Chapter 38: More Spirited and Handsome Than Men

Chapter 38: More Spirited and Handsome Than Men

Having settled the matter, Xiao Yuming grinned at Tang Shuyi again, "Mother, I'm hungry."

Tang Shuyi was at a loss for words; the most frequent phrase from this second son of hers was, "Mother, I'm hungry."

"Alright, it's almost noon. Time for lunch," she said.

As she spoke, she rose and walked out, with Xiao Yuming quickly following behind. On the way, they encountered Xiao Yuzhu, who had just returned from school.

"Second Brother, you're out of jail?" Xiao Yuzhu exclaimed in surprise upon seeing Xiao Yuming. She had thought he would be confined for several more days.

"What do you mean 'released from prison'? I haven't been incarcerated," Xiao Yuming said, as he went to flick Xiao Yuzhu's forehead. Xiao Yuzhu quickly covered her head and ducked behind Tang Shuyi for shelter.

Tang Shuyi couldn't help but laugh at the siblings' playful antics. She lowered her head to Xiao Yuzhu and said, "Your second brother is right. He wasn't in prison, just confined to his room for a few days of reflection."

The image of Xiao Yuming locked in his study popped into Xiao Yuzhu's mind, prompting a giggle, which Tang Shuyi joined in. Xiao Yuming cast a sidelong glance at Xiao Yuzhu, pretending not to know she was laughing at him, and strode towards Tang Shuyi's Shi'an Garden.

Upon arrival, they saw Xiao Yuchen sitting in the hall drinking tea. Xiao Yuming walked over, grabbed a piece of pastry, stuffed it into his mouth, and mumbled, "Big brother, you're even more punctual than meal times."

Xiao Yuchen pretended not to hear his jest, took a sip of tea, and asked, "Have you made up your mind?"

"Hmm, I plan to practice martial arts," Xiao Yuming said casually. "Under Steward Niu's tutelage?"

Xiao Yuchen was momentarily confused about who Steward Niu was, and asked, "Which Steward Niu?"

Xiao Yuming: "The Captain of the Guards."

Xiao Yuchen understood then, "He's quite skilled."

At that moment, Tang Shuyi and Xiao Yuzhu returned, and the family gathered for lunch. Over the meal, Tang Shuyi shared her idea of starting a guild and added, "I plan to explore the estate this afternoon, would any of you care to join me?"

All three siblings were intrigued by the concept of the guild and naturally wished to accompany her. Xiao Yuchen usually stayed home to read, and Xiao Yuming had been previously punished, but Tang Shuyi had already arranged for his leave from the academy. Both had time to spare, whereas Xiao Yuzhu had to attend school that afternoon.

At that moment, she gazed up at Tang Shuyi with big, pitiful eyes, looking as woeful as can be. Tang Shuyi couldn't help but laugh, "I'll have someone request leave for you shortly."

Overjoyed, Xiao Yuzhu started serving dishes to Tang Shuyi, saying, "Mother is the best."

Xiao Yuming glanced at her and remarked, "Flatterer."

Xiao Yuzhu glared at him, "Mind your own business."

Tang Shuyi didn't intervene in their squabble and continued eating. After the meal, she took the three mischievous children out for a stroll.

As the capital city of two dynasties, Shangjing was naturally bustling. Today, Tang Shuyi's primary objective was to survey the market, so they headed towards the streets where prominent restaurants and teahouses were located.

"Tianxiang Lou serves the best fish, and the pastries from Yunxi Lou are quite delightful..." Inside the carriage, Xiao Yuming listed the famous restaurants of Shangjing like a connoisseur, something he was naturally very familiar with as a well-known dandy of the capital.

Tang Shuyi listened intently, interjecting with questions now and then. Once Xiao Yuming had shared quite a bit, she asked, "Which place has the best ambiance?"

"In terms of ambiance, restaurants can't compare to teahouses," Xiao Yuming listed several teahouses known for their serene environments, and Tang Shuyi took note of each one.

Once they had left the confines of the carriage, it was unthinkable to spend the whole journey within its narrow confines. Upon reaching the bustling De'an Street in the capital, Tang Shuyi instructed the coachman to halt in front of Yu Lan Xuan, the teahouse reputed by Xiao Yuming to have the finest ambiance, and the family proceeded to enter.

The teahouse's attendant hurried over to greet them as soon as he spotted them, exclaiming, "Ah, young master Xiao and second master Xiao, what a pleasure to have both of you today. Please, come inside."

