Chapter 184: The Play of Fate

Chapter 184: The Play of Fate

Butler Zhao led Xiao Yi Yuan to the hall and had tea served before asking him to wait, mentioning that the Marquise would arrive shortly.

Xiao Yi Yuan was initially somewhat nervous, but at this moment, he managed to relax. With things having reached this point, nervousness would only hinder his ability to think clearly; it was better to face the situation calmly.

He picked up the cup and gently sipped the tea. The taste was subtly elegant and fragrant—the finest he had ever had in his life, prompting him to take a few more sips.

Just then, a commotion was heard from outside. Turning to look, he saw a plainly dressed but imposing woman, accompanied by her maids and elderly servants, making her way towards them.

Knowing this must be the Marquise, he promptly stood up, and once she entered the hall, he bowed deeply with clasped hands, "I am profoundly grateful for your assistance today, my lady."

Tang Shuyi glanced at him. His features were pleasant and firm, his gaze sincere, and his stature tall and straight. Judging solely by appearance, he was above average. Upon closer inspection, he bore a resemblance to Xiao Yuming.

Xiao Yuming inherited his looks from Xiao Huai, and Xiao Huai probably resembled the old Marquis, so one must admit the old Marquis’s genes were strong.

“It was nothing, please sit,” Tang Shuyi said as she took a seat in the center of the hall. Xiao Yi Yuan sat down only after she had.

"Before joining the military, the old Marquis had married. However, during the war and subsequent famine years, his family lost all contact. By the time he returned victorious and sought them out, they had vanished without a trace."

Tang Shuyi continued, "The old Marquis searched for several more years. Some said his family perished during the famine. He was devastated. There is no greater failure than dying without an heir, so he later married the daughter of the Earl of Wuyang. Even after remarrying, the old Marquis continued to search for his previous family, but to no avail."

Xiao Yi Yuan couldn't describe his feelings at the moment, merely attributing it to the whims of fate. He didn’t doubt Tang Shuyi’s words, for the disparity between him and the Yongning Marquis House was apparent; there was no reason for them to deceive him.

To the Yongning Marquis House, recognizing him or not was their prerogative. His grandfather was dead, and the relationship between his family and the Yongning Marquis House was complicated. If they chose to disown them, they had justifiable reasons.

At this moment, the Marquise seated at the head of the room asked him, “Do you have any relatives left in your family?”

Xiao Yi Yuan regained his composure and replied, “During the famine, my great-grandparents took my great-uncle and pregnant grandmother and followed the villagers southward. Eventually, the villagers dispersed, and my great-grandparents continued south until they reached the southern borderlands.

There, my great-grandparents passed away due to illness, leaving my grandmother, my father who was only four or five, and my great-uncle to rely on each other. After settling down in the south, my great-uncle married. Now at home, there’s his family and ours.”

Tang Shuyi nodded, “Since the Second Prince has discovered your lineage connecting you to the old Marquis, there must be some evidence. What are your thoughts now?”

Even though Tang Shuyi knew Xiao Yi Yuan was the old Marquis’s biological grandson, such a relationship couldn’t be acknowledged so casually; due processes had to be followed for everyone’s peace of mind.

Xiao Yi Yuan thought likewise. Even if he suspected that the old Marquis Xiao Chengkun was his biological grandfather, he couldn’t just rashly acknowledge kinship. But the old Marquis was dead; who could prove their family’s lineage?

After some thought, he said, “How would you like to handle this, my lady?”

Tang Shuyi truly lived up to his role as the original protagonist of the novel – composed and decisive.

She said, "Earlier, when Lord Hou left the residence, he happened to meet someone from his old village and arranged for their family to stay at the Xishan Villa within our estate. When they visited the mansion a few days ago, they reminisced about the old days."

"People from the same village, even after so many years, must recognize each other. Moreover, before the New Year, there was a mishap in the family of Lord Hou's former wife's brother. They sought help from our mansion, and I lent a hand as well."

Tang Shuyi turned to Xiao Yiyuan and added, "Perhaps you should meet them first. Even if you don't recognize them, your family knows them, and a brief conversation should clear things up."

Xiao Yiyuan was astounded to find people from his village in the Yongning Marquis Estate; what shocked him more was that his grandmother's brother had once sought help from the Marquis. This was truly...

"I will follow the lady's arrangements," he said.

Tang Shuyi hummed in acknowledgment and asked, "I heard you came to the capital with a cousin?"

"Yes," Xiao Yiyuan replied.

"Write a letter to him, and I'll have it delivered," Tang Shuyi instructed. "You both should stay in the mansion for the next few days. Today's events will undoubtedly stir up trouble, and if the Second Prince can't take it out on the Marquis Estate, I fear he might target you. Stay here until we resolve the matter with the Second Prince. Don't worry, it won't take long."

Xiao Yiyuan: "………"

Was she really talking about dealing with a prince? Her tone was far too casual.

His mind was racing, but he respectfully said, "Thank you for your protection, madam."

Tang Shuyi waved her hand dismissively, "It's the least I could do."

With that, she summoned Steward Zhao and asked him to show Xiao Yiyuan to his quarters. Steward Zhao gestured for Xiao Yiyuan to follow him, saying, "Young Master Xiao, please come with me."

After bowing to Tang Shuyi, Xiao Yiyuan followed Steward Zhao, who began to recount, "When I was younger, I served directly under Lord Hou. Later, after an injury, Lord Hou assigned me duties within the mansion. When the late emperor united the land, he granted Lord Hou a title and even proposed a marriage for him.

But Lord Hou declined, citing his existing marriage. Only after that did the emperor relent. Lord Hou then spent years searching for someone far and wide but to no avail. It was later that he learned his family had perished, which left him heartbroken for a long time. Only much later did he remarry…"

Steward Zhao wasn't usually talkative, but he went into great lengths about Lord Hou's past, trying to make Xiao Yiyuan understand that it wasn't a case of Lord Hou abandoning his wife and child; it was a twist of fate.

Xiao Yiyuan understood, of course, but he couldn't help wondering how his grandmother would react to this saddening news.

As they reached the entrance of a courtyard, Steward Zhao stopped and said, "Young Master Xiao, you can stay here. This courtyard is next to the Second Young Master's. However, he is not home during the day and only returns at night."

Xiao Yiyuan nodded and followed Steward Zhao into the courtyard. A servant promptly came to attend to them. After Steward Zhao gave some instructions, he left. Xiao Yiyuan, feigning fatigue, dismissed the servant, finally finding a moment of solitude to ponder everything in peace.