TRBDM -Chapter 53 Are You Willing to Divorce?

Compared to the peaceful atmosphere in Anhe Courtyard, the mood in Quyang Courtyard was absolutely miserable.

Xie Wanyi sat at the dining table in a huff, poking at the crystal dumplings with her chopsticks, which left Shen Zhizhi utterly exasperated.

“Second Brother, today Mother had Big Sister and Big Sister-in-law eat with her, and even Xie Lan went. But she didn’t call us at all. Why? Aren’t we her own children too?”

Xie Sheng was already in a bad mood, and now Xie Wanyi had come uninvited and chosen precisely the worst things to complain about.

“Second Brother, say something,” Xie Wanyi persisted.

“Big Brother didn’t go either,” Xie Sheng replied irritably.

Mentioning Big Brother gave Xie Wanyi even more to grumble about: “Big Brother was clearly under house arrest, yet Mother allowed him to leave the mansion to fetch Big Sister. I heard he got completely drunk, broke his alcohol vow, and Mother didn’t punish him at all.”

“Second Brother, tell me—why didn’t Mother let you go fetch Big Sister?” Xie Wanyi’s words cut straight to the heart.

Shen Zhizhi couldn’t take it anymore and interjected, “Husband had to report for duty at the palace; how could he have time to fetch Big Sister?”

Xie Wanyi pouted. “He could have asked for leave.”

Even without Xie Wanyi pointing it out, Xie Sheng knew very well that he had been deliberately excluded by their mother.

In the past, no matter what happened in the household, he was always the one to handle it—after all, Xie Chuan was a good-for-nothing who couldn’t accomplish anything of substance.

As for fetching Big Sister from General Wei Yuan’s residence, Mother hadn’t even informed him.

Moreover, Dou Shuyao taking over the arrangements for the birthday banquet in place of Shen Zhizhi was another thorn in the Second House’s side.

It seemed Mother was grooming Dou Shuyao to be the matriarch of the household.

Shen Zhizhi, who was more tactful and clearly better suited for the role than Dou Shuyao with her deadpan face, had nonetheless been usurped.

The couple had been stressed and flustered over this matter for several days.

“All right,” Xie Sheng put down his chopsticks. “Are you done eating? If so, go back; we need to rest.”

“What time is it already, and you want to rest so early?” A lightbulb went off in Xie Wanyi’s head. “Second Brother, are you and Sister-in-law planning to have a child?”

Neither of the two legitimate sons of the Hou Mansion had had children since their marriages.

Xie Chuan, due to health reasons, couldn’t conceive, while Xie Sheng was healthy but simply didn’t care for children. He had left it to chance and hadn’t actively planned for one.

Seeing Mother’s current favoritism toward the First House, pulling in the Third House while leaving the Second House neglected, Xie Wanyi realized that if the Second House could produce the eldest grandson now, Mother would surely change her mind.

Her words provided Xie Sheng with an idea.

He waved his hand and told Xie Wanyi, “Now that you know, go back to Linshui Courtyard early. Don’t delay Shen Zhizhi and me in our proper matters.”

With that, Xie Wanyi had no choice but to leave.

“Honey, let’s have a child,” Xie Sheng said. “We must do it before Big Brother and Big Sister-in-law conceive.”

Shen Zhizhi had long wanted a child, but Xie Sheng had been entirely focused on his career, indifferent to the matter.

Now, seeing Mother increasingly favor the First House, they realized that if they didn’t act, their chance at the title would truly be lost.

Once the eldest grandson was born, they could leverage it to claim the inheritance; Mother would not refuse.

The couple exchanged a glance, both agreeing that this strategy was correct.

Anything could be a bargaining chip to achieve their goals—even a child.

That night, Quyang Courtyard was interrupted twice for water calls, leaving the maids barely a wink of sleep.

The next day, before Xie Lan went to the Dong residence, he first visited Xie Wanrou and invited her to have dinner together at Lan Courtyard that evening. Then he would pay respects to Wei Zhaorong at Anhe Courtyard before happily leaving the Hou Mansion.

Wei Zhaorong woke late. After leaving the birthday banquet preparations to Dou Shuyao, she barely had to lift a finger and had plenty of time on her hands.

