Chapter 16: Your Majesty, I am incapable!

Chapter 16: Your Majesty, I am incapable!

Tang Shuyi pondered who Xiao Qingyu was; she was the fourth young lady from the second branch of the family. For some reason, this girl always seemed to have a grudge against Yuzhu.

Tang Shuyi, who had neither married nor had children in her previous life, wasn’t sure how to educate an eight-year-old. But analyzing right from wrong with a child and teaching them how to solve problems when they arise couldn’t be wrong, could it?

Moreover, from what she had always read online in her previous life, patience is key in child education. So, Tang Shuyi explained to Xiao Yuzhu earnestly:

“Not all well-intended actions gone wrong deserve forgiveness. Some people claim to mean well, but they harbor ill intentions. Such individuals certainly don’t deserve forgiveness; they should be confronted.”

“That’s exactly what Xiao Qingyu is like. She does it on purpose,” Xiao Yuzhu puffed up her cheeks. “Today she dirtied my dress, claiming she was trying to prevent me from falling and accidentally stained it. I saw it all; she did it on purpose.”

“What did you do then?” Tang Shuyi inquired.

“I splashed her with ink,” Xiao Yuzhu huffed, and then she glanced cautiously at Tang Shuyi, fearing a scolding. Everyone at the school had said she was wrong for splashing ink on Xiao Qingyu.

Tang Shuyi raised an eyebrow, thinking it was a typical move of a little tyrant. As she helped Xiao Yuzhu into her clothes, she remarked:

"If you're bullied, you naturally retaliate. She intentionally soiled your clothes, and you did well to splash her with ink. But you should also point out that she did it on purpose, that she harbored ill will. And warn her, if there's a next time, it won't be as simple as ink."

"Will people stop speaking ill of me then?" Xiao Yuzhu's tone was heavy with grievance. Although Xiao Qingyu also dirtied her clothes, everyone in the school thought she was in the wrong.

"Do you care so much about what others think of you?" Tang Shuyi asked.

Xiao Yuzhu furrowed her brows in thought, "Not really."

"Exactly, you shouldn't care about what others say." Tang Shuyi finished dressing her, took her hand, and as they walked out, she continued:

"You point out her fault not to make others speak well of you, or to justify your actions. It's to clarify the truth of the matter. Right is right, wrong is wrong. As long as you conduct yourself uprightly, you needn't mind the gossip."

Xiao Yuzhu smiled broadly, "I understand. Mother, you're so kind."

Tang Shuyi also smiled as she caressed her daughter's smooth hand.

The mother and daughter entered the dining room where Xiao Yuchen and Xiao Yuming were already seated. After sitting down to eat, Tang Shuyi didn't bring up the afternoon's events. After the meal, the family moved to the parlor, and Tang Shuyi asked the maids to leave, leaving only the family of four.

Xiao Yuchen and Xiao Yuzhu sat properly, while Xiao Yuming lounged in a carefree manner. Tang Shuyi said nothing; she wasn't a rigid person and didn't believe that being well-behaved was all that mattered.

"About today's incident, all three of you were at fault," Tang Shuyi looked at Xiao Yuchen, "As the eldest brother, have you taken up the responsibility to guide your siblings?"

Xiao Yuchen's face showed self-reproach, "I will guide and supervise them more from now on."

"Yes, leading by example is most important," Tang Shuyi said.

If you have faults of your own, better not to preach to others.

"Yes, Mother," Xiao Yuchen also knew he was too preoccupied to guide his siblings.

Tang Shuyi then turned to Xiao Yuming, "Do you realize your mistake?"

Xiao Yuming's face showed a carefree indifference, "I know my mistake, I won't pat my sister's head anymore."

Tang Shuyi, observing his nonchalant expression, suddenly realized a problem. Xiao Yuming, at fourteen, was in his rebellious phase. Kids his age feel like adults and want to make their own decisions. The last thing they want is parental discipline.

Such a headache!

