Chapter 293: Not Entirely Unacceptable

Chapter 293: Not Entirely Unacceptable

On the day when Prince Su requested the Emperor's permission for a marriage, he realized his foolishness. Upon returning home, he lay awake all night, filled with regret, pondering how to rectify his foolish actions.

After a night of deliberation, he concluded that the best course of action was to do nothing and leave everything to the Emperor's will. Whether the Emperor decrees it or not, he would simply be more cautious in his conduct henceforth. Perhaps after some time, the Emperor might even forget about this affair.

What he hadn't anticipated was that while he was trying to be discreet, his daughter knew nothing of subtlety and had caused a significant incident. Now, even the Duke of Dingguo was pointing fingers at him, calling him a treacherous villain. What else could he do but feign death?

So, with a roll of his eyes, he feigned a fainting spell.

Almost everyone present guessed that he was pretending to faint, but they all wished to quickly put an end to the matter, so no one exposed him.

"Take Prince Su to the side hall and have the imperial physician examine him," commanded the Emperor.

He had never anticipated that matters would escalate to this extent. Not only had he not granted the marriage of Li Huixin to Xiao Yuchen, but he had also been indirectly rebuked by Xiao Huai. Despite this, he was powerless to act, having always held himself to the standards of a wise ruler.

Watching Prince Su being carried away by a few eunuchs, the Emperor silently breathed a sigh of relief, easing the pain that was lodged in his throat. Turning to Xiao Huai, he said:

"Prince Su is old and somewhat muddled, and Li Huixin is his late-life daughter, whom he dotes on excessively. When he first requested the marriage to me, I felt that the two youngsters were unsuitable, which is why I did not consent. I didn't expect it would still lead to so much trouble."

Both Xiao Huai and Tang Shuyi sneered inwardly at his words, thinking that the Emperor had managed to say all the right things and portray himself as the good guy. But regardless of their inner disdain, now was not the time to fall out with the Emperor, and they couldn't let it show on their faces.

Xiao Huai bowed to the Emperor, “Your Majesty is wise.”

The Emperor waved them off and, after bestowing some gifts, dismissed Xiao Huai and his party, not wanting to lay eyes on this family any longer.

The family of three exited the Imperial Study to find their sedan chairs already prepared. Since the Emperor wished to put on a show of generosity, they would not decline and took the sedan chairs out of the Imperial Palace.

After Tang Shuyi and the others left, the Empress rose to take her leave as well. She had come to a clear understanding that the Emperor was no match for the Duke and Duchess of Dingguo. Her future course of action was now much clearer. Li Huixin, utterly distraught, followed her out, destined to learn proper conduct in the Empress's palace henceforth.

After the Empress's departure, the Crown Prince and his wife of Prince Su's lineage also excused themselves, feeling they had suffered an undeserved calamity. They had been called into the Imperial Palace from the comfort of their home only to learn about the actions of Prince Su and Li Huixin. Now, they wished nothing more than for Li Huixin to vanish immediately.

Though the situation seemed resolved on the surface, they had incurred the Emperor's disdain and deeply offended the Duke of Dingguo. After leaving the Imperial Study, they went to the side hall to collect Prince Su and return to their mansion together.

En route, the Crown Princess said to the Crown Prince, “In the past, I endured Concubine Rong's arrogance because of your father's favor towards her. But this time, I can no longer tolerate her. Even if your father objects, I must deal with her.”

The Crown Prince's face was as dark as the bottom of a pot. He replied, “Deal with her as you please. I will speak to father.”

The Crown Princess nodded, then after a moment of thought, she asked, “Should we apologize to the Duke of Dingguo's residence?”

“No need,” said the Crown Prince, his brow furrowed enough to kill a mosquito. He added, “Father has already chosen to side with the Emperor. We must not waver; otherwise, we'll end up pleasing neither side.”

"Even father, why meddle in this muddle? He is really..." muddled in his old age.

The heir to Prince Su pressed his lips together, remaining silent. What could he say? He had to clean up the mess his father had made.

Upon arrival at the Prince Su's residence, the Crown Princess retreated to her own quarters and immediately ordered her servants to take Rong Aunty to the most secluded yard in the mansion. She decreed that without her permission, Rong Aunty was never to leave that yard.

The servants, though puzzled by the Crown Princess's sudden action against Rong Aunty, felt a secret satisfaction. Rong Aunty had not been kind in the past, flaunting her and her daughter’s favoritism without modesty.

A crowd rushed into Rong Aunty's yard and without a word, they restrained her and dragged her out. Rong Aunty naturally struggled, but how could she, alone, contend against several stout maids? She was thus forcibly dragged to a desolate, abandoned yard—likely her abode for the rest of her life.

