Chapter 70: Perpetually Baffled

Chapter 70: Perpetually Baffled

While Wu Guoliang was restlessly waiting in the Marquis's hall to see Tang Shuyi, she had left for the Duke Tang's residence. She planned to hand over the evidence of Mrs. Wu's usurious lending to Duke Tang, urging him to bring charges against Wu Guoliang.

While a noble's family engaging in usury wasn't a grave crime, it was punishable. This would serve as a lesson for Wu Guoliang, making him taste the consequences of poor household management. As for Wu Jingyun, this time, I had no intention of letting her off easily.

Whether it was exposing Xiao Yuchen previously or attempting to drug him at Chongguang Temple, she had not pursued Wu Jingyun too strictly. Partly because Wu Jingyun's past life had indeed been wronged by Xiao Yuchen. Her desire for revenge and to vent was understandable. But repeated offenses were unacceptable.

Even if I feared the potential harm she could inflict on the Yongning Marquis household, I was no longer willing to endure. Otherwise, Wu Jingyun might think I feared her.

Upon arriving at Duke Tang's residence and meeting with Duke Tang, I recounted the incident that had occurred at Shanglin Academy. Duke Tang's wrinkled eyes narrowed as he listened, and he said ominously, "If that's the case, then that girl from the Wu family is a calamity..."

There was a dangerous tone in his voice that made my heart skip a beat. I must admit, compared to the indigenous people of this era, I might indeed be too lenient, having never considered taking a life. But Duke Tang was clearly contemplating eliminating Wu Jingyun.

"Father, I will handle the matter of the second Miss Wu," I said.

Duke Tang sighed, sensing his daughter's soft heart. He said, "Some people, if not removed, may become a great menace later on, including that girl from the Liu family."

If Duke Tang had been handling the past matters, he would have decisively eliminated Liu Biqin without hesitation. Only in death can one find absolute cleanliness.

"Daughter understands." Tang Shuyi was aware that Liu Biqin needed to be dealt with promptly, lest her prolonged stay at the western mountain villa cause further issues.

"I've seen great improvement in Yuchen these days," speaking of Wu Jingyun and Liu Biqin naturally brought Xia Yuchen to Duke Tang's mind. For one's own children, no matter how problematic, the choice to educate and redeem remains. He added, "Let him take on more responsibilities in the marquis’s estate. As for his imperial examination, it’s fine even if he fails. Competence in handling affairs will ensure his prospects regardless."

For children of noble families like theirs, excelling in the imperial examination is ideal, but failing is not the end; they can still pursue official careers through recommendations.

Nevertheless, Tang Shuyi wished for Xia Yuchen to take the imperial examination and ideally achieve distinction, considering the significant crisis looming ahead.

"Yuchen is quite astute in his studies, let him give it a try," Tang Shuyi suggested.

Seeing her insistence, Duke Tang grunted in agreement. Recalling how she cleverly secured the opportunity for Xia Yuchen to be tutored by Master Fang Shan, Duke Tang's face broke into a smile. He added, "In a few days, I'll accompany Yuchen for another visit to Master Fang Shan."

After discussing Xia Yuchen, Duke Tang brought up Xia Yuming, "If he doesn't want to study in the academy, so be it; he's not cut out for it. Since he’s practicing martial arts at home, let him continue. When the opportunity arises, send him to the Imperial Guards or the suburban camps for a few years to temper his character."

Tang Shuyi pondered for a moment, then mentioned the idea of sending Xia Yuming to General Xiang. Duke Tang frowned slightly, saying, "Although Zi'an owed him a debt of gratitude in life, that man is obstinate. If Yuming fails to impress him, even the greatest debt of gratitude won't matter."

Tang Shuyi hadn't expected General Xiang to be of such temperament; she had previously thought of leveraging past favors for future benefits.

"Then let him continue training at home for now, we'll decide later," she said.

After more conversation between father and daughter, Tang Shuyi left the evidence of Lady Wu's pawnshop dealings with her father and headed to the inner courtyard of the ducal mansion to seek out Lady Tang. She hoped to gather some information about the family of Prince Xiaoyao.

Upon reaching Lady Tang's courtyard and approaching the hall, she heard laughter from inside. Lifting the curtain, she saw the second wife of the Tang family was also present, both engaged in jovial conversation. Tang Shuyi smiled and asked, "What brings such joy?"

Lady Tang gestured for her to sit and said with a chuckle, looking at the second wife, "I was just saying, your second brother has a keen eye for jewelry. Look at the gold hairpin on your second sister-in-law’s head and the bracelets on her wrists, aren’t they beautiful?"

The second wife blushed at the tease, "Elder sister, stop making fun of me."

Tang Shuyi found the couple, Tang Shujie and his wife, quite amusing. Well into their forties and soon-to-be grandparents, they still bickered and fussed like young lovers, making up sweetly after each spat.

Though she thought as much, Tang Shuyi still smiled and said, "I was wondering why the second sister-in-law looked particularly radiant today. It turns out my second brother has gifted her new jewelry."

Lady Tang burst into laughter at her words, and the second wife's cheeks reddened further, "Alright, alright, stop teasing me. How have you been since you came in?"

She inquired of Tang Shuyi.

"All is well," Tang Shuyi replied.

The three sisters-in-law began chatting about household matters, and guided by Tang Shuyi, the conversation gradually turned to the Carefree King. Tang Er Furen sighed, "Back then, my cousin was infatuated with the Carefree King. She even begged our grandfather to plead with the Emperor to grant her marriage to him. But she was rejected by the Carefree King and had to marry someone else. When she heard of the Carefree King's death, she came back to her maternal home and wept bitterly."

"In her husband's house, she dared not cry. After all, what would people think of a married woman mourning another man's death?"

"I went to Chongguang Temple to offer incense not long ago and ran into the Imperial Consort," Tang Da Furen sighed. "The Imperial Consort has grown much thinner; it seems she misses her son..."

Thinking of how Xiao Huai's death coincided with that of the Carefree King, Tang Da Furen wanted to change the subject to prevent Tang Shuyi from dwelling on Xiao Huai's memory. However, Tang Shuyi then asked, "Does the Imperial Consort now live alone in the Carefree King's mansion?"

In the Great Qian Dynasty, there was a rule: when the Emperor passed away, his consorts who had children could move out of the palace to live with their offspring. Following the previous Emperor's death, the Imperial Consort moved to the Carefree King's residence.

Tang Da Furen glanced at Tang Shuyi and saw that she was calm, without a trace of sorrow. Reassured, she said, "The Imperial Consort is not from the capital, and none of her relatives hold official positions here. However, I heard that one of her widowed sisters, along with her daughter, has moved in with her at the Carefree King's mansion."

Tang Shuyi nodded in understanding. It seemed that if she wanted to purchase the Carefree King's residence, she would have to approach the Imperial Consort. However, she didn't hold much hope; after all, it was a relic of the Carefree King. But if the opportunity arose, she might still test the waters.

Having learned what she wanted, Tang Shuyi chatted with Tang Da Furen and Tang Er Furen for a while longer before excusing herself to return to the Marquis's residence. Upon seeing her, Steward Zhao reported that Wu Guoliang was still waiting for her in the front courtyard. Looking at the sky that was about to darken, Tang Shuyi said, "Tell him he doesn't need to wait."

"Yes."

Steward Zhao, having received his instructions, headed towards the study, thinking to himself that although this Minister Wu seemed clever, why did he always act foolishly? Without clarifying the facts, what use was it to meet the Marchioness?