TRBDM -Chapter 138 Lifting the Ban

At the residence of Marquis Mingde, Xie Wanrou and Dou Shuxin were feeding fish by the pond. The lotus flowers were in full bloom, and in a few days, the seeds would be ready to eat.

Tomorrow would be the day Xie Chuan’s ban was lifted. He had spent a full hundred days steadily in the Eastern Courtyard, enduring the bitterest of Chinese medicines, drinking every last drop without exception.

Yesterday, Imperial Physician Xiao had come for a follow-up check and declared that the root of the illness had been removed. Now, Wei Zhaorong could look forward to holding her grandchild.

Upon hearing this, smiles appeared on everyone’s faces.

Only Dou Shuyao’s cheeks were flushed bright red, and she shyly tried to hide her face behind a palm fan.

“Haha,” Wei Zhaorong laughed heartily for once. “Shuyao, how many years have you been married, and you still act like a maiden who hasn’t left her parents’ home? The task of continuing the main family line rests on you now. I’ll be waiting for your good news.”

“Don’t worry, Mother,” Xie Chuan said confidently, patting his chest. “Next month, your grandchild will definitely arrive.”

Wei Zhaorong looked at her big, somewhat silly son and spoke earnestly: “I love both grandsons and granddaughters, but most importantly, you and Shuyao must be united as husband and wife. Work together, and don’t let the temptations of outside women cloud your eyes. If I find out otherwise, remember: I only recognize the eldest daughter-in-law of the main house, not an unfilial son like you. At that time, I’ll remove your name from the family registry entirely. You can go wherever you like.”

Xie Chuan’s heart leapt—this was serious.

Outside the mansion, he was nothing.

Back then, Liu Yi’er had schemed against him, almost forcing a green hat onto his head. If not for his mother discovering her secret in time, Xie Chuan would never have raised his head again in life.

Moreover, now he finally realized the value of his own wife. How could any beauty outside compare to her?

Dou Shuyao, the legitimate daughter of the Dou household, was above average in appearance, excellent in managing the household, and fair in rewarding and punishing the servants, earning their full respect.

He, a debauched playboy who only knew pleasure, now had such a virtuous wife. He didn’t need to worry about a thing—his future life would be comfortable indeed.

With two paths before him, any clear-eyed person would know which to choose.

Having witnessed the disastrous consequences of Xie Sheng’s mistakes, Xie Chuan felt smarter than ever.

His younger brother, who was clever and capable from childhood, had somehow been foolish enough to voluntarily split from the main house.

What good came of splitting? He couldn’t even afford the household physician, had to pay for his own treatment, and wasn’t even allowed a place at family feasts.

Looking at all this, Xie Chuan realized the lesson clearly.

From Xie Sheng’s bloody experience, he understood one thing: always cling tightly to his mother’s side, be a good, obedient eldest son, and ensure a life of peace and comfort in the future.

“Mother,” Xie Chuan knelt with a thud. “I, Xie Chuan, swear before Heaven and the ancestors of the Xie family, I will never make mistakes. I will walk through life hand-in-hand with Shuyao, with no divided heart.”

Wei Zhaorong did not fully trust him: “Xie Chuan, swearing is just words anyone can utter. I’ll judge you by your actions in the future. If you fail, your name will still be struck from the family registry.”

“Rest assured, Mother, I will show you through my actions,” Xie Chuan replied with certainty.

“Good. Everyone, keep a watch on Chuan’er. If he shows any sign of mischief, report it to me immediately.”

“Yes, Mother,” they responded.

In the main house these days, the atmosphere was joyous. The servants moved more briskly, each hoping the matron would conceive smoothly, ensuring the continuation of the family line.

Dou Shuxin approached Xie Wanrou: “Big Sister, may I move into your courtyard for a few days?”

“Of course,” Xie Wanrou replied.

“Thank you, Big Sister.”

Xie Chuan moved back from the Eastern Courtyard to the Ruixiang Courtyard. Dou Shuxin didn’t want to disturb her sister and brother-in-law, so she decided to stay temporarily at the Moyun Courtyard instead.

