Chapter 70

On the sixth day of September, there was a full-moon banquet for Er Ge'er, and it was also the day when Xie Yun came out of confinement.

Xie Yunchu bathed and washed his hair with mugwort leaves the day before and made himself clean.

Early in the morning of the sixth day, Er Ge'er was brought to the main landlord's side room. The little child was covered with a small red robe with a slanting collar. When the wet nurse turned around, Ke Jie'er reached out to pinch her brother's face. Er Ge'er raised his little arms and stared at Ke Jie'er with his dark eyes without moving. The one-month-old child had almost no reaction except crying when he was hungry.

Sister Ke felt that her brother was easy to bully, so she pinched him hard a few times, which made Brother Er unhappy. The child didn't cry very loudly, but just kicked his hands and feet outward, frowned and made some grunting sounds.

Xie Yunchu was sitting in front of the dressing table combing her hair. When she heard the noise, she reached out her hands to cup Ke Jie'er's soft little face and hugged her to her, "Why are you bullying your brother?"

"My younger brother is not fun..." Today is Brother Wei'er's full month birthday and Sister Ke'er's second birthday. Xie Yunchu used the same silk satin to make two sets of clothes for the brother and sister.

"My little brother is still young. It will be fun when he can walk and run like Ke'er."

"When can you leave, brother?"

Xie Yunchu didn't know whether to laugh or cry, "It will take a very long time... until Sister Ke grows this tall?" She gestured to the bed railing next to her.

Ke Jieer didn't understand at all, so she just looked at the railing beside her in a daze. After a while, when Xie Yunchu went out for dinner, the wet nurse also fed Ke Jieer goat's milk, and Nanny Lin coaxed her beside her.

"Sister, if you eat well, you will grow taller."

The little girl seemed to realize something. She ate a full bowl of goat's milk, then jumped over to the railing and looked up. It seemed that she had not grown taller... The little girl frowned.

Around the beginning of the 9th hour, guests began to enter the mansion one after another.

Several children were placed in the open hall to play. The eldest son, Lin, and the second son, Xuan, were chasing and playing in the yard. The third son, Yue, was only ten months old, and it was time for him to walk. Xu Shiwei asked the wet nurse to bring the child over. While watching the other brothers and sisters play, she held the child in a scarf and taught him to learn to walk.

Although Yue Ge'er came down with the magic pearl in his mouth, his reactions were a little slow. He didn't like to laugh or cry. He looked like Xu Shiwei, and was born very naive and cute.

The two children from Wang Yining's family had not arrived yet, so Mei Jie'er took Ke Jie'er to play.

Mei Jie'er is already four years old. The little girl is graceful and has the potential to be a beauty. Her mother has taught her not to run around with her brothers. But Ke Jie'er is still very naughty. After eating the grapes her sister fed her, she started running after Xuan Ge'er.

Soon, Nanny Lin brought a plate of freshly made golden pastry, which was covered with a thin layer of tender skin and filled with egg yolks. The little ones rushed to eat it. Sister Ke grabbed a piece in each hand and fed her stomach until she was full. Then she ran to the main room of Chunjing Hall.

Mei Jie'er followed behind with a handkerchief in her hand, "Where are you going?" Her mother told her to keep an eye on her sister.

Ke Jieer didn't say anything. Her little body grunted as she quickly entered the inner room. She came to the pillar where Xie Yunchu had stood, and leaned her little head upward. She hadn't grown tall yet, so she cried loudly out of grievance. The nurse heard her and rushed over to cover her mouth.

"My dear ancestor, it's your birthday today, you can't cry..."

Sister Ke didn't care. She pushed her wet nurse away and ran out like a madman, shouting to find her mother.

Today, the third-rank court officials are meeting in court. Wang Shuhuai is not at home. The Duke is sitting in Qinghui Palace holding his son, and has ordered the second master to entertain the guests in the front hall. The female members of the backyard will be received by Xie Yunchu and Jiang.

Ever since the Duke had announced that Xie Yunchu would be in charge of the second house's dividends, the Jiang family's mother-in-law and daughter-in-law had looked at Xie Yunchu with complicated eyes. Jiang had always loved beauty, bought the best clothes and jewelry, used the best cosmetics, and was usually considered lavish in spending money. Now that the Duke had found a weak spot in her, her carefree days would be over.

The most angry person was Dou Keling. The dividends were managed by the second elders, and they could get some of the family property when the second master and his wife passed away. If it was in Xie Yunchu's hands, their family would get nothing.

