Chapter 206: It’s Your Good Fortune

Chapter 206: It's Your Good Fortune

After visiting the Great General’s residence, Tang Shuyi was completely reassured. That evening, she told Xiao Yueming not to worry.

Xiao Yueming leaned back lazily in his chair and grunted in acknowledgment. He had sensed that day at the general's mansion that the great general's attitude towards him hadn’t changed. Yet, he felt somewhat awkward thinking about meeting Xiao Wu again.

Seeing his discontent, Tang Shuyi asked, "What's wrong?"

"It's just... I feel it would be awkward to see Xiao Wu again," Xiao Yueming admitted honestly.

Tang Shuyi nodded in understanding. "It's normal to feel apprehensive, but the more unnatural you act, the harder it will be. Pretend nothing happened. Xiao Wu doesn’t know about this, so treat her as you always have. After interacting normally a couple of times, this will all blow over."

After all, Xiao Wu was not like most young ladies; she was accustomed to sparring and practicing martial arts with men in the Xiang residence. Xiao Yueming would still have to interact with her frequently.

Xiao Yueming grunted again, acknowledging that he needed to adjust his own feelings first.

Tang Shuyi then repeated her plans about hosting a "gathering" at the club, adding, "I think Qi Er or Yan Wu would be quite suitable."

Xiao Yueming was taken aback by her suggestion. "Definitely not Yan Wu. He was beaten by Xiao Wu when they were children."

Tang Shuyi understood; there were psychological shadows at play!

Well, she had done all she could. It was now up to Xiao Wu's fate.

The next day, she found an excuse to invite those esteemed ladies to the club, asking them to bring their sons and daughters along. They thought she was seeking matches for her three children and were very cooperative. Some who hadn’t been invited even took the initiative to ask to join.

Tang Shuyi didn't expect these ladies to be so enthusiastic. Counting the number of attendees, she visited the Tang Duke's residence to ask the senior Madame Tang and Madame Tang the Second to help entertain the guests during the event. They agreed readily, as they had daughters and sons of marriageable age themselves and saw this as an opportunity to scout for potential matches.

Unexpectedly, Princess Changping heard about the event and sent word that she wished to participate. Tang Shuyi was startled, fearing that the princess might take a fancy to some handsome young nobleman and insist on taking him with her. Unlike servants, these young noblemen weren't individuals who could be simply taken away upon request.

After some consideration, she made a special trip to the princess's residence to tactfully suggest that the young noblemen were off-limits. Princess Changping snorted, “Do you think I am so lustful? Besides, all these young noblemen from the capital are nothing but trouble.”

The last time she tried to make Qi Liangsheng her consort, the emperor grounded her for a long time. From that experience, she understood one thing: the emperor was kind to her, but his kindness had its limits, especially when it came to affecting the court.

Given Tang Shuyi's status, the ladies she invited were certainly from top-tier families in the capital. The young nobles they brought were likely to be valued heirs, and how could these heirs become her consorts?

If she were to bring any of these young nobles back to her residence, it would surely stir up a hornet's nest. Why would she bring such trouble upon herself?

Reassured by her words, Tang Shuyi felt that the princess was manageable if she didn't act rashly.

With the issue amicably resolved, Princess Changping declared, “Since you've come, I must entertain you properly.”

With a clap of her hands, several maids and matrons quietly moved the excess tables and chairs out of the hall.

Tang Shuyi was puzzled until she saw a group of tall, handsome young men around sixteen or seventeen years old enter, lining up in a row, a truly pleasing sight to the eye.

Princess Changping turned to Tang Shuyi with a smile, asking, “What do you think?”

Tang Shuyi's face stiffened into a... smile. “Not bad.”

Pleased with herself, Princess Changping beckoned, and several musicians entered. As the melodious music began, the handsome young men started dancing. Meanwhile, Princess Changping sipped her wine and tapped along, thoroughly enjoying herself.

Tang Shuyi suddenly thought that if she had been reborn as someone like Princess Changping, she would have truly hit the ceiling of transmigration achievements.

In the current situation, leaving would be somewhat impolite, so she might as well enjoy herself. She picked up her wine cup, settled into a comfortable position, and began to appreciate the young men's dance.

Even in modern times, she hadn't watched boys dance from such a close distance; she had only seen such performances through various media.

And frankly, they were quite good.

After the dance concluded, Princess Changping waved them off and turned to Tang Shuyi, asking, “What do you think?”

Tang Shuyi replied, “The princess's life is truly enviable.”

Princess Changping laughed heartily, "Then you must visit my mansion more often in the future."

Tang Shuyi nodded, "Certainly."

……

Two days later, early in the morning, Tang Shuyi, along with Xiao Yuzhu and Xiao Yuming, went to the guild hall. Unexpectedly, upon entering, they encountered Xiao Yiyuan, who was following Fang Daru. Tang Shuyi, accompanied by Xiao Yuzhu and Xiao Yuming, approached and gave Fang Daru a respectful bow, "I am grateful for your kindness towards our young ones."

Fang Daru was pleased for Xiao Yiyuan, and smiling, he said, "Yiyuan is diligent in his studies, a promising seedling indeed."

Tang Shuyi cast an approving glance at Xiao Yiyuan, then turned to Fang Daru to inquire, "Is there a literary gathering today?"

Fang Daru nodded, and understanding dawned upon Tang Shuyi's face. She added, "Would it be possible for Yiyuan to step away from the gathering for a while later? Many young masters have come to the capital today for leisure, and I was thinking of having Yuming take Yiyuan along for some relaxation."

Fang Daru naturally had no objections to introducing Xiao Yiyuan to the elite circles of the capital, responding, "Madam Marquess is most considerate."

"He is one of our own, after all," Tang Shuyi replied.

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Fang Daru, accompanied by Xiao Yiyuan, made their way to the courtyard where the literary gathering was held. As they walked, Fang Daru remarked, "Madam Marquess is open-minded, and that's your good fortune. Not to mention anything else, you and Yuchen are taking the imperial exams in the same year. If she were narrow-minded, she might fear you outperforming Yuchen."

"Yes, this student understands," Xiao Yiyuan replied earnestly. He also felt very fortunate that the Madam Marquess of Yongning was such a broad-minded person; otherwise, she might not have acknowledged him at all, especially since the old marquess had passed away.

Meanwhile, Tang Shuyi instructed her maid Cuicloud as they walked, "Go buy a suit of clothes suitable for Xiao Yiyuan to wear."

She had noticed that although Xiao Yiyuan's clothes were not shabby, they were not of particularly high quality either. She worried that he might be ridiculed when meeting those young noblemen later.

Cuicloud understood the reasoning and hurried off with a quick acknowledgment.

…………