Chapter 245: Just Have My Emperor Father Issue the Decree

Chapter 245: Just Have My Emperor Father Issue the Decree

Tang Shuyi put down the invitation card and said to Cui Zhu, "Tell the envoy from the Grand Tutor's residence that I await their visit tomorrow."

After Cui Zhu left, Tang Shuyi resumed her lesson with Xiao Yuzhu and Li Jingyi. Regardless of the Grand Tutor's intentions, she was ready to face whatever came. After a while, Tang Anle and Xue Ying came to invite Xiao Yuzhu for horseback riding.

Seeing her eyes sparkle with excitement, Tang Shuyi gestured for her to go. Xiao Yuzhu happily stood up and asked Li Jingyi, "Will you come?"

Li Jingyi, however, shook his head, "You go ahead."

Knowing that he was diligent in his studies, Xiao Yuzhu didn't press further and cheerfully left with Tang Anle and Xue Ying. Tang Shuyi then turned to Li Jingyi, "Going out to play is also fine. It won't affect your studies to miss a little bit of time."

Li Jingyi pursed his lips and said, "I started learning late. I need to study more to catch up with others."

Tang Shuyi smiled at him, "Alright, let's continue learning."

Knowing what you want and resisting temptation is the foundation of success.

The next day, not long after breakfast, Lady Jiang from the Grand Tutor's residence arrived. Tang Shuyi, accompanied by Xiao Yuzhu, received her in the hall of Shi'an Garden. Lady Jiang, in her early forties with a round, fair face, seemed very kind.

Upon seeing Xiao Yuzhu, she pulled her aside and lavished her with praise, even detaching a jade pendant from her attire to give to her. Xiao Yuzhu glanced at Tang Shuyi, and only upon seeing her nod of approval did she accept the gift.

"I can't help but adore such a grown young lady," Lady Jiang said, holding Xiao Yuzhu's hand. "How old are you now?"

Tang Shuyi lowered her eyes, then looked up with a smile and said, "She's nine years old."

"Oh, she's about the same age as the Crown Prince's child, Yingzhe," Madame Jiang from the Grand Preceptor's mansion remarked.

Tang Shuyi's smile remained unchanged as she addressed Xiaoyu, "Didn’t you say you wanted to play with Anle? Off you go then."

Xiaoyu bowed to Madame Jiang before leaving. Madame Jiang watched her leave and said, "The Crown Prince's wife returned home a few days ago and mentioned she met your little girl. She took quite a liking to her at first sight."

Tang Shuyi chuckled, "This child of mine has been the apple of her father's eye since she was little. Just the other day, the Marquis sent a letter home, and five whole pages were dedicated to his beloved daughter. It almost made my heart sour."

After saying this, she laughed, and Madame Jiang joined in. After a while, Madame Jiang said, "The Crown Prince has always admired the Marquis of Yongning for his bravery. He even mentioned that it would be great if a marriage could be arranged."

Seeing that Madame Jiang had made her intentions clear, Tang Shuyi responded, "The Marquis cherishes his daughter like the jewel in his palm. We've been separated for over three years, and I would never dare to make decisions about my child’s marriage matters without him."

Madame Jiang's smile faded slightly, "Of course, you're right. But the marriage of the imperial grandson isn’t something the Crown Prince and his wife can decide alone; ultimately, it's up to the Emperor."

It was a tactic to pressure her using the Emperor's name. Tang Shuyi’s smile vanished as she said, "Indeed, the marriage of children is a significant affair. Naturally, I'll adhere to whatever the Marquis decides."

If the Emperor dared to decree the marriage, she would have the audacity to ask him to issue a decree to Xiaohuai in the northwest. She wondered if the Emperor would dare to cause trouble for Xiaohuai at such a critical moment.

Madame Jiang forced a smile, then shifted the topic to other matters. After an insipid conversation, Madame Jiang took her leave.

