Chapter 349: It’s Good to Fight

Chapter 349: It’s Good to Fight

When Tang Shu and her siblings returned home, they were informed of Meng Xiuzhen's death. She wasn't surprised in the least; considering Empress Liang's temperament, it would have been strange if Meng Xiuzhen had continued to live.

Xiao Huai returned just in time for the evening meal. Seeing him looking travel-weary, Tang Shuyi inquired, "Where did you go today?"

After gulping down some water, Xiao Huai replied, "I went to the Octagonal Mountain."

Tang Shuyi nodded in understanding, "Everything’s well there, I presume."

Xiao Huai sat beside her, "All is well. It just depends on when Li Chengyi makes his move."

Tang Shuyi hummed in response. Although she had long known that a real battle between them and the Emperor was inevitable, the prospect still made her nervous. After all, it could very well turn into a palace coup.

Sensing her nervousness, Xiao Huai took her hand and reassured her, "Don't worry, I have everything prepared. Moreover, you and the children will leave in advance."

Tang Shuyi shook her head, "When the time comes, the children will leave, but I'll stay. If we all leave, it might expose us."

A warmth surged in Xiao Huai's heart, and he gripped her hand tighter, "Alright, we’ll discuss it when the time comes."

…………

The Imperial Palace

Empress Liang carried a pot of soup she had personally prepared into the imperial study. Upon seeing her, the Emperor put down his pen and said, "It's so cold; you could have had it sent over. There was no need for you to come all this way."

After paying her respects, Empress Liang placed the soup beside the Emperor. "Your Majesty, please enjoy it while it's hot."

"Alright," the Emperor agreed, lifting the jade bowl and sipping the soup spoon by spoon, seemingly savoring every taste.

Empress Liang smiled tenderly, "The soup I made today is based on a prescription from the imperial physician, beneficial for Your Majesty’s health."

Once the Emperor finished, he set the bowl down, remarking, "Your soup-making skills are improving."

Empress Liang’s smile widened with pleasure, "It's only because Your Majesty is so indulgent."

The Emperor laughed heartily, sat down on the divan, and drew Empress Liang to sit beside him, "I heard that the Meng family has caused trouble again?"

Empress Liang sighed deeply, "Indeed, Jian’an committed crimes worthy of death. But in his lifetime, he never treated the Meng family poorly. Yet the moment Jian’an faced trouble, they distanced themselves from him."

Tears welled up in her eyes as she spoke, "Whenever I think of what Meng Shi has done, I seethe with anger. Today, I sent people to the Meng residence to see her off."

"Your Majesty," Empress Liang, with tears streaming down her face, said: "A woman should remain devoted to one man all her life, but Meng Shi committed such acts. It's as if she wanted Jian’an to die with his eyes wide open, and she has also slapped me in the face!"

The Emperor patted her hand, "I understand. Meng Shi deserved to die. You did nothing wrong, my love."

Empress Liang wiped her tears with a handkerchief, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

The Emperor sighed, "Regarding Jian’an's case, I too felt helpless at the time."

"I know," Empress Liang said with reddened eyes, "I do not blame Your Majesty, it's just..." she hesitated, "I thought that with the deaths of Jian’an and Jingming, the grievances between the Liang family and Duke Dingguo’s family were settled. I did not expect Lady Dingguo to persist in her grudge."

The Emperor frowned, "What have the Duke Dingguo and his family done now?"

Empress Liang dabbed the corner of her eyes with the handkerchief, "It seems Lady Dingguo has been keeping a close watch on Meng Shi. Today's incident occurred because Lady Dingguo and Lady Pan Er sent word, leading to what followed."

"Your Majesty," tears filled Empress Liang's eyes again, "Meng Shi deserved death for her actions, but she was Jian’an's lawful wife. Her scandal becoming public drags Jian’an's name through the mud as well! Lady Dingguo intends to prevent Jian’an and Jingming from resting in peace."

