Chapter 22
The second family came out of the Discipline Courtyard, all looking unhappy.
The palace's family rules clearly stated that if a woman secretly had an affair with a man other than her husband, she would be required to kneel in the Buddhist temple for a month, be confined to her house for a year, and be fined half a year's salary. Wang Shuyi committed an even more serious crime by acting in the name of her sister-in-law, so the third wife took the initiative to have Wang Shuyi beaten with ten boards.
The second master loved his youngest daughter the most. Seeing his daughter being beaten with such a thick board, with her skin torn and flesh exposed, he felt heartbroken.
Jiang was in a state of dullness when she came out of Liangyuan. She just watched her daughter kneeling in front of her and begging for mercy, and watched the Third Madam giving orders to punish her daughter. She didn't say a word, and didn't even raise her eyelids. Her face was pale and dull, as if she was stupid.
The second master chattered all the way from the Discipline Court to Ninghe Hall. Later, when he saw that all the younger generations of the family were present, he cried so embarrassingly that he stopped crying.
Below, Wang Shuhuai and Xie Yunchu are sitting at the lower left, the couple having expressionless faces.
The other two sons and their wives sat on the right, with their heads hung and not daring to say a word.
The second master returned to his own courtyard, and he no longer had any scruples. He could not help but reprimand Xie Yunchu.
"Brother Huai's daughter-in-law, when something like this happens, you should discuss it with your mother-in-law first, and then let your mother-in-law decide whether to report it. After all, she is your only sister-in-law. She was young and went astray. As her brother and sister-in-law, you should teach her. How can you..."
Wang Shuhuai couldn't listen any longer, looked up at the second master coldly, and interrupted,
"Father, something happened to my sister. Do you think Xie's fault is on her?"
The second master was speechless after hearing his words. No matter how dumb he was, he understood that his son was supporting his wife. The second master gathered his sleeves and kept silent.
Wang Shuhuai said in a light and cold tone, "If Xie hadn't discovered and stopped it in time, and let others know, what would the consequences be? Have you two elders thought about it?"
The second master was very concerned about his reputation, so he naturally understood the meaning of this statement. Wang Shuhuai had finally earned a place in the court, and he was afraid that he would be burdened by his relatives and seek advice from others.
The second master calmed down and said, "That's what you said."
I just felt that Xie Yunchu was too cold-blooded.
He waved his hand, signaling his son and daughter-in-law to leave. After they left, the second master anxiously glanced at Jiang who was silent beside him and said angrily, "What's wrong with you today? You are like a piece of wood. You didn't say a word and watched your daughter being beaten and bruised."
Wang Shuyi was beaten, and he remained in the Discipline Court, being taken care of by the maids there. When he recovered, he went to the Buddhist temple to kneel and recite scriptures. The Wang family was usually very tolerant of the younger generation, almost pampering them, but once the bottom line was crossed, the Duke and the Princess would show no mercy, as can be seen from the family rules.
Jiang's eyelids were drooping, and she hadn't come back to her senses yet. Seeing this, the second master thought she was stupid and pulled her arm to shake her, but Jiang refused and shook his arm away, "That's enough."
It is a suppressed angry sound squeezed from the lungs.
The second master was usually a little afraid of his wife and would just look at her without saying a word.
Jiang's lips curled up slightly, and at that moment, the cold and angry emotions intertwined in her eyes, which were indescribable. "Do you know what I have been thinking about all this time?"
The second master said nothing.
Jiang placed her hands on the small table and laughed at herself. Her delicate body was like a dead leaf, trying to maintain her composure. "This girl I have pampered so carefully, this darling I have spoiled so much. I thought that with her background and looks, the best man in the world would be a good match for her. But she is so mean and despicable as to actively seduce a man..."
"No..." Whenever she thought of it, Jiang's chest felt like a frying pan under water, and a raging fire burned her heart. She covered her chest, and her eyes were filled with pain. "I can't accept that my spoiled daughter would shamelessly beg a man to marry her..."