In the Prince of Su's quarters, the heir sat in front of the bed, looking at the Prince of Su who was propped up in bed, and said, "Father, once you're better, please ask the Emperor to allow me to inherit the title. You can’t keep managing this household anymore."

The Prince of Su had not expected his own son to covet the title while he was still alive. Trembling, he pointed at the heir and said, "You... you ungrateful son."

"Father," the heir to Prince Su said, "The Emperor has probably already grown weary of you. Do you want to drag the entire household down with you?"

"I... I..." The Prince of Su wanted to say something, but words failed him. He just wanted to help the Emperor; how did it come to this?

The Prince of Su's heir no longer paid him any attention and turned to leave.

…………

When Tang Shuyi and her party arrived home, they saw Xiao Yuming and Xiao Yuzhu waiting at the entrance. Tang Shuyi approached, touching Xiao Yuzhu’s hand, and asked, "Are you cold?"

Xiao Yuzhu shook her head, and then the family returned to Si An Yuan. Tang Shuyi and Xiao Huai sat on either side of the embroidered stool sipping tea while Xiao Yuchen recounted the events at the palace.

After hearing this, Xiao Yuzhu said, "So brother doesn’t have to marry Princess Hui Xin."

Xiao Yuchen nodded, "Of course not."

"Then when will you and Princess Jianing set the date?" Xiao Yuzhu asked.

Xiao Yuchen's face reddened again, Xiao Yuzhu giggled at the side, and Tang Shuyi also smiled. She said, "I've been to the Duke of Li's mansion, but they haven't sent a reply yet. If Princess Jianing agrees, then they will be betrothed."

"That would be wonderful," Xiao Yuzhu said. "Princess Jianing is so much better than Li Hui Xin, isn’t she, big brother?"

Xiao Yuzhen glared at her when she teased him again, and Tang Shuyi laughed, "Stop teasing your brother."

Xiao Yuzhu nodded with a smile, and then Cu Yun came to announce that dinner was ready. The family moved to the dining room for the meal. After eating, the three youngsters quickly scampered away, leaving Tang Shuyi and Xiao Huai alone in the small parlor.

Today, we worked well together in the imperial palace. Tang Shuyi couldn't help but think that this partner was quite remarkable. Smiling, she said, "The Duke performed admirably today."

Xiao Huai took a sip of his tea and replied, "It was the lady's precise direction that led us into the palace."

Knowing he was complimenting her, Tang Shuyi added, "But without the Duke's seamless cooperation, things wouldn't have gone as smoothly."

Xiao Huai simply smiled without a word. Tang Shuyi also picked up her cup and took a sip of tea before saying, "Do you think the emperor will let this matter rest?"

Xiao Huai relaxed into his chair and said, "He'll be too busy from tomorrow to dwell on this any longer."

Tang Shuyi nodded, "We owe our thanks to the Empress Liang for her timely warning. It would have been difficult if the imperial decree had been issued."

Xiao Huai hummed in agreement, "I'll arrange for more of our people in the palace as soon as possible, especially around the Imperial Study."

Hearing this, Tang Shuyi felt relieved. She then said, "Even so, we must finalize Yu Chen's marriage soon to avoid any complications."

"Indeed, if Prince Duan interferes, I'll handle it," Xiao Huai assured.

Tang Shuyi nodded, then remembering the tailor's visit the next day, she asked, "What color do you prefer for your clothes, my lord?"

Caught off guard by her question, Xiao Huai's heart skipped a beat before he composed himself and said, "Any is fine."

Seeing his indifference, Tang Shuyi said, "With the New Year approaching, you'll certainly need a few new outfits. The tailor from Ni Chang Pavilion will come to take measurements tomorrow. You should join as well, my lord."

"Alright," Xiao Huai agreed, his heart a complex mix of emotions. After all had been said, he stood up to take his leave. Tang Shuyi rose as well to escort him to the door.

"It's chilly outside; there's no need for the lady to come out," Xiao Huai said upon reaching the doorway.

"Alright then, I won't see the Duke out," she replied.

Xiao Huai nodded, then lifted the curtain and stepped out. Tang Shuyi returned to her couch and soon saw Cuizhu and Cuiyun enter.

"My lady, why didn't you ask the Duke to stay longer?" Cuiyun asked anxiously.

"Exactly!" echoed Cuizhu.

The two of them were still puzzled about what exactly was going on between their masters. Tang Shuyi didn't explain, but stood and walked toward the cleansing room, saying, "You two needn't worry about the affairs between the Duke and me."

Cuizhu and Cuiyun wanted to persuade her further, but seeing Tang Shuyi's dismissive attitude, they could only keep their words to themselves.

In the cleansing room, the bath was ready. Tang Shuyi stripped off her clothes and stepped into the tub. Enveloped in warm water, she sighed in contentment. Regarding her current relationship with Xiao Huai, she intended to let things take their natural course. If their rapport continued as it was, she wouldn't mind truly being with him.

