Chapter 188: Not Merely a Matter of Good and Evil

Chapter 188: Not Merely a Matter of Good and Evil

As Tang Shuyi conversed with Xiao YiYuan about the Four Books and Five Classics, she felt that he was not much better than her own eldest son. Of course, she also understood that a mother's view of her child is invariably rose-tinted.

After their conversation, Xiao YiYuan was profoundly surprised. He hadn't expected Tang Shuyi's understanding of the Four Books and Five Classics to be so profound. Could it be that all the ladies from the capital were like this?

The two chatted quite pleasantly until the housekeeper Zhao came to report that Mr. and Mrs. Guan Yougen and the Lu family members had arrived. Hearing this, Tang Shuyi said, "Please let them in."

Xiao YiYuan and Xiao Yisheng turned their heads to look outside, both unaware of what would happen next. Although Xiao YiYuan was almost certain that he was the old marquis's biological grandson, this certainty was not absolute.

Just then, a steward led a group of people over. It was indeed Mr. and Mrs. Guan Yougen and the Lu family members. After entering the hall, they first paid their respects to Tang Shuyi, then turned their heads to look at Xiao YiYuan and Xiao Yisheng, knowing what they were there for.

Everyone was somewhat excited; they hadn't expected that after so many years, the person would truly be found. The Lu family members, in particular, felt warmth in their eyes as they looked at Xiao YiYuan and Xiao Yisheng.

"Let's all sit down and talk," Tang Shuyi said.

They sat down somewhat restrainedly. The Lu family members wanted to say something to Xiao YiYuan and Xiao Yisheng but didn't know how to start. Seeing this, Tang Shuyi said, "The old marquis has been searching for many years, and finally, there's a clue. We should all be happy."

"Yes, yes," Old Man Lu said, looking at Xiao YiYuan, "You really do resemble my brother-in-law."

The 'brother-in-law' he referred to was the old marquis.

At this point, Guan Yougen also said, "Yes, there is a resemblance. Who else is in your family?"

Xiao YiYuan honestly replied, "My granduncle and grandmother are both still alive."

Guan Yougen mentally sorted out the family relations and then asked, "What's your granduncle's name?"

"Xiao Chengming," answered Xiao YiYuan.

"Ah, yes, yes," Guan Yougen slapped his thigh and said, "When I was young, I often followed Uncle Chengming to catch fish in the river. Is he well?"

Hearing his words, Xiao YiYuan's face showed a trace of affection as he said, "My granduncle is quite healthy."

"That's good, that's good," Guan Yougen said. "When I see Uncle Chengming again, I'll go fishing with him."

His words made everyone laugh. Old Man Lu looked earnestly at Xiao YiYuan and asked, "How is your grandmother's health?"

"My grandmother is also well," Xiao YiYuan responded, asking, "Are you perhaps named Lu Zhengde?"

"Ah, yes, yes," Lu Zhengde said, wiping away tears excitedly, "I never thought, after so many years, my elder sister is still well, and she has such... such a fine grandson."

Xiao YiYuan rose and offered a bow to Old Man Lu, who wiped away another tear.

Sensing that the matter was all but confirmed, Tang Shuyi said, "Heaven has blessed us. We have finally found him. The old marquis can now rest in peace with a smile."

She turned to Xiao YiYuan and continued, "What I mean is, we should send someone to the southern border immediately to bring the family back to the capital. That way, the family can be reunited."

After some thought, Xiao YiYuan suggested, "Let YiSheng accompany them on the return trip."

"That would be best, to avoid any misunderstandings," Tang Shuyi agreed and called over Housekeeper Zhao to instruct him on the matter.

Upon hearing the plan, Housekeeper Zhao suggested, "Let Lin Yong and Niu Hongliang take a dozen guards with them. Lin Yong is meticulous in his work, and Niu Hongliang is skilled in martial arts, which should ensure their safety on the road."

Tang Shuyi nodded, "Have them carry the marquis's visiting card."

With the marquis's visiting card in hand, they would receive some level of support from the local authorities wherever they went.

Housekeeper Zhao left to make arrangements, and after chatting for a few more moments, Tang Shuyi excused herself, leaving Xiao YiYuan to reconnect with his maternal uncle's family. Mr. and Mrs. Guan Yougen also tactfully withdrew from the hall.

The couple reached a secluded spot, where Mrs. Guan whispered to Guan Yougen, "It's good that they've recognized each other, but what happens when Aunt Lu is brought here? Will she live in the marquis's mansion or outside? And what will her status be?"

Frowning, Guan Yougen replied, "You think too much. After the old marquis passed, the mansion was divided. Even if they were found earlier, they would have been settled outside. Aunt Lu should live outside the mansion."

"Yes, yes, I was mistaken," Mrs. Guan said, slapping her forehead.

Guan Yougen sighed, "The real difficulty lies in what happens after... after Aunt Lu passes away. How will the burial be arranged? They were all married properly, so who takes precedence?"

"They are all equally important," Mrs. Guan stated.

"How can they all be equally important? Even if they are buried together, there will need to be an arrangement of precedence in their positioning," Guan Yougen argued.

"The old marquis's wife is already buried with the old marquis. They surely can't be moved now, right? The family of the old marquis's wife would never agree to that," Mrs. Guan said matter-of-factly.

Waving his hand, Guan Yougen said, "We're just worrying unnecessarily. The lady of the mansion will surely have a plan for this."

……

Meanwhile, Tang Shuyi was speaking to Xiao Yuming and Xiao Yuzhu: "This afternoon, let's pay a visit to the Wuyang Marquis's mansion. We should inform them about finding the family."

The Wuyang Marquis's mansion was the maternal home of the old marquis's wife. Certain matters needed to be made known to them, so they would be prepared.

"What do you plan to do?" asked Xiao Yuzhu.

Tang Shuyi took a sip of her tea and replied, "We'll decide once they arrive. If they are reasonable, we can certainly speak amicably. But if they are troublesome, we cannot afford to be disadvantaged."

"If you ask me," Xiao Yuzhu suggested, "we should set them up with an estate outside and provide them with some silver. From then on, we can simply treat them as relatives."

Tang Shuyi smiled. Her daughter had grown up indeed!

"You're right," Tang Shuyi agreed. "But the amount of silver we give and how we interact as relatives will depend on how well we can get along."

If they are reasonable, we can share silver, resources, and connections. But if not, that's another matter. I trust Xiao YiYuan knows what to do.

Meanwhile, Xiao YiYuan had already brought the Lu family back to the residence where he was temporarily staying. Once inside, he first inquired about the incident that had driven Old Man Lu to seek help from the marquis’s household.

Old Man Lu recounted the events, then added, "I never expected the marquis's mansion to help us. It was a desperate plea, akin to seeking a miracle. Later, I even heard that the young master of the mansion compensated someone with five hundred silver taels..."

At this point, Old Man Lu's face turned bitter. Five hundred silver taels was a sum he could never repay, not even in the next lifetime.

Xiao YiYuan frowned upon hearing this; he hadn't expected the matter to involve five hundred silver taels—a substantial amount even for him.

"The lady of the mansion truly is a great benefactor," interjected Old Man Lu's daughter-in-law.

Xiao YiYuan hummed in response but thought to himself that the lady was not a villain, yet neither was she a universally benevolent figure. She was a woman whose cunning and schemes were on par with any man's, not someone to be judged simply as good or evil.