TRBDM -Chapter 185 The Wife Sings, the Husband Follows

Before leaving the house, Yan Shoutai went to Ruixiang Courtyard to seek Dou Shuyao’s instructions.

“Madam, shall we sign the land deed according to the terms you previously decided?”

Dou Shuyao nodded.

“Yes. I’ve reviewed the contract three times. Signing it as it stands will be fine.”

“Alright, then I’ll be off.”

“Go ahead. The roads are slippery in the rain—be careful.”

“Thank you for your concern, Madam.”

After Yan Shoutai left, Xie Chuan said, “My lady, if you’re not at ease, I can go along as well.”

Dou Shuyao thought for a moment and agreed. “Sure. You can also learn a thing or two from Mister Yan while you’re at it.”

These days, because Dou Shuyao was pregnant, she couldn’t personally handle many matters. More than half of the responsibilities had been handed over to Xie Chuan.

Gradually, he had begun to find some enjoyment in it.

Recently, he no longer rode horses or practiced archery; instead, he frequented the storehouse diligently.

Now that he had taken the initiative to sign the land deed, Dou Shuyao naturally supported him.

After Xie Chuan left, Dou Shuyao gently stroked her slightly rounded belly and let out a gratified smile.

Nanny Zhang covered her mouth as she laughed. The relationship between Madam and the young master was growing better and better, and the servants were delighted along with them.

The main household was harmonious, Madam was with child—everyone was eagerly waiting to hold a little young master.

The Second Miss of the Prime Minister’s Residence, Dou Shuxin, had visited the Marquis Manor twice after learning of her elder sister’s pregnancy. She brought along small bellybands and tiny shoes she had embroidered herself.

Whenever Dou Shuyao had nothing to do, she would take out the little clothes to look at them, smiling as she did.

“Nanny Zhang, look—these shoes are so small. I can fill them just by putting two fingers inside.”

“Haha, Madam is right.”

The exquisitely tiny garments were truly more lovable the longer one looked at them.

After a while, Nanny Zhang muttered, “Heaven bless us—may Madam give birth to a little young master.”

Hearing this, Dou Shuyao corrected her, “Boy or girl, it’s all the same. I only want the child to be healthy.”

“Oh dear, Madam is right. I spoke out of turn—my fault.”

Nanny Zhang made a show of lightly slapping her own mouth twice.

“That’s enough. Don’t say such things again. I don’t like hearing it.”

“Yes, Madam.”

Watching Dou Shuyao’s back, Nanny Zhang realized she was more and more carrying herself with the bearing of a true matriarch.

A mistress of the household must establish authority. She couldn’t be soft-hearted or easily swayed by a few persuasive words—how else could she manage the entire Marquis Manor?

The Old Madam truly had foresight, putting great effort into cultivating Dou Shuyao. She had indeed trained a capable and competent matriarch for the household.

In the afternoon, Xie Chuan and Yan Shoutai returned.

“My lady, your husband has successfully completed the task you assigned. Look—here is the land deed.”

Xie Chuan presented it like a treasured offering.

Dou Shuyao took it and examined it carefully twice before feeling reassured.

“Mister Yan, you’ve worked hard. Please store the land deed properly.”

Yan Shoutai inclined his head. “Yes, Madam.”

After Yan Shoutai left, Xie Chuan sat down close beside Dou Shuyao. “My lady, aren’t you being a bit unfair?”

“Hmm?” Dou Shuyao looked puzzled.

“I clearly went with Yan Shoutai through the rain to sign the contract, yet you only asked whether he worked hard. I worked hard too.”

So that was what he meant.

Dou Shuyao was already used to Xie Chuan’s daily need for affection and praise, so she replied rather absentmindedly, “Husband, you’ve worked hard as well. You got rained on—would you like to bathe? I’ll have hot water prepared.”

Xie Chuan’s mind turned quickly. “Sure! My lady, come bathe with me.”

“…”

“Come on, come on, come on!”

Like a child, Xie Chuan gently nudged Dou Shuyao’s neck with his head.

Dou Shuyao couldn’t push him away, nor could she drive him off. In the end, she could only agree helplessly.

