Chapter 18: Surely He Can’t Remain a Profligate Heir Forever?

Chapter 18: Surely He Can't Remain a Profligate Heir Forever?

The Second Prince stepped out of the Imperial Study, wiping the sweat from his forehead as he hastened towards Liang Gui Fei's Ninghe Palace. Deep into autumn, and yet he was sweating profusely from his time in the Imperial Study. The Emperor's thoughts were becoming increasingly inscrutable.

Upon reaching the entrance of Ninghe Palace, Liang Gui Fei's personal maid was standing at the gates. Spotting him, she hastily bowed, "Second Prince, Her Highness has been awaiting you inside."

The Second Prince strode quickly inside, desperate to have someone help him analyze what he should do next. His recent encounter in the Imperial Study left him sensing the Emperor's suspicions towards him.

Entering the main hall of Ninghe Palace, he immediately called out, "Mother Consort!"

Liang Gui Fei sat in the center of the main hall, radiant and commanding. She gestured for the maids and eunuchs to leave, then, parting her red lips, spoke in a calm tone, "I've heard about the happenings at court today."

The Second Prince hurriedly sat beside Liang Gui Fei, nearly frantic, yet his mother consort appeared utterly unflustered. He wondered whether to admire her composure or to lament his own impatience.

Once seated, he said, "Just now, this son was at the Imperial Study, where Father Emperor reprimanded me."

The Imperial Noble Consort maintained a demeanor of having everything under control as she asked, "What exactly did the Emperor say to you?"

The Second Prince recounted his experience in the Imperial Study and added, "Mother Consort, this son is perplexed about Father Emperor's stance towards the Yongning Marquis's household."

On one hand, it seemed the Emperor favored the Yongning Marquis's household. Yet, it had been so long since the Marquis's death, and the Emperor had not decreed for the Marquis's son to inherit the title. On the other hand, judging by his attitude today, it didn't seem like he held any aversion towards them.

At this point, Liang Gui Fei let out a cold laugh, "Your father, the Emperor, wants to commit foul deeds while still posing as a sage ruler. The Yongning Marquis died in battle, a sacrifice for the nation, yet he refrains from allowing the Marquis's son to succeed the title. Duke Tang and some of the Marquis's subordinates have long harbored discontent over this. Now, your uncle brazenly stormed the Yongning Marquis's residence, giving others an excuse to criticize, leaving your father the Emperor disgraced."

"Your uncle has indeed been too audacious in his actions these past few years. If he wanted to investigate whether Xiao Yuchen was harboring a traitor's daughter, he could have done so discreetly. Instead, he chose to brazenly invade the residence in broad daylight, making a spectacle."

The Second Prince harbored many grievances against the Liang family. They lacked a solid foundation and offered him little benefit, unlike the Crown Prince who had a Grand Tutor as a grandfather.

Empress Liang herself was dissatisfied with her own family, but at this moment, she had to speak in their favor, lest her son grow even more resentful. She said, "Although your uncle has been impulsive in his actions, he has always had your best interests at heart. I'll speak to him about this."

What could the Second Prince do? He had no control over his birth, and no matter how much he envied the Crown Prince for having a great grandfather, he couldn't simply take him for his own.

Empress Liang continued, "What's crucial now is to not let the Duke of Tang latch onto this incident. Go immediately and oversee your uncle's apology to the Marquis of Yongning's residence, and instruct him to maintain a respectful demeanor."

"I understand, Mother," the Second Prince replied, rising and bowing before making his way out. Empress Liang watched his retreating figure with a sigh; a troublesome maternal family was a source of headache for her too.

………

Marquis of Yongning's Residence

After breakfast, Xiao Yuming headed to the academy, and Xiao Yuzhu to the family school. Xiao Yuxin, having graduated from the academy, went to his own study to read.

Tang Shuyi stood in the corridor, watching the backs of her three children, and couldn't help but feel that being a parent was truly challenging. There were concerns about food, clothing, housing, and transportation, their growth and development, and eventually, their marriages and offspring...

