Chapter 45
Nanny Lin sat in front of Xie Yunchu anxiously and asked,
"What is it?"
Xie Yunchu looked gentle and calm.
"According to the Wang family rules, the wife cannot take a concubine if she does not have a legitimate son. If the Second Master takes a concubine at this time, I will divorce him."
When she was just reborn, she had nothing but a belly full of resentment. Her rise and fall, honor and disgrace depended on Wang Shuhuai, and her wealth and glory still depended on Wang Shuhuai. But now it is different. She has a shop with a monthly profit of over a thousand, a famous signboard, a rich piece of land, and is even the leader of the Municipal Monopoly Bureau.
She can earn what she wants on her own.
She was no longer bound by a man and the trivialities of marriage.
If Wang Shuhuai used this excuse to refuse, she wouldn't mind being labeled a shrew.
If Wang Shuhuai insisted on the marriage, then Wang Shuhuai definitely did not want a jealous woman, and it would be the right time for them to divorce.
With the merit of saving the emperor from the palace, the eldest princess can also make excuses.
As for the child, Wang Shuhuai was the one who violated the rules first, so it is not impossible for her to exchange Ke Jie'er for going with her in exchange for not marrying again.
When a woman has the ability to turn around at any time, marriage is no longer a shackle for her.
Nanny Lin took a deep breath, her face showing even more panic. "Young lady, you can't afford to gamble. My son-in-law only cares about government affairs. If you say this in a fit of anger, what will you do if you can't get out of this situation later?"
Xie Yunchu said calmly, "Mammy, I didn't say that in anger, I really meant it. It's not that I don't want to take a concubine for the Second Master. I originally planned to take one or two concubines for him after I gave birth to a legitimate son, and then I wouldn't have to serve him anymore. But the current situation doesn't allow me to make plans."
"Those women from wealthy families all have good backgrounds. Who would want to be inferior to me? You also said that if they don't marry under my nose, they will definitely disrespect me in the future. Why should I get involved in this mess?"
Nanny Lin disagreed with her idea and said worriedly, "Miss, I have a way to have the best of both worlds."
Xie Yunchu didn't even raise her eyelids, but lazily fiddled with the jade bracelet on her hand. She knew that Nanny Lin couldn't think of a way to please her.
As expected, Nanny Lin said, "If you really can't do it, then grit your teeth and take my sister south."
Xie Yunchu sneered upon hearing this, "Dream on."
"Mammy, you want me to travel thousands of miles to compete with a bunch of women for a man? I won't go! I, Xie Yunchu, will never stoop to such a low position in my life."
She had had enough of being a humble servant in her previous life.
Her features were sharp and her eyebrows were like a scabbard, giving her an aura that was not to be trifled with.
This was the first time that Nanny Lin saw such an aura in Xie Yunchu, and she was speechless for a moment.
That night, Xie Yunchu called Qi Wei and said, "This is what I want. Go to Jiangnan and help me pass on my message."
Qi Wei did as he was told. Two days later, he arrived in Jinling and first conveyed Xie Yunchu's original words to Wang Shuhuai.
At that time, Wang Shuhuai was busy at his desk. After hearing this, he was stunned for a long time. He was very sensitive to the word "divorce" and his first reaction was displeasure. But then he thought, could this be a suggestion from Xie Yunchu?
After all, he has already declined several times the offers of singing girls from the Jiangnan nobles on the grounds of being "henpecked", so it is not impossible for him to use this as an excuse to dissuade the Jiangnan nobles from the idea of marriage.
Wang Shuhuai never made a fuss about women and disdained to use methods such as taking concubines or marrying to pave the way.
Therefore, when the eldest princess arranged for Xie Yunchu to marry him, he readily agreed.
Therefore, Wang Shuhuai spread Xie Yunchu's words on the grounds of clan rules.
All the officials and nobles in Jinling knew that Wang Shuhuai's wife was a powerful figure and kept a close eye on Wang Shuhuai.
"It seems that Lord Wang and Madam Wang are in perfect harmony and have a very close relationship."
Whenever Wang Shuhuai heard this, his brows seemed to be relieved by the spring sunshine.
This time, Xie Yunchu cooperated with him seamlessly, which made Wang Shuhuai very happy.
Recently, the method of defeating each one separately has begun to show results.
