TRBDM -Chapter 160 Madam Dislikes Me?

Jiang Yuelin’s Adam’s apple moved slightly, his breathing uneven.

Under the orange sunset, Xie Wanrou looked breathtakingly beautiful; her eyes shimmered like rippling water, making Jiang Yuelin’s heart quiver.

“I’m currently reviewing an important case. It will probably take more than half a month, and during that time, I may not have the chance to visit the residence to see you.”

Xie Wanrou couldn’t fully focus on his words; her heart was racing so fast it seemed to lodge in her throat, as if it might leap out at any moment.

“Um… if someone comes proposing marriage again, could we postpone it? Wait until after half a month?”

Jiang Yuelin spoke with little confidence.

He knew his request was excessive, but he couldn’t bear the thought of other men coveting Xie Wanrou.

“Is that… alright?” he asked again, his voice low and deep, like drumbeats striking directly at Xie Wanrou’s heart.

Unable to withstand Jiang Yuelin’s gaze, Xie Wanrou lowered her head. She didn’t ask why, merely gave a slight nod.

Jiang Yuelin finally breathed a sigh of relief.

He could swear he had been panicking just moments ago.

He had intended to take things slowly, not put pressure on Xie Wanrou—but now, waiting even a moment had almost cost him her.

“Sir, we should be going,” one of his subordinates reminded him.

The two of them stood there, motionless.

“Wait for me.”

Jiang Yuelin gave Xie Wanrou a long, lingering look, then reluctantly turned to leave.

Xie Wanrou’s eyes followed him as he smoothly mounted his horse.

Jiang Yuelin turned his head and silently mouthed the words again: Wait for me.

Then, with a sharp “Giddy-up,” the wind whipped his cloak around him like an arrow piercing the dusk, and he gradually disappeared into the distance.

When Xie Wanrou returned to the residence, her cheeks were flushed like falling peach blossoms—so obvious that Wei Zhaorong could tell she was both shy and happy.

Wei Zhaorong deliberately asked, “Rou’er, what did Jiang Yuelin just say to you?”

“He said he has an important case to handle. It will take about half a month,” Xie Wanrou replied.

Wei Zhaorong’s expression shifted slightly; her little provocation had worked.

Now, Jiang Yuelin had even proactively reported his schedule.

“That’s all he said? Anything else?”

For the first time, Xie Wanrou felt flustered and lied to her mother, averting her eyes: “Nothing else.”

Wei Zhaorong gave a half-smile, not exposing her.

Indeed, Jiang Yuelin was a good match—Wei Zhaorong found herself increasingly satisfied.

She had given things a little nudge, but in matters of the heart, it still depended on them.

Recently, everyone in the residence had been dining at Anhe Courtyard.

After dinner, Dou Shuxin said she wanted to return to the Xiang Residence.

As the mistress of Xiang Residence, she had stayed in the Marquis Residence long enough; it was time to go back.

Wei Zhaorong had wanted to persuade her to stay a few more days, but Dou Shuxin insisted, so she did not stop her.

The next day, Wei Zhaorong had several gifts prepared for Dou Shuxin to take back.

“Thank you, Madam Wei,” Dou Shuxin said, bowing respectfully.

“Shuxin, no need for formalities with me. Once things at Xiang Residence settle down, come visit the Marquis Residence again—we’ll all be waiting for you.”

Xie Wanrou also said, “Yes, Shuxin, you must come often from now on.”

“Mm, I will,” Dou Shuxin replied.

Dou Shuxin’s departure left Dou Shuyao the most upset.

She forced a smile and busied herself helping Dou Shuxin get ready. In the end, she grabbed her hand, reluctant to let go. “When you return to Xiang Residence, remember to write to your sister. Whatever happens in the house, I must know—I’ll come rushing to help you.”

“Shuxin, remember, you’re not alone. You have your sister supporting you.”

Xie Chuan immediately added, “Not just your sister—you have your brother-in-law too. Anyone dares to bully you, I’ll make them taste my iron fist.”

