Chapter 338: The Restless Hearts of the Young!

Chapter 338: The Restless Hearts of the Young!

Princess Jia Ning truly couldn’t fathom the affair between Duke Duan and Lady Cao. To begin with, Duke Duan, a man of wealth and status, could take dozens of concubines without any objection. Yet, he chose to have a clandestine affair with another man's wife.

And Lady Cao, even more mindless, a married woman entangled with another man. Does she not fear the scandal that would ensue if her affair were exposed, leaving her reputation in tatters?

Don’t talk about their profound love and uncontrollable emotions. They don't even deserve the word 'love.'

Initially, Princess Jia Ning thought Duke Duan would soon return to his fiefdom, and his affair with Lady Cao would naturally end. So she preferred not to interfere, but some people just seem to court disaster.

"Find out if there's a day in the next few days when Lady Cao is indisputably occupied," Princess Jia Ning instructed Li Jinghao.

"Sister, do you plan to give her a taste of her own medicine?" Li Jinghao inquired.

Princess Jia Ning nodded, "If she wants to embarrass me, I'll make sure she ends up even more humiliated."

Li Jingyao laughed, "Good, I'll get on it right away."

He strode off, leaving Princess Jia Ning leaning back in her chair, gazing absently at the plum blossoms on the table. She felt fortunate; although the Duke's mansion was at odds with the Emperor, its household was simple, free of strife. Moreover, the Duchess was a woman of clear grudges and virtues, generous and sensible – certainly someone she could get along with in the future.

As for Xiao Yuchen, she could tell he had some affection for her – a promising start. She intended to nurture this budding sentiment between them, but if Xiao Yuchen's heart wandered in the future, she would not continue to invest her emotions. However, she was determined not to let anyone trample upon her dignity as the principal wife.

The idea of expecting Xiao Yuchen to be eternally devoted to her and her alone had never crossed her mind. Still, she worried the Duke's mansion might look down upon her because of her father.

Regarding the conflict between the Duke's mansion and the Emperor, she firmly believed that in the end, the Duke's mansion would undoubtedly prevail.

……

Holding the gift from Princess Jianing in his hands, Xiao Yuchen returned home with a face brimming with happiness. At the entrance of the mansion, he encountered a hesitant Xiao Yiyuan and approached him, asking, "Yiyuan, why aren't you entering the mansion?"

Seeing Xiao Yuchen's radiant smile and the exquisite parcel in his hand, Xiao Yiyuan guessed that it must have been a gift from Princess Jianing. He couldn't help feeling a tinge of envy.

"Did you visit the Prince Duan's residence?" Xiao Yiyuan inquired.

"Yes, I went to pay my New Year's respects to Prince Duan," Xiao Yuchen replied, his smile widening as he glanced at the parcel in his hand.

Pointing at the parcel, Xiao Yiyuan asked, "A gift from Princess Jianing?"

Xiao Yuchen's smile turned almost foolishly joyous. Xiao Yiyuan sighed inwardly, realizing that when it comes to matters of the heart, he wasn't the only one unable to control his emotions.

As they conversed, they entered the mansion together. Xiao Yiyuan mentioned, "I came to pay my New Year's respects to the Marquis and his wife."

Without suspicion, Xiao Yuchen led Xiao Yiyuan to the hall and sent someone to invite Xiao Huai and Tang Shuyi from the back courtyard.

Soon after, both of them entered together. Xiao Yiyuan quickly stood up to greet them with New Year's wishes. Xiao Huai gestured for him to sit and then said, "Clear your schedule in the coming days. When I go out to make visits, you and Yuchen will accompany me."

Xiao Yiyuan immediately stood up again, bowing deeply to Xiao Huai and expressing his gratitude.

Xiao Huai's gesture of taking him along on visits, unlike merely introducing him to friends like Xiao Yuchen and Xiao Yuming, held significant meaning. It was both an acknowledgment of their family ties and an indication of his high regard for Xiao Yiyuan.

