Chapter 9: This is Reality

Chapter 9: This is Reality

Xue Ji was in his twenties, of medium build, with a square face and darker complexion, exuding an aura of honesty and reliability at first glance. But Tang Shuyi wouldn't be fooled; she had encountered many such individuals, wrapped in the guise of sincerity but slippery as eels inside.

"Madam Marquise," Xue Ji greeted Tang Shuyi with all due respect.

Tang Shuyi, smiling, gestured magnanimously from afar, "We are relatives, there's no need for formalities."

Standing by the side, Xiao Yuchen thought, “...” Weren't they supposed to be dealing with Xue Ji solely on terms of interest, not kinship?

"Yes, Aunt," Xue Ji smoothly claimed the familial tie, then gesturing towards the flowers placed on the table, he said, "My wife enjoys gardening, and hearing that Aunt is fond of flowers too, I’ve brought some for you."

Tang Shuyi walked over, fiddled with the brilliantly blooming flowers, and smiled brightly, "They are indeed pleasing to the eye."

Xue Ji also smiled, "I'm glad you like them."

As they conversed, the two seemed to warm up to each other. After sitting down, they even discussed everyday family matters, eventually touching upon the topic of children's education. Xiao Yuchen was astounded; how could two people meeting for the first time get along so warmly?

After a while, Tang Shuyi steered the conversation to the main topic, "Although no one knows about that matter, it's always better to be more secure, to avoid any potential entanglement for you and Yuchen."

Xue Ji truly admired the Madam Marquise; her courtesy was impeccable, yet when discussing serious matters, she skillfully allied him and Xiao Yuchen, leaving no room for personal sentiments.

"But has there been a slip at Miss Liu's end?" asked Xue Ji.

"No," Tang Shuyi assured firmly, almost as if making a promise, "I've sent her far away. She will never pose a problem."

Upon hearing her words, Xue Ji's grip on his teacup tightened. What did she mean by 'never pose a problem'? Was it what he thought it was? There were many ways for a woman to silently disappear within the inner quarters.

At that moment, she heard the calm voice of Lady Hou saying, "I just wonder if you need to take any measures on your end to ensure that everything goes smoothly without fail."

Xue Ji pondered for a moment, "When Miss Liu feigned her death, it was Pan Shan and I who escorted her out. To ensure that everything is foolproof, I... can make him disappear."

Tang Shuyi's heart skipped a beat. How could people from ancient times speak of murder so casually and simply? As a well-educated, model citizen, she couldn't possibly partake in murder and suggested, "Just make him disappear from the capital, ensuring he can't be found."

Xue Ji's gaze faltered, realizing he had misunderstood. Clearing his throat, he said, "You are right."

"Will that be difficult?" Tang Shuyi inquired.

Xue Ji shook his head, "No. The man became addicted to gambling last year, his behavior leading to his mother's death. His wife took the children and ran away with another man. He's deep in debt, and the creditors are after him. He'll flee at the slightest hint of trouble."

"Then let him flee further," Tang Shuyi said, "Send him to Anmu. My Tang family's ancestral home is in Anmu. He will be watched over there."

After laying out her plan, Tang Shuyi turned to Xiao Yuxian and asked, "What should we do next?"

Suddenly called upon, Xiao Yuxian tensed up and shook his head after pondering, his brow furrowed. He had never dealt with such matters before and was unsure of what to do.

Seeing his reaction, Tang Shuyi didn't say much and turned back to Xue Ji, "Tonight, I'll give you some men to pose as his creditors. They'll drive him towards Anmu."

Xue Ji acknowledged, thinking to himself that Lady Hou was not only meticulous in her thinking but also seemed to be guiding the eldest son. Lady Hou truly had it tough, playing the role of both mother and father.

Having said what needed to be said, and after a few pleasantries, Xue Ji was ready to leave. At that moment, Cui Zhu came over with two gift boxes. Tang Shuyi said with a smile, "These are little trinkets for the children."

Xue Ji hurriedly expressed his gratitude, then left with the gifts. The small hall was left with only mother and son. Xiao Yuxian looked at Tang Shuyi, hesitating to speak. Tang Shuyi slowly sipped her tea and said, "Speak your mind."

"Didn't you say that you only talk business with Xue Ji and not personal matters? Then why did you just relate to him as family and give him gifts?" Xiao Yuxian asked, puzzled.

Tang Shuyi set down her teacup and patiently explained, "Did Xue Ji deal with his colleague because they were relatives?"

