Chapter 394: I and Your Mother Are Done Dealing With You

Chapter 394: I and Your Mother Are Done Dealing With You

The bride must pay her respects and even assist her mother-in-law in her morning toilette the day after the wedding. Jianning woke up early the next day, with this duty on her mind. In the dim light of dawn, she gazed at Xiao Yuchen, who was sleeping soundly, and found herself transfixed. She was accustomed to his striking appearance, but this was her first time seeing him in the vulnerable state of sleep.

He lay on his side, an arm casually draped over her. His long eyebrows, dark lashes, prominent nose, and crimson lips... each feature was unspeakably refined. Jianning's lips curved into a smile—such a handsome husband made her heart swell with joy with every glance.

Gently, she moved his arm off her waist, intending to rise. But at that moment, Xiao Yuchen tightened his grip, and with sleep-clouded eyes murmured, “No need to get up so early.”

“I have to pay my respects to your mother,” Jianning whispered.

Xiao Yuchen drew her closer into his embrace, “Father and mother both don't rise early, let's sleep a little longer.”

Jianning was skeptical of his words; the Duchess seemed to be a stickler for rules. Just then, the voice of her head maid came from outside, “Your Highness, are you awake?”

Jianning hummed in response, and the maid conveyed, “Miss Cuizhu from the duchess's side just came by to say that the Duke and Duchess were tired yesterday and will wake up late today. You and the heir should not hurry over to pay respects.”

Startled, Jianning heard Xiao Yuchen chuckle softly in her ear, “Believe me now? They both wake up late unless my father has court duties.”

She couldn't help but laugh, “Your parents are truly affectionate.”

Xiao Yuchen hummed and then said, “You won't have to attend to my mother often, because whenever my father is at home, he is almost always by her side.”

Jianning nodded and wrapped her arm around him, closing her eyes. She hoped that one day, she and Xiao Yuchen would share the same affection as her in-laws. But sleep was elusive—transitioning to a new environment and starting a fresh chapter of life came with its anxieties.

With her eyes closed, she planned her day, and although she attempted to rise several times, Xiao Yuchen playfully hindered her until daylight, when they finally got up. Worried about being late, Jianning hurriedly dressed and applied her makeup, while Xiao Yuchen, despite repeatedly reassuring her that there was no rush, eventually let her be, knowing she would understand in time.

After quickly readying themselves, the newlyweds walked to the World Peace Courtyard. Upon arrival, Cuizhu greeted them with a smile and asked them to wait in the small parlor, saying, “The duchess has just awoken, you and the heir will have to wait a bit.”

Jianning sighed in relief, then stood up, offering, “I'll go assist mother with her toilette.”

It was customary for a daughter-in-law to help her mother-in-law, but Cuizhu laughed and said, “The duke just returned from his morning exercise and is also present.”

Jianning nodded with a smile, then took her seat. With her father-in-law around, it wouldn't be proper for her to attend to her mother-in-law.

This was where the Duke's mansion differed from others—typically, the head of the household would have his own courtyard and would return there after rising, regardless of whether he spent the night with his wife or concubines. Then he would either dine with his wife or eat alone.

But in the Duke's residence, the patriarch himself had no separate quarters and lived entirely within his wife's courtyard, thus the custom of a daughter-in-law attending to her mother-in-law was virtually non-existent.

Meanwhile, Tang Shuyi was being helped into her clothes by Cuizhu, while Xiao Huai, dressed in casual attire, sat by. Once dressed, Cuizhu handed Tang Shuyi a wrung-out towel, informing her, “The heir and his wife have arrived.”

Tang Shuyi paused and then remarked, “It seems I have overslept.”

After a period of strenuous efforts, having finally married off the new bride, she felt a sense of relief and slept deeply last night, only to awaken today as the daylight brightly filled the sky.

"From now on, they can simply dine in their own courtyard," suggested Xiao Huai by her side.

Tang Shuyi hummed in acknowledgment, then instructed Cuizhu, "Later, remind the kitchen to immediately deliver whatever ingredients are needed to Qingfeng Courtyard."

While arranging Xiao Yuchen's Qingfeng Courtyard earlier, she had prepared a small kitchen, thinking that if the young couple wished to dine in their courtyard in the future, she had no objections at all.

Cuizhu affirmed with a yes, and Tang Shuyi thought about the words she needed to discuss with Jianing. Even though she felt the girl was very good, it was better to clarify certain matters when getting along with others to prevent misunderstandings.