“Someone! Prepare water for a bath!” Xie Chuan shouted at the top of his lungs, making Dou Shuyao’s face flush bright red.

At Anhe Courtyard, Nanny Qi reported to Wei Zhaorong, “The Eldest Madam has already signed the land deed.”

“Mm.” Wei Zhaorong trusted Dou Shuyao’s decision. Even if the tea plantation ended up losing money, it didn’t matter. She could treat it as training—an opportunity to gain experience.

Nanny Qi said with a smile, “From now on, our marquis manor will be able to drink fresh tea from our very own plantation.”

Hearing that, Wei Zhaorong couldn’t help but feel a trace of anticipation as well.

“Oh, right. Send this bracelet to Ruixiang Courtyard. It’s Xiao Hui’s congratulatory gift for Shuyao.”

“Yes, Old Madam.”

After returning from the Nanyang General’s Residence, Wei Zhaorong had been waiting for the Nanyang General’s reply.

Originally, she had thought persuading him would be difficult. But after their conversation, she had a feeling that he would agree to her request.

So she wasn’t anxious. She waited patiently.

After a while, Xie Wanrou arrived.

“Mother, you were looking for me?”

There was a faint trace of worry on her face.

Wei Zhaorong knew she was concerned about Jiang Yuelin, so she had intentionally called her over—to chat and ease her mind.

“Nothing in particular. It’s raining today and the weather is cool. I asked you here to play a game of Go with me.”

Xie Wanrou was quite skilled at Go, but this was her first time playing against Wei Zhaorong.

“Rou’er, Mother knows you’re good at chess. Don’t go easy on me.”

Xie Wanrou covered her mouth and smiled. “Alright, Mother.”

Each took their pieces—one black, one white—and began their quiet battle across the board.

Unlike her gentle temperament, Xie Wanrou preferred an aggressive style when playing. Her moves carried a distinct momentum.

Wei Zhaorong hadn’t expected her daughter’s playing style to be so forceful. Since Wei Zhaorong’s skills were only average to begin with, she lost before long.

“Rou’er is impressive. Mother concedes.”

“Mother manages the marquis manor every day and has no time to play. Naturally, your skills have grown rusty.”

Xie Wanrou’s words were always warm and thoughtful.

“Rou’er, another round?”

“Mm. I couldn’t ask for more.”

Moments of leisurely solitude between mother and daughter were almost nonexistent in Xie Wanrou’s memories. So she treasured this opportunity to play with her mother all the more.

They played three more games, stopping only when dusk fell, still reluctant to end.

From the moment they started, the smile on Xie Wanrou’s face never faded.

The worry she had worn upon entering Anhe Courtyard had already been replaced by a radiant grin.

Wei Zhaorong’s goal had been achieved.

After the servants cleared the board, Nanny Qi brought hot tea and pastries.

“Rou’er, feeling better now?”

“Mother, how did you know I wasn’t in a good mood?” Xie Wanrou remembered clearly that when she entered Anhe Courtyard, she had carefully controlled her expression and kept smiling the whole time.

“You are my daughter. How could I not tell? You’re worried about Lord Jiang, aren’t you?”

Having her thoughts laid bare, Xie Wanrou didn’t try to hide them.

“His left arm is badly injured. He should be resting properly, but he’s been investigating cases one after another. And now that Lord Feng was suddenly killed, I’ve heard he hasn’t slept for several days.”

A few days ago, Xie Wanrou had gone to the Court of Judicial Review, but she hadn’t even caught a glimpse of Jiang Yuelin.

From the guards there, she learned he had been running around everywhere for Lord Feng’s case and hadn’t been at the court these days at all.

Afraid of disturbing his investigation, she hadn’t gone looking for him again after that visit.

However, she insisted on simmering different kinds of bone broth every day and had them delivered to the court.

The broths were accepted—but whether any of them actually made it into Jiang Yuelin’s stomach, she didn’t know.

Unable to see him, she couldn’t help but worry. A shadow of concern lingered in her eyes.

“No need to worry. Tomorrow, I’ll go to the Court of Judicial Review and take a look at him for you.”