Chapter 202: Truly a Fine Match

Chapter 202: Truly a Fine Match

Hearing about the perilous experiences from Princess Jianing, Tang Shuyi was fraught with worry and promptly inquired, "Have any of you been hurt?"

Princess Jianing, aware that Tang Shuyi’s primary concern was for Xiao Yuchen, reassured her, “Madam, rest assured, the heir is unharmed. His two guards sustained some injuries but after a couple days of rest, they're now fine.”

Tang Shuyi, somewhat relieved, then asked, “Did the bandits strip you of all your possessions? Does he still have money with him?”

Princess Jianing answered with a smile, “The local military commander dispatched troops to eliminate the bandits, and our stronghold was taken. Our belongings have been retrieved and returned to us.”

Tang Shuyi sighed in relief, “I owe you my thanks for informing me about all this. In his recent letter, he didn’t mention a word.”

“The heir probably didn’t want to worry you,” Princess Jianing said with a smile.

Tang Shuyi, smiling, took a sip of tea, “I presume you’ll be staying in the capital for a while on this visit?”

Princess Jianing smiled again, “My brother and I miss our grandmother dearly. We will be staying with her for some time.”

Tang Shuyi looked toward the old Duchess of Li and said with a smile, “The princess and her brother are both so filial. You are blessed, Your Grace.”

The old Duchess of Li also smiled, “Since these children lost their mother at a young age and lived far from the capital, I have always been worried. Now that they are here, I wish to keep them for a longer time.”

While Tang Shuyi verbally agreed, she thought to herself that Princess Jianing and her brother, fifteen and eleven years old respectively, had traveled a great distance to the capital without an elder, which surely wasn't as simple as missing their grandmother.

Yet, she refrained from further speculation. After all, it was the affairs of another family and not hers to overly concern herself with. After chatting for a while, Tang Shuyi found herself impressed with Princess Jianing. The young lady, despite her age, spoke and acted with a measure of composure and maturity.

Like how she handled the bandit encounter—rather than dissolving into tears, she looked for ways to escape, something most young ladies her age might not accomplish.

The old Duchess of Li and Princess Jianing did not stay long; after a short while, they left, with Tang Shuyi seeing them to the gate. Princess Jianing helped the Duchess into the carriage before getting in herself.

As the carriage slowly departed from the Marquis of Yongning's residence, the old Duchess asked Princess Jianing, “What do you make of the Marquis of Yongning’s wife?”

Princess Jianing pondered for a moment, "The Marquise is indeed kind-hearted."

The Dowager Marquis of Li nodded and said, "The Duke of Tang had five sons before finally having this one daughter, his legitimate child, whom he cherished like the apple of his eye. After her marriage to Xiao Huai, he too was utterly devoted to her. In the Marquis's residence in the capital, not to mention concubines, there weren’t even any lesser wives. It's just that later, Xiao Huai fell on the battlefield..."

She sighed before continuing, "It was said that she was in deep mourning over Xiao Huai's death, day in and day out. Now she seems much brighter, perhaps because the responsibilities of motherhood have made her strong."

Taking Princess Jianing's hand, she said, "The Marquise’s backyard is free from strife, and she herself seems easy to get along with. As for the young Marquis, it's said that his studies are going well, under the tutelage of Master Fang and Minister Qi. While one can't guarantee great achievements in the future, he certainly won't do poorly. Moreover, he is to inherit his father’s title — truly a favorable match."

Hearing this, Princess Jianing didn't blush but thoughtfully asked, "The Marquis passed away three years ago; why hasn't the young Marquis assumed his title yet?"

"That’s unclear," mused the Dowager Marquis of Li, "The second prince has always been hostile towards the Marquis's household. Could it be because of that?"

Princess Jianing nodded but inwardly she disagreed, suspecting other reasons, perhaps related to the death of Marquis Xiao Huai or even the military power in the northwest.

She knew her grandmother wasn’t particularly wise; otherwise, her uncles wouldn't have ended up as they had. But she was sincerely affectionate towards her and her brother.

Leaning her head on her grandmother’s shoulder, Princess Jianing softly said, "Grandmother, there’s no need to worry. Now that my brother and I have arrived in the capital, at least our lives are safe. As for the succession, we can bide our time and plan carefully."

Tears streamed down the Dowager Marquis of Li’s face as she heard this, dabbing at her eyes with a handkerchief, "I am to blame for being useless. If only your grandfather were still here, Li Chengfeng would never dare to treat you and your brother this way. Now your uncles are of no influence with the Emperor, alas!"

With a heavy sigh, the Dowager Marquis of Li felt the comforting pats of her granddaughter and heard her reassurances, "My brother is the legitimate eldest son, without any physical or mental disabilities, and of good character; no one can justly deny the rightful heir in favor of a son by a secondary wife."

Patting her hand, the Dowager Marquis of Li said, "Thank goodness you are so astute."

Princess Jianing managed a bitter smile. Everyone praised her astuteness, an attribute she had honed from a need to tread carefully from a young age.

"Tomorrow, I will take my brother to the palace to see the Emperor and Empress," she said softly, "and lay bare our ordeals over the years, to see how the Emperor will respond."

It was said that family shame should not be spread abroad, but without speaking out, her and her brother’s lives were at risk, and he could not succeed to the title. She had always been in the fief and rarely visited the capital, so she wasn't familiar with the Emperor's temperament. But any ruler dislikes being played for a fool by their subordinates, so she planned to be upfront with her story to the Emperor and Empress the next day.

Besides, her brother’s and her combined ages did not even total half that of the Emperor’s. If they were to play games with him, the Emperor would likely see right through them. Better to be straightforward and play the sympathy card.

"Alright, if that doesn’t work, we’ll think of something else," said the Dowager Marquis of Li.

Princess Jianing nodded, and then her grandmother added, "What do you think of the young Marquis of Yongning? If it's suitable, I could probe the Marquise about it."

"Let's see," Princess Jianing replied.

The Duke's residence, though a title without real power and a branch of the royal family separated by a generation from the Emperor, was still a dukedom. She wondered if the Emperor had any reservations about it. If not, the Marquis of Yongning's house...

Her thoughts drifted to Xiao Yuchen, and her gaze fell. The Dowager Duchess continued, "We can't delay this matter for too long. Right now in the capital, there are many families eyeing the position of the Marquis of Yongning's wife. If we're too late, we might miss the opportunity."

Princess Jianing couldn't help but laugh, "If we miss it, we'll just find another."

The Dowager Duchess added, "There are few households as peaceful as the Marquis of Yongning's in the entire capital."

"We need to see what the Emperor thinks first," Princess Jianing reminded her.

Realization dawned on the Dowager Duchess, "Yes, yes, let's wait. Besides, the Marquis's heir isn't even in the capital right now."