Chapter 240: No Successor

Chapter 240: No Successor

News of Xiao Huai's survival spread quickly throughout the capital. Many families began to reassess their relationships with the Marquis of Yongning's residence.

Previously, with Xiao Huai's presumed death, the Emperor's attitude towards the Marquis of Yongning's household was a mix of favor and vigilance. Now, with Xiao Huai not only alive but having achieved great merits, the Emperor would undoubtedly be even more guarded.

Moreover, since Xiao Huai hadn't returned to the capital yet, and his stance remained unknown, most nobles maintained a respectful distance, choosing not to interact too frequently with the Marquis of Yongning's household.

Everyone was waiting to see how things would unfold. Consequently, the business at the clubs was not as good as before. However, families like those of the Earl of Nanling, General Xiang, the Qi family, and the carefree Prince's household, who were regularly in close contact, continued their interactions as usual.

The Duke of Tang's household and the Earl of Wuyang's residence need not be mentioned; being related by marriage, they shared both fortunes and misfortunes.

One day, while Tang Shuyi was discussing with Xiao Yuzhu about where Xiao Yuming might have gone and whether the messengers had found Xiao Yuchen, steward Zhao came running in to report, "Madam, a decree from the palace has arrived."

"Who is the messenger?" Tang Shuyi stood up and asked.

"It's Eunuch Jiao, from the Emperor's side. He has also brought many gifts," replied steward Zhao.

Tang Shuyi breathed a sigh of relief; it seemed they weren't here to cause trouble. She went to the front hall with Xiao Yuzhu. Upon seeing them, Jiao Kangsheng hurriedly bowed and then looked around before asking, "Is the second young master not here?"

Tang Shuyi let out a heavy sigh, "I'm extremely anxious. Upon learning his father was alive, he insisted on going to the northwest. I lost sight of him for a moment, and he sneaked away. I've just sent people out to look for him."

Jiao Kangsheng was taken aback, then said, "You must find him quickly."

Tang Shuyi let out a sigh, "Indeed, it's been worrying me to death."

Jiao Kangsheng sighed as well and then said, "Madam Marquis, please receive the decree."

Tang Shuyi hurriedly pulled Xiao Yuzhu down to kneel as Jiao Kangsheng began to read the imperial edict. In essence, it stated that Xiao Huai had endured humiliation for the sake of the Great Qian Dynasty and now had achieved great merit, thus he should be rewarded. Then came a list of lavish gifts.

The current Emperor had his merits, such as caring about face. And this concern was quite advantageous; just look at these rewards – a generous array of gold, silver, jewels, fine silks, and a large amount of land. It was indeed a grand gesture.

One must admit, Xiao Huai's ability to earn was truly first-class.

Could this be considered marital property, shared after marriage?

Lost in her thoughts, Tang Shuyi had the items moved to the storeroom. Jiao Kangsheng returned to the palace and recounted the process of delivering the decree to the Marquis of Yongning's household to the Emperor.

Upon hearing that Xiao Yuming had set off for the northwest on his own, the Emperor huffed heavily, "Lian Xingzhou is useless as well; didn’t he say that Xiao Huai never left the Marquis of Yongning's household? Now the Marquis' wife herself has said so, which means Xiao Huai left long ago."

Lian Xingzhou was the one he had assigned to keep an eye on the Marquis of Yongning's household.

Jiao Kangsheng bowed his head, pretending to be invisible. After a while, the Emperor continued, "Xiao Huai blames me for not trusting him, but has he ever trusted me? Without much ado, he has whisked his son away. It seems that Xiao Yuchen must have also gone to the northwest."

The Emperor suddenly felt powerless, utterly powerless. These past days, he had been losing sleep over how to counterbalance Xiao Huai, but to no avail. At such times, he would feel resentful, wondering why he didn't have a son like Xiao Huai. If he had a son like Xiao Huai, what would he have to worry about?

He sighed deeply. Forget having a son like Xiao Huai; even the profligate Xiao Huai was improving for the better, but none of his own sons showed any ambition.

At that moment, a young eunuch came in and whispered, "Your Majesty, the Prince of Su is seeking an audience."

The Emperor frowned. This Prince of Su was a collateral brother of the late Emperor. He had had a reasonably amicable relationship with the late Emperor, who had conferred upon him the title of a prince, but without a fief. He had always lived in the capital.

The Prince of Su was now the oldest member of the imperial family, and by seniority, his words carried some weight.

"Let him in," said the Emperor.

The eunuch left, and after a short while, the Prince of Su entered. He was over eighty, with white hair and beard, but still looked spirited.

The Emperor stood up, "Uncle, how do you feel today?"

The Prince of Su, assisted by a young eunuch, sat down and replied, "I am well."

The Emperor hummed and asked, "Uncle, what brings you here today?"

The Prince of Su had a look of indescribable complexity on his face as he spoke, "Your Majesty, it's a grave misfortune for a family to lack a successor, all the more so for Your Majesty."

The Emperor was sipping tea when he heard the Prince of Su's words, and suddenly the tea in his mouth tasted unspeakably bitter. He had several sons, yet he was being told he had no successor.

The Prince of Su continued, "Your Majesty is still of age to sire more children. Why not invite some more ladies into the palace? Choose those who are literate and wise, and clever."

Upon hearing this, the Emperor's face almost betrayed him. Was this to say that the women of his harem were foolish, and therefore his sons were foolish too? He wanted to be angry, but what the other said was true; his sons were indeed foolish.

After some thought, he said, "What do you suggest, Uncle?"

"Select from the renowned beauties in the capital," suggested the Prince of Su. "I've heard there's a ranking of talented ladies in the city. Choose from among them."

The Emperor pondered with his drooping, weary eyelids and felt that the Prince of Su's suggestion was not without merit. Children born of intelligent women were more likely to be intelligent themselves.

"Uncle, I shall consider your suggestion," said the Emperor.

"Very well," the Prince of Su replied as he took a sip of tea. He continued, "Your Majesty, conquering Rouli was the late Emperor’s dying wish. Rouli has always seen us as a fat morsel. Capturing Rouli would be an achievement for the ages. For now, we must pacify Xiao Huai and not provoke him. If you have any schemes, wait until Rouli is conquered."

"Uncle, I understand," the Emperor replied.

Did he want to kill Xiao Huai? Yes, he dreamed of it. But not now; he couldn't.

The Prince of Su hummed in acknowledgment, then stood up, "I came today just to have a word with you, Your Majesty. Now that I have, I shall take my leave."

As he made his way out, the Emperor stood up and instructed, "Jiao Kangsheng, see the Prince of Su out."

Jiao Kangsheng hurriedly went over to assist the Prince of Su, while the Emperor sat back down, his brows furrowed in thought.

Tang Shuyi was oblivious to the “fertility urging” mission that had already commenced by the Duke of Tang. The next day, she took Xiao Yuzhu to Lakeview Pavilion. She had made plans the day before to meet with the Lady of Nanling and the General's wife for cards at the pavilion.

When she arrived, the Lady of Nanling and the General's wife had not yet reached, so she went ahead with Xiao Yuzhu to the "office". Just as they sat down, Cuiyun came to report, "Someone requests an audience, claiming to be from the Northwest."

Tang Shuyi's brow furrowed slightly before she instructed, "Please, let them in."