Dou Shuyao managed everything meticulously, only consulting her when uncertain about something.

At the hour of Si (roughly 9–11 a.m.), Imperial Physician Xiao arrived.

After taking Xie Wanrou’s pulse, Physician XXiao furrowed his brows tightly.

Xie Wanrou’s heart tensed along with him.

“Madam, the Eldest Miss is seriously depleted. It seems she has overexerted herself and is burdened by excessive worry and stress. Her condition is far more severe than that of the Eldest Mistress.”

This outcome was exactly what Wei Zhaorong had anticipated.

Imperial Physician Xiao spoke again, “Young Madam, there is a strong coldness in your body, and it seems you have suffered injury. What happened?”

Before Xie Wanrou could answer, Wei Zhaorong said, “She had a miscarriage before.”

Xie Wanrou looked up in surprise. She had only told Dou Shuyao about this—how could her mother know?

Dou Shuyao quickly shook her head at her, signaling that she had never said anything.

Wei Zhaorong didn’t notice their silent exchange and continued, “Imperial Physician Xiao, Wanrou’s constitution is weak. Can she be restored?”

“It’s possible, but not easy. The Young Madam will need to take medicine for more than half a year. During that time, she must avoid overexertion, anxiety, or fright, and maintain a calm and happy mind. After six months, she can switch to another prescription for another two months.”

The process of restoring her health would be long and difficult. Wei Zhaorong knew this, but no matter the difficulty, she was determined to get Wanrou well.

“Imperial Physician Xiao, rest assured. With me protecting Wanrou, she will never suffer even a bit of grievance or fright. You only need to prescribe the medicine.”

“That’s good.”

As Physician Xiao wrote the prescription, Dou Shuyao’s tightly furrowed brow didn’t relax once.

No overexertion, no worry, no fright for half a year… that would be nearly impossible.

She had seen Lei Lieshan’s gaze before—it was as if he could devour Xie Wanrou alive. She feared that each day in the General’s residence would be lived in constant fear.

Moreover, managing the affairs of the General’s household was hard work—how could Wanrou avoid overexertion?

At this rate, it wasn’t just the treatment that was at risk; her health might worsen.

Dou Shuyao looked at Wei Zhaorong, hoping her mother would notice the problem.

But unexpectedly, Wei Zhaorong didn’t mention the General’s household at all; she only said to Xiao, “Thank you for your hard work.”

Dou Shuyao thought that after Xiao left, she would have to remind her mother.

“Oh, Imperial Physician Xiao, please go to the Eastern Courtyard to re-examine the eldest son. Yesterday he got drunk at the Wei Yuan General’s residence; I wonder if it affected his treatment.”

“All right.”

Dou Shuyao led Xiao to the Eastern Courtyard, while Wei Zhaorong arranged for someone to prepare the medicine for Xie Wanrou.

“Rou’er, have you applied the ointment today?”

“Yes, Mother.”

“Let me see.”

Wei Zhaorong examined carefully. The ointment was effective; the marks were lighter than yesterday.

She pulled Xie Wanrou to sit beside her, her face serious.

“Rou’er, Mother has something to tell you.”

“What is it?”

“The Wei Yuan General’s residence is a den of wolves and tigers. If you go back, you may even lose your life there. I want you to divorce. Are you willing?”

“Divorce?”

Xie Wanrou’s eyes reflected disbelief, her breathing quickening. “Mother… how could you think of such a thing?”

“Why, don’t you want it?”

Xie Wanrou paused; she had never thought about it.

She didn’t love Lei Lieshan, and he didn’t love her—but that was how many couples were. How many were truly deeply in love?

Her eldest brother and his wife lived like that too.

“Mother… if I ask for a divorce, my husband surely won’t agree.”

Lei Lieshan was hot-tempered, and his mother domineering. Asking for a divorce would be like slapping them in the face—they would never allow it.

“If he won’t agree, I have my ways. Rou’er, you just need to tell me honestly whether you want to leave. Don’t worry; the entire Marquis household has your back. You have enough support to make any choice.”

Xie Wanrou’s cheeks flushed slightly. She clenched her hands so tightly that her fingertips hurt, yet it did nothing to ease the shock in her heart.

After a long moment, four quiet words finally emerged:

“I want a divorce.”