The Eldest Daughter-in-Law [Reborn] - Chapter 94

These days, Xie Yunchu went to the Liuli Hall punctually each day for tea, either reciting poetry with her sisters-in-law or chatting with the other wives. Dou Keling was busy managing the household, and Xu Shiwei, after being upset earlier, had chosen not to show up. That day, only the eldest sister-in-law, Madam Miao, and the Second Miss, Wang Shuqin, were present in the hall.

Madam Miao’s two children were being watched by their wet nurses while they played in the courtyard. Her eldest son, Lin Ge’er, was five, and Mei Jie’er was three.

Mei Jie’er wore a red ribbon tied into her double-bun hairstyle, crafted from fine floral brocade sprinkled with pearl powder that glittered brightly. Seeing it, Ke’er, who was in her nanny’s arms, started fussing and reaching out to grab it. Mei Jie’er, ever the obedient child, immediately leaned closer.

Sensing trouble, Xie Yunchu quickly rose to intervene, but before she could stop it, Ke’er had already yanked on the ribbon, trying to pull it off.

Mei Jie’er burst into tears.

Xie Yunchu’s expression darkened as she swiftly grabbed Ke’er’s hand. The little girl was strong and gripped the ribbon tightly, staring at her mother defiantly with her big, determined eyes.

Xie Yunchu didn’t scold or hit her, but her calm and silent gaze carried a weight of authority. The child, sensing her mother’s anger, hesitated and slowly let go.

The nanny, terrified, dropped to her knees and apologized profusely to Madam Miao. Xie Yunchu cradled Mei Jie’er and comforted her, saying, “Good girl, tell Auntie—does it hurt a lot?”

Mei Jie’er leaned against Xie Yunchu, sobbing pitifully. Xie Yunchu glanced at her bewildered daughter, whose big, watery eyes shifted between her mother and her sister, seemingly clueless about what had happened.

Madam Miao saw that Xie Yunchu was about to reprimand the child and quickly waved her off.

“It’s nothing serious. She’s so young; how could she know better? Don’t frighten her.”

Madam Miao took Ke’er into her arms to soothe her. “Good Ke’er, it’s Auntie’s fault. I should’ve prepared some ribbon for you in advance.” She immediately instructed a maidservant, “Go fetch a length of brocade ribbon from my room.”

Xie Yunchu redid Mei Jie’er’s hairstyle and adorned it with a flower hairpin. “Look at that—our Mei Jie’er is quite the beauty already.”

Madam Miao pouted in mock annoyance, shooting her a glare. “You’re too serious about this.”

Xie Yunchu didn’t like owing favors.

Soon, the maid returned with the ribbon, and Ke’er happily played with it. Second Lady Wang Shuqin, finding her adorably chubby and lively, picked her up. “Come, Auntie will braid your hair.”

Surprisingly, Ke’er sat quietly, letting Wang Shuqin fuss over her hair.

The hall was filled with laughter and chatter.

After a while, a maid in light green entered, addressing Madam Miao, “Madam, please return quickly. The Eldest Miss has come back.”

The Eldest Miss, Wang Shuying, was the daughter of the main branch. Upon hearing this, Wang Shuqin’s smile instantly disappeared.

This was because the Xuanping Marquisate had initially sought her hand in marriage. However, the Princess Royal, citing the rule of seniority, had arranged for the Eldest Miss, Wang Shuying, to marry the heir instead. Ever since then, the relationship between the two sisters had been subtly strained.

Madam Miao caught sight of Wang Shuqin’s expression and lightly chastised the maid. “She’s returned, so what? Why the commotion?”

The maid bit her lip and lowered her head, clearly hesitant to speak further.

It seemed something had happened.

Unable to sit still any longer, Madam Miao quickly excused herself, heading back to the main branch with her two kids.

This left Xie Yunchu and Wang Shuqin exchanging a glance, both with little to say.

Wang Shuqin continued braiding Ke’er’s hair into two little pigtails. With Xie Yunchu’s thick hair inherited by the child, the braids looked charming with the brocade ribbon.

Xie Yunchu chuckled. “I hadn’t noticed how much even little girls love to look pretty.”

In the next moment, Ke’er adeptly pulled the ribbon off her braids, messing up her hair in the process. Wang Shuqin stomped her foot in frustration. “You little rascal! I’m never helping you again!”

At that moment, the Third Madam entered. Seeing the scene, she couldn’t help but laugh. “Oh, come on! How old are you to be bickering with a baby? Let it go.”

The Third Madam, without grandchildren of her own, adored Ke’er’s doll-like features. She picked up the child, cooing, “My sweet darling, don’t take your aunt’s tantrums to heart. Come, let me braid your hair properly.”

As she fussed over the child again, Ke’er beamed mischievously at her mother.

Xie Yunchu looked away, exasperated.

Moments later, the Third Madam’s trusted old servant entered the hall and, seeing Xie Yunchu present, stood quietly to the side.

The Third Madam glanced at her out of the corner of her eye and said, “Speak. There are no outsiders here.”

The hall now held only Wang Shuqin, her daughter, and Xie Yunchu.

Clearly, the Third Madam didn’t consider Xie Yunchu an outsider. Guessing it had something to do with Wang Shuying, Xie Yunchu stayed without pretense.

The old servant immediately reported, “The Eldest Young Miss returned home after a fight with her husband.”

“Over what?” the Third Madam asked calmly.

A maid brought fresh flower branches to Wang Shuqin, who plucked at the petals leisurely while keeping her ears sharp.

The old servant lowered her voice, “The Young Master acted foolishly. He had an affair with his cousin and she is now pregnant. He’s making a scene, insisting on elevating her to a wife. Naturally, the Eldest Young Miss wouldn’t stand for it and came home in a rage.”

The Third Madam was silent for a moment, then sighed deeply.

The Third Madam was silent for a moment, then sighed deeply.

Wang Shuqin scoffed sarcastically, “The marriage she snatched up really isn’t a good match.”

The frustration in her heart inexplicably dissipated.

“It seems that the Young Master Liu and his cousin have been at it for quite some time. Luckily, it wasn’t me. Otherwise, I would’ve made a scene that turned the heavens upside down.”

The Third Madam gave her daughter a stern glance, signaling her to stop talking.

At this moment, the Third Madam’s demeanor displayed the grace and poise of the head of the family. “No matter what, this is not a matter for the main branch. Since they are both surnamed Wang, it is a matter for the Wang and Liu families. My sister-in-law is always one to avoid conflict. She will surely want to smooth things over. Go and pass a message to her for me—let’s keep Ying’er at home for now. We’ll wait for the Liu family to come and speak with us.”

The old maidservant received the order and left.