Chapter 204: The Second Son Also Draws Attention

Chapter 204: The Second Son Also Draws Attention

The Emperor had long suspected trouble in Duke Duan's household, but being too preoccupied with state affairs, he had little inclination to intervene in the domestic affairs of a cousin.

"But now, both Princess Jianing and her brother have run all the way to the capital, kneeling before me and pleading for help; I cannot simply stand by."

"Is there anything else? Continue," the Emperor said with a solemn face.

Princess Jianing wiped her tears and continued, "Actually, similar incidents occurred before, like finding weakening drugs in my food, or the horse that pulled my carriage suddenly bolting, nearly causing my death, among others."

The Emperor's face darkened further as Princess Jianing added, "I didn't initially intend to trouble Your Majesty with our problems, but shortly after my fall into the lake, an extremely potent poison was found in Jinghao's food. If not for... if not for the accidental spillage of a bowl of soup which Jinghao's dog consumed and subsequently died from vomiting blood, Jinghao might have been... he might have been gone..."

As tears welled up in the siblings' eyes again, the Emperor's expression grew increasingly stern. He asked, "How did you siblings manage to travel to the capital?"

If Duke Duan had known about their intention to appeal to the Emperor in the capital, he surely wouldn't have allowed them to leave.

Princess Jianing replied, "We didn't dare make a fuss about Jinghao's near poisoning. I lied about wanting to stay at a manor for a while, which father agreed to. We sneaked to the capital from there."

"We also encountered bandits along the way," Li Jinghao added.

"What happened?" the Emperor inquired further.

Princess Jianing recounted their encounter with the bandits, after which the Emperor asked, "Did you also come across the Marquis of Yongning's heir?"

Princess Jianing nodded, observing the Emperor's expression, which remained unreadable, and she decided not to press further.

"I understand," the Emperor said, "I will dispatch a messenger to issue a decree for your father to come to the capital. I wish to see for myself what's on his mind."

The Empress, sensing where the Emperor stood on this matter, spoke with sympathy, "Such unfortunate children, how could anyone be so cruel!"

The Emperor snorted coldly and then turned to Princess Jianing and her brother, "Are you residing at the Duke of Li's residence?"

The siblings nodded, and Princess Jianing added, "We haven't seen our grandmother in many years and wish to spend some more time with her."

"Hmm," the Emperor acknowledged, "It's true that your family's residence in the capital has been unoccupied for many years and is unfit for living. Staying at the Duke of Li's residence is also suitable."

Princess Jianing and her brother nodded in agreement, and the Emperor stood up, "You may stay and talk with the Empress for a while longer; I have other matters to attend to."

He then turned to the Empress, "Take good care of these children."

The Empress rose, "Your Majesty, rest assured."

With a nod, the Emperor departed. Outside the Empress's palace, Jiao Kangsheng bowed deeply, readying the Emperor's sedan chair, but the Emperor gestured dismissively, "I shall walk."

Jiao Kangsheng quickly signaled for the sedan chair to follow at a distance while he accompanied the Emperor at a leisurely pace toward the Imperial Study. After a while, the Emperor inquired, "Is the heir of Marquis Yongning seventeen or eighteen now?"

Jiao Kangsheng pondered for a moment, "He should be eighteen, I believe."

The Emperor continued walking and after a while added, "I know, I know... by not allowing him to inherit the title, many ministers on the court feel that I am being unjust, that I should not treat the descendants of loyal subjects this way. But who can understand me? Am I not doing this for the stability of the empire?"

Jiao Kangsheng, with his head bowed, remained silent. The Emperor went on, "Xiao Huai's military exploits are legendary, I've never thought of mistreating his family. But they just don't understand me."

After speaking, the Emperor sighed, "Duke Duan is also a source of worry, disregarding ancestral laws for a woman."

"Perhaps it's because Duke Duan's second son is clever," Jiao Kangsheng cautiously ventured.

The Emperor snorted coldly, "Clever? How clever is he? Does he want to pass the throne to a clever son? What is he thinking?"

Jiao Kangsheng remained silent, head bowed. His words were not spoken carelessly but were meant as repayment. In his times of insignificance, the former Duchess Duan had once helped him.

Princess Jianing, of course, was unaware that the Emperor’s chief eunuch had helped her and her brother. After speaking with the Empress for a while, she rose to take her leave.

The Empress uttered some words of comfort and awarded them many gifts before ordering someone to escort the siblings out of the palace.

Once outside the palace, the siblings breathed a sigh of relief in the carriage. Princess Jianing said, "At least the Emperor seems to be on our side superficially."

A simple matter, if brought to the court, could potentially unravel many complications. Princess Jianing did not believe that the Emperor stood with them merely on grounds of propriety; there must be other considerations.

Regardless of the Emperor’s reasons, as long as he was on their side, it was enough.

Tang Shuyi, having spies in the palace, soon learned that Princess Jianing had entered the palace and met with the Emperor and Empress. She also heard that the Emperor had sent a decree to Duke Duan's domain. However, what exactly Princess Jianing said to the Emperor and Empress remained unknown to her.

Nevertheless, she could roughly guess that the siblings had lodged a complaint. The more Tang Shuyi thought about it, the more she realized that Princess Jianing was quite astute. In their situation, a direct complaint was far more effective than circuitous plotting.

As she pondered this, the door curtain was lifted, and Xiao Yuming entered. She was surprised and asked, "Why are you back so early today?"

Usually, he would return only after having dinner at the Great General’s residence.

Xiao Yuming hummed in acknowledgment and sat down on a chair, then fell silent. This was out of character for him, Tang Shuyi thought. Could it be that he had been slighted at the Great General’s residence?

"What's wrong? Were you slighted?" she asked.

Xiao Yuming leaned back in his chair and didn't speak, his face creased with inner conflict. Tang Shuyi grew concerned and prodded, "Tell me, what happened?"

"It's just... today Lady Xiang asked me... what I think of Xiang Wu," Xiao Yuming said, his face wrinkled in dilemma.

Upon hearing this, Tang Shuyi straightened her posture. Reflecting on her recent visits to the General's residence and her interactions with the lady of the house, she suddenly realized that her second son had also caught someone's attention.

If Lady Xiang Wu were to become her daughter-in-law, she didn't know what to say. However, what truly mattered was her second son's thoughts on the matter. She couldn't bring herself to forcibly separate lovers, nor could she arrange a marriage for her child against his will.

"What do you think about it?" she inquired.

Xiao Yuming's face was a picture of conflict. "If I refuse, would General Xiang hold it against me? Would he forbid me from visiting his residence in the future?"

He had learned so much from General Xiang recently and did not want to sever that connection abruptly.

Hearing his words, Tang Shuyi knew he didn't fancy Xiang Wu. She earnestly advised, "Marriage is a significant life decision. If there's no affection, you shouldn't settle due to other reasons. It's unfair to both parties involved."