Xu Shiwei saw that her third sister-in-law was full of resentment, so she quietly pulled her to the tea room and pointed outside. At that time, Xie Yunchu was greeting guests at the door. The one who came in was the wife of the Minister of Rites, Mrs. Zheng. This lady was famous for her virtue and generosity in the capital. She had a close relationship with her daughter-in-law Jiang Fan, like mother and daughter. They held hands and had endless things to say.

"Sister-in-law, I advise you to be more open-minded. We can't compare ourselves with the second sister-in-law. Her husband is the youngest third-rank minister of the dynasty. He has made great contributions to the country. When the new taxes are implemented in the future, he can earn a title on his own. Look at the eldest sister-in-law. When has she ever taken us seriously? Apart from the masters in the palace, the only ones who can catch her eye are the wives of the current cabinet ministers. We are no longer the same as her."

This is what really upset Dou Keling.

Obviously, when Xie Yunchu entered the mansion, she was not as prosperous as her. She served the whole family all day long. But now, she has some property in her hands, her husband is promoted step by step, and the eldest princess and the duke in the family value her more and more. The last time Xie Yunchu helped Wang Yining, the eldest princess announced in public that from now on, everything Wang Yining has, Xie Yunchu will have.

In the past, he was very proud of controlling the second wife's household expenses, but now he seems to have no interest at all.

Seeing Dou Keling's dejected face, Xu Shiwei continued to persuade her, "Actually, I've figured it out. My second brother and his wife are much more stable than my mother-in-law and father-in-law. The dividends are in my mother-in-law's hands, and I'm afraid she will squander them all. My father-in-law can't control my mother-in-law, so he can only let her do whatever she wants. But my second brother and his wife are different. My second brother is fair, and my second sister-in-law is generous. When our parents pass away in the future and the family is divided, it may not be without our benefit."

There was still some struggle in Dou Keling's eyes.

Xu Shiwei said, "Besides, sister-in-law, don't just focus on the small piece of land in the inner house. Think more about our master's future. When the second brother ascends the throne, he can be given a job at random, which will be enough for our master to live a good life." Thinking of her tepid husband, Xu Shiwei felt depressed.

"He failed the imperial examination last time, and we don't know what will happen in the next autumn examination. As time goes by, his enthusiasm will fade away and he may not be able to pass the examination. If he fails, what hope do we have? In the end, I'm afraid we can only rely on our brother for help. If my second sister-in-law still can't understand this, she won't be ashamed to ask my brother for help when she comes back."

Xu Shiwei's words were like an epiphany for Dou Keling. When Dou Keling thought about it carefully, he broke out in a cold sweat.

She turned her head and glanced at Xu Shiwei, "No wonder you've been getting close to your second sister-in-law since Yue Ge'er was born. So this is what you were thinking." Dou Keling was angry and amused, pinching her wrist, "We are the closest sisters-in-law, but you don't treat me as your own. You already had a plan but didn't tell me."

Xu Shiwei smiled bitterly and quickly broke away from her, "Good sister-in-law, if I didn't treat you as my own, I would not be able to say this to you today."

Dou Keling smiled and said in a softer tone, "That's true."

Soon, more and more guests came, and the two sisters-in-law went to prepare tea while the other went to the kitchen.

Today was the full moon banquet for the second house, so the first house did not intervene much. The eldest grandmother Miao went out to meet the guests for a while and came back to the backyard to change clothes. She saw her husband, the eldest master Wang Shuzhao, leaning on the rattan chair under the window reading a book.

"There are so many guests in your house today, why don't you go out and take a look?"

Wang Shuzhao raised his eyes and smiled, "What am I going to do? Who can see me?"

When Miao heard this, she felt a little sour in her heart. Although he was the young master of the Wang family, no one really took Wang Shuzhao seriously. The officials in the capital were all discerning people. Except for some playboys from all walks of life, who would come to curry favor with Wang Shuzhao? Wang Shuzhao, on the other hand, saw things very clearly and did not look down on others.

Miao thought for a moment and sighed, "Even so, at least give face to the second brother. He is busy today, and you, as the eldest brother, should host the banquet for him."

After hearing this, Wang Shuzhao threw down the book and stood up, "That makes sense, but..." He looked at his wife warmly, "In terms of virtue and dignity, you are not inferior to my second brother's wife. Although Shuhuai is promising, you don't have to be humble in front of him. We don't have to offend anyone, and there is no need to please anyone. We just need to live a muddle-headed life."

