TRBDM -Chapter 109 Jiang Yuelin’s Visit

“Someone! Someone!” Shen Zhizhi shouted.

A servant came running over.

“Where did my husband spend the night? Take me to him immediately.”

The servant looked uneasy. “Second Madam, it’s still early. The inn isn’t open yet.”

“Don’t talk nonsense—hurry up and take me there.”

The servant and the maid exchanged a glance, then reluctantly lowered their heads. They arranged for a carriage and helped Shen Zhizhi out of the front gate of the Marquis Mansion.

Lately, Shen Zhizhi’s emotions had been extremely unstable, and she was constantly experiencing stomach pains. Even with the servants of Quyang Courtyard attending her carefully, they remained on edge, let alone escorting her outside.

Since the last time the mansion doctor mentioned charging consultation fees, Shen Zhizhi hadn’t called for him, no matter how uncomfortable she felt.

Without the doctor’s diagnosis, the servants had only a vague understanding of her condition, making their care all the more stressful.

The carriage moved slowly along the road. Shen Zhizhi, burning with anxiety, urged the driver to go faster.

“Madam, we can’t go any faster—you need to think of the child in your womb,” the maid advised.

Shen Zhizhi pressed her hand to her stomach and let out a heavy sigh.

At this moment, her only reliance was the child she carried. The child must not suffer any harm.

Thinking this, she forced herself to calm her restless heart.

Fortunately, the inn where Xie Sheng had stayed wasn’t far, and soon the carriage arrived.

Shen Zhizhi stepped down and knocked on the inn door.

The clerk, yawning, opened it. “Who’s there so early?”

Shen Zhizhi’s pale, colorless face appeared, startling the clerk.

“Do you want a room?” he asked suspiciously.

“No, I’m looking for someone.”

Upon hearing this, the clerk’s expression returned to a half-asleep daze. “The guests are still resting. If you’re looking for someone, come back in an hour.”

He moved to close the door.

Shen Zhizhi blocked it and slipped him some small silver coins.

The clerk lowered his head, quickly pocketed the coins, and opened the door fully.

“Madam, please come in. Have a seat, and I’ll prepare some tea for you.”

The clerk busied himself while Shen Zhizhi took in her surroundings.

It appeared to be a proper inn, with nothing gaudy or eye-catching.

Her heart relaxed slightly.

The clerk brought over the hot tea. “Madam, who are you looking for?”

“Xie Sheng, Second Master of the Mingde Marquis Mansion.”

The clerk’s eyes widened in realization. “Ah, so you are the Second Madam of the Marquis Mansion! Forgive my poor eyesight. I’ll help you find him—let me see which room he’s staying in.”

Soon, the clerk located Xie Sheng in the register.

“Second Madam, Second Master Xie is in Room Tianzi No. 2. I’ll take you there.”

Shen Zhizhi’s feet pressed against the wooden stairs. In the quiet morning, every faint creak was amplified, echoing in her ears.

Each step felt like it pressed against her heart.

Arriving at Room Tianzi No. 2, the clerk stopped. “Second Madam, Second Master Xie is inside. You can knock, and I’ll take my leave.”

After the clerk left, Shen Zhizhi hesitated at the door for a long time.

She was scared.

Afraid that opening the door might reveal another woman.

No, no, it wouldn’t happen—her husband would not betray her.

As she tried to calm herself, she reached out her hand.

Her trembling fingers rapped against the door.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

After a long moment, movement came from inside.

Heavy footsteps, slightly unsteady, and then the door opened. A strong smell of alcohol hit her face.

“Hu…sb…and,” she managed to say, her eyes moistening.

Xie Sheng wiped his face. “Madam, why are you here?”

Neither spoke. From each other’s expressions alone, they could see the exhaustion mirrored in the other.

Inside, there was nothing out of place, and certainly none of the women that Shen Zhizhi had worried about all night.

Xie Sheng did not explain why he preferred to sleep at an inn rather than return home, but Shen Zhizhi guessed the reason.

Yesterday, at the Marquis residence family banquet, the second branch hadn’t been invited.

