TRBDM -Chapter 21 Gaining the Upper Hand

“You don’t get to refuse, Xie Wanyi. Nothing in this world is simply taken for granted. If you want to enjoy the privileges of being the daughter of a marquis household, then you must endure the dull and tedious lessons in palace etiquette. Otherwise, once you step outside, don’t say you’re a young lady of the Mingde Marquis Manor.”

Wei Zhaorong’s stern reprimand left Xie Wanyi standing there in a daze for a long while, forgetting even to cry.

What did Mother mean by that? Was she trying to drive her out of the manor?

Just because she hadn’t completed the assignments left by the governess—was she being so heartless?

“Mother, those words are too harsh. Wanyi is just playful. She’ll definitely finish her lessons,” Xie Chuan said.

He nudged Xie Wanyi. “Right, Wanyi? Hurry and apologize to Mother. Promise her you’ll complete your work properly.”

Xie Chuan had never minded swallowing his pride in words—admitting fault in person was no great loss to him. But Xie Wanyi was unwilling.

In the entire marquis household, she was the youngest. From top to bottom, everyone revolved around her, coaxing and indulging her.

How could she yield so easily over a single harsh remark from her mother?

Second Sister-in-law was right—Mother was biased. If Mother was already biased, why should she listen to her?

Xie Wanyi had never been one to bend and stretch as circumstances required.

“I won’t learn! I won’t learn! If you have the ability, then drive me out of the manor! At worst, I’ll go live at Grandfather’s residence!”

She shouted at the top of her lungs, then wiped her tears and ran out of the Eastern Courtyard.

Her personal maid hurried after her in a panic, nearly tripping over the threshold in her haste.

Xie Wanyi had a spoiled and arrogant temper. Serving at her side required extreme caution—one slight mistake would bring punishment. The maid did not dare slack off in the slightest.

“Wanyi, Wanyi…”

Xie Chuan called out twice, but one glare from Wei Zhaorong made him shut his mouth.

“Chuan’er, how many days have you been confined?”

“Th–three days.”

“There are ninety-seven days left. Stay put and behave yourself. Don’t go looking for trouble with Madam Dou. I’ve already handed the allowance for the main branch over to her. From now on, all expenses of the main branch must go through her approval. If you dare to make a scene, you’ll leave the manor just like Xie Wanyi.”

“Oh, Mother, you’re exaggerating. Where could I go if I left the manor? Besides, I still have to inherit the title.”

The title—ha!

In her previous life, Wei Zhaorong had suffered greatly over the question of who would inherit it.

Two biological sons—whichever one she chose, the other would feel slighted.

In her heart, she had wanted to give it to Xie Sheng. But after being rebuked by the Emperor, she had no choice but to compromise and follow the law, passing the title to Xie Chuan.

The turning point of fate began the moment she made that decision.

A rift formed between mother and son, and the marquis household declined at lightning speed.

She still had not forgotten the pain after contracting smallpox.

The festering wounds, the cracked lips, the desperate pleas before death—all of it remained her nightmare.

Even though she had been reborn, she would still occasionally sink into the suffering of her previous life.

Now the Emperor was already old. After his passing, the court would be fraught with shifting schemes and sudden upheavals. One misstep, and they could be overturned in the tides of dynastic change.

Who should steer the great ship that was the Mingde Marquis Manor? It was an extremely cautious and difficult choice.

Although Wei Zhaorong thought highly of Xie Lan, he was still young, and there were no signs yet that he could shoulder such a heavy responsibility.

After all, in her previous life, he had been suppressed too harshly. He had never been given any opportunity to prove himself, nor had he ever displayed his talents.

The ancestral teachings said: one basket of eggs must not be placed in a single container.

Therefore, Wei Zhaorong would not place all her bets on Xie Lan alone.

Now that she possessed the memories of her past life, she possessed the advantage of foresight.

She already knew the future direction of the court.

Wei Zhaorong’s gaze was indifferent. Since they all coveted the noble title, then she would make that very title the whip that drove them forward.