Given Xiao Huai's status, his decision to cultivate a nephew he held in esteem would naturally cause others to view Xiao Yiyuan more favorably.

"There's no need for such formality in the future. Just call me uncle," Xiao Huai advised.

For a family to prosper in the long run, it requires the concerted efforts of the entire clan, not just one or two individuals. Seeing potential in Xiao Yiyuan, Xiao Huai was naturally willing to invest in his development.

Xiao Yiyuan caught on quickly, bowing once again, "Uncle, Aunt."

Xiao Huai acknowledged with a nod and invited him to sit, but Xiao Yiyuan appeared to be preoccupied with something. Noticing this, Tang Shuyi asked, "Is there something on your mind, Yiyuan?"

Xiao Yiyuan pursed his lips, seemingly struggling to speak. His face gradually reddened with the effort. Unable to resist a smile, Tang Shuyi encouraged, "Go ahead, you can speak your mind."

"I... I..." Before Xiao Yiyuan could finish, he rose, walked over to Tang Shuyi, knelt down, and said, "Aunt, I... I have developed affection for the third Miss Tang and hope... hope you might consider arranging a match between us."

The room fell into silence, and Tang Shuyi's eyes widened in surprise. She truly hadn't anticipated this! On reflection, Anle was simple, lively, and spirited, qualities that could easily endear her to men; it was just that she hadn't expected Xiao Yiyuan to be the one.

Her face conveyed her dilemma. Xiao Yiyuan was undoubtedly a good match, and he might even achieve great things in the future. But for now, didn't he lack certain assets? Moreover, although he was closely related to the Marquis's household and Xiao Huai intended to cultivate him greatly, his current status was still uncertain.

Xiao Yicheng came from a humble background, and many felt he lacked the sophistication of nobility. With the stringent expectations of Tang Er Furen in choosing a son-in-law, resolving this matter was indeed challenging.

"Please, rise," Tang Shuyi said.

Xiao Yiyuan stood up and returned to his seat, listening as Tang Shuyi continued, "My second brother and sister-in-law cherish An Le as their own. Though she hails from the second branch, my father and eldest sister-in-law adore her, and her marital matters are of great significance to the entire Tang household."

Clenching his fists, Xiao Yiyuan replied, "I understand, and have always felt unworthy of Miss Third. But..."

There was still a lingering reluctance in his heart.

Understanding his mindset, Tang Shuyi knew that despite the perceived disparity, he still yearned to reach for the stars. However, she couldn't commit to his request, for she would have deliberated just as much had it been for her own daughter.

"Aunt, I... I promise to be devoted to Miss Third all my life, she alone will be my one and only," Xiao Yiyuan hurriedly professed, revealing his long-held intentions as Tang Shuyi remained silent.

"Do you truly mean that?" asked Tang Shuyi.

If so, the possibility wasn't entirely off the table. She believed her sister-in-law would consider it, and whether Xiao Yiyuan's words were credible would be a testament to his character.

Xiao Yiyuan appeared honorable, and whether he would change in the future was unpredictable. Who could foretell the future? At least his present intentions were sincere.

"Truly, in my heart, there's only room for Miss Third," Xiao Yiyuan confessed with a blush.

Tang Shuyi couldn't help but smile, amused by the turmoil of young love.

"Focus on your preparations for the Spring Hunt. I will speak on your behalf afterward," she advised.

Xiao Yiyuan breathed a sigh of relief, rising once again to bow deeply, "Thank you, Aunt."

Tang Shuyi gestured for him to sit and added, "And regarding your mother..."

Xiao Yiyuan instantly grasped her implication, well-aware of his mother's temperament. With an awkward smile, he assured, "Aunt, don't worry, we will manage her."

Tang Shuyi nodded. In truth, she wasn't overly concerned about Madame Tao, who was known to bully the weak and fear the strong. An Le might be naive, but she was no fool.

Raised in a prominent family, An Le's exposure and education ensured she was no naive ingénue, capable of handling Madame Tao unless Xiao Yiyuan took his mother's side.

……