Chapter 311: Indeed So

Chapter 311: Indeed So

Everyone in the capital knew that Duke Xiao Huai of Dingguo had no concubines, only the Duchess. Consort Yuan was certainly aware. She suspected that Tang Shuyi's repeated refusals of a match between Xiao Yuzhu and the Fourth Prince were partly due to his existing concubines. Thus, she made a promise to eliminate them.

Yet, Tang Shuyi found it strange. Why were the Fourth Prince and his faction so fixated on their family? True, Xiao Huai held military power, but he was not the only one in the Daqian Dynasty with such influence, General Xiang being another.

“Consort Yuan,” Tang Shuyi spoke, “my daughter is young. My husband and I wish to keep her with us for a few more years.”

“I am not proposing an immediate marriage,” Consort Yuan pressed. “Let’s formalize the engagement, and the wedding can take place when the Lady reaches an appropriate age.”

Tang Shuyi smiled at Consort Yuan. "Consort Yuan, some things are understood without words. Let me be frank: my husband, the Duke, disagrees."

This disagreement had dual implications: one against the marriage proposal, and the other against standing with the Fourth Prince.

Her refusal was so straightforward that Consort Yuan, who had maintained her smile, couldn't uphold it any longer. She dropped her smile and said, "Madam must know that imperial decrees cannot be defied, right?"

This was yet another attempt to pressure using the Emperor. Tang Shuyi replied, "Does Consort Yuan believe the Emperor would agree?"

Consort Yuan laughed confidently, "Things are up to us to manage. Madam can wait for the outcome."

Tang Shuyi also smiled, "Does Consort Yuan truly believe that this approach is beneficial?"

Matters are about mutual willingness. If I am unwilling and you force me, would I wholeheartedly work for you?

Consort Yuan naturally understood this principle too but still said, "Once tied to the same boat, when it sets sail, we can only find ways to dock it successfully."

Tang Shuyi let out a cold laugh, "Consort Yuan can give it a try." She stood up and bowed, "I have matters to attend to and must take my leave."

With that, she turned to leave, struggling to suppress her anger. She hadn't expected Consort Yuan to threaten her so blatantly.

Watching her retreating figure, Consort Yuan narrowed her eyes. Once the arrow is shot, there's no turning back; having taken this step, she had to persist.

Tang Shuyi walked briskly outside and whispered to Cuizhu, "How did it go?"

Cuizhu whispered back, "I followed behind Consort Yuan. She entered a courtyard, which I couldn't access, so I returned."

Tang Shuyi let out a cold laugh. To think someone capable of an act warranting the execution of nine kin would threaten others; did she truly believe others were as malleable as clay?

Upon reaching the Yuan residence's entrance, she saw Xiao Huai waiting for her in the carriage. As she approached, he extended his hand, and Tang Shuyi took it to step into the carriage. Noticing her displeased expression, Xiao Huai inquired, "Was there displeasure?"

Tang Shuyi snorted coldly and recounted the events, concluding, "I thought someone who had ensnared Grand Tutor Yang for so many years would be clever. It turns out she's just as foolish."

Xiao Huai passed her a cup of tea, "Calm yourself."

Tang Shuyi took the cup and gulped down a mouthful, feeling slightly relieved. Then, she heard Xiao Huai ask, "What does madam intend to do?"

Tang Shuyi furrowed her brows and after a moment of silence, said, "I'm pondering what Consort Yuan will do next. Will she directly ask the Emperor for a marriage decree?"

Xiao Huai shook his head, "I don't think she will because the Emperor would not agree."

"I think so too," Tang Shuyi said, "Then they are forcing the emperor's hand to decree a marriage."

With that thought, a chill enveloped her, and Xiao Huai felt the same.

"To expose their intentions so openly," Tang Shuyi mused, "could they be feinting to distract us?"

Otherwise, it would be a true lack of intelligence!

Xiao Huai frowned in thought for a moment before saying, "It's possible."

"What is their true purpose?" Tang Shuyi asked.

Xiao Huai sneered, "What if all these machinations are orchestrated by the emperor himself?"

Tang Shuyi’s brows knitted in frustration, "Just to test you? Or to find leverage against you? But what leverage do they have over you?"

Tang Shuyi felt that if it were indeed the emperor's doing, then his thought processes were exceptionally convoluted. Xiao Huai leaned against the carriage wall, eyes downcast in contemplation. This time, he couldn't decipher the true intentions of the Fourth Prince or the emperor.

After a while, he asked, "What do you propose we do, my lady?"

"Take the initiative," Tang Shuyi declared.

Xiao Huai chuckled, "Does my lady wish to start with the Old Madam Yang?"

Tang Shuyi smiled at him, "Exactly. I refuse to believe that Old Madam Yang harbors no resentment or hatred. Moreover, regardless of whether the emperor instigated this, it's exceedingly perilous for Grand Tutor Yang to meddle in the princes' strife for Lady Yuan’s sake. Old Madam Yang might be indifferent, but she must consider her children’s welfare."

Xiao Huai nodded, "If Grand Tutor Yang's affair with Lady Yuan were to be exposed, it would lead to the extermination of nine kinships. If Old Madam Yang knew that you were privy to this grave secret, how would she choose?"

Tang Shuyi replied, "Naturally, she would sever ties with Grand Tutor Yang along with her descendants. A divorce between Grand Tutor Yang and Old Madam Yang would muddle the waters, allowing us to probe their true intentions."

"All Li Chengyi desires are the military power in my hands and my life," Xiao Huai stated.

Tang Shuyi nodded, "We just don't know what pretext he will concoct to accuse you."

The couple arrived home while conversing. Xiao Huai alighted from the carriage first, then helped Tang Shuyi down. They opted not to take a palanquin, walking side by side toward Shi'an Garden. From behind, the tall and stately man and the dignified and graceful woman indeed made a perfect match.

Upon reaching Shi'an Garden, they saw Xiao Yuzhu and Li Jingyi playing shuttlecock in the courtyard. Xiao Yuzhu kicked, and Li Jingyi counted for her. Both Tang Shuyi and Xiao Huai couldn’t help but smile at the sight.

"Father, mother," Xiao Yuzhu ceased her play, scampering over to them.

"Master, sir," Li Jingyi also approached.

Tang Shuyi used a handkerchief to wipe the sweat off Xiao Yuzhu while speaking to Li Jingyi, "Jingyi, what brings you here today?"

"Grandmother made some pastries and sent me to deliver them to Yuzhu," Li Jingyi said.

Tang Shuyi smiled at Xiao Yuzhu, "See how kind the Imperial Noble Consort is to you. Invite her to our residence for a visit tomorrow."

Xiao Yuzhu nodded eagerly, "Alright, I'll make some pastries for the Imperial Noble Consort too."

Tang Shuyi nodded, "Very well, you children go play."

She strode towards the house, with Xiao Huai walking beside her. Once inside, Xiao Huai said, "Thank you, my lady."

The Imperial Noble Consort always looked for excuses to visit the Duke of Dingguo's residence, but such excuses were hard to come by.

Tang Shuyi waved her hand dismissively, "There’s no need for such formalities between us."

Xiao Huai laughed, "Indeed."