The Eldest Daughter-in-Law [Reborn] - Chapter 34

The Third Young Master, Wang Shukuang, also knelt down and apologized. 

The Duke’s expression did not change significantly. He only looked at Sister Ke with concern, “Are you in pain?”

In the past, Xie Yunchu would have swallowed her anger and said magnanimously that it was okay. She was the Eldest Sister-in-law and Daughter-in-law of the second branch, and she had to be tolerant of others. Besides, the internal conflicts of the second branch could not be brought to the surface under any circumstances.

Yet she took out Sister Ke’s little hand that was hit and showed it to the Duke. The skin of the baby, who was only a few months old, was as tender as tofu, and it suddenly turned red. Moreover, Sister Ke had tears hanging on her long eyelashes, and anyone who saw her would have their heart softened.

Xie Yunchu understood Dou Keling’s thoughts too well. The reason why she did that was simply to remind the Duke that Brother Xuan was the first legitimate grandson of the Duke Mansion and was older than Sister Ke, so he should be the first to choose a gift. The Duke glanced at Madam Dou calmly, then waved to Brother Xuan with a smile.

“Brother Xuan, come here to your great-grandfather.” Everyone knew that the Duke was looking forward to having a great-grandson, so Dou Keling immediately pushed her son and motioned him to go over. However, Brother Xuan hesitated, sensing that his great-grandfather’s smile was not right, and he did not dare to go over.  Dou Keling shot him a fierce look, prompting Brother Xuan to slowly make his way to the Duke. The Duke patted the back of his head and asked, “Do you like those gifts?”

Brother Xuan nodded heavily.

“What do you like?” Brother Xuan turned his head and looked at the lacquer tray presented by the eunuch. There was a longevity lock made of gold, a square toy that looked like a magic cube, and a flower tube. He thought about it seriously and said, “I want them all.” 

The two-year-old child did not speak fluently yet, speaking word by word.

Dou Keling’s eyes turned dark, and she fell to the ground, not daring to speak. The Duke smiled meaningfully and said, “What a pity, kid, that was given to your sister by your great-grandmother.”

Brother Xuan felt wronged. He pointed at his brothers and sisters in the eldest house. Everyone was holding something in their hands, but he didn’t. He cried and said, “I also want…”

The Duke was quite patient with the child. “You shouldn’t have taken your sister’s things today. When you don’t make mistakes next time and can eat by yourself, your great-grandfather will reward you. How about that?”

Brother Xuan seemed unable to accept such a gap and pouted as if he was about to cry.

Wang Shukuang was worried that the child would make a fool of himself again, so he took the child back without saying a word.

The Duke then looked at Madam Dou and asked the Second Master a question without any context, “The Third Young Master’s wife is in charge of the Second House’s finances now, right?”

The Second Master was unsure of what the Duke meant, so he replied awkwardly, “Yes.”

The Duke took a sip of tea and said nothing more.

Then he asked about the third and fourth courtyards. The fifth and sixth young masters were not married yet, and the Duke was concerned about their studies.

Dou Keling stood sullenly behind the crowd, wondering what the Duke meant by his words. Was he warning her that Xie Yunchu had already handed over the household duties to her and she should stop?

Thinking of the possibility, Dou Keling’s desire to win favor immediately stopped.

After a while, the Duke kept his children and grandchildren to talk and asked the female family members to leave. Before leaving, he said to Xie Yunchu, “Your grandmother is much better. She has been taking your prescription and has not had an attack for more than ten days.”

Hearing his words, everyone looked at her with envy.

Xie Yunchu said respectfully, “This is a blessing for our entire family.”

His eldest grandson’s wife was sensible, and the Duke was satisfied from the bottom of his heart.

The household affairs of the Duke Mansion were in the hands of the Third Madam, Madam Zhou. The Third Madam was a descendant of a military family and was very quick and efficient in her actions. Everyone in the mansion admired her very much. It was rare for them to get together like that on ordinary days, so as soon as the female family members came out of Qinghui, she invited them to the nearby Glazed Hall for tea.

The four ladies sat upstairs and talked, with the young wives sitting on their left and right. To the south, behind a pearl curtain, several young girls from the mansion gathered. The mansion’s governess brought over an embroidery tray, and everyone gathered together to embroider and chat.

Xie Yunchu handed the child to the wet nurse. Several children were playing outside the flower hall. But Sister Ke could not walk yet, so the wet nurse held her and watched from the corridor. Sister Ke had just been bullied by Brother Xuan. She did not like to play with her brother, so she kept chasing after her brothers and sisters in the eldest house with her little eyes.

There was a lot of laughter inside and outside the hall.

The Fourth Madam was a well-known living Buddha in the mansion, with a gentle temperament. She held the teacup and asked the Third Madam, “Not long ago, my dowry store sent a batch of soft silk materials. They are the styles produced by Jiangnan Weaving Store. I will send them to my sister-in-law later and let the young people choose from them.”

The Third Madam had a serious face and didn’t usually smile. She replied in a proper manner, “Keep it for yourself. Besides, Ya is old enough to get married, so dress her up.”

The Fourth Lady, Wang Shuya, was the daughter of the Fourth Madam. She was born shy and timid. Upon hearing that, she glanced at her in a daze.

The Fourth Madam ignored her and said to the Third Madam with a smile, “Shuyi and Shuqin are not married yet, how can it be her turn?”

The Second Lady, Wang Shuqin, was the daughter of the Third Madam, and the Third Lady, Wang Shuyi, was the youngest daughter of Madam Jiang.

When the Third Madam mentioned Wang Shuqin, her expression turned pale, while the First Madam looked embarrassed.

The Liu and Wang families of the Xuanping Marquis’ Mansion were old friends. Originally, the Liu family had been seeking to marry the Second Lady, Wang Shuqin. Later, the Eldest Princess , on the grounds of seniority, betrothed the handsome and talented Prince Liu to the eldest daughter of the first household, Wang Shuying. That made Wang Shuqin very angry, and she announced that she would not marry.

The First Madam actually didn’t want to be at odds with the Third Madam, but it was the Eldest Princess ‘s decision, and she had no influence on it, which led to her being in a bad mood both inside and outside. Seeing that the atmosphere was not right, she immediately tried to comfort them, “Marriage is predestined. She is outstanding in both calligraphy and music. There are so many suitors lining up at her door. I’m afraid she may not be able to choose.”