The Eldest Daughter-in-Law [Reborn] - Chapter 64
Prince Xin looked forward again and retorted, “Not as busy as you, Lord Wang.”
Wang Shuhuai smiled lightly and ignored him. “Does Your Majesty know why I hurried back to the capital?”
“I don’t know, and I’m not interested,” Prince Xin replied.
Prince Xin raised his lips slightly, saying, “My people happened to be at Yingjiang Red Tea House and heard that your wife was thinking of divorce.”
Wang Shuhuai’s breathing momentarily stagnated. He had long guessed the possibility. At the beginning, Master Zhu had told him that Yingjiang Red Tea House was Prince Xin’s territory, and Xie Yunchu happened to be drinking there. Then, Prince Xin, who should not have returned to Beijing at that critical juncture, did so.
Prince Xin was stationed at Xiaoguan, fighting against the Mongols in the north and the State of Chu in the west. During the peace talks, Prince Xin’s powerful army was the confidence of Great Jin, but he had hurried back just after the negotiations ended. That showed how important Xie Yunchu was in his heart.
A feeling of being offended filled Wang Shuhuai’s chest, and he couldn’t quite tell what he felt. However, he remained calm and composed, smiling lightly. “Who at that table didn’t talk about divorce? Did you see them getting divorced?”
Prince Xin’s eyes were as bright as lights, and he said firmly, “Yunchu is different.”
“Don’t call her Yunchu!” The words came out lightly, like a sharp blade unsheathed.
Prince Xin smiled instead of getting angry. He tilted his head to look at Wang Shuhuai, an interested smile on his lips. “Lord Wang, she and I have been childhood sweethearts. I’ve always called her that.”
The hostility in Wang Shuhuai’s eyes was forced out little by little, and he looked over, saying, “Did she agree? As far as I know, she keeps her distance from you.”Â
There was no trace of familiarity in the conversation between Xie Yunchu and Prince Xin that night.
Wang Shuhuai had been in official circles for many years and was not unfamiliar with the ways of the world, so he may not be easily swayed.
Prince Xin was not at all moved by his words. Instead, he asked quietly, “What about her attitude towards you, Lord Wang?”
Wang Shuhuai’s heart choked slightly. Xie Yunchu’s attitude towards him had indeed not been as good as before recently, but so what? He smiled and said, “She is my wife now. She is by my side.”
“Really?” Prince Xin didn’t care. “Maybe she won’t be for long.”
Wang Shuhuai smiled lightly and looked at his opponent calmly. “I’m afraid that will disappoint Your Majesty.”
Prince Xin flicked the dust off his collar and said, “Then we’ll wait and see.”
As the evening hour approached, the flower-viewing banquet was drawing to a close, and people were coming down the stairs one after another. Prince Xin retreated to the side corridor, but Wang Shuhuai stood facing the wind, waiting at the aisle where Xie Yunchu would descend the stairs.
One was wearing a black python robe, looking noble and imposing, while the other was in a green official robe, looking elegant and restrained. An invisible undercurrent surged between the two of them.
Neither was willing to give in, and neither was prepared to admit defeat.
Xie Yunchu, feeling a bit tired after the long day, took Chun Qi’s hand and slowly walked down the stairs.
Their eyes fell on her at the same time. She had a lazy yet proud expression, a beautiful face like the moon, with all her lines and curves exuding grace. She looked like a beauty who had stepped out of a painting.
At that moment, the officials and their wives passing by recognized Prince Xin and bowed to him. Xie Yunchu looked up in surprise and was slightly stunned when she first saw Prince Xin. Their eyes met briefly, and almost instantly, Xie Yunchu looked away, noticing Wang Shuhuai standing behind the crowd.
There was an even deeper look of astonishment in Wang Shuhuai’s eyes. He never appeared at such occasions. He wasn’t interested in the competition between women, and he never used women as bargaining chips to manipulate government affairs.
Xie Yunchu certainly didn’t think her husband was waiting for her, but she still walked over gracefully and calmly, passing near Prince Xin. She knelt slightly in greeting towards him.
Prince Xin did not display the same aggressiveness towards Xie Yunchu that he had just shown. Instead, he nodded in a friendly manner as a greeting.
Naturally, Xie Yunchu continued towards Wang Shuhuai, who extended his hand to her at that moment. Xie Yunchu was in shock. What tricks was this man playing now? Then she thought about how Wang Shuhuai often created the illusion of a harmonious couple in front of elders or outsiders. Moreover, doing so in front of Prince Xin might discourage him from pursuing any ideas. So, she cooperated with Wang Shuhuai and extended her hand.
Wang Shuhuai felt relieved, held her hand, and turned to lead her out. Prince Xin watched the couple walk away with an expressionless face, then turned and walked out of Lanyue Pavilion through the alley.
The summer setting sun was still dazzling, and Lanyue Pavilion was bustling with people. The couple’s sleeves were folded, making it seem like they weren’t truly holding hands. Xie Yunchu had never been held like that by Wang Shuhuai before. She felt uncomfortable, and her palms grew slightly damp. Based on her understanding of Wang Shuhuai, he should have let go even if they were merely acting, but he remained indifferent.
People were coming and going, so Xie Yunchu had no choice but to endure it. When they finally reached the carriage, Wang Shuhuai attempted to help her up, but Xie Yunchu quickly pulled her hand away, grabbing the shaft of the carriage herself. “I’ll do it myself.”
It was good to treat each other with respect, but acting shouldn’t be overdone, Xie Yunchu thought.
Wang Shuhuai stood alone beside the carriage, silently watching his wife climb aboard. The evening breeze blew open a corner of the curtain. Inside, she leaned lazily against the wall of the carriage, rubbing her temples and dozing off. She didn’t even glance at him or invite him to ride with her.
Wang Shuhuai was driven crazy by her. She never refused to be intimate with him, but she no longer stayed by his side. On the surface, everything seemed normal, but the passion and tenderness of the past were gone.
No matter how indifferent Wang Shuhuai tried to be, he realized that there was a rift in their marriage.
The tall and straight man stood silently, the setting sun casting shadows on his broad back. He felt like a thorn had lodged there. Ever since he heard that Xie Yunchu wanted a divorce, he had been angry and sneered at first. But now, as he slowly calmed down, every detail of the past replayed in his mind, making him feel uncomfortable.
What exactly did he do wrong?
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