Chapter 59: Foresight in Times of Peace

Chapter 59: Foresight in Times of Peace

Tang Shuyi looked at the three siblings, their anger mingling with frustration, and felt a sense of satisfaction. Standing united as a family in the face of adversity was truly precious.

"That person... I don't know much about him yet, only that he's from Princess Changping's entourage. However, Cuiyun knows what he looks like, so it shouldn't be hard to find him," Tang Shuyi continued, "I was also outraged when I heard about it, but just being angry is useless. What do you think we should do?"

The three siblings fell silent, and the room was filled with a heavy stillness.

At that moment, Cuiyun's voice came from outside, saying that Steward Zhao had something to report. Tang Shuyi allowed him to enter. Steward Zhao lifted the curtain and entered, sensing the tense atmosphere and became even more cautious.

After offering his respects, he said, "There's news from the palace. This afternoon, Princess Changping was reprimanded by His Majesty in the Imperial Library and then confined to her estate."

"Why?" Xiao Yuzhu asked.

"I don't know," Steward Zhao replied. "We can't get information from inside the Imperial Library."

The nobles in the capital usually had several informants in the palace—not for rebellious schemes, but because movements within the palace often entwined with their destinies. Knowing earlier could help them take precautions.

Naturally, the Marquis of Yongning's residence also had informants in the palace, but places like the Imperial Library were off-limits and too risky for them.

"I have a guess," Tang Shuyi shared her encounter with Qi Liangsheng and Princess Changping at the teahouse and then speculated, "It's very likely that Princess Changping asked His Majesty to grant her marriage to Qi Liangsheng, but was scolded and then confined."

This was the most probable scenario. Despite being suspicious and impulsive, the current Emperor was not foolish. Although imperial sons-in-law could hold positions in court, Qi Liangsheng, as the Minister of the Household Department and a high-ranking official, was likely to enter the Cabinet in the future. Even if he favored Princess Changping, he wouldn't let Qi Liangsheng marry a princess who had entertained numerous suitors.

Doing so would not only chill Qi Liangsheng's heart but also that of the court officials.

After Steward Zhao left, Tang Shuyi looked around at the three siblings and asked, "Today at the teahouse, Qi Liangsheng showed no fear of Princess Changping's threats. Why?"

The room fell silent for a while before Xiao Yuming's voice rang out, "Because he knows that His Majesty will not agree to him becoming Princess Changping's son-in-law."

Tang Shuyi nodded, then asked again, "Why?"

This time Xiao Yuchen spoke, "Because he is the Minister of the Household Department with a foundation in the court. Agitating him might lead to unrest."

Tang Shuyi hummed in agreement and said, "Most importantly, he is of use to His Majesty, more so than Princess Changping. In this world, one must have value. Without it, or if it's insufficient, one might face a fate of being sacrificed."

She looked at Xiao Yuchen and continued, "If... Princess Changping asked His Majesty for you to be her son-in-law, do you think he would agree?"

Xiao Yuchen's fists clenched tightly in silence, and Tang Shuyi added, "I think His Majesty might agree because you are not as important to him as Princess Changping is. Of course, your grandfather and I would fight to the death before letting you become her son-in-law. But how many times can we fight to the death?"

She then turned to Xiao Yuming and Xiao Yuzhu, "The same goes for you. You might face similar crises in the future. Right now, your father's influence lingers, and His Majesty has reservations, allowing us to live with dignity. But in a few years, when the Northwestern Army no longer remembers the name Xiao Huai, if you remain as you are now, even newly-rich relatives like Liang Jian'an will trample over us and flaunt their power."

Tang Shuyi's gaze drifted to the window where lanterns had been hung in the corridor outside, their dim yellow light piercing through the windowpanes, weak and seemingly tinged with cold.

The room was so silent it was as if time had frozen. Xiao Yuzhen, Xiao Yuming, and Xiao Yuzhu all bowed their heads and clenched their fists in silence. Their father had passed away; they were heartbroken and grief-stricken, yet life had not changed, nor had they ever pondered so profoundly before.

It was quite some time before Tang Shuyi spoke again: “In this world, no one is truly free and without concerns, not even the Emperor. But the greater your abilities, the more people fear you, and the more freedom you'll have. A beggar on the street can only beg within his territory; if he crosses the line, he'll be chased away or even beaten. Even when begging, he must be cautious and careful, lest offending someone might cost him his life.

But for court officials of the first and second rank like Qi Liangsheng, even princes and princesses are not feared, and they even strive to curry favor with them. This is the difference that capability makes.”

Having said her piece, Tang Shuyi started to sip her tea, leaving them to ponder her words.

After a while, Xiao Yuzhen was the first to break the silence: "Mother, I understand now."

Tang Shuyi hummed in acknowledgment, not inquiring further about his realization.

"Mother, I understand as well," Xiao Yuming added, his expression lacking its usual carefree demeanor.

"I understand too," Xiao Yuzhu echoed.

Tang Shuyi looked at the three of them and said, "To be forewarned is to be forearmed. It's good that you understand. Now, let’s discuss the person from Princess Changping’s side. What are your plans?"

"Let's investigate his background first," Xiao Yuzhen suggested. "We need to determine whether he has a personal grudge against me or if he’s being manipulated by someone else."

Having calmed down from his earlier fury, Xiao Yuzhen had managed to think the situation through clearly.

"Alright, let's do that. If you need people, ask Steward Zhao for help." Seeing that it was getting late, Tang Shuyi added, "It's late; you should all get some rest."

Xiao Yuzhen and Xiao Yuming stood up and paid their respects to Tang Shuyi before leaving together. Xiao Yuzhu, however, stayed behind for a while longer.

Xiao Yuzhen and Xiao Yuming walked together toward the front courtyard, their steps in silence, but they both knew that their hearts were anything but calm. Accompanied by the rustling of their footsteps, they reached Xiao Yuming’s residence, the Wingran Residence, and both stopped, still in silence.

After a moment, Xiao Yuzhen said, "Mother seems to have truly recovered from the grief of Father’s death. She seems more spirited than before; it must be the strength of a mother."

Xiao Yuming remained silent, and Xiao Yuzhen continued: "But we haven't yet stepped out from under Father’s protection. Mother is right; when Father’s lingering influence fades, if we remain as ineffectual as we are now… how shall we fend for ourselves?"

"I understand," Xiao Yuming said earnestly.

Seeing that his words had been taken to heart, Xiao Yuzhen patted his shoulder and turned toward his residence. Xiao Yuming looked up at the dark night, took a deep breath, and returned to his own quarters. Instead of retiring, he entered his study and retrieved a long saber, beginning to practice in the courtyard.

This was a saber technique taught by his father. Whenever his father was in the capital, he would practice for a few days, but he had neglected it once his father left. Now, as he wielded the saber again, his movements were rusty and awkward.

My father once told me that when I turned thirteen, he would take me to the northwest to experience the battlefield. If I worked hard, I could become a great general. But before I reached that age, he passed away.

Gripped by memories of the past, he swung his long blade with renewed ferocity…