Chapter 222: Coveting the Military Power of the Northwest?

Chapter 222: Coveting the Military Power of the Northwest?

The same evening that the Emperor visited the Seventh Prince's residence and improved its conditions, Tang Shuyi was informed. As a former imperial consort, she still had connections in the palace and received the news simultaneously.

The following day, she submitted her visiting card to enter the palace, intending to discuss the matter of adopting a successor with the Emperor. Upon her arrival, she did not head straight to the imperial study to see His Majesty but first visited her former living quarters within the palace. Observing the impeccably clean palace, a cold smile formed on the Empress Dowager's lips, musing about the Emperor's penchant for superficial gestures.

By rights, her former residence should have been reassigned to one of the Emperor's consorts after she left the palace, but the Emperor had kept it untouched and ordered it to be cleaned daily. Anyone would remark on the deep fraternal bond between the Emperor and the carefree Prince.

After spending some time in the palace, she rose to visit the imperial study. En route, she passed by a pond and noticed a boy around eleven or twelve years old standing pensively by the water. She approached and stood beside him, asking, "What are you looking at?"

The boy turned his head to glance at her, then turned back and said, "There are fish inside."

The Empress Dowager, observing the fish in the pond, wore a smile and asked, "Do you like them?"

The boy nodded, "Yes."

The Empress Dowager inquired, "Why?"

Looking up at her, the boy replied, "They seem happy."

Hearing his words, the Empress Dowager paused for a moment and said, "My son used to enjoy standing by this pond watching the fish, but he said that the fish in the pond aren't as happy as those in the vast rivers and seas outside."

After speaking, she patted the boy's head and added, "The wind is strong today; you should head back now."

The boy nodded and watched as the Empress Dowager departed.

Upon reaching the imperial study, it seemed the Emperor was waiting for her. After sitting down, she said, "I saw a child by the pond just now. It reminded me of Chengyun; he also liked watching the fish there when he was little."

The Emperor's face was tinged with nostalgia, "Chengyun has always enjoyed flowers, grass, and fish since he was young."

The Empress Dowager smiled faintly, "I came today to discuss with Your Majesty about adopting a child for Chengyun."

"I have already notified the royal clan, asking each family to send suitable children for you to consider," the Emperor replied.

The Empress Dowager nodded, "This matter should also involve mutual consent."

The Emperor assured her, "Rest assured, all the families are willing."

After all, it concerned the title of a prince.

The Imperial Dowager nodded, "This matter too, is about fate."

The Emperor agreed, and after discussing the details of the adoption for a while, the Imperial Dowager took her leave. After her departure, the Emperor asked Jiao Kangsheng, "Who did the Imperial Dowager meet just now?"

"This servant will inquire," he said.

Jiao Kangsheng left and soon returned, reporting, "The Imperial Dowager encountered the Seventh Prince by the pond and they conversed briefly."

The Emperor frowned, "What did they talk about?"

Jiao Kangsheng shook his head, "They were too far for the Imperial Dowager's attendants to hear."

The Emperor hummed in acknowledgment and continued reviewing the memorials before him.

………

Tang Shuyi had arranged to meet with Lady Xie at her home today. The weather was overcast and quite cool. Tang Shuyi had the pavilion in the Marquis's garden tidied up, planning to chat there with Lady Xie.

Shortly after breakfast, Lady Xie arrived with her daughter. Tang Shuyi welcomed her with a smile, though inwardly she pondered the Xie family's intentions. As she understood, among the eligible girls in the Xie family, Lady Xie's daughter, Xie Yanhua, was of similar age to Xiao Yuchen.

For major clans, a marriage between the eldest legitimate daughter and the eldest legitimate son is optimal. However, it was Lady Xie who had sent the invitation, bringing her younger daughter, Xie Xihua, who was several years junior to Xiao Yuchen. Yet, Xie Xihua was close in age to Xiao Yuming.

At this thought, she suddenly paused, contemplating if the Xie family intended a matrimonial alliance with her second son.

Why so?

It wasn't that she saw her second son as lesser, but in the eyes of society, Xiao Yuchen was eligible to inherit the title, an advantage that surpassed most, making him the preferred choice.

Her mind raced with myriad thoughts, yet her face revealed none, conversing amiably with Lady Xie while occasionally observing Xie Xihua. The young girl sat with her back straight, her gaze steady, and spoke softly and gently to Xiao Yuzhu, the epitome of a well-bred lady.

She couldn't judge if this was good or bad, for this was the norm for ladies of antiquity.

Lady Xie was pleased with her daughter's demeanor today, managing to portray grace and wisdom perfectly. Indeed, she needn't have worried; her daughter had always been adept at pretense. Inherently vivacious and clever, she was skilled at maintaining an elegant façade in public.

After some conversation, Tang Shuyi suggested a stroll in the garden, to which Lady Xie readily agreed. The group ventured into the Marquis's garden, and after a tour, they settled in the pavilion. Finding mere conversation dull, Tang Shuyi proposed playing Ma Diao.

The servants arranged the game, and Tang Shuyi, Xiao Yuzhu, Lady Xie, and Xie Xihua began to play, each at one side of the table. While arranging her tiles, Lady Xie said, "I heard the Second Young Master is with General Xiang now?"

Tang Shuyi, rattling the dice in her hand, replied, "Him idling his days away was no good, so he pleaded to serve under General Xiang, to have the General keep him in check."

Lady Xie knew this was modesty; in the capital, who didn't know of Xiang Tianhe's difficult temperament and straightforward speech, not to mention his strictness with his subordinates. If Xiang Tianhe had taken him in, it meant Xiao Er was not as dissolute as the rumors suggested.

"Boys are all playful when they're young, but they grow more sensible with age," said Madame Xie with a smile.

Tang Shuyi replied, "One can only hope."

She could now be certain that the Xie family had set their sights on her second son. But why?

Were they eyeing the military power in the northwest?

Even she couldn't be sure that, even if the path was laid out for him, Xiaoyu Ming would be able to secure military power in the northwest in his hands. Why then was the Xie family willing to gamble so much?

Legitimate daughters were just as precious in major families. A legitimate daughter's marriage could sustain a lineage's interests. And a family didn't have as many legitimate daughters as they wished for.

"The last time the madam came, she told me that my lord and the sixth master Xie had an inseparable relationship as children," said Tang Shuyi. "I heard that Master Xie has been traveling abroad and has only recently returned to the capital. Is that true?"

Madame Xie discarded a card and said, "Yes, he returned home not long ago and caught a chill. He's resting and recovering now."

Tang Shuyi nodded knowingly, "Being away from home, braving all sorts of weather, it really is worrisome."

Knowing that Xiaoyu Chen had also been traveling abroad, Madame Xie thought Tang Shuyi was worried about her own son and said, "Nevertheless, it's good for boys to venture out. Once our young masters come of age, they all must venture out."

"Indeed," said Tang Shuyi. "As parents, we do everything for our children, even in matters of marriage. We always wish for a good family background, a good character, and above all, our children's happiness."

Madame Xie heard the implied message, but it suited her well, as she didn't want her daughter to be pushed into an oblivious arranged marriage.

She said with a smile, "You're right, a lifelong matter naturally requires compatible interests."

Conversing with a smart person is always easy; there's no need for overt clarity. Sometimes, even a look is enough to convey one's intent. Tang Shuyi and Madame Xie exchanged a knowing smile, having reached an unspoken understanding.

The possibility of a marriage alliance between the Marquis of Yongning and the Xie family was there, but not immediate, necessitating mutual understanding. Anyway, until they knew the real intentions of the Xie family's decision-makers, they would not rush to betroth their children.