Chapter 407: Why Bother About the Views of Others?

Chapter 407: Why Bother About the Views of Others?

The words "taking a concubine" gripped Jianing's heart tightly, causing an almost suffocating pain.

Before marriage, she could easily convince herself that she knew what she wanted, and she could say without difficulty that if Xiao Yuchen was devoted to her, she would never fail him.

But if Xiao Yuchen were to take a concubine, or harbor another woman in his heart, she would fulfill her duties as the legal wife, and of course, she would possess the rights that come with that position.

However, since their marriage, her relationship with Xiao Yuchen had grown increasingly intimate, and these days, she hadn't even thought about the possibility of concubines. Now, with her grandmother bringing it up, her heart ached uncontrollably. She realized she was deeply invested.

The old Duchess then added, "You shouldn't worry too much. Any respectable family would not allow a concubine to bear the eldest son. Your mother-in-law is sensible, and Yuchen is a good man; he wouldn't commit such an act."

Although Jianing was deeply distressed inside, she didn't let it show and nodded slightly, "I understand."

Shortly after, the physician arrived. Jianing extended her arm for him to take her pulse. The doctor's fingers rested on her wrist, and after a while, he switched to the other hand, then declared, "The princess is in good health, with no ailments found."

The old Duchess asked after hearing this, "What about issues with offspring?"

The physician replied, "As I have said, the princess is free from ailments, which naturally includes no impediments to childbearing."

The old Duchess was relieved and, after the doctor left, she smiled at Jianing, "Doctor Hu is the best in the capital. If he says you are well, then you certainly are. As for children, it's all about fate; your time simply hasn't come yet."

Jianing nodded, "Actually, I’m not in a rush."

………

Jianing stayed at the Li Guo Duke's residence for lunch before returning to her own. On reaching Qingfeng Courtyard and learning that Tang Shuyi had already returned and that Xiao Huai was not in the residence, she proceeded to Shi’an Courtyard.

Tang Shuyi was conversing with Xiao Yuzhu when she saw her coming. He immediately waved her over to sit beside him, smiling and saying, "The weather is getting hotter by the day. I'm considering a retreat to our country residence to escape the heat. Would you care to join me?"

"Sister-in-law, the country residence is such fun. You can climb the hills to pick fruit and even catch fish," Xiao Yuzhu added enticingly.

The customs of the Dagan Empire were liberal, but even so, noblewomen from the capital rarely engaged in activities like fruit-picking or fish-catching in the wild. Yet, upon hearing Xiao Yuzhu's words, Tang Shuyi merely smiled without a hint of reproach.

Jianing suddenly realized something; the people of the Dingguo Duke's household never cared for the odd glances of others, nor did they mind the gossip. The capital was rife with rumors about her mother-in-law's jealousy and her father-in-law being henpecked, but they continued living as they pleased.

Now, half a year into her marriage with no child, Jianing thought, as long as her in-laws and husband said nothing, why should she care about the views of others? Certain remarks, if not made to her face, were as if never spoken. And should anyone dare to speak directly to her, she would certainly not allow herself to be at a disadvantage.

With this clarity, she felt a weight lift off her shoulders and said with a laugh, "That sounds delightful. I'll join you for some fruit-picking and fishing when the time comes."

Xiao Yuzhu giggled and nodded, and Tang Shuyi added, "Don't worry about Yu Chen; we have plenty of people at home to look after things."

Xiao Yuchen had duties at the Hanlin Academy and naturally could not accompany them for the summer retreat. Jianing was not worried about him, yet the thought of being apart for several days made her reluctant to leave, as they had not spent a single day apart since their marriage.

When Xiao Yuchen learned that Jianing was planning to escape the summer heat, he too felt reluctant. But considering that Jianing had hardly been out to enjoy herself since their wedding, he agreed, despite his reluctance. Facing an impending separation, the newlyweds' affections grew even deeper.

On the day of departure to the country residence, it coincided with a court holiday, so Xiao Huai and Xiao Yuchen both accompanied them. Since they planned to stay for over a month, they took plenty of belongings, and their procession included over a dozen carriages, quite a grand spectacle.

Pedestrians and other carriages on the road conscientiously cleared a path upon seeing the carriages of the Dingguo Duke's household. This was out of respect for the Duke's contribution to national stability and the implicit authority and power that commanded respect.

However, the Duke's carriages traveled slowly within the city. Suddenly, another carriage approached from the opposite direction. With market stalls on either side of the street, there was no room for the carriages to pass side by side.

The coachman halted, and the steward Zhao, who accompanied them, recognized the oncoming carriage as belonging to the Ming family. By social hierarchy, the Ming family should yield the way, but they showed no intention of doing so.

Such matters did not require the attention of Tang Shuyi or Xiao Huai. Steward Zhao sent a house manager to communicate with the Ming family. The manager approached the carriage and said respectfully, "Our lord and lady of Dingguo Duke are passing through; please kindly make way for their carriage."

The lady of the Ming family lifted the carriage curtain, glanced at the manager, and asked, "Oh, is it the carriage of the Dingguo Duke's household? Are the lady and the county princess inside?"

The manager slightly frowned and replied, "They are."

"Then allow me to pay my respects to the lady of Dingguo Duke," she said.

With no choice, the manager led the Ming lady to Tang Shuyi and Xiao Huai's carriage, announcing, "My lady, the Madam Ming has arrived."

Tang Shuyi was engaged in a game of chess with Xiao Huai, her hand pausing over a chess piece. She then lifted the carriage curtain and saw a woman in her forties standing outside. The behavior of Madam Ming was somewhat displeasing to Tang Shuyi.

Forget the strict hierarchy of ancient times; even in the modern era of supposed equality, a section-level official would step aside respectfully for a ministerial-level leader.

But Lady Ming, far from stepping aside, approached to speak. Thus, Tang Shuyi merely glanced at her indifferently without a word. Lady Ming, feeling both nervous and annoyed at this reception—she had taken the initiative to speak, and yet the Duchess sat in her carriage, making no move to descend. She was, after all, the current Emperor's maternal aunt by marriage.

Nonetheless, she had some sense, aware that the Emperor currently relied on the Duke of Dingguo's household. Despite her irritation, she forced a smile, "To encounter the Duchess here must be fate. Allow me to pay my respects."

With that, she curtsied, and Tang Shuyi smiled faintly, responding, "Lady Ming, dispense with the formalities. I'm in a hurry today and cannot stay to chat. If there's nothing urgent, we shall part ways here."

Lady Ming craned her neck to peer into the carriage, curious to glimpse Xiao Yuzhu's features, but instead, she met Xiao Huai's sharply contoured side profile. Unsatisfied, she shifted slightly for a better view but recoiled under Xiao Huai's indifferent gaze, quickly averting her eyes.

"Alright... alright."

She immediately turned and made her way back to her carriage, climbed in, and instructed the coachman to move on.