Xie Wanrou naturally welcomed her and immediately had the maids prepare a guest room.

The two got along very well, sharing similar interests, but Xie Wanrou, being observant, noticed occasional moments of sadness in Dou Shuxin.

Xie Wanrou didn’t pry into her sister-in-law’s private sorrows; she only tried to be even kinder.

Feeding the fish was her own suggestion, meant to help Dou Shuxin relax and ease her heart.

“Miss! Miss! Lord Jiang is here!” Xiao Die ran over, her face full of excitement.

Xie Wanrou immediately dropped the bait in her hand, sprang to her feet, and a smile appeared on her face—one she hadn’t even noticed herself.

“Where is he?”

“He’s in the front hall talking with the matriarch.”

“I’ll go there right now.”

Xie Wanrou’s steps were a little hurried; she even forgot that Dou Shuxin was beside her and didn’t greet her at all.

Dou Shuxin covered her mouth to suppress a laugh. Lord Jiang and her eldest sister really did make a good match.

Watching Xie Wanrou’s retreating figure, she shook her head. It was a pity that her eldest sister herself seemed unaware that her heart was already stirred for someone.

Xie Wanrou went straight to the front hall without stopping. Just before stepping inside, she suddenly remembered—she hadn’t made any pastries today.

At this point, it was too late to make any.

With a touch of regret, Xie Wanrou entered the hall.

Jiang Yueling had already heard her voice and looked toward the door in advance.

Sure enough, the moment Xie Wanrou stepped in, she met Jiang Yueling’s gaze.

“Lord Jiang, you’ve returned from Qishan?” Xie Wanrou’s voice was gentle and clear, like a stream of fresh water that washed away all of Jiang Yueling’s fatigue.

“Yes, I’ve returned,” Jiang Yueling replied with a faint smile in his eyes, quietly watching her.

“Rou’er, come, sit,” Wei Zhaorong said.

Xie Wanrou sat opposite Jiang Yueling, a soft smile at the corner of her lips.

Wei Zhaorong had been in good spirits recently. After a few casual words, she laughed and asked, “I wonder, Lord Jiang, what brings you here this time?”

“A while ago, Miss Xie kindly prepared pastries for me every day. When I went to Qishan on official business, I specially bought a local specialty to express my gratitude.”

Qishan was famous for its agarwood. Jiang Yueling had specially bought a piece of fine agarwood.

It was placed in a wooden box. When opened, a faint, slightly bitter fragrance spread.

“I’ve heard that sewing agarwood into a sachet and carrying it with you can have a calming effect.”

Xie Wanrou took the wooden box with delight and waved it near her nose. The unique aroma of the agarwood instantly filled her senses—she indeed felt much refreshed.

Last time at the Flower Festival, Jiang Yueling had gifted Xie Wanrou a jade flute, and today he brought such an expensive piece of agarwood. Xie Wanrou suddenly felt a little embarrassed.

“Lord Jiang, such a precious gift… how can I accept it?”

One shouldn’t accept rewards for a good deed; making pastries was just a small effort on her part—it didn’t need such an extravagant return.

“In truth, I brought the agarwood with a bit of personal motive. The sachets in my residence were sewn by my mother long ago; they’ve faded. If Miss Xie could sew a sachet for me with some agarwood inside, I would then have a new sachet.”

Hearing this, Xie Wanrou could no longer refuse.

Sewing a sachet was no trouble at all for her.

Wei Zhaorong’s gaze flicked between the two of them, but she did not interject.

Jiang Yueling’s intentions were almost fully revealed, but Xie Wanrou seemed yet to realize.

However, Wei Zhaorong had no intention of pointing it out.

Matters of the heart cannot be rushed.

A man’s heart is the most fickle.

When he loves you, he treats you like a treasure. When he doesn’t, he discards you like worn shoes.

Love that has not been tested is nothing but loose sand.

Xie Wanrou either wouldn’t marry, or if she did, it had to be to someone willing to devote his life to loving her.

“Miss Xie, it’s been a few days since I last had your pastries—I’m craving them terribly. Could you make some for me tomorrow?”