TRBDM -Chapter 74 Xie Chuan Voluntarily Copies the Family Rules

“A daughter who’s married off is like water that’s been spilled. If you’re truly divorced and bring disgrace upon the Marquis Manor, tainted with misfortune, you can’t stay here long.”

Xie Wanyi wrinkled her nose in obvious disdain.

“You’re afraid I’ll implicate you?”

“Of course. Who wouldn’t be?” Xie Wanyi replied as if it were only natural.

“I’m not afraid!”

A voice came from behind them.

Dou Shuyao was standing in a pavilion not far away. It was unclear how long she had been listening, but she could no longer hold back.

“Little Sister, I heard you signed a document severing ties with Mother. In that case, you’re no longer connected to the Marquis Manor. So even if the manor were implicated by Eldest Sister, it wouldn’t affect you. Why are you making things difficult for her?”

“Y-You… how do you know?” Xie Wanyi had assumed their mother wouldn’t tell anyone else.

“Mother told me. Matters concerning the Marquis Manor are naturally to be made known to those within the household.”

“You! Don’t think that just because Mother gave you a bit of authority you can throw your weight around. I’m the legitimate daughter of the Marquis Manor. You’re just a married-out woman—what right do you have to lecture me?”

Dou Shuyao was not sharp-tongued by nature. Being snapped at like that, her face turned pale instantly.

Standing to the side, Xie Wanrou once again witnessed Xie Wanyi’s sharp cruelty—she liked to lash out indiscriminately at everyone.

Xie Wanrou spoke up in rebuttal, “Shuyao is the legitimate eldest daughter of the Prime Minister’s residence. In terms of status, she outranks the Marquis Manor’s second legitimate daughter. Now she is not only the eldest son’s wife but also the future manager of the Marquis household. Naturally, she has every right to correct you.”

Xie Wanyi had never expected the usually timid Xie Wanrou and the taciturn Dou Shuyao to suddenly seem like different people, joining forces against her.

“Fine! So you’re teaming up to bully me. I’ll go tell Mother!”

As soon as the words left her mouth, Xie Wanyi suddenly remembered—she had signed the document cutting ties. Mother would no longer stand up for her.

What should she do now? She had fallen out with everyone in the Marquis Manor at once. How was she supposed to live from now on?

After being domineering and overbearing for more than a decade, Xie Wanyi finally realized she had pushed herself into a corner where she stood utterly alone.

“Hmph! Ever since Father passed away, every one of you has bullied me. My life is so bitter—I’m going to see Father!”

With that, she wiped her eyes and ran toward the gates of the manor.

Her maid Xiao Luo hurried after her.

“Ah…” Xie Wanrou hesitated. “Where will Wanyi go?”

“To Father’s grave to cry and complain,” Dou Shuyao said expressionlessly.

Ever since the Old Marquis passed away, Xie Wanyi had used this tactic four times. Each time, Wei Zhaorong would become frantic with anger and personally lead a grand entourage to bring her back from the cemetery.

But this time, Dou Shuyao felt that Xie Wanyi would likely be disappointed. Even if she waited until nightfall, no one would go fetch her.

Dou Shuyao didn’t bother with Xie Wanyi any further. She turned to Xie Wanrou. “Eldest Sister, are you taking a walk in the garden? Would you like me to accompany you?”

“No, I’m going to see Xiao Chuan.”

“What a coincidence. I was just heading there too. Let’s go together.”

The two walked and chatted side by side.

“Is Xiao Chuan behaving himself now? Last time he brought me medicine, he bustled around in Moyun Courtyard for quite a while. I haven’t even thanked him yet.”

“Eldest Sister, isn’t it only right for him to help you with something like that? Saying thank you between siblings sounds too distant and formal. He’s changed a lot lately. Mother truly has her ways—she can keep him in line.”

If there was anything that worked best, it was Wei Zhaorong’s resounding slap.

Xie Wanrou had seen it with her own eyes—Mother once struck Lei Tieyun so hard her false teeth scattered across the floor. The power was indeed formidable.

“Xiao Chuan used to neglect his duties and live carelessly. With you and Mother guiding him, he’ll correct himself sooner or later.”

