Chapter 123: This Opportunity Must Not Be Missed

Chapter 123: This Opportunity Must Not Be Missed

Adhering to the ancient custom of "morning and evening respect," Qi Liangsheng, having not much to do today, took his evening meal in Old Lady Qi's quarters. The Qi family observed the practice of dining in silence, and after a peaceful meal, Old Lady Qi retained her son to speak of her visit to the Marquis of Yongning's residence that day.

After recounting Tang Shuyi's plan to open a clubhouse, she said, "At first, the Marquise of Yongning suggested our second grandson run errands for her, which displeased me. I frowned upon hearing it, and she immediately rephrased, proposing that he manage the matters instead."

Qi Liangsheng: "..." She was merely being tactful.

Old Lady Qi continued, "Upon further reflection, it struck me that while her offer seems promising, our boy would essentially be running errands for her in this clubhouse venture. This won't do. I must negotiate with her about buying shares. If we invest, our boy becomes a boss too, and needn't be beholden to others."

She finished speaking and looked at Qi Liangsheng, waiting for his response. But he leisurely sipped his tea without any indication of joining the conversation.

Old Lady Qi, who was of a more impatient disposition, urged him, "Say something! What are your thoughts?"

Qi Liangsheng placed his cup on the small table beside him, saying, "I'll think about it."

"Think about it? What's there to think about? It seems like you just don’t want my boy to have it good," Old Lady Qi complained.

Qi Liangsheng sighed helplessly, "He is my own son, how could I not wish the best for him? But nothing is settled yet, so what can I say?"

In truth, based on his current understanding of Tang Shuyi, he knew she wouldn't have mentioned this to his mother without a motive; he just couldn't discern what that motive was.

However, if Qi Henguang could be involved in this clubhouse endeavor with her, it would be an excellent opportunity. At the very least, it would keep him occupied and out of trouble.

At that moment, Old Lady Qi huffed, "This is what I dislike about you, always overthinking things. Why must there be so many complications?"

Once again at a loss, Qi Liangsheng said, "Mother, I understand. I will discuss this matter with the Marquise of Yongning later."

This reassured Old Lady Qi, who even urged him, "Be diligent. I think the clubhouse idea from the Marquise of Yongning is excellent. Don’t let someone else beat us to the investment."

Qi Liangsheng nodded, "I understand."

Saying this, he stood up, "I have matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave now."

Old Lady Qi had wanted to discuss his remarriage, but now her benchmark was someone like Tang Shuyi. The candidates she had previously considered suitable no longer seemed fitting.

After Qi Liangsheng left, she confided in her nanny, "One can't have it all. Young unmarried girls lack steady management skills and sophistication. But someone like the Marquise of Yongning is already married."

"The Lady of Yongning Marquis also transformed gradually from a young girl into what she is now," the wet nurse said.

Old Lady Qi exclaimed, "But I don’t have the energy to wait for a young girl to grow up!"

The wet nurse was at a loss for words, and Old Lady Qi sighed again: "Even if we were willing, they would certainly not agree."

The wet nurse was initially baffled by her abrupt statement, but after some thought, she realized she was referring to the idea of marrying the Lady of Yongning Marquis into their family.

"That's for certain," the wet nurse concurred.

Who would foolishly give up being a respected marchioness to become someone else’s stepmother, and also have to serve a mother-in-law and manage relationships with stepchildren?

Back in his study, Qi Liangsheng picked up a blank memorial to start writing, but after a few words, he realized he had made a mistake. Discarding it aside, he took another blank one to write again, only to err once more. After several attempts, he simply threw the brush down, leaned back in his chair, and closed his eyes to rest.

When one’s attention is fixed on a person, one inevitably hears about her and involuntarily takes it to heart. Qi Liangsheng felt he was bewitched; he was a man of composure, but now the name Tang Shuyi kept popping into his mind unbidden. Even in his youth, he had never been so preoccupied.

He stood up to pour himself a cup of cold tea and gulped it down. The chilling liquid down his throat seemed to calm him somewhat. Yet, as he sat back down, he pondered what Tang Shuyi meant by the words she had spoken to his mother that day.

Although he harbored some interest in Tang Shuyi, he hadn't lost his wits. He knew that everything she did, including instructing Qi Nansheng these past days, was purposeful. But what was her aim? Qi Liangsheng didn’t believe there was anything about him or the Qi family that Tang Shuyi might desire.

After pondering for a while and getting nowhere, he decided to put it aside and resolved to ask her in person when the opportunity arose.

On Tang Shuyi’s end, she had cast her hook and was now waiting to see what Qi Liangsheng would do. She didn't believe that he couldn't see through her little schemes, but even if he did, it wouldn’t matter—wasn’t it a win-win situation?

However, her wait turned into several days, and no word came from the Qi residence. Upon inquiring, she learned that the New Year was approaching and the imperial court was about to break for the holiday, with all departments busy preparing year-end summaries. As the Minister of Revenue, Qi Liangsheng was naturally very occupied.

Since that was the case, Tang Shuyi wasn't in a rush. After all, Xiao Yuchen was planning to travel next year, and it would be a year later before Qi Liangsheng could offer any guidance.

At the year's end, the household was busy preparing for the New Year and arranging gifts for relatives and friends. During these days, Tang Shuyi was busy mapping out the relationships within the Yongning Marquis estate.

At that moment, Steward Zhao delivered an invitation card. Tang Shuyi opened it and saw it was signed by the wife of the General of Wuwei. She frowned, searching her memory for this person but failing to recall who it was after some time.

Seeing her puzzled expression, Steward Zhao explained: "The General of Wuwei is usually stationed at the northwestern border, and his family lives there as well. It’s said that the general’s father has been unwell these days; she probably rushed here from the northwest to visit."

After a moment of silence, Tang Shuyi inquired, "What’s the General of Wuwei's reputation in the northwestern army?"

Steward Zhao, once a subordinate of the old marquis, had some knowledge of the northwestern army. "The General of Wuwei rose from humble beginnings. He was the second-best graduate in the military examinations and then joined the northwestern army. He is brave and has earned considerable military achievements; he was also one of the old marquis's right-hand men. However, I'm unaware of his current specific circumstances in the army," he said.

Tang Shuyi responded with a hum, then added, "Find out what ailment has befallen General Wuwei’s father and how severe it is."

Steward Zhao complied and departed, while Tang Shuyi leaned back on her brocaded divan, contemplating how to pave the way for Xiao Yuming in the northwestern army.

Although the old Marquis and Xiao Huai held sway in the northwestern army, its soldiers might not recognize Xiao Yuming. Therefore, key figures needed to be influenced. General Wuwei, despite his humble origins, had risen to his rank and certainly held significant influence in the northwestern army.

Thus, since General Wuwei’s wife was paying a visit, Tang Shuyi knew she couldn’t afford to miss this opportunity.