Chapter 361: I Shall Be Bold, What Can the Empress Dowager Do About It?

Chapter 361: I Shall Be Bold, What Can the Empress Dowager Do About It?

By the time Xiao Yuming returned home, the Empress's envoy had also arrived at the Duke of Dingguo's residence. Xiao Yuming simply took her to see Tang Shuyi.

Tang Shuyi, who was reviewing account books with Xiao Yuzhu, pondered for a while upon hearing the Empress's summons before agreeing. She was indeed worried about Xiao Huai. Although he controlled the entire capital now, the struggle for the throne was sure to prompt some to resort to desperate measures.

After preparing briefly, she went to the palace with Xiao Yuzhu. Upon arrival, Xiao Yuming first took them to the Imperial Study, and when Li Jingyi saw Xiao Yuzhu, his eyes lit up. Xiao Yuzhu also looked at him and smiled.

Seeing this, Tang Shuyi suggested the two of them go and play aside. They sat together side by side in a side hall behind the Imperial Study.

"Did you fare well here last night?" Xiao Yuzhu asked.

Li Jingyi nodded, "I rested for a while on the couch in the Imperial Study."

Xiao Yuzhu's face showed concern, "When will you and my father be able to come home?"

"I'm not sure, it depends on the situation in the palace," Li Jingyi replied with a smile, looking at her. "I'm actually quite comfortable here."

Xiao Yuzhu sighed, "I know you're trying to comfort me, but I'm sure you must feel the weight of great responsibilities on your shoulders right now."

"Not at all," Li Jingyi lowered his head to look at his toes for a while, then turned his face to Xiao Yuzhu and asked earnestly, "Yuzhu, would you... would you be willing to stay with me forever?"

Having finally voiced his thoughts, Li Jingyi's gaze was intense as he watched the girl before him, her face flushed deeply, yet she gave no answer.

Panic set in for Li Jingyi. He stood up, crouched in front of Xiao Yuzhu, and looked into her eyes earnestly, "I... I swear, you are the only one in my heart for this lifetime, and I will treat you well forever."

Xiao Yuzhu's heart swelled painfully, but she still said, "You might become the emperor in the future, and since ancient times, there have been hardly any emperors who did not have many beauties in their harem. One reason is that emperors have the capability and power to have so many consorts. Secondly, the harem serves as a tool to balance the court's power."

Here, she looked down at her fingers to hide the uncertainty in her eyes. Then she looked up at Li Jingyi and said, "For the sake of our relationship, I can endure being trapped in this palace for most of my life. But I cannot bear to share you with someone else..."

"That won't happen," Li Jingyi hastened to interrupt her, "If I have to choose between the throne and you, I choose you."

His earnestness, the pleading in his gaze, softened Xiao Yuzhu's heart. Yet, she reminded herself internally not to let love cloud her judgment.

She took a deep breath in silence, then said, "I believe you, but the most important matter right now is the throne, and I... I am still young, there's plenty of time to think about us."

Her words were neither a refusal nor an acceptance, leaving Li Jingyi feeling as if his heart was suspended in midair, ready to fall and shatter at any moment.

"Yuzhu..." Li Jingyi grasped Xiao Yuzhu's hand, filled with a myriad of thoughts yet unsure how to express them.

His demeanor made Xiao Yuzhu's nose tingle with the onset of tears. She clasped his hand back and said, "I'm willing to face all difficulties with you, but I'm also afraid."

Li Jingyi understood; no matter how much he said now, it would be empty. He couldn't give Yuzhu the confidence to believe that everything he said was true.

He smiled, lifting the corners of his mouth, "I... I apologize for bringing this up at such a time. Let's not dwell on it, can we continue as before?"

Xiao Yuzhu nodded; she preferred to let time test certain things.

"During the Lantern Festival, I bought you lots of fun things, I'll give them to you later," Li Jingyi said as he sat back down beside Xiao Yuzhu, turning to her with a smile.