“Yes, Eldest Sister is right.”

Dou Shuyao also felt that the days ahead were full of hope.

As she spent more time managing the household, she had gone from feeling overwhelmed at the beginning to gradually becoming adept and confident. The sense of accomplishment was immense.

Seeing the visible changes in Xie Chuan, she was already satisfied.

The only lingering hope she still held was that once Xie Chuan recovered his health, they might have a child together.

Boy or girl—it didn’t matter. As long as it was their own child, Dou Shuyao would have no regrets in this life.

When they entered the Eastern Courtyard, the two of them were astonished to see that Xie Chuan was actually writing—something quite unprecedented.

Dou Shuyao stepped closer to take a look. He was copying the family rules.

“Oh? Has the sun risen in the west today? What’s this sudden interest in copying the family rules?”

She couldn’t help teasing him.

“Don’t you already know?” he replied.

“Know what?” Dou Shuyao looked completely puzzled.

“Our second brother was punished by Mother with family discipline. An oil-soaked rattan whip—one strike could cost half a life.”

“What does his punishment have to do with you?”

“I’m making preparations in advance. Copy the family rules, memorize them, avoid making mistakes. That way, the whip won’t ever land on me.”

He had been slapped several times by Mother before, and he still remembered how much it hurt—let alone being whipped with rattan.

Without even lifting his head, Xie Chuan dipped his brush in ink and continued writing.

Dou Shuyao glanced down. To her surprise, he was indeed writing quite seriously.

Though Xie Chuan was poor at academics, his calligraphy was actually rather good.

It was the first time she had seen him so earnest, and she almost couldn’t bear to interrupt him.

But since Elder Sister had come to see him, they couldn’t just leave her sitting coldly to the side.

Dou Shuyao gently pulled the brush from his hand and said with a smile, “Stop writing for now. Elder Sister is here.”

Only then did Xie Chuan look up and notice Xie Wanrou standing not far away, smiling softly.

“Oh! Elder Sister is here. Look at me—so absorbed in writing I forgot myself. Elder Sister, please sit. Someone, bring tea—and use the best leaves!”

The three of them sat down, sipping tea as they talked.

“Elder Sister, how have you been feeling lately? Does your neck and throat still hurt?”

Xie Chuan’s gaze fell on her neck. The bruising had faded somewhat, but it was still shockingly visible.

“That beast Lei Lieshan—he was so ruthless. Elder Sister, don’t worry. With Lord Jiang handling the case, Lei Lieshan will definitely be convicted.”

Xie Wanrou thought of Jiang Yuelin—so refined and radiant, like the bright moon and clear breeze. He hardly seemed like an Assistant Minister of the Court of Judicial Review.

She had heard that anyone taken into the Court of Judicial Review either never came out—or entered upright and left horizontal.

There were countless instruments of torture and interrogation methods, enough to chill the blood.

Jiang Yuelin stood as elegant as a jade tree in a garden of orchids; she simply couldn’t imagine him presiding over interrogations.

“Don’t be fooled by Lord Jiang’s gentle and scholarly appearance, as if he couldn’t even truss a chicken. In truth, he has plenty of methods—and strength.”

Dou Shuyao had only heard Jiang Yuelin’s name and wasn’t familiar with him. Hearing Xie Chuan speak like this, she grew curious. “How do you know?”

“I’ve got a good friend—he’s Jiang Yuelin’s cousin. He once went to the Court of Judicial Review and saw how Jiang Yuelin interrogates prisoners. When he got back, he vomited for three days straight. Said from now on he’d keep his distance from Jiang Yuelin and never dare provoke him again.”

“How do you think Jiang Yuelin became Assistant Minister of the Court of Judicial Review at such a young age? Without real ability, could he survive in that position?”

With him putting it that way, Dou Shuyao felt reassured. “Elder Sister, since Lord Jiang is so capable, let’s wait at the Marquis Manor for good news.”

“Yes. There’s no rush.”

Xie Wanrou didn’t stay long in the Eastern Courtyard before leaving.

No sooner had she returned to the Moyun Courtyard than a servant came to report:

Lord Jiang had invited Xie Wanrou to make a trip to the Court of Judicial Review.