Chapter 23: Life is a Play, All About Acting!

Chapter 23: Life is a Play, All About Acting!

There had always been enmity between the two families. Although it was not a matter of life and death, their conflicts were irreconcilable. That they could sit down today and exchange pleasantries was only because the Emperor did not wish for the situation to escalate further. Otherwise, neither family would bow their heads.

Thus, the three members of the Liang family stayed at the Marquis's residence only briefly before departing. Xiao Yuchen and Tang Shuyi did not see them out personally; there was no need.

After they had left, Xiao Yuchen went to Shian Garden and recounted his encounter with Liang Jian'an to Tang Shuyi, who asked with a smile after listening, "How do you feel about it?"

Xiao Yuchen scratched his head, looking somewhat embarrassed, "I feel... I didn't perform very well today. None of the things I thought about saying last night came in handy."

The bright and exquisite young man, scratching his head with a dumbfounded expression, was irresistibly endearing.

Tang Shuyi chuckled and said, "You're unfamiliar with Liang Jian'an's ways, so naturally, you wouldn't know how he'd act. The things you prepared wouldn't have been of much use."

Xiao Yuchen nodded earnestly, "I'll make sure to learn more about the key figures in the capital in the future."

"That's not necessary," Tang Shuyi said, "In dealing with people, as long as you know your own principles and boundaries, you can adapt to the situation as it unfolds. You did well today."

Xiao Yuchen blushed with bashful pride at the praise. Tang Shuyi sighed inwardly; this stepson of hers, it was unclear who would benefit from his broken engagement with Wu Jingyun.

Thinking of Wu Jingyun, she leaned forward, narrowing the distance between her and Xiao Yuchen, and whispered, "How do you think Liang Jian'an found out that you were hiding Liu Biqin in Mei Flower Alley?"

Xiao Yuchen's brow furrowed deeply again, and after pondering for a while, he shook his head, "I do not know."

"The information I received is that it was Miss Wu Jingyun of the Wu family who gave them the tip," Tang Shuyi said in a low voice.

She thought it over and decided to tell Xiao Yuchen about Wu Jingyun's desire to break off their engagement. The attempt to expose Xiao Yuchen for harboring the daughter of a convicted official had failed, but Wu Jingyun would likely seek other means to dissolve their engagement.

What methods?

Either smear Xiao Yuchen's reputation or devise a trap to compromise his integrity.

Thus, it's imperative that Xiao Yuchen remains vigilant and cautious during this period, ensuring he doesn't fall into others' traps. If a separation is to happen, so be it, but under no circumstances should Xiao Yuchen be tainted.

Upon hearing Tang Shuyi's words, Xiao Yuchen's mouth gaped open in shock. "This... this... how could this be possible?"

Which woman would initiate a separation? What's more, for the sake of breaking off the engagement, Wu Jingyun didn't hesitate to put him in jeopardy.

His impression of Wu Jingyun was not profound, but he generally considered her a gentle and dignified woman. How could she do such a thing? Moreover, he had not done anything to harm her, had he? Why would she do this?

Witnessing Xiao Yuchen's incredulous expression, Tang Shuyi didn't know whether to sigh or to be sarcastic. The men of ancient times never took women seriously.

"Why couldn't it be possible?" Tang Shuyi said, "You're engaged to Wu Jingyun; she's your fiancée. But your heart is with another woman. It’s normal for her to resent you."

Xiao Yuchen was even more astonished, "I... since my engagement to Miss Wu, I have never considered making Qin Sister my main wife."

"So you intend to treat Miss Wu as a decoration? To have a main wife in name only?" Tang Shuyi asked with a hint of irony.

"I... I didn't mean to treat her as a decoration. I will provide everything that a main wife should have," Xiao Yuchen said.

He didn't think there was anything wrong with that. Wasn't that what many around him did? They married for familial interests, and if they didn't love their spouse, they just maintained a façade with their main wife and then sought comfort from women they truly loved.

Of course, his affection for Qin Sister was deep, and he never considered her as merely a comfort. But he had also never thought of mistreating his main wife.

Tang Shuyi observed Xiao Yuchen's silence, unsure of what to say now. In ancient times, men having multiple wives and concubines was the norm. Even modestly wealthy families would be ridiculed if the men did not have concubines—ridiculed for being henpecked or for having a jealous main wife.

Xiao Yuchen had been immersed in this ideology for seventeen years; it was deeply ingrained. If she spoke to him now about being faithful and the concept of monogamy, Xiao Yuchen would surely think she had lost her mind.

Yet saying nothing, Tang Shuyi felt stifled. Thinking about her two future sons-in-law surrounded by a bevy of women in their inner courtyards, she felt uneasy. Not to mention the prospect of Xiao Yuzhu getting married and having to share her husband with others.

After a moment of thought, she said, "Just now, Madam Liang asked me if the two concubines in the house were still behaving. She wanted to make fun of me. I always thought your father was only with me. When I found out he had two concubines, I was heartbroken."

Tang Shuyi's eyes dropped, showing a look of grievance and sadness.

Ah, life is like a play, all dependent on the act!

"Mother..."

Xiao Yuchen didn't know how to comfort Tang Shuyi. As a son, he naturally hoped his father would be devoted to his mother and that his father's life would only include her. But as a man, he couldn't say his father was at fault.

In all honesty, it was quite normal for his father to take two concubines at the frontier. Back in the capital, his father had only his mother in the inner courtyard, which was enough to show his father's deep love for her.

"Put yourself in others' shoes," sighed Tang Shuyi again, "No woman wishes her husband to have eyes for another. Miss Wu is no exception."

Xiao Yuchen fell silent, at a loss for words. Had any other woman said this to him, he would have accused her of narrow-mindedness and jealousy, but this was his mother speaking. Moreover, deep down, he too wished his father had only ever had eyes for his mother.

Seeing that she couldn't persuade Xiao Yuchen, Tang Shuyi let the matter rest. She straightened her posture, shedding the sorrow from earlier, "Let's not speak of your father any longer; he's gone, and there's no use dwelling on it."

Xiao Yuchen pursed his lips, thinking that if his father were still alive, his mother, with her current attitude, would surely not have made peace with him.

Unaware of her stepson's inner criticism, Tang Shuyi continued, "I have confirmed that the news indeed came from Miss Wu to the Liang family. What do you plan to do? Will you continue with the engagement?"

"No," Xiao Yuchen immediately replied. Such a woman, he would never bring through his doors.

Tang Shuyi scoffed, "Don't think it's only you who wishes to break off the engagement; Miss Wu doesn't want it either. Her aim in denouncing you was to annul the betrothal. If it didn't work this time, she would find other ways. Be cautious in your conduct before the betrothal is dissolved, and do not let others seize any more leverage over you."

If not for the sake of the entire marquisate, Tang Shuyi would let him learn his lesson the hard way.

Xiao Yuchen nodded.

Tang Shuyi added, "You may break off the engagement, but you cannot let her sully your reputation, nor allow her to tarnish your name."

Xiao Yuchen felt a surge of emotion and earnestly replied, "Son understands."