Chapter 96: Would You Have Me Be Your Blade?

Chapter 96: Would You Have Me Be Your Blade?

When Tang Shuyi saw her eldest son being carried back, her expression remained calm; she had anticipated this outcome. She had long witnessed the depth of her eldest son's affection for Liu Biqin.

"Place him on the couch," she instructed Xiao Yuming, who was carrying Xiao Yuchen.

Xiao Yuming approached the brocade couch, and Cui Zhu and Cui Yun hurriedly stepped forward to assist. Both were startled upon seeing the blood at the corner of Xiao Yuchen's mouth. Tang Shuyi noticed as well and could guess what had happened without asking.

Her expression still showed no fluctuation as she sat down in a chair to the side and instructed Cui Yun, "Send for Steward Zhao."

With significant events unfolding tonight, Steward Zhao had been waiting outside. Cui Yun stepped out, and he soon arrived. Tang Shuyi told him, "Inform the Grand Tutor's mansion about the daughter of the convicted Liu Yushan, Liu Biqin, and her affair in Liang Jianan's residence. Go personally, there's no need to hide your identity."

The whole matter, if traced back, would reveal their plot against Liang Jianan, so there was no need for secrecy.

"Understood."

Butler Zhao wasted no time after leaving the marquis' residence, heading straight for the Grand Tutor's mansion. It was around the second watch of the night (approximately 8 PM), and he assumed the Grand Tutor would not have retired yet. As he rode in the carriage, he pondered over how to present his report upon reaching the Grand Tutor's mansion.

Since the carriage bore the insignia of the Marquis of Yongning, the guards at the Grand Tutor's mansion did not shoo it away but instead saluted respectfully before inquiring about Butler Zhao's business.

With a grave expression, Butler Zhao stated, "I am Zhao Jie, the steward of Marquis of Yongning's household, bearing urgent news for the Grand Tutor and request an audience."

As he spoke, he produced a visiting card from the Marquis of Yongning. The guard scrutinized the card and took a good look at Butler Zhao before responding, "Please wait a moment. I will announce your arrival."

A visit from the steward of the Marquis of Yongning at such a late hour was certainly no small matter, so the guard hastened into the mansion to find the Grand Tutor's steward. Upon hearing the situation, the Grand Tutor's steward took it very seriously and promptly invited Butler Zhao into the mansion, offering him tea while he went to inform the Grand Tutor.

At that moment, the Grand Tutor was in his study, discussing matters with his advisors. Hearing that his steward had an urgent message, he received him in the adjoining parlor. After the steward relayed the message, the Grand Tutor, with his aged eyelids drooping, stroked his beard and fell silent for a moment before saying, "Bring the man in."

Even during the lifetimes of Xiao Chengkun and Xiao Huai, there was little interaction between the Marquis of Yongning's residence and the Grand Tutor's mansion. The Grand Tutor couldn't fathom why the Marquis of Yongning's steward would visit in the middle of the night, but he sensed it must be a matter of great importance.

Soon, Butler Zhao arrived, led by the Grand Tutor's steward. Upon seeing the Grand Tutor, he quickly paid his respects and said, "I am Zhao Jie, steward of the Marquis of Yongning's household. I apologize for the intrusion at such a late hour."

The Grand Tutor hummed indifferently before asking, "What is the matter?"

Butler Zhao reported, "The criminal Liu Yushan's daughter, Liu Biqin, is currently in the outer residence of Prince Liang Jian'an's uncle. The residence is located on Dongcheng Yangmen Street."

Upon his words, the room fell so silent one could hear a pin drop. The Grand Tutor's gaze was faintly fixed on him, and even though it was a subdued look, Butler Zhao still felt an immense pressure. Nevertheless, he remained respectfully bowed, not showing a trace of panic.

After a lengthy pause, the Grand Tutor finally said, "Wasn't it rumored that the Liu girl was hidden away by your marquis' eldest son?"

Butler Zhao replied, "That was a false accusation, and the accuser has since apologized to our young master and the lady."

The Grand Tutor chuckled twice before saying, "Ah, so you're employing their own tactics against them, but you expect me to be the blade for your cause."

To this, Butler Zhao remained silent.

After another long silence, the Grand Tutor added, "Is this the strategy of Duke Tang, or the Marquis of Yongning's lady?"

Butler Zhao answered, "I do not know."

"Very well, I understand. Tell your lady that I will be the blade for you this time," the Grand Tutor declared.

To this, Butler Zhao remained silent once more. With the character of their lady, who would not admit to taking advantage, she likely saw it as presenting a grand gift to the Grand Tutor.

The Grand Tutor was the maternal grandfather of the Crown Prince but spent every day scheming how to bring down the Second Prince.

"Then, I take my leave," said Butler Zhao, bowing respectfully once again. Upon seeing the Grand Tutor's dismissive wave, he withdrew.

As he left, a smile crept over the Grand Tutor's face, followed by a burst of hearty laughter. The Second Prince indeed has an excellent family by marriage!

Upon returning to the Marquis of Yongning's mansion, Steward Zhao recounted in detail his visit to the Grand Tutor's residence to Tang Shuyi. Hearing that the Grand Tutor had made them a favor, Tang Shuyi snorted, "The old fox is indeed trying to make us indebted to him. Why didn't he mention the grand gift I sent him?"

Steward Zhao: Just as expected.

Regardless, the Marquis of Yongning's household no longer had any part to play in what was to come; they were merely spectators now. The focus now was on their eldest son, who had suffered a heartbreak.

After sending Steward Zhao off to rest, Tang Shuyi returned to the small flower hall where she often spent her time. At this moment, Xiao Yuchen had awakened and was sitting on the brocade couch, his head lowered in silence, resembling a carved stone statue.

Sitting down beside the brocade couch, Tang Shuyi also remained silent, giving Xiao Yuchen time to think. Xiao Yuming and Xiao Yuzhu sat in chairs nearby, neither daring to speak. The room was so quiet it seemed as if only air existed.

After what felt like an eternity, Xiao Yuchen stirred. He slowly lifted his head and looked at Tang Shuyi, "Mother, why? I had already resolved to let her go. Why did you have to... she could die."

Tang Shuyi watched the tears stream down from his lifeless eyes, feeling a tightness in her heart. However, her voice was eerily calm as she spoke, "This was a test. Had she passed, I would have let her go and ensured a future for her free from want. Sadly, she did not pass."

"Why?" Xiao Yuchen asked again.

"You ask why I tested her?" Tang Shuyi questioned, and upon seeing Xiao Yuchen nod, she continued, "Have you forgotten what you have done? The most significant threat is the evidence you hold, harboring the daughter of a criminal. Your deep affection for her—if she reciprocated and protected you in all things, never harming you in the slightest, I would have been reassured. Sending her to a future free from want would have been unproblematic.

But she failed, didn't she? A minor setback shattered her trust in you. A slight temptation, and she betrayed the bond between you. Tell me, if she were manipulated by others in the future, might she not be the one to plunge a dagger into you? You may be willing to gamble on that possibility, but I am not."

The room fell silent once more. Xiao Yuchen asked himself, if someone threatened his life and demanded that he kill Liu Biqin, would he do it? He would not; he would rather die than harm her in the slightest. But would she?

She would, as the facts have already proven. Merely a few months without communication, without seeing each other, and she had fallen into another's embrace.

"Mother... Mother, why must she do this? I never intended to hurt her, and even if I had to send her away, it was a last resort. But why would she do this?"

Xiao Yuchen was now sobbing uncontrollably, clutching Tang Shuyi's arm and weeping heart-wrenchingly, "Mother, your son is in agony, in such agony..."