Although Jiang was confused and pretentious, she was very proud. She was born beautiful and grew up in a noble family. She had always been flattered by others. Except for the eldest princess and the duke, she had never cared about anyone's expression.
Back then, there were countless men who heard of her beauty and wanted to see her, but now her daughter is groveling for a man.
Jiang couldn't and wouldn't accept it.
Her son was an outstanding person and all the women in the capital envied her, but her only daughter showed a despicable behavior. Jiang felt a bloody rushing out of her throat, her eyes were dizzy and her head was swollen, and she almost fainted.
After hearing what Jiang said, the second master realized his daughter's mistake. He originally thought that it was no big deal for a girl to like any man and meet him once. But now that he thought about it carefully, he couldn't tolerate his spoiled baby trying to please another man, so he hit his forehead hard a few times and sighed.
What makes him even more worried is that once the Duke gets to know about this, he will be in great trouble.
Fortunately, the matter was discovered in time. The second master reflected, "It's better to say that I wrongly blamed Xie than to let the whole city know about it. By then, our whole family will have to live in fear and may even be driven back to our hometown. In the end, it will only implicate Shu Huai and the other children."
Jiang sneered. It's not that she didn't blame Xie Yunchu, but Xie Yunchu's problem was nothing compared to Wang Shuyi's self-deprecation.
Once the Second Master realized his mistake, he was not bothered by his status and was willing to apologize to Xie Yunchu. He asked someone to take out a Ruyi inkstone from his collection in his study and gave it to Xie Yunchu. When Xie Yunchu received the inkstone, he knew what his father-in-law meant.
The second master did not have time to have dinner, so he returned to his study and asked someone to call Wang Shuhuai.
"You go to the Xiao family in person, meet Xiao Huaijin, and tell him that this matter must not be spread to anyone else."
Wang Shuhuai understood what his father meant, "Leave this to me."
In fact, he asked Xie Yunchu on the way back in the carriage. Xie Yunchu said that Xiao Huaijin was a smart man and would just pretend that nothing had happened.
The second master was never so reassured again.
Wang Shuhuai returned to his study and thought about it. He felt that he had to meet Xiao Huaijin for both moral and practical reasons, so the next day he sent a letter to Xiao Huaijin, inviting him to have tea at Honghe Tower. Honghe Tower was another teahouse outside Donghuamen, facing Yingjianghong Tower in a distance, and the two families often competed with each other.
After lunch, Wang Shuhuai met Xiao Huaijin in the private room by the window of the teahouse.
The two were once classmates and were just acquaintances on weekdays. Xiao Huaijin did not get close to Wang Shuhuai because of their in-laws. Instead, they always kept their distance. Wang Shuhuai was even less familiar with Xiao Huaijin. After all, when he was an editor in the Hanlin Academy, Xiao Huaijin was still waiting for the selection by the Ministry of Personnel. Until recent years, he was arranged to observe politics in the Ministry of Works. It is still unknown whether he can stay in the Ministry of Works.
The two exchanged pleasantries, and Wang Shuhuai first offered Xiao Huaijin a glass of tea instead of wine.
"I was rude yesterday. I would like to apologize to Brother Xiao."
He bowed solemnly.
Xiao Huaijin turned aside to refuse his greeting, raised his teacup and returned the greeting, "Master Wang, you are too polite."
Wang Shuhuai could see that Xiao Huaijin was intentionally distancing himself.
Wang Shuhuai didn't care. Under his snow-white gown, he supported a slender arm. He held the teacup and asked Xiao Huaijin nonchalantly,
"I'm very curious about what happened yesterday. What did the old woman say to you? What did she say? Did she cause Brother Xiao to misunderstand?"
Xiao Huaijin held the teacup in silence, his eyes showing no fluctuation at all.
He naturally knew that Wang Shuhuai came to find him not for his sister.