At this moment, she was pondering Xiao Yuxin's imperial examinations, as well as Xiao Yuming's future. Xiao Yuxin was decent in his studies and naturally would pursue the path of the imperial examinations. However, his rigid approach to learning was likely due to his limited exposure to worldly affairs and his sole focus on books.

She planned to expose Xiao Yuxin more to internal and external family affairs, believing that experiencing more would broaden his horizons.

But Xiao Yuming was poor in his studies, his martial skills were mediocre, and he knew nothing of military strategy. Surely, he couldn't spend his life as a wasteful and privileged scion.

Having assumed this body and the role of mother to three children, Tang Shuyi felt compelled to shoulder the corresponding responsibilities. She couldn't stand by and watch a vibrant young man continue on a path of decline. She needed to carefully consider how to reform her wayward second son.

Since Xiao Yuming lacked patience for study, perhaps martial training could be a viable path for him.

As Tang Shuyi's mind raced with these thoughts, a young maid came running towards her, curtsied, and said, "Madam, there's a visitor from the Duke of Tang's residence asking to see you."

Tang Shuyi was taken aback. She had considered visiting the Duke of Tang's residence these past few days, knowing that it was her most substantial support at present. But the Duke was known for his cunning, and his sons held high positions. She feared exposing her true identity in their presence.

Yet, a meeting was inevitable, so she instructed the servant to invite the visitor from the Duke of Tang's residence inside.

Soon after, a tall middle-aged man entered. Upon seeing her, he bowed respectfully and said, "Madam, the Duke requests your presence at the residence."

Tang Shuyi recognized him after a moment; he was the second steward of the Duke of Tang's residence, Zhu Xingxue.

"I'll head there now," she replied.

Zhu Xingxue once again bowed to Tang Shuyi, saying, "Then I shall return to the Duke's residence first and report to His Grace."

Tang Shuyi waved her hand, dismissing him, then went back to her room to change clothes before heading out.

The Duke's residence wasn't far from the Marquis of Yongning's estate. A quarter of an hour's carriage ride brought her there. Stepping down from the carriage, she saw a man in his thirties or forties, tall and with an elegant scholarly air, coming out from a side door of the Duke's residence, accompanied by the estate's chief steward, Zhu Xingbang.

Their eyes met as the man turned his head. Both were momentarily startled, then nodded in acknowledgment. Tang Shuyi proceeded towards the Duke's residence, while the man departed in his carriage.

The chief steward, Zhu Xingbang, watched the carriage disappear into the distance before hurrying to catch up with Tang Shuyi, slightly bowing as he said, "Madam, His Grace is waiting for you in the study."

Tang Shuyi hummed in response, then asked, "Who was that just now?"

"Minister Qi Liangsheng of the Ministry of Revenue," the chief steward explained, recalling the past discord between the Marquis of Yongning and Minister Qi, "In truth, there is no deep-seated enmity between the Marquis and Minister Qi, merely some minor grievances from their youth."

Tang Shuyi rifled through her memories; the impression of Qi Liangsheng wasn't particularly strong, so she didn't dwell on it.

As they conversed, they arrived at the Duke's study. The chief steward opened the door for her and then left. Tang Shuyi entered to find the Duke engrossed in a game of chess by himself.

The man in his sixties or seventies, his hair mostly grey, his face lined with wrinkles. Yet he exuded a calm, scholarly demeanor and was full of vitality. One could easily imagine his striking appearance in his youth.

"Father," Tang Shuyi approached and sat across from him. The Duke glanced up at her and said, "Join me for a game."

"Certainly," Tang Shuyi replied, resetting the chess pieces and starting a new game.

"About this morning's court session..."

The Duke recounted the events of the morning court session, and Tang Shuyi's hand, holding a chess piece, paused for a long while. She had pondered at length about the matter of Xiao Yuchen hiding the Liubi Qin, considering almost all potential consequences, but had not anticipated it escalating to the imperial court.

Her mindset hadn't fully transitioned yet; she hadn't fully integrated herself into this society.

The Great Qian Dynasty was an ancient feudal society, and above all, an imperial one.