Chapter 28: Missing for Three Days

Chapter 28: Missing for Three Days

Inside the Study

Tang Shuyi looked at Xiaoyu Ming slouched in his chair, unsure how to start the conversation.

She didn't actually want such a formal talk; she preferred communicating and interacting in a relaxed environment. But with Xiaoyu Ming's busy life, she could hardly catch him outside of mealtimes, leaving her no choice but to summon him to the study for a talk.

After some thought, she decided to start with a relatively light topic, "Did you go to the horse field for riding today?"

"Yes, went to the field… rode horses." Xiaoyu Ming, initially slouching, now sat up straight. He was somewhat nervous, as they had discussed a significant matter at the horse field today.

Tang Shuyi noticed Xiaoyu Ming's movement, her eyes flickering subtly. If it were in her previous life, any minor gesture made by her negotiating counterpart would be analyzed for signs of concealment regarding the project, or any foul play in the contract, and so on.

But Xiaoyu Ming wasn't a negotiating counterpart, and since she hadn't been in this world for long and knew little about him, she couldn't fathom the meaning behind his gesture. It might be as simple as changing his posture.

Gathering her thoughts, she asked again, "Is the horse ranch owned by the Marquis of Nanling's residence?"

"Yes," Xiao Yuming allowed himself a small smile, "that horse ranch was part of the dowry of Yan Wumu’s mother, who is also the wife of the Marquis of Nanling."

"Oh," Tang Shuyi appeared to understand, "Besides riding, what else do you like?"

"I... I don't have many preferences, I just enjoy whatever is fun." Xiao Yuming spoke while glancing out of the window, into the darkness outside, unable to discern the time of day.

Thinking he was getting restless, Tang Shuyi didn't veer off-topic and went straight to the point, "Yuming, how about I find you a martial arts master to learn from?"

"Ah?" Xiao Yuming felt a bit anxious internally, fearing a waste of time, and didn’t quite grasp Tang Shuyi’s implication at the moment.

Tang Shuyi mistook his reaction for a reluctance to practice martial arts, her brows furrowing slightly. He’s not great at studying; if he doesn’t want to practice martial arts either, could it be he intends to go into business? Though merchants are regarded lowly here, it wouldn't be too bad. After all, with the backing of the Marquis of Yongning, not many would dare look down on him.

"Then what do you want to do in the future? Go into business?" Tang Shuyi asked.

"Mother, may I take some time to think it over?" Now, Xiao Yuming finally understood. His mother hadn’t summoned him to punish him, but to discuss his future.

"Alright," Tang Shuyi knew these matters couldn’t be rushed, but still felt certain things needed to be said, "People always say parents wish for their children to be successful, but I don’t have such expectations. I only wish for you three siblings to be healthy, safe, and happy. Yet, one must have goals in life..."

"Mother," Xiao Yuming interrupted Tang Shuyi, "I will give it serious thought."

Tang Shuyi: "………"

Was she being too nagging?

"Fine, go back and think it over carefully, and let your mother know once you’ve decided," Tang Shuyi said.

Xiao Yuming hummed in acknowledgment and stood up to leave. Tang Shuyi was left pondering whether she had indeed been too nagging. She hadn’t been one for many words before, but ever since becoming a mother, she found herself wanting to offer more advice.

The two left the study one after another, with Xiao Yuchen and Xiao Yuzhu still seated in the hall. Seeing both come out with calm expressions, Xiao Yuchen felt somewhat relieved.

Xiao Yuming was in a hurry to leave, telling Tang Shuyi he was going to rest before striding off. Xiao Yuchen quickly followed, trying to counsel him as they walked, "Yuming, since father passed, mother has been managing the Marquis’s residence alone, which is very hard. We should be understanding and not upset her..."

"Elder brother," Xiao Yuming halted to interrupt him, "Mother has already spoken to me just now. I am very tired and need to go to sleep."

With that, he dashed off, leaving Xiao Yuchen standing there in silence. He wanted to fulfill his duties as the eldest brother and guide his younger siblings, but it seemed that neither his brother nor sister were keen on being advised!

"Eldest Young Master, shall we return?" Changfeng asked, seeing him stationary.

"Let's go," said Xiao Yuchen with a tinge of sorrow as he made his way to his own courtyard.

Before long, the peacefulness of Yongning Marquis Estate was restored, and someone scaled the wall and left the estate.

……

In the following days, Tang Shuyi did not press Xiao Yuming further about his future plans. She gave him time to think, but she knew it wouldn't do for him to keep pondering indefinitely.

During these days, aside from helping Xiao Yuzhu tidy up her room, Tang Shuyi also roughly examined the estate’s accounts. As the person in charge, she needed to understand the financial sources and main expenditures of the estate.

The income of Yongning Marquis Estate was straightforward, coming from land and shops. However, Tang Shuyi was astounded to discover the estate owned nearly 100,000 acres of land. This included rewards from the emperor to two generations of the Yongning Marquis and land acquired over decades.

Indeed, poverty limits one's imagination!

Furthermore, Yongning Marquis Estate had nearly a hundred shops, most of which were leased out, with a few being operated by the estate itself. After reviewing the accounts, Tang Shuyi felt relieved to find that the estate wasn't just for show but was actually quite wealthy.

However, she couldn't just sit back and watch the estate's resources dwindle; suitable investment opportunities had to be seized, though there was no rush.

At this moment, Xiao Yuzhu was sitting beside Tang Shuyi, who was explaining to her how to read the accounts and understand the estate's revenue and expenditures. Tang Shuyi didn't expect Xiao Yuzhu to grasp everything immediately; it was more about exposure, and with time she would slowly understand.

"Does our estate really spend so much in a month?" Xiao Yuzhu exclaimed in surprise as she looked at the figures in the ledger, having not expected the estate to have such substantial monthly expenses.

Tang Shuyi hummed in affirmation, "It adds up. With so many people in the estate, daily necessities cost money. But, our monthly revenue far exceeds our expenses, so these expenditures aren't concerning."

As they were speaking, Cuiyun lifted the curtain and came in to report, "Madam, the Lady of Nanling Marquis has come for a visit."

Tang Shuyi put down the ledger, her brows slightly furrowed as she inquired, "Why the sudden visit?"

Typically, visits among the nobility were preceded by sending a card. An unannounced visit like this could be considered impolite.

Cuiyun replied, "I'm not sure, but the Lady of Nanling Marquis doesn't seem to be in good spirits."

Recalling Xiao Yuming's mention of his good relations with Yan Wu from the Nanling Marquis family, Tang Shuyi instructed, "Please show her in."

Cuiyun acknowledged and departed, and after a short while, the curtain was lifted and in came a noblewoman in her forties, her face kind and her figure slightly plump. Tang Shuyi hurriedly rose to greet her, and the Lady of Nanling Marquis, taking her hand with a somewhat embarrassed expression, said, "I apologize for the sudden intrusion."

Tang Shuyi replied with a smile, "It's not a problem at all. My son Yuming often speaks of your fifth son; had it not been for my current circumstances, I would've visited your estate long ago."

Seeing Tang Shuyi's straightforward manner, the Lady of Nanling Marquis managed a smile, "My visit today is related to that mischievous son of mine."

Tang Shuyi motioned for the Lady of Nanling to sit, then asked with concern, "What happened?"

"That scourge of mine has been missing for three days."