TRBDM -Chapter 9 Confined to the Eastern Courtyard

“Imperial Physician Xiao said you must abstain from intimacy for a hundred days. Starting today, you will live alone in the Eastern Courtyard and are not allowed to leave the manor.”

“Why?” Xie Chuan protested.

“Nanny Qi, during these hundred days, no maids are to be allowed near the eldest young master. Not even the old matrons. After the hundred days, send him directly back to Ruixiang Courtyard.”

The implication was clear: after a hundred days of abstinence and recuperation, he would return to Ruixiang Courtyard and hurry to conceive a child with Dou Shuyao.

“Yes, Old Madam.”

Xie Chuan was still reeling from Wei Zhaorong’s string of arrangements.

“Mother, why are you doing this?”

Wei Zhaorong rolled her eyes. “Lust is a blade hanging over one’s head. For the sake of your health, you must abstain for these hundred days. If you can’t manage it, I’ll dock your allowance.”

Xie Chuan had yet to inherit the title; the distribution of allowances in the marquis manor was entirely in Wei Zhaorong’s hands.

In the past, she had never used the allowance to control them. But for the sake of the manor, she had to employ every possible measure.

“You are not allowed to leave the manor tomorrow. Just have someone bring Liu Yi’er here. And reflect on this—why is it that the fertile field at home yields not a single grain, while the barren hills outside have sprouted?”

Xie Chuan would never admit he had a hidden ailment. Stubbornly, he retorted, “Mother, perhaps you’ve misjudged. Who is fertile land and who is barren wilderness—I know better than anyone.”

Wei Zhaorong had no interest in arguing with him and waved him off impatiently. “Go stay in the Eastern Courtyard. Don’t stand here and irritate me. And when you have nothing to do, read more books. If nothing else, copy scriptures—ten times.”

“I’m not copying scriptures.” Xie Chuan had hated studying since childhood. Tutors at the academy had come and gone one after another. He barely managed basic literacy; asking him to compose poetry was worse than killing him.

“You may ride horses, practice archery, raise birds, or play with crickets in the Eastern Courtyard. But for these hundred days, you are not to step out of it.”

The Eastern Courtyard was remote, with only a few residences, though the yard was spacious enough—even riding a horse there was possible.

Xie Chuan was a good-for-nothing with no great ambitions. His only vice was lust.

Now that Wei Zhaorong had sealed off that path completely, he dared not resist. Yet the thought of being confined to the Eastern Courtyard—and surely ridiculed by Dou Shuyao—filled him with resentment. Unwilling and disgruntled, he flicked his sleeve and left.

Dou Shuyao, who had remained silent at the side, was surprised—and somewhat moved—to hear Wei Zhaorong, for once, speak up on her behalf.

Previously, she had borne the responsibility of upholding the dignity of the main branch alone. Unfortunately, her husband was useless—like mud that could not be plastered onto a wall.

Not only was he distant from her, he even kept a mistress outside.

A lone boat cannot sail far.

If Liu Yi’er truly entered the marquis manor, Dou Shuyao would not have a single peaceful day thereafter.

“Mother, may I say a few words?” Dou Shuyao gathered her courage and looked directly at Wei Zhaorong.

“Speak.”

“Mother, I am not a jealous woman who cannot tolerate my husband taking a concubine. But the eldest young master insists that Liu Yi’er cannot enter without a proper title. Yet the manor is still in its mourning period—we cannot hold celebratory events. If the Emperor were to blame us, the entire household would be implicated.”

“And I’ve heard that Liu Yi’er was once the top courtesan of the Flower Alley—selling her art, not her body. If I must share one husband with such a woman, I would rather become a nun in a temple.”

Dou Shuyao was strong-willed. As the legitimate daughter of the prime minister’s residence, how could she endure such humiliation?

“If you become a nun, wouldn’t that be exactly what Liu Yi’er wants?”

“Then… I have no other choice.” Dou Shuyao felt a wave of grievance.

Wei Zhaorong looked at her sympathetically and sighed inwardly.

She was a woman too; of course she could empathize with Dou Shuyao.

“Don’t be afraid. I’m here. Imperial Physician Xiao said your qi and blood are deficient. I’ll have someone send some lingzhi and nourishing supplements to Ruixiang Courtyard. Take them on time and in proper amounts. Remember—no matter what happens, your own health comes first. Please yourself first, then think about pleasing others.”