He believed that the Wang family had asked these questions a long time ago, and Wang Shuhuai could not have been unaware of them. The reason they asked him was to test him.
Xiao Huaijin said with a guilty tone, "It's not a big deal. I just felt bored in the pavilion, so I was on the top floor to get some fresh air. After the other party passed the message, I just waited there. I didn't expect it to be a misunderstanding."
At first glance, this statement sounded flawless, but Wang Shuhuai still keenly discovered the crux. First, the most crucial point was blurred, and he was not told what the old woman said. There was no doubt that it was related to Xie Yunchu. Second, Xiao Huaijin was explaining, and explanation was a cover-up.
Wang Shuhuai has already got the answer he wanted.
Is this one problem after another?
Wang Shuhuai didn't show any abnormality at all, "Anyway, I hope Brother Xiao will forgive me for what happened yesterday."
Xiao Huaijin naturally understood what he meant, "Don't worry, Lord Wang, it's just a misunderstanding. I won't tell anyone and I don't take it to heart." He indirectly told Wang Shuhuai that he had no feelings for Wang Shuyi.
Wang Shuhuai knew very well that the person he was interested in was not Wang Shuyi.
Without much delay, the two parted ways, Xiao Huaijin went to the Ministry of Works and Wang Shuhuai returned to the Ministry of Revenue.
Before he even reached the gate of the government office, Qi Wei told him, "Young Master Xiao is 22 years old this year. He was so focused on the imperial examinations that he never got married. He finally settled down in the Ministry of Works. Recently, he has been discussing marriage. Young Master Xiao is a clean man. He doesn't even have a concubine. He is handsome and elegant. Many daughters of officials in the capital are willing to marry into the Xiao family."
Wang Shuhuai nodded without saying a word.
On the morning of the 22nd, Xie Yunchu felt uncomfortable when she woke up. She felt pain in her lower abdomen from time to time. She went to the bathroom and found that it was her period. Nanny Lin heated a hot water bottle for her and put it on her cold lower abdomen. She sighed and said, "The young lady always treats her husband coldly. When will the young master come?"
The two grandsons of the eldest wife can speak now, and Dou Keling's Erlang can run and jump. Xu Shiwei came back yesterday and said she was not feeling well, so she called a doctor. Now there is no news of her being sick, so maybe she is pregnant again. Nanny Lin couldn't help but worry. The girl had a hard life. She had no mother to love her. Except for her, the wet nurse, and a few maids around her, no one really cared about Xie Yunchu.
When Nanny Lin thought about it, she actually burst into tears.
Xie Yunchu leaned against the old red gorilla pillow, her face looked even paler against the red color. She was in a carefree mood.
"It's my turn. What's the point of being anxious? It's better to arrive at the right time than to arrive early."
When I thought of Er Ge'er, I felt sad at first, but after calming down, I felt that it was a good thing.
Perhaps, Er Ge'er felt sorry for his mother in his previous life and was willing to welcome her with a brand new look.
After rebirth, many things have changed. Everything has its own destiny. If that person is the right one, we will meet sooner or later.
After a while, Xia An came to report that the second lady Wang Shuqin came to visit.
Xie Yunchu was surprised. Wang Shuqin had always been arrogant and would never come to the second house. Why did she come today?
After a while, someone was ushered in. Wang Shuqin looked around but didn't see Sister Ke, so she asked, "Where is Sister Ke?"
Xie Yunchu smiled, "She likes to raise a pond of small black fish in the backyard. I asked the nurse to bring her over."
Wang Shuqin felt relieved. She had no patience and didn't like children making noises. When she saw Xie Yunchu lying on the bed, she knew that she was unwell. "What's wrong, sister-in-law?"
"It's time for the little days to come."
Wang Shuqin understood and sat down next to her.
After the maid served tea, Wang Shuqin took the initiative to explain her purpose.
