The Eldest Daughter-in-Law [Reborn] - Chapter 98

Finally, the Third Madam made her demands clear, “If the Liu family wants to be our family, first, let Marquis Liu come to pick her up personally and promise that Ying’er will be the main wife, with no concubine. Second, send that woman away and terminate the pregnancy. Since she dared to do something so disgraceful, she doesn’t deserve any status. Third, the Young Master needs a good lesson, or else he’ll repeat the same mistake.”

Madam Liu was unwilling, muttering that the Wang family was using their power to bully them, and stormed out angrily. The Third Madam wasn’t in a rush and ordered a servant, “Follow Madam Liu and have them bring the dowry back from the Liu family.”

The servant nodded and prepared to go with the housemaids and servants to Liu’s house.

Seeing the Wang family’s attitude, Madam Liu became anxious and worried that things would escalate and damage the Liu family’s reputation. She hurriedly tried to smooth things over, assuring the Third Madam that they would settle the matter by the end of the day. She turned around and sent someone to fetch her husband, Marquis Liu, who was at the court dealing with an issue. 

Upon hearing the news, Marquis Liu rushed back home, kicking his son out of the way as soon as he entered. “Useless fool! If you want a woman, at least do it openly. Now you’ve done something shameful and disgraced me in front of everyone.”

He turned to Madam Liu and yelled, “How could you let him do such a shameful thing? How can I face the Duke now? Who would dare marry a daughter into the Liu family after this?”

Madam Liu tried to defend herself quietly, “But she’s not a proper girl from the Wang family…”

“You’re so muddle-headed!” Marquis Liu glared at his wife in frustration.

Madam Liu flinched, hurriedly saying, “Alright, alright, I know I was wrong. Now, how can we resolve this? No matter what, the child can’t be removed. That’s the Liu family’s bloodline…”

Marquis Liu’s face darkened as he pondered for a moment and then said, “I’ll go to the Wang family.”

In the afternoon, at the time of Shen (3-5 pm), Marquis Liu personally arrived at the Wang family. He immediately apologized to the Eldest Master and Third Master, promising that the woman would not be allowed to enter the household. He subtly mentioned that he was assisting with the Eldest Master’s case, asking the Wang family to agree to keep the child and send it to the countryside to be raised. The Eldest Master was moved and looked toward the Third Master, who was deep in thought while observing his wife.

Since this matter was entrusted to his wife, the Third Master decided to let her make the decision.

Madam San remembered the words of Xie Yunchu.

Earlier that day, Xie Yunchu had quietly found her and said, “Third Aunt, I feel there’s something strange about that cousin. She says she’s pregnant—could she really be pregnant?”

While the ladies were still discussing how to handle the child, Xie Yunchu already knew that the cousin had never been pregnant in the previous life. She was merely pretending, later going to the countryside to fake a miscarriage, which caused Wang Shuying to be looked down upon by her in-laws and led to a rift in the marriage.

With this reminder from Xie Yunchu, the Third Madam was now certain of the situation. “Please have the Imperial Physician check the cousin’s pulse and determine the truth.”

Marquis Liu and the others exchanged looks.

Unbeknownst to them, the Third Madam had already secretly sent Wang Shuying’s elder brother, Wang Shizhao, along with the physician to Liu’s house, pretending it was Marquis Liu’s order. The physician publicly checked the cousin’s pulse and concluded there were no signs of pregnancy. The cousin refused to believe it and made a scene, so they brought in more doctors, and the diagnosis was the same. The news was sent back to the Wang family, and everyone was shocked.

Marquis Liu was deeply embarrassed and repeatedly apologized, not daring to speak another word. He rushed back, gave his son twenty lashes, and then had the cousin’s attendants brought in for questioning. It was then revealed that the cousin had faked the pregnancy, forced the Liu family to acknowledge her, and planned to fake a miscarriage after marriage, intending to frame Wang Shuying and take her place.

When Liu Xun found out that his childhood cousin had tricked him, he was so angry that he fainted from the shock.

On the third day, Marquis and Madam Liu personally visited the Wang family, humbling themselves and promising that Wang Shuying would be in charge of the household finances, and they would no longer take concubines. In the past, the Liu family had looked down on Wang Shuying’s background and didn’t allow her to manage the household, but now they had fully accepted her as their daughter-in-law. Wang Shuying was overwhelmed with joy and cried as she knelt in front of the Third Madam to thank her.

“If it weren’t for you, I don’t know if I would have survived that time.”

The Third Madam, however, gently pointed to the poised and quiet Xie Yunchu beside her, “You should thank her, not me. If it weren’t for her sharp mind and decisive actions, we would have all fallen into that woman’s trap.”

Xie Yunchu quickly shook her head, “Third Aunt, you’re too kind. The Wang family is lucky to have you as the head of the household. It’s a blessing for all of us younger ones.”

The Third Madam was pleased and looked at Xie Yunchu deeply, thinking to herself that the Wang family had a successor.

Wang Shuying again thanked Xie Yunchu, her affection evident in her words. Even the eldest wife couldn’t help but look at Xie Yunchu with admiration, almost wanting to embrace her and call her “my dear”.

In the end, this matter caught the attention of the Eldest Princess. Without hesitation, she granted a piece of white silk to the woman as a warning to others.

That night, Xie Yunchu sat in Chunjing Hall drinking tea, hearing the news. She felt both a sense of emotion and envy. The Eldest Princess truly lived up to her reputation, never disappointing others.

Unfortunately, in both this life and the past, there had never been anyone to stand in front of her, shielding her from the wind and rain.

It’s fine, she thought. She didn’t need anyone else to shield her. Xie Yunchu would rely on herself.

As soon as this thought passed through her mind, the familiar sound of footsteps echoed outside the door. A maid then entered, reporting, “The Second Master has come.”

Her husband, whom she hadn’t seen for three days… had returned.

Xie Yunchu glanced at the copper incense clock. It wasn’t too early or too late. The child was already asleep. Why had he come?