TRBDM -Chapter 44 Easing Tensions Between Husband and Wife

Mentioning this matter, Dou Shuyao’s mood brightened somewhat.

“Thanks to Her Majesty the Empress’s favor, Shuxin was lucky—she happened to choose the White Peacock. I heard the Empress is very fond of White Peacocks.”

“Dou, don’t be modest. Luck is part of ability. Dou’s second young lady is exceptionally capable; if Wanyi had even a tenth of her talent, I’d be grateful to heaven.”

When the two girls were compared side by side, Dou Shuyao didn’t dare make any judgments.

Xie Wanyi had grown up in the Marquisate being cherished and protected. In the past, if anyone even spoke ill of her, Wei Zhaorong’s face would immediately darken.

Having been married into the Marquisate for three years, Dou Shuyao knew exactly what could be said and what couldn’t.

She also needed to remind Dou Shuxin that keeping a low profile was necessary for survival and establishing oneself, especially since they had no powerful family backing.

It seemed that Wei Zhaorong understood what Dou Shuyao was thinking. She didn’t bring up the comparison between the two girls, instead changing the topic: “Soon it will be Lan’er’s birthday. I plan to hold a birthday banquet. Aside from family and close friends, anyone who has a good relationship with the household will be invited.”

Dou Shuyao’s brow twitched slightly. The number of guests signified the scale of the banquet—her mother was planning something grand.

“Birthday banquets involve a lot of trivial matters. I am getting older, and my energy can’t keep up. I see that you’ve been taking good care of yourself these days. Starting tomorrow, stay close to me and help handle matters in the household.”

Helping the matriarch with household affairs seemed simple on the surface, but it carried deeper implications.

“Me?” Dou Shuyao was taken aback.

“Yes, you.”

Dou Shuyao felt both surprised and honored.

Among the Marquisate’s two daughters-in-law, she had always been the least favored.

In the past, for any major household matter, Wei Zhaorong had always chosen Shen Zhizhi as her assistant. Even though Shen Zhizhi came from a modest background, Wei Zhaorong simply liked her.

This was the first time Dou Shuyao had been entrusted with such responsibility. While she was excited, the pressure also surged.

“Mother, I’ve never handled affairs in the Marquisate before. I’m afraid I might do something wrong…”

“No one is born knowing how to manage things. There’s always a first time. Be alert and quick-handed. If you don’t know something, ask Nanny Qi, or you can ask me. Handle small matters yourself; for major matters, ask more questions. I see that you’ve managed Ruixiang Courtyard so orderly—I’m sure you have the ability, you’ve just lacked the opportunity to train.”

Indeed, this was true.

Dou Shuyao had been born into a ministerial household. Before marrying, she had been taught household management by the maids in her family. Her skills as a housekeeper were far superior to Shen Zhizhi’s.

Shen Zhizhi, coming from a humble family, was clever but her approach was always a bit narrow-minded. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have been so fixated on the title of nobility and urged Xie Sheng to fight for it.

“Thank you, Mother, for your trust. I will do my best.”

After settling this, Dou Shuyao didn’t return to Ruixiang Courtyard, but stayed by Wei Zhaorong’s side, busy assisting her.

The Marquisate was large and prosperous, with countless matters to attend to.

It had been a long time since Dou Shuyao had felt this exhausted, but she was full of energy and didn’t show any fatigue.

She was finalizing the banquet dishes with the chefs when a young servant rushed over.

“Madam, Young Master is having a temper in the Eastern Courtyard.”

“Why would he be angry for no reason?” Dou Shuyao wiped the sweat from her temple and didn’t take it to heart.

“You didn’t bring him his medicine.”

Dou Shuyao remembered. Since she had just taken over household management, she had been so busy that she had sent a servant from Ruixiang Courtyard to deliver Xie Chuan’s medicine.

“Young Master said that if you didn’t come, he wouldn’t take it.”

Childish!

But Dou Shuyao knew that treating Xie Chuan’s illness was of utmost importance. The imperial physician Xiao had emphasized that the medicine must be taken three times a day without fail.

Xie Chuan had a childlike temperament. These days, with Dou Shuyao personally delivering the medicine, he had developed an unusual expectation.