"Shuyi was punished. Shuya didn't get a good grade the day before yesterday and was scolded by Fourth Aunt. Fourth Aunt detained her in the yard and made her study. Two children were making a fuss in the eldest sister-in-law's room. I was really bored, so my mother sent me to you, the second sister-in-law. Please don't dislike me."
Xie Yunchu smiled, "You are a distinguished guest. You don't come here often. How could I dislike you?"
Wang Shuqin asked, "If I come here often, will my sister-in-law dislike me?"
Xie Yunchu actually likes Wang Shuqin's personality. Although she is proud, she is not willful. She has a cheerful personality, but she is a little stubborn sometimes. "If you come here more often, I will not be dissatisfied. Look at me. I have nothing to do now, and I also hope that someone will come to accompany me to kill time."
After hearing this, Wang Shuqin said, "Hey, Second Sister-in-law, did Third Sister-in-law take away your household supplies?"
Xie Yunchu looked at Wang Shuqin's gossipy eyes and couldn't help laughing, "It doesn't count, I handed it over myself."
"That's more like it." Wang Shuqin shrugged and put down the teacup. "My mother said that it was fortunate that you helped the second house's household to get on the right track. Everything has rules to follow and responsibilities are assigned to people. If someone else kicked you aside and picked up what was already done, it would be really heartbreaking."
Xie Yunchu was slightly stunned. Someone from the Wang family actually spoke a fair word to her.
She smiled.
Wang Shuqin added, "By the way, Second Sister-in-law, Grandmother will accompany the Emperor to Yanshan Mountain to escape the summer heat in June. Our family will also go. Will you go?"
In his previous life, Xie Yunchu was always left behind to take care of the housework, leaving the family to play, but now he doesn't do that anymore.
"Of course I went, what about you?"
Wang Shuqin was delighted when she heard this. She hurriedly took her hand and said, "My dear sister-in-law, I want to go hunting, but my mother won't allow me. When I asked you to accompany me, she felt relieved and said that you are the only reliable person in our Wang family. Sister-in-law, you rarely go out all year round. Let's go together this time, fly kites, hunt, or race horses. Let's have a good time. Don't worry, sister-in-law, as long as you are willing to go, I will take care of everything else. I will prepare your luggage and choose a horse for you. How about it?"
Xie Yunchu was moved by her words, "Okay, by the way, my aunt also said she wants to go to escape the summer heat, you can ask her later."
Wang Shuqin became even happier when she heard this, and stood up anxiously, "I'll send someone to deliver a letter to my aunt right away. My aunt has many capable people around her, and if we don't know what to do, let her take care of everything." She wanted to push the job to Wang Yining again.
Xie Yunchu simply ignored her, "I made it clear in advance that I will rely on you two."
"Don't worry, I'll take care of it."
Wang Shuqin patted her chest, lifted her skirt and went out happily.
She's also a fiery girl.
Three days later, Xie Yunchu was clean, and the palace sent news that the emperor would set off for Yanshan on the first day of June. Xie Yunchu remembered that a major event had happened in the palace in her previous life, and this event was related to the rise and fall of the entire Duke's Mansion, so she had to go and take a look.
Next, all the mansions were busy preparing for the trip. The Duke returned home and first reprimanded the Second Master and his wife, and then ordered that, except for Wang Shuhuai and Xie Yunchu, everyone else from the Second House would be confined to their homes and not allowed to accompany the Emperor to Yanshan.
The Second Master and his wife had expected this result, so it was not a big deal. However, Dou Keling and his wife were very worried. When Xuan'er heard that he could not go out, he burst into tears.
After returning to the second house, the whole family sat in the hall of Ninghe Hall, silent and dejected.
Dou Keling cried in grievance and complained to her parents-in-law, "Father, mother, and I promised Xuan'er a long time ago that we would take him out for a walk. Last year, he was too young to go, but this year he was finally able to go, but he was confined again. I don't mind it, but the child is always confined at home and can't see the world. Besides, Xuan'er is the only legitimate grandson of our second branch. If he is useless, our second branch will lose face."
