TRBDM -Chapter 205 Companionship

At the Lan Courtyard, Xie Lan sat in Xie Yu’s room, staring blankly at the empty desk.

It was as if he could see him sitting on the chair, waving at him: “Third Brother.”

Xie Lan instinctively lifted the corner of his mouth, about to reply, only to realize that no one was behind the desk.

The young servant yawned as he passed by the door and glanced inside, noticing that there was indeed someone in the room.

“Third Master, you’re up so early?”

In truth, Xie Lan hadn’t slept at all.

His heart was heavy, and no matter what, sleep wouldn’t come.

He stepped out of the room and said to the servant, “If you’re awake early, get up then.”

The servant nodded without a word.

He knew that Third Master probably hadn’t slept the whole night.

Since Fourth Master left, everyone in the Lan Courtyard had been deeply saddened—let alone Third Master.

Fearing that he might touch upon Third Master’s pain, the servant kept his mouth shut and said nothing more.

Xie Lan returned to his own study and packed his schoolbag.

The schoolwork Xie Yu had mentioned last night should have been handed to Mr. Dong, but Xie Lan hadn’t taken it along; instead, he placed the book back into the cabinet.

A keepsake.

Before leaving, he personally watered the begonia tree and went to Anhe Courtyard to pay his respects to Wei Zhaorong.

Seeing the bluish tinge under his eyes, Wei Zhaorong comforted him with a tinge of heartbreak:

“Lan’er, separation is inevitable. Don’t be too sad. Yu’er will only be happier being back with his birth mother.”

Xie Lan’s expression remained calm:

“Mm, Mother is right. I’m happy for Fourth Brother. Last night he said to send his regards to you on his behalf, since he won’t be able to come in the future.”

Wei Zhaorong exhaled lightly, trying not to show it. She also felt reluctant to see Xie Yu leave.

“You are both good children.”

Xie Lan slightly nodded. “Mother, I’m going to class now.”

“Mm, alright, take care on the way.”

Still worried, Wei Zhaorong personally escorted Xie Lan to the door.

“Lan’er, come eat at Anhe Courtyard tonight. We’ll be waiting for you.”

Xie Yu’s departure had hit Xie Lan hard. Now, he needed the companionship of his family to get through this time.

“Yes, Mother.”

All alone, even Xie Lan’s back seemed heavy with sorrow.

Back at Anhe Courtyard, Wei Zhaorong wrote a letter to the Eldest Princess’s residence.

Xie Yu had left in such a hurry yesterday, and in front of everyone, she couldn’t ask Zhao Lingchen why she was so eager to take Xie Yu away.

Something about it felt off, so she wrote a letter to find out clearly.

That afternoon, the Eldest Princess’s reply arrived.

The letter briefly stated that Xie Yu intended to avenge his father and would be traveling far to the border in the future.

Wei Zhaorong stared at the letter, unable to calm herself for a long time.

On Xie Yu’s frail shoulders rested such a heavy responsibility.

Though she felt heartache, she understood more than anything.

The blood feud for his father’s death was irreconcilable.

This matter didn’t need to be known by Xie Lan; he couldn’t change Xie Yu’s fate, and knowing would only make him worry more.

She burned the letter. Xie Yu’s background could not yet be made public; everything had to remain cautious.

“Nanny Qi, how many guards were recruited to the residence recently?”

“Madam, a total of twenty-two.”

With the succession struggle imminent, the Third Prince’s temper was violent, and he killed without remorse.

If Zhao Jingheng and the Third Prince came to blows, any family supporting Zhao Jingheng would inevitably become a thorn in the Third Prince’s eyes.

From now on, the safety of the Marquis residence would become a top priority.

Wei Zhaorong carefully recruited the guards, investigating each person’s background thoroughly and confirming there were no issues before admitting them into the residence.

“Assign them properly. Starting today, twelve-hour shifts will guard continuously. Not a single lapse is allowed.”

“Yes.”

In the evening, Dou Shuxin arrived.