My father always forced my mother to please the eldest princess, the third aunt and others in the palace, which made my mother's life physically and mentally exhausted. Even at her old age, she still had to go to the palace to serve people. Wang Shuzhao didn't like it. He couldn't control his mother's affairs, but he could make decisions about his wife's affairs.

Miao's eyes became more sore when she heard this. Although her husband had some problems of drinking and flirting with beautiful women, he treated her very well and was never harsh on her. He could even be said to be protective of her in every way. Just for this reason, Miao was willing to live with him.

"Since you said so, no matter what the future holds for the Duan family, I will stick with you through it all."

The eldest master’s family’s surname was Duan.

Wang Shuzhao's expression softened when he heard this. He came over and hugged his wife gently. "Okay, stop thinking about this. As long as grandma is here, we'll be fine."

Miao sniffed, stopped crying, and personally tidied his clothes. Then Wang Shuzhao went to the front yard.

Wang Shuhuai hurried back home at lunch time. As soon as he stepped into the doorway, he did not even bother to change his clothes. He personally poured wine for everyone and apologized. After lunch, Wang Shuhuai told his brother-in-law Xie Yunyou to wait for him in the study, saying that he had found two books for him to take back to read. He then personally sent his father-in-law Xie Hui out of the house.

Unexpectedly, Xie Yunyou fell asleep in Wang Shuhuai's study. Falling asleep was not a big deal, but something quite serious happened.

Xie Yunchu didn't know about this until the evening, and he immediately called Minggui over. Minggui knelt down in front of Xie Yunchu in pain.

"My uncle dozed off while reading. He accidentally knocked over the inkstone when he was leaning over the table. This batch of ink sticks was not good. There was too much ink inside. It spilled all over the floor. My uncle didn't notice it. He left after waking up. I just went to find a book for you..."

"Well, Second Madam, you know that the light in the study is not good, so I lit an oil lamp. When I found the book, I found that it was covered with dust. I blew it all over the book, and it blew some sparks on the ground. The sparks happened to be stained with the ink."

"I didn't notice it, and hurriedly delivered the book to Second Master. When I came back, I saw thick smoke coming out of the room. There wasn't much open fire, but the smoke was suffocating. The beams were all blackened, and Second Master's bedding was burned by sparks. If it weren't for the banquet today, I moved your exquisite nine-turn screen out, I'm afraid even the screen would be lost... Oh, pitiful thing, the place where Second Master slept for more than ten years is gone just like that..."

Xie Yunchu's expression turned strange.

Nanny Lin asked anxiously, "We didn't see any fire or smoke. Which room was burned? Are all the books in the study intact?"

Minggui replied, "It was the small retreat room next to the inner room that burned. The two rooms were all blackened by smoke. Fortunately, it was discovered in time and did not burn to the study. A few books were also burned, including a copy of Shishuo Xinyu. Fortunately, your favorite book, Salt and Iron, was not burned, otherwise I would not be able to give you an explanation."

Ming Gui looked at Xie Yunchu and Nanny Ming's faces and said, "Today is my sister's birthday and my brother's full moon celebration. Second Master forbids you to tell anyone and I dare not tell anyone. I'm afraid we have to find someone to renovate the house. So, during this time, I will deliver Second Master's things to the backyard?"

Nanny Lin glanced at Xie Yunchu and asked Minggui, "Are the Second Master's things still there?"

Minggui had a sad face, "My clothes are soaked in ink and can't be worn anymore. My bedding is gone too. The only things I can bring to the backyard are Second Master's chess pieces and a set of tea sets."

The master and his servants looked at each other.

Xie Yunchu looked at Minggui expressionlessly and told Nanny Lin, "When the Second Master comes back in the evening, have the people in the sewing room take his measurements and make clothes for him."

After Xie Yunchu finished speaking, he went to the inner room first.

Nanny Lin looked at Xie Yunchu's back and smiled bitterly. The fire was really "brilliant". Xie Yunyou was involved in it. How could Xie Yunchu refuse? The Second Master would probably have to sleep in the backyard until the house was repaired.

Ke Jie'er is grown up now, and can talk and run. Xie Yunchu can't keep an eye on her, and he doesn't plan to restrain her like he did in his previous life. After dinner, the little girl went to play in some room. When Xie Yunchu went to look for her, he saw Wang Shuhuai carrying his daughter back to Chunjingtang.

The couple looked at each other in the dim night. Xie Yunchu quickly looked away and waved to Sister Ke.

