Chapter 339: Why Doesn’t Madam Understand?

Chapter 339: Why Doesn't Madam Understand?

Tang Shuyi agreed to raise the marriage proposal to the Tang Marquis' household after the imperial examinations, and Xiao Yi Yuan felt a weight lifted off his chest. He thanked Tang Shuyi profusely before departing.

"If An Le were not my biological niece, I would definitely spare no effort in bringing this marriage to fruition. But now, it all depends on their fate," Tang Shuyi told Xiao Huai.

That's how people are; faced with the same issue, different points of self-interest naturally lead to different efforts. Between Xiao Yi Yuan and Tang An Le, Tang Shuyi definitely prioritizes Tang An Le's interests.

Xiao Huai remained silent on this matter. Although he felt Xiao Yi Yuan and Tang An Le were quite a match, he had no intention of involving himself. Everything was left to the hands of fate.

Prince Duan's Mansion

Princess Jianing received news that three days later, the mother-in-law of Cao Shi, being the first daughter-in-law, naturally had to preside over the 50th birthday celebration. Otherwise, her status in the household would be at risk.

Cao Shi was the principal wife of Ren Jian Shu, an official from a noble family. Ren Jian Shu, who hailed from humble beginnings, was chosen by Cao Shi, who was still in her boudoir at the time, because he passed the imperial examinations with distinction and was exceptionally handsome.

After investigating Ren Jian Shu, Cao Shi's father, deeming his character and scholarship acceptable, agreed to the marriage. Initially, Cao Shi and Ren Jian Shu lived in harmony, but the arrival of Ren Jian Shu's cousin, Ji Shi, changed everything.

Ren Jian Shu had been betrothed to his cousin Ji Shi since childhood. Because the Cao family offered him assistance, Ren Jian Shu concealed his engagement at home and married Cao Shi.

Ji Shi was also cunning, arriving in the capital without tears or tantrums, claiming she had nowhere else to go and asking her cousin and aunt for refuge. The more she did so, the more indebted Ren Jian Shu felt.

Being someone who could not tolerate grievances, Cao Shi insisted that Ren Jian Shu send Ji Shi away upon learning of her identity. Ren Jian Shu disagreed, leading to a major conflict that ended with Ji Shi staying on as a concubine. However, as per the Cao family's demands, Ji Shi was to remain childless for life.

Later, Cao Shi and Ji Shi engaged in frequent overt and covert battles, with Ji Shi nearly being killed twice. Whether Cao Shi was behind these incidents remained uncertain, but the relationship between Cao Shi and Ren Jian Shu had turned hostile, and her position in the Ren household was precarious.

These details were uncovered by Li Jinghao's investigations. Princess Jianing felt no sympathy for Cao Shi, pitiable as she was for not having found a good husband. However, her infidelity as a wife earned her disdain.

She would have been indifferent to Cao Shi's affairs with her father, as long as it didn't affect her and her siblings' interests. But now that Cao Shi, a mere concubine, dared to reach into the royal mansion, that was intolerable.

"Send a message to Cao Shi, informing her that I will meet her at Yunlan Pavilion three days from now at the hour of si. If she fails to attend as instructed, she must bear the consequences. Furthermore, if she reveals our appointment to my father, she will face the same consequences," Princess Jianing instructed her maid, Chunxi.

Chunxi swiftly left, soon arriving at the Ren residence. The gatekeeper was taken aback upon hearing she was from Prince Duan's mansion. Ren Jian Shu, a fifth-rank official, was beyond Prince Duan's reach.

The gatekeeper didn't dare to delay, promptly relaying the message. The news of a maid from Prince Duan's mansion seeking an audience shocked Cao Shi. Her liaisons with Prince Duan were absolutely clandestine, usually conducted in secret correspondence. Prince Duan wouldn't blatantly send a maid to her in broad daylight.

If it wasn't Prince Duan seeking her out, who could it be?

Her heart fluttered like wild grass in a storm. It took her a while to regain composure before she said, "Please bring her over."

As Xiao Si turned to leave, Cao Shi immediately added, "Xing Er, accompany her and bring the guest here."

As her senior maid, Xing'er was privy to the affair between him and Duke Duan. At this moment, Xing'er was also panic-stricken; she nodded briefly before hurriedly following Xiaosi out.

Upon seeing someone, Xing'er promptly greeted them, "Which master of the Duke Duan's household do you serve?"

Chunxi gave her a faint glance, "The Princess Jianing has sent me to inform your mistress."

Upon hearing that he was a servant of Princess Jianing, Xing'er's legs almost gave way, and she nearly fell. She quickly steadied herself, saying somewhat awkwardly, "Please, come in."

Chunxi hummed in acknowledgment and followed her into the courtyard of the Cao residence. Seeing Mrs. Cao, she casually bowed and said, "Princess Jianing has sent me to tell you that she wishes to meet you at Yunlan Pavilion in three days."

Her meaning was clear; Princess Jianing was notifying her of the meeting, not sending an informal invitation common among ladies.

Mrs. Cao was both flustered and angry at the moment; her usually comely face was now contorted to the point of being unbearable to look at.

"Why... Why would Princess Jianing suddenly invite me for tea?" Mrs. Cao asked, not reconciling with the fact, hoping against hope that the Princess was unaware of her affair with Duke Duan.

But Chunxi replied, "Shouldn't you know the reason, Madam?"

Not wanting to engage further, Chunxi added, "My mistress said she hopes you will be punctual. Otherwise, whatever consequences arise, you will have to bear them alone. Also, my mistress does not wish for the Duke to know of this matter; the consequences would be the same."

"I must return to report back, so I'll take my leave now."

Having said her piece, she turned and left. Mrs. Cao collapsed onto the brocade couch, unable to fathom that Princess Jianing was aware of her affair with Duke Duan. Their affair had been as clandestine as could be; how did the Princess find out?

If Princess Jianing knew, could others be aware too? Mrs. Cao trembled in fear. She wanted to seek Duke Duan's counsel immediately or have him restrain the Princess. But she dared not!

She couldn't imagine what the Princess would say at their meeting. Moreover, the meeting was set for three days later, and she firmly believed that Princess Jianing had chosen this date deliberately.