Xiao Yuzhu smiled as well, "What did you get?"

"There are lanterns, masks, and I had someone make a clay figurine that looks just like you..."

……

At that moment, Tang Shuyi was speaking in the Empress's palace, where the Empress's demeanor could truly be described as gentle as a soft spring rain.

"I never would have anticipated that Consort Yuan and her son would resort to such desperate measures as to coerce the palace, and her ties with the Grand Tutor..."

The Empress spoke with a countenance too ashamed to reveal all, then added, "It was thanks to Duke Dingguo that their scheme did not succeed. He truly is the greatest hero of our great Dynasty of Dagan."

Tang Shuyi immediately understood the implication of the Empress's words—it was an attempt to win over Xiao Huai. Naturally, now that the Emperor's heir in name was only the Third Prince, if Xiao Huai were to back him, the Third Prince could very well ascend the throne at once.

As for the Emperor, hastening his demise would not be difficult under the current circumstances.

"As a subject of Dagan, it is my family's Duke's duty," she said. "The Duke often remarks that his well-being is tied to that of Dagan; if the state prospers, so does he; if the state suffers, so does he."

The Empress, visibly moved, said, "Duke Dingguo has earned his stripes in the service of Dagan. The people will surely remember his contributions."

Tang Shuyi nodded earnestly, while the Empress sneered inwardly, realizing that both the Duke and his wife were thick-skinned.

The Empress sighed heavily, "The Emperor has been bedridden with illness, and we don't know when he might recover. It seems Duke Dingguo will continue to bear the brunt of these hard times."

Tang Shuyi replied, "As his subject, it's his obligation."

"When you came, did you bring your beloved daughter with you?" inquired the Empress.

"I should have brought her to pay respects to you, Your Majesty, but after the recent events, the Duke has been overly concerned about her and kept her by his side at all times," Tang Shuyi explained.

The Empress waved her hand dismissively, "I've heard that Duke Dingguo treasures his daughter like the apple of his eye."

Tang Shuyi smiled, and the Empress clasped her fingers slightly, continuing, "I summoned you today because I wanted to have a heart-to-heart with you."

"Please speak," said Tang Shuyi.

"Given the Emperor's current condition, someone must oversee the court affairs. The Third Prince is the most legitimate choice, but he is still young and needs guidance. Duke Dingguo, with his unparalleled wisdom and meritorious service to Dagan, is beyond reproach. It would be most fitting for the Duke to support the Third Prince."

Tang Shuyi picked up her cup and took a sip of tea, her demeanor one of attentive listening.

The Empress continued, "The Third Prince's consort has been unwell for years and may not be able to serve as a virtuous partner. I have always been fond of your girl—so clever and lively, and you've raised her so well. She is bound to be extraordinary in the future."

Tang Shuyi's expression gradually cooled, and noticing this, the Empress frowned. After a moment's thought, she said, "Lady Dingguo, let me be frank with you. If the Duke supports the Third Prince, I will have the Third Prince take your daughter as his principal wife, and she will be the future Empress. What do you think of that?"

Given the current situation, if Xiao Huai refuses to support the Third Prince, they will inevitably become enemies. Thus, the Empress laid her cards on the table directly.

"Has Your Majesty ever heard the saying," Tang Shuyi looked at the Empress, "that a toad lusts after a swan's flesh, a delusional fantasy?"

"How dare you!" The Empress never expected Tang Shuyi to be so bold. Even the Duke of Dingguo would bow in her presence.

But Tang Shuyi was not afraid, "I am bold, what can Your Majesty do about it?"

Empress: "........"

She could do nothing, nor did she dare to. The entire palace was under Xiao Huai's control.

With a cold glance at the Empress, Tang Shuyi turned and left. Had it not been for the disgusting request from the Empress, Tang Shuyi would have spoken politely, respecting her current status.

But the Empress had refused the face offered, so Tang Shuyi felt no need for courtesy.