Chapter 402: Intelligence is Also Needed

Chapter 402: Intelligence is Also Needed

The next day, Xiao Yiyuan arrived at the Marquis’ mansion to apologize. As soon as he got home the previous day, Lu had told him about Tao's behavior, and he was furious. What business was it of hers whether Xiao Yuzhen and Princess Jianing were expecting a child?

After finding Tao, he rebuked her harshly and decreed a month's confinement for her. Then, early this morning, he came to offer his apologies. Regarding this matter, Tang Shuyi did not comment; it was up to Jianing whether to forgive or not.

Jianing wore an appropriate smile, "It’s not a serious matter; we are all family, and I know what Lady Tao is like."

Xiao Yiyuan let out a sigh of relief, but before he could relax completely, he heard Jianing add, "However, while we, as a family, may overlook Lady Tao’s temperament, it would be troublesome if she were to offend outsiders."

Xiao Yiyuan clenched his fists, "Indeed."

That was all he could say.

Jianing looked at him again and suggested, "Why don’t we do this? Have Lady Tao learn some manners, how to treat people properly, and how to socialize."

With that, she turned to Tang Shuyi and inquired, "Mother, what do you think?"

Tang Shuyi nodded, then asked Xiao Yiyuan, "Yiyuan, what do you say?"

Xiao Yiyuan naturally agreed and even stood up to thank Tang Shuyi and Jianing. As for whether Tao would suffer while learning manners, he felt that could be ignored. It wasn’t a lack of filial piety; if he wasn’t stern with his mother, she might cause real trouble.

Once the matter was settled, Xiao Yiyuan took his leave. Tang Shuyi asked Jianing with a smile, "Who do you plan to have teach her manners?"

Jianing replied, "Let's ask a nanny from the palace. There are many serious and strict nannies there."

She was blunt, wanting Tao to learn manners was indeed a form of punishment. Tang Shuyi laughed out loud, "Okay, I haven't paid my respects to the Empress Dowager in a couple of days. I'll have someone send a request to the palace shortly."

"Alright."

Mother-in-law and daughter-in-law shared a knowing smile, a moment of mutual understanding—they were neither of them the type to suffer losses lightly.

The next day, the two went to the palace together, spent some time chatting with the Empress Dowager, and then returned with two of the strictest nannies from the palace. By the afternoon, the nannies had made their appearance before Tao…

In the days that followed, life was not easy for Madam Tao. Even during the grand wedding of Xiao Yi Yuan and Tang An Le, the two stern maids stayed with her, likely to be her constant companions from then on.

After a day of bustling celebration, Lady Lu called Madam Tao over and said, "Yi Yuan has brought home his bride. You must be happy."

Madam Tao nodded. Her daughter-in-law came from a good family, was beautiful, brought a substantial dowry, and most importantly, was the one her son loved. Naturally, she was very pleased.

"We're from the countryside and unfamiliar with the capital's customs," Lady Lu said as she looked at Madam Tao. "From now on, we should follow the practices of the Duke's residence. If the Duchess doesn't require her daughter-in-law to perform the ritual visits morning and evening, nor to serve her personally, then we need not either."

Madam Tao was prepared for this and agreed without hesitation. Lady Lu added, "As for how to get along with your daughter-in-law, you should learn from the Duchess."

Madam Tao nodded again. The education from the two maids had made her understand the importance of her daughter-in-law to her son and their household. Her current mindset was to avoid conflicts with her daughter-in-law as long as the latter did not provoke any.

On the next day during the tea ceremony for the new bride, Tang Shu Yi spoke with Tang An Le alone after the ceremony. She inquired about her well-being from the previous day until now. Hearing that neither Lady Lu nor Madam Tao had imposed any servitude upon her and had relieved her of the daily rituals, Tang Shu Yi felt reassured.

Still, she said, "If you ever feel aggrieved or face difficulties, come and talk to me."

Tang An Le, holding her arm, nodded, "I understand, Aunt."

After some more conversation, Tang Shu Yi and the others returned to the Duke's residence.

Meanwhile, Chen Tai Fei sat before the Empress Dowager, tears dabbing her handkerchief, "My nephew has always been timid. It's not surprising to hear he's mishandled matters, but accusations of embezzlement, especially for such a large sum, are utterly impossible."

The Empress Dowager's face showed helplessness, "I've heard that the Ministry of Justice conducted a thorough investigation. The evidence and witnesses are indisputable."

"It must be a frame-up," Chen Tai Fei hastily interjected. "He might have been involved in the embezzlement case, but he's certainly not the mastermind. He lacks both the courage and the capability. Empress Dowager, I beg you to speak on his behalf to the Emperor, to spare him."

The Empress Dowager sighed deeply, "The women of the harem are not to interfere in politics. I have no say and shall not meddle in the affairs of the state."

"Empress Dowager, I implore you..."

Chen Tai Fei knelt before the Empress Dowager, who remained seated, unfazed. She said, "You've practiced Buddhism for years. How can you not see things clearly? What you should and shouldn't involve yourself in, what you can and cannot control, haven't you ever considered that? Whether the Chen family truly respects you or is simply using you, haven't you thought it through?"

Chen Tai Fei was taken aback by her words. Seeing her confusion, the Empress Dowager said no more. "Return home and ponder on my words. Do not send for me again. I shall not see you anymore."

As Chen Tai Fei slumped to the floor, the Empress Dowager ordered her attendants to escort her out and then said to her maid, "She has never truly understood in her life. That she has lived this long is purely by fortune."

The maid replied, "It's mainly because she was never favored, and her only pregnancy ended in tragedy without posing a threat."

The Empress Dowager sighed deeply, "Let's just hope she ceases to cause trouble."

Tang Shu Yi soon learned from Xiao Huai about Chen Tai Ran being imprisoned for embezzlement. "Over two hundred thousand taels of silver," she mused. "Does Chen Tai Ran even possess such capacity?"

Embezzlement isn't for everyone—it takes a certain intellect to pilfer over two hundred thousand taels. Could Chen Tai Ran, a man easily manipulated, possess the brainpower to commit such a substantial theft?

Xiao Huai chuckled upon hearing her words, "This investigation simply followed the trail. Initially, His Majesty intended only to look into Chen Tai Ran, to discipline him as a warning to others. Yet, unexpectedly, it unearthed a colossal embezzlement scandal."

"You don't really think Chen Tai Ran was the mastermind, do you?" Tang Shu Yi inquired.

Xiao Huai replied, "As you said, he lacks the brains for it. But now, all the evidence points to him. Clearly, he's been made the scapegoat."

"So, has the real mastermind behind it all been uncovered?" Tang Shu Yi asked.

Xiao Huai shook his head, "There are leads, but that person cannot be touched for now. The emperor's will is to wrap up the case on the surface with Chen Tai Ran as the ringleader. As for the other, time will tell."

Tang Shu Yi hummed in acknowledgment, then added, "When it comes to patience and biding time, few can surpass His Majesty."

If he could endure the desolation of the Cold Palace, then what's to come would be no harder.