He and Liu Qiliang accurately grasped the weaknesses of each family, and then secretly invited the heads of those families one by one to have tea and drinks. As for what they discussed, the others had no way of knowing. Precisely because they had no way of knowing, it deepened everyone's suspicion. They were afraid that others would defect to the court behind their backs. As a result, some people could not wait and secretly turned against them.
He took advantage of the situation and attacked another abandoned child given by the princess. Now that family had just been imprisoned, the whole Jinling city was in an uproar.
Everyone found Jiang Cheng and Liu Qiliang, and accused Wang Shuhuai of being too ruthless and of being too aggressive as a young man. Liu Qiliang secretly asked him to stay out of the spotlight and was busy playing the good guy, handling the situation with ease.
Taking advantage of this gap, Wang Shuhuai returned to the capital.
The reason why Wang Shuhuai went back was very simple. Xie Yunchu had once clamored for a divorce. He was worried whether she was proposing a divorce to help him or whether she really had such an idea, so he needed to return to Beijing to find out.
But he didn't realize that he had been unconsciously led by his wife's emotions.
On the tenth day of November, the wind was cold and the snow was falling.
This was the seventh time that Xie Yunchu had received a gift box from Prince Xin's mansion. Yesterday was Prince Xin's birthday, and the emperor held a family banquet for him in the palace to celebrate. During the banquet, the matter of finding him a principal wife was mentioned, but Prince Xin refused, and the father and son parted unhappily.
But as long as Prince Xin did not marry a wife, it meant that he lost a great helper and seemed to be getting further and further away from the fight for the throne. The emperor complained, but he felt at ease in his heart. At least it showed that his son, who held a large army, had no intention of being disloyal. The other princes were even more happy to see it happen, and the matter of marrying a wife was once again shelved.
As the year was coming to an end, the emperor asked Prince Xin to stay until New Year's Eve before going to the border, so Prince Xin had some free time. After he had some free time, he took advantage of Wang Shuhuai's absence to show his courtesy to Xie Yunchu.
Xie Yunchu watched from the second-floor window of the shop as the familiar guard entered the teahouse opposite. She decided to have it all clear with Prince Xin, so she disguised herself and entered the teahouse.
Prince Xin seemed to have anticipated her coming, and he cleared out the teahouse early. He sat alone in a tea room that was neither too big nor too small. The dim yellow light filled the entire tea room, and on the rosewood root-carved tea table, smoke was curling and water was flowing.
Sitting behind the tea table was a man so tall that he could be described as burly. He was wearing an ordinary black shirt and was making tea elegantly.
Xie Yunchu was also good at making tea. In her previous life, whenever Wang Shuhuai came back from a long journey, she would always personally make him a pot of West Lake Longjing tea to relieve his fatigue.
The footsteps stopped at the threshold, and the man inside looked up. His facial features were distinct, his outlines were deep, and he even had a great sense of oppression, but his brows were gentle.
"Yun Chu is here. It's windy outside. Please come in quickly. I have prepared a pot of Emei Maojian for you. Yun Chu, please have a taste."
She liked the tip of her eyebrows, but Wang Shuhuai, who had been married to her for many years, knew nothing about this.
Xie Yunchu walked in with mixed feelings, handed the cloak to Xia An, knelt down opposite the tea table, and bowed to Prince Xin.
"Your Highness, I greet you."
She was always so polite and distant.
Prince Xin looked at her calmly, without any displeasure on his face, and gently pushed the teacup towards Xie Yunchu.
Xie Yunchu didn't drink, but looked at Prince Xin calmly.
"Have you ever thought that giving me gifts over and over again might cause me to be criticized? Yun Chu is already married, Your Highness, please stand aside."
"Are you worried that Wang Shuhuai will find out?" Prince Xin interrupted her coldly.
Xie Yunchu choked for a moment and sneered, "Your Highness, please don't be unreasonable. A woman's reputation is more important than anything else. If you still have some neighborly friendship, you should let go."
Prince Xin answered irrelevantly, "Yun Chu, Wang Shuhuai already knows."
Xie Yunchu was stunned. When did Wang Shuhuai know about this? How come she didn't notice it at all?
"Whether he knows it or not, why do you bother?"
Prince Xin looked at the girl he had watched grow up, watched her grow from an innocent little girl to a man's wife, watched her serve another man day and night...
If she is willing and determined, he will not force her and he will not find any loopholes to exploit.