After a moment of silence, Tang Shuyi still said, "Affectionate gestures among siblings, especially when one is still young, are natural. However, it was wrong of you to push and even think about hitting her. No matter how angry you are, you shouldn't resort to that."

"I understand," Xiao Yuming replied earnestly, a hint of genuine remorse in his voice. He realized his mistake earlier. In fact, at that moment, he didn't intend to push his sister; it was just a reflex from his fighting habits. And the raised hand later was merely to scare her.

"To acknowledge and correct one's mistakes is the best way forward," Tang Shuyi said, not elaborating further. For the moment, she hadn't quite figured out how to handle her rebellious second son.

"I've already told you," Tang Shuyi turned to Xiao Yuzhu, "relationships between people are reciprocal. Just as your brothers are kind to you, you should be kind to them. You shouldn't hoard the good things to yourself; think of sharing them."

Xiao Yuzhu nodded obediently, "I understand."

Tang Shuyi didn't dwell on moralizing any longer. She gestured for them to go rest, adding that they should hand in their 'Disciple's Rules' the next day for inspection. After Xiao Yuxin and Xiao Yuming left, Xiao Yuzhu threw herself into Tang Shuyi's arms, insisting on sleeping with her.

Tang Shuyi held her daughter with a smile, agreeing and instructing the maids to prepare accordingly. Mother and daughter whispered together, Xiao Yuzhu chattering about her day at school, while Tang Shuyi listened with a smile, offering few comments.

Lecturing children with too many morals isn't always beneficial.

Shortly after, Cuixun came to announce the bath was ready. Tang Shuyi took Xiao Yuzhu for their bath, then both retired to bed. Children fall asleep quickly, and it wasn't long before Xiao Yuzhu was sound asleep.

Tang Shuyi lay beside her, gazing at her peacefully sleeping daughter, her face the epitome of delicate charm. She now understood a friend's words from her past life: children are angels when quiet and devils when riled.

With a smile, she too closed her eyes to sleep.

The Hou Mansion of Yongning fell silent, but the night was anything but tranquil, evident from the fierce strife in the court the following day.

The Great Qian Dynasty held court every ten days, and today was the day. The ministers had been waiting outside the Wumen since the hour of Yin, entering the Qianqing Palace for the morning assembly at the hour of Mao. With ten days' worth of issues to present, the assembly lasted nearly two hours before nearing its conclusion.

Many were famished, their bellies stuck to their backs, anticipating the session's end when the censor, Li Yuanzhong, suddenly stepped forward, loudly impeaching Liang Jian'an for allowing his servant to brazenly intrude on private residences.

As he started, several other officials joined in impeaching Liang Jian'an for various offenses, including oppressing the orphan of a loyal martyr, allowing his servants to commit violence, abducting young girls, and more. Some also accused the Second Prince of condoning his maternal family's brutality.

Naturally, there were those who defended the Second Prince and Liang Jian'an, resulting in a vehement exchange, stirring a minor climax in the court.

Amidst the escalating commotion, the Duke of Tang, with robes billowing, knelt with both knees on the ground and cried out to the Emperor before collapsing in sobs.

The court fell silent instantly, save for the mournful weeping of the Duke of Tang. It was heart-wrenching to witness a man in his sixties, kneeling and wailing in despair.

The Emperor rose from his throne, approaching and bending to assist the Duke of Tang, "My loyal subject, speak your heart, there's no need for such distress."

The Duke of Tang remained kneeling, lifting his tear-streaked face, "Your Majesty, after having five sons, I was blessed with a daughter, cherished and protected like a precious gem. Even a sneeze from her would fill me with worry.

Yet, my only daughter has faced a harsh fate, widowed in her prime, struggling to raise three children. The thought alone rends my heart. And now, they, mother and children alike, are subjected to such cruelty. Your Majesty, I am powerless, failing to protect my own..."

Duke Tang collapsed to the ground once more, his cries of anguish filling the air.