Frustrated, Xie Sheng had drunk himself senseless and still remembered to tell the servant not to take him back to the Marquis residence, but to find an inn instead.

He didn’t want to face the humiliation of being ignored by the Hou family.

The couple sat in the carriage returning to the Marquis residence. After a long moment, Shen Zhizhi asked, “Husband, when shall we move out?”

Xie Sheng didn’t answer.

Once they moved out, their ties with the Marquis residence would be completely severed.

Yet if they stayed, living like this was both uncomfortable and awkward.

“After the Flower Festival, we’ll move.”

“All right.”

The news of Xie Sheng’s night out quickly reached Wei Zhaorong.

Her face remained calm as she sipped her porridge.

Xie Sheng had long since grown apart from the Marquis residence. After separating from the main household, he completely cut off the few remaining ties of mother and son.

From now on, whatever Xie Sheng did was no concern of hers.

Xie Lan and Xie Yu were going to study at the Dong residence today, so they left early in the morning.

Since Xie Yu’s status was special, Wei Zhaorong had arranged for hidden guards to ensure their safety at all times.

Near noon, someone reported: “Lord Jiang is here.”

Wei Zhaorong’s heart skipped a beat. If Jiang Yuelin came personally, it meant that Lei Lieshan had indeed been sentenced.

“Hurry and tell Wanrou; have her come to the front hall to see Lord Jiang.”

Wei Zhaorong personally went to the Marquis residence gates to greet Jiang Yuelin.

Today, Jiang Yuelin was not wearing official robes, but a blue brocade robe patterned with clouds, a white sash around his waist, and a faint, elegant smile on his face.

“Old Madam, please forgive the intrusion of this sudden visit.”

“Lord Jiang, no need for such formality. You are an honored guest of the Marquis residence. Please, come in.”

Jiang Yuelin nodded slightly and stepped inside.

Returning to the Mingde Marquis residence, his mood was different from last time.

Jiang Yuelin and Wei Zhaorong walked while chatting, exchanging pleasantries about family and the weather, the atmosphere warm and harmonious.

When they reached the front hall, Jiang Yuelin could see, from a distance, Xie Wanyi dressed in a long sapphire-blue brocade gown embroidered with gold clouds.

Coincidentally, both of them were wearing blue today.

Xie Wanyi smiled lightly and bowed to Jiang Yuelin. “Greetings, Lord Jiang.”

“Miss Xie, well met.”

Jiang Yuelin’s gaze lingered on her, subtly shifting.

After several days apart, Xie Wanyi’s complexion had improved noticeably. Her fair face held a hint of pink, and when she lifted her eyes and smiled, the corners of her eyes curved like a crescent moon, graceful and dignified, yet with a trace of charm.

“Lord Jiang, please sit. Wanrou, brew a pot of ‘Lushan Cloud Mist’ tea for Lord Jiang today.”

“Yes, Mother.”

Xie Wanrou was not only skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, but her tea-making was also first-class.

‘Lushan Cloud Mist’ was tribute tea, only brought out to serve the most distinguished guests of the Marquis residence.

With graceful posture, Xie Wanrou lifted the teapot, slightly pressing her wrist, letting steam rise and veil her eyes and brows.

As the water absorbed the green of the tea leaves, the tea was ready.

Xie Wanyi personally held the cup and presented it to Jiang Yuelin. “Lord Jiang, please enjoy the tea.”

“Thank you.”

Jiang Yuelin’s nose twitched slightly at the fragrance—rich and sweet, with a faint, indescribable scent woven in.

When Xie Wanyi stepped away, the scent dissipated.

Jiang Yuelin realized at once: it was Miss Xie’s natural fragrance.

One sip, and the tea was refreshing and sweet.

Jiang Yuelin praised, “Miss Xie, excellent skill.”

Xie Wanrou smiled gracefully and openly at him.

After finishing a cup of tea, Jiang Yuelin finally spoke of the purpose of his visit.

“Old Madam, Miss Xie, by imperial decree, from this day forth, Lei Lieshan is to be demoted to a commoner and sent to the border for labor service.”