Wei Zhaorong had promised Zhao Jingheng that she would protect Dou Shuxin.

She found an excuse, saying she hoped Dou Shuxin could stay with Dou Shuyao until the baby was safely born.

For her sister, Dou Shuxin immediately agreed.

“Shuxin.” As soon as Dou Shuyao heard Dou Shuxin had arrived, she went straight to the main gate to meet her.

“Sister.” Dou Shuxin’s gaze immediately fell on Dou Shuyao’s belly.

“Oh, the baby’s growing.”

Her eyes sparkled with delight.

“Yes, definitely showing.” Dou Shuyao smiled.

Dou Shuxin gently placed her hands on Dou Shuyao’s belly, and the fondness in her eyes was almost overflowing.

“Sister, I’ve made some clothes for the baby again. Let’s go inside and take a look.”

Dou Shuyao teased, “We already have so many clothes. Why did you make more?”

“I had nothing to do while staying at the Xiang residence, so I made a few extra.”

The two sisters held hands, chatting endlessly, sharing intimate words that seemed to never run out.

When they arrived at the Ruixiang Courtyard, they sat by the bed, looking through tiny clothes and little shoes.

“Oh, Shuxin’s here.” Xie Chuan strode into the room.

“Hello, brother-in-law. Sorry to bother you again.”

“What nonsense. I was hoping you’d come. Shuyao isn’t very mobile; spending long hours in the courtyard is boring for her. With you around, she won’t feel restless.”

Xie Chuan was naturally fidgety. When Wei Zhaorong had confined him for a hundred days, he almost went mad.

A pregnant woman, however, endured even more than a hundred days of confinement, and Xie Chuan felt deeply for Dou Shuyao.

Now that Dou Shuxin had come, keeping her company, life wouldn’t feel tedious, and Shuyao’s mood could improve.

A mother in good spirits would have a healthier baby.

For the sake of the child’s health, he wanted Dou Shuyao to be happy every day.

“The matriarch asked me to stay with my sister until the birth. Brother-in-law, I’ll be staying at the Marquis Residence during this period.”

“That’s perfect. I’ll have someone prepare the room right away. This time, you won’t stay in Eldest Sister’s Moyun Courtyard; you’ll stay in Ruixiang Courtyard. That way, you two sisters can see each other and chat in the evenings.”

“Mm.”

After saying this, Xie Chuan went out to instruct the servants to tidy up the room.

That evening, after Xie Lan returned, everyone at the Marquis Residence gathered at Anhe Courtyard for dinner.

Before entering Anhe Courtyard, Xie Lan patted his face, forcing a smile so he wouldn’t look gloomy.

At the table, everyone, considering Xie Lan’s feelings, did not bring up Xie Yu.

After finishing dinner, worried that his bad mood might affect others, Xie Lan didn’t linger and returned to Lanyuan first.

Xie Wanrou exchanged a glance with Wei Zhaorong and followed Xie Lan.

Back at Lanyuan, Xie Wanrou went to the study.

“Eldest Sister, why are you here?” Xie Lan had just sat down when he saw Xie Wanrou.

“I came to keep you company.”

Xie Wanrou took a book from the bookshelf behind Xie Lan and sat on a chair not far away.

“You do your homework; I’ll read.”

She knew Xie Lan didn’t want to talk, so she chose to quietly accompany him.

“All right, thank you, Eldest Sister.”

Xie Lan lowered his head to read. Whenever he looked up from studying, he could see Xie Wanrou, and his mood instantly lifted.

Family companionship is a healing balm for the heart.

Xie Wanrou spent the next few days by Xie Lan’s side, watching him gradually regain his spirits before she finally felt relieved.

During the day, Xie Wanrou was at Moyun Courtyard studying medical books.

“Miss, a letter from Master Jiang.”

Xiao Die entered with a big smile, holding the letter.

These days, Jiang Yuelin had been busy investigating cases, so Xie Wanrou hadn’t visited the Dali Temple.

However, they kept in touch daily through letters.