“Chuan’er, according to the law, it is only right that you inherit the title. It’s just that…”

“Just that what?” Xie Chuan was no fool. When it came to his own interests, he was never careless.

“There are three forms of unfilial conduct, and having no descendants is the worst. As the eldest branch of the Marquis household, if you fail to produce even a single child, then even if you inherit the title in the future, people will still talk.”

In her previous life, the Marquis household had passed off Liu Yi’er’s illegitimate child as the legitimate eldest grandson. Though Xie Chuan was useless in many ways, at least he had a son, so Xie Sheng had no legitimate grounds to oppose him.

In this life, Liu Yi’er had already been punished, and the bastard child had been strangled in the cradle. Now that Xie Chuan had no offspring, it would be easy for Xie Sheng to make a big issue out of it.

Of her two biological sons, Wei Zhaorong was dissatisfied with both. No matter which one inherited the title, it would leave her unsettled.

Fortunately, she still had two years to maneuver. During this time, she would strictly discipline her disappointing sons and daughters.

The results of that discipline would determine their standing before her in the future.

Those who were obedient, sensible, and stood on the same side as her would naturally not be treated unfairly.

But those who insisted on going their own way, disregarding the overall interests of the Marquis household and acting selfishly—she would kick them far away.

Anyone who dared obstruct her from bringing glory to the Marquis household would become her enemy.

“Mother, Mother!” Xie Chuan’s voice interrupted her thoughts.

“Mother, don’t worry. I will definitely have my own child. Imperial Physician Xiao’s prescription is so bitter, but I’ve drunk it all. I believe that after these hundred days, with my ability, I’ll succeed every time.”

Wei Zhaorong neither affirmed nor denied it. She said faintly, “You and Madam Dou are like fire and water. You quarrel the moment you see each other. How will you succeed every time?”

Xie Chuan hadn’t expected his mother to speak so bluntly. Even with his thick skin, he felt his face grow warm.

“As long as she’s a bit gentler and speaks more pleasantly, I naturally wouldn’t be so harsh with her.”

Wei Zhaorong asked, “Is Madam Dou not beautiful?”

Even Xie Chuan could not deny that Dou Shuyao was beautiful.

It was just that Dou Shuyao’s temperament was far from pleasing. She seldom smiled and rarely spoke sweet words. On top of that, Xie Chuan was lustful and constantly chasing other women, which had chilled Dou Shuyao’s heart. The relationship between husband and wife had only grown worse.

“She’s beautiful,” Xie Chuan said. “It’s just…”

“No more ‘just.’ I’ll remind Madam Dou to restrain her temper. Quarrels between husband and wife are settled at the foot of the bed. There’s no need for you two to behave like enemies.”

“I’ll listen to Mother.”

Wei Zhaorong had no intention of helping the eldest branch reconcile and restore their marriage. It was simply that Dou Shuyao’s natal family had declined. With no child to rely on in the Marquis household, she could easily be trampled on by others.

Xie Chuan was nothing more than a tool. Once Dou Shuyao became pregnant, whatever request she made, Wei Zhaorong would agree.

Living separately or withdrawing from society—it wouldn’t matter. As long as Dou Shuyao had a child to rely on, everything else would be manageable.

After leaving the Eastern Courtyard, Wei Zhaorong went to Ruixiang Courtyard.

When the Dou sisters heard she had arrived, they immediately grew nervous.

Especially Dou Shuxin. Though yesterday’s two slaps had landed on Xie Wanyi’s face, Dou Shuxin had still been so frightened that she suffered nightmares all night.

When she woke in the morning and looked at her elder sister, her heart ached even more.

Her sister was alone in the Marquis household—above her stood a strict mother-in-law, and below her a pleasure-seeking husband. One could imagine how difficult her days had been.

“Mother, you’ve come.” Dou Shuyao bowed to Wei Zhaorong.

Though Dou Shuxin was afraid, she observed proper etiquette without fault. “Greetings, Old Madam.”

“Mm, rise.”

Wei Zhaorong lowered her voice, carrying a rare trace of gentleness.

She discreetly sized up Dou Shuxin.