Chapter 106: Those were all living, breathing lives!

Chapter 106: Those were all living, breathing lives!

Tang Anle and Xiao Yuzhu were cracking walnuts and chatting quietly, from the techniques of walnut-cracking to the zoo at the Duke's estate where a monkey had just had twins, and then making plans to go horse riding together. Before they knew it, it was time for lunch.

When Xiaoyu Chen and Xiaoyu Ming came for lunch, they saw Tang Anle there as well. They exchanged greetings and pleasantries before Tang Anle continued playing with Xiaoyu Zhu, but not without casting a few extra glances at Xiaoyu Chen. Seeing the illness in his demeanor, she knew it was because of Liubiqin, and she sighed inwardly.

During lunch, Tang Shuyi had the tables separated. Even though they were cousins, ancient customs dictated that boys and girls over seven should not sit together, and this rule applied even more strictly to non-sibling relatives.

In the afternoon, Xiaoyu Zhu didn't have to attend her private lessons at home, so she took Tang Anle to her room to play. Xiaoyu Chen and Xiaoyu Ming focused on their studies and martial arts practice. As for Tang Er Furen's thoughts, Tang Anle showed no signs of awareness, and naturally, Xiaoyu Chen and Xiaoyu Ming remained oblivious.

After having her lunch and a short rest, Tang Shuyi received a report from Cuiyun that the Second Lady of the Xiaolong House had arrived. Tang Shuyi quickly invited her inside. Xiaoyu Furen, in her thirties with a slight plumpness, had an air of dignity about her.

Tang Shuyi had tea served for both of them, and they engaged in polite conversation. Despite being sisters-in-law, one was legitimate while the other was not. Moreover, Xiaoyu Furen's status from her natal family was slightly lower, and she didn't share the same social circle as the previous Lady of the House. Therefore, their interactions as sisters-in-law were limited.

However, after a few exchanges, Tang Shuyi began to admire the late Lady of the House even more. She had raised Xiaoyu Jing, a timid and easily frightened person, but she had married him to a bold and sensible wife who could distinguish right from wrong. This external perception of harmony would ensure that even if they separated households, Xiaoyu Jing would still live a good life.

"...My husband's temperament is something I can't change. I can only apologize that my daughter, Yuzhu, had to suffer," Xiaoyu Furen mentioned Xiaoyu Jing's visit to Xiaoyu Zhu, and she had come today to clean up the mess for him.

Since she had put it that way, Tang Shuyi naturally wouldn't say anything negative. She smiled and replied, "I understand my younger brother's temperament, and Yuzhu does too. Just now, Yuchen mentioned that he wanted to talk to him about the matter, but I persuaded him not to."

"No, let Yuchen give him a good scolding. This time, let him learn a lesson, so he won't dare to do it again," Xiaoyu Furen insisted, "It's better this way."

Tang Shuyi: "..."

"And don't let Yuchen think he's the elder, making it awkward to say certain things," Xiaoyu Furen added, "Yuchen will be the head of our entire family in the future, so he naturally has the authority to reprimand him."

With a sigh, she continued, "It's just that Yuchen will have to worry about these things in the future."

Tang Shuyi couldn't help but admire Xiaoyu Furen's intelligence. She had sacrificed Xiaoyu Jing to secure the protection of the Hou Family. Allowing Xiaoyu Chen to scold Xiaoyu Jing and saying that Xiaoyu Chen would have to worry about it in the future all indicated that the Second House still abided by the Hou Family's guidance, and the Hou Family would continue to protect them.

Tang Shuyi had no objections to this. The strength of a family was not upheld by one or two individuals but by the collective efforts of the family's descendants. Xiaoyu Furen was a shrewd person, and the children she raised should turn out well.

"We're all family, so there's no need to hold back," Tang Shuyi said, "Later, I'll have Yuchen have a good chat with his second uncle. It's also his responsibility."

