Chapter 156: Bound to Death

Chapter 156: Bound to Death

Xiao Yuming's constitution was indeed as robust as a calf, not even a fever from such severe injuries. The next morning, when Tang Shuyi visited him, she saw him pacing back and forth in the room.

"How do you feel?" Tang Shuyi approached and asked.

"They're just superficial wounds, no big deal." Saying so, he quickened his pace to prove his point.

Tang Shuyi gave a noncommittal hum, "Keep your diet light for the next few days, I've informed the kitchen."

Xiao Yuming nodded reluctantly. He loved meat, big chunks of it, and it seemed he would have to endure for now. Reflecting on the matter, he felt it was a loss, but at least his curiosity was completely satisfied.

"Later, I'll be visiting the Prince of Xiaoyao's mansion with Yu Zhu. You'll have to dine alone at noon," Tang Shuyi added.

Xiao Yuming was puzzled, "What are you going to the Prince of Xiaoyao's mansion for? Didn't they say they won't sell that residence?"

Tang Shuyi recounted her and Xiao Yu Zhu's visit to Chongguang Temple and their encounter with the Imperial Consort, then asked, "What do you think made the Imperial Consort change her attitude?"

Xiao Yuming furrowed his brows in thought for a while, then shook his head, "I can't figure it out."

"Neither can I," said Tang Shuyi. "We've had no prior interactions with the Imperial Consort or the Prince of Xiaoyao."

"Regardless of the Imperial Consort's reasons, you should purchase the residence first," Xiao Yuming suggested.

"That's what I was thinking," Tang Shuyi said as she walked towards the door, adding, "I'll leave first, then. Rest well at home."

Xiao Yuming acknowledged with a 'got it' and continued pacing in the room, truly restless.

Tang Shuyi, accompanied by her daughter Xiao Yuzhu, made a visit to the storeroom first, selecting a few gifts to present to the Dowager Princess. They then rode by carriage to the Prince's residence. Upon arrival, they were greeted at the entrance by the Dowager's personal maid.

"Madam Hou, Countess Kang Le, greetings," the maid curtsied, to which Tang Shuyi, with a smile, assisted her to rise, inquiring, "How fares the Dowager Princess?"

"Well, very well," chuckled the maid. "The Dowager has been eagerly awaiting your visit since morning, having me stand watch at the entrance from an early hour."

As the maid helped Tang Shuyi and Xiao Yuzhu into the sedan, she chatted with Tang Shuyi, who could sense the maid's heightened spirits compared to before. It seemed indeed that the Prince's residence was celebrating some joyous news, though its nature remained unknown to her.

They arrived at the Dowager's courtyard and, as they lifted the sedan curtain and entered, before they could even perform their greetings, the Dowager embraced Xiao Yuzhu and warmly said to Tang Shuyi, "We're practically family now; there's no need for formalities."

"Rituals must be observed," Tang Shuyi replied with a smile, respectfully bowing before taking her seat.

The Dowager, seating Xiao Yuzhu by her side, turned to Tang Shuyi with a smile, "Why didn't you bring your second son along? I've heard he's a fine lad."

Tang Shuyi thought to herself, "Where did you hear that he's a good child?"

"He's always out frolicking; I've had him stay home for some self-cultivation," Tang Shuyi naturally did not disclose that Xiao Yuming had been beaten to near immobility for frequenting the brothel.

The Dowager's face showed a hint of regret, "It's natural for boys his age to be playful; he'll settle down as he grows. Bring him along next time; I'd like to meet him."

Tang Shuyi smiled and agreed.

"Here is the deed to the property. Take it and have it transferred to your name at the yamen," the Dowager said as she handed a small box to Tang Shuyi.

Tang Shuyi opened the box, examined the deed briefly, and expressed her gratitude, "I'm truly thankful for your generosity."

She then took a red-lacquered and gilded box from her maid Cuiyun and handed it to the Dowager; it contained fifty thousand taels of silver. At the Chongguang Temple, she had inquired about the price of the property. The Dowager had mentioned any amount would do, so she considered the prices of residences near Langyue Lake and doubled that figure.

Even from outside the property during her previous visit, she could tell that the finest materials had been used for its construction. The Dowager might say any amount would suffice, but Tang Shuyi couldn't just give any amount; at the very least, she couldn't let the Dowager suffer a loss.

The Dowager glanced at the box but didn't open it, instead suggesting, "Aren't you planning to establish a guildhall? How about I invest in it?"

Tang Shuyi was taken aback, then quickly responded with a smile, "Of course! I would be honored."

The Dowager pushed the box forward slightly, "Consider this my investment."

Tang Shuyi was momentarily stunned, then responded, "Your participation is most welcome, Dowager, but that's not how the accounts should be settled. You sell me the property and then invest the money from the sale; either way, you stand to lose. You can simply invest with the property itself. I will appraise it in monetary terms and calculate your share of the stocks. Please take back the deed."

Tang Shuyi placed the small box containing the deed next to the Dowager. As a businesswoman, she sought profit but never at the cost of taking what didn't belong to her.

However, the Dowager Consort insisted, "I've already promised to sell you the house; I can't go back on my word. Take the deed with you."

Tang Shuyi didn't expect that even after she had made things so clear, the Dowager Consort would still insist on selling the house to her. Feeling somewhat helpless, she said, "Your Highness, I cannot take advantage of you."

"I'm the one who's taking advantage of you," the Dowager Consort countered. "What does an old woman like me know about making money? Without you, I wouldn't have this opportunity to earn. No more refusals, just take these two boxes with you."

Hesitating for a brief moment, Tang Shuyi replied with a smile, "Then I shall take advantage of your kindness."

The Dowager Consort waved her hand dismissively, "Always with the formalities, you."

Tang Shuyi, still smiling, took the two boxes and handed them to Cuiyun. Then she heard the Dowager Consort say, "It's not easy for you, managing everything with three children not yet grown. Should you encounter any difficulties in the future, do let me know. Though I am alone now, I still have some influence with the Emperor."

Tang Shuyi's curiosity was piqued as to why the Dowager Consort was being so kind to them, but she didn't let it show on her face. Instead, she smiled and said, "I thank Your Highness in advance."

The Dowager Consort waved her hand again, then shifted the conversation to more mundane matters, eventually suggesting a game of Ma Diao. She eagerly had a table set up and engaged Tang Shuyi, Xiao Yuzhu, and the nursemaid in the game.

The morning passed in lively fashion, and it wasn't until after they had lunch at the royal mansion that Tang Shuyi and Xiao Yuzhu left. Once they were gone, the Dowager Consort asked everyone except her personal nursemaid to leave the room, and said, "I had intended to propose adopting Yuzhu as my granddaughter today, but felt it too abrupt."

"This old servant also thinks it's a bit sudden," the nursemaid agreed. "Your sudden kindness towards Lady Tang of Yongning is probably already making her suspicious."

The Dowager Consort sighed, "Let her be suspicious. Time reveals all, and in the long run, she will see that I bear them no ill will. Anyway, I'm determined to bind the Wang Mansion and Yongning Marquisate together tightly."

The nursemaid chuckled, "That is indeed what should be done, but..."

"Speak your mind," urged the Dowager Consort.

"If we're talking about binding the two families tightly, the best way would be through marriage. Perhaps we could match the cousin lady with the second son..."

"No," the Dowager Consort rejected the idea without a second thought, "She's not worthy of Yuming."

The nursemaid said no more. The Dowager Consort rose and headed to the temple to pray; she attributed her blessings to the protection of Buddha...