Soon, she was ready, and with Cuizhu and the others leaving, Xiao Huai changed clothes, and the couple stepped out of the bedroom to see the three siblings and Jianing chatting in the small parlor. Seeing Jianing and Xiao Yuchen dressed in red, beaming with joy, both Tang Shuyi and Xiao Huai wore smiles on their faces.

The four rose to pay their respects, but Tang Shuyi waved them off to rise, then looked at Jianing and inquired, "Are you getting accustomed well?"

Jianing nodded with a smile, "Yes, mother, I’m adapting well."

"This is your home from now on," Tang Shuyi said with a smile. "If anything is inconvenient, have it changed."

Jianing quickly responded, "Everything is very good."

Tang Shuyi smiled and headed towards the dining room, thinking it normal for a new bride to be reserved. She would get used to it in time. The family entered the dining room where the meal was already served, everyone sat down, but Jianing went to Tang Shuyi’s side, ready to serve her food.

Seeing this, Tang Shuyi gestured for her to sit, "You eat, I don’t need to be served."

Hearing this, Jianing glanced at Xiao Yuchen, who pulled her beside him with a smile, whispering, "Mother isn’t being polite with you."

Jianing nodded and then bowed to Tang Shuyi, "Thank you, mother."

Tang Shuyi hummed in response, and Xiao Yuchen and Jianing sat down to eat. The family began to dine and chat, clearly without the rule of silence during meals at the Duke's mansion.

However, Jianing didn’t feel that the Duke’s family lacked rules. She had attended banquets with Tang Shuyi and Xiao Yuzhu before, where both displayed impeccable etiquette.

On the contrary, she felt that dining while chatting created a more warm and joyful atmosphere.

After breakfast, the family moved to the front hall, as the new bride had to perform the tea ceremony that day. They had just sat down when Xiao Yi Yuan’s family and Xiao Jing's family also arrived.

Then Xiao Yuchen and Jianing proceeded to serve tea to everyone and sat down for a chat. After a while, Xiao Yi Yuan and Xiao Jing took their leave, while Tang Shuyi kept Xiao Yuchen and Jianing back for a talk.

Taking a sip of tea, Tang Shuyi said, "Your father and I don't adhere to so many formalities on a regular basis, so you don’t need to come to pay respects every morning. Your courtyard has a small kitchen, and you can dine there from now on to save the trouble of running back and forth."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yuchen immediately asked, “Does this mean we can’t dine at Shi An Yuan anymore?”

His voice even carried a hint of grievance.

Tang Shuyi sighed helplessly, “You can still eat at Shi An Yuan if you wish, just like before. When meals are ready, someone will come to call you.”

“Then we will continue to dine at Shi An Yuan,” declared Xiao Yuchen.

Tang Shuyi hummed in acknowledgment, then added, “Once you have your own households, you'll manage your own family affairs. Your father and I intend for you to draw a thousand taels of silver from the public fund each month for your personal expenses. Yuchen, your private wealth is also part of your household now. We will no longer involve ourselves in your day-to-day matters.”

Xiao Yuchen and Jia Ning were both startled; this was almost like being set independent!

At that moment, Tang Shuyi continued, “Let it be so for now. Once Yu Ming is married, the family’s wealth and properties will be divided among the three of you siblings.”

It was indeed a partition of the household!

Xiao Yuchen stood up abruptly and looked at Tang Shuyi, asking, “Mother, have I done something wrong?”

Why else would there be a division? Not dividing the family while the parents are alive is tradition.

Tang Shuyi was silent, organizing her thoughts to explain, when Xiao Huai said, “You’ve done nothing wrong; your mother and I simply tire of managing your affairs.”

The room fell silent. Tang Shuyi glanced at Xiao Huai; although harsh, his words did indeed convey their intentions. She still explained, “You are no longer children. You should take care of your own matters.”

Xiao Yuchen looked from Tang Shuyi to Xiao Huai. Both appeared calm, but he knew they must have planned this well in advance.

Then Xiao Huai stood up, saying he had words for Xiao Yuchen, and the two of them left, leaving only Tang Shuyi and Jia Ning in the room. Tang Shuyi beckoned Jia Ning to sit beside her and, taking her hand, said:

“Don’t overthink it. The division is something your father-in-law and I have considered for a long time and has nothing to do with you. Even though we divide, we will still live within the same estate. You can come to dine and play at my place whenever you wish. We’re still a family, only now each will manage their own affairs.”

Jia Ning nodded, “Father and mother are both wise people.”

Initially shocked by the mention of a division, she soon realized that having their own households might actually foster more harmony. Managing one's own affairs could avoid many minor conflicts.

Tang Shuyi smiled, “I’m just lazy and don’t want to worry too much. Our family doesn’t adhere strictly to minor conventions; you'll gradually come to understand this. I only hope that you and Yuchen live together in harmony.”

