TRBDM -Chapter 179 A Capable Wife at Home

“Fourth Brother, I’m sorry.”

Xie Yu looked confused. “Sorry? Third Brother, why are you apologizing?”

Xie Lan’s mood was still low. “Today was supposed to be a happy outing for you, but we ran into something so upsetting. I feel like I’ve let you down.”

He was full of regret. He hadn’t checked the almanac before going out today. Because of a moment’s carelessness, they had run into Xie Wanyi and Nangong Hai, and Xie Yu had suffered such humiliation.

He was angry.

Angry at himself—and angry at Xie Wanyi.

Seeing his puffed-up, sulking expression, Xie Yu pressed his lips together in a smile and tugged gently at Xie Lan’s hand.

“Third Brother, I truly don’t care about what Xie Wanyi said. Really. To me, they’re nothing but strangers with no connection at all. No matter how they belittle me, I won’t be hurt. Because I know there are far more people who love me.”

A child nourished by love is like a withered sunflower receiving sweet rain. He grows bright and strong, always facing the sun. The darkness and fear lurking in the shadows can no longer wound him in the slightest.

After hearing Xie Yu’s words, Xie Lan finally smiled. “You’re right. There are many people who love you.”

“So, Third Brother, let’s forget what just happened and enjoy the rest of our time, okay?”

“Okay.”

Their studies were usually heavy, and they rarely had the chance to truly relax and play. Every minute of today was precious.

Xie Lan certainly didn’t want to dampen the mood—he only wanted Xie Yu to be happy.

For the entire afternoon, Xie Yu was like the breeze on Xiang Mountain, running freely wherever his feet carried him, his laughter drifting into every corner of the hills.

By the time dusk painted the western peaks in the glow of the setting sun, the two of them were finally exhausted.

They returned to the carriage at the foot of the mountain. Not long after it set off, Xie Yu fell asleep.

Xie Lan was tired as well and soon drifted off too.

The two children hadn’t returned yet, and the others at the Marquis’ residence were uneasy.

Xie Chuan volunteered, “Mother, I’ll ride to Xiang Mountain to bring the two younger brothers back.”

The fine horses of the Marquis’ residence were swift; a round trip wouldn’t take long.

Dou Shuyao shook her head. “There are several roads leading to Xiang Mountain. If you take the wrong one, it’ll be a wasted trip.”

After thinking it over, Xie Chuan agreed. He had no idea which route his third brother’s carriage had taken. “Madam is as thoughtful as ever.”

Recently, Dou Shuyao’s morning sickness had eased. She wasn’t feeling unwell anymore, could eat and sleep properly, and still handled about half of the household affairs.

With little to do, Xie Chuan had practically become her personal errand runner, following her instructions each day and helping manage the estate’s matters.

A few days ago, Dou Shuyao had taken a liking to a hill outside the capital and discovered it was especially suitable for growing tea. The aristocrats in the capital loved fine tea. After calculating with Yan Shoutai, she found that if they invested the estate’s idle silver into operating a tea plantation, it would turn profitable within three years.

She shared the idea with Wei Zhaorong, who immediately expressed her approval.

“Shuyao, you truly have a good eye. The tea business is indeed viable. You and Mister Yan can proceed boldly. If you earn silver, the Marquis’ residence will share in the profits. If you incur losses, it doesn’t matter—we’ll cover it.”

Business carries both success and failure, and this was Dou Shuyao’s first venture. They couldn’t place too much pressure on her.

If it earned money, all the better. If not, she would gain valuable experience and make wiser investments next time.

Wei Zhaorong thought highly of Dou Shuyao and was willing to give her room to grow.

With a capable wife at home, nothing need be worried about; the household finances would flourish.

It was precisely because Dou Shuyao managed the Marquis’ residence in such orderly fashion that Wei Zhaorong had the energy to plan for its future.

Supporting the Tenth Prince’s ascent was not something that could be accomplished overnight—it required immense effort and long-term strategy.