“Please myself first?” Dou Shuyao repeated the words several times, unable to grasp their deeper meaning.

Wei Zhaorong did not expect her to understand immediately. Let her return and contemplate it slowly.

In her previous life, Wei Zhaorong had felt she owed Dou Shuyao. In this life, she would do her best to make amends.

Xie Chuan was not someone to rely on. Dou Shuyao should not pin her hopes on him in this lifetime. But if Dou Shuyao could have a child of her own—a legitimate grandson of the marquis manor—her later years would at least have some support.

“That’s enough. Go back and rest.”

“Yes, Mother.”

Anhe Courtyard returned to tranquility.

After lunch, Wei Zhaorong instructed Nanny Qi to take some modest gifts to the Zhang residence.

“When you arrive, say that Xie Lan lost his ancestral jade pendant and heard it was picked up by Editor Zhang. We’ve brought a small token of thanks.”

The Marquis household was repaying resentment with kindness, and with the Old Madam personally taking the initiative—how could Editor Zhang shamelessly continue to keep the pendant?

Sure enough, not long after he returned from court, someone from the Zhang residence delivered the jade pendant back.

Wei Zhaorong did not even glance at it before telling Nanny Qi to send it straight to Lan Courtyard.

“Yes, this servant will go at once.”

In just two days, Nanny Qi had already grasped the Old Madam’s intentions.

She was no longer favoring her two biological sons and was deliberately supporting Third Master Xie Lan.

As a servant, she followed her mistress’s lead. Upon arriving at Lan Courtyard, she respectfully greeted Xie Lan and presented the jade pendant.

“Oh! It’s been found!”

Xie Lan cradled the pendant in delight, stroking it fondly, unable to put it down.

The heirloom, lost and now recovered, brought a mist to his eyes.

“Many thanks to Nanny Qi. Many thanks to Mother.”

“Third Master, the Old Madam said we are all one family. There is no need to be so polite—such formality only creates distance.”

Xie Lan was overjoyed, at a loss for words.

“Third Master, if Lan Courtyard needs any help, just send word to Anhe Courtyard. The Old Madam said that moving residences is a major matter—best to finish early and settle in peacefully.”

“Mother… she…” She’s truly good.

These past two days felt like a dream to Xie Lan—like walking on clouds, light and unreal.

At Quyang Courtyard, Xie Sheng had just returned from work when Shen Zhizhi grabbed hold of him.

“Husband, Mother has allowed Xie Lan to move into the Lan Courtyard.”

“What?! That bastard is worthy of living in the Lan Courtyard? Has Mother grown senile?”

Since returning from Anhe Courtyard the previous night, Xie Sheng had been in a foul mood. He had intended to step on Xie Lan, but not only did he fail—Xie Lan had even taken advantage of the situation.

Everything had been fine when he left this morning. How had things taken another strange turn by the time he returned?

“Who knows what kind of enchantment Xie Lan fed Mother for her to even give him Lan Courtyard,” Shen Zhizhi said with a pout.

“No, I have to go ask Mother what she’s thinking.”

But Shen Zhizhi stopped him.

“Husband, don’t be impulsive. Mother has seemed somewhat unusual lately. Let me observe a bit longer.”

“Zhizhi,” Xie Sheng grasped her hand, “you’ve always been more thoughtful than I. I’ll listen to you.”

Leaning against his chest, Shen Zhizhi added: “Oh, and one more thing. Today Mother invited Imperial Physician Xiao to Ruixiang Courtyard to examine Elder Brother and Sister-in-law.”

Xie Sheng sneered. “Examine what? Sister-in-law has been married for three years without conceiving. Naturally, the problem lies with her.”

“Not necessarily.”

“What do you mean not necessarily? Elder Brother already has a woman outside who’s pregnant. It won’t be long before she enters the Marquis household.”

Shen Zhizhi’s expression immediately changed.

“You must not learn from him. If I ever find out you’re keeping a woman outside, I’ll divorce you.”

“How could I possibly do such a thing? My wife is as beautiful as a flower and in perfect harmony with me. You’re nothing like Sister-in-law—so rigid and dull. Where would I find a better woman than you?”

Xie Sheng’s sweet words coaxed Shen Zhizhi into delighted laughter.