In the front courtyard, Xiao Huai returned to his study. His attendant, Yu Yongzhi, was taken aback upon seeing him and then said, "Commander, you're back?"

Isn't it supposed to be in the back courtyard at this late hour?

Xiao Huai glanced at him indifferently, "Am I not allowed to return?"

"Of course, why not," Yu Yongzhi quickly responded.

Xiao Huai hummed, "Prepare the bath."

After speaking, he entered the room and reclined leisurely in a chair, resting with his eyes closed and a slight curve on his lips. Undeniably, he found the lady very appealing, and they were quite in sync. In fact, taking a step further wouldn't be out of the question.

…………

The winter nights were especially cold. In the rear courtyard of Prince Duan's residence in the upper capital, the maid Qiuling lifted the curtain and entered. Approaching Princess Jianing, she whispered, "Princess, I've found out..."

Qiuling recounted the day's events at Lakeview Pavilion and then said, "Afterward, Duke Ding, his wife, and Xiao Shizi went to the imperial palace, followed by Prince Su."

Leaning against the chair, Princess Jianing pondered for a moment and said, "Duke Ding's wife rushed to her grandmother's to gauge the mood. She must have known beforehand about the emperor's intention to grant a marriage."

Hearing this, Qiuling nodded, "It seems so."

Princess Jianing thought for a while longer, "Then, could the incident at Lakeview Pavilion also have been a setup?"

Qiuling couldn't quite grasp the intricacies and remained silent. After a while, she asked, "What do you think of... Xiao Shizi, Princess?"

Princess Jianing's face flushed, remembering their encounter with the bandits and being trapped together, as well as the way he had grabbed her hand and ran. Her lips involuntarily curved into a smile.

She said, "Xiao Shizi... is a gentleman." And quite handsome.

Seeing her reaction, Qiuling smiled and said, "The old lady is right. Xiao Shizi has good looks, a good background, and Duke Ding's wife is amiable. Truly a good match."

Princess Jianing's smile grew wider, and she said with a hint of shyness, "I just fear that my father will obstruct it."

Frowning upon hearing this, Qiuling asked, "Such a good match, what could the lord have against it?"

Princess Jianing scoffed, "He's afraid that our siblings are becoming too powerful, overshadowing him at every turn."

The Duke of Dingguo wielded considerable military power and had intricate connections within the court. If she were to have the support of his household in the future, it’s unlikely that her royal father would be pleased.

"What should we do?" Qiuling asked anxiously.

Such a favorable marriage arrangement must not be spoiled by the prince.

After pondering, Princess Jianing said, "Tomorrow, I’ll have my maternal grandmother discuss this matter with my father and see how he reacts."

Qiuling nodded; it seemed that was all they could do. Inwardly, she sighed, lamenting the misfortune that seemed to plague their princess.

"Prepare the bath." Princess Jianing rose and walked toward the bathing chamber, her steps resolute. She was unafraid of adversity; to her, challenges were merely problems waiting to be solved.

………

The next day, free from court duties, Xiao Huai practiced with his sword in the courtyard after waking, and then went to Shi'an Garden for breakfast. After the meal, he didn't leave but waited to be fitted for new clothes.

Tang Shuyi also asked her three children to stay, mentioning that new clothes were to be made. Xiao Yuchen and Xiao Yuming thought little of it, simply sitting down to be measured. Xiao Yuzhu approached Tang Shuyi and said, "Mother, new clothes should be complemented with new jewelry."

Understanding her intention, Tang Shuyi replied with a smile, "Alright, once you've chosen the fabric, we’ll head to the storeroom to pick out some jewels and jade, and make a few sets of head ornaments."

Xiao Yuzhu nodded happily, then approached Xiao Huai and asked, "Father, will you be making a jade pendant crown? Let’s go together to the storeroom to choose the materials."

Xiao Huai glanced at Tang Shuyi and said with a smile, "Let your mother decide."

Tang Shuyi picked up a walnut from a plate and was about to crack it with a small hammer, thinking to herself that her husband really knew how to play the role of a hands-off manager. At that moment, Xiao Yuzhu came over and handed a walnut to Xiao Huai, "Father, can you open it with your hands?"

Xiao Huai took the walnut and squeezed it between his fingers; with a snap, it cracked open. With a bit more force, several cracks appeared in the shell, and he easily extracted the nut.

Xiao Yuzhu’s eyes sparkled with admiration. "Father, you're so amazing."

Xiao Huai smiled, then extended the walnut kernel towards Tang Shuyi, "For my lady."

Tang Shuyi accepted the kernel, saying, "Thank you, Lord Duke."

Xiao Huai responded with a casual "no need" and continued cracking walnuts with a series of snaps.

P.S.: Today, two chapters are combined into one, but the word count remains the same.