The Eldest Daughter-in-Law [Reborn] - Chapter 6

Xie Yunchu did not hear Chun Qi’s endless chatter afterward. Her mind was on Chun Qi’s words, “Concubine Lu.”

Concubine Lu?

Yes, it was March of the eighth year of Tianxi, and Concubine Lu had not yet been made the legitimate wife.

Thinking of that, Xie Yunchu sat up straight, grabbed Chun Qi’s hand tightly, and asked in a trembling voice, “How many days are left until my father’s birthday party?”

In her previous life, Concubine Lu was made the wife at her father’s birthday party.

It seemed to be in the eighth year of Tianxi.

“April 3rd, there’s still half a month left.”

Chun Qi saw Xie Yunchu’s face turn white, and was a little surprised, “Haven’t you prepared the gift? The birthdays of your husband and your father are not far, you prepared them together.”

Xie Yunchu’s heart was pounding, and it took her a long time to calm down.

“Okay, okay, let’s celebrate my father’s birthday properly then.”

In this life, she must not let Concubine Lu succeed.

There was still some time, and she needed to make a good living.

With that dream as an excuse, Chun Qi refused to let Yunchu work hard, “You really should take a good rest and take care of your body. If you lose your life, you will lose everything.”

The intimacy between master and servant was beyond words.

It was March 16th, the sky was clear and the weather was sunny. It rained for a while at Mao (5-7 am) time, and then it cleared up at Chen (7-9 am) time.

The morning light reflected in the dewdrops emitted five-colored rays of light.

Wang Shuhuai was taking a day off today.

After he won the top spot in the Imperial Examination, he was appointed as an editor in the Imperial Academy. Now that his two-year term had expired, it was time for him to be promoted.

The general election was scheduled for March, and the results should be announced by the end of the month.

Wang Shuhuai got up early in the morning, greeted his parents, and returned to the study room in the outer courtyard with his father, the Second Master of the Wang family.

The Second Master, Wang Shou, had gained weight in middle age, and his figure was no longer as tall and straight as it was when he was young. Only his face could still show some of its former majesty. He sat behind the desk with a big belly, almost occupying the whole of Wang Shuhuai’s red sandalwood armchair. The housekeeper immediately came in to serve tea and brought the purple clay teapot that the Second Master was used to drinking from, in which a pot of Dahongpao (Wuyi rock tea) was boiling hot. He then poured Wang Shuhuai a cup of West Lake Longjing tea and said with a smile, “Second Master, Second Young Master, please have some tea.” Then he closed the door and left.

Wang Shou was the eldest son of the Wang family, and Wang Shuhuai was also the eldest grandson of the Wang family. There was a reason why they were called “Second Master” and “Second Young Master”.

The Wang family of Langya stood for a hundred years, and its descendants were elegant and talented. It remained prosperous even in the Great Jin Dynasty.

When the late Emperor first ascended the throne, the old man (grandfather) of the Wang family was awarded the title of Duke Wang Guo for his meritorious service in following the Emperor. The old man had a childhood sweetheart named Zhen, who was the biological mother of Wang Shou. Zhen died not long after giving birth to her son.

It happened that Princess Dejong’s husband had died, and the late Emperor decided to marry the only legitimate Princess to Old Master Wang.

Princess Dejong also had a son who was half a year older than the Second Master Wang Shou. Because the previous Prince Consort was guilty of treason, the Princess decided to change her son’s status and make him the first in line of rank. He was the Eldest Master of the Wang family.

Later, the Eldest Princess and the duke gave birth to two sons and one daughter, namely the Third Master, the Fourth Master, and the Fifth Aunt of the Wang family.

The Eldest Princess was of noble status, and the Eldest Master of the Wang family was very capable and socially adept. He thrived in the Duke’s Mansion like a fish in water and acted like an elder brother.

It made the Second Master Wang Shou, who had been an orphan since childhood, look somewhat cowardly and incompetent.

The Second Master was suppressed by his non-blood-related elder brother above him and had several precious younger brothers below him. He was sandwiched between them and almost became an invisible man.

Until Wang Shuhuai was born, that legitimate grandson of the Wang family inherited the style of his ancestors, with a gentle temperament and outstanding character. He rejected the family’s support for an official position and focused on taking the Imperial Examinations. In the end, he shined and became the top scholar of the dynasty.

It made the Second Master feel quite proud.

He sat behind his desk, looking at his young, noble, and handsome son, with pride in his eyes. But when he thought of the election, his brows slightly furrowed.

“Yesterday, I was drinking in the West Chamber and met Lord Quan from the Ministry of Personnel. He said that officials from various ministries have taken a liking to you and want you to go to their own yamens to observe government affairs. However, Lord Quan said that the final decision on which one will depend on the Eldest Princess’s opinion. Huai’er, which ministry do you want to go to? Do you want me to go to the palace and ask your grandfather to plead with the Eldest Princess?”

Although Princess Derong was married, she did not live in the Princess Mansion. It was because she assisted the current Emperor in fighting for the throne. The current Emperor respected this sister very much and asked her opinion on all state affairs. Therefore, the Princess had lived in the deep palace for so many years and seldom returned home. The Duke loved his wife and accompanied her most of the time. He only returned to the mansion during the holidays to play with his grandchildren.

No matter which yamen Wang Shuhuai was appointed to, such a trivial matter would not have alarmed the Emperor and the Eldest Princess. Firstly, Wang Shuhuai was of noble status. Secondly, he had a special status. After all, he was not the Eldest Princess’s biological grandson. What if the Eldest Princess had other intentions? The court officials did not want to offend the powerful woman.

Wang Shuhuai’s expression did not change at all after hearing it. A look of satisfaction appeared on his handsome face. “Don’t worry, Father. If you go to petition, it will only complicate things and make you look for trouble. Wherever the Princess decides, I will go there.”

Wang Shou took a deep look at his son. He was wearing a porcelain-colored gown, with a Hetian jade piece given to him by the Princess when he was born hanging around his waist. That color was not outstanding, and if it was worn by someone else, it would probably be overshadowed. But it was different on Wang Shuhuai. He had an outstanding temperament and a cold, calm expression, which made the color look a bit immortal-like.

It would be easy if his son was really the kind of person who could be manipulated by others, but it was not the case.