After she left, Tang Shuyi was so angry she wanted to smash a cup. It was a classic case of the toad lusting after a swan’s flesh.

After downing a cup of ginseng tea to quell her irritation, Tang Shuyi wondered what the Crown Prince was thinking. Was he so confident that Xiaohuai was unaware of his treachery?

By considering a political marriage, he intended to bind Xiaohuai to his cause, heedless of his past actions.

Meanwhile, Madame Jiang returned to the Grand Preceptor's mansion and went straight to the study to see the Grand Preceptor and the Crown Prince. Stroking his beard, the Grand Preceptor inquired, "What did the Lady of Marquis Yongning say?"

Madame Jiang replied, "She said she dares not decide and will listen to whatever the Marquis says."

Upon hearing this, the Crown Prince snorted, "There's no need to probe a woman's intentions. My father, the Emperor, should just issue a decree."

The Grand Preceptor frowned upon hearing his words. Indeed, not only did the Emperor think his son was foolish, but the Grand Preceptor also found his grandson to be naive.

He said, "The Lady of Marquis Yongning is no ordinary woman. She is using the Marquis as an excuse."

"No matter what, once the imperial edict is issued, would he dare to defy it?" the Crown Prince argued.

The Grand Tutor frowned as he explained, "If you beseech the Emperor to decree an engagement between Yingzhe and the eldest daughter of Marquis Yongning, are you certain His Majesty would consent?"

The Crown Prince furrowed his brows, remaining silent, prompting the Grand Tutor to add, "Why else would His Majesty welcome so many beauties into the palace, if not in hope of siring more children?"

The Crown Prince huffed heavily, "Let him sire as many as he wishes. I doubt he'll succeed."

"Setting aside whether the Emperor can father another son," the Grand Tutor said earnestly, gazing at the Crown Prince, "you need to get your act together and stop fixating on women. The Emperor is quite displeased with you."

The Crown Prince scoffed again, "What can he do about his dissatisfaction? My second brother is dead; would he pass the throne to that incompetent third brother, or the mad fourth one?"

He was utterly confident that the throne would inevitably be his.

Sighing, the Grand Tutor remarked, "The world is unpredictable. If the Emperor were to have a son next year and lived another decade or so, that prince would surely come of age."

The Crown Prince spoke with nonchalance, "Then we simply ensure my royal father doesn't live that long."

The Grand Tutor was speechless...

Do you really think regicide is such an easy affair?

"Let's not discuss this," the Grand Tutor said helplessly, "Let's talk about Xiao Huai. It's highly probable he's already aware that the traitor is our man. Therefore, before his triumphant return, arrange for Yingzhe to be betrothed to his eldest daughter.

Upon his return, we'll promise him that if you ascend the throne, Yingzhe will be the Crown Prince, and his daughter the Crown Princess and future Empress. For the sake of future benefits and glory, all else can be forsaken."

The Crown Prince, growing impatient, said, "The Marquis's wife disagrees, and you say the Emperor won't consent to betroth Yingzhe. What then?"

The Grand Tutor pondered for a moment before replying, "We'll have to think of another way."

At this point, Madam Jiang, who had been standing to the side, suggested, "Perhaps the Crown Princess could speak to the Marquis's wife? Enlighten her about the pros and cons. The Marquis's wife seems intelligent; she should know what to choose."

"Indeed," the Grand Tutor agreed, "In a few days, have the Crown Princess invite the Marquis's wife to the Crown Prince's estate."

The Crown Princess herself hailed from the Grand Tutor's family.

"Alright, I shall take my leave now," declared the Crown Prince, rising to depart. He had recently acquired two beauties and was still quite enamored with them.

Watching his retreating figure, the Grand Tutor sighed deeply. His daughter was wise and shrewd, so how did she produce such a fool? Could it really be the Emperor's fault?

The Grand Tutor sighed heavily again. Having an inept ally was indeed quite disheartening.

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