Chapter 291: Out of Sight, Out of Mind

Chapter 291: Out of Sight, Out of Mind

Arriving at the entrance of the Empress's palace, Tang Shuyi was greeted by the Empress's housekeeper with a smile radiating from her face.

“Greetings to the Lady of the Duke of Dingguo,” said the housekeeper with a bow.

Tang Shuyi responded with a smile, “Please, there's no need for formalities.”

The housekeeper rose and led Tang Shuyi into the main hall of the Empress's chambers. The Empress was seated in the center and as Tang Shuyi paid her respects, the Empress came over to help her up, saying with a laugh, "It has been too long since I last saw the Lady."

Taking her seat, Tang Shuyi remarked, “There’s been much to attend to at home.”

The Empress waved for a maid to serve tea, then suggested, "I'm often idle in the palace. The Lady should visit more often to chat."

Tang Shuyi nodded in agreement, “Certainly.”

After exchanging some pleasantries, the Empress inquired, "What brings the Lady here today?"

Tang Shuyi heaved a long sigh, "I did not wish to disturb Your Majesty, but the matter is so infuriating that I had to come and speak with you."

Although the Empress was not very familiar with Tang Shuyi, she knew from her actions that this was not a woman to act without reason. Since she came to her, it must be no trivial matter. The Empress’s interests diverged from the Emperor's; she did not mind whether Xiao Huai was a threat due to his great achievements, but she cared about which side Xiao Huai would take in the princes' struggle for the throne, and whether she could secure Xiao Huai's support for the Third Prince.

After all, the Third Prince was being raised under her name; they were a community of shared interests.

Hearing Tang Shuyi’s words, the Empress sat up straight, showing earnest attention, “Please speak, Lady.”

Tang Shuyi recounted the incident that had occurred at Lakeview Pavilion, then said, "Your Majesty, tell me, isn't the Prince Su's residence being too presumptuous? In matters of marriage, we must consider appropriate matches, the equality of social status. A girl born from a minor concubine, pestering my Yuchen repeatedly..."

Tang Shuyi looked exasperated, and the Empress’s expression also darkened. As the Empress, she had to oversee certain matters within the royal family. Now, with such a scandal occurring within the royal clan, it was a slight to her dignity as well.

Tang Shuyi continued, “And today, she even dared to invoke the Emperor, claiming His Majesty would decree a marriage between her and my Yuchen. Your Majesty, isn't this laughable? How wise our Emperor is—would he arrange a marriage between a mere concubine-born girl and the heir of the Duke of Dingguo's estate?”

The Empress: “………”

"The Empress herself could indeed orchestrate such a matter, so even if she wanted to win over the Duke of Dingguo, she dared not rush to say anything imprudent. After a moment of thought, the Empress said, 'This is indeed a thorny issue. How about this—I will have someone invite the Crown Princess of Prince Su to bring Hui Xin over, so we can discuss everything openly.'"

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Tang Shuyi said.

The Empress dismissed the room with a wave of her hand, then commanded her attendants to summon someone from the Prince Su residence. The Prince Su's wife had long passed away, and now the lady of the house was the Crown Princess Consort of Prince Su. Thus, the Empress sent for her.

The housekeeper nun stepped out of the hall, and speaking to a young eunuch, she said, "Go to the Imperial Study and inform His Majesty that the Lady of Duke Dingguo has arrived concerning matters related to Princess Huixin."

Upon receiving his orders, the little eunuch hurried to the Imperial Study, while the housekeeper nun made her way to the Prince Su residence.

Inside the Imperial Study, Xiao Huai and his son Xiao Yuchen sat opposite the Emperor. With a crestfallen expression, Xiao Yuchen recounted his ordeals of being entangled by Li Huixin multiple times, then pleaded, "Your Majesty, I truly cannot endure her relentless pursuit any longer."

The Emperor acknowledged his words with a grunt, then fell silent. It wasn’t that he had nothing to say; rather, he was contemplating how to smoothly arrange a marriage between Li Huixin and Xiao Yuchen.

Before he could articulate his thoughts, Xiao Huai interjected, "Such a shameless and frenzied woman is not someone my Duke Dingguo residence would dare to wed. I believe Your Majesty wouldn’t bestow such a marriage upon my son either."

The Emperor: "……"

At this moment, Xiao Yuchen added, "Father, as I have said before, I would rather become a monk than marry her."

"Nonsense!" Xiao Huai reprimanded his son sternly, "You are the heir of Duke Dingguo. How could you entertain the thought of becoming a monk? Not only would I not permit it, but His Majesty would not allow it either. Refrain from such reckless talk in the future."

The Emperor: "………"

What could he say? The arguments he had in mind were all refuted by the father and son duo. Swallowing the frustration that lingered in his throat, he said, "Yesterday, Prince Su indeed discussed the matter of bestowing a marriage with me. I was unaware that Huixin’s actions were so... rash."

Xiao Huai sneered internally. The Emperor still hadn’t dismissed the idea of bestowing a marriage!

Just then, Jiao Kangsheng approached and whispered to the Emperor, "The Lady of Duke Dingguo is currently in the Empress's palace. Her Majesty is inquiring about Your Majesty’s opinion."

The Emperor's brows knitted in consternation, and Jiao Kangsheng added, "Her Majesty has sent someone to invite the Crown Princess Consort of Prince Su."

The Emperor acknowledged with a grunt, "Summon Prince Su as well, and tell Her Majesty that we will all meet in the Imperial Study shortly to discuss this matter in person."

"As you command," Jiao Kangsheng replied and departed.

The Emperor turned to Xiao Huai with a displeased tone, "The Empress mentioned that your wife has also come to the palace."

Xiao Huai acknowledged, "My wife heard that Princess Huixin claimed Your Majesty intended to decree a marriage for Yuchen. In her distress, she insisted on discussing the matter with Her Majesty, and I was unable to deter her."

The Emperor scoffed inwardly but said aloud, "Duke Xiao, you must establish your authority within your residence."

This was an insinuation of his fear of his wife. Xiao Huai, lifting his teacup for a sip, replied, "My wife is a paragon of diligence and frugality, a model of supporting her husband and educating our children. I hold her in high esteem."

The Emperor: "……"

It seems like bragging about being henpecked has become your new hobby. With a wave of his hand, the Emperor said, "Prince Su and his entourage might take a while to arrive. Why don't you retire to the side hall to rest for a bit?"

Out of sight, out of mind.

Xiao Huai and Xiao Yuchen, having heard his command, stood up, paid their respects, and followed Jiao Kangsheng to the side hall. Once seated, Xiao Yuchen turned to look at Xiao Huai. The changes in his father were really not subtle compared to the past.

For instance, he used to stick with his mother all the time at home, but he was much more restrained when they were out. Like those praises for his mother he had just uttered, he would hardly ever say such things in public, but now, he spoke them so freely.

Feeling his son's gaze, Xiao Huai asked, "Why are you looking at me like that?"

Xiao Yuchen hesitated for a moment, his curiosity eventually getting the better of him. Leaning closer to Xiao Huai and lowering his voice, he asked, "Father, what exactly did you do wrong? Mother still won't let you return to our Shi'an Yuan residence."

Xiao Huai: "……"

Why is it phrased as if she won't let me return to Shi'an Yuan? Could it not be that I simply don't want to return?

…………………