The Eldest Daughter-in-Law [Reborn] - Chapter 81

As several of them were still injured, they refrained from hunting in the woods for a while and stayed in the villa for two days. Once Princess Fuyuan’s wounds were treated, she quickly recovered. On the afternoon of June 5th, she visited Xie Yunchu in high spirits, bringing along a variety of snacks, which she piled on Xie Yunchu’s desk.

Sitting down, she propped her chin on her hands and gazed at Xie Yunchu. “It seems hypocritical for me to say thank you. Anyway, we are sisters from now on.”

Xie Yunchu joined her, pouring her a cup of tea. “Why did you come out so soon? It’s hot. You need to take care of yourself and be cautious of bleeding from your wounds.”

Princess Fuyuan replied in distress, “I was bored. I heard that you and Wang Yining were at the villa, so I came here. This place is quiet and cool—better than my Lishui Pavilion.”

Not yet familiar with Princess Fuyuan, Xie Yunchu struggled to find common ground for conversation. However, Princess Fuyuan was very outgoing, eagerly opening the snacks she had brought. “I won’t be polite with you. Let’s eat together. This is crystal diced pork from Yangzhou. It’s delicious.”

She stuffed a bag of diced meat into Xie Yunchu’s hand, making her both amused and exasperated. This girl was quite interesting.

The two had barely settled when Wang Yining rushed over, accompanied by Wang Shuqin and Wang Shuya, having heard about Princess Fuyuan’s visit.

“Fuyuan, why are you here? You’re still unwell; don’t bother Chu’er.”

Fuyuan pouted, chewing a mouthful of diced meat as she pushed past the curtain to confront Wang Yining. “Chu Chu saved me! Isn’t it normal for me to come and thank her?”

The two had a history of disputes since childhood, leading to quarreling every time they met afterwards.

Wang Yining regarded her with disdain. “Alright, you’ve delivered the snacks and expressed your gratitude. Now go back quickly.”

Fuyuan was unfazed by her dismissive tone. Wang Yining, having always been pampered, felt her own grievances toward Fuyuan. The palace had always favored this “ancestor”, and Wang Yining worried that if Fuyuan caused trouble with Xie Yunchu, it would be Xie Yunchu who would suffer the consequences.

Fuyuan grew increasingly irked by Wang Yining’s tone. “I came to visit Chu Chu. What does it have to do with you? Don’t be like an old lady trying to control everything just because she lives with you.”

“I’ve decided. I want to become sworn sisters with Chu Chu. From now on, I will look after her affairs.”

“Pfft!” Wang Yining burst into laughter at her declaration, pointing toward Qiankun Hall. “Ancestor, the generations are messed up. She is my niece-in-law, and you are my cousin. How can you be sworn sisters with her?”

The two continued their back-and-forth while Xie Yunchu stood aside with Wang Shuqin, simply watching the exchange unfold.

Thinking it over, Princess Fuyuan replied, “She is your niece-in-law, not your niece. I have no blood relationship with her, so we can become sworn sisters.”

Unable to counter her reasoning and knowing that Fuyuan was merely being impulsive, Wang Yining dropped the argument. “Alright, it’s getting late. Shu Huai should go back; come another day.”

Wang Yining ordered them to leave.

Fuyuan wasn’t keen on departing. She stepped toward Xie Yunchu, embracing her and pleading, “Chu Chu, can you let me stay for dinner?”

Xie Yunchu was unsure how to respond.

Wang Yining felt anxious seeing Fuyuan’s shameless persistence. “You’re pestering Chu’er. You have so much free time; go find Yang Xiyan.”

Fuyuan rolled her eyes at her. “Chu Chu is capable and beautiful. Why wouldn’t I like her? Go back and think about why I don’t like you!”

Wang Yining: “…” I’m so pissed off.

Xie Yunchu was genuinely concerned that the two might end up quarreling, so she quickly tried to smooth things over. “Okay, the Princess is a guest; you can have dinner here today, and I will send you back after dinner.” She then winked at Wang Yining, signaling her to accommodate the situation.

When Wang Yining heard Xie Yunchu’s words, she reluctantly took her people away.

Princess Fuyuan happily took Xie Yunchu into the house, and the two of them drank tea and chatted.

“Where is Wang Shuhuai?” Princess Fuyuan asked, not completely carefree. Although she wanted to stay, she had to consider her dignity.

Xie Yunchu hadn’t thought about her husband for a long time and replied blankly, “He returned to Beijing.”

“So, he won’t be coming back today?” Princess Fuyuan’s eyes sparkled with curiosity.

Xie Yunchu thought for a moment and said, “Maybe.” She added with a hint of boredom, “He is always busy.”

“Yes, yes, I’ve heard about this too. My cousin was in the same class as him. He studied very hard and would never come back before dark.” Fuyuan glanced out the window; the sky was bright and the sunset glowed. “Hey, it’s not dark yet; he will definitely not come back. I will have dinner with you in peace.”

At that moment, Wang Shuhuai stepped onto the corridor and overheard her words.

He frowned deeply.

The maidservant standing in the corridor had already spotted him and shouted inside, “Second Young Master is back!”

Wang Shuhuai walked to the window of the main house with a cold expression, looked at his wife through the window, and then bowed to Fuyuan. “Greetings, Princess.”

Princess Fuyuan returned the greeting generously, her round face half poking out of the window, looking at him with a smile.

“You’re back? You’re back so early? Or can you continue to work for a while?”

“How about you keep busy for a while?”

Xie Yunchu almost laughed out loud.

Wang Shuhuai’s face turned pale. He had returned to Qiankun Hall a long time ago. Later, when he heard about the incident in Lishui Pavilion, he came back to visit his wife but was rejected.

It seems that the itinerary report needed to be more detailed.

Wang Shuhuai’s unhappiness flashed away in an instant, and he smiled at Princess Fuyuan in a gentle and elegant manner. “The Princess is a distinguished guest. Madam is hosting her, so I will stay away.”

Princess Fuyuan’s words were half-joking and half-regretful. She was not familiar with Xie Yunchu, so she naturally could not be ignorant. She put her hands behind her back and said cheerfully, “It’s okay. This Princess is very free and can come to accompany Chu Chu anytime. But Lord Wang is very busy and has no time to spare. It’s rare that he comes back early, so I won’t disturb you.”

Wang Shuhuai felt uncomfortable, as if he was an outsider.

Fu Yuan then smiled at Xie Yunchu, turned around, and walked out.