Chapter 229: The People Sent to the Southern Border Have Returned

Chapter 229: The People Sent to the Southern Border Have Returned

The soldiers surrounding the Second Prince's residence withdrew the next day, and the news of the Second Prince's release quickly spread throughout the capital. When Tang Shuyi heard about it, she wasn't surprised; it was bound to happen sooner or later. After all, he was the emperor's own son, and there was still a consort in the palace.

However, with the Second Prince's release, they had to be constantly vigilant against being targeted again.

That evening, when Xiao Yuming returned home, she summoned him to the study to inform him of the Second Prince's release and cautioned him to be careful in the future. Xiao Yuming clenched his teeth and said, "Should we take action then?"

He even thought about going to kill that mad dog right now.

"You can't act rashly; we must plan slowly and carefully," Tang Shuyi said.

She, too, wished to eliminate the Second Prince immediately, but he was the emperor's son, and they must not act without an infallible plan.

Xiao Yuming understood this logic but just couldn't swallow his pride.

Seeing his near-explosive demeanor, Tang Shuyi once again seriously cautioned, "Do not act rashly."

"I know," Xiao Yuming said. "Besides, I don't even have the chance to act rashly now; I'm swamped every day."

Not only does he need to practice martial arts now, but he also has to learn military strategies from General Xiang, and even serve as a pageboy. Those under General Xiang's command are truly unsparing in their orders to him. However, he is still weak and must endure.

"The Xie family is interested in a marital alliance with us, and they have taken a liking to you," Tang Shuyi said.

Xiao Yuming was stunned, then pointing to himself, he asked, "They've taken a liking to me?"

Tang Shuyi laughed, "Ah, there's no helping it, my son is outstanding. First the general's mansion, now the Xie residence. Will our threshold be worn down by matchmakers in time?"

Xiao Yuming, teased, scratched his head sheepishly and then said, "Shouldn't they have taken a liking to my elder brother?"

Tang Shuyi's face turned serious, "Indeed, but they have taken a liking to you. I can't guess the Xie family's intentions for the moment. However, the Xie family is indeed not bad. Moreover, that Second Miss Xie is beautiful and... her temperament is also very dignified. Take note when you meet her. If you like her, it's not impossible. If you don't, no matter how good the family background, we will not agree."

"I... I haven't thought so much about it yet, you should worry about my elder brother's marriage first," he said, somewhat embarrassed discussing his own marriage.

Tang Shuyi hummed in response, "Your marriage can indeed be put on hold."

Hearing her say this, Xiao Yuming breathed a sigh of relief. His mind was full of martial arts and military strategy; how could he have time to think about getting married?

The mother and son chatted for a while longer before each went to rest.

However, after the Second Prince was released, he became quite subdued and no longer fixated on the Yongning Marquis residence. Following this, Tang Shuyi and her family enjoyed a period of tranquility.

As the summer passed and the weather gradually cooled, Xiao Yuzhu often went horseback riding with Tang Anle and Xue Ying. Xue Ying was already engaged to the Third Young Master Tang, and to see his fiancée, he always found various excuses to accompany Tang Anle on horseback rides.

Li Jingyi often visited the Duke Tang's mansion to seek advice and gradually became familiar with the Third Young Master Tang, often joining them in their outings. Li Jingyi and Xiao Yiyuan were both students of Fang Dahu, and also acquaintances. Occasionally, Xiao Yiyuan would join them as well.

Gradually, this circle expanded, and Li Jingyi got to know more and more people, becoming noticeably more cheerful.

Tang Shuyi had been having a smooth time lately, so smooth that she felt she had gained quite a bit of weight and had no choice but to start a diet plan. The most effective way to lose weight, after all, is to watch your diet and move your legs. She now controlled her diet and ran in the garden of the Marquis residence every morning and evening.

When she first started running, Cui Zhu and Cui Yun were both curious and worried. Few women in the Daqian dynasty engaged in such vigorous exercise, with the exception of people like Xiang Wu. However, they gradually adapted over time.

One evening, as Tang Shuyi was running in the lantern-adorned garden, the butler arrived. Seeing his mistress in a less than flattering state, he didn’t dare approach and instead spoke to Cui Zhu at the garden gate, "The people who went to the Southern Frontier have returned."

Hearing this, Cui Zhu hurriedly said, "I will inform the lady at once."

This was a matter of great importance. She trotted to Tang Shuyi and said, "My lady, the people who went to the Southern Frontier have returned."

Tang Shuyi stopped, took the towel handed over by Cui Yun, and wiped the sweat from her face, "I’ll go right away."

As she walked towards Shi'an Garden, she thought for a moment and then said, "Call Yuming over."

Cuiyun promptly complied and went on her way. Upon reaching Shi'an Garden, Tang Shuyi changed her clothes and quickly freshened up before going out to meet the visitors.

When she arrived at the small parlor, Xiao Yuming and Steward Zhao were already there. The messenger who had accompanied them to the southern border greeted Tang Shuyi and reported, "Our party has entered the city, and Steward Lin instructed me to inform you first."

Tang Shuyi nodded and asked, "Did everything go smoothly on the journey?"

The guard replied, "All was well."

"Have all the members of the Xiao family from there arrived?" inquired Tang Shuyi.

"Yes, all of them," the guard responded. "There are two branches of the family: one consists of the old Marquis's brother and his family, who have two sons and a daughter. The daughter, being married, couldn't come, but both sons and their families have. The other is Master Xiao's family, including his grandmother, parents, and sister."

Tang Shuyi nodded, then turned to Steward Zhao and instructed, "Send someone immediately to inform Xiao Yiyuan."

They were unfamiliar with these people, but with Xiao Yiyuan present, the interaction would be smoother.

After Steward Zhao had left to carry out the orders, Tang Shuyi addressed Xiao Yuming, "It's getting late, and they've had a tiring journey. Let them rest first, and I will meet them tomorrow. You and Cuizhu go and attend to them."

Xiao Yuming agreed and went out with Cuizhu. The residence was not far from the Marquis's mansion, just half a quarter of an hour by carriage. Tang Shuyi had previously arranged for servants to be there, and when Xiao Yuming knocked on the door, a young servant immediately opened it. Recognizing the second young master, he ushered them in at once.

Cuizhu followed closely behind and explained the situation to the steward of the residence, then added, "Quickly get everyone moving, tell the kitchen to start preparing the meal, and ensure that the bedrooms have been cleaned, alright?"

The steward hastily replied, "Everything has been cleaned and is spotless, as we clean daily."

"Good, then light up the lamps in the bedrooms immediately," Cuizhu further instructed.

The steward acknowledged and quickly scurried off. Shortly after, another servant came running to report that the visitors were about to arrive at the gate. Xiao Yuming stood up and, along with Cuizhu, went to the entrance to greet them.