Chapter 303: It’s Time to Take Action

Chapter 303: It's Time to Take Action

As Grand Tutor Yang held a first-rank official title, his mansion was naturally expansive. Tang Shuyi and Xiao Yuzhu took a seat in a palanquin prepared by the Yang residence and followed Lady Yang into the mansion. Lady Yang was a very conversational person, and as she described the scenic beauty of the residence with a witty charm, they arrived at the back yard without realizing how much time had passed.

Tang Shuyi and Xiao Yuzhu intended to pay their respects to Old Lady Yang, who quickly helped them up with her own hands, saying, "In this old lady’s presence, there's no need for such formalities."

She was a first-rank imperial wife, as was Tang Shuyi. Not to mention Xiao Yuzhu’s status as a county princess. Even with her senior age, she would not readily accept such formalities from them.

"Oh my, the county princess is truly a lovely girl." Old Lady Yang looked Xiao Yuzhu up and down before turning to Tang Shuyi and saying, "You've done well in raising this child."

Tang Shuyi responded modestly with a smile, "She can be quite mischievous at home."

Old Lady Yang seated Xiao Yuzhu beside herself, clearly very fond of her. Both she and Lady Yang were exceedingly warm to Yuzhu, causing Tang Shuyi to become slightly wary.

After some pleasant conversation, Xiao Yuzhu went off to play with the young ladies of the Yang family, while Tang Shuyi continued chatting with Old Lady Yang. After a while, the old lady inquired, “How old is the county princess this year?”

Tang Shuyi replied with a smile, “She’ll be eleven after the New Year.”

“She’s a good child, surely destined for great fortune,” Old Lady Yang remarked.

“Fortune or not, a peaceful and smooth life is best,” Tang Shuyi responded, suspecting the old lady might have a match in mind, though unsure who it might be. Old Lady Yang did not pursue the topic further, and as more guests arrived, Tang Shuyi and Xiao Yuzhu took their seats.

Seated with Lady Tang and Lady Tang the Second, Tang Shuyi couldn't contain her curiosity and asked in a low voice, "What's the relationship between Grand Tutor Yang and the Fourth Prince?"

"Are you wondering why Grand Tutor Yang is siding with the Fourth Prince?" Lady Tang asked.

When Tang Shuyi nodded, Lady Tang explained, "I'm curious too. The Fourth Prince’s mother, Consort Yuan, comes from a humble background, a mere fifth-rank official. It was only after she bore the Fourth Prince that the Yuan family started to rise in status, though even now, the highest rank among them is third. Moreover, there was no prior association between the Yuan and Yang families."

Tang Shuyi's brows furrowed slightly at this, and Lady Tang continued, "However, the Yang family has been quite restless lately. They even approached our family recently, proposing marriage between their second son and our Anle. They truly are daring—imagining a union with our family through a mere third-rank official. They think too highly of themselves, just because they have a grandson who is a prince."

“Did Second Sister-in-law get furious?” Tang Shuyi felt indignant as well, wondering what kind of family they thought they were.

"Absolutely, she was so angry she didn’t eat all day," Lady Tang sighed. "She's been worrying about Anle's marriage prospects lately; it's been a real headache."

Tang Shuyi sighed as well. Lady Tang the Second was too stringent in her criteria for a son-in-law. She wanted someone good-looking, of noble birth, scholarly, virtuous, and who would win Tang Anle’s heart. Where could one possibly find such a person?

But as a mother herself, Tang Shuyi could empathize with his feelings. Once a daughter is married off, one cannot keep watch over her every day as before. All one wishes for is to find an exceptionally good match to ensure the daughter's well-being in the future.

Indeed, the hearts of parents are universally filled with compassion!

After the banquet concluded, Tang Shuyi met with Xiao Yuchen and Xiao Huai at the main entrance, and they went home together. Xiao Huai returned to Shi'an Garden with Tang Shuyi, and after sitting down, Tang Shuyi said:

"Today, Lady Yang and Madame Yang were overly enthusiastic about Yuzhu. Lady Yang even said that Yuzhu is destined for great fortune. What is the Yang family implying? They couldn’t possibly be thinking of..."

A possibility flashed through Tang Shuyi's mind, and anger surged to her forehead. "That Fourth Prince must be around eighteen or nineteen years old, right? Although he doesn't have a principal wife, I've heard he already has two concubines. How dare such a man covet my daughter."

She held no awe for the imperial family. That she only insulted the Fourth Prince as 'such a man' was already putting it mildly; at least she didn’t declare him to be worthless.

Xiao Huai poured a cup of tea and placed it beside her, "Don't worry, they will not succeed."

But how could Tang Shuyi be at ease? She looked at Xiao Huai and said in a low, serious voice, "If the Emperor arranges a marriage between Yuzhu and the Fourth Prince, would the Duke dare to rebel?"

It must be said that Xiao Huai gave Tang Shuyi a great deal of confidence. Had Xiao Huai not returned, if the Emperor had done something to harm her three children, she would probably only have been able to cause trouble behind the scenes. But with Xiao Huai back, she felt emboldened to rebel.

Xiao Huai found her casual mention of rebellion somewhat amusing, but seeing her seriousness, he suppressed his urge to smile and responded earnestly, "Naturally, I will heed my wife's every word."

Tang Shuyi: "………"

Well, that was a commitment, no matter how you looked at it.

"Of course, rebellion is a last resort," Tang Shuyi added. "Now that we’ve guessed their intentions, we just need to prepare in advance."

Xiao Huai nodded, "The Fourth Prince and the Yuan family are not to be feared. The key now is Yang Taishi (Grand Tutor Yang)."

"Why would Yang Taishi support the Fourth Prince?" Tang Shuyi asked again, puzzled.

Xiao Huai shook his head, "I've already sent people to investigate, but there's no conclusion yet."

Tang Shuyi pondered for a moment, "What about Yang Taishi’s inner court?"

Xiao Huai was taken aback; why hadn’t he considered investigating the man's personal relationships?

"Yang Taishi has only one lawful wife," he said.

"It seems Yang Taishi and Lady Yang share a profound affection!" Tang Shuyi noted.

Xiao Huai shook his head, "Not so. It is said that years ago, Grand Tutor Yang nearly divorced Lady Yang."

Tang Shuyi expressed surprise, "Why?"

"It's unclear. I've had someone investigate in this direction; there might be a surprise." Xiao Huai said.

Tang Shuyi leaned back in her chair, looking out the window, and mused, "Yuzhu is a woman; different from Yuchen and Yuming. When the two of them bring wives home, if those wives are understanding and reasonable, we will treat them sincerely. But if a wife is unreasonable and quarrelsome, I naturally have ways to deal with her.

"But Yuzhu will be marrying into another family, so we must meticulously investigate the suitor’s background, character, and the harmony within his household. We must not be careless with her matrimonial matters."

Now, Tang Shuyi truly understood Madam Tang's anxiety. Those so-called pickiness and harshness were all out of worry for her children.

"Madam, rest assured, you have raised Yuzhu well," Xiao Huai said softly. "Life is full of ups and downs. Yuzhu is smart and resourceful, and with our support, her future will not be bleak."

Tang Shuyi turned to him with a smile, "Perhaps I am worrying too much."

Xiao Huai: "It's just concern that breeds chaos."

"Yes," Tang Shuyi sighed, "but the Fourth Prince is absolutely out of the question. If we really cannot stop him, let the Duke take action."

Xiao Huai agreed without hesitation: "Alright."