The Eldest Daughter-in-Law [Reborn] - Chapter 67

Wang Shuqin added, “By the way, Second Sister-in-law, Grandmother will be accompanying the Emperor to Yanshan Mountain to escape the summer heat in June. Our family will be going too. Will you join us?”

In her previous life, Xie Yunchu was always left behind to handle household matters while the family enjoyed their trips. But this time, she wouldn’t miss out.

“Of course, I’ll go. What about you?”

Wang Shuqin was delighted by her response. She hurriedly took Xie Yunchu’s hand. “Dear Sister-in-law, I want to go hunting, but Mother won’t let me. When I asked you to come along, she felt reassured and said you’re the only reliable person in the Wang family. You rarely go out, Sister-in-law. Let’s take this chance to enjoy ourselves—fly kites, hunt, race horses. Don’t worry; as long as you come, I’ll handle everything else. I’ll even pack your luggage and pick out a horse for you. How about it?”

Xie Yunchu was touched by her words. “Alright. By the way, Aunt also mentioned wanting to escape the summer heat. You might want to check with her.”

Wang Shuqin became even more excited. She stood up eagerly. “I’ll send a letter to Aunt right away. She has plenty of capable people around her. If we’re unsure about anything, we can let her handle it.” She clearly intended to pass the job to Wang Yining.

Xie Yunchu playfully dismissed her, “I’m making it clear that I’ll be relying on the two of you.”

“Don’t worry; I’ve got it covered.”

Wang Shuqin patted her chest confidently, lifted her skirt, and left in high spirits.

She was indeed a fiery girl.

Three days later, the palace announced that the Emperor would depart for Yanshan on the first of June. Xie Yunchu recalled that in her previous life, a major event had occurred in the palace around that time—an event that affected the rise and fall of the entire Duke’s Mansion. She knew she had to be there.

The households began preparing for the trip. When the Duke returned home, he first reprimanded the Second Master and his wife before issuing an order: aside from Wang Shuhuai and Xie Yunchu, no one from the second household would be allowed to accompany the Emperor to Yanshan.

The Second Master and his wife had expected this, so it wasn’t a big deal for them. However, Dou Keling and his wife were deeply worried. When Xuan Ge’er heard he wasn’t allowed to go, he burst into tears.

After returning to the second household, the family gathered silently in the hall of Ninghe Hall, feeling dejected.

Dou Keling, full of grievance, cried to her parents-in-law, “Father, Mother, I promised Xuan’er that I would take him out this time. Last year, he was too young to go. This year, he’s finally old enough, but now he’s confined again. I don’t mind staying, but Xuan’er, as the only legitimate grandson of our branch, should not be kept indoors all the time. If he doesn’t get a chance to see the world, it’ll reflect poorly on our second branch.”

Dou Keling was prone to exaggeration.

Wang Shukuang, noticing his wife’s dramatics, tugged at her sleeve, speaking both comfortingly and out of concern, “Ling’er, speak less.” 

Despite his words, he kindly handed her a handkerchief, and when Dou Keling continued to cry, he wiped her tears himself.

He didn’t notice his brother, Wang Shuhuai, quietly observing him.

Dou Keling sniffled and glanced at Xie Yunchu, seated across from her.

“Second Sister-in-law, why don’t you ask Grandfather for a favor on our behalf? Xuan’er is the eldest brother, and he can even take Sister Ke along to play later.”

On the other side, Xu Shiwei became anxious upon hearing Dou Keling suggest Xie Yunchu should intervene to let the second branch join the trip to Yanshan. Wouldn’t that mean her household would be left behind, stuck serving her mother-in-law while others had fun?

Having been exhausted by household matters recently, Xu Shiwei stood up hesitantly and respectfully bowed to the Second Master and his wife.

“Father, Mother, I think it’s best not to anger Grandfather. It’s fine for our family to stay home together.”

Hearing Xu Shiwei’s words, Xie Yunchu’s eyebrows furrowed slightly.

Xu Shiwei, holding her husband’s hand tenderly, addressed her parents-in-law again, “By the way, I checked my pulse two days ago, and the doctor said it was messy. Today, I asked Dr.He to confirm it, and he did.” 

She glanced at her mother-in-law nervously and then at Xie Yunchu.

“Even if I want to help, I fear it will be difficult for me to continue serving. Mother, Father, are you considering… perhaps finding someone else to assist?”

Though she said nothing further, her meaning was clear.

Madam Jiang, still devastated by the recent incident with her daughter, sat silently, appearing different from before. Meanwhile, the Second Master seemed lost in thought.

When her mother-in-law remained unresponsive, Xu Shiwei grew anxious and playfully leaned against her husband, signaling for him to speak on her behalf.

Wang Shutong, a bookish man who usually followed Xu Shiwei’s lead, couldn’t bear the thought of his pregnant wife continuing to serve others. Moved by her plight, he stood up and said a few words in her defense. Xu Shiwei, overjoyed, leaned affectionately against his arm like a contented bird.

Wang Shuhuai watched his younger brother thoughtfully.

The Second Master, troubled by the demands of his daughters-in-law, turned to Xie Yunchu and Wang Shuhuai.

“Huai, what do you think?”

With his fourth son’s wife pregnant, it indeed seemed inconvenient for her to continue serving others.

Moreover, the Duke and the Third Madam had hinted that Xie Yunchu should once again take charge of household affairs. Their praise suggested that Xie Yunchu was the most reliable person in the second branch.

The Second Master felt that the second household could not function properly without her.

Wang Shuhuai came back to his senses and glanced at Xie Yunchu beside him. She remained silent, her gaze lowered. That was typical of her—no matter what grievances she endured, she never complained.

He had noticed how his younger brothers cared for their wives, and it struck him that perhaps he had taken his own wife’s virtues for granted. Lately, he had begun to realize that he might have neglected her feelings, leaving her unhappy.

His wife had been married to him for so long and had never had a chance to leave home. She was always left behind to manage household affairs. This time, he decided she must go, so he replied to the Second Master, “Since Grandfather has ordered the second branch to remain confined, there is no way to change it. If Xie were to interfere, she would only be implicated.”

“As for serving Father and Mother, firstly, my second brother and sister-in-law are at home and can assist. Secondly, when Xie was pregnant with Sister Ke, she never had a day of rest. I believe my fourth sister-in-law is in better health than Xie was, and a little work won’t hinder the birth of an heir.”