Dou Keling is used to exaggerating things.
Wang Shukuang saw that his wife was exaggerating, so he tugged at her sleeve and called her half-comfortingly and half-distressedly, "Ling'er, talk less." While saying this, he still considerately handed Dou Keling a handkerchief. Seeing that Dou Keling was crying non-stop, he finally wiped his wife's tears himself.
He didn't notice that his brother Wang Shuhuai was staring at him quietly.
Dou Keling sniffed and looked at Xie Yunchu opposite him.
"Second sister-in-law, why don't you ask grandfather for a favor for us? Xuan Ge'er is the eldest brother, and he can take Ke Jie to play later."
On the other side, Xu Shiwei also became anxious when she heard that Dou Keling instigated Xie Yunchu to go to Yanshan. Doesn't that mean that both families will go, leaving her alone at home to serve her mother-in-law?
Xu Shiwei had been tossed around a lot recently, and she no longer knew what it was like to be lazy and sleepy, so she stood up hesitantly and bowed politely to the second master and his wife above.
"Father, mother, and my wife think that it is better not to anger grandfather. It is fine for our family to be together at home."
When Xie Yunchu heard her say the words "neat and tidy", his eyebrows slightly frowned.
Xu Shiwei held her husband's hand tenderly, and told her parents-in-law, "By the way, the daughter-in-law took my pulse two days ago, and the doctor said it was a slippery pulse. Today, I asked Dr. He to come in again, and this time he confirmed it." She looked at her mother-in-law in embarrassment, and then glanced at Xie Yunchu.
"Even if I am willing, I am afraid it will be difficult for me to serve you anymore. Mother and father, are you considering changing someone..."
She didn't say anything else, but her meaning was very clear.
Jiang was so devastated by her daughter's incident that she looked different from before. She didn't respond for a long time, while the second master was thinking.
Seeing that her mother-in-law remained silent, Xu Shiwei felt uneasy and gently acted coquettishly towards her husband, signaling him to plead for her.
Wang Shutong is a nerd who listens to Xu Shiwei's orders about almost everything at home. Seeing his pregnant wife having to serve others, Wang Shutong couldn't bear it, so he stood up and said a few words to Xu Shiwei. Xu Shiwei was very happy, and leaned tenderly on her husband's arm, looking like a little bird.
Wang Shuhuai looked at his fourth brother thoughtfully.
The second master was troubled by his two daughters-in-law and looked at Xie Yunchu and Wang Shuhuai.
"Brother Huai, what do you think?"
The fourth son's wife is pregnant and it is really inconvenient for her to serve others.
Besides, what the Duke and the Third Madam implied today was that Xie Yunchu should take charge of the household affairs again, and they almost said that Xie Yunchu was the only reliable person in the Second House.
The second master also felt that the second house could not do without Xie Yunchu.
Wang Shuhuai came back to his senses and glanced at Xie Yunchu beside him. His wife looked at him with her eyes down and said nothing.
She is just like that. No matter what grievances she has, she never tells him.
He had seen the interaction between his two sisters-in-law and his younger brother. His two younger brothers were able to take care of their wives, let alone him.
In recent days, when he had some free time, he began to think that perhaps in the past he had been accustomed to his wife's virtuousness and ignored her true feelings, which made her unhappy.
My wife has been married for so long and has never been away from home. She has always been left at home to take care of the housework. This time, she must be asked to go anyway, so she replied to the second master.
"Since Grandfather has ordered the Second Branch to be confined, there is no way to change it. If Xie goes to intercede, she will definitely be implicated."
"As for serving father and mother, firstly, my second brother and sister-in-law are at home and can help. Secondly, when Xie was pregnant with Sister Ke, she never idled for a single day. I think my fourth brother and sister-in-law is healthier than your sister-in-law and will not hinder the birth of an heir."