For now, Wei Zhaorong stood temporarily aligned with the Eldest Princess, Jiang Yuelin, and the Tenth Prince.

But her ultimate goal had yet to be spoken aloud.

After all, if anything went wrong, it could very well bring about a fatal disaster. This matter could not be rushed.

“Thank you, Mother, for your support.”

After hearing Wei Zhaorong’s words, Dou Shuyao felt even more confident.

In truth, before she had proposed the idea, she had already spent a long time gathering information with Mr. Yan, analyzing every possible advantage and disadvantage, weighing costs against profits. Only after confirming that it would certainly be profitable did she present the plan to Wei Zhaorong for approval.

Now that her mother-in-law trusted her so much, she was even more eager to make a grand display of her abilities—buy that hillside as soon as possible and select tea farmers to begin planting at the earliest opportunity.

“Madam, you’re amazing!” Xie Chuan whispered secretly into Dou Shuyao’s ear.

She shot him a reproachful glance.

“Old Madam, Third Young Master and Fourth Young Master have returned,” a servant came to report.

“Since they’re back, prepare dinner.”

These days, everyone had been eating their evening meal at Anhe Courtyard.

During the day, each person was busy with their own affairs—sometimes they wouldn’t see one another at all. But at dinner, they would gather together, share amusing stories from the day, and enjoy a harmonious, warm atmosphere.

After the meal, Xie Yu excitedly shared his experiences at Xiang Mountain, gesturing animatedly as he spoke.

Everyone listened quietly, faint smiles playing at their lips.

When he got to the Guanyin noodles at the vegetarian hall, he paused and said, “Mother, today Third Brother and I saw Xie Wanyi at Xiang Mountain.”

Xie Yu refused to call her Second Sister and simply addressed her by name.

The name Xie Wanyi had not been heard in the Marquis Residence for a long time. Hearing it suddenly made everyone fall silent.

“She went to Xiang Mountain alone?” Xie Wanrou asked.

“No. Nangong Hai was with her.”

At the mention of Nangong Hai, Wei Zhaorong’s expression sharpened. The ill-fated entanglement between those two truly could not be severed.

“You and Nangong Hai had conflicts at the Imperial Academy. When you ran into him this time, did he cause trouble?”

Xie Yu knew nothing could be hidden from Wei Zhaorong, so he told the truth.

“She even dared to scold you?”

Wei Zhaorong truly felt that Xie Wanyi was both foolish and malicious. She had severed ties with the Marquis Residence, been sent away to a separate estate, and suffered such heavy losses—yet she still hadn’t learned or grown.

Her stupidity and spite seemed carved into her very bones.

“Mother, don’t be upset. Third Brother helped me. Xie Wanyi didn’t gain any advantage.”

As for how he had helped, Xie Yu did not elaborate.

Wei Zhaorong waved her hand. “Enough, let’s not speak of her. You and Lan’er must be tired from today’s outing. Go and rest early.”

“Yes, Mother.”

After they all left, Wei Zhaorong ordered someone to investigate Nangong Hai.

“Find out what he and Xie Wanyi have been doing together recently.”

The next day, the informant brought back news.

“Old Madam, Nangong Hai has met the Second Young Lady five times recently. Aside from the first occasion—when the Second Young Lady went to drink at the Nangong family’s restaurant and happened to run into him—the other meetings were all initiated by her. However, after yesterday’s incident at Xiang Mountain, Nangong Hai has cut off contact with her.”

Wei Zhaorong had already expected as much.

Someone as eager for quick success and immediate gain as Nangong Hai would abandon Xie Wanyi the moment he realized she held no further value.

As for Xie Wanyi—she suffered setback after setback yet failed to learn a single lesson. She was truly beyond redemption.

Forget it. Since they had already severed ties, Wei Zhaorong would not concern herself any longer. Let her fend for herself.

Two days later, a sudden piece of news arrived.

The Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, Feng Yun, had died on the spot after his carriage went out of control, crashed into a stone pillar, and threw him out of the vehicle.