The Eldest Daughter-in-Law [Reborn] - Chapter 52

Xie Yunchu remembered that Wang Shuhuai was going to the Xie Mansion in the evening and said in embarrassment, “The Second Young Master is busy during the day and has to go to the Xie Mansion for dinner. I will try to come back early. If it is really not possible, you can ask my aunt to stay for a few days.”

The Third Madam said, “Alright, she was planning to stay here anyway, so you can go and take care of your things first.”

Aunt Wang Yining had a cheerful personality and wasn’t as intimidating as the Eldest Princess. The younger generations in the Wang family all liked her very much.

Xie Yunchu immediately got into the carriage and headed for the Xie Mansion.

After delivering gifts to her grandmother and the others, she inquired about Aunt Lu, “How is she?”

Second Aunt Li replied, “She still refuses to give up. Every day, she cries and begs to see your father in the courtyard. I haven’t given her the chance. If it weren’t for the fact that she gave birth to a pair of children, I wouldn’t allow such a person to stay.”

To put it bluntly, her father was still concerned about personal feelings.

“What about Jiangzhou? Any news?”

Li sneered, “Like mother, like daughter. Your sister is very patient. There’s no news so far. I wonder what she’s planning.”

Xie Yunchu didn’t care. If Xie Yunxiu was smart, she would just live peacefully in Jiangzhou and get married. If she wanted to come to Beijing, she would have to be dealt with again.

At noon, she had lunch with her father and grandmother. She then packed some clothes and books and sent them to Songshan Academy for her younger brother, telling him not to worry about home.

In the afternoon, Xie Hui called Xie Yunchu to his study and handed her the deeds to two shops.

“This is the dowry that Mrs. Lu secretly took away. She bought two shops and registered them under your sister’s name. I had someone change the ownership to yours a while ago.”

Xie Yunchu, who was worried about money, accepted them without hesitation and said, “Thank you, Father.”

Xie Hui looked embarrassed, his hands trembling slightly. He turned his face away, unable to look his eldest daughter in the eye. “It was yours to begin with, and as your father, I am ashamed.”

Xie Yunchu thought of something. The Xie family couldn’t go without a proper mistress forever. After all, Aunt Li was only a temporary solution. A dignified and capable mistress was needed to keep someone like Aunt Lu in check.

“Father, my brothers and sisters are growing up, and it’s almost time for them to get married. It’s not appropriate for the household to be without a proper mistress. It could hinder their prospects of finding suitable spouses. For their sake, you should consider remarrying.”

Xie Yunchu planned to personally screen the candidates to ensure that Aunt Lu’s children would never cause any more trouble.

Xie Hui’s face turned red, and he turned his back, saying, “Let’s talk about it later.”

Xie Yunchu didn’t know how to persuade him further.

She thought of her brother. In her previous life, he had become lame because of her, and he gave up on himself, never having a good future. He was proud and refused to accept Wang Shuhuai’s help. In this new life, she hoped her brother could stand on his own and live the way he wanted. In autumn, he would be able to participate in the Imperial Examination smoothly.

She hoped that the Xie family would get more glory in her new life.

It was the Dragon Boat Festival, and the Imperial City Division was holding a dragon boat race near Lianghu Lake. Her cousin Xie Yunyi and fifth sister Xie Yunshuang insisted on dragging her along to join in the fun. Lianghu Lake was packed with people, with opera singers, acrobats, and fruit vendors all crowding the streets. They finally squeezed onto the viewing platforms on both sides to watch the race, but it was over soon, and the way back was jammed. By the time Xie Yunchu led them out of the Liangyuan gate, it was already dusk.

Mama Lin sent someone to inform her that her aunt Wang Yining was at home helping take care of Sister Ke, meaning Xie Yunchu should return quickly. Xie Yunchu had originally planned to have dinner with Wang Shuhuai at the Xie family’s residence before heading home, but now she was delayed and had to return to the palace early.

Wang Yining had finally come back, so they must not neglect her.

The three sisters had to go their separate ways.

“When you go back and see your brother-in-law, tell him I have to return to the Duke Mansion first for something.”

“Don’t worry, sister.” Xie Yunshuang and Xie Yunyi waved at her.

Xie Yunchu turned around and got into the carriage, instructing the driver, “Take a shortcut and return to Mingzhao Square quickly.”

After a tiring day, she closed her eyes to rest as soon as she was seated. However, when they turned into an alley, the carriage suddenly stopped. Just as Xie Yunchu opened her eyes in a daze, a steady and hoarse voice came from outside. “Yun Chu.”

Xie Yunchu suddenly woke up with a start. She looked at her maids Chunqi and Xia An, and all three of them were stunned.

There was only one person in the world who could call her by her maiden name.

He was back.

Xia An was brave enough to open the curtain and look outside.

Beneath an old locust tree at the corner stood a towering figure. He was tall and majestic, with deep and firm facial features like rocks. The black robe embroidered with dark silver python dragon patterns fluttered in the night wind, highlighting the owner’s noble status.

Xia An recognized the person and greeted him with sparkling eyes, “It turns out to be His Royal Highness Prince Xin. Are you back from the border?”

The third son of the Emperor, Zhu Yun, was named Prince Xin. Known for his bravery and fighting skills, he was stationed at the border most of the year.

The Xie Mansion was adjacent to his mansion, so Xie Yunchu and Prince Xin were old acquaintances.

Before Prince Xin left the palace, he often studied under Xie Hui’s guide. After he established his own residence, he chose one near Xie Hui’s.

However, her father, Xie Hui, was impartial in the court and was determined not to get involved in party disputes. After Prince Xin came of age, he had little contact with the Xie family. Still, Prince Xin would send gifts to the Xie family from time to time, and the Xie family would return the favor out of courtesy, maintaining an open exchange between the two families.

The reason Xia An knew that Prince Xin had gone to the border was that the servants from Prince Xin’s mansion would visit the Xie family whenever they had time, so it would be hard for anyone not to know.