But now… "Yun Chu, tell me the truth, have you ever thought about divorce?"
Xie Yunchu choked again. In her previous life, after she got married, he never bothered her. In this life, could it be that he saw that she was no longer devoted to Wang Shuhuai, so he had some thoughts about him? So she flatly denied it, "I didn't."
This can be admitted in front of anyone, except King Xin.
To a man who is showing her kindness in every way, saying any soft and weak words is another form of seduction and suggestion.
She would not give Prince Xin any chance.
"If you're talking about what happened in the teahouse last time, then let me tell you, all of us are nagging about our mothers-in-law and husbands at home, and everyone is talking about divorce. I was just talking drunkenly, so don't take it seriously."
"If you mean that I rejected the marriage proposal from the Jiangnan nobles on behalf of Wang Shuhuai, then I will also tell you that this is my strategy to protect the marriage. Which woman would want to divorce? Sister Ke is so young, how could I bear to abandon her?"
"To put it another way, Your Highness Prince Xin, I don't have any romantic feelings for you. Even if I really want to divorce you, I won't agree to your request. I used to treat you as my brother, but now your words and actions have caused me trouble. I wish I could stay away from you and never see you again."
Prince Xin had not been successful in his previous life, so she didn't need to be cautious about what she said now. She learned from the last lesson and spoke without hesitation.
Prince Xin listened to her expressionlessly, without any change in his emotions.
But it was such a cold and majestic face that made Xie Yunchu feel a little timid. She moved back, put on a defensive posture, and frowned slightly, looking a little scared.
Upon seeing this, Prince Xin immediately withdrew his pressure and slowly exhaled.
He lowered his brows, picked up the cup of tea and took a sip.
Others were just nagging about divorce out of anger, but Xie Yunchu was not like that. She had never been such a frivolous woman.
This girl is really afraid of him, and she also really wants to divorce him.
He hated himself for always being able to see through her thoughts at a glance, which made him even more unable to control his feelings.
It is redundant to say everything now.
Xie Yunchu was not bad to him when she was young. At that time, he coaxed her into calling him brother in a sweet voice. If anyone bullied her, he would stand up for her. If there were vagrant boys who liked to tease her because of her lovely appearance, he would stand up for her and vent her anger. She used to trust and admire him.
It’s just that the road he has to take is too dangerous, and the Xie family doesn’t dare to gamble their future with their lives.
It’s all because Wang Shuhuai stands between them.
Forget it. When the overall situation is settled in the future, Mr. Xie will have no more worries. Once Wang Shuhuai is eliminated, it will be difficult for Xie Yunchu not to remarry him.
He didn't think his methods were despicable. He wanted Jiang Shan and he also wanted Xie Yunchu.
At this moment, the door was opened, and a handsome and tall figure stood outside the threshold.
He was wearing a black cloak, standing tall and slender, with a look so cold that there was hardly any sign of anger.
Prince Xin was not surprised to see Wang Shuhuai, nor did he feel the slightest bit embarrassed about being caught.
Wang Shuhuai did not seem angry with Prince Xin, and his voice was still clear. He smiled at Xie Yunchu calmly, "Madam, it's freezing cold, I'm here to take you back home."
Xie Yunchu froze for a moment, "Second Master?"
He quickly stood up, holding on to the tea table. Because he stood up too quickly, he staggered slightly. Wang Shuhuai immediately stepped across the door and raised his hand to help him.
Then he took hold of his wife's wrist and never let go.
Prince Xin was still sitting behind the tea table, his eyes casually passing over the two people's holding hands, and gradually moved to Xie Yunchu's face.
"Yun Chu, please think carefully about what I say."
Xie Yunchu laughed in his heart, but replied coldly, "Your Highness, please consider my words carefully."
Prince Xin smiled at her.
Wang Shuhuai took Xie Yunchu away without even looking at Prince Xin.
The two grown men always pretend that each other doesn't exist.
Stepping out of the tea room, Wang Shuhuai took Xie Yunchu's cloak from Xia An, held her in his arms, and then continued to lead her downstairs.
The only sound in the quiet stairwell was the couple’s footsteps.
Xie Yunchu felt a slight warmth on the back of her hand as he held hers. She turned her head to look at her husband's profile. His features were still indifferent, and she couldn't make out any clues. But Xie Yunchu knew that he would definitely be unhappy. She wanted to explain a few words, but didn't know where to start. Since he already knew it, there was no need to explain.