Xie Yunchu had not originally planned to stay. No matter what Jiang and the Second Master said, she would find a way to leave. Now that Wang Shuhuai could speak for her, it was naturally better.
Xu Shiwei's face turned pale, tears hung on her eyelashes, and her vision gradually became blurred.
The Second Master looked embarrassed, but what Wang Shuhuai said was right, what Xie Yunchu could do, Xu Shiwei could also do, it was just that the Fourth Master's wife looked rather pitiful on weekdays, and was not as dignified and stable as Xie... and so on. It was not possible to think that Xie Yunchu had the right to do so just because she was stable. Both sides of the palm are flesh and blood, and the Second Master could not refute Wang Shuhuai.
Besides, there were so many old women and maids in the house, so the fourth son's wife didn't really have to do any work. It was just a matter of talking.
"What about the food supply?"
Wang Shuhuai was deep in thought after hearing that. In his opinion, it would be safer for Xie Yunchu to be in charge. After all, Xie Yunchu was the eldest daughter-in-law of the Duke's Mansion. If she didn't gain some experience, how would she become a clan member in the future? So he looked at his wife again.
This time, the dignified and beautiful wife's eyes were red and tears were falling.
Who doesn’t know how to cry?
Since Wang Shuhuai is already backing her up, she might as well continue to support him to the end.
Wang Shuhuai knew that Xie Yunchu didn't want to be in charge of the affairs.
Thinking about how his wife had been quarreling with him recently, how could Wang Shuhuai force her?
Wang Shuhuai said solemnly, "My third brother's wife is diligent and efficient. She is also the first daughter-in-law to enter the mansion, so it is most appropriate to hand over the household chores to her."
Dou Keling didn't want to be deprived of the power of household affairs, so she stood up and saluted Wang Shuhuai, "Thank you for your encouragement, brother. I will definitely follow your example and not let the whole family down."
She was obviously trying to stop the Second Master from saying anything. They were both willing to fight and be beaten, so the Second Master couldn't say anything.
Jiang was tired of listening and waved her hand, signaling everyone to leave.
After everyone left, the second master looked at his wife with a wry smile, "This Huai brother has improved recently. He knows how to support his wife and is even willing to offend his elders for her."
After hearing this, Jiang couldn't help but mock him, "Yes, if you had such ability when I first entered the family, I wouldn't have to suffer the eldest princess's anger."
The second master wisely kept his mouth shut.
So the matter was settled. Dou Keling kept the household chores, Xu Shiwei continued to serve her mother-in-law, and only Xie Yunchu from the second house accompanied him to Yanshan to escape the summer heat.
"Is the Second Master going?" Nanny Lin asked worriedly. They would set out on the first day of June and would definitely be accommodated in the temporary palace on that day. Nanny Lin was looking forward to the couple sleeping in the same room.
Xie Yunchu was bored and teased his daughter who was holding her new toy and laughing. "He never told me where he was. Wait for him to tell me himself."
In her previous life, she was always the one asking questions, which exhausted her physically and mentally. Now, she will not indulge Wang Shuhuai.
In the next few days, Wang Shuhuai continued to go out early and come back late. Occasionally, he would come to Chunjingtang to visit his wife and daughter when he had time. Today, when he saw that Xie Yunchu was busy, he held Ke Jie'er and read the picture book.
Xie Yunchu is packing his luggage for the trip tomorrow.
"Aren't you going to take Sister Ke with you?" Wang Shuhuai asked.
Xie Yunchu stood on tiptoe to get clothes from the closet. His tall and graceful figure showed off his thin and soft waist.
"She's still young, and it's cold in the woods at night, so I don't plan to take her with me."
What Wang Shuhuai actually wanted to ask was not his daughter.
He helped his wife to resolve the trouble last time and had been quite diligent in visiting her these past few days. He thought Xie Yunchu would give him a good look, but unexpectedly she didn't even ask him whether he was going to Yanshan or not.
He had made his overtures, and he hoped his wife would reciprocate.
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