Chapter 256: Something Is Not Right

Chapter 256: Something Is Not Right

The winter weather was clear but still bone-chillingly cold. Imperial Censor Li, wrapping his cloak around him, walked side by side with Xiao Huai out of the palace. He glanced at Xiao Huai, who was wearing only a long, wide-sleeved robe and walking with a leisurely gait, and thought to himself how great it is to be young!

"Duke Dingguo, there is something I don't understand," Imperial Censor Li said after some thought, finally deciding to ask. He was genuinely curious.

"Please speak, Imperial Censor Li," said Xiao Huai.

"Lady Hou, oh, now it's the Duchess," said Imperial Censor Li, "The Duchess told you, didn't she, that the Crown Prince is not..."

The rest of the sentence was left unsaid, but everyone knew what it meant. However, Xiao Huai didn't understand; what does this have to do with... with the Duchess?

He asked, "Why would Imperial Censor Li say such a thing? What does my wife have to do with this matter?"

Imperial Censor Li: "……"

Don't you and your wife communicate about your actions?

"Does Duke Dingguo not know that all the evidence submitted to His Majesty today came from the Duchess?" said Imperial Censor Li.

Xiao Huai was taken aback, then said, "I have not returned home yet, and my wife has not mentioned this to me."

Imperial Censor Li looked enlightened; this excuse was also plausible. But he hadn't even known about Consort Min's affair; how could he be sure that the Crown Prince was not the Emperor's son?

Seeking clarity, Imperial Censor Li continued, "How did you ascertain the Crown Prince's true identity, Duke Dingguo? And you even thought of using a blood test for verification."

Xiao Huai chuckled, "It was a gamble."

Imperial Censor Li: "……"

If you won't say it, just don't, but why beat around the bush!

As they conversed, they reached the palace gates. Imperial Censor Li's attendant hurried over with a hand warmer. Over there, Xiao Yuchen and Xiao Yuming had also rushed over; they had been waiting at the palace gate all this while.

"Why haven't you gone home?" Xiao Huai asked them.

Back in the northwest, they had been longing every day to return to the capital, to see their mother and sister.

"We were worried about father," Xiao Yuchen said, with Xiao Yuming nodding in agreement.

A warmth filled Xiao Huai's heart; he raised his hand and patted their shoulders, "Let's go."

Just then, Steward Zhao came running, his eyes brimming with tears, and bowed to Xiao Huai, "This servant greets my lord, no, the Duke."

Xiao Huai extended his hand to help him up, "Rise."

Steward Zhao stood and added, "The mistress has sent me to escort the Duke and the young masters back to the estate."

Xiao Huai's gaze softened, "Then let's go."

Steward Zhao responded, and Xiao Yuming suddenly darted to his side, asking, "Steward Zhao, are my mother and Yuzhu well?"

Steward Zhao smiled, "Well, the mistress and the young miss have been constantly thinking about the Duke and the young masters."

"I brought a lot of nice things for Yuzhu and mother," Xiao Yuming added.

"The mistress and young miss will surely love them," Steward Zhao replied, smiling in agreement.

They talked as they boarded the carriage and headed towards the Marquis of Yongning's residence. Soon, they arrived at the gate of the estate, where they alighted. The central door was wide open, and Xiao Yuzhu and Tang Shuyi were standing at the doorway.

Seeing them, both hurried over, their faces filled with excitement. Xiao Huai clenched his fist; he didn't know how he should react if Tang Shuyi and Xiao Yuzhu were to rush towards him.

At that moment, Tang Shuyi was the first to approach; his grip tightened. But he saw her walk past him and stand before Xiao Yuchen and Xiao Yuming, her gaze tender and thrilled.

Xiao Yuchen and Xiao Yuming lifted their robes and knelt before her, saying in unison, "We greet you, mother."

They then gave three solid kowtows. Tang Shuyi, with tears in her eyes, helped them up, looking them over from left to right. Seeing that they were well and even more robust than before, she smiled and said, "My son has grown up."

Xiao Yuchen and Xiao Yuming both smiled sheepishly, and Tang Shuyi, dabbing the wetness from the corner of her eyes with a handkerchief, then turned to give Xiao Huai a curtsey, "Duke."

Xiao Huai hastily returned the gesture, saying, "Madam, you have worked hard these past years."

Just then, the imperial envoy arrived, led by the familiar face of Jiao Kangsheng. He bowed to Xiao Huai and Tang Shuyi, "Duke Dingguo, Madam, please receive the decree."

The family knelt together, and Jiao Kangsheng read out the emperor's decree appointing Xiao Huai as Duke Dingguo, along with a series of rewards. After finishing, he smiled and said, "His Majesty stated that he wishes to personally inscribe the plaque for Duke Dingguo's residence. The plaque will likely take a few days to complete."

"There is no rush," replied Xiao Huai.

Jiao Kangsheng smiled again, "Then this servant will return to report."

Having said that, he departed with a retinue of palace maids and eunuchs, leaving behind the rewards on the ground. These belonged to Xiao Huai. Tang Shuyi, considering herself to have strong boundaries, had managed these affairs in Xiao Huai's absence before, but now that the man himself was present, she could not overstep.

And Xiao Huai felt that it was only right for Tang Shuyi to take care of these things, being the lady of the house. Seeing her hesitate, he cleared his throat and said, "Would you trouble yourself to organize these items, Madam?"

This implied that the wealth was to be made public. Since he had put it this way, Tang Shuyi would not decline and directed Steward Zhao along with maids Cuiyun and Cuizhu to sort everything out and record it in the inventory.

It wasn't that she had overthought before; many wealthy household masters kept their private coffers. Just like before, both the old Marquis and Xiao Huai had their separate accounts.

While Steward Zhao with maids Cuiyun and Cuizhu busied themselves, Tang Shuyi and Xiao Huai led the three children into the mansion. Xiao Yuzhu stayed close to Xiao Huai, silent but occasionally looking up at him, prompting a laugh from Xiao Huai.

"What do you usually do at home?" Xiao Huai asked with a smile.

This question seemed to unlock Xiao Yuzhu's box of stories as she chattered away about the trivialities of her daily life. Her voice was crisp and her storytelling animated; Xiao Huai listened with a constant smile on his face.

Upon reaching the main hall, the family sat together and talked. After Xiao Yuzhu had finished discussing her daily life, she started to inquire about Xiao Huai’s experiences, focusing mostly on his routine in the military. Xiao Huai explained patiently.

Meanwhile, Tang Shuyi and Xiao Yuchen, Xiao Yuming talked about the events that had taken place during their time apart. Of course, they only covered the broad strokes as the details were too complex to convey all at once.

After chatting for a while, Tang Shuyi, noticing that it was almost time for the evening meal, suggested that the three travel-weary men freshen up before they all dined together.

Xiao Yuchen and Xiao Yuming stood up and returned to their respective courtyards, leaving Xiao Huai behind. Where Xiao Huai would freshen up was a question; he had not had his own courtyard before, usually staying in the study or at Tang Shuyi's Shi'an Garden.

"I'll go to the study; there are some official documents I need to look at," Xiao Huai informed Tang Shuyi.

Tang Shuyi felt relieved inside, but it didn’t show on her face. She smiled and said, "Then I'll have the bath prepared in the study for you."

"Alright," Xiao Huai nodded to Tang Shuyi, then turned to the waiting servant and commanded, "Follow me to the study."

The servant quickly agreed and led the way to the study. Tang Shuyi watched Xiao Huai's retreating figure with a furrowed brow; she had an inkling that something was profoundly amiss.