Chapter 273: Compliance in Trivial Matters

Chapter 273: Compliance in Trivial Matters

When faced with the unknown and uncontrollable, people subconsciously enter a state of tension and alertness, and that's exactly what Tang Shuyi is experiencing now.

She has always considered herself selfish, prioritizing her own safety and the interests of those close to her in any situation. Take, for example, the matter of Xiao Huai housing the soul of the Carefree King; she wouldn't mind if the Carefree King sought vengeance or even plotted the emperor's downfall. They could even collaborate.

However, the precondition is that the Carefree King, in his quest for revenge, cannot act recklessly. He must, like her, prioritize the safety and future of their three children above all else. Her confrontational stance in the earlier discussion with Xiao Huai was to assert dominance and to make clear what actions are permissible and what are not.

Now it seems that the Carefree King isn't blinded by hatred; he understands that occupying another's body comes with its own set of responsibilities.

After sitting silently in the room for a while, she got up and went to the study, where Li Jingyi was waiting. Upon entering, Li Jingyi stood up to greet her. Tang Shuyi gestured for him to sit and asked, "How is the Imperial Dowager?"

She suspects that Li Jingyi's visit today was at the behest of the Imperial Dowager. A son’s return necessitates a mother’s inquiry into his well-being, a concern understandable to any mother, regardless of her son's age.

"Grandmother is well," Li Jingyi said. "She mentioned that with the New Year approaching, she wonders if you'd like to go to the temple for offering prayers, and if so, she could join."

Tang Shuyi understood the implication; this was a desire to see her son. Given the Imperial Dowager's status, a direct visit to the Duke's residence was inappropriate, and a visit to the prince’s residence would not include Xiao Huai, but a temple visit could.

"I've been planning to visit Chongguang Temple in a few days. I'll inform the Imperial Dowager beforehand," Tang Shuyi replied.

Reciprocal convenience benefits both parties, and as she might collaborate with Xiao Huai in the long term, she was naturally inclined to lend a hand to her partner for even the simplest of tasks.

"Alright, I'll convey this to grandmother."

After this, Li Jingyi hesitated as if wanting to say more. Seeing this, Tang Shuyi prompted, "If there's anything else, just say it."

Li Jingyi pondered for a moment before saying, "The Emperor has decreed the lifting of my... uncle's exile and the restitution of their previously confiscated property."

Tang Shuyi nodded, "That's wonderful!"

"It's just... I'm unsure how to interact with them in the future. If I get too close, would grandmother be displeased?" Li Jingyi expressed his concern.

Tang Shuyi sighed; the child had suffered too much in the past, which made him apprehensive even when his circumstances improved. She asked, "Based on your understanding of the Imperial Dowager, do you think she would mind you getting close to your uncles?"

Li Jingyi shook his head, "No, she wouldn't."

"So, what's there for you to worry about?" Tang Shuyi asked.

Li Jingyi lowered his head, and after a moment, said, "I just fear that grandmother might be displeased because of it."

Tang Shuyi placed her arm on his shoulder and said, "I've told you before, you are your own person, not someone others expect you to be, nor someone others envy or scorn. As long as your actions don't violate your conscience or morals, you needn't be overly concerned about what others think. The same goes for family members."

This child was just too preoccupied with his feelings towards his grandmother, so much so that he became overly cautious in his actions. This wasn't good. While one shouldn't be heartless, being overly swayed by emotions isn't advisable either.

Li Jingyi nodded, "I understand."

"With the New Year approaching, the royal manor will undoubtedly be bustling," Tang Shuyi continued. "Although you are not yet of age, having inherited the title, you should start taking on corresponding responsibilities, which would also help to lighten your grandmother's load."

"Grandmother has entrusted me with many tasks," Li Jingyi said.

Tang Shuyi nodded, "The Dowager Empress has been very kind to you, and you can talk to her directly about some matters. Only with your own honesty can you expect honesty in return."

A broad smile bloomed on Li Jingyi's face, his heart having cleared of its earlier troubles. Indeed, he had been overly cautious for fear of losing her again.

At that moment, Xiao Yuzhu came in, and Tang Shuyi invited her to sit down with Li Jingyi to read together. She then stepped outside to instruct Cui Zhu to notify Xiao Yiyuan and the others that Xiao Huai would meet them tomorrow.

Inside the study, Li Jingyi asked Xiao Yuzhu, "Are you happy now that your father is back home?"

Xiao Yuzhu nodded, "Yes."

Though she answered in the affirmative, Li Jingyi sensed that she wasn't particularly overjoyed. Having known each other for such a long time, he knew that if Xiao Yuzhu were truly happy, her face would be alight with a beaming smile, and she would excitedly chatter about the events of the past few days.

"Has something happened?" Li Jingyi inquired.

Xiao Yuzhu shook her head, swiftly changing the subject, "How have you been these past few days?"

Despite their close friendship, Xiao Yuzhu felt it was better not to divulge too much since she was still unclear about her parents' situation. Noticing her discomfort, Li Jingyi did not press further. Instead, he spoke of the matters that had troubled him recently, concluding, "After hearing my master's words, I've come to understand."

Xiao Yuzhu leaned in closer, whispering, "The Dowager Empress is weakest to cajoling. If you do something wrong, just act coquettishly towards her, and then everything will be alright."

Li Jingyi: "........."

I can't act coquettishly, and besides, grandmother is only susceptible to your cajoling. But he thought it best to keep these thoughts to himself.

………

After leaving Shi'an Garden, Xiao Huai took Xiao Yuzhen to visit the Fang family. Recalling his recent conversation with Tang Shuyi, he couldn't help but smile. What Tang Shuyi had considered, he had naturally thought of as well.

The Emperor's wariness towards Xiao Huai was not merely about the man himself, but also his prestige within the northwestern army. Previously, the Emperor had wanted to kill Xiao Yuming out of fear that the Xiao family would produce another figure like Xiao Huai, who would continue to command the northwestern army. As long as Xiao Yuming pursued martial ways, the conflict between the Xiao family and the Emperor would persist.

At that time, he did not contradict Tang Shuyi because as Xiao Huai, he was a beneficiary of the situation; having gained an advantage, he could not act spoiled but had to accept responsibility and pay the price.

Moreover, to Tang Shuyi, he was an intruder, so her wariness towards him was quite normal. In the future, as partners, it was unnecessary to take every matter to heart.

He felt that the current way of interacting with Tang Shuyi was quite good, where he would just go along with her on the small things.