anyone with a discerning eye could see that Wang Shuhuai intended to stay the night last time but was driven away by Xie Yunchu. 

Mama Lin said worriedly, “Even if you don’t care about your husband, at least give birth to a legitimate son. My dear, time is running out, so please pay more attention.”

In the blink of an eye, it was the fifteenth day. Mama Lin urged Qiu Sui to help Xie Yunchu wash and dress. She insisted on making her sit to apply rose water to her skin to maintain its quality. 

Xie Yunchu let the maids fuss over her, but he was not trying to please Wang Shuhuai; she was trying to please herself.

She had a beautiful face in her previous life but ended up with an unattractive one. She couldn’t afford to make the same mistake in this life.

After a lot of maintenance, her face became as smooth and shiny as a peeled lychee. She had long eyelashes, bright almond eyes, and a charming smile that touched people’s hearts.

After a nap, at about 3 p.m., an unexpected guest arrived. It was Xiao Youran, the daughter of Xie Yunchu’s aunt.

After greeting the elders first, Xie Yunchu met her at a waterside pavilion near Chunjing Hall for tea. Seeing that Xiao Youran was exhausted from the journey and had sweat on her temples, Xie Yunchu scolded her, “It’s sunny today; why did you come at this time?”

The two were relatives and had grown up together, so they had a very good relationship.

Xiao Youran smiled as she drank tea, saying, “I heard that you were not feeling well. I was hoping to see you at your father’s birthday party, but it was canceled. My mother heard about what happened at the mansion and told me not to disturb you. But I couldn’t bear it any longer and had to come see you.”

“Anyway, what happened to Aunt Lu? Didn’t I hear you say she was fine before?”

When Xie Yunchu told Xiao Youran the truth, she sighed and seemed a little scared. “She is so cunning; I don’t know what she might do. Fortunately, you found out in time.”

Xie Yunchu didn’t want to talk about Aunt Lu any further, so she changed the subject, “I haven’t seen you for a long time. How have you been lately?”

Xiao Youran looked at her and said, “What do you mean by ‘long time’? Shen Yi and I came to your house some time ago, but you were so busy that you didn’t have time to entertain us.”

Xie Yunchu was momentarily stunned, then remembered that Xiao Youran was referring to events before her rebirth. She felt a pang of sadness. Although she had several very good friends in her previous life, she devoted herself to housework after marriage and had no time to keep in touch with them. Consequently, they gradually became estranged. In the end, she had no one to talk to.

She held Xiao Youran’s arm in embarrassment and said, “Good Sister, I was wrong. I will never do it again. Please come often in the future. I look forward to it.”

Xiao Youran didn’t take it seriously and sighed in boredom. “Chu’er, when you have some free time, you must accompany me to go shopping.”

Xie Yunchu smiled and said, “I’m free recently, so you can come find me,” then asked, “Why do you suddenly want to go shopping?” Xiao Youran was not usually concerned with expenses like clothing and other such things.

When this topic came up, Xiao Youran’s face showed resentment. She shook her fan and sneered, “You know my mother-in-law—she is the most fierce and domineering, even meddling in her son’s affairs. The other day, she heard that I had my period and sent her son to the outer study. She felt sorry for him and quietly arranged for him to have a concubine. I was really angry…”