TRBDM -Chapter 194 Shen Zhizhi’s Visit

Wei Zhaorong was very pleased with Xie Chuan’s performance.

She had noticed all the changes in him.

Xie Chuan waved toward a distance: “Mr. Yan, bring the account book over for Mother to check.”

“Coming.”

Yan Shoutai hurried over, holding out the account book with both hands.

Wei Zhaorong opened it and examined it carefully.

At a glance, she could tell which entries were recorded by Dou Shuyao and which by Yan Shoutai.

In recent months, Xie Chuan’s signature had appeared more frequently.

“Mother, take a look. In the past six months, our marquisate’s revenue has increased by a thousand taels compared to last year. Here, the shop rents went up; here, the grain harvest was abundant and sold at a good price. And here…”

Xie Chuan could accurately point out all the sources of income and expenditure for the marquisate. While he couldn’t remember the exact numbers, he clearly understood the overall profits and losses.

Wei Zhaorong listened quietly without interrupting.

She increasingly felt that marrying someone like Dou Shuyao as a daughter-in-law was a blessing for the Xie household.

Not only was she intelligent and capable, but she had also trained Xie Chuan to be so upright and responsible that even Wei Zhaorong herself was surprised.

She had thought that Xie Chuan, being a frivolous young man, only needed not to squander the family wealth—but unexpectedly, he could take on the responsibilities of managing the household.

All of his progress was thanks to Dou Shuyao.

Thinking of this, Wei Zhaorong pointed at a plot of fertile land in the account book and said, “Mr. Yan, record this land under Shuyao’s name and give it to her.”

“Ah, understood. I’ll take care of it right away.”

Xie Chuan, now smart, grinning his teeth and said, “Son thanks Mother on behalf of Shuyao.”

Wei Zhaorong shot him a glance: “I’m giving it to Shuyao. Why are you so happy?”

“Giving it to Madam is giving it to my son. Of course I’m happy.”

“What, if it turns out to be a daughter, you won’t be happy?”

Realizing he had misspoken, Xie Chuan smacked his lips a few times: “Of course not. Whether it’s a son or a daughter, I’ll be happy. As long as it’s a child of Shuyao and me, I’ll treat them like my precious treasure.”

“All right, enough chatter. Once the inventory is finished, go back to Ruixiang Courtyard to be with Shuyao. A pregnant woman is emotionally sensitive; if you stay nearby, her mood will improve.”

Xie Chuan nodded repeatedly: “Yes, Mother.”

After Wei Zhaorong finished checking the accounts, she left the storeroom.

With Dou Shuyao overseeing the main house, she felt at ease.

“Nanny Qi, has there been a reply from the General of Nanyang’s residence?”

“No, Madam.”

In recent days, Wei Zhaorong had been waiting for a response from the General of Nanyang. If she didn’t receive a reply within seven days, she would have to go again.

Even if it meant visiting three times, she would go.

Nanny Qi fanned her gently: “Don’t worry, Madam. Lady Nanyang will surely persuade General Nanyang.”

Lin Juehui was clever. If she calmed down and thought about it rationally, Wei Zhaorong’s actions made perfect sense.

The only issue was the risk—it was too great for her to directly advise General Nanyang.

“I don’t want to put Xiao Hui in a difficult position. In a few days, if there’s still no reply, I’ll go to the Nanyang residence again.”

Nanny Qi responded: “That would be wise.”

The weather was still hot, and the kitchen had prepared iced drinks. Wei Zhaorong called Xie Wanrou, and mother and daughter enjoyed them together in the pavilion.

A servant came to report:

“Madam, Second Madam requests an audience.”

Shen Zhizhi—why had she come?

Wei Zhaorong waved her hand: “Do not see her. Let her leave.”

“Yes, Madam.”

After a while, another servant came: “Madam, Second Madam says if you won’t see her, she will wait at the main gate of the marquisate.”

Normally, Shen Zhizhi cared greatly about appearances, but now she threw all of that aside, stubbornly insisting on entering.

She was six months pregnant, and being turned away would harm the marquisate’s reputation.

“Mother, we should let her in,” Xie Wanrou said.

“All right, let her in.”

Shen Zhizhi stood uncomfortably at the gate under the scorching sun.

The second time the servant relayed the message, she felt a humiliation she had never experienced before.

She had entered the Mingde Marquisate in a grand bridal procession, yet now she had to rely on servants to ask permission to enter.

And even then, she was initially refused. Wei Zhaorong had no intention of seeing her.

With her old temper, she would have turned and left immediately.

But she couldn’t leave.

She truly had no other choice, which was why she had come to the Mingde Marquisate.

Sweat dripped down her forehead, and she wiped it with a handkerchief.

At six months pregnant, standing for long periods caused her back and legs to ache.

Thump thump thump—

The servant came again: “Second Madam, please follow me. I will take you to see Madam.”

Shen Zhizhi exhaled, forced a composed expression, and stepped into the gate with her head held high.

Along the way, her heart was repeatedly churned and crushed.

After moving into the Xie residence, she had realized how luxurious the marquisate truly was.

The carved corridors were made of rosewood, the arched bridges of white jade, and even the eaves were adorned with gilded beasts.

Observing the servants leading her from behind, she noticed that even their attire was of a higher quality than the Xie household’s.

Bitterness surged in her chest, and she wanted to turn and leave.

But she could not.

Steeling herself, she reached the pavilion.

From afar, she saw two people—Wei Zhaorong and Xie Wanrou.

Wei Zhaorong looked the same as before, but Xie Wanrou had changed a lot.

Her face still bore a gentle smile, but her previous inferiority had vanished completely. The poise of a capital-born noblewoman radiated from within, making one forget she had once been a divorced woman.

“Greetings, Mother, greetings, Eldest Sister.”

Shen Zhizhi bowed respectfully.

Wei Zhaorong glanced at her, her voice flat and emotionless: “Sit.”

“Thank you, Mother.”

Having stood at the gate for a long time and walked all the way here, Shen Zhizhi was indeed tired.

She sat quietly for a while, but with no one speaking, she awkwardly said, “Eldest Sister, long time no see.”

Xie Wanrou replied: “Second Sister-in-law, long time no see.”

She didn’t call her “Zhizhi,” signaling a certain distance.

After all, the second branch had acted ruthlessly in the past. Since the split, they were two separate households—there was no need for excessive politeness.

“Mother, Eldest Sister, I brought some food from the Xie residence. Please accept it.”

Wei Zhaorong interrupted:

“Spare me, Madam Shen. Tell me directly why you came here today.”