The Eldest Daughter-in-Law [Reborn] - Chapter 49

After several deliberations, the Imperial Court finally decided to dredge a new canal. The river near Guangqumen was wide and deep, with lush green mountains and solid riverbanks on both sides. They reconnected the canal to this place and built a new water gate near Guangqumen. From then on, the area of Leyouyuan in the inner city flourished, with shops springing up, becoming a new commercial hub in the capital.

What Xie Yunchu intended to do was to strike first.

Afterwards, Xie Yunchu went to the nearest teahouse to drink tea. Uncle Lin took his trusted servant to investigate and finally brought back news in the afternoon.

“The south bank of the inner city gate belongs to the Imperial Court. If you want to buy it, you’ll have to go to the Ministry of Revenue. There are about ten households on the north bank. I inquired and found out that they were originally servants of a wealthy family, growing fruit trees and vegetables for their master. The master’s surname is Liu, and he’s a merchant who isn’t often in the capital. But we’re lucky. The master has been doing business in the capital recently and seems to be planning to go south to Nanjing, intending to sell this piece of land. I made a rough calculation on the way. If you want to buy this land on the north bank, it will cost at least one thousand taels.”

“Buy it,” Xie Yunchu said without hesitation.

“Ask those servants if they are willing to stay with us. We will need manpower to send as envoys.”

“As for the Imperial Court’s land, make inquiries as well. If we can acquire it, do so. If not, we can consider it later.”

Xie Yunchu thought that she would occupy the south bank first. If the Imperial Court decided to levy taxes later, she would be prepared to pay several times the compensation. As for the north bank, she could either sell it or build a shop herself. It would be profitable no matter what.

Uncle Lin took a sip of tea, ate some snacks, and then turned to carry out his task.

It was already evening when they returned to the mansion. Wang Shuhuai did not come back that night. Xie Yunchu was entirely focused on the trade city and did not inquire about Wang Shuhuai at all.

The next afternoon, Uncle Lin brought back the title deed and official documents.

“I’ve bought all the farms and forest on the north bank. The seller initially asked for 1,400 taels of silver, but since they were in a hurry to sell, I negotiated it down to 1,000 taels. It’s not particularly cheap, but it’s not a loss either. I also spoke with the farmers, and they are all willing to stay. There are 40 people in total. They were paid an extra 300 taels of silver and received their indentures back.”

“As for the government land, I just went to the Ministry of Revenue, and they said they wanted 500 taels. Master, you can’t just spend all your 1,500 taels. You won’t see any benefits in the short term. What I mean is that you might as well ask the son-in-law. He works in the Ministry of Revenue. He can get it for you at 200 taels of silver.”

After all, the land was overgrown with weeds and was useless.

Xie Yunchu said firmly, “Five hundred is five hundred. The most important thing is to buy it first.”

She would not ask Wang Shuhuai for help. “Besides, this matter is secret, and there’s no need to let others know.”

Uncle Lin had learned from Mama Lin that Xie Yunchu and Wang Shuhuai were not on good terms, and Xie Yunchu did not have a son, so the long-term situation was not optimistic. However, that day, it seemed that she had her own plans, and Uncle Lin, reluctant to see the girl he had watched grow up treated coldly by others, said nothing in the end, and simply agreed, “I will do it right away.”

Xie Yunchu had just spent all the fifteen hundred taels of silver she had obtained, and even put in an additional three hundred taels. This made Xia An and the others quite sad. So much silver seemed wasted.

Yet, Xie Yunchu was happier than ever before. The summer news would come next year, and by the second half of next year, or even the year after, she would be able to save up a small treasury. So that day, she disguised herself, went to the yamen to handle the formalities, and then took Uncle Lin and the maids out to eat and drink.

That evening, Wang Shuhuai returned home before her.

On most days, the yard was quiet and orderly. Even if the occasional crying of the child was heard, there was a sense of peace and tranquility.

But when he returned home that day, it was dusk, and the lights were not bright enough against the blue sky. He felt inexplicably lonely amidst it all.

When he saw the gold, silver, jewels, jades, and silks bestowed by the Emperor were still piled under the corridor, Wang Shuhuai frowned and asked Ming Gui, “Why haven’t you cleared it up yet?”

In the past, Madam Xie would have already taken care of such a small matter. She wouldn’t have truly made up her mind to divorce and end everything, would she? Although Wang Shuhuai’s expression was normal, his tone was no longer gentle.

Ming Gui approached and bowed, then smiled bitterly. “The things were awarded at 9:00 p.m. today. The Second Young Madam went out early and hasn’t come back yet. We dare not move anything without permission and wanted to wait for her to return and make the decision.”

The corners of Wang Shuhuai’s lips tightened slightly. The previous day, when he rode out of the alley, he saw her slowly getting into the carriage and leaving the house. She went out again today?

In the past, he wouldn’t have taken it to heart, but now that he knew she wanted a divorce, he felt uneasy.

Wang Shuhuai really had no habit of disciplining his wife, so he walked past the boxes and entered the study.

After Ming Gui helped him change his clothes, Wang Shuhuai didn’t have time for dinner and began to read documents. The Emperor had given him a new task, and he didn’t have time to care about these trivial matters in the household.

About a quarter of an hour later, faint laughter could be heard from the stone path outside.

It sounded like Madam Xie’s voice. Wang Shuhuai paused. This was the first time he was distracted by thoughts of Xie Yunchu.

Outside, when Xie Yunchu returned leisurely, Ming Gui hurried over to greet her and pointed to the gift boxes under the corridor.

“Second Young Madam, these are the rewards that His Majesty gave to our Second Young Master this morning. Please count them and decide how to put them away.”

Xie Yunchu stood outside the moon-shaped door of the study and slowly looked inside. Five or six bright red lacquered gift boxes were neatly arranged under the corridor.

Wang Shuhuai couldn’t see her, but he could hear her clear voice.

“Okay, carry them all to the warehouse, and have the housekeeper and Dong Ning register them before putting them into storage.”

Ming Gui smiled and suggested, “When the eunuch came, they mentioned there were quite a few silks and satins inside. Mistress, why don’t you check it yourself? You can pick out the best ones and make a few summer and autumn clothes for you and the Second Young Master.”