She was open and honest, and had a clear conscience. If Wang Shuhuai minded, she had nothing to say.
I don’t know when it started, but this marriage has become less and less of a hindrance to her. After having her own world, she can be relaxed, confident and free no matter when and where she is.
Xie Yunchu liked his current mood very much and calmly followed Wang Shuhuai out of the teahouse.
Wang Shuhuai didn't need her to explain, as her words just now had already made it all clear.
As the snowstorm was about to get stronger, he held his wife's hand even tighter and helped her steadily onto the carriage.
There was a small stove in the carriage, and the hot air rushed over. Xie Yunchu couldn't wait to stretch out his hand over the stove to warm himself. Wang Shuhuai, wearing an outer robe, leaned against the wall of the carriage with his eyes closed, pretending to be asleep. It could be seen that he looked extremely tired, and there was even obvious stubble on his chin. He must have been traveling day and night. Xie Yunchu didn't ask him why he came back, but it was just the same as last time, it was about the things in the court.
He was "flirting with women" in Jiangnan, and here a Prince Xin appeared.
Neither of the couple blamed the other, I don't know if it was a tacit understanding or they just didn't care.
When the carriage stopped at the side door of the palace, Wang Shuhuai naturally woke up and jumped out of the carriage first. When Xie Yunchu came out from the curtain, he saw a hand stretched out in front of him.
Large and calloused.
The couple looked at each other silently. Xie Yunchu rested her hand on his palm, and Wang Shuhuai pulled her down and held her tightly without letting go.
Xie Yunchu just let him do it.
Qi Wei had told her two days ago that Wang Shuhuai had rejected the good intentions of the Jiangnan wealthy families and was still carrying out the land survey with great force.
It was only at this moment that Xie Yunchu vaguely remembered that in his previous life, Wang Shuhuai had fought his way up from a seventh-rank Hanlin to the prime minister. Countless people had intended to send him women, but Wang Shuhuai had never accepted any of them. So it was reasonable for him to do this this time.
The couple entered Chunjing Hall in silence.
Nanny Lin was overjoyed when she saw the two of them, "Second Master, Second Madam, you are back together."
He glanced again at Wang Shuhuai holding Xie Yunchu's hand tightly. What else was there to not understand? He happily welcomed the two of them in to take a break.
The thick floral curtain was lifted, isolating the wind and snow in the yard. Xie Yunchu broke free from Wang Shuhuai's grasp without leaving a trace, tied off her cloak herself and handed it to the maid. Her hair was stained with some wind and snow, so she walked into the inner room and came to the dressing table to tidy up.
Wang Shuhuai stood tall outside the curtain, his eyelids slightly raised, his eyes fixed on her figure, he untied the belt on his chest with one hand, threw it casually on the Luohan bed, and said to the maids and old women in the room who were busy and orderly,
"Everyone get out."
The voice was cool and unmistakable.
Nanny Lin was stunned for a moment, then met her master's cold and even somewhat repressive eyes. She felt a chill in her heart and gently waved her hand, signaling everyone to leave the room. She walked out the door, sent the little maid to the back room, and stayed alone outside to guard the outer room.
Sure enough, Xie Yunchu's exclamation was soon heard from inside.
Nanny Lin let out a light sigh and walked towards the tea room with a smile.
In the inner room, Wang Shuhuai lifted the pearl curtain and strode in.
Xie Yunchu heard the heavy footsteps and turned around. She held the dressing table with one hand and took off all the gold and jade hairpins on her hair. Her black hair flowed along her chest and back like a waterfall, revealing only a pair of wet eyes.
Wang Shuhuai strode forward, grabbed the slender waist without hesitation, and pushed the person into the curtain. Xie Yunchu subconsciously grabbed his arm, and the couple both fell onto the bed. A crisp and short scream came out of their soft throats.
Xie Yunchu was furious and pressed his knees against his abdomen, forcing him not to get any closer.
Wang Shuhuai grasped her slender wrists and clasped them above her head. At the same time, he grasped her knees with his other big hand and pressed them to one side. His stubble-covered jaw pressed heavily against her ear. His hoarse voice, accompanied by heavy breathing, poured over her.
"Ma'am, don't see him again."
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