Chapter 169: What Kind of Relationship Will It Be?

Chapter 169: What Kind of Relationship Will It Be?

Being a parent means constantly worrying about one's children. Even if the child is not up to par or is a spendthrift, they are still one's own flesh and blood.

While Tang Shuyi and Lady Nanling were discussing their troublesome children, Cuiyun came to report that Lady Xiang had arrived to visit Xiao Yuming. Tang Shuyi and Lady Nanling then went to Xiao Yuming's courtyard again.

Lady Xiang brought numerous gifts, inquiring about Xiao Yuming's condition and, upon hearing of his improvement since yesterday, felt a sigh of relief. Her genuine concern stemmed from the fear of him suffering a lifelong ailment due to his injuries.

After warmly greeting Xiao Yuming, Lady Xiang stepped out with Tang Shuyi and the three mothers sat down for a conversation. Lady Xiang turned to Lady Nanling and said, “I was actually planning to visit your residence later, but it's fortunate that I ran into you here. It saves me the trip.”

Lady Nanling had an inkling of why Lady Xiang sought her out. As a mother herself, she understood. So without waiting for Lady Xiang to speak, she assured, “Don’t worry, I won’t breathe a word of this to anyone. I’ll also make sure that troublemaker of mine keeps quiet.”

Lady Xiang expressed her gratitude with a relieved face, “Thank you so much.”

Sighing, she confided, “Children really are debts. After having three boys, my husband was eager for a daughter. And when I finally had her, this is how she turns out. I’m worried sick. If word gets out that she broke someone's ribs, who would marry her?”

“Children are young; they'll learn in time,” Tang Shuyi remarked.

Lady Nanling agreed, “Exactly, they'll understand when they grow up.”

That was all they could say. Not to mention Lady Nanling, even Tang Shuyi, with her modern mindset, would hesitate to welcome such a daughter-in-law. Spousal conflicts are inevitable, but if they escalate to physical fights, especially ones that could break ribs, that would be unthinkable!

Actually, the main issue was the temperament of the fifth young lady from the Xiang family. If she were more composed and less impulsive, her martial prowess would be commendable. However, her rashness and propensity for brawling were truly concerning.

After chatting a bit more, Lady Nanling and Lady Xiang took their leave. No sooner had they left than a steward hurriedly reported the arrival of Empress Dowager Jiashu. Tang Shuyi quickly rose to welcome her.

Upon meeting, the Empress Dowager smiled, “I hope you don't mind my dropping by unannounced.”

“Not at all, I couldn’t be happier about your visit,” replied Tang Shuyi.

The Empress Dowager hummed in acknowledgment, then inquired, “I heard that the second young master of your residence was carried back yesterday. What happened?”

Since Xiao Yuming had been carried back, many had seen it. The Empress Dowager, who had been keeping a close watch on the Marquis of Yongning’s household, was naturally informed at the earliest.

“He had a fall while horseback riding,” Tang Shuyi explained.

The Empress Dowager looked distressed, “Is it serious?”

Tang Shuyi had grown accustomed to the Empress Dowager’s unexpectedly close attention to their family. She replied, “Quite serious. He broke two ribs.”

The Empress Dowager exclaimed in concern, “Let me see him at once.”

Tang Shuyi led her to Xiao Yuming's chamber. Inside, they found him lying face down on the bed. The Empress Dowager, visibly pained, showered him with comforting words, leaving Xiao Yuming somewhat overwhelmed.

Undeterred, the Empress Dowager had her attendants bring in a plethora of medicinal herbs and toys that boys enjoyed, filling an entire table.

After leaving Xiao Yuming's chamber, the Empress Dowager sat down with Tang Shuyi in the hall and said, “Boys will be mischievous for a few years; it's nothing serious. He’ll grow out of it and become sensible. And you needn’t worry too much about his future. I foresee great fortune for this child.”

Tang Shuyi responded with a smile, but her mind was racing with thoughts. The Empress Dowager had hesitated mid-sentence earlier, saying that in the future, naturally... what about the future? Based on what she said next, it should imply a prosperous future lies ahead.

If that were true, why would the Empress Dowager say such a thing? As a woman whose son had died and who came from an unremarkable family, she herself should not have the means to pave a grand future for Xiao Yuming. So, who could?

Suddenly, Tang Shuyi was struck by a daring thought—the Prince of Leisure had not died.

This would explain why the Empress Dowager's spirits had suddenly improved. The resurgence of a son thought dead, the revival of hope for his life, naturally her spirits would be lifted. But why then was she suddenly so kind to them?

Was it related to the Prince of Leisure? If it was, what could that connection be?

Tang Shuyi's mind was a tangled mess for a moment.

After chatting for a while longer, the Empress Dowager took her leave. Tang Shuyi returned to Shi'an Garden, sitting on the brocaded divan pondering the matters at hand. Her head swelled with the effort, and finding no solution, she eventually let the thoughts go. What was meant to come, would come.

In the following days, relatives and friends came one after another to visit Xiao Yuming, keeping Tang Shuyi busy.

Meanwhile, the emperor in the palace had also heard about Xiao Yuming's "horse fall" incident. Of course, the information received by the emperor would naturally be accurate, as he listened to the chief eunuch Jiao Kangsheng report, "...it was proposed by the Xiang family first, and then Second Young Master Xiao fought with General Xiang’s legitimate daughter. Second Young Master Xiao was no match for Miss Xiang, and ended up with two broken ribs."

The emperor tossed the document he was holding aside, his expression calmly stating, "Even fingers on the same hand are not equal in length, how can every child in a family excel? But this is good."

Jiao Kangsheng stood by silently as the emperor took a sip of tea, his thoughts drifting to his own problematic sons. Other families have their variances, but his lacked any standout heirs.

"What's the eldest up to?" the emperor asked.

Jiao Kangsheng replied, "This slave does not know. Shall I send someone to inquire?"

"Inquire what? He's surely loitering in some woman's company," the emperor said with impatience, placing the teacup on the table. The tea tasted bitter with his sour mood.