Chapter 230: Complicated Inner Feelings

Chapter 230: Complicated Inner Feelings

Xiao Yuming, accompanied by Cuizhu, reached the entrance of the residence just as Xiao Yiyuan also hurriedly arrived. After exchanging greetings, they saw several carriages slowly approaching, led by Niu Hongliang, the captain of the Marquis's guards.

As the visitors approached, Xiao Yuming and Xiao Yiyuan stepped forward. Niu Hongliang saluted them, and at the same time, the curtains of the carriages were lifted, and people of various ages alighted.

From the first carriage, an elderly man in his sixties or seventies descended, accompanied by two middle-aged men. Upon seeing them, Xiao Yiyuan quickly went forward to assist the elder, affectionately calling out, "Second Grandfather."

"Ah," the elder acknowledged, examining him up and down before remarking, "You look more spirited than before."

He is Xiao Chengming, the younger brother of the old Marquis.

Xiao Yiyuan smiled and then introduced Xiao Yuming to him, "Uncle, this is the second young master of the Marquis's mansion."

Xiao Yuming stepped forward to greet him, "This junior pays his respects."

As they had not formally acknowledged their kinship, he refrained from using a more intimate term of address. However, Xiao Chengming didn't mind this at all; taking a couple of steps closer, he scrutinized Xiao Yuming under the dim light, then said with tears brimming in his eyes, "You resemble him, you resemble your grandfather."

"Indeed, many have said so," Xiao Yuming responded, gesturing for him to enter, "Please, come inside."

Xiao Chengming turned back, addressing an elderly lady not far away, "Sister-in-law, let's go."

The elderly lady displayed a forced smile, and Xiao Yiyuan went over to assist her. Recalling what Tang Shuyi had mentioned before, Xiao Yuming approached as well.

Xiao Yiyuan once again made introductions, "Grandmother, this is the second young master of the Marquis's mansion."

Xiao Yuming bowed to her, but the elderly lady seemed at a loss, unsure of what to say or do. Noticing her discomfort, Xiao Yuming gestured again, "Please, let's go inside."

He turned and walked towards the mansion, the elderly lady clutching tightly onto Xiao Yiyuan's arm. Feeling her tremble, Xiao Yiyuan patted her hand reassuringly, whispering, "Grandmother, I'm here for you."

Hearing his words, the elderly lady's emotions stabilized considerably. She responded, "Alright, I know my grandson is capable."

Xiao Yiyuan turned back to call his parents and sister to enter the mansion. Once everyone reached the main hall, Xiao Yuming said, "You must be exhausted from the journey today. Rest well, and we shall meet my mother in the mansion tomorrow."

Naturally, Xiao Chengming and the others readily agreed. Noticing their nervousness, Xiao Yuming did not linger; after exchanging a few polite words, he left with Cui Zhu. Indeed, everyone seemed to breathe a sigh of relief upon his departure.

"Yisheng, go and close the door," Xiao Chengming instructed Xiao Yisheng, then whispered to Xiao Yiyuan, "What's actually going on here?"

Although Xiao Yisheng had already briefed him on many matters, Xiao Chengming still wanted to hear it from Xiao Yiyuan. Firstly, Xiao Yisheng had not been involved in some events and was not entirely clear about them. Secondly, Xiao Yiyuan was the most accomplished in their family, and his words carried more weight.

Xiao Yiyuan understood his uncle's feelings and patiently recounted how the second prince had sent someone to provoke him, the incident that occurred in the teahouse arranged by the second prince's staff, and how the second prince was subsequently placed under house arrest, sparing no details.

After his account, the room fell silent. His narrative was more detailed and vivid than Xiao Yisheng's, leaving Xiao Chengming and the others once again astonished.

After a while, Xiao Chengming asked in a low voice, "But... doesn't this mean you've made an enemy of the... the Emperor?"

That was incredibly bold!

People who had never even seen the county magistrate would tremble at the mere mention of the Emperor, let alone the fact that the Yongning Marquis's mansion had caused a prince to be placed under house arrest. The mere thought was terrifying.

"I only found out later," Xiao Yiyuan said, "The second prince had a grudge against the late Yongning Marquis. While the Yongning Marquis was alive, he didn't dare to act rashly. After the Yongning Marquis's death, he opposed the Yongning Marquis's mansion at every turn."

"Isn't this... isn't this bullying?" Xiao Chengming's voice carried a hint of indignation.

Xiao Yiyuan nodded, pondering for a moment before saying, "Lord Yongning had illustrious military achievements and sacrificed himself for the country; the Emperor still remembers these contributions. Moreover, the Lady of the Manor comes from the Tang family of dukes, who have always taken good care of her. It seems that the Yongning Manor is not afraid of the Second Prince at all."

Xiao Chengming and the others were even more astonished; could there actually be people in this world who weren't afraid of the royal family?

"The situation is quite complex, you'll understand in time," Xiao Yiyuan knew that no matter how much he explained, they wouldn't comprehend it, so he chose not to elaborate.

At this moment, there was a knock on the door followed by the steward's voice, "Young Master Xiao, the meal is prepared, you may dine now."

Before leaving, Cui Zhu had instructed the steward that among these people, Xiao Yiyuan was the one in charge, and any matters should be directed to him.

Xiao Yiyuan went to open the door, then led everyone to follow the steward to the dining room. The steward said with a smile, "The meal was prepared in haste, so it’s rather simple, please forgive us, Young Master Xiao."

Xiao Yiyuan glanced at the dining table, which had at least a dozen dishes, and hurriedly said, "It’s very good, thank you for your troubles."

"No trouble at all, it’s my duty," the steward replied with a slight bow. "Do you require someone to serve you during the meal?"

Xiao Yiyuan gestured with his hand, "No need."

The steward smiled again and then retreated, leaving only their large family in the room. Xiao Yiyuan watched the steward’s retreating figure, once again feeling that the Lady of the Manor’s conduct was impeccable, beyond reproach.

What had happened to their family was probably known to the entire Yongning Manor by now. But whether it was during his stay in the manor or after his family's arrival today, the servants had treated them with utmost respect.

The attitude of the servants often reflects the attitude of their master. The Lady of the Manor had granted them the highest courtesy.

With these thoughts in mind, Xiao Yiyuan invited his family to sit down and dine. The Xiao family, used to living in poverty, had been satisfied with the simple food they had on their journey from the southern borders. Now, faced with this table full of exquisite dishes, they were once again reminded of the Manor’s wealth.

Everyone sat there, their hearts filled with complex emotions.

"Second Granduncle, let's eat," Xiao Yiyuan softly urged Xiao Chengming.

Suppressing the turmoil in his heart, Xiao Chengming picked up his chopsticks and said, "We've been on the road all day and are all hungry, let's eat."

He took the lead in eating, and the others followed suit. They were indeed hungry, and the food was to their liking, so the plates were soon empty. But with more than a dozen dishes and ample staple food, the family ate to their hearts' content.

As soon as they finished, the steward's voice came from outside, inquiring if they would like some tea. Xiao Yiyuan knew this meant to ask if they had finished eating, and upon his affirmative response, several maids came in with tea trays, served a cup to each person, and then withdrew, leaving the family alone.

Xiao Chengming took a sip of tea and whispered to Xiao Yiyuan, "I have a few words to speak with you later."

Xiao Yiyuan nodded, "Alright."