Empress Liang sobbed quietly, while a dangerous glint appeared in the Emperor's eyes. He raised his hand to comfortingly pat her back, "Don't worry, my love. They won't be jumping around for much longer."

"Has Your Majesty devised a plan to deal with Duke Dingguo?" Empress Liang asked, a hopeful surprise on her face.

A smile spread across the Emperor's face; he always appreciated Empress Liang's forthrightness. "I have a plan," he assured.

"What plan?" Consort Liang inquired.

The Emperor looked at her with a smile, "I cannot reveal it now. Rest assured, my dear, not a single soul from the Duke's residence will escape when the time comes."

Consort Liang pondered for a moment, "Does the plan involve the Fourth Prince?"

The Emperor nodded, "Your intelligence shines through, my love, but you must not speak of this to anyone else."

Consort Liang nodded eagerly, "I understand, Your Majesty. I shall not breathe a word of it to another soul."

The Emperor laughed heartily, the thought of soon dealing with Xiao Huai filling him with satisfaction. Consort Liang, seated beside him, joined in the laughter.

After conversing for a while longer, Consort Liang rose to take her leave. Walking away from the Imperial Study, the smile on her face gradually faded, giving way to a mocking curve at the corners of her lips.

"The fiercer the fight between the Emperor and the Duke, the happier I shall be," she thought with a sense of glee.

Duke's Residence

After dinner, Tang Shuyi and Xiao Huai called Xiao Yuming to the study. Once seated, Tang Shuyi asked Xiao Yuming, "How do you feel about Miss Xie the Second? We are visiting the Xie Residence tomorrow. If you approve, your father and I will broach the subject of your engagement with them."

Xiao Yuming, who had been lounging casually, straightened up at Tang Shuyi's words and fidgeted for a moment before saying, "Miss Xie the Second is quite pleasant."

Tang Shuyi couldn't help but laugh, "Then that settles it. We'll bring up the marriage proposal when we visit the Xie family tomorrow."

Xiao Yuming nodded, "Please proceed as you see fit."

"Have you prepared a gift for Miss Xie the Second?" Tang Shuyi asked.

Xiao Yuming looked bewildered, "A gift is required?"

Tang Shuyi: "…Didn't you see your elder brother giving gifts to Jia Ning?"

Xiao Yuming scratched his head, "Oh, I'll find a gift for her later."

"What do you plan to gift her?" Tang Shuyi inquired.

Xiao Yuming: "I have quite a collection of daggers, I'll choose a handsome one for her."

Tang Shuyi was speechless again. It dawned on her that her second son was quite the straightforward man. Turning to Xiao Huai, she said, "This is your task, explain to your son what kind of gift is appropriate for a young lady."

Xiao Huai nodded, "Alright."

Tang Shuyi rose and left the room. Xiao Huai took a sip of tea and said, "You're familiar with the phrase 'to cater to one's preferences,' aren't you?"

Xiao Yuming nodded, "Yes, I know it."

"So, you should gift Miss Xie the Second something she likes," Xiao Huai suggested.

Xiao Yuming replied, "But I don't know what she likes. I'll give her a dagger for self-defense first. I’ll ask her what she likes tomorrow."

Xiao Huai: "..."

Actually, that's not incorrect. He might as well give what he wishes to give. It also lets Miss Xie know in advance what kind of person he is.

"Fine, you decide," Xiao Huai said.

After the father and son had a few more words, they left the study. Once the three siblings had gone, Tang Shuyi asked Xiao Huai, "Does Yuming know how to give a gift to a girl now?"

Xiao Huai nodded, "Yes, I've explained it to him—the importance of catering to her preferences."

Walking towards the bedroom, Tang Shuyi murmured, "How did I not realize he was so blunt before? It’s good that I asked him in advance. Otherwise, he’d give a dagger to a young lady as a token of engagement. What sort of practice would that be!"

Xiao Huai thought to himself that a dagger might indeed be the engagement token given tomorrow.

But for now, it was better left unsaid.