"Miaoyinniang used to be his personal maid, but later, she elevated her status to become an aunt," Xiaoyu Furen spoke of Xiaoyu Qingyu's aunt, "She has been with our husband for a long time, and there's a deeper connection. Our husband even favored her more, but I never expected her to lose her sense of propriety. I've already ordered them not to meet each other in private anymore. Xiaoyu Qingyu won't need to attend private lessons anymore; she should focus on learning etiquette at home."

Tang Shuyi made no comment on this matter; after all, it was a family affair of the Second House. As long as Xiaoyu Qingyu stopped causing trouble for Xiaoyu Zhu, it was fine. They chatted for a while longer, and then Xiaoyu Furen took her leave. Tang Shuyi thought about it and decided to have Xiaoyu Chen pay more attention to the male members of the Second House in the future. If there were any promising ones, they should be nurtured properly.

Just as she was pondering this, Tang Anle and Xiaoyu Zhu came over. Tang Anle was about to take her leave and return home. Tang Shuyi suggested that she stay at the Hou Mansion for a few more days, but Tang Anle declined, saying she needed to continue learning female skills at home.

Xiaoyu Zhu couldn't help but roll her eyes at Tang Anle's comment about learning female skills. She thought, given her, just not poking her fingers full of holes would be an achievement. However, as close friends in the women's chambers, she didn't say it out loud.

Tang Anle left happily, promising to visit again in a few days. After she departed, Tang Shuyi recounted Xiaoyu Furen's visit to Xiaoyu Zhu and analyzed the clever aspects of Xiaoyu Furen. Xiaoyu Zhu didn't fully understand some parts, but Tang Shuyi reassured her, saying, "It's okay not to understand everything now; just remember it, and you'll learn over time."

Xiaoyu Zhu nodded earnestly, and Tang Shuyi smiled and asked her, "Did you have a good time with Anle?"

Xiao Yuzhu nodded in agreement, adding, "Playing with cousin Le is so reassuring, unlike dealing with Xiao Qingyu, where you have to be on guard all the time."

"Hmm, Anle has a lively nature and harbors no ill will towards others, which is good," Tang Shuyi said, holding her hand. "One should make friends like this, with common interests, without using or suspecting each other. In the future, mother will take you out to meet more people, so you can make more like-minded friends."

"Okay," Xiao Yuzhu smiled. "Cousin Le said she will teach me horse riding when it gets warmer. Mother, can you ride?"

Tang Shuyi shook her head but felt it might be something to learn and replied, "Mother will learn with you later."

"That would be wonderful," Xiao Yuzhu said clapping her hands. "Should we buy a horse first? I want a white horse, a snow-white one."

Tang Shuyi couldn't help but think of the prince on a white horse and smiled, "Alright, tomorrow mother will have someone look for a snow-white horse for you."

Xiao Yuzhu snuggled joyfully into her embrace, and Tang Shuyi hugged her, laughing along.

The next day, she indeed instructed Steward Zhao to find a gentle, snow-white horse. Hearing this request, Zhao knew it would be hard to find, but he diligently set out to inquire and, surprisingly, found just such a horse after about ten days.

Upon seeing it, Xiao Yuzhu was so delighted she nearly jumped for joy and named it 'Treading Snow' on the spot.

Meanwhile, the struggle between the Crown Prince and the Second Prince had drawn to a close, predictably ending in the latter's defeat. At this moment, outside the imperial study, Consort Liang, dressed in plain clothes and looking haggard, knelt pleading for the emperor to spare Liang Jian'an's life.

The Crown Prince's faction had only begun by exposing Liang Jian'an's harboring of a traitor's daughter; they later listed a series of his crimes, like wanton murder and abducting civilian girls, each with solid evidence.

Initially, the emperor merely observed the conflict between his sons, but when he saw the litany of offenses committed by Liang Jian'an, he truly became angry. He knew Liang Jian'an had been brazen in the capital under Consort Liang's influence but had not expected him to commit such numerous sins, each a life lost!