"You've been playing all day, and you're covered in dust. Go take a shower."

Wang Shuhuai put the child down, and Ke Jieer hurried to her mother. Xie Yunchu led her in, and Wang Shuhuai followed her into Chunjing Hall.

Xie Yunchu threw the child to the nurse and sat in the east room to look at the account book. He casually talked to Wang Shuhuai who was sitting in the armchair opposite and drinking tea.

"Grandfather said that I will be in charge of the second branch's dividends from now on. What does Second Master mean by that?"

Wang Shuhuai said calmly, "As Madam will do."

Xie Yunchu said, "To be honest, I don't want to take on this hot potato. I have my father-in-law and mother-in-law above me, and my brothers and sisters-in-law below me. If I hold tight, they will accuse me of showing off. If I hold loose, I will fail the Duke's efforts. I suggest that the dividends will be managed by the Second Master in the future. If the Second House has major expenses, let Nanny Lin help you check the accounts. What do you think?"

Wang Shuhuai holds a high rank as a third-rank official and has many social engagements in official circles. If he does not have some money in his hand, he will not be able to do anything.

As for the major expenses of the second house, those who are supposed to get married have already got married, and those who are supposed to get married will get married soon. It doesn't cost any money at all. Daily expenses are all covered by the public budget, except that some dividends are distributed to everyone at the end of the year. In the past, Jiang would give big red envelopes to her sons and daughters at the end of the year, and it will be the same in the future.

Jiang and others were also convinced to take the money from Wang Shuhuai.

What belongs to her husband belongs to her children. Xie Yunchu has cleared herself of any connection and gained substantial benefits without having to worry about it.

Xie Yunchu suspected that the Duke was just taking advantage of the fact that the second wife had already married and had children, and was deliberately asking for help to subsidize her and Wang Shuhuai. She appreciated the Duke's kindness.

Wang Shuhuai was a man of great character and he quickly understood his wife's intention.

Although the wife's behavior is smart and astute, it also means that she is alienating him. Doesn't what's his belong to her? Why is she distancing herself from him? Doesn't he know what kind of person she is?

Other people might be afraid that their wives would keep the money to support their parents, but his wife was good and never spent his money.

Xie Yunchu had made up her mind, and Wang Shuhuai couldn't force her, "Just do as you say."

Each room receives a pair of cards when receiving dividends.

At night, Jiang was forced to take out the pair of cards and hand them over to Nanny Ming, asking her to deliver them to Chunjing Hall.

She watched Nanny Ming disappear outside the porch and couldn't help but cry.

This was nothing to her. She had just gotten through the hard times and was able to enjoy herself with plenty of money, but the Duke cut off her financial resources in one day. Jiang lay on the bed and cried for a long time.

The second master was also in a depressed mood. "Who can I blame? If you were more generous in your daily life and not so petty, you wouldn't have caused father's dissatisfaction." The second master wanted to compare his wife with the third wife again, but he swallowed the words back.

"You should listen to my advice and treat your wives better in the future."

Both of Nanny Ming's sons worked under Wang Shuhuai. Now the Duke and the Princess were clearly planning to use Xie Yunchu. Nanny Ming was very happy. She came in and kowtowed to Xie Yunchu, and handed a small bag of herbs to Nanny Lin.

"My brother picked these on the hill behind us not long ago. He said boiling them in water and soaking your feet in them can help you get rid of fatigue and tiredness. Madam, let me try it tonight."

Nanny Ming gave half of it to Jiang as a gift, and used the remaining half to show her favor to Xie Yunchu.

Nanny Lin understood the meaning of the song and took it with a smile, "It's hard for Nanny to have such good intentions."

Xie Yunchu took the pair of cards and turned to Wang Shuhuai.

Xie Yunchu felt lazy, so he washed up and went to bed early. Wang Shuhuai accompanied Ke Jieer in painting, teaching her carefully every stroke. Er Ge'er was too young, so he slept in the west room with his wet nurse.

Wang Shuhuai looked at his adorable daughter and suddenly an idea occurred to him, "Ke'er, sit still and let daddy draw a portrait for you, how about that?" He had spent little time with his daughter in the past, so every year on her birthday, he would draw a portrait for her. When she grew up, she would know what she looked like when she was a child, which would also be a fun thing.

When Ke Jie heard that her father wanted to paint her, she sat upright on the bed and didn't move.

Wang Shuhuai spread out the silk, ground it, and began to write.