Xiao Yuxian shook his head, "It's because he was also afraid that the incident would be exposed and implicate him."

"Exactly," Tang Shuyi spread her hands, "Talking about family ties and giving reciprocal gifts are just formalities to keep relations smooth for collaboration. But when it comes to serious matters, it's all about interests."

Xiao Yuxian understood, but he felt he couldn't handle such formalities. Moreover, he wouldn't have thought of the idea to pose men as creditors to drive someone away. Realizing this, his posture slumped, a hint of defeat in his demeanor.

Tang Shuyi glanced at him, knowing that the child still had much to learn. After a moment of silence, she asked, "What do you think growth is?"

Xiao Yuxian furrowed his brow in thought and replied, "To learn and to apply."

"That's too vague," Tang Shuyi said. "One is to learn; learn what is useful to you, learn what you don't know. The second is to do; do what you're afraid of, what you're incapable of. Master these two, and you will grow."

Xiao Yuxuan frowned in thought after hearing this. Tang Shuyi didn't press him further, allowing him to ponder on his own. Rushing a child's development had to be done step by step.

Tang Shuyi continued to leisurely sip her tea, anticipating that Chang Feng and Steward Zhao should be returning from Xi Mountain soon.

Sure enough, not long after, the two arrived, covered in dust. Xiao Yuxuan, lost in thought, saw them and asked anxiously, "How is Miss Qin?"

Chang Feng, looking at his young master, dared not speak. The conditions at the manor were worse than those for the lowest servants in the house. Seeing this, Tang Shuyi commanded, "Just speak."

Her demeanor had lost its previous calmness, replaced now by seriousness and authority.

Chang Feng dared not dawdle any longer and cautiously glanced at Xiao Yuxuan before saying, "We brought Miss Liu and her maid to the Xi Mountain estate overnight. We arranged two rooms for them and left twenty taels of silver."

"What? Just twenty taels of silver!" Xiao Yuxuan stood up abruptly, causing pain in his knee from the sudden movement. Wincing, he urgently asked, "Why only arrange two rooms? What kind of rooms are they?"

Chang Feng lowered his head, not speaking. How could the rooms on the estate be any good? Just rooms with earthen walls and beds. But he couldn't say this; if he did, it would send his young master into a frenzy.

However, it was then that the lady of the manor coldly ordered, "Chang Feng, tell him what those rooms are like."

Chang Feng pursed his lips, managed a stiff smile towards Xiao Yuxuan, and said, "The rooms are quite nice, equipped with tables, chairs, and beds. Right next to those two rooms is the kitchen, which makes it convenient for Miss Liu and her maid to prepare food."

"Do you think I've never been to the estate? Don't I know what it's like there?" Xiao Yuxuan shouted at Chang Feng. "And what about twenty taels of silver? That's barely enough for a meal."

Chang Feng looked down at his toes, thinking to himself that his young master really lacked insight. Didn't he see how cold the lady of the manor's expression had become? And yet here he was, spouting words that would only anger her further. Chang Feng braced himself for her wrath.

As expected, in the next instant, the lady of the manor scoffed, "Twenty taels of silver is enough for what? Steward Zhao, tell him what twenty taels can do."

Whenever Miss Liu Beiqin was involved, this adopted son would become indignant.

"Twenty taels of silver is enough for Miss Liu to settle down," Steward Zhao explained, counting on his fingers. "Ten taels can buy two mu of land. A mu of land yields two to three shi of rice per year. Let's calculate based on two shi. Two mu would yield four shi of rice a year, sufficient for Miss Liu's annual consumption. With the other ten taels, she can buy cloth and thread for daily embroidery and sell her work to save some money."

Xiao Yuxuan was astonished; he never knew twenty taels of silver could accomplish so much. Sometimes he would spend twenty taels just on a meal outside. But how could Miss Qin endure a farmer's life?

"But Miss Qin isn't a farmer's daughter!" Xiao Yuxuan exclaimed and hurried outside. He couldn't let Miss Qin live such a life.

However, he had knelt in the ancestral hall for an entire night, causing searing pain in his knees when exerted. Now, in his haste, he almost fell to the ground due to the strain, but Chang Feng managed to support him.

"Liu Beiqin indeed isn't a farmer's daughter, but she is the daughter of a convicted criminal. Without anyone to care for her, she would either be in a brothel or enslaved by now. Her status isn't even as high as that of a farmer's daughter," Tang Shuyi raised her voice from behind him.

This is the naked reality!