Whenever Dou Shuyao came to deliver the medicine, no matter what Xie Chuan was doing, he would stop and go to the front hall, pretending to wait for her.

Today, he waited and waited but didn’t see Dou Shuyao, only the young servant from Ruixiang Courtyard arrived.

Xie Chuan immediately refused, shouting that he wouldn’t drink if he couldn’t see Dou Shuyao.

After hearing the servant’s words, Dou Shuyao walked toward the Eastern Courtyard expressionlessly.

“Where’s Madam? Has she arrived?” Xie Chuan leaned on the window ledge, craning his neck—any movement at the main gate immediately caught his attention.

“We’ve already sent someone to summon her. Please be patient, Young Master.”

This was already the tenth time Xie Chuan had asked the same question, and the servant could only reply helplessly.

Finally, footsteps came from outside. Xie Chuan’s ears perked up—Madam’s steps.

By now, he could distinguish Dou Shuyao’s footsteps from all others.

His face lit up with joy, but the next second he suppressed it, sitting properly on the sandalwood chair, pretending to read.

Dou Shuyao placed the herbal medicine beside Xie Chuan and reminded, “You’re holding the book upside down.”

Uh…

Xie Chuan awkwardly put the book down and cleared his throat uneasily. “What’s going on with you? You’re getting lazier at your duties. Why are you so late today?”

Dou Shuyao tilted her head. “Were you waiting for me?”

Xie Chuan felt embarrassed under her gaze. “Mother told you to deliver the medicine every day, but you sent a servant instead. If Mother finds out, she’ll scold you.”

At first, it sounded like he was scolding Dou Shuyao, but thinking carefully, Xie Chuan seemed to be concerned for her.

Unfortunately, Dou Shuyao was busy and had no time to think about it.

“Hurry and drink, I’m busy.”

Xie Chuan gulped down the medicine, finishing it completely, then wiped his mouth. “What are you busy with? Nothing’s happening in Ruixiang Courtyard. Stay and chat with me for a bit.”

Dou Shuyao couldn’t be bothered. “I’m leaving.”

“Hey, Madam, don’t go.” Xie Chuan blocked her.

“Spit it out quickly.”

“Madam, I won’t do anything else. I just want you to chat with me. Is that too much to ask?”

Xie Chuan’s eyes sparkled. Dou Shuyao looked at him for a moment and couldn’t help but laugh.

“I really am busy. Mother is hosting a birthday banquet for Third Brother. It’s quite a large affair, so there’s a lot to do.”

Xie Chuan’s big eyes stopped sparkling, replaced by confusion. “Mother is hosting a birthday banquet for Xie Lan?”

“Mm.”

“No, something’s not right. Madam, don’t you feel something’s off?” Xie Chuan’s mind sparked, as if he had grasped a clue in the haze.

Dou Shuyao asked impatiently, “What’s off?”

“Xie Lan… he’s a concubine-born son. Why would he have a birthday banquet? I think he must have learned some sorcery or fed Mother some kind of potion. Otherwise, it makes no sense.”

Dou Shuyao thought Xie Chuan had figured something out, but his mind only jumped to mischievous ideas.

“Nonsense. Third Brother has been raised under Mother’s care since childhood, no different from a legitimate son. Let me remind you, the purpose of Mother hosting the banquet is to formally acknowledge his status. From now on, forget the word ‘concubine-born.’”

Xie Chuan snorted in discontent. “Legitimate or not, Xie Lan wants to climb over me? Mother must be losing her mind.”

“Xie Chuan! Don’t speak disrespectfully of Mother.” Dou Shuyao got angry.

Xie Chuan finally thought better of it and slapped his own mouth twice. “Oh, my mouth… what nonsense have I said? Hehe, Madam, don’t go telling Mother. Snitching behind someone’s back isn’t gentlemanly.”

Dou Shuyao felt both annoyed and amused. “I’m leaving, I really am busy.”

Xie Chuan escorted her to the door. “Madam, take care and rest well. Your husband will be here in the Eastern Courtyard, waiting obediently~~”

Eh!!!

Dou Shuyao suddenly got goosebumps all over.