After hearing this, Xie Yunchu became very curious, so he quietly slipped on his shoes and came out, leaning against the lattice wall to look at the father and daughter.

There was a white square lamp on the long rosewood table. The light was bright, making Wang Shuhuai's cold and handsome face glow. He had a focused expression, his eyes were meaningful and warm, and the curvature of his profile was just right. He had a face that was stunning at first glance.

Xie Yunchu seemed to remember the first time they met, when the eldest princess took a liking to her at a flower-viewing banquet and summoned her into the palace. That afternoon, clouds were piled up in the sky like ink, and she stood in the pavilion, shy and expectant, and his elegant figure seemed to emerge from the flowers. That face and that clear temperament made this man the only bright spot in the world.

Just because of that one glance, she paid with her entire life.

The little person on the Luohan bed discovered his mother, rubbed his hands together, curled up his neck, and giggled.

Xie Yunchu whispered to her, signaling her not to move.

Sister Ke immediately sat down obediently.

Wang Shuhuai raised his eyes to look at his daughter, and Sister Ke actually made a face at him.

Wang Shuhuai couldn't do anything to her.

Xie Yunchu glared at his daughter. At this time in her previous life, Wang Shuhuai was fighting fiercely with the eldest princess. Even though he was gentle towards the three of them, mother and son, he did not have much time to spend with the children. Sister Ke looked at her tall father and felt timid. She did not expect that he was now almost unscrupulous towards her father.

Children have difficulty concentrating, so Wang Shuhuai did not dare to be distracted and finished the painting in less than a quarter of an hour.

Xie Yunchu slowly walked over and glanced at his side. The little girl in the silk painting had round eyes and rosy cheeks, lively eyebrows and eyes, and was dressed in festive clothes, like a Fuwa.

“It looks good.”

Xie Yunchu looked at the painting and Wang Shuhuai looked at her.

He suddenly remembered Xie Yunchu when he first met her. She was shy and pretty, like a shy flower bud about to bloom.

Today, Xie Yunchu is like a blooming peony, confident and bright.

She has different beauty at different times.

In the past, he was aware of how good his wife was. He always thought that once everything was settled, he would treat his wife well and spend more time with his children. But now he realizes that time flies, and when he turns around, the scenery is no longer the same as it was back then.

Soon the child became sleepy, so the wet nurse took him back to the east wing and coaxed him to sleep. Wang Shuhuai went to the bathroom to take a shower. When he came out, he saw Xie Yunchu lighting a glass lamp and sitting in front of the dressing table looking at the painting.

Hearing the footsteps behind him, Xie Yunchu spoke with a light and satisfied tone.

"Second Master, you must keep your word and paint her a picture every year."

Wang Shuhuai, wearing a dark green long-sleeved robe, stood on the stage with his hands behind his back, looking at the beauty under the lamp. The beauty was as white as jade.

He looked calm, staring at her without answering.

Xie Yunchu didn't see him move, so she turned around and their eyes met. The warmth in her husband's eyes had obviously faded, like a deep pool with no bottom.

But in this deep place, there is a different kind of brightness.

You can imagine what a man is thinking when he looks at a woman like this.

Wang Shuhuai took a step forward, and Xie Yunchu stood up with the silk painting in his hand. He turned his back and hid in the vertical cabinet inlaid with eight treasures on the side of the bed. He stood on tiptoe and tried to open the upper cabinet and put the silk painting in it.

A figure came in, kept a restrained distance, and raised his hand to open the cabinet door for her.

The cool breath almost came over me.

Xie Yunchu quickly put the painting inside. Feeling the heavy pressure behind her, she turned her back to him but did not turn around immediately. She tried to soothe him, "Second Master, my body has not recovered yet. I can't have sex now. The imperial physician said that it will take at least three months..."

He refused to take a concubine, and they were husband and wife, so Xie Yunchu didn't intend to treat him unfairly in this regard.

After hearing this, Wang Shuhuai's Adam's apple rolled and the ink in his eyes became darker.

He understood that she was willing to give him her body but not her heart.

What does she take him for?

He admitted that he was now like a wolf, hiding behind a warm appearance and waiting for an opportunity to pounce on his prey.

He gently touched the back of her neck, Xie Yunchu's skin was itchy, and she immediately turned around and tried to escape, but Wang Shuhuai raised his hand to block her way, and covered her with his thin lips. Xie Yunchu turned her face away, and his kiss fell on her ear.

He didn't kiss her, but whispered,

"When can I paint you a portrait? One a year, okay?"