The Eldest Daughter-in-Law [Reborn] - Chapter 62

Lanyue Pavilion was a circular building with seven floors. Rows of private rooms surrounded a large courtyard, embroidered with brilliant colors. The tall buildings and wide courtyards were majestic and spectacular. The Emperor had mentioned that he intended to match several unmarried princes and dukes at this banquet. It was called a flower viewing, but it was actually a selection event, with much higher stakes than previous gatherings.

The Wang family was distinguished, and they were allocated an elegant room with an excellent location. The Third Madam sat in person to urge her daughter, Wang Shuqin, to take the stage. Dou Keling and Xu Shiwei tried their best to show their courtesy to the ladies, and Xie Yunchu took the opportunity to slip away. She originally wanted to look for Xiao Youran, but she bumped into Jiang Fan first. Jiang Fan pulled her to the elegant room overlooking the river to have tea.

The summer was bright, and the lake breeze brought the long, hot sunshine in.

Jiang Fan first poured tea for Xie Yunchu and told her happily, “I’m here to tell you the good news on behalf of Youran. She’s pregnant again.”

Xie Yunchu’s first reaction was that something was wrong, but she soon realized it wasn’t. She was overjoyed, “No wonder I didn’t see her just now. If this is true, I’m so happy.” Xiao Youran had been looking forward to having a child for a long time.

Among their childhood friends, Jiang Fan was the most gentle and shy. She gently tugged at Xie Yunchu’s sleeve and asked affectionately, “What about you? Are you too?”

When Xie Yunchu was asked the question, she suddenly remembered something important. It seemed that in her previous life, she was pregnant with a boy late that month. She was so happy at that time. Even Wang Shuhuai had smiled, which was rare at that time.

According to the date calculation, she should have conceived on the first day of May. She had not slept with Wang Shuhuai on the first day of May, so what should she do with Er Lang?

Xie Yunchu’s heart tightened all of a sudden.

Jiang Fan saw her expression and felt that she had touched a sore spot. Being very kind, Jiang Fan quickly came around and hugged her.

“My dear Chu’er, blame me for being too talkative. Children are also a matter of fate. You can’t rush them.”

When Xie Yunchu heard the word “fate”, tears rolled down her cheeks. She had never cried in all these years since her rebirth. The thought of missing out on her son made her heart ache. After all, he was the child she had raised with great difficulty, and she could not completely give him up in her heart.

No, if he was destined to be her child, he would come sooner or later.

Xie Yunchu stopped crying, smiled, and comforted Jiang Fan, “I’m fine, I’m fine…”

Finally, she persuaded her to stop. Jiang Fan thought of something else and looked at Xie Yunchu worriedly. “Tell me the truth, are you and Lord Wang estranged? You never gossip among us sisters. That day, you shouted that you wanted to divorce. They both thought you were joking, but I know you are a cautious person. How could you easily say the word divorce?”

“Besides, my husband had a drink with your Lord Wang a few days ago. He said that Lord Wang looked worried and was drinking alone.”

Xie Yunchu was surprised. She wiped the tears from her eyes with a handkerchief and asked hurriedly, “Are you saying that Wang Shuhuai was drinking alone? Maybe he saw another person.”

“We were drinking at the same table; how could we be mistaken?”

Jiang Fan smiled and said, “My husband came back and told me that Master Zhu laughed at Lord Wang, saying, ‘Shu Huai has no heart, so how can he talk about his worries?'”

Xie Yunchu laughed until tears came out. “That’s right. Our Second Young Master is always focused on his official duties. Even if he was drinking alone, it would have nothing to do with me.”

The two continued chatting about everything, from family matters to food, clothing, and dressing. Half a day passed, and Jiang Fan asked someone to go to the street to buy some delicious dishes. They had lunch together there. Just after noon, Xia An hurriedly pushed the door open and found Xie Yunchu. “Master, I discovered that Third Miss was meeting Master Xiao under your name.”

Xie Yunchu’s face darkened. In her previous life, Wang Shuyi had begged her to help make a match on this day. At that time, she was devoted to her sister-in-law and wanted to strengthen their relationship, so she created an opportunity for Wang Shuyi to meet Xiao Huaijin. In this new life, she had given up on such efforts, but she hadn’t expected Wang Shuyi to take the initiative to pursue Xiao Huaijin.

Fortunately, she had prepared for such possibilities and had instructed Xia An to keep an eye on Wang Shuyi. Otherwise, who knew how big a mess the situation would have become?

Xie Yunchu immediately stood up and said, “Where is she? Lead me there now.”

“In the attic on the top floor.”

Xie Yunchu turned around and pulled Jiang Fan along. 

Jiang Fan, being quick-witted, spoke up before Xie Yunchu could instruct her, “You go ahead. I’ll take Chunqi and Haitang to guard the corridor and make sure no one goes up.”

“Thank you very much.”

Xie Yunchu left with Xia An, and before leaving, she instructed her to go call two maids. The four of them quietly made their way to the top floor, passed through the stairwell corridor, and saw Wang Shuyi’s maid guarding the attic door.

The maid seemed fine when she saw Xie Yunchu, but upon seeing the old woman behind her, she became frightened.

Xie Yunchu gave a look, and one of the maids immediately stepped forward, covering the maid’s mouth and tying her up.

Xie Yunchu quietly stepped inside, surveying the scene. Her gaze landed on Wang Shuyi and Xiao Huaijin standing near the mast, engaged in conversation. Xiao Huaijin’s servant stood not far away, keeping a discreet distance.

Wang Shuyi, dressed in a pink lotus-colored skirt, looked shy and timid. She dared not meet Xiao Huaijin’s eyes, her demeanor filled with a nervous anticipation. In contrast, Xiao Huaijin was dressed in a royal blue robe with a jade pendant at his waist, the typical attire of a nobleman in the capital. He stood beside the pillar, his brows lowered, deliberately maintaining a distance from Wang Shuyi. His gaze was not on her but fixed on the beautiful scenery of lakes and mountains in the distance, a clear sign of impatience etched between his brows.

When Xie Yunchu stood at the entrance of the hall and coughed heavily, Wang Shuyi and Xiao Huaijin looked over at the same time.

“Sister-in-law…” Wang Shuyi was startled for a moment, then showed joy. “Sister-in-law, you are here. Master Xiao was worried about you…”

Before she could finish her words, Xie Yunchu interrupted her coldly, “If I hadn’t come, I don’t know how embarrassed you would be.”

The smile on Wang Shuyi’s face froze. She had never expected Xie Yunchu to say such cruel words in front of Xiao Huaijin. Her face flushed at first, and then, after realizing the consequences, she almost lost color and was about to collapse.

“Sister-in-law…” She burst into tears.