The Eldest Daughter-in-Law [Reborn] - Chapter 50

Ming Gui was hinting that Xie Yunchu should make clothes for Wang Shuhuai. But Xie Yunchu’s mind was occupied by the Trade City, and she didn’t catch Ming Gui’s implication. She waved her hand lazily, saying “Let’s see it later.”

Her tone was indifferent.

Wang Shuhuai narrowed his eyes, his gaze fixed bleakly on the void in front of him.

To say that she was ignorant of the overall situation was unfair—she had always been a virtuous, diligent, and hardworking person in the past. Now she was a completely different person.

Forget it, let her be.

She was just a woman, not enough to disturb his heart, so Wang Shuhuai continued to work on his official duties.

When Xie Yunchu returned, she saw that the windows and entrance of Chunjing Hall were adorned with mugwort, and even the peach charms used during the Spring Festival had been replaced. Only then did she remember that it was the fourth day of May and that the Dragon Boat Festival would be the following day.

Chunqi waited for her to go in, wash her hands, and drink tea before Xie Yunchu asked, “Did anyone from the Xie family come today?”

Chunqi replied, “Yes, and they sent invitations for you and the son-in-law to join the feast tomorrow.”

Xie Yunchu was not surprised; it was a folk custom to visit one’s mother’s home during the Dragon Boat Festival. “Then remember to tell the Second Young Master when you deliver the ginseng soup to the study and ask him if he is free.”

It was not a big deal; it didn’t matter whether Wang Shuhuai went or not.

“Anything else?”

Chunqi added, “Her Royal Highness the Princess sent you a festival gift today; it’s in a rosewood box. How about I bring it over for you to have a look?”

Without Xie Yunchu’s permission, the maids dared not touch their master’s things.

Xie Yunchu leaned back tiredly and said, “Let me see it.”

After Chunqi went to the small storehouse and brought the box, Xie Yunchu opened it and saw a pair of Hetian jade earrings and a coral bracelet inside. The coral was very valuable. Xie Yunchu had received this bracelet after becoming the wife of the Prime Minister in her previous life. The Princess had not rewarded her with these in her previous life, but it seems that she thought highly of her in this new life.

Xie Yunchu took it out and put it on. The coral red bracelet looked gorgeous against her fair wrist. She liked it very much and didn’t plan to take it off.

In the past, she was always cautious and didn’t like to show off, but now, she did whatever she wanted.

Half an hour later, the Xie family’s invitation to a banquet was brought to Wang Shuhuai.

Ming Gui finally got the chance and insisted on persuading Wang Shuhuai to go to the backyard.

“Second Young Master, tomorrow is the Dragon Boat Festival. You always go to respect and thank the Chief Master. Can you make time to go?”

After what happened to Xie Yunchu, Wang Shuhuai actually didn’t want to go, but Xie Hui was not only his father-in-law but also his mentor.

Seeing that he was indifferent, Ming Gui continued to add fuel to the fire, “Sister Ke has been making a lot of noise these days. Even I heard her calling for you in the outer courtyard. You haven’t been to the backyard for many days. If you are not thinking about your wife, you must be thinking about your daughter.”

Ming Gui suddenly felt that Xie Yunchu was right to ignore Wang Shuhuai. Although his master was really busy, he still had time to go to the backyard to check on his wife and child.

After being reminded of that, Wang Shuhuai remembered what Xie Yunchu had said. If she really wanted to divorce, he would never let her take Sister Ke away because she was his eldest daughter. With that thought in mind, Wang Shuhuai got up and went to the backyard.

The lights were flickering from the wind. Wang Shuhuai came to the gate of Chunjing Hall with his hands behind his back. The yard was filled with the fresh scent of mugwort. In the corner of the corridor was a wooden shelf, on which some of Sister Ke’s toys were placed. There were also various flower pots in the courtyard, with bright red flower buds clustered together, colorful like the mist. Not far away, there was a pool of early lotus in the water tank, and the tender pink flower buds half-poked their heads out from under the green lotus leaves.

There was even a faint sound of laughter like a silver bell.

There were traces of the mother-daughter life everywhere.

His hand suddenly dropped, as if a light feather were brushing against his solid heart, and Wang Shuhuai stepped onto the corridor.

Mama Lin happily ushered him in, but she didn’t expect Wang Shuhuai to be standing outside the door. He simply asked her, “Where is Sister Ke?”

Mama Lin’s smile paused as she said, “You came to see the child.”

Wang Shuhuai stood under the corridor with a clear look in his eyes, showing no intention of entering the main room.

Mama Lin pointed stiffly towards the main room.

“Sister Ke hasn’t slept yet. She’s making a lot of noise. My mistress is trying to comfort her.”

Wang Shuhuai was silent for a while, then stepped in with his hands behind his back.

In the east room, Xie Yunchu was sitting on the bed, holding Sister Ke and showing her the pictures in a picture book. The little girl’s eyes wandered around, clearly not paying attention. Xie Yunchu pinched her round cheeks and said, “If you continue to be so naughty, Mother will not teach you anymore.”

Wang Shuhuai, who was outside the curtain, paused again. After hesitating for a moment, he walked into the room with a cold expression.

Xie Yunchu was not surprised to see him; Wang Shuhuai would come to see Sister Ke whenever he had some free time. She stood up, holding the child, and said, “Second Young Master is here.”

Wang Shuhuai met her gaze. Her eyes were gentle and calm as ever, without any clues to be seen.

If he hadn’t heard it with his own ears that day, he would have thought it was all an illusion.

Wang Shuhuai took the child from Xie Yunchu’s arms and held her while playing on the Luohan bed. Xie Yunchu noticed that Sister Ke was obviously much more excited to see her father, standing in his arms and laughing.

You little heartless thing really don’t know what’s good for you.

Xie Yunchu adjusted the golden hairpin that had been messed up by Sister Ke, poured a cup of tea for Wang Shuhuai, and then sat down at the long table opposite him to look at the account book.

After a while, Dong Ning came in and handed her another account book. “This is the Second Young Madam’s dowry list and betrothal gift list.”

Wang Shuhuai glanced over and saw Xie Yunchu taking the account book and carefully reading it while calculating with the beads.