Dou Shuxin looked at her sister and brother-in-law with immense relief.

She had witnessed her brother-in-law’s transformation. Her sister had finally endured hardship and come out the other side: she now held authority over the household and enjoyed her husband’s tender care. Her mother-in-law and elder sister-in-law were all wonderful people. Her sister’s future would be worry-free, and she could return to the Xiang Mansion without a second thought.

After Dou Shuxin left, Dou Shuyao’s mood sank, and she even misread the accounts.

Xie Chuan, who had been fanning her, noticed her writing mistakes and realized that Dou Shuyao seemed to be crying.

“Madam, what’s wrong?” Xie Chuan dropped the fan, squatted beside her, and cupped her face in his hands.

Dou Shuyao’s eyes were blank, her rims red.

“Nothing… maybe I’m just tired.”

“Tired? But you’re clearly crying. What happened? Who upset you?”

Xie Chuan replayed everything he had done in the past few days. Apart from being a bit rough during their nightly marital activities, he hadn’t done anything wrong.

Could it be that Madam found their nights too long, leaving her unable to sleep?

Oh no!

What if she wants to start sleeping separately?

That would be unacceptable. He looked forward to nighttime every day; all his anticipation rested on the evening.

Marital intimacy brought him so much pleasure. He wasn’t a monk. Abstaining for a hundred days had already been extreme; he didn’t want to abstain anymore.

During the day, Xie Chuan behaved obediently. When Madam directed him east, he never went west—just so they could be sweetly close at night.

“Madam, if I did something wrong, punish me however you want. Please don’t cry. When you cry, I don’t even know where to put my hands or feet.”

Xie Chuan was at a complete loss, like a child.

Dou Shuyao looked at him, her large innocent eyes blinking rapidly, like a little Western dog.

“I’m fine… I just miss Shuxin.”

“Miss her? Then I’ll go bring her back right now,” Xie Chuan said, ready to move.

“No need,” Dou Shuyao stopped him. “Shuxin has her matters at the Xiang Mansion. I just haven’t adjusted yet; in a couple of days, I’ll be fine.”

Hearing this, Xie Chuan believed her.

However, over the next two days, Dou Shuyao’s mood remained low, and she occasionally shed tears.

Around others, she acted as usual, but once back at Ruixiang Court, sitting alone, tears would fall.

Xie Chuan sensed something was wrong. He pulled Nanny Zhang aside and anxiously asked, “Nanny, what’s going on with Shuyao lately? Has something happened?”

Nanny Zhang thought for a long moment, shaking her head. “Nothing at all. Everything in the residence is fine. The Madam and Mr. Yan are perfectly in sync with the accounts, no mistakes have been made. Everything is smooth; there’s nothing troubling her.”

“Then what’s going on?” Xie Chuan knew better than to believe otherwise—Dou Shuyao was definitely hiding something.

That evening, Xie Chuan held Dou Shuyao in his arms, gently patting her back.

“Madam, you’re keeping something in your heart. Can you tell me? These past few days, I’ve barely eaten or slept; my chest muscles are all wasting away. Don’t believe me? Feel for yourself.”

He placed her hand on his bulging chest.

Dou Shuyao had been falling asleep every night with her hand on Xie Chuan’s chest; it felt just the same now.

“I don’t even know what’s wrong with me. I just keep feeling down, even though nothing has actually happened.”

She really didn’t know—without Xie Chuan, she wouldn’t have even noticed how off she had been feeling.

“Let the household doctor check on you tomorrow. I won’t feel at ease otherwise.”

“Okay.”

As the canopy fell, Xie Chuan’s lower abdomen heated.

With a roll, he gently pinned Dou Shuyao beneath him.

“Madam… I want to—”

Dou Shuyao shyly closed her eyes.

Xie Chuan gazed at her full, tempting lips and couldn’t resist kissing them.

Suddenly, Dou Shuyao forcefully pushed him away, and in Xie Chuan’s surprised eyes, she vomited out.

“Madam? You… dislike me?”