Chapter 52: What is Love in This World?

Chapter 52: What is Love in This World?

Tang Shuyi slapped a card onto the table center, looking at Xiao Yuzhen, "So, you mean to say, now that my husband has passed, I should obey you in all matters?"

"Son... that's not what I meant," Xiao Yuzhen immediately stood up, adopting a very respectful demeanor. He indeed hadn't meant for Tang Shuyi to obey him in everything, but the 'Three Obediences and Four Virtues' was an ideology he'd been taught since childhood.

Now his mind was somewhat muddled.

Seeing him stand up, Xiao Yuming and Xiao Yuzhu also rose to their feet respectfully.

Tang Shuyi sat there, gazing down at the card in her hand—a blank tile, square and straight, much like the rigid expectations society had for women in ancient times. She quietly mulled over the words 'Three Obediences and Four Virtues', then looked up at Xiao Yuzhen, "Are the 'Three Obediences and Four Virtues' written into the law?"

Xiao Yuzhen replied softly, "No."

"Well then," Tang Shuyi gestured for them to sit, looking at Xiao Yuzhen and Xiao Yuming again, "Whether right or wrong, I won't judge, but I and my daughter will not rigidly adhere to the 'Three Obediences and Four Virtues'."

Xiao Yuzhen and Xiao Yuming remained silent, unsure of what to say. The 'Three Obediences and Four Virtues' was a concept they were deeply familiar with since childhood, but seeing their mother so lively and unrestrained, they found it refreshing.

"Let's continue the game," Tang Shuyi turned to Xiao Yuming, "It's your turn."

Xiao Yuming uttered an acknowledgment and casually played a card.

In a hushed tone, Cuiyun whispered to Xiao Yuzhu, "Miss, it's your turn to hit."

Xiao Yuzhu glanced at the Five of Bamboo thrown by Xiao Yuming, hesitated for a moment, and then said, "I won't hit. I'm still hoping to lose this pearl hairpin to Second Brother so he can wear it."

Tang Shuyi chuckled and then said to Xiao Yuming, "Why don't you wear it for her now, so she won't keep thinking about it?"

Xiao Yuming, ever playful and not one for strict adherence to rules, replied, "Come on, put it on. Maybe with the hairpin, I’ll look more dashing than Big Brother."

Tang Shuyi laughed heartily as Xiao Yuzhu excitedly got up with the pearl hairpin, walked over to Xiao Yuming, inserted it into his hair, stepped back to appraise him, and exclaimed, "Mother, doesn't he look lovely?"

Xiao Yuming touched it with his hand and shook his head, causing the strands of pearls on the hairpin to collide and emit a charming tinkling sound.

"Lovely indeed." Tang Shuyi almost cried with laughter and said, "Our Second Young Master really does look dashing with the hairpin, even more so than your Big Brother."

Xiao Yuchen felt teased but also found the sight of Xiao Yuming with the hairpin both amusing and endearing.

After the playful antics, they resumed their card game until eight in the evening. Xiao Yuchen and Xiao Yuming returned to their quarters to rest, while Tang Shuyi took Xiao Yuzhu's hand and led her into the eastern chamber. It was already tidy, and Xiao Yuzhu had moved in.

"Mother, do we really not have to adhere to the 'Three Obediences and Four Virtues'?" Xiao Yuzhu asked Tang Shuyi in a low voice.

"Indeed, we don't," Tang Shuyi whispered back. "Just abide by the law and basic moral principles; the rest is unimportant. Of course, it’s better to keep this between us. If others talk to you about the 'Three Obediences and Four Virtues,' just listen, there’s no need to argue."

"Why?" asked Xiao Yuzhu.

Tang Shuyi explained earnestly, "Because everyone believes the 'Three Obediences and Four Virtues' are correct. If we say they’re not, we're going against the majority. Can the two of us stand against everyone else?"

Xiao Yuzhu shook her head, and Tang Shuyi continued, "That's why it's enough for us to know in our hearts; there's no need to tell others."

"But everyone says the 'Three Obediences and Four Virtues' are right!" Xiao Yuzhu said, looking perplexed.

Tang Shuyi pulled her to sit on the bed, whispering, "Do you think you’d be happier adhering to the 'Three Obediences and Four Virtues' or not?"

Without hesitation, Xiao Yuzhu replied, "Of course, not adhering."

"So, let’s secretly be happy on our own," Tang Shuyi whispered back.

Xiao Yuzhu's eyes sparkled mischievously, like a little mouse that had stolen some oil. Tang Shuyi patted her head, "Go wash up and rest now."

Xiao Yuzhu nodded and then, tugging at Tang Shuyi's sleeve, said, "Mother, when you don't think about Father, you seem happier. Maybe... you should stop thinking about him."

Tang Shuyi was momentarily stunned, then she replied with a smile, "Alright, from now on, Mother won't think about him."

Xiao Yuzhu cracked a smile. Although she was somewhat naive about many matters, she remembered how her mother often mentioned her father in the past, always in a melancholy manner. Back then, their entire family seemed shrouded in a gloomy fog, and no one was cheerful.

Recently, her mother seldom brought up her father, and she had become more cheerful and radiant, revitalizing the spirits of the whole family.

"Go to sleep," Tang Shuyi said, patting Xiao Yuzhu's head again before she left the east wing room.

Standing in the courtyard, looking up at the bright moon in the night sky, Tang Shuyi couldn't help but sigh, "Oh, what is this thing called love!"

From her memories, she could feel the deep affection her predecessor had for Xiao Huai. When Xiao Huai was stationed at the frontier, she was filled with longing and worry. After his death, her longing turned into illness. Then, considering the deep love Wu Jingyun in the book held for Xiao Yuchen, she sighed again, "What's the point?"

Love was the most hurtful thing; it was better not to touch it. Her life was perfect as it was now, enjoying the luxuries of a noble lady, raising her children, and contemplating how to make money. Life couldn't be better.

After her musings, she returned to her room to wash up and rest. She had developed the habit of going to bed early and rising early. Shortly after lying down, she fell asleep.

In the front courtyard, Xiao Yuchen and Xiao Yuming stood in the cold wind in silence. After a while, Xiao Yuming, feeling impatient, said, "Big brother, what exactly do you want to say? Just spit it out. Aren't you cold?"

Xiao Yuchen looked up at the bright moon in the night sky with a melancholic expression, "Mother is doing well now, but her words today are somewhat worrisome."

Xiao Yuming rolled his eyes, "With Mother's current way of handling things, would she suffer a loss? Would she let anyone catch her in a fault?"

Xiao Yuchen shook his head, "No." She would only make others suffer.

"Then there's nothing to worry about. As long as Mother doesn't suffer or get caught in a fault, what does it matter if she doesn't follow the 'Three Obediences and Four Virtues'?" Xiao Yuming walked towards his own courtyard, adding, "Big brother, you're just worrying over nothing. You'd be better off reading more books and trying to pass the imperial examination."

Xiao Yuchen: "…You should also practice martial arts properly."

Xiao Yuming: "If you can pass the imperial examination, I won't have to worry."

Having someone ahead of him would mean less pressure for him to play around. His only fear was that Xiao Yuchen wouldn't be able to hold up the marquis's estate, and then Tang Shuyi would set her hopes on him.

Xiao Yuchen watched his younger brother's retreating figure, then smiled self-deprecatingly and returned to his own Qingfeng Garden. Indeed, he was overthinking. His mother's current way of doing things was as good as any man's, and even if she acted a bit unrestrainedly, no one could catch her in a fault.

It seemed that his younger brother understood things better than he did; he was just too mischievous. If only he could use his cleverness for good purposes.