As the attendant bowed respectfully to Tang Shuyi, though unaware of her identity, the reverence with which the two scions of the Yongning Marquis's house protected her, and her resemblance to the young master, it took him only a moment to guess who she must be.

They followed the attendant upstairs into a refined private room of about twenty square meters, adorned with rosewood furniture, landscape paintings, and floral arrangements that filled the room with a scholarly air, especially the large curved tea table in the center, which added a touch of elegance.

After they were seated, the attendant gestured and several comely maids came in gracefully with the tea set, expertly served the tea, and then stood by.

Tang Shuyi picked up the celadon tea cup with bamboo patterns near her and gently sniffed it, the subtle scent of bamboo clearing the mind and brightening the spirit. Sipping lightly, she enjoyed the mild bitterness infused with a hint of bamboo, and couldn't resist downing the rest of the tea in one go.

Seeing this, one of the maids by her side quietly refilled her cup, explaining, "Madam, this tea is called Misty Bamboo, made from the most tender bamboo shoots harvested in March from the top of Shaking Light Mountain. It's known for its mind-clearing and spleen-nourishing properties."

The maid's voice was soft and melodious, and as Tang Shuyi drained another cup, her bold and carefree manner left the maid blushing, thinking how this lady's demeanor was even more forthright and dashing than that of men.

At that moment, Tang Shuyi turned to look at her and said, "Well spoken, here's a reward!"

Cuiyun pulled out a piece of silver from her purse and placed it in the maid's hand, whose face grew even redder as she thanked Tang Shuyi and bowed.

Tang Shuyi then inquired what Xiao Yuchen and Xiao Yuming usually did when they came to teahouses. Without any reason to hide anything, the brothers shared truthfully; Xiao Yuchen frequented gatherings of scholars and poets, while Xiao Yuming simply sought enjoyment.

Tang Shuyi listened without comment, her attention turning to the room's detailed decor. Suddenly, the door was pushed open, and a young girl of about fifteen or sixteen with a lovely appearance stepped in.

The girl was surprised upon seeing the occupants, then stepped forward gracefully to greet Tang Shuyi, "Madam, please forgive my intrusion. I've accidentally entered the wrong room and disturbed you."

Tang Shuyi gave her a glance, not recognizing her and assuming she had simply wandered into the wrong room by mistake, and dismissed it with, "It's alright, whose family do you belong to?"

"My father is Zhao Yuanzheng, a middle-ranking official in the Ministry of Revenue," replied the girl.

"Hmm," Tang Shuyi acknowledged, "You may go attend to your matters."

After the girl bowed again and left the room, Xiao Yuming remarked, "Is she the daughter of Zhao Langzhong who has come to the capital to report on his duties?"

Sensing a note of gossip in his words, Tang Shuyi gestured for the maids in the room to leave before asking, "Is this Zhao Langzhong well-known?"

"He's been quite notable recently," replied Xiao Yuming, whose friends, mostly idle young nobles, were well-versed in the capital's gossip. He continued:

"It is said that this Zhao Langzhong is particularly adept at currying favor; now, with the rumor that Minister Qi of the Ministry of Revenue is seeking a new wife, Zhao seems to be eagerly plotting to offer his own daughter as the minister's stepwife."

Tang Shuyi pondered for a moment. It had been about three years since the death of Qi Liang's previous wife, the Minister of Revenue. It was quite normal for him to remarry. However, if the girl he had just seen was the object of his remarriage, she might be too young. That girl could very well be Qi Liang's daughter in terms of age.

But then again, such phenomena were nothing out of the ordinary in ancient times, after all, women in ancient times married as teenagers. As a high official of the second rank in the imperial court, Qi Liang's choice for remarriage would naturally not be a woman who had been married before.

While she was mulling over this, she heard Xiao Yuming add, "It is said that Princess Changping has also taken a fancy to Minister Qi and wants him to be her consort."

This time, Tang Shuyi was somewhat astonished. To her knowledge, Princess Changping was over thirty this year, and since the death of her previous consort, her mansion had been filled with all sorts of young men. Why would she suddenly want Qi Liang to be her consort?

Moreover, would Qi Liang agree? He was a high-ranking official in charge of the state's finances; would he consent to be the consort of a princess who had an unknown number of male attendants?

However, it was someone else's business, and Tang Shuyi was content to just be an observer. After sitting in the teahouse for a while longer, she took her three children and went home.