Chapter 277: A Clever One

Chapter 277: A Clever One

After returning to their residence, the entire Xiao family gathered in the hall, and soon after, Xiao Yiyuan’s grandmother, Lady Lu, also arrived. Both Xiao Yiyuan and Xiao Chengming wore troubled expressions upon seeing her. From their perspective, they naturally wanted to secure more benefits for Lady Lu. But the reality was, they were helpless.

"Sister-in-law, take a look." Xiao Chengming passed the account book he had obtained from Tang Shuyi to Lady Lu.

Lady Lu opened it and saw pages filled with dense text. She chuckled and said, "I can’t read, so just tell me."

Xiao Chengming exchanged a glance with Xiao Yiyuan. After a moment of silence, Xiao Yiyuan said, "This is what the Duke and Duchess allocated to us when we visited the Ducal Mansion just now. It includes…"

Xiao Yiyuan briefly summarized the contents, leaving Lady Lu stunned for a long time before she exclaimed, "This… isn’t this too much?"

"After my elder brother passed away, they did a division of property. At that time, some of my brother’s wealth was allocated to his illegitimate children, and these were what was left for the Duke. Now, the Duke has given them all to us," Xiao Chengming explained.

At a loss for words, Lady Lu was both excited and sorrowful. At this moment, Xiao Yiyuan’s mother, Lady Tao, chimed in, "The Ducal Mansion is brimming with fine things. Just the rewards the Emperor bestowed upon the Duke last time might be worth more than these."

"Shut your mouth," Xiao Dayong, Xiao Yiyuan’s father, scolded her. "No matter how much the Emperor rewards, that’s what they’ve earned with their lives. What does it have to do with us?"

"Dayong is right," Lady Lu sighed deeply. "They’ve given us more than enough. Have you forgotten the days when our family had nothing to eat?"

"I was just saying," Lady Tao mumbled.

Lady Lu gave her a deep look. This daughter-in-law was greedy and somewhat irrational, but she lacked courage, and both she and her son could keep her in check.

"You needn’t feel sorry for me," Lady Lu continued. "Both the Duke and the Duchess are generous people. In the future, maintain a good relationship with them. As for where I’ll be buried after my death... I’ve already decided. I’ll rest with my parents; just bury me with them."

She had married into the Xiao family for only a couple of years before Xiao Chengkun went off to join the army. After that, the two never saw each other again, and now they were separated by life and death. Frankly, Xiao Chengkun's image had blurred in her heart, and after so many years, there wasn't much sentiment left.

But my parents-in-law have always been kind to me; my affection for them is much deeper than for Xiao Chengkun. So, after death, rather than resting with Xiao Chengkun, I'd prefer to be with my parents-in-law.

"How can this be acceptable?" Xiao Chengming protested.

Lu Shi waved her hand dismissively, "Resting with him after death isn't as comforting as being with my parents. That's my final decision."

She turned to Xiao Yiyuan and added, "Please convey my wishes to the Duke and Duchess."

Xiao Yiyuan pursed his lips and replied softly, "Alright."

Lu Shi smiled, then turned to Xiao Chengming and suggested, "The tree grows and branches out; the Duke's family has divided their estate, perhaps it's time for us to do the same."

In tough times, a large family huddled together for warmth. But when fortunes improve and wealth accumulates, it often breeds trouble. It might be best to divide the household now.

Xiao Chengming understood this logic and agreed, "Alright, let's divide the household."

"How to divide it, you and Yiyuan can discuss and decide," Lu Shi added.

Xiao Yiyuan and Xiao Chengming exchanged glances, then nodded in agreement.

…………

Tang Shuyi quickly learned of Lu Shi's wish not to be buried with the old marquis but to rest with her own parents. Sitting next to Xiao Yuzhu, she commented, "She's a sensible woman. After all, posthumous arrangements are for the living to witness. They couldn't win a contest even if they wanted to, so it's wise for her to step back now and seek blessings for herself and her descendants."

Xiao Yuzhu nodded in agreement and asked, "Should we inform our uncle about this?"

"Of course," Tang Shuyi affirmed. "Let's send an invitation to the Marquis of Wuyang's estate immediately, so your father can join us there tomorrow."

Hearing this, Xiao Yuzhu giggled, "Father is so obedient now. Whatever you ask of him, he will surely do."

Tang Shuyi was taken aback, then lightly tapped her on the forehead, chiding, "Don't talk nonsense."

Xiao Yuzhu continued to laugh, for it was indeed true. She leaned closer to Tang Shuyi and whispered, "Mother, did Father do something to upset you? Are you punishing him?"

Tang Shuyi was speechless...

Why are their imaginations so wild?

She replied, "Don't make wild guesses."

Xiao Yuzhu wore an expression of having guessed correctly, which gave Tang Shuyi a headache. Truly, when it came to this matter, she was at a loss with her three children.

Just as Xiao Yuzhu had said, Xiao Huai naturally complied with Tang Shuyi's arrangements. The following day, the family visited the Marquis of Wuyang's estate. Upon hearing from Tang Shuyi about Lu Shi's wish to rest with her in-laws after death, both the Marquis and his wife were startled, after which the Marchioness commented, "She's clever. But it's not like you've mistreated them."

Compared to such a significant fortune, the matter of how one is buried after death pales in significance.

After discussing the serious matters, Xiao Huai went to the study with the Marquis of Wuyang. Xiao Yuzhu went off to play with Xue Ying, and Xiao Yuming and Xiao Yuzhen were taken away by the young master of the Xue family, leaving only the Marchioness of Wuyang and Tang Shuyi in the room.

"With Xiao Huai back, you must be relieved," said the Marchioness of Wuyang.

Tang Shuyi responded with a smile, "Indeed."

Upon reflection, Tang Shuyi realized she had indeed been more at ease since Xiao Huai's return. At the very least, he was able to promptly handle any task she assigned.

"You're fortunate as well; Xiao Huai is wholeheartedly devoted to you, and the three children are becoming sensible," the Marchioness of Wuyang said with satisfaction, then continued, "A few days ago, the Marchioness of Anyuan visited me, seeking my matchmaking services for her eldest granddaughter, who has taken a liking to our Yuzhen."

Tang Shuyi considered the Anyuan Marquis's family, which seemed to have a convoluted kinship with the Marchioness of Wuyang's maternal family.

"Yuzhen is indeed of age to be betrothed, but I prefer to wait until after the imperial examinations in spring," said Tang Shuyi.

The Marchioness of Wuyang replied, "In families like ours, and with Yuzhen being the heir, the imperial examinations are just icing on the cake."

Tang Shuyi agreed, "That's true, but the boy has worked so hard for so long. Now that he's approaching the final hurdle, he must give his best effort."

"That's true," the Marchioness of Wuyang said with a smile. "The Anyuan Marquis's eldest granddaughter is both good-looking and kind-hearted. You should meet her when you have the chance."

Since she had put it that way, Tang Shuyi could only agree. After all, meeting was just that—not a betrothal.

Meanwhile, in the Prince Su's residence, marriage discussions were also underway, concerning Xiao Yuzhen.

PS: I wonder if everyone still remembers Prince Su. He is the late emperor's illegitimate brother. Due to his low-key nature and good relationship with the late emperor, he was granted a princely title but without any fiefdom. He is also the oldest member of the royal family in terms of age and generation.