The Eldest Daughter-in-Law [Reborn] - Chapter 93

Ah, Dou Keling—she never let a chance to needle someone go to waste.

In the past, Xie Yunchu would have turned a blind eye, but now? She smiled gracefully and said, “That may be true, but isn’t the Third Brother quite composed himself? Perhaps Xuan Ge’er inherited his liveliness from you, Sister.”

At that moment, Xuan Ge’er was smearing snot all over Dou Keling’s lap. Embarrassment flushed her face as she stiffened, shooting a glare at the wet nurse, who quickly whisked the child away. On the other side, Xu Shiwei couldn’t help but laugh.

“Xuan Ge’er is truly adorable. I wonder if my third sister-in-law was the same as a child?”

Dou Keling was seething, feeling humiliated. She forced a smile and then, turning to Xu Shiwei, delivered her counterstrike, “Fourth sister-in-law is with child now, and the doctor says it’s a boy. Shouldn’t the Fourth Brother consider bringing in someone to assist him?”

Xu Shiwei’s smile froze.

After Dou Keling finished speaking, the atmosphere in the room suddenly became tense.

Wang Shukuang, the Third Young Master, looked awkward, though he couldn’t help taking some secret pleasure in his younger brother’s predicament.

Wang Shutong’s face flushed with embarrassment. Before his wife’s gaze could turn into a sharp reprimand, he braced himself and stood up. “Father, Mother, I’m still focused on my studies. Perhaps… this isn’t necessary.”

Xu Shiwei’s expression eased slightly.

The Second Master, who rarely intervened in household affairs, turned to his wife for a decision.

Madam Jiang, dressed in a soft lavender robe with understated elegance, said unhurriedly, “It’s precisely because you’re studying that someone should be arranged to care for your needs. Otherwise, without proper arrangements in the house, wouldn’t there be a risk of misconduct outside?” She turned to Xu Shiwei with a soothing tone, “Don’t worry. Until you give birth to the legitimate heir, the maid will take contraceptive measures.”

The room fell silent, the atmosphere thick with tension.

Xu Shiwei’s tears welled up, her voice trembling. “Mother…”

She had endured her pregnancy symptoms day after day, dutifully attending Madam Jiang, only to be met with such an arrangement. Her heart felt cold.

Madam Jiang saw her distress but continued gently, “Focus on your pregnancy. Just look at any respectable household—what man doesn’t have multiple wives and concubines? Having someone care for your husband is something you should be happy about.”

Xu Shiwei nearly choked on her tears. If it was so normal, why didn’t the Second Master have others? Her mother-in-law had always tightly controlled her father-in-law, yet refused to allow her daughters-in-law the same.

Madam Jiang noticed the resentment in Xu Shiwei’s eyes and coughed lightly to redirect the topic. She glanced at the Second Master and said with a nostalgic air, “Don’t think your father didn’t have such arrangements in his youth. He had a concubine once, but she was frail and passed away early. Afterward, your father simply refused to take in another.”

The Second Master’s expression turned uncomfortable. “Why bring up such old matters?” 

Not wanting the conversation to spiral further and implicate himself, he asserted his authority, “This matter is settled. Household arrangements are your mother’s domain. No one is to interfere.”

Madam Jiang smiled faintly, satisfied. Though her sons and daughters-in-law occasionally resisted her authority, her husband always supported her, and that was enough.

Madam Jiang felt quite pleased with herself as she adjusted the jade hairpin in her bun.

The Second Master stole a glance at his wife. He had to admit, while Madam Jiang’s temper wasn’t the best, her looks were unmatched. Always well-maintained and impeccably dressed, she looked no older than a girl of eighteen, despite nearing forty. With such a wife, the Second Master had no inclination to take a concubine.

Xie Yunchu silently observed the interaction between her in-laws. She finally understood. Her mother-in-law was carefree, uninvolved in household affairs or the upbringing of her children, pouring all her energy into fine clothes, good food, and self-care. She kept her husband captivated while living a life of comfort.

Sometimes, people didn’t even know what they were striving for.

Xie Yunchu chuckled faintly and sipped her tea without a word.

Wang Shuhuai, who disliked noisy gatherings, found an excuse to leave early. Xie Yunchu immediately followed him out, with Ke’er in the nanny’s arms trailing behind, waving her little hands enthusiastically at her parents.

At nine months old, Ke’er was getting heavier by the day. Xie Yunchu could no longer carry her, and with Wang Shuhuai still recovering from his injuries, the wet nurse had to work hard to keep the little one entertained.

The couple walked silently toward Chunjing Hall. When they reached a fork in the stone path, where they were to part ways, Wang Shuhuai suddenly stopped and turned to Xie Yunchu.

“Don’t worry. I won’t take a concubine.”

The last time his mother had used the threat of him taking a concubine to pressure Xie Yunchu, she had been furious and refused to smile at him for days. Today, seeing how his sister-in-law was forced to accept a concubine in her household, Xie Yunchu would undoubtedly empathize. With his southern journey approaching, he had no time for arguments and thus offered his assurance in advance, hoping to ease her mind.

Hearing his words, Xie Yunchu paused mid-step and stared at him, stunned.

He didn’t want a concubine?

He still wanted to torment her, to have her serve him?

Thinking of his stamina last night—injured yet still managing two rounds—she had been so thoroughly worn out she felt half-dead.

She was hoping to get pregnant with Xu Ge’er soon so she could arrange a concubine to deal with him, sparing herself from further trouble.

The memories of her past life were vivid. Xie Yunchu wouldn’t let herself fall into the same trap.

“Let’s talk about the future when it comes.”

She vaguely recalled him using the exact same words to reply to her last time.

Without waiting for him to respond, she turned and continued toward Chunjing Hall.

Wang Shuhuai stood at the stone path’s fork, watching Xie Yunchu’s graceful figure fading into the distance. The expression on his face gradually grew unreadable.

He was always perceptive, and it was clear to him that Xie Yunchu wasn’t happy. Though he couldn’t fathom what was going through her mind, one thing was certain: she was unmoved.

How could that be?

No woman wanted her husband to take a concubine. Did she simply not believe him?

It made sense. She hadn’t borne a legitimate son yet. With her cautious nature, she likely wouldn’t easily trust his promises.

With a complicated feeling in his heart, Wang Shuhuai returned to his study.

Last night had been utterly reckless, causing his wound to reopen. To avoid losing control again, he decided to head to the Yamen.