Jia Ning felt a wave of warmth in her heart. In just one morning, she could already sense the peace and harmony of this family, free from intrigue, which was true even for the other branches of the family outside this estate. Such a home was very reassuring.

After conversing a while longer, mother-in-law and daughter-in-law each returned to their respective courtyards. The following day, when returning to her parental home, Jia Ning and Xiao Yuchen first visited the Prince's mansion to exchange a few words, then, accompanied by Li Jinghao, went to the Marquis of Li's estate.

Upon seeing Jianing, the Dowager Marchioness of the Li State took her hand and eagerly inquired about her recent days at the Duke of Ding's residence. Jianing recounted the events in detail, and the Dowager Marchioness's smile never faded.

After Jianing finished speaking, she clasped her hands together and said devoutly, "Amitabha, may Buddha bless my Jianing with such good fortune."

Jianing smiled happily, and the Dowager Marchioness, holding her hand, added, "Your mother-in-law is generous, but you must not become complacent; you still owe her respect and kindness. When others treat us well, we should reciprocate."

Jianing nodded earnestly, "Grandmother, rest assured, I understand."

The Dowager Marchioness embraced her and laughed, "If you could quickly give birth to a son or even a daughter, I would be completely at ease."

Jianing's face turned red, her mind sweetly flitting back to their wedding night's initial awkwardness. Women desired a husband who was untouched just as men wished for an unblemished wife.

After returning from her visit home, Xiao Yuchen began his duties at the Hanlin Academy, and Jianing no longer thought about the morning rituals of paying respects to and assisting her mother-in-law, Lady Tang Shiyi, with her toilette. However, she gradually noticed something; the rumors that the Duke of Ding was henpecked might be true, as it seemed that everything in the household revolved around her mother-in-law, with her father-in-law, the great military commander, the Duke of Ding, appearing to heed her every word.

For Tang Shiyi, having a daughter-in-law didn't change her routine much, but the imperial court had started to grow restless these days, with many ministers advocating for the new emperor's marriage.

On this matter, Li Jingyi's stance was firm. He declared, "When to marry and whom to marry are matters of my personal life; there's no need for my loyal subjects to fret over it."

Driven by substantial interests, those ministers naturally wouldn't listen, and some even went to the imperial palace, discussing the emperor's marriage with the Empress Dowager.

Cining Palace

The Empress Dowager sat at the head, listening to a woman in her fifties reminisce, "We entered the palace together all those years ago, and in the blink of an eye so much time has passed, yet it feels as if it were only yesterday."

The speaker was a consort of the late emperor, surnamed Chen, later known as Consort Chen. After the previous emperor's demise, she retreated to Fahua Temple for a life of contemplation. Having spent many years at the temple, she seldom returned to the capital. The Empress Dowager once had a cordial relationship with her and now felt a wave of sentiment hearing her recount the past.

"Have you been well these years?" she inquired.

"Well," replied Consort Chen. "The temple is tranquil, and life there is indeed better than in the palace."

"If you are well, then I am at ease," the Empress Dowager said with a smile.

Consort Chen looked at her, a face filled with contentment, "You've come through adversity to taste joy at last. The emperor is a filial child."

The Empress Dowager nodded, "He is a good child indeed."

Lady Chen sipped her tea before saying, “The Emperor is fifteen, isn’t he?”

Hearing this, the color drained slightly from the Empress Dowager's face, "Nearly fifteen."

"It's about time to consider matrimonial matters," said Consort Chen with a smile. "The Emperor is young and should be attended by those who are sensitive to his needs. If the Empress cannot be settled upon, perhaps a selection of ladies, knowledgeable and sensible, could be brought into the palace to serve him."

Everyone knew that the position of Empress was reserved for the daughter of the Duke of Dingguo. At this juncture, no one dared vie for the Empress's seat, but the other positions were certainly up for competition!

"The Emperor is still young, and now is the time for diligent study. The matter of marriage can wait a few more years," the Grand Empress Dowager said indifferently.

These days she had come to a realization that having the Emperor be with just one woman was actually quite good; at the very least, it meant less strife in the harem. As for heirs, since Xiao Yuzhu was healthy and the Xiao Huai couple had decided to let her enter the palace, there shouldn't be any issues with childbirth. Even if producing an heir proved difficult, adoption from the imperial clan was an option.

Almost every emperor took the throne only after his predecessor's demise, so there was no issue of an adopted child being unfilial. As for what happens after death, who can really manage to concern themselves with so much?

PS: Two chapters have been combined into one, without a reduction in the number of words.